initializeData({"status":1,"result":[{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Accounting","programcode":"DR200","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Abdullahi Ahmed, Nirav Parikh, Daniel Richards","title":"Financial Literacy amongst Migrant Small Business Entrepreneurs","description":"Small businesses are significant contributors to the economic development of the country as they provide affordable goods and services to the population and jobs to citizens. More importantly, employees who get experiences in these businesses have an opportunity for self-employment sometime in the future. However, due to the low or inadequate financial skill of business entrepreneurs, the failure rate amongst small business is quite high. Hence, entrepreneurs require thorough financial knowledge for long term survival of their business enterprise. Prior research has found that small businesses started by owners who are migrants have lower failure rates and higher growth rates (Lever-Tracy et al., 1991) 1. In Australia, findings suggest that a significant number of successful small businesses are established by entrepreneurs who have immigrated from a non-English speaking background (Stanger, 1992). Furthermore, it has been found that financial literacy amongst males is higher than females, which can impact business successes (Al Tamimi and Kalli, 2009).\nThe primary aim of this project is to develop a better understanding of the reasons why migrant entrepreneurs have a higher success rate than locals with a focus on the financial literacy of entrepreneurs. Moreover, the research will address the question of gender inequality in the business environment by focusing on whether limited financial literacy amongst women affects their entrepreneurial skills. Research outcomes will provide insights into critical factors affecting business failures and assist policymakers in formulating policies that support programmes for businesses that are struggling to succeed.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Accounting","programcode":"DR200","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Yapa, Nava Subramaniam, Sarath Ukwatte","title":"Public sector accounting","description":"Although public sector accounting is positioned as a well-developed field of research, it has witnessed radical reforms in many developed countries (Broadbent and Guthrie, 1998, Goddard, 2010, Modell, 2013). In addition, the Asia-Pacific region (including Australia and New Zealand) has also witnessed significant public sector reform initiatives in terms of reforming the role of the state and its impact on public sector management; state\/private sector relationship; resource use and efficiency (UN, 2003). This study examines how public sector accounting standards can provide up to date information using accrual accounting for informed strategic decisions. Innovations in the public sector is critical for improving service quality and efficiency. While, the use of international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS) has largely evolved in the developed nations, their impact in emerging economies is still largely in the intermediate level. The IPSAS aim to support innovative governance practices.This project examines the public sector accounting in emerging economies including South and South East Asia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Theoretical Cybersecurity Risk Assessment for Large Language Models Advancing Towards AGI","description":"As large language models (LLMs) rapidly evolve towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), they present both immense potential and significant cybersecurity risks. This theoretical project aims to develop a comprehensive risk assessment framework for the evolving landscape of advanced LLMs, focusing on their progression towards potential AGI capabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-24","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Business Information Systems","programcode":"460499 - Cybersecurity and privacy not elsewhere classified (60%), 460406 - Software and application security (20%), 490199 - Applied mathematics not elsewhere classified (10%).","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alemayehu Molla","title":"Investigating the digital transformation of mobility services","description":"Mobility of people, goods and materials is a vital driver of economic activities globally. However, it is also accounting for nearly one-fourth of energy related global CO2 emissions. There is a need for solutions to transform mobility systems and reduce congestion in view of an increasing acceleration of urbanization and in order to achieve one of the sustainable development goals, i.e., access to safe, a\ufb00ordable and sustainable transport systems for all. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a digital innovation that aims to transform mobility. It represents a new idea for conceiving mobility and a new transport solution which merges different available transport modes and mobility services. This PhD project investigates how users faced with a mobility decision, account for a given set of features about a MaaS platform and then subsequently decide which mobility service to select. In particular, the focus will be on users\u2019 decision-making processes, on their rationality and adaptiveness. The project will draw insights from rational choice, transaction cost and inclusion model of environmental concern theories and quantitative data analysis. Successful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, and statistical analysis. The supervision team includes specialists in transport and information systems. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform\u2019s Organisational transformation and innovation capabilities enhancements priority area","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Business Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hepu Deng, Joan Richardson","title":"Intelligent Utilisation of Digital Resources in Higher Education","description":"Teaching and learning is increasingly becoming a more flexible, anywhere-anytime-based, digital resource-oriented personalized learning process leveraging the convenience and omnipresence characteristics of emerging technologies. This leads to the production and accumulation of a huge amount of digital learning resources in various repositions. With the growing demand on academics and the increasing expectation from students, how to effectively produce and utilize digital resources in an intelligent manner for providing students with personalised learning experience is becoming critical in higher education. This project investigates the perception and expectation of learners and academics on the intelligent production and utilization of digital resources for improving the delivery of teaching and learning in higher education. Drawing the insight from the technology adoption theory and the learning pedagogical model, the project will develop a systematic framework for facilitating the intelligent production and utilization of digital resources for improving the learning experience of students.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods and statistical analysis techniques. The supervision team includes specialists in information systems and e-learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT)","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kok-Leong Ong, Yee Ling Boo, Chao Chen","title":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven data synthesis \u2013 overcoming business challenges in data scarce environment","description":"Getting good data is a challenge for many businesses, especially when costs, time and resources are considered. As such, to implement effective AI driven solution remains a desirable goal but is out of reach for many businesses on a smaller scale. To effectively achieve scale in AI and machine learning deployment, data synthesis is needed to augment the lack of, or small amount of data samples available for machine learning (ML). In fact, it is estimated by Gartner that more than half of the data for future AI\/ML solutions will depend on synthetically generated data. This research will develop ways to intelligently generate synthetic data reflective of the real-world scenario using generative modelling frameworks. Approaches, such as VAE and GAN techniques will be considered as starting points to developing suitable methods for data synthesis under multimodal data types to fit common business use-cases. It is expected that the PhD student will identify the existing gap in current data synthesis methods, map out ways in which data synthesis can be evaluated and then develop solutions that can be operationalised within an organisation like Eliiza.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence; ISE 1 Data and Sensors","forcodes":"350301 - 100%"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Information Management","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Leveraging cutting-edge technologies to boost cybersecurity","description":"Due to the widespread use of small personal devices (like smartphones) and giant computer machines or services, the globe is now extremely network connected (e.g., cloud computing). Millions of data bytes are generated, processed, transferred, shared, and used every minute to produce results in certain applications. Therefore, protecting data, machines (devices), and users' privacy online has become of the highest importance to everyone, from private citizens to corporate entities to national governments [1].\rThe identification of zero-day malware, the classification of threats, and the execution of automated corrective measures can all be aided by artificial intelligence (AI) systems [2]. Given the increased number of tools available to developers who seek to construct AI scripts and software, hackers can use this technology to launch devastating cyberattacks. Cybersecurity organisations employ machine learning (ML) and AI to stop malware. However, these same technologies may also be widely utilised to break into networks and other devices. This project intends to create new attack detection architectures and algorithms through creative strategies combining AI, ML, federated learning, digital twins, and distributed optimisation. It is essential to have programming knowledge (e.g., Python, Matlab, or R).\rReferences\r[1] D. Dasgupta et al.\"Machine learning in cybersecurity: a comprehensive survey\" The Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation 19.1(2022):57-106.\r[2] F. Alhaidari et al. \"ZeVigilante: Detecting Zero-Day Malware Using Machine Learning and Sandboxing Analysis Techniques\" Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience 2022.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 4 Cyber Security; ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (50%), 460603 Cyberphysical systems and internet of things (20%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%), 490304 Optimisation (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Logistics and Supply Chain Management","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Enhancing supply-chain security using emerging technologies","description":"Numerous supply chain issues, such as the current COVID-19 outbreak, demonstrate the importance of more robust, collaborative, and networked supply chain management (SCM) for the world economy. Thus, a research framework for supply chain cybersecurity is essential for the business environment [1]. Manufacturing was the top industry targeted in 2021's SCM cyberattacks, according to the recently released IBM Security X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2022 [2]. A digital supply chain twin is a digital representation of the physical supply chain that includes lifecycle stakeholders, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and maintainers in the context of SCM.\rIn order to replicate SCMs (i.e., processes involved in the production and distribution of a product) in various industries, this project aims to design a blockchain-based Artificial Intelligence-enabled digital-twins framework with an integrated cybersecurity architecture. This framework will enable secure decentralised data sharing and management of DT components and their associated data to mitigate cyberattacks.\rIt is essential to have programming knowledge (e.g., Python, Matlab, or R).\r[1] S. Melnyk et al. \"New challenges in supply chain management: cybersecurity across the supply chain\" International Journal of Production Research 60.1(2022):162-183. [2] IBM, \"Combating new threats in a time of constant change\" 2022 [Online].","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 4 Cyber Security; ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (35%), 350909 Supply chains (30%), 460603 Cyberphysical systems and internet of things (15%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (10%), 490304 Optimisation (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Safeguarding Solar Power Renewable Energy from Cyber Threats","description":"The world undergoes numerous challenges as energy demand overflows from commercial enterprises, businesses, and households. The ongoing global energy crisis highlights the pivotal role of renewable energy, boosting the urgency to transition to cleaner energy solutions [1]. By championing and investing in its advancement, we can reduce carbon emissions, lessen our dependency on fossil fuels, and pave the way for a more sustainable, secure, and eco-friendly energy landscape. \r\n\r\nThe increasing reliance on solar power renewable energy systems (SPRES) has produced scholarly attention focusing on its cybersecurity aspects. Historically, energy systems have been analog and isolated, whereas, with the integration of digital technologies, there is a paradigm shift toward connected and smarter grids, boosting the cyber threat landscape. While these systems hold significant potential for future energy consumption patterns, their complex security vulnerabilities remain under-explored [2, 3]. Integrating machine learning, deep learning, federated learning, AI, and blockchain technologies individually aims to address certain aspects of these vulnerabilities. However, a comprehensive and cohesive understanding of how these technologies can be synergised to create a holistic security framework still needs to be developed. Additionally, the trade-offs between blockchain integration and overall system performance and the real-time effectiveness of AI-powered intrusion detection in the unique context of solar power systems remain ambiguous and demand a rigorous investigation. \r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop a comprehensive security framework that integrates the cutting-edge technologies of blockchain, AI, machine learning, and federated deep learning, each offering unique benefits in enhancing SPRES security. These technologies are integrated to address the existing security gaps and anticipate and mitigate emerging threats essential to the rapid expansion of SPRES.\r\n\r\n[1]  COP26 Goals. [Online] https:\/\/ukcop26.org\/cop26-goals\/, 2021. \r\n[2]  J. Ruan et al., \u201cAn inertia-based data recovery scheme for false data injection attack\u201d, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 18(11):1\u20131, 2022. \r\n[3]  W. Qiu et al., \u201cCyber-attack detection: Modeling and roof-PV generation system defending\u201d, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 59(1):160\u2013168, 2023. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (40%)\r\n090608 Renewable Power and Energy Systems Engineering (30%)\r\n460603 Cyberphysical systems and Internet of Things (20%)\r\n460299 Artificial intelligence (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babak Abbasi","title":"Blockchain-based operations research for a fairer kidney exchange program.","description":"This project analyses the challenges in the existing kidney exchange program within Australia and across the Pacific. It will identify critical weaknesses and establish a blockchain-based platform that matches incompatible kidney donor and recipient pairs with other incompatible pairs across Australia and the Pacific.\nThe current kidney organ donation and transplantation systems present various obstacles and prerequisites regarding enrolment, matching donors with recipients, organ removal and delivery, and transplantation that are subject to legal, clinical, ethical, and technical limitations. Healthcare administrators use operations research techniques to optimize resource allocation and solve scheduling problems for allocating donors\u2019 kidneys. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of existing literature to examine the use of operations research for allocating donors\u2019 kidneys. It mainly includes three stages: provider-facing decision aids, system-level planning, and patient-facilitated wait times estimation. The most commonly used operational research techniques included Markov models, decision analysis models, optimization, and queuing models. The literature suggests that the current techniques lack in assessing the validity of model inferences and highlights the usefulness of more advanced operations research techniques in supporting decision-making for efficient kidney allocation, with the ultimate goal of reducing the gap between kidney supply and demand and improving population health. Consequently, a comprehensive organ donation and transplantation system is necessary to ensure an equitable and effective process that improves patient satisfaction and builds confidence. Blockchain technology has several potential applications in this area, including:\n\n1. Donor and Recipient Matching: Blockchain can improve the matching process between donors and recipients by creating a decentralized network that can accurately match donors and recipients based on medical and biological factors.\n\n2. Tracking and Traceability: Blockchain can provide a secure and tamper-proof method of tracking the movement of organs from donor to recipient.\n\n3. Data Management and Security: Blockchain can provide a secure and efficient way to manage patient data, including medical records and organ transplant information.\n\n4. Smart Contracts: Blockchain can facilitate the creation of smart contracts that can automate and simplify the organ donation and transplantation process, including the allocation of organs and financial transactions.\n\nIt should be noted that the use of blockchain in organ donation and transplantation is still in its early stages, and further research is needed to fully explore its potential. In this project, we will focus on evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of blockchain-based solutions in real-world settings. Based on findings from this analysis, a blockchain-based operational research platform for a fairer and more efficient kidney exchange program between Australia and the pacific for information and knowledge exchange will be established as part of the project\u2019s outcomes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"420308: Health informatics and information systems\n460499: Cybersecurity and privacy not elsewhere classified\n460908: Information Systems organisation and management\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"MR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shahriar Kaisar and Abebe Diro","title":"Unlocking the keys to equality and inclusion Opportunities and challenges for women in Australia\u2019s information security sector","description":"Currently, relatively little is about women\u2019s positions in the Australian security workforce. It has been widely observed, however, that women are strikingly underrepresented in this industry. In the wake of a growing global security staff and digital skills shortage, this equation is particularly unsettling. Thus, the expanding importance of the security sector across the economy, combined with an increasing awareness of the value of diversity and inclusive representation in professional contexts, points towards the need to examine the gender composition of the security industry in Australia","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350307 Technology Management\r\n350503 Human Resource Management\r\n350502 Employment Equality and Diversity"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka Halgamuge","title":"Utilizing Big-Data Analytics and AI for Cyber-Physical System Security Enhancement","description":"Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are complex, interconnected systems that integrate the physical world (smart objects) and the digital world to create a seamless environment and are considered an integral part of the Industry 4.0 revolution. Industrial control systems (ICS), smart healthcare, smart grids, and smart agriculture are some examples of CPS. Although CPS provides an excellent opportunity for remote controlling and monitoring, the interconnected nature of these systems also makes them vulnerable to an increasing number of cyberattacks, and the traditional security measures are inadequate to protect them. \r\n\r\nBig Data Analytics (BDA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have the potential to enhance CPS security by providing predictive and proactive measures to safeguard these systems against potential threats. The proposed research aims to investigate how BDA and AI can enhance CPS security through a comprehensive framework. As part of this PhD project, the student will investigate current state-of-the-art cybersecurity approaches for CPS protection and investigate how BDA and AI can further contribute to CPS security. \r\n\r\nThis project carries the potential for an internship opportunity.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"Impact of Digital Trust on Cybersecurity Governance, Value, and Compliance","description":"The rising number of cyberattacks worldwide highlights the importance of cybersecurity governance [1].  There is a need for more investigation into the influence of digital trust on an organization's value, governance, and compliance [2]. Also, it is essential to explore the impact of corporate governance elements on digital trust. In addition, significant research is required to determine the effectiveness of developing cybersecurity technologies and methodologies and identify the risks and ethical implications of their use.\n\nThis PhD project aims to develop cutting-edge methods for analysing the effect of digital trust on organisation value, governance, and compliance in cybersecurity, approaches to utilise new cybersecurity technologies that may enhance organisational security, a culture of cybersecurity, risk-based approaches towards creating a cyber-resilient environment, and address ethical considerations associated with their use.\n\nThis project carries the potential for an internship opportunity.\n\n[1] C. Dunn et al., \"Regulatory cybersecurity governance in the making: the formation of ENISA and its struggle for epistemic authority\", Journal of European Public Policy, 1\u201323, 2023.\n\n[2] L. Kluiters et al., \"The impact of digital trust on firm value and governance: an empirical investigation of US firms\", Society and Business Review, 18(1), 71\u2013103, 2023.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"26\/12\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (60%) ; 460908 Information systems organisation and management (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chao Chen","title":"Evaluating and Mitigating Security and Privacy Risks of real-world AI Systems","description":"This project aims to develop new practical risk assessment and mitigation methods for real-world Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems from security and privacy attacks whereby an attacker can steal sensitive information from AI models adopted by critical systems. This project expects to examine various attack models, create comprehensive and fine-grained privacy risk assessment framework, and develop utility-preserving mitigation mechanisms. Expected outcomes of this project include new tools to assess and mitigate security and privacy risks of real-world AI systems. This project hopes to provide significant benefits to Australia by improving the trustworthiness of AI models in national critical infrastructure, such as banking, health, etc.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460299 (60%) ; 460402 (20%) ; 460403 (20%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chao Chen","title":"Towards Responsible Enterprise AI","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the business world by enabling organizations to automate processes, enhance customer experiences, and improve productivity. However, the rapid adoption of AI has also raised concerns about its potential impact on our society. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it can unintentionally perpetuate biases, perpetuate discrimination, and threaten privacy rights.\n\nThe goal of this project is to advance the development and adoption of Responsible Enterprise AI (REAI). REAI refers to AI that is designed and used in an ethical, transparent, and sustainable manner in an enterprise setting. This project will focus on three key pillars of REAI:\n\nEthical AI: AI should be designed and deployed in a way that aligns with ethical principles, including fairness, accountability, and transparency.\nHuman-centered AI: AI should be designed to augment human capabilities and enable human decision-making, not replace it.\nTrusted AI: AI should be transparent, secure, and reliable, with built-in mechanisms for detecting and addressing errors and biases.\n\nThe project will aim to develop a framework for REAI. The framework will be informed by research on the ethical, social, and environmental implications of AI, as well as best practices for responsible AI development and deployment. The project will also involve the development the guidelines for AI governance in organisations.\n\nOverall, this project aims to promote the responsible use of AI in enterprise settings, ensuring that the benefits of AI are realised without compromising on ethical and social values. This project will sit within the Enterprise AI and Data Analytics Hub.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460299 (60%) ;  460911 (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201 \/ MR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Abebe Diro","title":"Ethical Frameworks for Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity","description":"This project aims to develop ethical frameworks for leveraging artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, addressing privacy, bias, transparency, and accountability concerns. The expected outcomes include increased awareness and understanding of ethics, the development of actionable frameworks, improved cybersecurity practices and policy recommendations for ethical use of AI in cybersecurity. The project has the potential to enhance business trust and reputation by promoting responsible AI use in the cybersecurity industry, and potentially reduce the financial impact of data breaches and cyberattacks. The project can also promote trust in technology and support broader social values such as privacy and fairness by protecting the privacy of individuals and prevent the misuse of AI systems. By ensuring that AI systems are transparent, unbiased, and accountable, the project can contribute to social values such as fairness and equity. The translation and adoption pathway for the research may involve collaboration with industry partners and policymakers to integrate the frameworks and guidelines into industry practices and regulations. By working with relevant stakeholders, the project aims to ensure that its outcomes are widely disseminated, adopted and become part of the broader AI ecosystem in cybersecurity. The project's ultimate goal is to create a more ethical and secure cyberspace for all. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"4604 Cybersecurity and privacy ; 4611 Machine learning "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yee Ling Boo","title":"Explainable AI and autonomous decision making ","description":"The increasing pervasiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is increasing in all facets of lives. Particularly in the contemporary business world, AI is being extensively used to support business managers in decision-making either in a primary or secondary role. The autonomy of AI systems ranges from semi-autonomous to fully autonomous. As the pace of AI autonomy advances using vast amounts of data and feature engineering, their appearance is getting opaquer and more incomprehensible for humans. This phenomenon generates an imminent need to develop mechanisms for enhancing the explainability of AI systems, especially for end users and those likely to get affected by such decisions. The PhD studentships will develop a framework to identify the analytical rationale behind AI systems. Through an extant review of academic and practitioners\u2019 literature, the first deliverable of the PhD will be a holistic summary of the current issues regarding the explainability of AI and its implications in autonomous decision-making. The second deliverable is expected to be a transdisciplinary experiment-based investigation where guidance from various disciplines such as computer science, data science, social science and organisational behaviour will be synergised to explore explainability of AI and its impact on autonomous decision-making in an organisational setting. The second deliverable is expected to develop the framework for autonomous decision-making through explainable AI. Lastly, the developed framework will be tested through various case studies. This PhD position will have internship opportunities with the AI hub\u2019s industry contacts. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/04\/2026","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"460902 Decision support and group support system (40%) ; 350301 Business analytics code (20%) ; 350303 Business Information Systems (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201 \/ MR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sophia Duan","title":"Navigating the future of artificial intelligence in small and medium-sized enterprises","description":"Artificial intelligence (AI) is a ground-breaking technology that disrupts businesses, markets, and competition. It has the potential to increase global GDP by up to 14% by 2030, an equivalent of an additional $14 to 15 trillion in contributions to the world economy. AI has been increasingly used in organizations for improving decision making, streamlining business process, and enhancing customer experience, leading to improved business performance. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the Australian economy. They have yet to fully embrace AI due to their unique characteristics in technology adoption such as lack of technical expertise, inadequate capital, strong influence of the owner on decision making, and extreme dependence on business partners. Understanding the AI readiness of SMEs with the consideration of their unique characteristics is therefore critical for enhancing the capabilities of SMEs in the adoption of AI for achieving competitive advantages. This PhD project will develop a framework to assess the AI readiness of SMEs and help SMEs develop strategies to stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven world.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"29\/12\/2028","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350303 (50%) ; 460908 (50%)\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Charles La","title":"Application of Artificial Intelligence in Sustainable Procurement Reporting","description":"This project aims to develop an AI system using open-source large language models to automate and enhance the compilation of the Sustainable Procurement Disclosure Index (SPDI), launched by RMIT University in 2024. Currently, the index relies on manual extraction and analysis of sustainability-related information from corporate sustainability reports and company websites. It is built using commonly adopted Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicators relevant to procurement practices, mapped to specific GRI standards and disclosure activities. A five-star rating and a disclosure score are generated for each company to enable benchmarking.\nManual assessment is time-consuming, subjective, and prone to inconsistency. By applying artificial intelligence, particularly natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML), this project will streamline and standardise the information retrieval and scoring process. The AI-enabled SPDI will provide rapid, scalable, and objective evaluations of procurement disclosure across a wide range of listed companies.\nCrucially, the system will support the generation of sector-specific indices guided by the principle of materiality, enhancing relevance and comparability. It will also incorporate multiple validation layers, including cross-verification with third-party audits, public databases, and technology-driven checks such as anomaly detection to flag inconsistencies or potential misreporting.\nThis innovative, data-driven approach will improve transparency, accountability, and consistency in corporate reporting. It will support investors, policymakers, and stakeholders in monitoring sustainable procurement practices and promote responsible sourcing. The project contributes to advancing sustainability performance tracking and supports the case for mandatory disclosure aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production.","sdg":"[\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply chains\n461105 Reinforcement learning"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vinh Thai","title":"Data analytics-enabled innovation and port performance improvement in Australia ","description":"Australia is heavily dependent on international trade, and more than 99% of the country's import and export in terms of volume are going through her ports. The effectiveness and efficiency of the Australian port system is, therefore, essential to the country's import and export competitiveness. According to recent reports of the Productivity Commission, however, the performance of the Australian ports has be come a concern. Meanwhile, similar to other countries, there is a fast on-going digital transformation in Australia especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project therefore investigates how data analytics-enabled innovation can contribute to enhance performance in the context of Australia, and whether this may lead to long-term competitiveness.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350904"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Masih Fadaki","title":"Deep Artificial Intelligence and Its Applications in Supply Chain Optimisation under Uncertainty ","description":"Over the past decade, faced with escalating uncertainties on both global and national levels, numerous firms have embarked on initiatives to restructure and revitalise their supply chains, with the aim of enhancing their adaptability to fluctuations within the supply chain network. To achieve this, it is imperative to expand our comprehension of modern supply chain management practices and digital transformation strategies, fostering the necessary skills to design a robust and responsive supply chain. Mathematical modelling and supply chain optimisation methods boast an extensive history of aiding organizations in making well-informed, data-driven decisions amidst uncertainty. However, these techniques encounter limitations when the scale of the problem becomes overwhelmingly large, decision drivers fluctuate in non-stationary and unpredictable ways, and companies begin adopting big data frameworks. Additionally, conventional AI approaches such as supervised learning are constrained by the need for costly expert datasets, which are generally difficult to procure.\n\nThe heightened volatility and uncertainty in today's supply chains, coupled with the limitations of conventional optimisation and AI methods, underscore the importance of the present PhD project, which aims to design and implement deep AI solutions for various supply chains. Deep AI empowers supply chain practitioners to devise solutions for situations where expert knowledge is unavailable, and the fundamental assumptions of standard optimisation models are breached. Another notable aspect of this project is the versatility offered by deep AI, as the developed solutions can be effortlessly transferred to different supply chain domains without being restricted by a specific network configuration. Throughout the PhD journey, the candidate will delve into contemporary AI frameworks and subsequently create a customised solution to enhance key performance indicators in supply chain and logistics management.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/03\/2026","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamrul Ahsan","title":"Electric vehicles supply chain","description":"The high level of concern about environmental pollution and the energy crisis is accelerating the pace of development and acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs) in the transport sector. This transformation of the automotive industry towards electrification by means of EVs will disrupt the entire automotive supply chain and lead to a significant shift in the supply chain of EV components. It is estimated that by 2035, half of global car sales will be EVs. Governments around the world are providing various incentives, including tax exemptions, to encourage people to replace their existing internal combustion vehicles (ICVs) with EVs. \nEV production involves the supply chain of several critical parts and materials. Among the critical parts, battery technology (lithium-ion batteries or LIBs) is one of the key areas for gaining a competitive advantage in the EV sector. The production of LIBs also involves the supply chain of various raw materials, some of which are critical and subject to supply risks. While EVs appear to be a suitable option to improve sustainability, the processing of LIBs is a complicated task for the recycling industry and remains a key concern due to environmental risks. Building local capacity to manufacture and recycle these batteries is essential. Therefore, collaboration between government, academia, manufacturers, OEMs and the battery recycling industry is needed to implement successful circular economy strategies. Furthermore, servicing of EVs in a local market also requires skills and capabilities that are yet to be explored extensively.\nWe consider EV supply chain issues to be an emerging area of research to address a variety of challenges across the technology, sustainability, and supply chain domains.  We, therefore, encourage potential PhD candidates to consider the following research projects:\nResearch Project 1- Closed-loop supply chain management of Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in EVs\nThis research project will explore the various issues such as challenges and mechanisms of closed-loop supply chain management of LIBs, including disposal, recycling and reuse, and the role of different stakeholders in this regard.\nResearch Project 2- Supply chain challenges of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) production for EVs\nThis project aims at investigating the potential challenges that manufacturing supply chains of LIBs face in Australia and other countries. \nResearch project 3 \u2013 Aftermarket service supply chain challenges of EVs adoption\nEVs are vastly different from ICVs and will require different skill sets, know-how, and capabilities from that of ICVs to effectively handle the aftermarket service of EVs. This project aims to investigate the skills\/competencies and capabilities required for the transition to EVs aftermarket service in Australia and other countries. \nConsidering the nature of the problem, the study will be conducted using a mixed method: case study, survey, and content analysis. We are interested in an HDR candidate with a solid background in any of the above research methods and supply chain management discipline. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"20\/11\/2024","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply chains (80%) ; 350999 Transportation, logistics and supply chains not elsewhere classified (10%) ; 401105 Life cycle assessment and industrial ecology (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sharon Maleki Far","title":"FMCG Supply Chain Optimisation via Integrating AI and Supply Chain Technologies","description":"The Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry is seeking supply chain solutions to optimise its operations to fulfil customers\u2019 demands effectively and efficiently. The emerging supply chain trends in the FMCG industry consist of agility, technology, and sustainability. Real-time end-to-end visibility and cloud-based solutions can facilitate data-driven supply chain optimisation and decision-making processes. Advanced supply chain technologies can help the FMCG industry to transform from a traditional to a digital supply chain and enhance the efficiency of its operations.\nThis proposed PhD project aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technologies to optimise the FMCG supply chain operations. The objective is to determine the most appropriate approach and design to implement and integrate AI and supply chain technologies to optimise the efficiency and responsiveness of the supply chain in the FMCG industry while remaining sustainable. Successful candidates should have a solid background in quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistical analysis techniques. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected from FMCG companies to understand the current practices and challenges faced by the industry, identify the gaps, and determine the best supply chain solutions.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2027","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply Chain (40%) ; 460299 AI not elsewhere classified (30%) ; 490304 Optimisation (20%) 350702 Corporate Social Responsibility (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri","title":"Lean Supply Chain Designs to Reduce Food Waste for Business and Environmental Sustainability","description":"This project aims to develop sustainable supply chain designs to reduce food waste in agro-product supply chains. In order to design a lean supply chain design to enhance operational efficiency, the project will focus on these specific objectives: \u2022 Develop the process view to visualize and critically analyse the supply chain of selected agriculture produces and value-added products in both countries. \u2022 Develop the Value Stream Mapping and Optimization Models for analysing and comparing the supply chain configurations for streamlined configurations to reduce wastage. \u2022 Identify and analyse the technology adoption in different domain of supply chain such as harvesting, post-harvesting, transportation, and storage. \u2022 Prioritise the action plans for business and environmental sustainability using predictive analytics using Artificial Intelligence and optimisation models. \u2022 Design the supply chain configuration for banana and wheat for business sustainability using supply chain surplus and environmental sustainability analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350903 Logistics (60%)\n350909 Supply Chain (30%)\n330409 Transport Planning (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202 \/MR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shahrooz Shahparvari","title":"Supply Chain\u2019s Technological Transformation to Mitigate Disruptive Risks","description":"Supply chain management under emergency situations is becoming increasingly important as the world faces various types of disasters and disruptions including natural disasters, and pandemics, infrastructure failures, and political conflicts. The application of technologies integrated with optimization analytics in emergency supply chain management can help organizations quickly and effectively respond to these disruptions. This PhD research topic aims to explore the use of optimization techniques in emergency supply chain management to improve decision-making and response times during crises. The significance of this research topic lies in its potential to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency supply chain management. By utilizing optimization analytics, organizations can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency supply chain management by optimal planning of the use of limited resources and minimising the negative impact of disruptions on their operations and communities. This PhD research will provide valuable insights into the use of optimization techniques in emergency supply chain management and will contribute to the development of new and improved approaches to managing disruptions. The methods used in this research will include a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative methods, such as case studies and expert interviews, will be used. Quantitative methods, such as statistical analysis and simulation, will be used to test the effectiveness of various optimization techniques in various scenarios. Data collection will involve a review of existing literature on the use of optimization analytics, as well as the collection of primary data through case studies and expert interviews.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"28\/03\/2028","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply chains ; 350999 Transportation, logistics and supply chains not elsewhere classified ; 460209 Planning and decision making"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ahmad Abareshi","title":"Drivers and Barriers to Localisation of Humanitarian Operations","description":"Every year, disasters result in an average economic loss of US$211 billion and claim 76,000 lives.         Climate change, population growth, patterns of economic development and political conflicts are among the critical reasons for the upward trend of disasters. Such challenges and the need for sustainable development motivated the United Nations (UN) to formulate a set of Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), including no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, clean energy, responsible production and consumption, and action against climate change. Humanitarian operations can play a vital role in achieving these 17 SDGs. International Humanitarian Organizations (IHOs) play an important role in saving lives and reducing human suffering among different players in humanitarian operations. However, there is always competition among IHOs for donations, and as a result, they may not be willing to cooperate and build a partnership that is not in line with one of the UNSDGs goals (SDG17). \nWhile IHOs are the largest recipients of donor funds, their capacities are limited. Hence, the role of local and national actors in increasing the global response capacity becomes more prominent. \nIn humanitarian aid, localisation (or localisation) gives more decision-making power and funding to organisations and people in countries affected by humanitarian emergencies. IHOs support localisation strategy for developing such capacity through which the local actors in humanitarian operations are empowered. In the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, IHOs and donors committed to enabling more locally-led disaster response. Although both IHOs and donors acknowledge the critical role of local actors, there is little progress in practice for several reasons at local and international levels. \nThis project aims to investigate the drivers and barriers faced by IHOs to localise their operations on preparedness and response stages of disaster cycle management. The project will also investigate how the strength of the identified drivers and barriers might change depending on the nature of the disaster, the type of organisation and geographical location. The project employs qualitative (interview) and quantitative approaches (questionnaire survey) and requires the involvement of donors, local and international humanitarian organisations, and government and non-government organisations.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"26\/12\/2025","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"350999 (100%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri","title":"Multi Criteria Decision Support Systems for Smart Logistics Cities","description":"This project aims to develop Multi Criteria Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) for Smart logistics Cities in Australia. The focus will be on the generation of a range of spatial indicators of city logistics performance, development of AI-driven decision support tools and the design of a spatial decision support system to improve the logistics efficiency and performance of smart cities. The project is driven by SDGs to help achieve socio-spatial inequality, facilitate greater accessibility to freight service nodes for businesses, and support carbon-neutral future. This comparative study will help benchmarking Australian cities against a set of sustainable development indicators. It will develop a novel integrated spatial multi-criteria hybrid decision support model that combines different multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods (e.g. Delphi, FARE, VIKOR and DEA) in the fuzzy environment with spatial data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"350903 Logistics (60%)\n350909 Supply Chain (30%)\n330409 Transport Planning (10%)\n\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"MR202 \/ DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Victor Gekara, Prem Chhetri, Darryn Snell, Babak Abbasi","title":"Changes, Challenges and Implications of Digital and Technological Transformation on the Organisation and Operations of Transport and Logistics Business","description":"The organisation and operations of business is undergoing significant transformation with the introduction of new and advanced technologies such as robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), advanced Information Communication and Technology (ICT) systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, while the transformations and impact have largely been studied through large-scale \u2018global\u2019 quantitative surveys, revealing overall trends, geo-contextualised, firm-level, in-depth studies have been few and rare. Utilising qualitative social science methodologies, the proposed PhD project will examine the nature of technological transformation in any, or combination of, industries within the transport and logistics sector from various perspectives, including:\n\u2022The kinds of technologies being adopted, the socio-technical influences on successful adoption and the associated organisational and operational implications,\n\u2022The impact on the nature and texture of work and workforce skills requirement, and\n\u2022The performance and productivity implications. Proposals may be developed with reference to any country or regional context.\nThe successful candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of qualitative social science research methods, including the use of different tools and programs to collect, analyse and present data. They will also demonstrate a strong command of English, both written and spoken.\nThe PhD will be supervised by a highly experienced multidisciplinary team of researchers in the Global Transport and Logistics Research Group, which is affiliated with the Global Business Innovation (GBI) Enabling Capability Platform (ECP).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shams Rahman, Muhammad Abdul Rahman, Kamrul Ahsan","title":"Circular economy and supply chain sustainability","description":"The current and traditional linear extract-produce-use-dump material and energy flow model of the modern economic system is unsustainable. Circular economy (CE) provides the economic system with an alternative flow model, one that is cyclical. CE is an approach aimed at transforming waste from a given process into a valuable input for another process, and where end-of-life products could be repaired, reused or remanufacturing instead of being discarded. CE is putting sustainability and closed-loop thinking at the heart of business models. The concept is currently being promoted by several nations including Australia. A recent study by the European Commission estimated that CE-type economic transitions can create 600 billion euros annual economic gains for the EU manufacturing sector alone. However, the scientific research content of CE remains largely unexplored. Under the CE platform, we will embark on the following two projects:\nProject 1: Waste-to-wealth\nThis project aims are to investigate critical barriers and drivers of potential value creation through waste management, recycle and remanufacturing, stakeholders in the waste management, resource recovery and circularity. The project will also look at the importance of organisational strategy and relevant government policy reforms for waste disposal and recycle towards positioning Australia towards achieving global competitiveness through utilising circularity (CE) concepts. Project 2: Recapturing value through returns management\nTraditionally, product returns and disposals were considered as cost centres. However, studies suggested that if managed properly they can be a source of competitive advantage or basis of value addition. Worldwide consumers product returns volume accounts for an estimated $642.6 billion annually which is around 8% of gross sales. Due to increased volume of product returns the management of product returns has become one of the major challenges for businesses today. Given the importance of product returns this study will conduct research on managing product returns for recapturing values though returns management knowledge areas such as returns and recall policy, returns process, customer service in returns, management of safety and risk. Our main interest is on returns related to the customer to business (C2B), or e-tail, multi-channel and omnichannel retail. We are interested in HDR candidate(s) who has the background in supply chain (Industrial engineering) discipline with good knowledge in research methodology and having working knowledge either in quantitative or qualitative research methods.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202\/ MR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Masih Fadaki","title":"Equitable Capacity Allocation Decisions in Supply Chain Design and Analysis","description":"Capacity allocation focuses on allocation of limited resources among competing activities with the intent of optimising an objective function. It is hard to imagine a product or service supply chain with no necessity for some sort of allocation mechanism: e.g., allocating airport gates to airlines, cranes to shipping companies in ports, available RAM to multiple programs, machines to scheduled jobs, rare blood type (O-negative) to patients, data packets to connected devices to a router, etc. From supply chain contract perspective, product\/service provider usually aims to either maximise the fairness in allocating capacities based on predefined criteria, or to minimise\/maximise the penalty\/reward of deviating from the agreed service level as per the terms of a service level agreement (SLA). In the wake of a disaster, the effective design of an equitable capacity allocation mechanism becomes even more complex as the level of supply chain uncertainties goes beyond the standard concepts of supply chain risks and disruptions. This project aims to cover a vast range of research initiatives to investigate the design of allocation mechanisms and policies for distributing limited capacity among competing activities in various models of product or service supply chains. This project is in line with the Global Business Innovation ECP as it aims to develop innovate governance mechanisms that efficiently and effectively contribute to the local and\/or global distribution of products and services, in particular under extreme level of uncertainty.\nCandidate attributes: Masters or Honours degree in Analytics, Supply Chain (Logistics) Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or Applied Mathematics with strong Analytical components.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Charles Lau, Shahrooz Shahparvari, Priyabrata Chowdhury","title":"Optimising last mile delivery through machine learning: Opportunities and challenges","description":"Last-mile delivery, which involves delivering goods from the warehouse to the customer, is a crucial aspect of modern-day e-commerce. This logistics function can be the make-or-break factor of many online retail businesses. It is one of the most challenging and costly parts of the supply chain due to various complexities, including traffic congestion, delivery time window, distance, and real-time tracking of goods. Machine learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that involves the use of algorithms to learn from data and make predictions. ML algorithms can be used to optimise last-mile delivery by predicting demand, improving route planning and scheduling, and enhancing customer experience. However, the use of ML in last mile delivery is still relatively new, and there is a need for further research in this area. This proposed PhD project aims to investigate the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of ML in optimising last mile delivery. A mixed methodology, including both qualitative and quantitative research methods will be adopted. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with logistics companies providing last-mile delivery service for clients to understand the current practices and challenges faced by the industry. The qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns. With the agreement of those logistics companies participating in the research, quantitative data of their actual operations will be collected from the databases of the companies for use in machine learning. The objective is to determine the most appropriate approach and design to implement machine learning algorithms in last mile delivery to optimise efficiency and responsiveness. The research will contribute to knowledge of AI application in logistics and supply chain management as well as practice in optimised urban logistics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350903 Logistics\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri","title":"Spatially Integrated Models to Improve Urban Freight Transport Systems","description":"The project aims to develop a \u201csustainable urban freight distribution,\u201d model which maximises the distribution efficiency, while minimising the environmental and social impacts, of the distribution of goods in urban areas. It aims to optimise the complete door-to-door logistics chain to enhance liveability of urban areas as places to live and work.\nResearch Problem\nUrban Freight Transport (UTF) is indispensable to the functioning of urban systems as it is required to replenish stocks of food and other retail goods in shops, to deliver documents, parcels and other supplies to offices and to remove household waste from urban areas. Although UFT has these important roles in the economic welfare of cities and therefore supports urban economies, it has a number of negative effects including road congestion, air quality, Greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution and public safety. Inefficiency in freight distribution in urban areas contributes to these negative effects. The logistics inefficiency in UFT can be improve by managing low load factors and empty running, reduced number of deliveries or unconsolidated distribution, and long dwell times at loading and unloading points. Technology-driven solutions to these challenges are required to reduce this inefficiency, which leads to additional costs for transport operators or users.\nProposed Output\nThis project will generate innovative spatially integrated solutions to improve urban freight transport by enabling economies of scale to be achieved through urban consolidation, to promote efficiency, and to enhance performance.\nThis project is aligned to the research priority of the Urban Future ECP to generate innovative spatially integrated big- data driven optimisation models\/tools to \u201cinform urban decision-making and to promote and advance the efficient design, planning and delivery of sustainable urban environments and services\u201d using Smart Cities Analytics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain Management","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babak Abbasi, Anne-Laure Mention","title":"Improving Blood Supply Chain Management","description":"Blood is limited resource collected from donors. Matching supply and demand of blood units is a challenge for healthcare systems due to several reasons including stochastic donation behaviour and demand uncertainty. In this project, innovative approaches are developed to consider uncertainty in decision making seen in blood management.\nResearch Question\nHow considering several sources of uncertainty in blood supply chain decision making can be considered to improve the resilient of the supply chain?\nProposed Output\nThis project will generate innovative solutions to promote efficiency and suitability of the blood supply chain. The decision support tools are developed that can be calibrated by real data and used by practitioners.\nThis project is aligned to the research priority of the Global Business Innovation ECP that will generate innovative supply chain and optimisation models\/tools to enhance organisational transformation and innovation capabilities","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"460603 Cyberphysical systems and internet of things (40%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence (20%)\n460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (20%)  \n4609 Information systems (20%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain Management","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri, Babak Abbasi, Ahmad Abarisi, Shahrooz Shahparvari","title":"Enhancing Emergency Response to Supply Chain Disruptions","description":"Research Question\nThis project aims to develop new optimisation service models to design and build adaptive emergency service networks, in terms of the optimal number, locations and capacity of emergency service facilities, to reduce operational costs and improve response time to emergency calls.\nHow can the delivery of public services be enhanced using logistics solutions and supply chain strategies to improve cost efficiency?\nWhat would the new optimal service delivery arrangements to help restructure and reorganise emergency service networks?\nResearch Problem\nAn effective and efficient response to emergency calls is a key challenge for emergency agencies such as fire, police and ambulance. Emergency response services are essential public agencies, which ensure the safety of people and properties. Prompt and timely response to calls for emergency services is critical as delays in the departure from the fire station and arrival at the scene can have significant consequences in terms of death, injury and damage to properties. In recent decades, fire Services Agencies are under considerable pressure to enhance public service delivery to achieve economies of scale, to promote efficiency, and to secure equity.\nProposed Output\nThis project will generate innovative market solutions to public services delivery to achieve economies of scale, to promote efficiency, and to secure equity. The geographic locations and social groups most at fire risk will be identified through innovative, spatially-integrated optimisation models to improve timely response to emergency calls, thereby helping reduce deaths and injuries, and property losses.\nThis project is aligned to the research priority of the Global Business Innovation ECP that will generate innovative supply chain and optimisation models\/tools to enhance Organisational transformation and innovation capabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"A\/Prof Roland Snooks, Prof Alisa Andrasek, Prof Tom Kovac, A\/Prof Paul Minifie, Dr Jan van Schaik, A\/Prof Adam Nash, Prof Nicholas Boyarsky, Dr Leslie Eastman, A\/Prof Charles Anderson, A\/Prof Katrina Simon, Dr Heike Rahmann, Dr Yazid Ninsalem, Dr Philip Belesky, Dr Ata Tara, Alice Lewis","title":"Advanced Technologies","description":"Research in Advanced Technologies explores what potential lies in emerging technologies for imagining, designing and developing new approaches to built forms and environments, new on-site operations, and for integrating data\/digital constructions with the physical and virtual. Investigating what the opportunities and barriers are to the wider application of these technologies, design research projects in this field engage with a range of advanced technologies and explore their development and operational deployment across the disciplines of Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, as well as material sciences, fabrication and manufacturing.\rResearch in this area includes (but is not limited to) exploration of computational design, robotics, robotic fabrication and manufacturing techniques, processes, and associated vision systems and real-time robotic control systems, machine learning, structural optimisation, Information systems, XR (extended reality), AR, VR and immersive environments, and Smart technology. Research can also engage with a range of tools within the broader field of generative practice to explore new design techniques that operate between modes of observation and spatial formation. These may take the form of explorations around parametric modelling, simulated environments, terrestrial scanning, material modelling and experimentation, software development, digital prototyping, and the fabrication of large-scale demonstrator projects.\rWithin this scope projects can be developed within the candidate\u2019s specific area of expertise and relevant sites, and can be in partnership with appropriate stakeholders and in collaboration with other related Schools within RMIT. Projects can also be pursued via the Applied Practice mode which can include collaborative work undertaken within specialised research groups led key research leaders. The generative design research conducted in Advanced Technologies will be developed through design projects where the \u2018real world\u2019 implications of this research can be tested and explored.","sdg":"9, 11, 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, Social Change, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102; Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411, Structural Engineering 400510"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Architecture Supervisors: Martyn Hook, Vivian Mitsogianni, Carey Lyon, Alisa Andrasek, Tom Kovac, Tom Holbrook, Nicholas Boyarsky, Eva Prats, Sand Helsel, Roland Snooks, Richard Black, Graham Crist, Paul Minifie, Anna Johnson, Jan van Schaik, Christine Phillips, Michael Spooner, Leanne Zilka, John Doyle, Emma Jackson, Ben Milbourne, Peter Brew\nInterior Design Supervisors: Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash\nLandscape Supervisors: Charles Anderson, Katrina Simon, Quentin Stevens, Anton James, Heike Rahmann, Kate Church, Bridget Keane, Heike Rahmann, Yazid Ninsalem, Philip Belesky, Ata Tara, Alice Lewis","title":"Generative Design Practice Research","description":"The Generative Design Practice Research mode of creative research crosses boundaries between professional and academic\/university-based research practices, and often between disciplines. This practice research approach enables practitioners to generate new kinds of practices - within a discipline, or through establishing new fields of practice - in response to challenges and concerns emerging in a changing world. Candidates might be early career, seeking to enter into a period of deep enquiry that transforms a set of practice-based interests into a more developed practice with a well-articulated emphasis, set of agendas and approaches. They might equally be mid- or later-career practitioners seeking to generate a new practice trajectory through a transformation of their established mastery. They demonstrate their findings publicly in ways most appropriate to the particularities of their practice research, usually through an exhibit, a written dissertation, and a presentation to examiners. This mode offers new knowledge in the form of previously unarticulated approaches to practice, informed by specific issues and challenges that direct their generative action.","sdg":"2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Architecture Supervisors: Martyn Hook, Vivian Mitsogianni, Carey Lyon, Alisa Andrasek, Tom Kovac, Tom Holbrook, Nicholas Boyarsky, Eva Prats, Sand Helsel, Roland Snooks, Richard Black, Graham Crist, Paul Minifie, Anna Johnson, Jan van Schaik, Christine Phillips, Michael Spooner, Leanne Zilka, John Doyle, Emma Jackson, Ben Milbourne, Peter Brew\rInterior Design Supervisors:Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash\rLandscape Supervisors: Charles Anderson, Katrina Simon, Quentin Stevens, Heike Rahmann, Kate Church, Bridget Keane, Heike Rahmann, Yazid Ninsalem, Philip Belesky, Ata Tara, Alice Lewis","title":"Reflective Industry Design Practice Research","description":"Reflective Industry Design Practice Research involves practitioners operating largely in a professional environment, generally with a peer-reviewed and award-winning body of work developed over 10 years or more. These practitioners have already developed recognised mastery in their field. They are invited to reflect upon the nature of that mastery within a critical framework, engaging them in reviewing the nature of their mastery, defining its enabling structures, its knowledge bases, and the implications of the nexus between these for emerging forms of research-led practice. They conclude by speculating through design on the nature of their future practice. They demonstrate their finding publicly, through an exhibit, a presentation to the examiners, and a written dissertation. Two kinds of knowledge are created by the research. One concerns the ways in which designers marshal their intelligence, to construct the mental space within which they practice design. The other reveals how public behaviours are invented and used to support design practice. This mode of research extends and develops the knowledge base of their profession, and thus its ability to serve society.","sdg":"2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Architecture Supervisors: Martyn Hook, Vivian Mitsogianni, Carey Lyon, Alisa Andrasek, Tom Kovac, Tom Holbrook, Nicholas Boyarsky, Eva Prats, Sand Helsel, Roland Snooks, Richard Black, Graham Crist, Paul Minifie, Anna Johnson, Jan van Schaik, Christine Phillips, Michael Spooner, Jan van Schaik, Leanne Zilka, John Doyle, Emma Jackson, Ben Milbourne, Peter Brew; Landscape Supervisors: Katrina Simon, Charles Anderson, Quentin Stevens, Kate Church, Bridget Keane, Heike Rahmann, Alice Lewis, Yazid Ninsalem, Philip Belesky, Ata Tara, John Fien, Esther Charlesworth, Leila Irajifar; Interior Design Supervisors: Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Olivia Hamilton, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash","title":"Cities and Environments","description":"Design research in this field can incorporate both generative and applied research modes to propose and produce designed propositions for cities and environments. Such design research investigates how existing environments can be reimagined to offer sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban futures, explores the ways and means of understanding and designing alternative solutions to configuring the urban\/biosphere fabric, and considers how these alternative configurations might benefit a multi-species ecology of inhabitants.\nIn this domain, design research projects can also consider how designers can collaborate with other development and built environment professionals to contribute to improved well-being and resilience in marginalized and displaced communities and in what ways and under what conditions the design of habitation and settlement infrastructure can contribute to wider education, health and livelihood goals for such communities.\nIn addition, research can include the exploration of the intersection between the economic, environmental and cultural dynamics of spatial production and engage with the politics of urban and rural transformation through design practice and modes of advocacy. This may include (but is not limited to): Transitional Economies - collaborations with community and stakeholders; Disrupted Landscapes - temporal \/ dynamic master planning; Landscape driven development models; and the development of evidence-based practice in shelter, infrastructure and settlement design for communities marginalized by the increasing frequency and severity of conflict, poverty, disasters and climate change. This field of enquiry also encompasses an engagement with and the exploration of Indigenous Knowledges and associated vernacular \/ ethno-architectures and place-making practices, as well as the development of sovereign relationships and alternative governance models","sdg":"2,3,6,7,9,11,12,13,14,15, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Urban Futures, Social Change, Information Systems","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"John Fien, Esther Charlesworth, Leila Irajifar, Harriet Edquist, Christine Phillips, Charles Anderson, Nicholas Boyarsky, Alice Lewis, Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Olivia Hamilton, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash","title":"Cultural and Social Spatial Practices","description":"Research within this field engages with practices from the Arts, Ethnography, Design History and Theory, with a particular exploration of design for social change and cultural production. Major projects can be identified in the areas of design diplomacy, design for democracy, design for diversity and inclusion, design for affordable housing, ecological design, design for community development and cultural production. Design for social change encompasses working with social enterprises, NGOs, foundations, corporations and governments and includes concepts and processes such as social innovation, collaborative systems, co-design, co-production, curatorial practice and systemic change. A range of questions for research can underpin this field. In what ways and under what conditions can design and design thinking contribute to social change most effectively? How can collaboration across the spectrum of design methodologies and genres generate deeper and longer-lasting transformations? How could such collaborations be organized, funded, and implemented? How can the effectiveness of such collaborations be measured? What are the range of quantitative and qualitative metrics available for gauging sustained impact and value? How can programs and solutions be designed at a scale commensurate with the scale of the actual problems being confronted? What discourses within the design professions facilitate and\/or constrain the practice of design for social change? In what ways can design education contribute to positive discourses and discursive practices in design for social change? Research in this area may be undertaken through both thesis and\/or practice-based approaches, with lead supervision offered by staff with expertise in design for post-conflict and post\u2013disaster settings, design with remote and Indigenous communities, sustainability and resliency policy and practices, social transformation processes, public participation and cultural production.","sdg":"1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Urban Futures, Design & Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411, Architectural History, Theory and criticism 330104, Sustainable Architecture 330110"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Art","programcode":"MR208 \/ DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Keely Macarow, Mark Edgoose, Irene Barberis-Page, Nicholas Bastin, Jazmina Cininas, Martine Corompt, Greg Creek, Vittoria di Steffano, Mikala Dwyer, Peter Ellis, Carolyn Eskdale, David Forrest, Ian Haig, Kirsten Haydon, Michael Graeve, Shane Hulbert, Nikos Pantazopoulos, Simon Perry, Dominic Redfern, Steven Rendall, Philip Samartzis, Kristen Sharp, Ben Sheppard, Sarah Tomasetti, Louise Weaver, Peter Westwood, Kit Wise, Sally Mannall. ","title":"Material Experiments","description":"Material Experiments encompasses studio-led research where the creative exploration is through contemporary art and craft practice research, with an emphasis on experimentation in and through material, visual, spatial, sonic, and temporal processes. Engaging the agency, methodologies and encounters of contemporary art and craft, our focus extends to the investigation of the properties of art objects, matter, and images and the politics and sustainability of materials in the transmission of ideas in contemporary culture. \r\n\r\nThe area supports critical, sensory, and speculative practices engaged in specialised and interdisciplinary research examining how transformative acts under domains of materiality and cultural production advance new manifestations of form and experience and interrelationships between meaning and making. We support projects that materialise critical dialogues mediating the social and the aesthetic, knowledge, and imagination. Researchers provide innovation within a rapidly changing and expansive field of contemporary art and craft practices, emerging technologies, and contemporary culture. \r\n\r\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\r","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"360301 Crafts\r\n360602 Fine Arts \r\n360604 Photography, video and lens-based Practice\r\n360104 Visual Cultures\r"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Art","programcode":"DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Pauline Anastasiou, Marnie Badham, Alison Bennett, Jazmina Cininas, Ray Cook, Martine Corompt, Peter Ellis, Kirsten Haydon, Alan Hill, Fiona Hillary, Tammy Wong Hulbert, Kelly Hussey-Smith, Pia Johnson, Laresa Kosloff, Keely Macarow, Clare McCracken, Grace McQuilten, Rebecca Najdowski, Daniel Palmer, Nikos Pantazopoulos, Simon Perry, Drew Pettifer, Dominic Redfern, Philip Samartzis, Kristen Sharp, Amy Spiers, Fleur Summers, Kit Wise, Sally Mannall.","title":"CONTEMPORARY ART AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION (CAST)","description":"Researchers in Contemporary Art and Social Transformation (CAST) critically engage with environmental, social, and public spheres with a particular interest in how artistic practices intersect with issues of equity, access, and democracy. Key themes include social practice and public art, creative care, ecology, and environment education, migration, and mobility, queer(y)ng practice, and fashion, art, and sustainability.\n\nCAST is a research group and hub for critical thinking, collaboration and the exchange of ideas, knowledge dissemination, practice-led artistic research and socially engaged art practice. CAST engages on local and international levels by collaborating with practitioners, communities, industry, and government partners. \n\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\n\nCAST: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/contemporary-art-and-social-transformation\n\n","sdg":"1 - No Poverty, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing,5 - Gender Equality, 4 - Quality Education,\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10 - Reduced Inequalities, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 - Climate Action, 14 - Life Below Water, 15 - Life on the Land, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions, 17 - Partnerships for the Goals","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"360602, 360103, 360603, 360104, 360604"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Art","programcode":"DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Keely Macarow, Marnie Badham, Alison Bennett, David Forrest, Shane Hulbert, Tammy Wong Hulbert, Kelly Hussey-Smith, Pia Johnson, Daniel Palmer, Drew Pettifer, Philip Samartzis, Kristen Sharp, Amy Spiers, Naomi Stead, Peter Westwood, Kit Wise, Naomi Stead, School of Media and Communications","title":"Curatorial and Cultural Production","description":"Research in Curatorial and Cultural Production spans cultural production, arts management, curatorial practice, public pedagogies, and arts education. The area considers key directions and links in relation to art institutions, government, community, pedagogies, and cultural transformation. The research explores new and emerging methodologies and theoretical approaches with a focus on Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. \n\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\n","sdg":"4 - Quality Education, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 17 - Partnerships for the Goals","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n  390101 Creative Arts, Media and Communication Curriculum and Pedagogy\n 350704 Entrepreneurship\n 420207 Cultural Theory\n 430205 Heritage and Cultural Conservation 210299 Curatorial and Related Studies not elsewhere classified\n 360499 Performing Arts and Creative Writing not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Photography","programcode":"DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Keely Macarow, Alison Bennett, Martine Corompt, Vittoria di Steffano, Ian Haig, Alan Hill, Shane Hulbert, Pia Johnson, Kelly Hussey-Smith, Daniel Palmer, Nikos Pantazopolous, Rebecca Najdowski, Ray Cook","title":"Imaging Futures","description":"Research in Imaging Futures focuses on how photography and expanded imaging is integrated into emerging technologies that are changing how we see and experience the world. In work, leisure, health and art, photography and images are implicated in new ways of visualising and interacting with our bodies, environments, and cities. The ubiquitous nature of 21st century photography \u2013 together with new developments such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and extended reality is bound up with complex processes of social change. Imaging Futures supports studio-based, multi-disciplinary and theoretical research engaged in the social, cultural, and political impact of photography and new imaging technologies and processes.\n\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\n\nImaging Futures: https:\/\/sites.rmit.edu.au\/if-lab\/\n","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth,7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, 5 - Gender Equality, 4 - Quality Education , 10 - Reduced Inequalities, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13 - Climate Action, 14 - Life Below Water, 15 - Life on the Land, 17 - Partnerships for the Goals, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"360604 \n 360603 \n  360502 \n 360503 \n 360504 \n 360103 \n 470207"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peyman Khezr ","title":"Artificial Intelligence for Market Design","description":"This project investigates how artificial intelligence\u2014particularly reinforcement learning and deep learning\u2014can be used to design, simulate, and evaluate complex market mechanisms. The research will explore applications in auction theory, matching markets, and broader mechanism design problems, aiming to uncover optimal strategies in environments where strategic behavior and uncertainty are present. A key component of the project involves running experiments with human participants to study how people interact with AI agents in these markets, providing insights into the dynamics between human decision-making and machine learning-based strategies. This interdisciplinary work requires a strong foundation in game theory and microeconomics, proficiency in Python programming, and an interest in machine learning. Experience with AI frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch), experimental design, and human-subjects research is highly desirable but not essential.","sdg":"[\"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth\",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2029-12-31","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"380102\tBehavioural economics (30%)\n380304\tMicroeconomic theory (30%)\n389999\tOther economics not elsewhere classified (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Rayne, Kieran Tierney","title":"Exploring AI's Light and Dark Sides to Enhance Service Experiences","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed service experiences, offering unprecedented personalisation and efficiency. Yet, it also presents challenges, with unintended consequences often overlooked. This PhD opportunity delves into the dual nature of AI in services, inviting exploration of both its promise and potential pitfalls to reshape customer interactions.\r\n \r\nThe project is structured around three interconnected studies:\r\n1. Conceptual Foundations: Develop a theoretical framework examining the light and dark sides of AI in service settings, addressing the psychological, ethical, and practical implications of AI integration.\r\n2. Anthropomorphisation of Chatbots: Investigate how anthropomorphic design choices from cartoon-like avatars to logos to real-person representations influence user perceptions and behaviours. How might these designs, while engaging, lead to darker outcomes like overdependence or emotional manipulation?\r\n3. Reflective Service Experiences: Examine the impact of end-of-year service recaps (e.g., Spotify Wrapped) on customer satisfaction, loyalty, and data privacy concerns. Can such offerings enhance the customer experience while respecting ethical boundaries?\r\n\r\nThis project invites a motivated PhD applicant to employ experimental designs and advanced analytics to empirically explore these questions. Applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to both theory and practice, uncovering actionable insights to optimize AI-driven service experiences. Your work will be pivotal in navigating the delicate balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility, shaping the future of customer engagement.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350601\n350602\n350611\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Janet Roitman","title":"Value Production on Digital Financial Technologies: Achievements and Challenges","description":"This research project inquires into the role of financial technology platforms (fintech) in in Sub-Saharan Africa with the potential for comparative case studies in the Asia-Pacific. Specifically, the research focuses on key drivers of the extension of financial technology platforms in these contexts: cross-border remittances, mobile money, and new payments platforms. The research entails qualitative analysis and field research to provide an empirical account of this process. Fintech platforms facilitate intra-African and international cross-border transfers and lowers transaction costs. Following from that observation, the research will: 1) establish whether fintech platforms engender new financial products and debt instruments; 2) establish how fintech platforms are potential sources of actionable data for the development of credit scoring, new asset classes and investment-grade financial products. The research does not focus on financial inclusion. The research programme is focused on the potential development of assets denominated in local currencies as a crucial basis for local economic and financial empowerment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440404 Political Economy and Social Change (50%)\n441007 Sociology and Social Studies of Science and Technology (50%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bernardo Figueiredo","title":"Empowering older citizen scientists: codesigning more inclusive citizen science models for age-friendly environments.","description":"The overall aim of this project is to improve older adult\u2019s participation as co-researchers in citizen-science projects for age-friendly environments through the creation of a codesigned framework including guidelines, strategies, skills, processes, and illustrative cases that facilitate the inclusion of older adults in extreme citizen-science research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"Global Business Innovation"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bernardo Figueiredo","title":"A Methodology and a Program to Enhance Volunteer Engagement in Networks of Older Adults","description":"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350612 Social Marketing"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bernardo Figueiredo, Torgeir Aleti, Mike Reid\n","title":"Meaningful Play and Fun for ICT Use by Older Adults: A Strength-Based Approach\n\n","description":"Citizen science provides a direct avenue for involving older adults in co-research. Traditionally, it has focused on involving the public in different methods of data acquisition for the purposes of scientific inquiry (e.g., registering the quality of the air in a neighbourhood or counting species of plants in one\u2019s backyard). However, newer forms of citizen science, often called extreme citizen science, have expanded the public\u2019s participation from crowdsourcing data at all stages of the research process, including problem definition, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, study dissemination, and public action (English et al 2018, Figure 1). Extreme citizen science empowers participants to become co-researchers and decision-makers in scientific investigations (Rosas et al 2022). While there are a few projects involving older adults in traditional citizen science, the number of projects using older citizen-scientists in extreme citizen science are still limited. Issues of inclusion, exploitation, and lack of knowledge by professional scientists on how to engage with citizen scientists effectively and systematically have been pointed as barriers to the growth of citizen science (Lowry and Stepenuck 2021). There is scarcity in frameworks with guidelines, strategies, skills, processes, and illustrative examples that might make citizen science for older adults more scalable, helping researchers and older adults to work together more effectively (Serrat et al., 2020).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"350612 Social marketing"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sinclair Davidson","title":"Topics in Institutional Cryptoeconomics","description":"The project will specifically focus on the role of technology as a mediator of the relationship between older adults and their environment. Technology has been discussed as both an enabler and disruptor in ageing well. On the one hand, it is deemed as the most important factor in improving the quality of life in ageing societies (Hjorth 2021), on the other hand, technology is a divider: worsening differences in wealth, skills, access and equity (Fleming et al, 2018). Consequently, codesigning a framework that facilitates older citizen\u2019s increased participation in citizen science will need to take into account how these citizens relate to technology in their environments and how this engagement makes these tech-mediated environments more or less age-friendly.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/02\/2024","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"380109 Industry Economics and Industrial Organisation (33.3%) ; 380199 Applied Economics not Elsewhere Listed (33.3%) ; 389901 Comparative Economic Systems (33.3%) "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jingjing Zhang and Qin Wu","title":"The effects of multi-value prize uncertainty on contestant behaviour: an experimental study","description":"We will use a game-theoretical approach to model the behaviour of contestants in multi-value prize contests. This contest is characterised by an uncertain prize value that can take on multiple values with predetermined probabilities. This model can be applied in various contexts. For example, in blind auctions, which are commonly used for items like abandoned storage units, artworks and timbers, bidders bid with a range of values for the item. In sports competitions, athletes can earn money from both competition prizes and sponsorships. Sponsorship deals can be very lucrative, and the value of these deals can vary widely depending on the athlete\u2019s level of fame, the size and reach of the sponsor, leading to different final prize values. Other examples include a job offer with a range of possible salaries and benefits and a lottery prize where there are several different prize levels with varying probabilities of winning each prize. The model will incorporate uncertainty about prize values and asymmetry in contestants\u2019 valuations. We will theoretically analyse the effect of multi-value prize uncertainty on effort provision. Furthermore, we will investigate the cheating behaviour that often arises in contest settings including the multi-value prize setting. Additionally, we will conduct experiments to test our model predictions. This topic can be further extended to the multi-value prize contest with unknown probabilities as a follow-up study.  \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"380106   Experimental economics\n380102  Behavioural economics\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong; Xiaolu Hu and Gaoping Zheng","title":"Green sentiment and corporate financial policy","description":"There has been tremendous growth in sustainable investment in global financial markets in the recent decade. Existing research in finance largely focuses on corporate decision making without considering investors' sentiment towards social good. Recently, the burgeoning literature on sustainable finance underscores investor sentiment towards an optimal balance between risk-return tradeoff and societal wellbeing. Firms adjust policies accordingly to cater to investors' green sentiment, which is a promising area of future research.\u00a0This PhD project will apply theory and principles in corporate financial policy to sustainable investment. This project aims to investigate impact of green sentiment on corporate financial policies. The focus will be on whether and how increasing green sentiment influences corporate managers' decision-making process and the associated impact on corporate outcomes.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods, principles of corporate finance, and a passion for sustainable finance. The supervision team consists of experts in corporate finance, sustainable finance and asset pricing.\u00a0","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350201"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computing Technologies","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ruwan Tennakoon, John Thangarajah, Steven Korevaar","title":"Machine learning and AI to Improve Targeted Radionuclide Therapy\n","description":"The project aims to enhance targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) by integrating PET imaging data with advanced AI-based dosimetry models. TRT leverages radiopharmaceuticals that home in on cancer cells, delivering a therapeutic radiation dose while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. By combining vast datasets on radionuclide energy deposition, PET-captured spatio-temporal distribution, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) data, the project seeks to refine the accuracy of internal dosimetry. This integration addresses challenges such as heterogeneous radiopharmaceutical distribution within tumours and the spatial resolution limitations of current imaging methods.\n\nKey scientific objectives include mapping IHC data onto Monte Carlo simulation models to reflect true cellular-level distribution and creating transparent, explainable AI frameworks. These models are designed to incorporate a human-in-the-loop strategy, allowing clinicians to adjust parameters based on patient-specific anatomy and physiology. Validation studies will be conducted to ensure that AI-derived dosimetry aligns with actual patient outcomes, thereby enhancing clinical trust.\n\nIndustry collaboration is a vital aspect of the project. In partnership with Cyclotek, one of the largest suppliers of PET radiopharmaceuticals in Australia and New Zealand, students will have the opportunity to engage in a six-month internship. This internship offers practical experience in understanding real-world applications of AI in PET imaging.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-07-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400304\tBiomedical imaging (40%)\n461103\tDeep learning (30%)\n460304\tComputer vision (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dana McKay","title":"How effective are online content creators at debunking mis\/disinformation?","description":"Recent surveys suggest that 45% of Australian adults seek information from YouTube when they need to make a decision, with the proportion rising to 60% among adults under 35. However, numerous studies have found that YouTube is rife with low quality information\u2014including conspiracy theories, misinformation, and outright falsehoods. Many independent content creators have positioned themselves as debunkers working to counter mis\/disinformation, but this phenomenon has not yet been widely studied. \n\nThis project is positioned as an exploratory examination of the people and communities involved in online debunking to understand the types of approaches being used and their effectiveness. The successful candidate will design and implement mixed-method studies to investigate online debunking cultures and practices with the aim of identifying and testing potentially effective strategies to counter mis\/disinformation.","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-31","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461002 - Human information behaviour (40%)\n461003 - Human information interaction and retrieval (40%)\n470102 - Communication technology and digital media studies (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michael A. Cowling","title":"Optimizing AI-Driven Personalized Learning and Teacher Professional Development for Foreign Language Education in China","description":"In the rapidly advancing field of educational technology, personalized learning is becoming essential for enhancing student outcomes. It significantly boosts motivation and academic performance (Li & Wang, 2020). In China, recent higher education reforms focus on aligning educational programs with individual student abilities, levels of knowledge, and interests. However, foreign language education still struggles with traditional teaching models that often fail to meet diverse student needs, resulting in less effective learning outcomes (Bhutoria, 2022). \n\nThis research will explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can optimize personalized learning in Foreign Language Education in China with a focus on Teacher Professional Development. The study intends to investigate how AI can adapt educational content to enhance both student motivation and cultural understanding, creating a more holistic learning experience. \n\nKey research questions include: \n- Identifying Effective AI systems:  \n        What AI systems are currently used for personalized learning in Chinese higher education, and how do they address diverse learning needs?\n        How can these applications be evaluated for their effectiveness, feasibility, and alignment with educational goals?\n- AI and Educator Development:  \n        How can AI help educators design personalized learning experiences that improve language proficiency and cultural understanding?\n        What strategies can enable educators to effectively use AI to enhance language learning and cultural appreciation?\n         \n     ","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-06-02","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460105 Applications in social sciences and education (80%)\n460906 Information systems education (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang","title":"Building an Aussie Information Recommendation System You Can Trust","description":"This project aims to address the escalating public distrust in online media platforms arising from misinformation, compromised user privacy, echo chambers, and community bias. Collaborating with a well-established Australian online media platform, the project expects to build Australia's inaugural trustworthy information recommender system by spearheading the design and development of cutting-edge misinformation filters, user-controlled privacy protection mechanisms, diversity-aware information recall algorithms, and community fairness-enhanced ranking algorithms. These technology advancements will seamlessly integrate into online media platforms to create a more reliable information dissemination environment and foster public trust.","sdg":"[\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2026-12-31","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 - Recommender systems (40%)\n460501 - Data engineering and data science (30%)\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ronny Andrade Parra","title":"How do mixed-ability gamers (gamers with and without disabilities) interact?","description":"With an estimate 3.24 billion gamers worldwide, videogames have become a cultural phenomenon. However, barriers to accessing video games still exist for people with disability. With about 15% of Australians aged 15-64 having a disability, it is crucial to understand how they engage with videogames, especially as games have been found to foster social connectedness [2].\n\nWhile existing literature has explored the experience of gamers who are blind, are neurodivergent, or have physical disabilities in isolation, less is known about the social aspects of gaming, especially in relation to mixed-ability gaming [1]. In this project, you will design, implement and study novel interaction approaches to foster social connectedness and encourage mixed ability gaming across gamers with and without disability, with a focus on how technology impacts in-game socialisation.\n\nReferences:\n[1] Gon\u00e7alves, D., Rodrigues, A., Richardson, M. L., De Sousa, A. A., Proulx, M. J., & Guerreiro, T. (2021, May). Exploring asymmetric roles in mixed-ability gaming. In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-14). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3411764.3445494 \n\n[2] Vella, K., Klarkowski, M., Turkay, S., & Johnson, D. (2019). Making friends in online games: gender differences and designing for greater social connectedness. Behaviour & Information Technology, 39(8), 917\u2013934. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/0144929X.2019.1625442 ","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-09-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460801\tAccessible computing (40%)\n460703\tEntertainment and gaming (30%)\n460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Automated Security Testing for Early Vulnerability Detection in AI-Driven Systems","description":"As AI-driven systems grow in complexity, they become increasingly susceptible to sophisticated cyberattacks. Traditional software testing methods often neglect security aspects during the early stages of development. To address this gap, there is a pressing need for automated approaches that seamlessly integrate security testing into the software development lifecycle, enabling early vulnerability detection. This project aims to develop automated test generation techniques to identify vulnerabilities in AI-based systems using techniques such as fuzzing and combinatorial testing to generate diverse security test cases. The proposed approach will be validated on real-world applications, such as autonomous vehicles. ","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2026-03-14","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (40%), 461208 Software testing (40%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Senuri Wijenayake","title":"Designing Inclusive Safety Features for Social Media","description":"Social media platforms often fail to adequately protect vulnerable users with their current safety features (reporting, blocking, filtering, content warnings, privacy controls). This project will develop innovative, inclusive safety features through participatory design methodologies to ensure digital spaces are accessible and secure for all users, particularly those disproportionately affected by online harassment and abuse.\nThe project aims to:\n\n- Critically analyse existing safety mechanisms and identify inclusivity gaps across major platforms\n- Investigate how diverse users (women, gender-diverse individuals, CALD populations, people with disabilities, older adults, youth) experience and navigate safety challenges\n- Employ co-design approaches with diverse stakeholders to develop solutions grounded in lived experience\n- Create and iteratively test prototypes accommodating different user needs, abilities, and contexts\n- Develop evidence-based policy recommendations that complement design interventions\n\nUsing mixed methods (co-design workshops, qualitative interviews, usability testing, prototype evaluation), the project will deliver:\n\n- Comprehensive frameworks for understanding inclusivity gaps in current safety features\n- Design patterns and guidelines for implementing inclusive safety mechanisms\n- Functional prototypes demonstrating novel approaches to social media safety\n- Policy recommendations for industry standards and regulatory frameworks\n- Implementation roadmaps for participatory safety design in digital environments\n\nCandidate Requirements:\n\n- Strong Bachelors\/Honours or Masters in Computer Science, Information Technology, HCI, Digital Media or related discipline\n- Experience with design\/prototyping tools (e.g., Figma)\n- Experience with participatory design research and qualitative analysis \n- Background in technology policy advantageous\n- Excellent communication skills for engaging diverse stakeholder groups\n\nThis project will be based in the School of Computing Technologies, with industry and policy collaboration opportunities.","sdg":"[\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%) 460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Neelofar Neelofar","title":"Automated Security Testing for Early Vulnerability Detection in AI-Driven Systems","description":"As AI-driven systems grow in complexity, they become increasingly susceptible to sophisticated cyberattacks. Traditional software testing methods often neglect security aspects during the early stages of development. To address this gap, there is a pressing need for automated approaches that seamlessly integrate security testing into the software development lifecycle, enabling early vulnerability detection. This project aims to develop automated test generation techniques to identify vulnerabilities in AI-based systems using techniques such as fuzzing and combinatorial testing to generate diverse security test cases. The proposed approach will be validated on real-world applications, such as autonomous vehicles. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2026-03-14","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (40%), 461208 Software testing (40%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiangmin Zhou,","title":"Multimodal Data Analytics for Disaster Management","description":"Natural Disasters have caused many fatalities in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and rural areas around the world. As the climate changes, global temperatures are increasing, natural hazard such as bushfires and flood are likely to occur more frequently and intensely. It is vital to analyse disaster situations for smart evacuation planning and decision making in disasters. When security officers receive hazard warnings, evacuation situation analytics helps predict human behaviour on response to warnings, predict evacuation behaviours of fire departments and user evacuation travel behaviour. However, the traditional sensor-based systems may be affected by weather conditions. This project will develop effective, efficient, and scalable techniques for disaster management using multimodal data analytics. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2029-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)\n460501 Data engineering and data science (25%)\n460510 Recommender systems (20%)\n460509 Query processing and optimisation(20%)\n460504 Data quality (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Software Engineering","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Neelofar Neelofar, Golnoush Abaei","title":"Automated Software Testing Using LLMs","description":"Software testing is a critical phase in the Software Engineering process, often consuming a significant portion of project budgets due to the effort involved in manual test generation. While Large Language Models (LLMs) have shown promising performance in various software-related tasks, including test generation, their practical effectiveness remains limited when applied to real-world scenarios.\n\nThis project aims to improve and automate the software testing process using pre-trained models of code and LLMs. Unlike existing approaches, this research focuses on assessing and enhancing LLMs' ability to understand the logic and semantics of the code under test. The goal is to generate high-quality test cases with strong assertions capable of effectively detecting bugs. Additionally, this work explores automated testing techniques to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2026-01-13","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"461208 Software testing, verification and validation (50%)\n461201 Automated Software Engineering (25%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (25%), "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiangmin Zhou, Jeffrey Chan","title":"Situation-aware Multi-sided Personalised Analytics in Spatial Crowdsourcing","description":"With the evolution of mobile communication, crowdsourcing has shown its irreplaceablity in our life. In 2021, Uber drivers completed 6.3 billion trips, a 26% increase year-on-year, 118 million users used Uber, generating $17.4 billion revenue, a 56% increase year-on-year. The Worldwide AI Spending Guide from International Data Corporation forecasts global spending on AI systems will pass $300 billion in 2026 with a 26.5% annual growth rate for 2022-2026, and the product recommendations are involved in two top AI use cases, accounting for 12% of total revenue. A large portion of online activities are for crowdsourcing services, from finance to education and health. Data-driven innovation including crowdsourcing is transforming Australia's economy and society, improving the growth and prosperity. It is timely to conduct research on advanced spatial crowdsourcing analytics for various applications.\n\nThis project aims to create a next generation recommender system that enables enhanced task allocation and route recommendation on spatial crowdsourcing platforms. The new Crowd-guided Advanced Spatial Crowdsourcing Analytics (CASCA) system will be effective, efficient, crowd-guided, and situation-aware. By enhancing the capabilities of platforms and optimising the service and route recommendation in offline-to-online digital marketing and sharing economy, significant economic and social benefits will be brought to government, society, enterprises, and users. \n\nScholarships are valued at $AUD35,886  per annum (plus increment) for three years. Tuition fees will be waived by the university. The positions are open now, and will be open until they are filled. There are up to 4 international PhD scholarships available. \n\nThis is an international collaboration project involving RMIT University (Xiangmin Zhou, Jeffrey Chan), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Lei Chen), and Athena Research & Innovation Center (Timos Sellis). ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)\n460501 Data engineering and data science (25%)\n460510 Recommender systems (20%)\n460509 Query processing and optimisation(20%)\n460504 Data quality (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Software Engineering","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Neelofar","title":"Assessing LLMs for Code-related Tasks","description":"This project investigates the reasoning capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) when performing code-related tasks, such as software testing, assertion generation and code completion. The primary objective is to assess whether LLMs understand code in a way that aligns with how programmers and testers reason about it, thereby assessing the correctness and justifiability of their decisions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2026-01-13","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461201, 461202, 461208"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ibrahim Khalil","title":"Predicting organisational cybersecurity risks with AI-driven threat intelligence and large language models ","description":"This project will explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) to predict organisational cybersecurity risks and mitigate threats in advance. The expected outcomes are an enhanced cybersecurity framework, better threat intelligence techniques and user-centric designs, and an adaptable solution. This may help businesses to identify cyber risks and prevent cyber incidents prior to happening and avoid financial losses and brand damage.   ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460402 - Data and information privacy (55%)\n460403 - Data security and protection (45%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Effective And Efficient Situation Awareness In Big Social Media Data","description":"Situation awareness helps understand the elements in the environment, the current situation, and project the future actions. Real applications like crisis management require the real time awareness of the critical situations. However, the services using traditional methods like phone calls can be easily delayed due to busy lines, transfer delays or limited communication ability in the disaster area. Social media-based situation awareness provides another feasible channel for crisis management, since critical events that cause great loss in live are commonly identified in social media.\nThis project aims to develop advanced techniques to analyse big social media data and more efficiently conduct critical situation awareness over online services. By enhancing the services and capabilities of crisis management users and reducing the loss in disasters, significant economic and social benefits will be brought to government, society, enterprises and social users.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (50%)\n460807 Information visualization (25%)\n460902 Decision support and group support systems (25%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Information Technology","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tri Dang, Ke Deng","title":"Classification for multiple data streams spatiotemporally and\/or logically associated","description":"Coming with 5G networks, it's not just going to be one stream of data but it's a flood of streams from an almost uncountable number of sensors. This enables the continuous information being collected in the finer spatiotemporal granularity such that the physical world change can be captured remarkably more smoothly. However, the scope of these stream data, the complexity of their relationship to describe a system or systems, the diversity of information collected by different sensors, the incorrect or missing readings of numerous sensors, and the higher expectation of data value and quicker responses requires new approaches. We will anticipate exploring the stronger correlation between data instances across streams if spatiotemporally and\/or logically coupled in spaces or in systems.\nThis project investigates the problem of classification on multiple data streams which are spatiotemporally and\/or logically associated in some spaces or systems, e.g., the data streams generated by social media users in a city, by the sensors deployed in different rooms of a smart home or in different stages of a production line. The multiple data streams may be homogenous or heterogenous (i.e., different streams contain different information and labels), static or dynamic (i.e., data sources are moving objects).  Each data stream has its own classification problem, e.g., emotion detection of social media users, condition detection of a room for light on\/off, and the working state detection of a system","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460511 Stream and sensor data (60%)\n460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (40%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aufeef Chauhan, Iqbal Gondal, Mojtaba Shahin","title":"Quantum-classic Hybrid Systems Integration and Quantum AI for Critical Infrastructure Security","description":"Quantum-classic hybrid system integration focuses on combining the strength of quantum computing with classic computing systems. Combining quantum components with classic components can help to solve complex problems such as optimisation and scheduling. This project will focus on the following research and development activities.\r\n\r\n(i) Explore integration of quantum computing systems with classic computing systems. This involves addressing issues such as communication latency, data transfer between classic and quantum components, and mapping of quantum algorithms to hybrid environments.\r\n(ii) Develop error correction and noise mitigation techniques to improve the reliability and efficiency of the quantum-classic hybrid systems.\r\n(iii) Explore the integration of algorithms such as quantum neural networks, quantum support vector machines and quantum reinforcement learning into classic machine learning workflows for data classification, clustering and optimisation problems.\r\n(iv) Breaking down complex problems in quantum and classic parts to split tasks between quantum and classical processors. Efficient scheduling and resource allocation techniques between the two paradigms will also be investigated.\r\n(v) Resource management and scheduling strategies for quantum-classic hybrid systems to achieve dynamic allocation of computational tasks, low latency, efficient communication and quantum-classic hybrid workflows.\r\n\r\n*This project has a scholarship available.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"4606 Distributed computing and systems software (30%)\r\n4611 Machine learning (30%)\r\n4604 Cybersecurity and privacy (20%)\r\n4612 Software engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Deng","title":"Evaluating robotic medical surgery with multimodal and responsible AI","description":"This system is jointly supported by CSIRO, RMIT University, and IMRA with the aim to revolutionize surgical training, ensuring consistent proficiency levels and improving patient outcomes. The significance lies in its potential to streamline training processes, reduce costs, and increase transparency in surgical proficiency assessments. The project deliverables include a robust AI system capable of analysing surgical videos, providing real-time feedback, and explaining evaluation criteria. This system will enhance surgical training by offering objective proficiency assessments, thereby improving the quality and safety of robotic surgeries. The project bridges the gap between academia and industry, leveraging cutting-edge technology to address critical challenges in robotic surgery training and patient care.\n\nThe project offers a unique opportunity for the PhD student to gain industry-relevant research experience while developing commercialization and innovation skills. The International Medical Robotics Association (IMRA) is a centre of excellence that embraces new technology, adapts to the changing education needs of modern surgeons, and delivers robotic surgical training. The engagement with IMRA include internship. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"080199 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing not elsewhere classified (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal, Sam Goundar","title":"Leveraging IoT, AI, and Satellites for Precision Agriculture in Vietnamese Tea Plantations","description":"This research project is at optimizing tea cultivation practices in Vietnam through the integration of IoT, AI, and Satellites. By deploying IoT devices, analysing satellite imagery, and developing AI models, the project seeks to enhance productivity and sustainability in tea plantations. Collaboration with local farmers will ensure the practical implementation of technological solutions, ultimately improving the efficiency and profitability of tea cultivation in Vietnam. The proposed IoT infrastructure will consist of a network of sensors deployed across tea fields to monitor soil moisture, nutrient levels, temperature, humidity, and pest activity. This data will be transmitted to a centralized platform where AI algorithms will analyze the information, providing actionable insights and predictive models for optimal crop management. Additionally, satellite imagery will be utilized to assess large-scale environmental conditions, detect crop health anomalies, and guide resource allocation with high spatial and temporal resolution. The contribution of this project lies in its holistic approach to precision agriculture, tailored specifically for the unique climatic and geographical conditions of Vietnamese tea plantations. By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, the research will enable farmers to make data-driven decisions, reduce resource waste, and improve crop yield and quality. Furthermore, this project will provide a scalable model that can be adapted to other regions and crops, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices on a broader scale. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, this study aspires to set a new standard for agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship in Vietnam's tea industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"100507 Smart Technologies - Internet of Things (35%)\n080602 Computational Intelligence (40%)\n090905 Agricultural Remote Sensing (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos STEM SHBS; Brunso Schivinski DSC","title":"Exploring the Intersection of Privacy Violations and Digital Media Use: Impacts on Teen Mental Health in Australia","description":"Background: The rise of digital media has led to increased privacy violations, such as online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft, significantly impacting the mental health of Australian teenagers. This project aims to explore how these privacy breaches contribute to mental health challenges among teens employing digital media, using comprehensive national datasets.\r\nAims: The primary goal is to analyze the mental health consequences of privacy violations among Australian teenagers engaged in digital media. The study will focus on identifying key factors that exacerbate mental health issues, utilizing data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) and the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC).\r\nMethods: Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques will be employed to analyze the LSAC and LSIC datasets. AI will help identify patterns and correlations between privacy violations in digital media and adverse mental health outcomes in teens. The research will specifically examine variables related to online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft.\r\nSignificance: The findings will contribute to the development of targeted interventions aimed at promoting safer digital media practices and improving mental health outcomes for teenagers. This research is particularly significant as it addresses a growing concern in the digital age. Furthermore, the project includes a 90-day internship secured through CatholicCare Victoria, allowing for the practical application of the research findings in a community setting, thereby bridging the gap between research and real-world impact.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\r\n450714 and 30% allocation\r\n460206 and 10% allocation\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Simulations to Study Responsible AI - ADMS GenAISim Project","description":"We are seeking an enthusiastic and excellent candidate to join our project GenAI Sim: Simulation in the Loop for Multi-Stakeholder Interactions with Generative Agents.   This is part of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence, Automated Decision Making and Society, which studies and proposes solutions to how automated systems affect society.   \n\nThe project aims to study multi-stakeholders situations and scenarios via generative AI and multi-agent simulations. The project team is interdisciplinary and has expertise and interests in behaviour modelling, machine learning, participatory and qualitative studies, and behavioural simulations.  The candidate will focus on the simulation and evaluation of the simulation to real life scenarios, hence we are seeking a candidate to join us that have either background in machine learning\/modelling or evaluation of such systems.  Particularly at least one of the following, but we still interested to hear from you if you have background in one but potentially interested in learning more about the others: \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest in machine learning, agent-based simulation and\/or user behaviour modelling; \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest with evaluation automated curation systems, e.g., recommender systems. \n\nDesirable, but not a limitation if you don\u2019t process the following:  \n  * Ability to do data processing and program in at least one programming language; \n  * Familiarity with running evaluations using user studies; e.g., crowd sourcing, surveys, A\/B testing. \n  * Familiarity with simulations. \n\n \nThe successful candidate will work with Associate Professor Jeffrey Chan, Dr Danula Hettiachchi and project members at the School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.  The position is funded for 3 years at AUS$34,841 per annum with possibilities to extend for another 6 months.  Please contact Associate Professor Jeffrey Chan at Jeffrey.chan@rmit.edu.au for questions or submission of application by Sept 18, 2024. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems (40%)\n461103 Deep learning (40%)\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Responsible AI - ADMS Automated Cultural Curation Project","description":"We are seeking an enthusiastic and excellent candidate to join our project Evaluating Automated Cultural Curation and Ranking Systems with Synthetic Data (https:\/\/www.admscentre.org.au\/evaluating-automated-cultural-curating-and-ranking-systems-with-synthetic-data\/).   This is part of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence, Automated Decision Making and Society, which studies and proposes solutions to how automated systems affect society.   \n\nThe project aims to study, evaluate and model human behaviour in automated systems, specifically digital cultural curation-based systems in news, media and streaming services.  The project will focus on responsible AI, particularly explaining automated curation, ranking and simulations of such systems.  The project team is interdisciplinary and has expertise and interests in behaviour modelling, machine learning, participatory and qualitative studies, and behavioural simulations.  As such, we are seeking a candidate to join us that have either background in machine learning\/modelling, evaluation of recommender, ranking or curation systems or using qualitative approaches in media studies.  Particularly at least one of the following, but we still interested to hear from you if you have background in one but potentially interested in learning more about the others: \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest in machine learning, agent based simulation and\/or user behaviour modelling; \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest in qualitative approaches to studying and evaluating media; \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest with evaluation automated curation systems, e.g., recommender systems. \n\nDesirable, but not a limitation if you don\u2019t have the following:  \n  * Ability to do data processing and program in at least one programming language; \n  * Familiarity with running evaluations using user studies; e.g., crowd sourcing, surveys, A\/B testing. \n  * Familiarity with simulations. \n\nThe successful candidate will work with Associate Professor Jeffrey Chan, Dr Danula Hettiachchi and project members at the School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.  The position is funded for 3 years with a stipend of AUS$34,841, with possibilities to extend for another 6 months.  Please contact Assoc. Prof Jeffrey Chan at Jeffrey.chan@rmit.edu.au for questions or submission of application by Sep 18, 2024. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 Recommender Systems (40%)\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (40%)\n470107 Media studies (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Danula Hettiachchi, Damiano Spina, Johanne Trippas, Falk Scholer, Lisa Given","title":"ADM+S Search Experience","description":"Evaluate how users search online using diverse queries and non-traditional interfaces and develop novel search systems. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 Information retrieval and web search (60%)\n460806 Human-computer interaction (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Senuri Wijenayake","title":"Investigating how people trust and respond to news on social media","description":"Social media has revolutionised news consumption, yet it has also amplified the dissemination of fake news. Moreover, this rapid spread of misinformation challenges the reliability of information shared on these platforms. Therefore, understanding how users perceive and react to news articles on social media is crucial for mitigating the spread of fake news and promoting informed consumption. \n\nThis project aims to investigate: \n\n1. Factors Influencing Trust: Explore how users determine the trustworthiness of news articles on social media, considering factors such as headlines, sources, comments, and popularity. \n\n2. Demographic Variances: Analyse how trust and response differ across cultural backgrounds, age groups, and other demographics. \n\n3. Psychological Influences: Investigate socio-psychological concepts like social conformity to understand their impact on perceptions of trustworthiness and response behaviors. \n\nThe project methodology can include mixed-method research approaches to collect data on user behaviours and perceptions regarding news articles, cross-cultural analysis and socio-psychological studies that incorporate psychological theories and methodologies to delve into cognitive processes influencing trust judgments. \n\nThe outcomes of the project can include insights into how users across demographics perceive and react to news on social media and design guidelines for social media platforms to enhance users\u2019 ability to discern between credible and fake news. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%)\n460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang,Haytham Fayek","title":"Efficient transfer learning across  domains and data modalities","description":"In the age of AI, transfer learning leveraging pre-trained Large Language Models (LLMs) [1] has dominated  natural language textual data processing and understanding.  LLMs for learning from multi-modal data have mostly focused on text and  image data modalities.  For many engineering applications however, temporal data and sequence data are widely used, from IoT sensor networks to healthcare physiological sensors.  There has been some research on developing foundation models for time series data [2], similar to training LLMs for textual data processing; training such foundation models requires huge volumes of data and computing resources. \n\nIn this project, we will investigate how to achieve efficient transfer learning across domains, tasks or data modalities.  We will investigate approaches to leveraging foundation models for data-efficient transfer learning [ ], as well as strategies for data-efficient and \u201csmall\u201d deep learning models, including strategies for pruning deep learning models [4]. \n\n[1] Min, B., Ross, H., Sulem, E., Veyseh, A.P.B., Nguyen, T.H., Sainz, O., Agirre, E., Heintz, I. and Roth, D., 2023. Recent advances in natural language processing via large pre-trained language models: A survey. ACM Computing Surveys, 56(2), pp.1-40.\n\n[2] Garza, A. and Mergenthaler-Canseco, M., 2023. TimeGPT-1. arXiv preprint arXiv:2310.03589.\n\n[3] Hu, E.J., Shen, Y., Wallis, P., Allen-Zhu, Z., Li, Y., Wang, S., Wang, L. and Chen, W., 2021. Lora: Low-rank adaptation of large language models. In ICLR.\n\n[4] Sun, M., Liu, Z., Bair, A. and Kolter, J.Z., 2024. A simple and effective pruning approach for large language models. In ICLR.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Beyond Query: Exploratory Subgraph Discovery and Search System","description":"This project aims to discover new relationships of users and compute their co-working performance in continuous time periods. The outcomes of the project are to design effective subgraph exploratory models, three novel types of subgraph search solutions, and devise a friendly exploratory subgraph search system for supporting the real-time network data analytics.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (60%)\n460509 Query processing and optimisation (40%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Karin Verspoor, Arthur Tang","title":"Large Language Model-Assisted Systematic Reviews of Research Evidence","description":"Systematic reviews are the gold standard in research evidence, particularly within the healthcare field. However, in the context of an ever-increasing volume of scientific literature, conducting systematic reviews has become an extremely time-consuming and arduous process. Automated tools are urgently needed to support retrieval, synthesis, quality assessment, and meta-analysis of research papers. While some progress has been made on systematic review automation and its component steps through information retrieval, natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, Large Language Models (LLMs) represent a valuable technology that may support significant advancements in this arena. This project will seek to explore how best LLMs and NLP can be deployed for systematic review automation, as well as examining the capabilities and limitations of generative AI.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"080107 Natural Language Processing (60%)\n080702 Health Informatics (20%)\n080704 Information Retrieval and Web Search (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lawrence Cavedon, Karin Verspoor","title":"Extending infection surveillance in cancer through adaptable and robust natural language processing models","description":"This project involves a collaboration with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to establish digital infection surveillance tools and portals. We have existing capabilities in the use of natural language processing (NLP) to detect invasive fungal infections in clinical data, specifically histopathology ad PET scan reports. In this project, we aim to build automated surveillance methods for other opportunistic infections, for example emerging respiratory viral infections (e.g. COVID-19, seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)), or cytomegalovirus (CMV)). The key NLP research questions relate to extending our prior work in three critical ways: (1) to incorporate non-text clinical data into the NLP model, i.e. creating a multi-modal model for infection detection (2) to evaluate and develop strategies for the robust transportability of models from one hospital setting to another, and (3) to leverage existing datasets and\/or models to rapidly pivot the NLP models to address new target infections.\n\nWe expect that the candidate will spend significant time at Peter MacCallum through an internship focused on clinical integration of the NLP tools into a clinician-facing infection surveillance portal.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"080107 Natural Language Processing (50%)\n080702 Health Informatics (30%)\n080109 Pattern Recognition and Data Mining (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Golnoush Abaei","title":"Improving Software Fault Prediction for Imbalanced Data","description":"Allocating a sufficient budget for software testing is crucial to ensure that the software is defect-free. However, as software grows in size and complexity, testing becomes more expensive, and some companies may not have enough resources to allocate toward it. To address this issue, many researchers have turned to machine learning methods to create software fault prediction models that can detect defect-prone modules, allowing for more efficient resource allocation during testing. While this is a viable solution, the effectiveness of machine learning models depends on various factors, such as data imbalance. There are several techniques in class imbalance research that can potentially enhance the performance of prediction models by processing the dataset before inputting it. However, not all methods are compatible with each other.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461208 Software testing, verification and validation (30%)\n461207 Software quality, processes and metrics (30%)\n461202 Empirical software engineering (20%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (10%)\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Software Engineering","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Golnoush Abaei, Mojtaba Shahin","title":"Automated generation of test oracles","description":"During software testing, a test oracle is commonly used to verify whether the behaviour of the system under test is correct. It enables the determination of whether the system is functioning as expected. With the increasing use of machine learning solutions in areas such as software testing, there is a possibility of developing an automated test oracle for many applications. However, machine learning-based test oracles' reliability is questionable, as software failure misclassification may occur. This could lead to inaccurate labelling of a class, which undermines the usefulness of the machine learning-based test oracle. Despite this concern, the behaviour of machine learning-based test oracles depends on the dataset and algorithms used for training. It is important to note that the challenge of identifying correct and incorrect behaviour in software testing is known as the \"Test Oracle Problem\", which exists beyond machine learning applications. This implies that machine learning methods can be used to develop a robust and reliable automated test oracle. Furthermore, the application of automated test oracles can also improve the efficiency of industry-specific workflows related to validation and verification.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461208 Software testing, verification and validation (30%)\n461207 Software quality, processes and metrics (30%)\n461202 Empirical software engineering (20%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (10%)\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Mahdi Jalili,Ali Moradiamani","title":"Electrification of Everything: Exploring the Impact on Energy Consumption, Costs, and Sustainability","description":"The urgent need to combat climate change has prompted a global shift towards electrification as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable energy practices. This research investigates the impact of electrification on energy consumption patterns and costs, leveraging explainable machine learning techniques such as decision trees, random forest and RNN to provide stakeholders with data-driven insights and decision support tools. Through the analysis of comprehensive datasets encompassing historical energy consumption data, electrification technologies, demographic variables, and policy interventions, the study aims to identify effective strategies for reducing carbon footprints and enhancing energy sustainability. Key outcomes\ninclude informed decision-making for stakeholders, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, advancements in energy efficiency, and increased community engagement and empowerment. By addressing these objectives, the research contributes to the broader goal of accelerating the transition towards a low-carbon future through electrification initiatives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460308 - Pattern recognition (40%)\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)\n461104 - Neural networks (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiangmin Zhou","title":"Securing eCommerce: Designing a Privacy-Preserving, AI-Driven Recommendation Framework","description":"The objective of this research project is to architect a secure framework capable of delivering precise machine learning-driven recommendations for both internal and external products, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding user privacy and security. The project will leverage cutting-edge privacy techniques and a hybrid recommendation engine, aiming to transform the landscape of product recommendation systems. This innovation is expected to result in a more personalized shopping experience that bolsters user trust in the eCommerce platform, aligning the project with the fields of security and artificial intelligence.\n\nThe framework employs advanced privacy-preserving techniques, including federated learning, differential privacy, and secure multi-party computation, enabling collaborative data analysis without exposing raw user data. A hybrid recommendation engine combines collaborative filtering, content-based filtering, and hybrid approaches to provide accurate and personalized product suggestions while safeguarding privacy. User-controlled privacy settings empower effective data management. The prioritization of user privacy enhances trust and loyalty, preventing unauthorized data access and breaches. The hybrid recommendation engine's precise product suggestions improve user satisfaction and drive business growth, with the framework designed for scalability and adaptability to accommodate future privacy and recommendation technology advancements.\n\nThis project collects data from the actual industry partner, New Aim, Australia's leading eCommerce company, serving nearly 50% of Australian families. The proposed framework and techniques will enable industry partners to fully leverage their proprietary data while complying with regulations and safeguarding personal privacy.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"080109 Pattern Recognition and Data Mining (50%)\n080303 Computer System Security (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Fengling Han, Huo Chong Ling (RMIT Vietnam)","title":"CSIRO Data61 Next Generation Emerging Technologies: Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning","description":"To address the increasingly striking discordance between its rapid growth and renewed awareness of privacy protection in this era of intelligence, this project focuses on the security of private and protection of sensitive information carried by the data with machine learning methods.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460403 Data security and protection\r\n330204 Building information modelling and management\r\n330206 Building science, technologies and systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li","title":"Multi-level and multi-stage optimisation in mining supply chain operations","description":"Mining typically has complex supply chains with many connected components. With increasing economic pressures and competition, mining companies started to rely on digital systems based on artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science to learn and optimise their production. However, each of these systems typically tackle only one part of the supply chain, and usually there is very little optimisation across the systems. Time frame introduced an additional layer of complexity, where these systems optimise only across certain periods, e.g. strategic, long term, medium term, short term or operational. Often there is a limited alignment across the time granularity.\n\nWe aim to research and improve multi-level and multi-stage supply chain optimisation through:\n1.        learning interaction patterns and best practices between two or more optimisation systems between supply chain silos (horizontal) as well as between time periods (vertical).\n2.        approaches to build these systems A) incrementally or B) as a layer across the existing optimisation systems. Incremental will build one system at a time, pre-planned. Second option aims to create an algorithm connecting systems that are already in production, building a master guiding layer across them.\n3.        effective methods to estimate incremental gains by building such multi-level optimisation as opposed to independent siloed optimisation.\n\nThe research is aimed at mining supply chains but can equally be applicable for other manufacturing supply chains.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490108 - Operations research\n460210 - Satisfiability and optimisation\n460203 - Evolutionary computation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Karin Verspoor, Jiayuan (Estrid) He","title":"Cross-modal information extraction of chemical knowledge","description":"Chemical knowledge is often expressed using multiple data modalities in scientific literature, each of which contributes complementary information, e.g., images for illustrating chemical structures, tables for summarizing experimental observations, and texts for describing chemical synthesis procedures. Comprehensive understanding of the described chemical knowledge requires combining all available data modalities. However, current models in NLP and machine learning tend to be limited to a single modality \u2013 focusing on e.g. either text or image processing. Where texts and images are combined, e.g. for report generation from images or for image retrieval or generation with a linguistic prompt, it is not for integration of information across the modalities, but rather to allow taking one data type as input and producing another as output. In this project, we seek to develop cross-modal IE techniques, which integrate information extracted from images, tables, and texts for accurate and comprehensive information extraction across these diverse sources of information.\n\nThe project is a collaboration with the international publisher Elsevier BV, and will involve extensive collaboration with the Elsevier teams, including the potential opportunity to spend time with them in Amsterdam or Frankfurt. It builds on a successful previous project collaboration known as ChEMU, which included running several community challenges\/shared tasks during 2020-2022.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460208 Natural language processing (40%), 460306 Image processing (40%), 340404 Cheminformatics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta, Allison Jing","title":"Using Physiological Cues to Improve Empathy in Mixed Reality Human-AI Interaction","description":"Emotion is a complex construct, and it varies from person to person. Understanding human emotion helps improve empathy between each other, which in turn builds positive social and work relationships. By combining Mixed Reality (MR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), we can address the research gaps in interpreting physiological signals with other communication modalities via AI agents and represent them through virtual MR interfaces and interactions targeting different individual needs.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to investigate how physiological signals such as eye gaze, facial expressions, GSR, and heart rate can be used as input and output to support empathy during human-AI interactions in a Mixed Reality environment. We will use VR headsets and GSR sensors as hardware combined with AI\/ML to understand how an AI agent can influence human emotion and behaviours in the XR world. An intelligent interface will be explored to create such an agent: We plan to explore both the avatarized agent (an interface associated with a human) and the ubiquitous agent (an interface that any form of visual, auditory or haptic format can represent). The signals will be used to capture the human\u2019s physiological responses, and an AI agent will provide sufficient instructions and guidance through an ML-trained algorithm. \r\n\r\n\r\nThe project attempts to answer an overarching research question (RQ): \u201cHow do psychological input and output enhance empathy during human-AI interaction in a Mixed Reality environment?\u201d In each stage, a smaller RQ will be answered as follows:\r\nHow do users usually express their emotions and feelings towards an AI agent?\r\nWhat type of MR representations, visual (avatar) or auditory (sound instruction), are preferred to play as an AI agent?\r\nHow do we adjust virtual avatars (e.g. real-human avatars, AI avatars) based on the roles (leader vs follower) they play in the task?\r\nWhat factors influence the usability of an MR-represented AI agent?\r\nHow do humans express emotion towards an AI agent compared to a real human in a virtual world (MR)?\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (50%)\r\n460802\tAffective computing (30%)\r\n460202\tAutonomous agents and multiagent systems (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham, Estrid He, School of Computing Technologies","title":"Enhanced geo-spatial data analytics with large language models","description":"Recent years have witnessed the remarkable success of large language models (LLMs), e.g., BERT and ChatGPT. Building upon deep learning architectures, these models are capable of learning effective and transferrable representations from data, exhibiting an enhanced comprehension of the semantic nuances of the input data, and ultimately, leading to exemplary performance outcomes in a wide range of benchmark linguistic tasks. This project aims to investigate the synergies between large language models and the domain of spatial-temporal data analysis, with a particular emphasis on integrating spatial, temporal, and place-based aspects into the framework of deep learning. This involves embedding spatial reasoning into language models to enhance their ability to comprehend and analyze spatial-temporal information. This project will aim to develop geo-spatial question answering systems, where users may ask spatial questions in natural language to exploit diverse geographic information resources, without a need to know how GIS tools and geodata sets interoperate. A crucial aspect of developing effective question answering systems for geo-spatial data involves endowing language models with the capability to retain positional information and comprehend spatial concepts. In addition, investigating the fusion of multi-modal data (such as texts and images) to enhance spatial question answering systems, which is particularly significant in the context of remote sensing, represents another key facet of this project. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\r\n460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\r\n401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sebastian Sardina","title":"Behavior Composition for Smart Manufacturing","description":"With computers now present in everyday devices like mobile phones, credit cards, cars and planes or places like homes, offices and factories, the trend is to build embedded complex systems from a collection of simple components. Thus a complex surveillance system for a smart house can be \u201crealised\u201d (i.e., implemented) by suitably coordinating the behaviours (i.e., the operational logic) of hundreds (or thousands) of simple devices and artifacts\u2014lights, blinds, a microwave, video cameras, robotic arms, etc.\u2014installed in the house. The Behavior Composition problem involves automatically building an embedded controller-coordinator to bring about a desired target complex system by suitably coordinating the available components.\r\n\r\nThe overarching aim of this project is to develop a behavior composition account that meets the needs of the manufacturing domain, by accommodating production of multiple items, probabilistic models of failure, smooth transitions between production recipes, true concurrent execution of devices in the plant, execution of multiple different production recipes in the same production plant, etc. The project involves both theoretical work in developing adequate representation models and practical work in devising effective computational techniques to solve the problem efficiently.\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n\r\n[1] Giuseppe De Giacomo, Fabio Patrizi, and Sebastian Sardina. Building virtual behaviors from partially controllable available behaviors in nondeterministic environments. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Automated Planning and Scheduling (ICAPS), pages 523-526,, 2014.\r\n[2] Giuseppe De Giacomo, Fabio Patrizi, and Sebastian Sardina. Automatic behavior composition synthesis.\r\nArtificial Intelligence Journal, 196:106-142, 2013.\r\n[3] Giuseppe De Giacomo, Alfonso Gerevini, Fabio Patrizi, Alessandro Saetti, and Sebastian Sardina. Agent planning programs. Artificial Intelligence, 231:64-106, 2016.\r\n[4] Paolo Felli, Brian Logan, and Sebastian Sardina. Parallel behavior composition for manufacturing. In\r\nProceedings of the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI), pages 272-278, 2016.\r\n[5] Lavindra de Silva, Paolo Felli, Jack C. Chaplin, Brian Logan, David Sanderson, Svetan M.Ratchev:\r\nSynthesising Industry-Standard Manufacturing Process Controllers. AAMAS 2017: 1811-1813\r\n[6] Paolo Felli, Lavindra de Silva, Brian Logan, Svetan M. Ratchev: Process Plan Controllers for Non- Deterministic Manufacturing Systems. IJCAI 2017: 1023-1030","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"460209 Planning and decision making (50%)\r\n460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Melih Ozlen, School of Science (Mathematics discipline)","title":"Hybridized decomposition methods for large-scale black-box optimization","description":"This research aims to develop effective and efficient techniques for solving real-world large scale black-box optimization (LSBBO) problems. Many real-world problems in decision making, engineering, and sciences can be formulated as optimization problems. With the advances of today\u2019s computing technology, we are becoming increasingly reliant on computer simulation and modeling to solve complex optimization problems. One key challenge we face today is that these problems are far more complex, very high dimensional (i.e., large scale), expensive to evaluate, highly-constrained, and difficult-to-define through mathematical formulation (i.e., black-box). One real-world example of LSBBO problems in the Australian context is the resource constrained scheduling problem of the Hunter Valley coal chain, which is the largest coal export operation in the world. Australia is the world\u2019s largest coal exporter, accounting for 29% of global coal exports [1]. Optimizing the logistics is of critical importance to the Australia coal export industry. Logistics solutions to reduce cost and increase efficiency are of the highest priority. When facing a large scale optimization problem like this, how do we decompose it into smaller and more manageable subcomponents? How do we reduce computational cost, and how do we go about learning the underlying pattern if the problems are black-box to some extent? Large scale black-box problems pose a serious challenge to existing optimization methods [2]. Though many effective optimization methods exist for solving small or medium sized problems, their performances do not scale well to large scale problems. This project will focus on examining a number of key characteristics of real-world LSBBO problems: black-box functions, highly nonlinear constraints, and expensiveness to evaluate. We will develop novel LSBBO algorithms especially competent in the following two aspects: decomposition and parallelization. This research will consider the merits of both meta-heuristics and mathematical programming [3] methods, and will advance the state-of-the-art in dealing with LSBBO. \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n\r\n[1]. G. Lim, C. Chua, E. Claus, and V. Nguyen, \u201cReview of the Australian economy 2011-12: A case of deja vu,\u201d Australian Economic Review, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 1\u201313, 2012.\r\n[2] E. Dolan, J. Mor\u00b4e, and T. Munson, \u201cBenchmarking optimization software with COPS 3.0.\u201d Mathematics and Computer Science. Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Technical Report ANL\/MCS-273, February 2004.\r\n[3] D. Bertsimas and J. Tsitsiklis, Introduction to Linear Optimization. Athena Scientific, 1997.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"080108 - Neural, Evolutionary and Fuzzy Computation 80%\r\n091599 - Interdisciplinary Engineering not elsewhere classified 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sonika Tyagi, Karin Verspoor","title":"AI Powered RNA Folding and Function Prediction","description":"A single-stranded RNA can fold over to form secondary and tertiary structures through the A-U and C-G base pairing.  The secondary structure of RNA can be highly complex as it is single-stranded and has a stronger ability to form hydrogen bonds with an extra hydroxyl group . The same sequence can fall into more than one type of structure. The structure provides binding domains for interacting biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins, which we refer to as the \u201cinteractome\u201d \r\n\r\n\r\nWe believe secondary structure is important for a ncRNA given the known mechanisms of action .  In this project we will test a hypothesise that the RNA exerts its function by interacting with RNA, DNA or protein interactomes, and we can fully understand their mechanisms in the regulation of disease genomes by solving the structural domains, and interactomes of the ncRNAs. \r\n\r\nData-driven approaches have been successfully used to resolve protein structures. In this study we will use similar Machine Learning modelling approaches will be used to resolve folding and their functional characteristics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4611 Machine learning (40%)\r\n310299 Bioinformatics and computational biology not elsewhere classified (40%)\r\n310509 Genomics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Andrew Eberhard, School of Science","title":"Prescriptive Analytics: Big Data and Machine Learning for Decision Making","description":"In the Big Data era, Data Analytics solutions have already proven to be invaluable tools in both business and scientific domains [1]. Descriptive and Predictive Analytics methods [2] are implemented in many commercial software products that are used by thousands of companies from different fields, like finance, healthcare, commerce and routing. Major firms like IBM, Google, Amazon, Oracle and Microsoft are investing billions of dollars in their analytics departments, while startups are trying to and a niche in the market with lightweight applications. The Big Data industry is transitioning from a Descriptive and Predictive approach to a Prescriptive one [2][3]. While the first is largely based on Machine Learning methods like clustering and regression, observing past data and making accurate predictions doesn't seamlessly translate into good decisions. The Prescriptive approach aims to provide optimal decisions, leveraging past and present data to build more powerful model for real world applications. There is a vast array of machine learning methods that can leverage huge quantities of data and generalize well in many different scenarios, with prediction errors that are close to zero and without making strong assumptions about the data itself.\r\n\r\nMulti-billion investments in hardware supports and distributed Data Warehousing solutions have led to the present situation in which there is a huge amount of data waiting to be leveraged for insight and preventive measures. The current challenge in Data Science is being able to process and use this information in an effective and productive way, across all application domains. The purpose of this research is to further study the interface between Machine Learning and Operations Research in the Big Data context. There is the need to understand how much data we can effectively use and if we can develop new approaches that can leverage data on a bigger scale. The same questions are even more relevant when posed with regard to heterogeneous data sources and high dimensional data. One particular scenario we plan to explore is data analytics in the age-care industry, since we have already got industry partner COTA Victoria with data made available. This research will aim to expand the current methodologies with regard to data-driven prediction and decision making with new solutions to be employed in the real world. \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n[1] N. Dedi\u0107, C. Stanier, \u201cTowards Differentiating Business Intelligence, Big Data, Data Analytics and Knowledge Discovery\u201d, Heidelberg: Springer International Publishing, 2017.\r\n[2] D. Bertsimas, N. Kallus. \u201cFrom Predictive to Prescriptive Analytics\u201d. arXiv:1402.5481. (2015).\r\n[3] D. Bertsimas, N. Kallus, A. Hussain. \u201cInventory Management in the Era of Big Data\u201d. POMS. (2016).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490108 - Operations research 50%\r\n080108 - Neural, Evolutionary and Fuzzy Computation 30%\r\n091599 - Interdisciplinary Engineering not elsewhere classified 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ruwan Tennakoon, John Thangarajah, Alireza Bab-Hadiashar - School of Engineering\n","title":"Transparent and Interpretable Deep Learning for Medical Image Analysis","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision have led to the creation of technologies that are gaining popularity as decision-support systems for medical diagnosis and intervention. These technologies have opened up innovative opportunities in areas like early detection of cancer risks. While Deep Learning has been previously used for medical image analysis, its application in real-world still remains challenging for several reasons:\r\n\r\n1) The deep learning models that have shown success in complex tasks require a large set of labeled data. While it is reasonable to expect such large datasets to be common for natural images, this is not often the case for medical images. In medical image analysis, it is challenging to get large datasets, and making detailed annotations is expensive.\r\n\r\n2) The AI (deep learning) models often act as black box models and do not provide enough rationale in how the model makes its decisions. This lack of transparency\/interpretability of the AI modes makes it difficult to gain the trust of clinicians and hence the adoption of AI systems in the medical field is slow.\r\n\r\n3) If a model trained in one setting is to be applied to another, then the common practice is to re-train the model with more labeled data from the second setting. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this project is to further the underlying technology for medical image analysis by developing capabilities in terms of data-efficient ML, model interpretability, and domain generalizability.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460304 Computer Vision (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haytham Fayek, John Thangarajah, Huong Ha, Azadeh Alvi, Jeff Chan, Juerg von Kaenel","title":"AI for Next-Generation Food & Waste Systems","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI for Next Generation Food and Waste System\u201d.   As part of this program, the School and our partners COSTA Group and AirAgri are seeking expressions of interest for PhD candidates to develop AI techniques to improve their business practice and services.  That includes but not limited to computer vision for helping mushroom grow and harvest, machine learning for production line optimisation, and vision and IoT enhanced modeling for farm management.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems\u00a0\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation\u00a0\r\n460210 Satisfiability and optimisation\r\n460304 Computer Vision\u00a0\r\n300604 Food packaging, preservation, and processing\r\n300607 Food technology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dhirendra Singh, Sebastian Rodriguez, Erica Kuligowski, SEng","title":"Community Evacuation Modelling in Fire Evacuations","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d.  As part of this program, the School and our partners GhD are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate and two Master by research candidates to work in the area wildfire evacuation, modelling and multi-modal and big data analytics.  The candidates will contribute to the enhancement of the WU-NITY community evacuation platform to enable its use in industrial applications in fire evacuations, including techniques to automatically take in multi-modal information to reconfigure the platform in real-time and compare with the evolving situation on the ground.\r\n\r\nThe candidate will be working with Dr Erica Kuligowski (lead), Dr Dhirendra Singh and Dr Sebastian Rodriguez, experts in fire evacuation and modelling. GhD is an international company and provides a range of engineering and professional services in several key sectors (Energy and Resources, Environment, Property and Buildings, Transportation and Water).  GHD is actively expanding its capacity to provide professional engineering and science services relating to community preparedness for wildfire events, evacuation planning\/design, evacuation management and post-incident recovery. GHD operates a dedicated technical service line for emergency and disaster management globally alongside our Digital and Advisory businesses.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems 50%\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haytham Fayek, Huong Ha, Azadeh Alvi","title":"Constructing 3D virtual interior design from 2D images and text","description":"The School of Computing Technologies and RMIT University has recently been awarded the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAIoT Empowering Industrial Digital Twin\u201d. As part of this program, the School and our partners Yep Innovation are seeking expressions of interest for PhD candidates to work in the area of AR, 3D reconstruction and computer vision in general. This project aims to develop advanced AI techniques to enhance the user experience of virtual inspection for the real estate industry.  The generative process needs not only to be able to produce high-quality immersive rendering but also to be low cost, without requiring intensive manual adjustment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460701 Computer aided design\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation\u00a0\r\n460304 Computer Vision\u00a0\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Harland, Ian Peake, Michelle Spencer, School of Science","title":"Designing and evaluating educational technologies","description":"Digital tools are now a fundamental aspect of education, and include a wide variety of technologies. An increasingly important such tool is immersive technologies, which enable synthetic worlds to be either explored as they are (virtual reality), or to have information superimposed on the user\u2019s view (augmented reality).  While the intuitive appeal of these technologies for education is clear, what is less clear is the most appropriate and effective way to deploy these technologies. In principle, it is possible to incorporate all learning activities, assessment and feedback into virtual worlds; in practice, analysing areas of likely success will provide much better use of resources.  The aim of this project is to investigate the design and effectiveness of immersive technologies in tertiary education, and in particular to identify disciplines, areas or activities in which immersive technologies produce significant improvements in engagement, learning outcomes or retention. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460604 Computing Education. This will also depend on the precise topic of the project. \n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Harland","title":"Goal-based reasoning in multi-agent systems","description":"Intelligent agents are gaining acceptance as a practical solution to many computing problems that require timely and goal-directed behaviour in highly dynamic domains. Such scenarios include air traffic control, onboard spacecraft diagnosis and entertainment such as games. Intelligent agents have been found suitable in such environments and scenarios due to their autonomy, which enables them to perform tasks without continual intervention by a human operator. This makes agents suitable for situations when a human may not be available to guide it (such as in a spacecraft scenario), or when a decision must be made quickly \u2013 this describes environments that are both highly dynamic and complex. Goals are one way in which agents are programmed. Common goals include perform goals, achievement goals and maintenance goals. Some of the challenges related to goals in intelligent agents are \u2013 how do we represent the different goal types, what is the appropriate behaviour of goals, how do we ensure consistency among goals, how do we resolve conflicts and support synergies, can we guarantee the success of goals, how do we measure success and partial completeness and so on. Researchers at RMIT have addressed some of these issues however there are many more challenges yet to be addressed in this project.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta, John Thamgarajah, Michael Dann","title":"Learning optimal control of games and machines in real-time","description":"Learning to control agents directly from high-dimensional sensory inputs is one of the long-standing challenges of reinforcement learning (RL) and machine learning in general. Most successful RL applications that operate on these domains have relied on hand-crafted features combined with linear value functions or policy representations. \r\n\r\nMore recently, several deep neural learning techniques have been proposed to automate feature representation at the cost of increased training times [1]. Video games represent an ideal testbed for (deep) RL techniques due to the high complexity and randomness of the environments and of the interactions presented to a player and their real-time nature. The challenge posed by video games has not been lost on the major ICT companies, such as Google and Microsoft, which have been researching and investing\r\nin games AI research [2][3]. \r\n\r\nIn addition to that, Elon Musk (founder of Paypal, Tesla and SpaceX) had invested in an OpenAI foundation [4] whose mission is to improve state-of-the-art machine learning research using several hundreds of videogames as testbeds. OpenAI has released Gym and Universe, open source software that can be used to benchmark new machine learning algorithms. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this project is to investigate novel approaches to reinforcement learning and, specifically, investigate the limitations and the advantages of combining deep learning with RL. Another important line of inquiry will concern whether specific class of games are more suited to deep\r\nreinforcement learning, and which other classes of algorithms could be combined with RL if deep learning is found to be not suitable.\r\n\r\nOur previous work in the area has included investigations of similar algorithms in a variety of different games, including classic arcades Super Mario [5], Pacman [6] and first-person shooters [7]. We intend to apply our work out on optimal control of video games to physical devices and machines including UAVs, drones, selfdriving cars and humanoid robots. In fact, preliminary results on the use of those techniques in auditory implants has led to positive results [8].\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n[1]. Human-level control through deep reinforcement learning. Mnih et al., Nature 518, 529\u2013533 (2015).\r\n[2]. Mastering the game of Go with deep neural networks and tree search. Silver et al. 529, 484\u2013489 (2016).\r\n[3]. Hybrid Reward Architecture for Reinforcement Learning. Van Seijen et al., available online at https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/1706.04208 (2017).\r\n[4]. OpenAI software systems, available online at https:\/\/openai.com\/systems\/.\r\n[5]. Integrating skills and simulation to solve complex navigation tasks in infinite Mario. Dann et al., IEEE Transactions on Computational Intelligence and AI in Games, 1-7 (2017).\r\n[6]. Learning options from demonstrations: A Pac-Man case study. Tamassia et al., IEEE Transactions on Computational Intelligence and AI in Games, 1-7 (2017).\r\n[7]. Combining Monte Carlo tree search and apprenticeship learning for capture the flag. Ivanovic et al., Proceedings of IEEE CIG (2015).\r\n[8]. Utilising reinforcement learning to develop strategies for driving auditory neural implants. Lee et al., Journal of Neural Engineering, 13, 1 \u2013 13 (2016).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461105\tReinforcement learning (70%)\r\n460703\tEntertainment and gaming (15%)\r\n460205\tIntelligent robotics (15%)\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ruwan Tennakoon, Alireza Bab-Hadiashar - School of Engineering;\r\nDebaditya Acharya - School of Science","title":"Learning Robust and Generalisable Models for Computer Vision Using Animation","description":"Artificial intelligence (AI) is critical for the expansion of intelligent services across sectors such as transport, agriculture, and medicine, to name a few. A limitation of current approaches to AI (e.g., Deep Learning) development is that they rely on the use of large, manually processed datasets which is labour intensive, especially for geometry related visual tasks such as extracting motion and 3D structure from images. One approach to minimise these costs is the use of animations; however, these tend not to map across well into the real environment. This project will look at how best to create AI solutions using animations for geometry related vision tasks, which does map well into the real world. Outcomes include an improved method for developing AI-based solutions for industry problems, with potential applications in driverless cars, manufacturing, and robot-assisted surgery. Our active engagement with Australian enterprises in automation will aid in the adoption of these new approaches to improve efficiency and reduce costs.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Chuah, W., Tennakoon, R., Hoseinnezhad, R., Bab-Hadiashar, A. and Suter, D., \u201cITSA: An Information-Theoretic Approach to Automatic Shortcut Avoidance and Domain Generalization in Stereo Matching Networks\u201d. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2022.\r\n[2] Acharya, D., Tennakoon, R., Muthu, S., Khoshelham, K., Hoseinnezhad, R. and Bab-Hadiashar, A.,. Single-image localisation using 3D models: Combining hierarchical edge maps and semantic segmentation for domain adaptation. Automation in Construction, 2022.\r\n[3] Tennakoon, R., Suter, D., Zhang, E., Chin, T.J. and Bab-Hadiashar, A., 2021. \u201cConsensus Maximisation Using Influences of Monotone Boolean Functions\u201d. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2021.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460304 Computer Vision (50%)\r\n401304 Photogrammetry and remote sensing (30%)\r\n460205 Intelligent robotics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta","title":"Next-Generation Augmented Training and Assistive Systems","description":"Computer based simulation and virtual reality systems have been used for developing training environments in areas such as emergency evacuation, military training, aircraft pilot training and others [1]. Although virtual reality provides an immersive environment, it has several limitations. The users cannot interact with the physical environment, and the training environment is not easily adapted to different physical spaces. Further, there is a significant cost in developing the physical models that the virtual reality system would require. In this project, we propose the use of augmented and mixed reality [2] to develop the next generation of training systems and present a framework for developing a fire evacuation training system that incorporates augmented reality, techniques for modelling human behaviour in such situations, intelligent virtual characters controlled by various artificial intelligence techniques, and interactive narrative generation to form the training scenarios.\r\nThe aim of this research project is developing a prototypical implementation of a next-generation training and\/or assistive system posed to solve critical problems in complex learning scenarios requiring physical interaction with the real world [3][6].\r\n\r\nThe key issues being addressed are:\r\n1. Reducing complexity in preparing and delivering real-world training sessions.\r\n2. Engaging trainees for extended periods of time, hence increasing the overall quantity of their learning experience at a reduced cognitive load [7].\r\n3. Immersing trainees deeper in their training experience, hence improving the quality and of their learning experience and\/or providing means to assist them in whichever task they might be engaging in.\r\n\r\nThe trainees will be wearing mixed reality (holographic) headsets [4], which will allow virtual reality objects not only to be superimposed to real objects, but to interact with them. This means that we would be able to model realistic physical interactions throughout existing rooms once the simulation of the scenario starts. The significance of such a next-generation training system will be enormous as it will apply to any domain or scenario where real-world training is required, but for which virtual reality is too expensive or problematic. Scenarios of interest include for instance evacuations, rescue and emergency situations; military and police operations rehearsals; exploration of dangerous or unknown locations; interplanetary missions [5]. References:\r\n\r\n[1. The VR book. J. Jerald, ACM Press (2016).\r\n[2] Augmented Reality: Principles and Practice. Schmalstieg et al., Addison-Wesley (2016).\r\n[3] Tangible Holograms: Towards Mobile Physical Augmentation of Virtual Objects. Available online at https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/1703.08288.\r\n[4] Microsoft Hololens device, see https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-au\/hololens.\r\n[5] NASA\u2019s Destination Mars. See https:\/\/blogs.windows.com\/devices\/2016\/09\/19\/hololens-experiencedestination-mars-now-open-at kennedy-space-center-visitor-complex\/#OVT4Pb4YlVwDtjVb.97.\r\n[6] Evoking empathy with visually impaired people through an augmented reality embodiment experience. Guarese, et al. Proceedings of the IEEE VR conference (2023).\r\n[7] The Evolution of Cognitive Load Theory and the Measurement of Its Intrinsic, Extraneous and Germane Loads: A Review. Orru & Longo. International Symposium on Human Mental Workload: Models and Applications (2019).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (50%)\r\n460806\tHuman-computer interaction (25%)\r\n460202\tAutonomous agents and multiagent systems (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta, Johanne Trippas","title":"Novel Immersive Approaches to Information Seeking","description":"People search through digital information more than ever before. However, current search systems present information through a 2D search engine results page. In addition, opportunities to interact with the search results to understand underlying relationships in the retrieved data, are limited. The proposed approach will allow users to navigate information naturally and immersively, following users\u2019 interests and curiosity rather than being constrained by a search box and a ranked search results list.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to explore this unique interaction paradigm for effective and efficient interactive information retrieval through virtual or augmented reality, enabling a novel approach to defining user information needs, presenting results, and facilitating search reformulations.\r\n\r\nThe project can answer research questions, including:\r\n-What is the most effective way to visualise 3D information units (in virtual or augmented reality) to facilitate enhanced search interactions?\r\n-How do users formulate information needs, manipulate results, and navigate immersive information spaces?\r\n-How does immersive search versus traditional ranked lists impact users' navigation behaviours within an information space?\r\n-How do users with different levels of familiarity with immersive applications experience information?\r\n-How does the proposed approach compare to current search methods for exploring complex information needs?\r\n\r\nThe project will contribute to the field of interactive information retrieval by providing a novel approach to exploring information needs. Using virtual or augmented reality together with current advances in conversational interactions for information seeking will allow for more intuitive and natural navigation of information, which could lead to unexplored insights into how people interact with information.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460708 Virtual and mixed reality (40%)\n460806 Human-computer interaction (30%)\n461003 Human information interaction and retrieval (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards Intelligent Data-driven Software Engineering","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown outstanding progress with impressive performance over the last decade. AI techniques have been applied to solve numerous problems such as weather forecasting, movie recommending, autonomous driving, health applications, question answering, etc. The main ingredient of an AI algorithm is the data that is mined from problems that are same or similar to the problem to be solved.\r\n\r\nSoftware Engineering (SE) is a highly impact area with many interesting and important challenges. Besides, the amount of data generated by SE is generally large and cheap to collect (e.g., source code, software system logs, software reports). Therefore, SE is an ideal area where AI techniques can be applied.\r\n\r\nIn this project, we thus aim to develop novel AI-based techniques to solve various challenging problems in SE:\r\n+ configurable software performance prediction with a minimal number of measured data [1]\r\n+ intelligent incident management for software-intensive system including incident detection, incident identification, incident triage [2]\r\n+ software defect and vulnerability detection [3]\r\n\r\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the chosen topic.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] H. Ha, H. Zhang. \u201cDeepPerf: Performance Prediction for Configurable Software with Deep Sparse Neural Network\u201d, in ICSE, 2019.\r\n[2] Z. Chen, et al., \u201cTowards intelligent incident management: why we need it and how we make it\u201d, in FSE, 2020.\r\n[3] S. Omri, C. Sinz, \u201cDeep Learning for Software Defect Prediction: A Survey\u201d, in the Workshops of ICSE, 2020.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461201 Automated software engineering (60%)\r\n461103 Deep learning (20%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards the Trustworthiness of Machine Learning Systems After Deployment","description":"Machine learning (ML) systems are employed across sectors to assist humans in making important decisions. However, it is well-known that ML systems can be unreliable. ML systems work based on the assumption that the system's training data come from the same distribution with the data encountered in the deployment. But this assumption does not always hold in real life [1]. Thus, there is no guarantee that an ML system, which had an impressive performance during the development process, still performs well after deployment. It is therefore crucial that the trustworthiness of the ML systems need to be ensured after deployment, to prevent potential failures that may have severe unintended consequences.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop various techniques to ensure the trustworthiness of ML systems after deployment. Some directions that we're aiming towards:\r\n+ active testing of ML systems so that only a minimal number of ground-truth need to be used to evaluate the correctness of ML systems [2]\r\n+ monitoring ML systems performance to detect any issues with the ML systems' performance\r\n+ automatic retraining ML systems to ensure their performance satisfying users' requirements\r\n\r\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] P.W. Koh, et al. Wilds: A benchmark of in-the-wild distribution shifts, in the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML), 2021.\r\n[2] H. Ha, et al. ALT-MAS: A Data-Efficient Framework for Active Testing of Machine Learning Algorithms\", in RobustML Workshop at ICLR, 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%)\r\n461103 Deep learning (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dhirendra Singh, Sebastian Rodriguez, Erica Kuligowski SEng","title":"Using behavioural insights for the modelling of self-evacuation from bushfire\/wildfire","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d.   As part of this program, the School and our partners Strahan are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of bushfire evacuation modelling.   Reflecting human decision-making and behaviour in response to bushfire threat is central to the development of effective agent-based traffic models to enhance the safety of evacuation. Considerable excellent work has been done in Australia and internationally, but further progress is required. This project provides an opportunity to pull together the literature and experience to focus on the modelling principles and approaches for the development of a model.\r\n\r\nThe candidate will be working with Dr Dhirendra Singh and Dr Erica Kuligowski, world-class experts in bushfire evacuation modelling.   This will be in collaboration with Strahan Research, which is headed by Dr Ken Strahan, an expert in emergency management, particularly on household decision making in bushfires.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems 50%\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation 50%\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Timothy Wiley, John Thangarajah","title":"Social Robotics: Learning to Adapt to the Human need","description":"Social Robots are autonomous artificially intelligent robots that are designed to interact collaboratively with humans. The aim is to assist humans in performing tasks, such as service robots, wait staff and interactive tour guides. Social Robots have various advanced technically capabilities, however, they are heavily limited by the quality of human-robot interactions. That is, humans must trust and believe the robot is capable of being useful before they choose to interact with the robot.\u2028This project will investigate methods in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to design autonomous software that enables Social Robots to effectively collaborate with Humans over the long-term. This project will research topics including (1) Modalities of human-robot interaction such as speech, facial expressions, gestures, body language, audio queues, and wearable devices; (2) Algorithms for Life-Long autonomous learning and adaptation; (3) Algorithms for learning satisfying generalised social robot behaviours; and (4) Algorithms for refining individualised human preferences of long-term human-robot interactions. The project will be include both research into suitable AI algorithms, and in-depth user studies to investigate the human perspective.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460810 Social robotics (35%)\r\n460202 autonomous agents (30%)\r\n460205 Intelligent robotics (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova","title":"Agile practices and artefacts","description":"Application of Agile practices and use of the Agile artefacts should depend on the project's and company's needs, to improve communication within the project and as result the overall outcome. However, in real industrial projects, the choice might be also influenced by what the developers are used to use and by the limitations of their knowledge about the artefacts and practices. Cultural aspects (including both organisational and national culture) as well as increased shift to remote\/hybrid work mode might also play a role in this choice.\n This research will focus on (1) analysis of the aspects influencing the choice of Agile artefacts, and whether the project results might be improved by an extended decision support, (2) analysis of industrial perception of what Agile artefacts are especially useful and usable in remote settings.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460207 Modelling and simulation \n 460210 Satisfiability and optimisation\n 460304 Computer Vision \n 300604 Food packaging, preservation, and processing"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azadeh Alavi","title":"Application of AI to Medical Image analysis","description":"Application of AI in medical image\\video analysis (computer vision) play an important role in the modern medicine. AI-based algorithms are employed as assistive diagnostic tools to help clinicians to diagnose diseases, screen for abnormal conditions, and assign patients to targeted therapy. It is nontrivial to note, that one of the biggest challenges face in developing such tools lay in data gathering. That is mainly due to the required professional labor to procced with sufficient and accurate data labeling. Such process is time demanding and highly costly. Our particular interest is in application of AI in image analysis\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (computer vision) techniques for developing diagnostic tools as an assistive technology for clinicians. The potential student will work with medical images to detect, segment, and\/or classify the area of interest. Their focus would be on semi-supervised, unsupervised, and self-supervised methods that would enable the use of available un-labeled data.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing (75%)\n 010102 Algebraic and Differential Geometry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azadeh Alavi","title":"Application of AI to Medical Image analysis ","description":"Application of AI in medical image\\video analysis (computer vision) play an important role in the modern medicine. AI-based algorithms are employed as assistive diagnostic tools to help clinicians to diagnose diseases, screen for abnormal conditions, and assign patients to targeted therapy. It is nontrivial to note, that one of the biggest challenges face in developing such tools lay in data gathering. That is mainly due to the required professional labor to procced with sufficient and accurate data labeling. Such process is time demanding and highly costly. Our particular interest is in application of AI in image analysis\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (computer vision) techniques for developing diagnostic tools as an assistive technology for clinicians. The potential student will work with medical images to detect, segment, and\/or classify the area of interest. Their focus would be on semi-supervised, unsupervised, and self-supervised methods that would enable the use of available un-labeled data.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460304 Computer Vision (70%)\n 461103 Deep Learning (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haytham Fayek","title":"Deep Learning from Data and Prior Knowledge","description":"Deep learning is a powerful general-purpose approach to machine learning that is able to solve numerous and various tasks with minimal modification. Deep learning extends machine learning, and especially neural networks, to learn multiple levels of distributed representations together with the required mapping function into a single composite function [1]. Most deep learning formulations are mostly designed for learning and performing a particular task from a random initialisation using data available for the task at hand. This requires large datasets, many iterations through the given dataset, and large models that require vast computational resources to learn the task.\n This project is envisaged to investigate paradigms such as transfer learning, multi-task learning, continual learning, and meta-learning that leverage the notion of hierarchical distributed representations in deep learning to share knowledge across datasets\n and tasks, thereby learning from data available for the task at hand as well as prior knowledge learned from previous tasks [2,3]. The goal of this project is to develop models that quickly adapt to datasets or tasks with better generalization performance using less amounts of data.\n [1] LeCun, Y., Bengio, Y. and Hinton, G., 2015. Deep learning. Nature, 521(7553), pp.436-444.\n [2] Fayek, H.M., Cavedon, L. and Wu, H.R., 2018. On the transferability of representations in neural networks between datasets and tasks. Continual Learning Workshop, 32nd Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS), Montr\u00c3\u00a9al, Canada.\n [3] Fayek, H.M., Cavedon, L. and Wu, H.R., 2020. Progressive learning: A deep learning framework for continual learning. Neural Networks, 128, pp.345-357.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"4611 Machine Learning (25%)\n 461103 Deep Learning (50%)\n 461104 Neural Networks (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova","title":"Impact of Organisational Culture on the Requirement Engineering Activities","description":"Requirement Engineering (RE) is a socio-technical activity and it demands intensive communication with the stake- holders to elicit and model all requirements. As both national and organisational cultures influence the behaviour of the individuals and their work practices, they might also influence RE activities deeply. This research will focus on elaboration of a formal framework for identifying and analysing cultural influences that could impact RE activities: the aim is to apply the framework not only on the national culture level, but expand it to the level of organisational culture to provide a more nuanced approach. The proposed framework will help RE practitioners to systematically analyse and determine a set of national and organisational cultural influences in several cultures and organisations.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461205 Requirements engineering (70%), 460806 Human-computer interaction (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Babak Abbassi, Department of Information and Business Analytics, Business College","title":"Machine learning and large-scale combinatorial optimization ","description":"In the era of big data, abundance of data is readily made available for business to make sense of. These data contain rich information that can be extracted and learnt by using machine learning techniques, to facilitate better decision making. In this project, you will be expected to explore and investigate the interesting interplays between machine learning and large-scale combinatorial optimization methods. We are particularly interested to study how machine learning can be employed to enhance the efficiency aspect of an optimization method (whether it is a classic math programming methods or meta-heuristics), e.g., supervised learning can be used to substantially prune the search space of a large-scale combinatorial optimization problem [1]. Graph neural networks among others are popular machine learning techniques for solving challenging combinatorial optimization problems.  We are also interested in exploring optimization techniques to improve the performance of a machine learning model. For example, a deep learning model tends to have a huge parameter space, and the question is how to carry out effective optimization considering the very large search space.  For example, Neural Architecture Search (NAS) has been shown to be an effective approach.\r\n\r\n[1] Shen, Y., Eberhard, A., Sun, Y., Li, X., Ernst A.T. (2023), \"Adaptive Solution Prediction for Combinatorial Optimization\", European Journal of Operational Research, 309(3): 1392-1408, September 2023.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108 - Operations research (40%)\r\n461103 - Deep learning (40%)\r\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Son Hoang Dau, Zahir Tari","title":"Blockchain-Based Decentralized Storage Systems","description":"Traditional distributed storage systems behind popular data storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive require the customers to trust the service providers. This implicit trust assumption turns the service provider into a single point of failure and makes the customers data vulnerable to the ever-increasing risk of data tempering, data loss, data censorship, or privacy breaches (see, for example, [1], [2], [3]). The birth of blockchain (e.g., [4], [5]) as a novel and disruptive distributed ledger technology has enabled trustless storage systems (e.g., Filecoin [6], Storj [7]), which decentralize the task of data storage & retrieval to thousands of untrusted storage nodes. These nodes work together to provide the data storage services to the customers, operating under an incentive mechanism set forth by the blockchain software, which ensures that honest nodes are recognized and rewarded, while malicious or rogue nodes are identified and penalized. There is no longer any single point of failures and no need to trust any parties in the system.\r\n\r\nIn this project, we will investigate and develop novel algorithms, protocols, and systems that allow decentralized storage systems to work securely and efficiently, including designing new proofs of retrievability, proofs of storage, proofs of replication, and proofs of space and time. All these proof-of-something protocols form the backbone of decentralized storage systems, guaranteeing data availability, integrity, and privacy despite the unavoidable presence of untrusted storage nodes or malicious parties in the system. The communication and computational costs to operate a trustless system are currently very high due to the expensive cryptographic layer imposed on top. Therefore, improving the efficiencies of existing protocols and\/or developing better ones is crucial for decentralized storage systems to compete against the traditional ones. We will also explore efficient solutions to enable standard functionalities and convenient services in decentralized storage systems as with the traditional cloud storage systems.\r\n\r\nContact: potential candidates can send their CV and university transcripts as well as any other supporting documents to Dr Son Hoang Dau (Hoang) at sonhoang.dau@rmit.edu.au. \r\n\r\nReferences \r\n[1] (The Guardian) Dropbox data breach, 2012. https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2016\/aug\/31\/dropbox-hack-passwords-68m-data-breach\r\n[2] (New York Times) Cambridge Analytica and Facebook: The Scandal and the Fallout So Far, 2018. https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/04\/04\/us\/politics\/cambridge-analytica-scandal-fallout.html \r\n[3] (Wired) A New Google+ Blunder Exposed Data From 52.5 Million Users, 2018. https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/google-plus-bug-52-million-users-data-exposed\/ \r\n[4] Satoshi Nakamoto, (Bitcoin whitepaper) Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, 2008. https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/bitcoin.pdf \r\n[5] Vitalik Buterin, (Ethereum whitepaper), A Next-Generation Smart Contract and Decentralized Application Platform, 2014. https:\/\/ethereum.org\/en\/whitepaper\/ \r\n[6] Protocol Labs, (Filecoin whitepaper) Filecoin: A Decentralized Storage Network, https:\/\/filecoin.io\/filecoin.pdf \r\n[7] Storj Labs, Inc., (Storj whitepaper) Storj: A Decentralized Cloud Storage Network Framework, https:\/\/www.storj.io\/storjv3.pdf\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"460401\tCryptography\r\n460402\tData and information privacy\r\n460403\tData security and protection"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin, Sebastian Rodriguez","title":"Architecting AI-based Systems","description":"AI-based systems such as Machine Learning (ML) based systems and Deep Learning (DL) based systems are now used in every aspect of people's life [1]. AI-based systems are different from traditional software-intensive systems as they are more complex, include new and more stakeholders (e.g., ML developers, ethics experts, data engineers) with new and different concerns (e.g., ethics, model accuracy, explainability), and have new components (e.g., components with ML\/DL capabilities) [2-3]. Furthermore, AI-based systems are prone to several data challenges, such as lack of data and noisy data, and the performance of ML models may vary in production. All this makes engineering AI-based systems more challenging. Hence, the Software Engineering community has recently started revisiting or developing new software engineering practices (including architectural practices) for AI-based systems (SE4AI).\r\nThis PhD project aims to support architecting AI-based systems by conducting empirical studies and developing practical solutions, design principles, and tools. More specifically, this project provides a deep understanding of architectural concerns and quality attributes in developing and deploying AI-based systems and develops practical architectural solutions to design, evaluate, and monitor AI-based systems.\r\n[1] Jordan, M.I. and T.M. Mitchell, Machine learning: Trends, perspectives, and prospects. Science, 2015. 349(6245): p. 255-260.\r\n[2] Lewis, G.A., S. Bellomo, and I. Ozkaya, Characterizing and Detecting Mismatch in Machine-Learning-Enabled Systems., 2021.\r\n[3] Muccini, H. and K. Vaidhyanathan, Software Architecture for ML-based Systems: What Exists and What Lies Ahead. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461206 Software architecture (40%)\r\n461202 Empirical software engineering (10%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (20%)\r\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (20%)\r\n460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova","title":"Automated analysis of Agile artefacts","description":"There are many approaches for automated marking of assessments, but they typically limited to questions that assume answers strictly fitting to a particular structure, e.g., some approached work well for checking programming code. However, when we need to provide quick feedback on artefacts like product\/sprint backlogs, Trello boards, etc., the situation is more complex. This project is focused on elaboration of a framework for analysis and assessment Requirements Engineering (RE) and Project Management artefacts, as well as providing corresponding feedback to students with the references what exactly material student has to re-watch\/re-read.    \nAnalysis of the artefacts might require application some AI approaches, e.g., ML where the model will be trained with each additional check. It might also apply some RE techniques for analysis of completeness. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460804\tComputing education (40%), 461205\tRequirements engineering (30%), Natural language processing 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin","title":"DevSecOps-driven Software Architectures","description":"The essence of the security practices proposed to implement DevSecOps (also known as the \u201cshift-security-left\u201d) is that security policies and practices should be injected into the development process of a project at the right level, at the right time and with the right automation [1]. While DevSecOps emphasizes that security should be maintained across the development lifecycle touching coding, design, deployment, and operations, a significant fraction of the research on software security conducted by the software engineering community focuses on secure coding and testing and applying security policies and measures in operations. On the other hand, security design flaws are constantly reported as one of the main reasons behind the security breaches of many software systems. In this regard, software engineers and organizations recognise the need to have \u201csecurity by design\u201d, which means software systems should be designed from the ground up to prevent or detect and respond to vulnerabilities [2]. Architecture design is critical to reaching the highest level of DevSecOps success. This PhD research project aims to provide practical guidelines and tools with empirical evidence that allow software organizations to develop, apply, manage, and evaluate security architecture solutions and mechanisms in DevSecOps environments, thereby increasing the chance of developing and delivering secure software systems in the age of DevSecOps.\r\n[1] Carter, K., Francois Raynaud on DevSecOps. IEEE Software, 2017. 34(5): p. 93-96.\r\n[2] Santos, J., et al., An empirical study of tactical vulnerabilities. J. of Sys. and Soft, 2019. 149.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461206 Software architecture (40%) \r\n460406 Software and application security (40%)\r\n461202 Empirical software engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova, James Harland","title":"Game-based learning of formal reasoning","description":"Software has an increasing impact on everyday life. Tasks such as navigation and banking heavily rely on software. A software error can lead to financial loss or even loss of human life, making correctness crucial for many safety-critical systems. This means it is increasingly important to be able to verify the correctness of software as it is developed. This is usually done by the use of formal methods (FMs), in which the behaviour of the software is modelled mathematically, allowing logical analysis of its properties. There have been some spectacular recent successes in this regard, such as the formal verification of a Linux kernel, which made heavy use of FMs.\n\nThis makes it vital for humans to understand formal models. Specifically we need to better understand how informal descriptions can be transformed into formal models, and how a software engineer can be sure that this transformation has been performed correctly. The aim of this project is to analyse possible solutions for this problem and to elaborate a game-based framework to assist in the understanding of difficulties in formalization. A potential solution is to combine real-world problems with puzzles based on famous stories and movies, or even magic tricks, thus making FMs and other aspects of STEM more appealing. This will enable uses to understand formal systems and their properties, and how solutions to formal problems can be solved automatically.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460604 Computing Education (50%), 461203 Formal methods for Software (40%), 461303 Computational logic and formal languages (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin","title":"Human Values and Human-centric Issues in Machine Learning-based Systems","description":"ML-based systems, and any other type of software-intensive systems, are expected to address, respect, and be aligned with various social and human aspects. Human values and human-centric issues are two social and human aspects that have recently gained significant attention in the software engineering community. Human values, such as transparency, inclusion, social responsibility, diversity, fairness, etc., are defined as \u201cwhat an individual or a society deems important\u201d [1]. Human-centric issues are defined as \u201cthe problems that diverse users face when using a software system, due to the lack of (proper) consideration of their specific characteristics, limitations, and abilities\u201d. Failing to address human values and human-centric issues in ML-based systems may bring problems and irreversible damages, ranging from user dissatisfaction to loss of life. Currently, there is a lack of understanding of how human values and human-centric issues are considered during the development and deployment of ML-based systems. The goals of this PhD project are:\r\n1. Develop a deep understanding of various human values and human-centric issues relevant to developing and deploying ML-based systems.\r\n2. Develop and evaluate well-established AI techniques to effectively detect, track, and classify human values and human-centric issues by mining source codes and their associated developer discussions, captured in code comments and issue tracking systems before human value violations impact society.\r\nReferences \r\n1. Schwartz, S.H., An overview of the Schwartz theory of basic values. Online readings in Psychology and Culture, 2012. 2(1): p. 2307-0919.1116.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461202 Empirical software engineering (30%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (20%)\r\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (20%)\r\n460803 Collaborative and social computing (10%)\r\n461103 Deep learning (10%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin, Shabnam Kasra Kermanshahi","title":"Socio-technical aspects of Securing Machine Learning Systems","description":"AI-based systems have drastically changed software development. While there are some common characteristics between AI-based systems and non-AI-based systems, AI-based systems have unique characteristics, such as being more complex, having new and more stakeholders (e.g., data engineers) with new and different concerns (e.g., ethics, explainability), having new components (e.g., components with ML\/DL capabilities), and being prone to several data challenges [1-2]. These unique characteristics may require revisiting or developing new software engineering practices for AI-based systems (SE4AI).\r\nThe increasing application of AI-based systems in our life and society raises several concerns about the security and vulnerability of AI-based systems. While valuable efforts have been allocated to securing AI-based systems, less systematic and focused research conducted on socio-technical aspects of securing AI-based systems. It is argued that more research is needed to explore the role of human, social, and cultural factors in securing AI-based systems. This PhD project aims to investigate security in AI-based systems from the social-technical perspective. Specifically, this project will explore how and when developers should integrate and practice security in AI-based systems. How AI developers use security tools and security-related codes recommended by AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot). What social-technical factors impact AI developers while making security decisions?\r\n1. Lewis, G.A., S. Bellomo, and I. Ozkaya, Characterizing and Detecting Mismatch in Machine-Learning-Enabled Systems.2021.\r\n2. Muccini, H. and K. Vaidhyanathan, Software Architecture for ML-based Systems: What Exists and What Lies Ahead. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461202 Empirical software engineering (30%)\r\n460406 Software and application security (30%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (10%)\r\n460803 Collaborative and social computing (10%), 461103 Deep learning (10%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fengling Han ","title":"Peer-to-Peer based sharing renewable energy","description":"Energy shortage and global warming pose a challenge for power supply. This project aims to investigate Peer-to-Peer based sharing renewable energy. It will investigate the complex network theory and artificial intelligence technologies in batteries management, interaction between overlay network and physical network and prediction of batteries\u2019 state-of-charge in various application environments such as smart-grid and electrical vehicles. The topics may include, but is not limited to:\n\u2022        Optimization of Energy Storage\n\u2022        ICT-Based Energy Information System\n\u2022        Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Energy Sharing\n","sdg":"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"80605"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Dynamic malware clustering for threat intelligence","description":"Corporations and government departments maintain their threat intelligence facilities, where they collect new malware samples and analyse to extract intelligence. Typically, yarra rules are used to identify malware variants. Yarra rules-based method use pattern of instructions in the samples to identify the samples. Multiple yarra rules can be written and used to identify same sample. But these rules are very static and inflexible and could fail if the malware variants are changed. This project will investigate dynamic clustering algorithms to use as second stage in identifying the unknown samples and new families of malware. Project will further investigate to devise techniques to develop dynamic yarra rules for malware detection.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Falk Scholer","title":"New Approaches to Interactive Sessional Search for Complex Tasks","description":"Most people in developed nations use tools like Google and Bing many times every day with questions that range from the mundane through to the complex: \"What is the weather in Los Angeles today?\", \"How do I cook a lobster?\", \"How many French overseas territories are there in the Pacific, what are their populations, and what is the fastest way to get to each of them from Melbourne?\". While routine queries are now well-handled in search engines, more complex search tasks like the third example are still poorly supported, requiring the user to make substantial investments of time and effort, and with no certainty that the task will be successfully resolved. Exploratory search tasks are often open-ended, persistent, and multifaceted, but current search engines are ill-equipped to support complex information needs. In this project, we will devise new approaches to handling complex information needs and interpreting the intentions of users. We will create a system that steps well beyond current \"web search\", and provide better-quality answers and greater certainty of successful outcomes for complex information seeking tasks.\n Specifically, the goals of the project are:\n Aim 1: Understand and quantify query formulation behaviour both across users and within search sessions, to build insights that will allow us to model the way in which users represent complex information needs when engaging in search, and formalise the notion of state in the search process.\n Aim 2: Develop scalable techniques for modelling complex, interactive information needs, and operationalising these new approaches into stateful, interactive components which can be integrated directly into large-scale search engines.\n Aim 3: Design and deploy evaluation methodologies applicable to complex search tasks that reflect the implications of user state; to develop models that allow the effectiveness of search services to be scored at a session level, rather than only at a query level; and hence to allow more precise measurement of search system effectiveness, thereby directly supporting the development of future improvements to search techniques.\n References:\n [1] P. Bailey, A. Moffat, F. Scholer, and P. Thomas: \"Retrieval consistency in the presence of query variations.\" In Proc. SIGIR, pages 395-404, 2017.\n [2] R.-C. Chen, L. Gallagher, R. Blanco, and J. S. Culpepper: \"Efficient cost-aware cascade ranking in multi-stage retrieval.\" In Proc. SIGIR, pages 445-454, 2017.\n [3] N. J. Belkin, C. Cool, W. B. Croft, and J. P. Callan: \"Effect of multiple query representations on information retrieval system performance.\" In Proc. SIGIR, pages 339-346, 1993.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 (67.5%)\n 460806 (32.5%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Privacy preserving Federated phishing filtering using NLP and deep learning","description":"Emails systems have made the communication very easier but this medium of communication is also source of major cyber-attacks. In-fact email are considered a gateway for cyber-attacks at consumers and organizations. Phishing attacks are common on banking as well as other customers. Due to online reliance for education, retails, entrainment, business, banking, and critical infrastructure services. Phishing attacks have been common occurrences. Corporations could change their business models to attract more customers by guaranteeing online safety of their customers. One method could be helping customer to ward off phishing attacks by federating the knowledge of their customers by preserving their privacy. This project will develop privacy preserving federated phishing filter with the use of machine learning. Federated learning can be done in decentralized manner with the use of machine learning models, This project will investigate fusion techniques to federate the training models from thousands of customers and will preserve their privacy. This project could use federated learning, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) for email phishing detection.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n460407 System and network security\n460402 Data and information privacy\n\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Ransomware detection in Critical infrastructure systems ","description":"Ransomware is type of malware attack, which can encrypt the data, and demand ransom to decrypt the data. called Big Game Hunting is new form of ransomware attacks which gains unauthorised access to an organisation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s network, moves laterally and performs reconnaissance to access and identify business information to demand high amount of ransom. This is done with the use of network vulnerability tools to assess the architecture of the networks. This research will focus on attribution of the ransomware attacks when these attacks conducted with the use of off the shelf\/commercial tools. This project will develop techniques to cluster ransomware attacks for attacker attributions.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Remote condition monitoring ","description":"Incipient fault detection in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions requires robust features for accurate condition-based machine health monitoring. Accurate fault classification is positively linked to the quality of features of the faults. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the quality of the features before classification. This project will develop techniques to do real time processing of vibration analysis and will also study transformation of the vibration signal to imaging representation for fault detection.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zahir Tari","title":"Preventing Exfiltration of Sensitive Data by Malicious Insiders or Malwares ","description":"Data exfiltration is the unauthorized leakage of data from computers by sophisticated malware and malicious insiders. Data exfiltration is a serious problem since it may have catastrophic effect on businesses, governments as well as individuals if such exfiltration involves sensitive data. Examples include exfiltration of data involving business inventions, national intelligence, classified research, individual\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s credit card and biometric profile. Specifically, data exfiltration has resulted in huge economic losses as well as unprecedented breaches of national security. A study by the Ponemon Institute [1] reported that the average per-incident cost of reported data leakage by businesses was $4 million in 2015\/2016, and the number of reported data breaches surpassed all previous years [2].\n \n The aim of this project is to develop solutions to detect sensitive data exfiltration attempts by malwares, as well as human users, and block those attempts without affecting legitimate users\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 normal usage of computers.The specific objectives of this project are to develop:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Existing real-time identification techniques of sensitive data are not scalable for analyzing large amount of data generated by memory resident application. This project will develop efficient data representation and summarization techniques that will enable multi-granular searching of sensitive information from memory.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Some Malware can circumvent existing exfiltration detection mechanisms by loading small parts of sensitive data from file or by accessing dynamically generated sensitive data (e.g., from Email). This project will develop a meta-searching technique that will continuously monitor memory resident data to detect exfiltration attempts of sensitive data by malwares or insiders.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 A key limitation of existing techniques is malwares can circumvent existing detection mechanisms by partially loading sensitive data over a period of time from file or by accessing dynamically generated sensitive data (e.g., from Email). This project will develop a technique that can piece together the different parts of data (dynamically generated) accessed over a period of time by by process(es), to determine if those parts constitute sensitive data.\n \n References\n [1] L. Ponemon, \u00e2\u20ac\u01532016 Ponemon Institute Cost of a Data Breach Study,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Security Intelligence Institute.\n [2] DataLossDB, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Data Loss Statistics\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Retrieved 26 February 2017, from https:\/\/blog.datalossdb.org\/","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460402 Data and information privacy (50)\n 460403 Data security and protection (50)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zahir Tari","title":"Low-Latency High-Throughput Computational Models for Heavily Data-Driven","description":"The need to process a huge volume of data during in a small amount of time is dramatically increasing especially as the size of the data moves into Exabyte in the near [1]. While use of such applications was previously confined to the finance sector, it is becoming now prevalent in almost every industry where analytical processing over massive data sets can solve business problems. To meet such low-latency requirements of data mining and machine learning applications, datacentre providers must expand the computing capacity of the underlying infrastructure by exploiting graphics processing units (GPU) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) as new hardware accelerators, the so called heterogeneous datacentres. However, there is no mechanism that can appropriately project the complex characteristics of modern applications emerging in enterprise\/scientific domains into the available computing capacity of a system with hundreds or thousands of heterogeneous computers. Additionally, using existing resources allocation solutions in heterogeneous datacentres result in significant resource wastage [2][3].\n \n The general aim of this project is to investigate innovative solutions\/methods to control and to make use of the capabilities of the new hardware accelerators in a heterogeneous computing systems to substantially enhance the resource efficiency when running data-driven applications. The specific aims of this project are:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 To explore inference algorithms for modelling the complex interaction of different components of data-driven applications with the heterogeneous resources.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 To design resource allocation controlling algorithms that not only maximize the system performance, but also detect and resolve resources' bottlenecks.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 To equip the designed algorithms with adaptive optimal control tools for online tuning of corresponding parameters to effectively deal with modelling uncertainties in a datacentre as well as the sporadic rise and fall in the incoming requests.\n \n References\n [1] P. Lotfi-Kamran, B. Grot, M. Ferdman, S. Volos, O. Kocberber, J. Picorel, A. Adileh, D. Jevdjic, S. Idgunji, E. Ozer, et al., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Scale-out processors,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in ACM SIGARCH Computer Architecture News, vol. 40, pp. 500\u00e2\u20ac\u201c511, IEEE Computer Society, 2012.\n [2] R. Hameed,W. Qadeer, M.Wachs, O. Azizi, A. Solomatnikov, B. C. Lee, S. Richardson, C. Kozyrakis, and M. Horowitz, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Understanding sources of inefficiency in general-purpose chips,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in ACM SIGARCH Computer Architecture News, vol. 38, pp. 37\u00e2\u20ac\u201c47, ACM, 2010.\n [3] L. Keys, S. Rivoire, and J. D. Davis, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The search for energy-efficient building blocks for the data center,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in International Symposium on Computer Architecture, pp. 172\u00e2\u20ac\u201c182, Springer, 2010.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460611 Performance evaluation (60)\n460511 Stream and sensor data (40)\n\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Blockchain for health Cyber Physical systems ","description":"The Internet of Things (IoT) can assist in continuous Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), although RPM architectures are complex with huge datasets and low power capacity. This project proposes a multi-tier End-to-End architecture for continuous patient monitoring with the use of Patient Agent (PA) with the use of blockchain. Intelligent PA would interact with Blockchain component to preserve privacy body area sensors for secure storage, processing and decision making. Project will investigate lightweight communication protocol for data security for continuous, real time patient monitoring architecture. The architecture will manage data entry into Blockchain to facilitate data sharing amongst healthcare professionals and electronic health records while preserving privacy. Project will investigate Blockchain architecture to select a Miner efficiently to reduce computational by minimize energy consumption. Project will investigate Blockchain based eHealth\n architecture having three layers: Sensing layer- Body Area Sensor Networks with the use of smartphone, Edge Networks devices one hop from data sensing IoT devices and Cloud or other high computing servers. Project will investigate strategies how a PA can replicate on the three layers to process medical data to ensure reliable, secure, and private communication.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Son Hoang Dau, Zahir Tari","title":"Advanced Coding Techniques for Failure Recovery in Distributed Storage Systems","description":"In modern distributed storage systems, which consists of thousands of inexpensive and unreliable storage devices, failure has become the norm rather than the exception. Replication and erasure codes guard the stored data against software and hardware failures by adding an appropriate level of redundancy. Erasure codes are a favourable choice due to their lower storage overhead, their much higher read\/write throughputs thanks to parallelism, and their higher mean-time-to-failures, compared to replication. In fact, erasure codes are currently employed by a number of prominent companies such as Google, Facebook, Baidu, Yahoo, Backblaze, Amazon, and Microsoft, to protect their storage systems. However, erasure codes, most notably, Reed-Solomon codes, incur a very high bandwidth and disk I\/O during the process of repairing one failed storage node, which is the most frequent failure event. For example, it is required to access and download 2.56 GB in order to reconstruct only one data block of size 256 MB, encoded by a Reed-Solomon code, in the Facebook\u2019s f4 storage system [1].\n \n The aim of this project is to investigate advanced coding techniques that help speed up the failure recovery process of distributed storage systems. More specifically, the project objectives are:\n -to design new repair schemes for erasure codes that reduce the repair bandwidth, i.e. the amount of data to be downloaded from the available storage nodes during the failure recovery process; reduce the repair I\/O (the disk input\/output), i.e. the amount of data to be accessed at the available storage nodes during the recovery process; note that this can be greater than the repair bandwidth;\n -to evaluate the benefit of the new repair schemes via statistic models and implementations on open-source storage platforms (e.g. the Hadoop Distributed File System);\n -to enhance data confidentiality and integrity levels of the underlying erasure codes.\n \n The project addresses fundamental theoretical questions about the structure of erasure codes, in particular, Reed-Solomon codes, with respect to their repair capability and limitation, as well as tackles the practical problem of improving the recovery performance of distributed storage systems. We focus on reducing the repair bandwidth and the disk I\/O, the two most constrained resources during the recovery process. The proposed project builds upon our recent research, e.g., [2]-[6], in one of which we obtained a noticeable 30% reduction in the repair bandwidth for the Reed-Solomon code currently employed by Facebook\u2019s f4 storage system.\n \n References \n [1] S. Muralidhar et al., \u201cf4: Facebook\u2019s warm BLOB storage system,\u201d USENIX Symposium on Operating Systems Design and Implementation (OSDI), pages 383\u2013398, 2014.\n [2] S. H. Dau, X. Dinh, H. M. Kiah, T. L. Tran, and O. Milenkovic, \u201cRepairing Reed-Solomon Codes via Subspace Polynomials,\u201d IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, volume 67, number 10, 2021.\n [3] H. Dau, I. Duursma, H. M. Kiah, and O. Milenkovic, \u201cRepairing Reed-Solomon codes with multiple erasures,\u201d IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, volume 64, number 10, pages 6567-6582, 2018. \n [4] W. Li, H. Dau, Z. Wang, H. Jafarkhani, and E. Viterbo, \u201cOn the I\/O Costs in Repairing Short-Length Reed-Solomon Codes,\u201d IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT), 2019.\n [5] H. Dau, I. Duursma, and H. Chu, \u201cOn the I\/O costs of some repair schemes for full-length Reed-Solomon codes,\u201d IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT), pages 1700-1704, 2018.\n [6] I. Duursma and H. Dau, \u201cLow bandwidth repair of the RS(10,4) Reed-Solomon code,\u201d invited by the Information Theory and Applications Workshop (ITA), San Diego, California, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platforms","forcodes":"461301 Coding, information theory and compression\n 460605 Distributed systems and algorithms"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Further Advance Bayesian Optimization","description":"Bayesian Optimization (BO) is a powerful sample-efficient strategy for finding the global optimum of an expensive black-box functions [1]. The main idea is to fit a surrogate model on the previous function evaluations, construct an acquisition function based on the surrogate model, and then use the acquisition function to select the next data point to be evaluated. Its applications include but not limited to automated machine learning, experimental design, environmental monitoring, and robotics. Whilst being effective and efficient in solving many optimization problems, BO is still a relatively new research field and suffers various limitations [1]. For example,\n+ Existing BO algorithms do not work well with high-dimensional optimization problems\n+ Limited BO methods can be applied to solve optimization problems with discrete, categorical, and mixed variables.\n+ Limited BO methods can solve the multi-objective optimization problems.\n+ etc.\nThis project aims to advance the efficacy of BO algorithms by various techniques such as evolutionary methods (e.g., covariance matrix adaptation, particle swarm, multi-objective decomposition) [2], deep surrogate models (e.g., deep kernel, Bayesian deep learning) [3]. Apart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\nReferences:\n[1] B. Shahriari, K. Swersky, Z. Wang, R.P. Adams, N. de Freitas (2016). Taking the Human Out of the Loop: A Review of Bayesian Optimization. Proceedings of IEEE 104(1): 148-175.\n[2] A. E. Eiben, James E. Smith (2015). Introduction to Evolutionary Computing. Natural Computing Series, Springer.\n[3] Y. Gal (2016). Uncertainty in Deep Learning. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%), 460209 Planning and Decision Making (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson","title":"Systems for Automated Decision-Making","description":"We seek students to develop new approaches to fairness, actionable explainability, or socially considerate evaluation of ADM in recommender, search, or other ML based systems.\nSee more details here: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/students\/student-essentials\/information-for\/research-candidates\/enriching-your-candidature\/grants-and-scholarships\/postgraduate-by-research\/phd-scholarship-systems-automated-decision-making","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"080109\n080403\n080504"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards Intelligent Data-driven Software Engineering","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown outstanding progress with impressive performance over the last decade. AI techniques have been applied to solve numerous problems such as weather forecasting, movie recommending, autonomous driving, health applications, question answering, etc. The main ingredient of an AI algorithm is the data that is mined from problems that are same or similar to the problem to be solved.\nSoftware Engineering (SE) is a highly impact area with many interesting and important challenges. Besides, the amount of data generated by SE is generally large and cheap to collect (e.g., source code, software system logs, software reports). Therefore, SE is an ideal area where AI techniques can be applied.\nIn this project, we thus aim to develop novel AI-based techniques to solve various challenging problems in SE:\n+ configurable software performance prediction with a minimal number of measured data [1]\n+ intelligent incident management for software-intensive system including incident detection, incident identification, incident triage [2]\n+ software defect and vulnerability detection [3]\n+ etc.\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the chosen topic.\nReferences:\n[1] H. Ha, H. Zhang. \u201cDeepPerf: Performance Prediction for Configurable Software with Deep Sparse Neural Network\u201d, in Proceedings of the 41st ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 1095-1106, Montr\u00e9al, Canada, 2019.\n[2] Z. Chen, Y. Kang, L. Li, X. Zhang, H. Zhang, et al., \u201cTowards intelligent incident management: why we need it and how we make it\u201d, in Proceedings of the ACM Joint European Software Engineering Conference and Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (ESEC\/FSE), pages 1487-1497, 2020.\n[3] S. Omri, C. Sinz, \u201cDeep Learning for Software Defect Prediction: A Survey\u201d, in the Workshops of the 42nd ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 209-214, 2020.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"461201 Automated software engineering (60%), 461103 Deep learning (20%), 461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards the Trustworthiness of Machine Learning Systems After Deployment","description":"Machine learning (ML) systems are employed across sectors to assist humans in making important decisions. However, it is well-known that ML systems can be unreliable. ML systems work based on the assumption that the system's training data come from the same distribution with the data encountered in the deployment. But this assumption does not always hold in real life [1]. Thus, there is no guarantee that an ML system, which had an impressive performance during the development process, still performs well after deployment. It is therefore crucial that the trustworthiness of the ML systems need to be ensured after deployment, so as to prevent potential failures that may have severe unintended consequences.\nThis project aims to develop various techniques to ensure the trustworthiness of ML systems after deployment. Some directions that we're aiming towards:\n+ active testing of ML systems so that only a minimal number of ground-truth need to be used to evaluate the correctness of ML systems [2]\n+ monitoring ML systems performance so as to detect any issues with the ML systems' performance\n+ automatic retraining ML systems so as to ensure their performance always satisfying users' requirements\n+ etc.\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\nReferences:\n[1] P.W. Koh, et al. \"Wilds: A benchmark of in-the-wild distribution shifts\", in Proceedings of the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML'21), pages 5637-5664, 2021.\n[2] H. Ha, S. Gupta, S. Rana, and S. Venkatesh. ALT-MAS: A Data-Efficient Framework for Active Testing of Machine Learning Algorithms\", in RobustML Workshop at ICLR'21, 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%), 461103 Deep learning (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Fair, Transparent and Explainable Multi-Party Recommender Systems","description":"Multi-party recommender systems are prevalent in society, e.g,, Netflix, Uber, Amazon. They involve multi-parties, e.g., rider, driver and the platform in Uber, which each have their own aims and ulities to maximise. In recent years, there is focus on making AI and automated decision making systems more fair to all parties, not only focusing on users or riders for example. In this project, we focus on fairness, transparency and explainablity, including:\n* studying and developing new algorithmic frameworks to incorporate notions of fairness in multi-party recommender systems;\n* developing mechanisms in multi-objective optimisation to better incorporate personal preferences for tradeoffs between the typically competing objectives of fairness, transparency and utility of the systems;\n* researching and developing new ways to explain recommendation results, which will likely need customisation to each of the different stakeholders.\n\n\nThe project will likely involve a combination of AI, machine learning, recommender systems, economics and FATE (Fairness, Accountability, Transparency and Ethics).","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 Recommender Systems (30%) ; 460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (50%) ; 461103 Deep Learning (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Multi-criteria Itinerary and POI Recommendation ","description":"Itinerary and trip recommendations are an important and frequent problem in real applications. It appears in multiple real applications, including tour itinerary recommendation and journey planning. In tour recommendation, an itinerary of places to visit and transportation schedules are recommended to tourists based on their interests and past travels [1]. Manually constructing these itineraries remains a challenging and time-consuming task for tourists. In journey planning [4], a trip from A to B using different transportation modes are recommended to users based on their preferences and transportation schedules. Both these applications are simultaneously a machine learning problem, e.g., recommending locations to visit, learning preferences and predicting traffic, and an optimization problem, e.g., scheduling under constraints. Solving this recommendation and scheduling problem requires a joint, integrated approach. To date, although there has been initial work done in itinerary recommendation [3] and multi-criteria journey planning [4], but minimal work in recommending itineraries that simultaneous incorporates preferences, predictions and learning, as well as schedule optimised tours that satisfies all constraints. In addition, there are little previous research that look at itinerary recommendation with multiple criteria, e.g. an itinerary that visits interesting places, but minimizes the time waiting for connecting transportation. In this project, the student will research novel approaches that recommends itineraries and journeys of multicriteria. This project focuses on multi-criteria itinerary recommendation, which will involve solving efficiency challenges (the problems are computationally hard) and researching how to effectively combine and integrate recommendation, prediction and optimization into a single framework for multi-criteria itinerary recommendation. References [1]. J. Borr\u00e0s, A. Moreno, and A. Valls. Intelligent tourism recommender systems: A survey. Expert Systems with Applications, 41, 16 (2014), 7370\u20137389. [2]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Itinerary Recommendation with Queuing Time Awareness, in Proceedings of ACM CIKM, (to appear), 2017. [3]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Tour Recommendation Based on User Interests and Points of Interest Visit Duration, in Proceedings of AAAI IJCAI, pp. 1778-1784, 2015. [4]. M. Haqqani, X. Li and X. Yu. An Evolutionary Multi-criteria Journey Planning Algorithm for Multimodal Transportation Networks, in Proceedings of ACALCI, pp.144-156, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (20%) ; 460510 Recommender systems (50%) ; 460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Solving Hybrid Prediction and Optimisation Problems","description":"Itinerary and trip recommendations are an important and frequent problem in real applications. It appears in multiple real applications, including tour itinerary recommendation and journey planning. In tour recommendation, an itinerary of places to visit and transportation schedules are recommended to tourists based on their interests and past travels [1]. Manually constructing these itineraries remains a challenging and time-consuming task for tourists. In journey planning [4], a trip from A to B using different transportation modes are recommended to users based on their preferences and transportation schedules. Both these applications are simultaneously a machine learning problem, e.g., recommending locations to visit, learning preferences and predicting traffic, and an optimization problem, e.g., scheduling under constraints. Solving this recommendation and scheduling problem requires a joint, integrated approach. To date, although there has been initial work done in itinerary recommendation [3] and multi-criteria journey planning [4], but minimal work in recommending itineraries that simultaneous incorporates preferences, predictions and learning, as well as schedule optimised tours that satisfies all constraints. In addition, there are little previous research that look at itinerary recommendation with multiple criteria, e.g. an itinerary that visits interesting places, but minimizes the time waiting for connecting transportation. In this project, the student will research novel approaches that recommends itineraries and journeys of multicriteria. This project focuses on multi-criteria itinerary recommendation, which will involve solving efficiency challenges (the problems are computationally hard) and researching how to effectively combine and integrate recommendation, prediction and optimization into a single framework for multi-criteria itinerary recommendation. References [1]. J. Borr\u00e0s, A. Moreno, and A. Valls. Intelligent tourism recommender systems: A survey. Expert Systems with Applications, 41, 16 (2014), 7370\u20137389. [2]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Itinerary Recommendation with Queuing Time Awareness, in Proceedings of ACM CIKM, (to appear), 2017. [3]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Tour Recommendation Based on User Interests and Points of Interest Visit Duration, in Proceedings of AAAI IJCAI, pp. 1778-1784, 2015. [4]. M. Haqqani, X. Li and X. Yu. An Evolutionary Multi-criteria Journey Planning Algorithm for Multimodal Transportation Networks, in Proceedings of ACALCI, pp.144-156, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (50%) ; 461103 Deep Learning (30%) ; 461105 Reinforcement Learning (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li","title":"Optimization in dynamic and uncertain environments","description":"Traditionally optimization is carried out towards a single static objective, which does not change during the course of the optimization. In recent years, there have been increasing interests in using decentralized and spatially distributed evolutionary algorithms to handle an optimization task that changes its optima over time, e.g., dynamic vehicle routing and dynamic scheduling problems. We could take advantage of the parallel and distributed structure of a parallel evolutionary algorithm to deal with this kind of tasks [1][3]. Evolutionary Algorithms and its variants (e.g., Particle Swarm and Differential Evolution), particularly those exhibiting self-adaptive behaviours can be investigated for their effectiveness for such tasks. There has been very little research done in the past in using adaptive or self-adaptive techniques for tracking multiple optima in dynamic\/uncertain environments. Nevertheless, many real-world problems require more effective optimization techniques to handle environments with such characteristics [2]. [1] J. Branke, Evolutionary optimization in dynamic environments. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012, vol. 3.\n[2] Y. Jin, K. Tang, X. Yu, B. Sendhoff, and X. Yao, \u201cA framework for finding robust optimal solutions over time,\u201d Memetic Computing, vol. 5, no. 01, pp. 3\u201318, 2013.\n[3] Blackwell, T., Branke, J. and Li, X. (2008). \"\"Particle Swarms for Dynamic Optimization Problems\"\", in Blum, C. and Merkle, D. (editors), Swarm Intelligence - Introduction and Applications, Springer, 2008, pp.193 - 217.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence; AMF 2 Advanced automation research and sensor and sensor network research; SC 3\u00a0Transformations in digital society and economy","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (40%)\n490108 Operations Research (30%)\n460203 Evolutionary Computation (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science and Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang, Fatemeh Shiri","title":"CultureAlign: Multicultural Safety Alignment for Inclusive Large Language Models","description":"Current safety research on large language models predominantly targets users from a few major technological hubs, often overlooking the rich tapestry of thousands of distinct cultures worldwide; this narrow focus can result in outputs that inadvertently violate social norms or legal rules in underrepresented communities. This 3.5-year PhD project seeks to pioneer globally inclusive LLMs capable of generating culturally appropriate, personalized content for a diverse range of demographic profiles by developing an innovative framework that combines the creation of an expansive multilingual dataset of culturally sensitive scenarios with advanced methods for detecting and mitigating violations of social norms and legal rules, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to explore cutting-edge techniques in natural language processing and machine learning while addressing critical challenges in AI safety and inclusivity and contributing to a paradigm shift in how global cultural diversity is integrated into the development of responsible AI systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460208 Natural Language Processing (80%)\r\n441007 Sociology and social studies of science and technology (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Yuan Sun","title":"Data Driven Combinatorial Optimization with Machine Learning","description":"With the rapid advancement in Machine Learning (ML) technologies, decision making is enabled to be more accurate than a human, with less time and effort. ML has been widely used in various applications, including solving combinatorial optimization (CO) problems. Since many combinatorial optimization problems in the big data era are usually not mathematically well defined, the current state-of-the-art algorithms are facing significant challenges. Applying machine learning algorithms has great potential to better solve this sort of combinatorial optimization problems. In this research, we will aim to develop a novel approach to integrating machine learning and combinatorial optimization techniques. We will investigate novel ways of applying machine learning techniques to provide better quality solutions to combinatorial optimization problems. We will attempt to take unique advantages of ML to develop a data-driven modelling approach, which has better generalization capability and is more robust and scalable across several combinatorial optimization problem domains","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Falk Scholer","title":"Finding High-Quality Answers in Community Question Answering Sites using Users\u2019 Comments","description":"One of the most popular place to ask questions and give answers is Community Question Answering (CQA) sites which give answers to many users on the Internet. The quality of an answer is an important attribute in the Community Question Answering (CQA) sites. While the benefits of CQA sites have been well-recognized, finding a best answer is still a challenge. This research aims to introduce a new model to improve the quality of answer retrieval on CQA sites.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Falk Scholer","title":"Interactive complex answer retrieval","description":"The research will focus on the task of complex answer retrieval (CAR). First of all, it will investigate a taxonomy of CAR tasks by examining questions of different complexity in community question answering (CQA) sites and user search logs. Further, it will compare the crowd-source evaluation of the CAR task with the conventional one and use the data for constructing a new evaluation testbed for CAR. Afterwards, it will compare performance of existing models and their variations on the obtained testbed. In the same manner, the project will try new approaches based on recently succeeded Deep Learning approaches in NLP and evaluate them. The project will also test a new unsupervised method to expand dataset for CAR from CQA platforms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Yongli Ren","title":"Recommender Systems: ensemble learning to mitigate user preference change over time","description":"Recommender systems underpin the way that Netflix, Amazon \u2013 and a wide range of e-commerce sites \u2013 observe the objects and activities that users like and then recommend something new. While extensive research has been conducted in recommender systems, there are still many potential projects. The focus of this project is to enable recommender systems to better react to the continual change in user\u2019s preferences. The research question of the project will be\rHow to improve the accuracy of recommender systems by mitigating the problem of time drifting inputs using ensemble learning techniques?\rThe project will examine the following aspects\r\u2022 How will ensemble learning be adapted to manage user preference change?\ro Ensemble learning requires a set of single learners to build from. These learning will need to incorporate a forgetting mechanism to discard old user preferences and be self-adaptive. This is considered a major scientific and engineering challenge. Once adapted an ensemble learner will be constructed.\r\u2022 How is user preference change detected andmonitored?\ro There are two approaches to define how the learner will adapt: informed methods that detect the drift through triggering mechanisms and blind methods that implicitly are adapted to changes without drift detection. Both approaches will be examined in this project.\r\u2022 What are the performance criteria?\ro Here, we will focus on the criteria to obtain an unfailing system that handles user preference change. The requirements for such systems are autonomy (i.e. the level of human involvement), reliability, and complexity (i.e. time and memory consumption).\rReferences\r1. B. Kumar and N. Sharma, \u201cApproaches, Issues and Challenges in Recommender Systems: A Systematic Review,\u201d Indian J. Sci. Technol., vol. 9, no. 47, 2016.\r2. M. Taghavi, J. Bentahar, K. Bakthiyari, and C. Hanachi, \u201cNew Insights Towards Developing Recommender Systems,\u201d pp. 1\u201335, 2017.\r3. J. Lu, D. Wu, M. Mao, W. Wang, and G. Zhang, \u201cRecommender system application developments: A survey,\u201d Decis. Support Syst., vol. 74, pp. 12\u201332, 2015.\r4. I. Khamassi, M. Sayed-Mouchaweh, M. Hammami, and K. Gh\u00e9dira, \u201cDiscussion and review on evolving data streams and concept drift adapting,\u201d Evol. Syst., 2016.\r5. Y. Koren, \u201cCollaborative filtering with temporal dynamics,\u201d Commun. ACM, vol. 53, no. 4, p. 89, 2010.\r6. H. Liu, X. Kong, X. Bai, W. Wang, T. M. Bekele, and F. Xia, \u201cContext-Based Collaborative Filtering for Citation Recommendation,\u201d IEEE Access, vol. 3, pp. 1695\u20131703, 2015.\r7. Y. Kabutoya, R. Sumi, T. Iwata, T. Uchiyama, and T. Uchiyama, \u201cA topic model for recommending movies via linked open data,\u201d Proc. - 2012 IEEE\/WIC\/ACM Int. Conf. Web Intell. WI 2012, pp. 625\u2013630, 2012.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fengling Han","title":"Modelling and predicting for efficient management of energy routers ","description":"The evolution of energy supply is increasingly decentralized with renewable energy is generated at disperse locations [1]. Dencentralised renewable energy generation may bring new business model. \n\nDeployment of the peer-to-peer structure for managing the supply and demand of renewable energy is considered as the most efficient method [2, 3], and efficient battery management is the key factor to optimise the renewable energy utilization [4]. \n\nThis project aims at modelling the energy routers (rechargeable batteries) and predicting their health state. This may lead to fundamental change of the power supply model: from existing centralised model to peer-to-peer model which will yield a result that our communities power demand relies on locally available renewable energy source, thus reduce the carbon emission.\n\nReferences\n\n1. T. R. Casten and B. Downes. Critical thinking about energy: The case for decentralized generation of electricity. Skeptical Inquirer, 29(1) 2005.\n2. J. Aki, New blockchain-based renewable energy pilot to power 500,000 homes, Nasdaq News, June 2018.\n3. J. Abdella, Z. Tari, A. Anwar, A. Mahmood, F. Han. An architecture and performance evaluation of Blockchain-based Peer-to-Peer energy trading, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 12(4): 3364-3378, 2021.\n4. Y. Feng, C. Xue, Q. Han, F. Han. Robust estimation for state-of-charge and state-of-health of Lithium-ion batteries using integral-type terminal sliding-mode observers, IEEE Transaction on Industrial Electronics, 67(5), 4013-4023, 2020.\n5. D. Alahakoon, X. Yu. Smart electricity meter data intelligence for future energy systems: A survey. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 12(1), 425-436, 2016.\n6. N. Liu, X. Yu, C. Wang, J. Wang. Energy sharing management for microgrids with PV prosumers: A Stackelberg game approach. IEEE Transaction on Industrial Informatics, 13(3): 1088-1098, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/04\/2026","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460903, 460605, 400907 "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaoning (Maggie) Liu","title":"Privacy-Preserving Collaborative Learning Over Medical Data","description":"Recent thriving deep learning techniques have been fueling a wide spectrum of medical endeavors, ranging from the radiotherapy, clinical trial and research, to medical imaging diagnostics. Enterprises deploy such services via the neural network (NN) inference, yet confronted with rising privacy concerns on the medical data and the NN models.\n\nIn this project, we aim to design, implement, and evaluate a lightweight and privacy-preserving learning system tailored for medical data analytical services. The overarching goal is to ensure the privacy of both parties with cryptographic guarantees, while presenting efficient and lightweight secure deep learning systems. The design methodologies are: 1) devising lightweight and fundamental protocols that resort to advanced privacy-enhancing cryptographic techniques for secure computations; and 2) building secure and practical systems that harness the insights from systems, machine learning, and digital health.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460403 - Data security and protection (50%) ; 460402 - Data and information privacy (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaoning (Maggie) Liu","title":"Privacy-Preserving Crowdsourcing with Quality Assurance","description":"Private and quality-assured crowdsourcing refers to collecting, aggregating, and utilizing data from a large group of individuals while ensuring that their privacy and data quality are protected. In this approach, special attention is given to the privacy of the data contributors, as well as the quality of the data collected. The privacy of the contributors is protected by using techniques such as secure multi-party computation and differential privacy. Meanwhile, various measures such as data validation, quality control, and reputation systems are employed to ensure the quality of the data. The goal of private and quality-assured crowdsourcing is to provide decision makers with accurate and useful information, while maintaining the privacy of the individuals whose data is being used. By combining privacy protection and quality assurance, this approach is a powerful tool for organizations looking to leverage the collective knowledge and experience of large groups of individuals.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460402 - Data and information privacy (40%) ; 460407 - System and network security (40%) ; 460601 - Cloud computing (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zahir Tari","title":"Security and Scalability in Blockchain systems ","description":"This project can involve several PhD students and looks at coming up with a new generation of blockchain systems that will deal with the current limitations of the techology such as security and performance\/security. Specifically we are looking at\n- addressing cyber attacks at different levels, including smart contracts, consensus as well as at the storage level.\n- coming up with better consensus and storage mechanisms that can scale to very complex scenarios (e.g. dealing with millions of transactions)\n- addressing other critical aspects e.g. fraud in crypto systems\n- making existing blockchain systems greener, meaning thay should consume much less energy.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"23\/03\/2027","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460611 Performance evaluation  (40%) ; 460403 Data security and protection (40%) ; 460605 Distributed systems and algorithms  (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Combating misinformation on social media: from early detection to mitigation","description":"The project aims to design novel machine learning-based solutions to detect misinformation early and to mitigate its negative impact on social media platforms. This project would focus on social media data mining and develop novel machine learning technologies of supervised learning with minimal human supervision, human-in-the-loop machine learning,  explainable machine learning models, as well reinforcement learning. Expected outcomes of this project include a suite of data mining and machine learning models for automatic misinformation detection and mitigation on social media at scale. \n\nKeywords: misinformation, natural language processing,  text mining, machine learning","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Deep learning for clustering and anomaly detection","description":"Anomaly detection, or outlier detection, novelty detection, has been a standing research challenge. \nDeep learning has enabled anomaly detection for complex data types in many advanced applications. This project would devise deep learning models for anomaly detection in episodic time series data. In addition to anomaly detection, the models also aim to discover clusters via unsupervised learning.  \n\nKeywords: deep learning, clustering, anomaly detection ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Explainable and unbiased machine mining for healthcare","description":"This project will develop technologies for analysing textual data to improve quality of healthcare. The healthcare industry generates voluminous textual data, from electronic health records (e.g. clinical notes, care notes) to user generated contents on online health discussion forums. This project would devise machine learning models to mine such textual data can be used for prediction for diagnosis and prognosis of diseases, as well as quality and safety of healthcare. Explainable and fair machine learning models for healthcare prediction is another important focus for this project. \n\nKeywords: natural language processing, machine learning, digital health","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Nalin Arachchilage, Matthew Warren","title":"Enhancing privacy awareness of individuals in social media: an internal social marketing approach","description":"Understanding the behavioural change process of social media users to adopt safe privacy practices is vital to protect them from data breaches. This research project explores how the 7Ps (product, price, promotion, place, physical evidence, process and people) marketing mix, as part of an internal social marketing approach, can be used to understand and enhance individuals' privacy awareness of social media usage. This understanding could inform the design of social media (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram) to promote and maintain online privacy compliance. This study adopted an inductive qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with social media users in Vietnam. Responses are then categorized under the 7Ps marketing mix framework. Discussions are centred on social media users' experiences, their perceptions of privacy behaviour and awareness initiatives, and the impact of initiatives on compliance behaviour. \nThe key objectives of the project are:\n1.        Background and literature study on how the 7Ps (product, price, promotion, place, physical evidence, process and people) marketing mix, as part of an internal social marketing approach, can be used to understand and enhance individuals' privacy awareness of social media usage. \n2.        Developing a framework, based on the 7Ps marketing mix, to understand and enhance individuals' privacy awareness of social media usage. \n3.        Evaluate the users' understanding and enhancement of privacy awareness of their social media usage through the developed framework. \n4.    Develop informed design guidelines for social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram) to promote and maintain online privacy compliance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460904 Information security management (50%)\n460402 Data and information privacy (25%)\n460910 Information systems user experience design and development (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Fair summarisation of opinions from user generated contents","description":"This project will develop novel technologies for generating fair summaries for user generated contents, such as online reviews, social media conversations and discussion forums. The project would explore state-of-the-art technologies for natural language processing, sentiment analysis, stance detection as well as multi-modal deep learning. The project would especially address the issue of biases in summarisation models. Expected outcomes of the project include a suite of machine learning and text mining algorithms for fair summarisation of user generated (multi-modal) contents.  \n\nKeywords: natural language processing, multi-modal machine learning, sentiment analysis","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Falk Scholer","title":"Information Access and Retrieval System Evaluation","description":"Test collections are widely used to evaluate IR system effectiveness by simulating users searching for a series of information needs [1]. Part of the simulation is a presumption that users will examine, in turn, the full text of each document retrieved. This is quite unlike an actual searcher who, after querying, scans a result page composed of summaries and selects documents to examine further. The summaries act as gate keepers to the documents behind. Summary quality and its impact on the ability of users to find relevant documents is critical to the success or failure of an IR system, yet this standard feature of retrieval interfaces has only been considered as part of the test collection approach to evaluation in a limited way.\nThis project will:\n1. Investigate and model user success at locating relevant documents when examining result summaries [2]. This work will be conducted across a range of search contexts and user groups. Variables will include: search task (task complexity, information need), collection (structured, unstructured), and user-specific (familiarity, interest, other demographic) features.\n2. Investigate the role of different measurement scales, including ordinal and magnitude-based [3], on assessing the usefulness of summaries.\n3. Develop and validate a novel evaluation methodology that incorporates the summary viewing step in the assessment of IR systems [4].\nReferences\n[1]. Ellen M. Voorhees and Donna K. Harman. TREC: experiment and evaluation in information retrieval. MIT Press, 2005.E.g. Y. Okada et al. Nature Materials 12 (2013) 707.\n[2]. Turpin, A., Scholer, F., J\u00e4rvelin, K., Wu, M., and Culpepper, J. S. (2009). Including summaries in system evaluation. In Proc. ACM SIGIR, pages 508\u2013515, Boston, MA.\n[3]. Maddalena, Eddy, Stefano Mizzaro, Falk Scholer, and Andrew Turpin. \"On Crowdsourcing Relevance Magnitudes for Information Retrieval Evaluation.\" ACM Transactions on Information Systems (TOIS) 35, no.3 (2017): 19.\n[4]. Ong, Kevin, Kalervo J\u00e4rvelin, Mark Sanderson, and Falk Scholer. \"Using Information Scent to Understand Mobile and Desktop Web Search Behavior.\" (2017).","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 (67.5%) ; 460806 (32.5%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tabinda Sarwar","title":"Using machine learning to study the human brain","description":"The human brain is one of the most complex and fascinating organs in the human body, and its study has been a major challenge for researchers. With advancements in technology and the availability of large datasets, machine learning techniques have shown great potential in helping us better understand the brain. The objective of this project is to develop machine learning models that can accurately classify brain MRI scans as normal or abnormal (in the presence of disease) and identify the regions of the brain that are affected. We will also investigate the relationship between various diseases and brain regions, and how they affect each other. We will utilize the publicly available dataset of brain MRI scans, including both healthy individuals and patients with various neurological diseases such as Autism and Depression. Different machine learning algorithms including deep neural networks will be utilized in the project. Using machine learning to study the human brain can provide valuable insights into the workings of this complex organ. By combining machine learning with brain imaging techniques such as MRI, we can develop powerful tools for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases. This study has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world suffering from neurological diseases.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/03\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4611 Machine learning (40%) ; 460102 Applications in health (30%) ; 110999 Neurosciences Not Elsewhere Classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science and Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fatemeh Shiri, Karin Verspoor","title":"Enhancing AI-Driven Clinical Decision-Making","description":"Advancements in AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) have the potential to transform clinical decision-making by improving diagnosis, prediction, and medical question-answering. However, challenges such as numerical reasoning, domain-specific knowledge gaps, and reliability concerns limit their effectiveness in real-world healthcare applications. This project aims to develop AI-driven solutions that enhance the accuracy, sensitivity, and trustworthiness of clinical decision-support systems. The research will contribute to improving AI's ability to process complex medical information, ultimately supporting more informed and reliable decision-making in healthcare.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460208 Natural language processing\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ryan Kelly, Nalin Arachchilage, Senuri Wijeyanake","title":"Enhancing Online Safety for Older Adults: Understanding and Preventing Scam Victimisation","description":"Older adults are disproportionately targeted by online scams. This PhD project will investigate the complex dynamics of how older adults engage with, respond to, and potentially fall victim to online scams, with the goal of designing safer digital environments.  \r\n\r\nThis project aims to investigate:  \r\n\r\n1) Existing Knowledge: Reviewing academic literature to understand the reasons why older adults are targeted for scams. \r\n\r\n2) Vulnerability Patterns: Understanding factors that influence older adults' susceptibility to various types of online scams.  \r\n\r\n3) Decision-Making Processes: Exploring how older adults evaluate trustworthiness and make decisions when encountering potentially fraudulent online content or interactions. \r\n\r\n4) Design Interventions: Developing and testing interventions that can effectively protect older adults without compromising their digital autonomy. \r\n\r\nThe project will employ a mixed-methods approach, potentially including interviews, experimental studies, co-design workshops and evaluation of prototype interfaces. \r\n\r\nExpected Outcomes include:  \r\n\r\n- Theoretical frameworks for understanding older adults' susceptibility to online scams.\r\n- Evidence-based design guidelines for age-appropriate online safety features\r\n- Practical interventions that can be implemented by digital platforms, service providers, and policymakers   \r\n\r\nCandidate Requirements: \r\n\r\n- Strong Bachelors \/ Honours degree or Masters in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline\r\n- Interest in technology use by older adults and\/or cybersecurity\r\n- Experience with qualitative and\/or quantitative research methods\r\n- Strong communication skills and empathy for working with diverse user groups\r\n\r\nThis project will be based in the School of Computing Technologies, with potential industry partnerships providing real-world application opportunities. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%) \r\n460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Estrid He","title":"Harnessing Large Language Models for Pragmatic Data Mining","description":"With the proliferation of digital information, extracting meaningful insights from vast amounts of textual data has become a critical challenge. This research endeavors to address this challenge by investigating how large language models, such as GPT-3.5 and other BERT-like deep learning models, can be effectively utilized to enhance data mining processes.\r\n\r\nThis project will develop innovative solutions for data mining problems, aiming to design models for extracting, categorizing, and summarizing textual information, with a special focus on pragmatic use of it -- its efficiency, scalability, and robustness. This project will also aim to investigate the application of text mining techniques for multi-modal data, combining both structured data sources and unstructured data (e.g., texts).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery\r\n461103 Deep learning"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Deng, Jenny Zhang","title":"Human-in-the-loop social media data mining to combat misinformation","description":"This project aims to address misinformation spread on social media by advancing social media data mining and machine learning technologies. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of human-in-the-loop machine learning utilizing new techniques to leverage human intelligence for human-machine collaborative systems for the detection and mitigation of misinformation on social media. Expected outcomes of the project include novel human-machine collaborative fact-checking, robust misinformation detection systems against adversarial attacks and machine learning-enabled misinformation mitigation. This should provide significant benefits in enhancing the integrity of the online information environment and the societal well-being of Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460806\tHuman-computer interaction\r\n460912\tKnowledge and information management\r\n460904\tInformation security management\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Data-driven brain network analysis","description":"The brain is a complex network of interconnected neurons, and understanding the structure and function of this network is essential for advancing our understanding of the brain and developing treatments for neurological disorders. This series of projects will develop new approaches for analysing and understanding brain network data and extracting insights into brain function. The data will be obtained from a variety of sources, including fMRI, EEG, and MEG, and will be processed using advanced data analysis and graph learning techniques. Potential research tasks include, e.g., multimodal integration of brain imaging data, computational modelling of brain networks, connectivity-based neuromodulation, network-level biomarkers of disease, developmental trajectories of brain networks, anomaly detection in brain networks, clinical applications of brain network analysis, etc.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (60%)\r\n461104 Neural networks (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia, Karin Verspoor","title":"Health data mining for predicting dementia","description":"Dementia is a debilitating neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Early detection of dementia can significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life, but the identification of at-risk individuals remains a challenge. As a process of analysing large volumes of health-related data to discover hidden patterns, relationships, and insights that can be used to improve healthcare outcomes, health data mining offers a promising approach to predicting dementia risk. The purpose of this set of projects is to develop and validate innovative machine learning models for predicting dementia risk based on health data mining. The data can come from various sources, including electronic health records, clinical trial results, insurance claims, and individual generated data. Some key challenges that will be addressed in these projects include, e.g., data quality, model efficiency, and privacy protection. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (30%)\r\n460102 Applications in health (30%)\r\n460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (40%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Knowledge-infused deep graph learning","description":"Knowledge-infused deep graph Learning combines knowledge representation and reasoning techniques with deep learning methods to learn from graph-structured data. In this approach, (domain-specific) prior knowledge, such as expert rules, ontologies, or taxonomies, is incorporated into deep graph learning models to improve their performance and interpretability. Some potential research topics in this line include, e.g., integration of multiple knowledge sources, multi-modal knowledge representation, handling noisy and incomplete knowledge, trustworthiness of knowledge graphs, knowledge-based model initialization and\/or pre-training, transfer learning across domains, explainability and interpretability of deep graph learning models. This research will explore the application (or applicability) of the proposed solutions in various domains, such as recommender systems, social computing, and disease diagnosis.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\r\n460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (30%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Neuroscience-inspired graph learning","description":"Neuroscience-inspired graph learning is a rapidly growing field of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), which is inspired by the structure and function of the human brain. This approach involves developing algorithms that can effectively learn and process graph-structured data, such as social networks, biological networks, and knowledge graphs. By drawing on insights from neuroscience, we can develop algorithms that are better suited to handling complex, structured data, and that can make more accurate predictions and classifications. The objective of this research is to develop and evaluate new algorithms for neuroscience-inspired graph learning that can effectively learn and process graph-structured data. These algorithms will be evaluated against existing machine learning algorithms over a range of data sets. This research will explore the potential applications of neuroscience-inspired graph learning in a variety of fields. ","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 10 - Reduced Inequalities , 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460201 Artificial life and complex adaptive systems (40%)\r\n460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (30%)\r\n461104 Neural networks (30%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao","title":"Pricing the Data Assets in Next-generation Data Marketplace","description":"This project aims to design 'optimal' prices for data assets to maximize the mutual benefit of both sellers and buyers. Here, we focus on two scenarios: 1) across companies where money is an appropriate incentive; 2) across organizations but using the shared data as the incentive, such as hospitals exchanging medical data. The key intellectual questions are on how to design the market rules when the asset is data, which is freely replicable and can be combined in many different ways. A requirement of a next-generation data market platform is to be resilient to strategic participants.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460501"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao, Shixun Huang, J. Shane Culpepper","title":"AI for Instance-Optimized Database Systems","description":"For over 40 years, Database Management Systems (DBMS) have been a core technology to store all data required by large applications. Given our reliance on DBMS to store, search, and analyze data, and the enormous increase in the amount of data they must manage, it is crucial that new algorithms need to be created. Unfortunately, improvements in traditional core database algorithms such as indexing have not improved signi\ufb01cantly for several years, leading to the belief that it is a \u201csolved problem\u201d. However, instance-optimized AI\/ML techniques are now showing real promise in advancing core DBMS techniques, and this active area is called AI4DB. Under the topic of AI4DB, this project aims to investigate how to design learning enhanced data structures and algorithms to solve the following fundamental problems: indexing techniques, index selection, cardinality estimation, cost estimation, and query plan optimization.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460505"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao","title":"Machine Learning Enhanced Algorithms for Big and Dynamic Graph Data Processing","description":"This project will develop machine learning enhanced algorithms for a range of fundamental problems in large scale graph data processing and analytics, such as shortest path discovery, structural graph clustering, and densest subgraph counting. It will also devise instance-optimized algorithms for these fundamental problems in different forms of graph, where dynamic graph (whose structures keep changing over time) is a main focus.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460509 (50%)\n460506 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao, J. Shane Culpepper, Hui Luo","title":"Responsible Data Preparation for Machine Learning","description":"With the increasing prevalence of online data markets, data preparation is an active topic to study how to discover relevant datasets, data cleaning and integration, datasets acquisition to either improve the accuracy of machine learning (ML) models, the efficiency of data selection, or the training efficiency of ML models. This project aims to advance the techniques in quality-aware data integration and cleaning, datasets discovery, datasets acquisition, and coreset selection.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 10 - Reduced Inequalities ","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460504"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Falk Scholer","title":"Interactive complex answer retrieval","description":"The research will focus on the task of complex answer retrieval (CAR). First of all, it will investigate a taxonomy of CAR tasks by examining questions of different complexity in community question answering (CQA) sites and user search logs. Further, it will compare the crowd-source evaluation of the CAR task with the conventional one and use the data for constructing a new evaluation testbed for CAR. Afterwards, it will compare performance of existing models and their variations on the obtained testbed. In the same manner, the project will try new approaches based on recently succeeded Deep Learning approaches in NLP and evaluate them. The project will also test a new unsupervised method to expand dataset for CAR from CQA platforms.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 (67.5%)\n 460806 (32.5%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham, Estrid He, School of Computing Technologies","title":"Enhancing discovery and use of hydrological data via knowledge graphs","description":"Access to hydrological data in Australia is currently limited in the way it is published, made available and managed. This presents friction in sourcing, use and reuse of fundamental hydrological data across applications like water availability and flood modelling. Data exists as static files and often requires GIS expertise to extract the required information for use in research projects e.g. monitoring stations, gauges, river networks, catchment boundaries, and related observations. The opportunity is to streamline access to the hydrological reference geographic features and observation data and integrate them in a way that allows inter-related information to be easily queried. This can be achieved via a knowledge graph of hydrological features, that is, a HydroKG. Knowledge graph technology has proven to enable capture of concepts, relationships and relevant data through mature tools and implementations. A HydroKG will provide the conceptual backbone for describing and relating fundamental hydrological concepts, such as, representing water bodies and their narrower types (like catchments, lakes) and river networks using readily available datasets such as the GeoFabric and HydroATLAS. This will enable hydrologists, researchers, and water managers with tools to query HydroKG to discovery and readily use hydrological information. An exciting prospect will be the application of this implementation to real-world applications in groundwater and surface water modelling. Specifically, this project will involve:\n - Constructing a knowledge graph of hydrological features and observation data in Australia and relevant APIs\n - Developing relevant and effective queries and visualisations for knowledge discovery of scientific workflows \n - Testing and benchmarking the performance of the HydroKG","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\n 460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\n 401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Digital Design","programcode":"DR235 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Teasley","title":"Neurodiversity and the museum: Enabling equitable digital access through design","description":"This PhD by practice will identify, prototype and test ways for Australia\u2019s museums, galleries, archives and libraries to improve the accessibility of their digital environments to people identifying as neurodivergent, using design methods such as UX\/UI, participatory design and co-design. The project, funded by the National Industry PhD program, will be delivered by a partnership between RMIT and the National Museum of Australia (NMA), supported by the Swayn Gallery of Australian Design, and includes 10-week placements with the NMA.\r\nDigital presence can enable organisations like the NMA to share knowledge at distance, supporting public literacy and widening audience participation. Australian galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) are increasing online content rapidly, growing regional and international audiences and creating pathways to societal and cultural impact. \r\nThe Disabilities Discrimination Act (1992) requires organisations to make all physical and digital products, services and environments \u2013 including online content \u2013 accessible to people with disabilities, including people who identify as neurodivergent. However, the GLAM sector has not systemically addressed its digital accessibility to neurodivergent-identifying audiences.\r\nResponding to this gap, this project aims are to identify and communicate global best practice, to develop and evaluate accessible digital content environments that are transferable and scalable, and to develop and share tools for co-creating accessible digital content formats. Outcomes may include a guide to best practice principles, transferable, adaptable content environments, and a design methods toolkit for use by digital teams and managers. Potential benefits include fuller access and greater participation in cultural heritage for people identifying as neurodiverse.\r","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"03\/05\/2024","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"330306\tDesign practice and methods (50%)\r\n330310\tInteraction and experience design (25%)\r\n430206\tHeritage collections and interpretations (25%)\r"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brad Haylock, Stephen Banham, Jenny Grigg, Neal Haslem, Andy Simionato, Laurene Vaughan, Noel Waite","title":"Typography and Design for Publishing","description":"The School of Design at RMIT welcomes candidates seeking to undertake research in Typography and Design for Publishing. Research in this area spans practice-based and theoretical approaches, and applied and speculative approaches. Studies broadly address matters of book typography, editorial design, type design and lettering, and commercial, independent or speculative publishing. Topics might include but are not limited to: the future of the book; book design methodology; innovations in publishing processes or modes of publishing; typography in the public sphere; and publishing as a critical practice. Researchers in this area might also take a design-led approach to questions relating to the sociology of books, publishing and reading, or to small-press and artist-book publishing. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"4,11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Banham, Marius Foley, Jenny Grigg, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, James Oliver, Toni Roberts, Andy Simionato, Nicola St John, Laurene Vaughan, Oliver Vodeb, Noel Waite","title":"Communication Design Research","description":"The School of Design at RMIT supports specialist research in the discipline of Communication Design and its subdomains or related fields, including but not limited to graphic design, interpretation design, branding, packaging and data visualisation. Research in this area might extend from a communication design standpoint into topics and domains such as design strategy, service design, design for social innovation, design for social change, design for community building, human-centred design, and inclusive design. Studies in this area may also examine discipline-specific pedagogies and practice methods. Candidates with a specialist focus in communication design research might conduct practice-based research or might deploy traditional research methods. Candidates might present practice artefacts and an exegetical dissertation for examination, or they may write a traditional thesis, subject to the particular focus of the individual research. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design), 120302 Design Innovation, 120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Auger, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Frank Feltham, Liam Fennessy, Judith Glover, Pirjo Haikola, Simon Lockrey, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Juan Sanin, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Malte Wagenfeld","title":"Industrial Design Research","description":"The School of Design at RMIT supports specialist research in the discipline of Industrial Design and its subdomains or related fields, including but not limited to product design, furniture design, ergonomics and product-service systems. Research in this area might extend from an industrial design perspective into topics and domains such as service design, design for social innovation, design for social change, safeness by design, human-centred design, sustainable design, and inclusive design. Studies in this area may also examine discipline-specific pedagogies and practice methods. Candidates with a specialist focus in industrial design research might conduct practice-based research or might deploy traditional research methods. Candidates might present practice artefacts and an exegetical dissertation for examination, or they may write a traditional thesis, subject to the particular focus of the individual research. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120305 Industrial Design, 120302 Design Innovation"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Teasley, Brad Haylock, Oliver Vodeb, Noel Waite, Jenny Grigg","title":"Critical, Historical and Theoretical Studies in Design","description":"This area of focus supports researchers undertaking studies in design history, theory and criticism. Topics might include: new modes of design criticism, new regional design histories, critical design historiography, and new theories of design. Critical design studies might take regional, feminist, decolonising, Indigenous, LGBTIQA+, or other, or variously intersectional standpoints to contribute to emergent discourses in design. New design histories may focus on people, places, themes or modes of practice that have been overlooked or under-recognised by research to date. Research in this area might also examine the modes by which design histories or theories are produced and reproduced, for example in education or publishing. Candidates in this area will typically present a thesis for examination, but may also undertake practice-based research, for example through curatorial practice. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"3,4,5,8,9,10,11,12,13,16,17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120301 Design History and Theory"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jaz Choi, Jonathan Duckworth, Troy Innocent, Rohit Khot, Gina Moore, Matthew Riley","title":"Design for Playful Interaction","description":"Play is a methodology for creative practice that traverses diverse disciplines, materials, spaces and modes of interaction. Knowledge and techniques from games and interaction design inform research on innovative cyber-physical systems that are captivating, transformative and productive. Application areas at RMIT School of Design include Human-Food Interaction (HFI), playable cities and care-full design. Contemporary concerns with food include technological, environmental, and social disruptions, ranging from food security to agricultural sustainability to rising obesity and diminishing commensality. Playable cities use creative technologies to situate citizens within experiences that allow them to re-imagine, reconnect and reinvent their world. Care-fully designing playful engagement embodies care as a matter of concern; its ethics and logic guides conceptual, methodological, and translational undertakings. We seek research candidates in this area who are passionate about exploring design for playful engagement through transdisciplinary research and practice in\/across different fields of design \u2013 including but not limited to interaction \/ experience \/ service. Interests and experience in co-creative, trans-disciplinary, practice-based methods are highly valued.","sdg":"2,3,11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Digital and Interaction Design\n190203 Electronic Media Art"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Areli Avendano Franco, Stephen Banham, Chris Barker, Joshua Batty, Ben Byrne, Jaz Choi, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Mick Douglas, Jonathan Duckworth, Frank Feltham, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Jenny Grigg, Pirjo Haikola, Jeff Hannam, Lawrence Harvey, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, Leah Heiss, Chris Henschke, Troy Innocent, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Mark Lycette, James Manning, Marcia Nancy Mauro-Flude, Christian McCrea, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, James Oliver, Thomas Penney, John Power, Matthew Riley, Toni Roberts, Juan Sanin, Andy Simionato, Nicola St John, Helen Stuckey, Li Ping Thong, Dan Torre, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Darrin Verhagen, Oliver Vodeb, Malte Wagenfeld, Noel Waite, Douglas Wilson, Shaun Wilson, Emma Witkowski, Ian de Vere","title":"Generative Practice Research in Design","description":"The Generative Practice Research mode of practice research in design crosses boundaries between professional and academic research. This practice-based research approach enables practitioner-researchers to generate new kinds of practices \u2014 within a discipline or across disciplines \u2014 in response to challenges and concerns emerging in a changing world and amidst transformations across practice domains. Candidates in this area might be early-career practitioners seeking to enter into a period of deep inquiry that transforms a set of practice-based interests into a more developed practice with well-articulated emphases, agendas and approaches. They might equally be mid- or later-career practitioners seeking to generate a new practice trajectory through a transformation of their established mastery. Research candidates in this area demonstrate their findings publicly in ways most appropriate to the particularities of their practice research, usually through an exhibit, a written dissertation and a presentation to examiners. This area of research focusses on the generation of new knowledge in the form of previously unarticulated approaches to practice, informed by specific issues and challenges that direct researchers' generative inquiries.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Stephen Banham, Chris Barker, Joshua Batty, Ben Byrne, Jaz Choi, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Jonathan Duckworth, Frank Feltham, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Jenny Grigg, Pirjo Haikola, Jeff Hannam, Lawrence Harvey, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, Leah Heiss, Chris Henschke, Troy Innocent, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Mark Lycette, James Manning, Marcia Nancy Mauro-Flude, Christian McCrea, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, James Oliver, Thomas Penney, John Power, Matthew Riley, Toni Roberts, Juan Sanin, Andy Simionato, Nicola St John, Helen Stuckey, Li Ping Thong, Dan Torre, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Darrin Verhagen, Oliver Vodeb, Malte Wagenfeld, Noel Waite, Douglas Wilson, Shaun Wilson, Emma Witkowski, Sarah Teasley, Deb Polson","title":"Reflective Industry Practice Research in Design","description":"Reflective Industry Practice Research in Design involves practitioner-researchers operating largely in a professional environment, generally with a peer-reviewed and award-winning body of work developed over 10 years or more. These practitioners-researchers have already developed recognised mastery in their field. In this area of research focus in RMIT School of Design, experienced practitioners become practitioner-ressearchers who interrogate their own practices in order to explicate and disseminate their disciplinary knowledge, defining its enabling structures, its knowledge bases, and the implications of the nexus between these for emerging forms of research-led practice. They conclude by speculating through design on the nature of their future practice. They demonstrate their findings publicly, through an exhibit, a presentation to examiners, and a written dissertation. This mode of research extends and develops the knowledge base of the design professions, and thus their ability to serve society.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Jaz Choi, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Pirjo Haikola, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, James Oliver, Toni Roberts, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Oliver Vodeb, Noel Waite, Juan Sanin, Sarah Teasley, Deb Polson","title":"Design for Social Innovation and Sustainable Futures\n","description":"Social impact relates to the capacity to create positive social change for communities, individuals and ecologies. In recent years, designers have been moving beyond engaging with consumer culture, instead exploring new forms of practice, including design for social innovation. In response to these informed narratives, designers must realise the potential of design as an agent of change to make a broader contribution to society, rather than to enhance marketability by influencing consumer behaviour. This area of research focus also responds to pressing concerns surrounding sustainability, arising from current rapid extinction of species, habitat loss and displacement of more-than-human communities, and recognises the moral and practical crises in design that have contributed to such conditions. Established research in the School of Design in this area of focus includes fighting food waste, design to support natural ecologies in the face of climate change, and designing against crime. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Jaz Choi, Simon Curlis, Jonathan Duckworth, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Pirjo Haikola, Neal Haslem, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Scott Mitchell, Toni Roberts, Juan Sanin, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Darrin Verhagen","title":"Design for Health, Wellbeing and Aging","description":"Design research has an active role to play in how society changes the ways people access and experience services and engagements, from the organisational through to the socio-political level. This area of research focus emphasises the importance of design in relation to health, wellbeing and aging. Researchers in this area explore the deployment of design to reimagine health, resilience and care. Candidates might draw on generative or applied practice research approaches in human-centred design, or upon product design, ethnographic approaches, co-creatives processes and iterative and reflective practices. Specific themes and areas of inquiry might include but are not limited to: serious games for health; interaction design for health applications; design innovation for sexual health; design for dementia treatment; and interaction design for mindful eating. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"1,2,3,4,5,8,11,16","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Auger, Olivier Cotsaftis, Liam Fennessy, Pirjo Haikola, Brad Haylock, Scott Mitchell, Andy Simionato, Laurene Vaughan, Oliver Vodeb, Jaz Choi, Toni Roberts, Sarah Teasley","title":"Speculative and Critical Design","description":"Speculative Design and Critical Design projects and practices interrogate the status quo in various ways, or propose variously unorthodox future scenarios. These modes of practice often explicitly challenge the current state of design itself: its narrowing pathways, prevailing assumptions, and corporate agendas. In this area of focus, RMIT School of Design welcomes researchers who deploy the principles, methods or ethics of critical and speculative design to interrogate received assumptions and practices in domains ranging from governance, politics, technological development, human interactions, and design practice itself. Research candidates in this area demonstrate their findings in ways most appropriate to the particularities of their research. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Digital Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ben Byrne, Jonathan Duckworth, Jeff Hannam, Lawrence Harvey, Chris Henschke, Troy Innocent, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Mark Lycette, James Manning, Marcia Nancy Mauro-Flude, Christian McCrea, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, Thomas Penney, John Power, Matthew Riley, Helen Stuckey, Li Ping Thong, Dan Torre, Laurene Vaughan, Darrin Verhagen, Douglas Wilson, Shaun Wilson, Emma Witkowski","title":"Digital Design Research","description":"The School of Design at RMIT supports specialist research in the discipline of Digital Design and its subdomains or related fields, including but not limited to games, animation, interaction design and user experience design. Specific areas of digital design research include cinematic Virtual Reality, Esports, embodied interaction, creative coding, audio essays, computational culture and performance. Studies in this area may also examine discipline-specific pedagogies and practice methods. Candidates with a specialist focus in digital design research might conduct practice-based research or might deploy traditional research methods. Candidates might present practice artefacts and an exegetical dissertation for examination, or they may write a traditional thesis, subject to the particular focus of the individual research. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120303 Digital and Interaction Design\n190202 Computer Gaming and Animation\n190203 Electronic Media Art\n190504 Performance and Installation Art\n200102 Communication Technology and Digital Media Studies\n200212 Screen and Media Culture"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lawrence Harvey, Darrin Verhagen, Ben Byrne, Jordan Lacey, Scott Mitchell, Joshua Batty, Frank Feltham, Jeffrey Hannam","title":"Sound, Music and Acoustics","description":"Developments in spatial sound technology from the mid- to late-20th century enabled the creation, delivery and research of complex acoustic environments. Whereas music and concert halls were once the privileged location of advanced human auditory experience, digital technology has greatly expanded the potential for new types of spatial sound and soundscapes. Applicants are invited to consider contributions to research areas that include: urban soundscape designs for multi-channel systems; evaluating urban soundscape designs and urban soundscape planning models; software projects for spatialised performance, installations or gesture control; spatialised performance\/electroacoustic performance practise; analysis of contemporary spatial compositions and installation practice; integrating 3D design softwares within spatial sound designs; and experimental acoustic design. Applicants must have intermediate to advanced skills in studio production to realise their research.","sdg":"3,9,11,12,13","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Urban Futures, Information and Systems","forcodes":"120104 Architectural Science and Technology\n120302 Design innovation\n190203 Electronic Media Art\n190504 Performance and Installation Art"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"The Intended and Unintended Impact of Policy for Adaptive Policy Management. ","description":"The project aims to advance knowledge about the intended and unintended consequences of policy on health and well-being. It expects to innovate through new methods and novel data to integrate policy evaluation into the policy cycle in a timely fashion to prevent harm from occurring. It also leverages technology to track policy effects in real time. Expected outcomes of this project include new knowledge and enhanced policy infrastructure using new methods and interdisciplinary approaches. Significant benefits include improvements to: (1) policy management by government departments; (2) the health and wellbeing of the Australians they serve; (3) our Partners' capacity to consult governments on how technology can assist policy management.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"380108"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bronwyn Coate","title":"Entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative industries ","description":"As a response to the perpetually challenging funding environment in the arts and cultural sector, cultural or creative entrepreneurship has been proposed as an alternative funding source allowing an independent living from creative practice. Cultural or creative entrepreneurship has been advocated by governments within the framing of cultural policy. However, the successful commercialisation of creative ideas and practice requires particular skills and competencies, distinct from creative talent, that may to an extent, be acquired. \r\n\r\nThis project will use approaches and insights from the disciplines of cultural economics and entrepreneurship to better understand creative entrepreneurship and how it is enabled (as well as barriers to its realisation) with a view  to informing policy designed to support innovation and sustainable growth in the cultural and creative industries. \r\nAs a sector in which underpayment and low income are the norm for most creative practitioners, this project is interested to explore how cultural and creative entrepreneurship can deliver benefits by both better supporting artists' livelihoods while contributing to the flourishment of the cultural and creative sector.   \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 4 Design and Creative Practice Industries","forcodes":"380199 Applied economics\r\n350704 Entrepreneurship\r\n470204 Cultural and creative Industries"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peyman Khezr, Babak Abbasi, AISSC ","title":"Auctions and bidding by demanders in last-mile delivery","description":"The aim of this project is to study appropriate auction design for a situation where individuals bid for the amount they are willing to pay for the delivery of a package with a given size. We are going to investigate the problem at three different stages. First, we use auction theory to study auctions that are suitable for the pupose of bidding in last mile delivery. Second we use operations research to study proper algorithms that optimise the last mile delivery both in terms of distance travelled and the value of the items. Finally we use lab experiments to test the methods with human subjects and provide further evidence regarding their performance. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"information in Society","forcodes":"380304 Microeconomic theory 20%\r\n380106 Experimental economics 30% \r\n350903 Logistics 20%\r\n490108 Operations research 30%"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zsuzsanna Csereklyei, Anne Kallies","title":"Energy Transitions in Electricity Markets","description":"Electricity generation landscapes are rapidly changing around the world. Advances and cost reductions in renewable electricity generation and storage technologies have fueled an unprecedented energy transition in the power generation sector. Electricity consumption is predicted to keep increasing worldwide, hand in hand with economic development, and a shift towards higher reliance on electricity in the energy mix, fueled by the electrification of ransport and industrial processes. This ongoing transition poses a major challenge to our electricity systems and markets, which were originally not designed to accommodate high levels of intermittent, low or zero marginal cost generation. Regulators are grappling to design and adjust market frameworks that can support a more sustainable, but also reliable and affordable electricity system of the future. These goals are however challenging, as the long-run economic and system stability implications of different market frameworks are not entirely understood. The proposed research projects either in the field of economics or law, will investigate the impact of different legal frameworks, regulations and incentive policies on electricity market economics and transitions. These may include but are not limited to the problems of market design and investment adequacy, placing economic value on dispatchability, flexibility, and the evaluation of capacity markets, optimal levels of horizontal and vertical integration, and examining the role of prosumers from a legal and economic perspective. The project will enrich RMIT ECPs capabilities on energy transitions and will develop interdisciplinary RMIT collaboration between economics and law. Its innovative offering addresses industry needs and provides the basis for ongoing work in this area. In particular, this research is aligned with the Information and Systems ECP, which is hosting the energy@rmit network, by 1) deepening our understanding of how regulation and market design influences the economic viability of new technologies and transitions ; 2) building collaboration with public and private sector partners (including regulators) to generate research-driven change and impact in value-driven innovation in electricity markets and create opportunities for energy@RMIT. Professor Sanderson, the ECP director is happy to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Informations and Systems","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Preety Pratima Srivastava","title":"Economic disadvantage and children\u2019s health, behavioural and educational outcomes","description":"There is significant evidence that children\u2019s developmental outcomes have long-term consequences for their educational performance and economic wellbeing in adulthood. A large body of research has shown that children growing up in poverty exhibit poorer cognitive, socio-emotional and health outcomes relative to children who are not economically deprived. Growing up in poor households or neighbourhoods and attending a disadvantaged school have been found to be associated with poorer child outcomes. Arguably, economic deprivation is a multidimensional measure of deprivation across a range of domains. Because of the importance of the early years of childhood for developmental outcomes, the timing of economic disadvantage is also important. Researchers have argued that poverty early in life has more detrimental long-term effects. This project aims to examine the relationship between family, neighbourhood and school level disadvantage and children\u2019s cognitive, socio-emotional and health outcome using a life course approach. It attempts to answer questions such as: What are the various domains of economic disadvantage and to what extent do they overlap? How and when does economic disadvantage influence children\u2019s educational, socio-emotional wellbeing and health outcomes? Is there a gender gap in the effect of economic disadvantage on children\u2019s outcomes?","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"140299"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lisa Farrell","title":"Investigating the importance of food waste and food insecurity as determinants of health and wellbeing","description":"This project will investigate the importance of food waste and food insecurity as determinants of health and wellbeing. While food waste and recycling habits at the household level has been researched the links between lowering food waste and health and wellbeing is not well researched. There are possible health benefits (i.e., from eating fresher food) and costs (i.e., from overeating to avoid wasting food) associated with lowering food waste and hence associated impacts on wellbeing. Further, understanding how food insecurity is related to food waste is important for health and wellbeing outcomes. Households suffering food insecurity may have different food consumption habits that may lead to different kinds of food waste and different health and wellbeing outcomes. Understanding food behaviours is essential for evidence based policy recommendations that promote a effective circular economy. The project will commence with an extensive review of the literature in this space. This will be followed by an econometric study of large population based household dataset within Australia and Internationally. This secondary data analysis will be complimented with a smaller detailed primary data collection focusing on survey data relating to the themes from the secondary data analysis. Clear policy recommendations will be sought for government, food poverty agencies and other stakeholders. This unique research project will see the you working alongside leading Australian organisations in the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (https:\/\/fightfoodwastecrc.com.au), a $120 million, 10 year, Australia wide, whole of value chain industry-led research collaboration","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change; Urban Futures","forcodes":"3801 (Applied Economics + 380108 (Health Economics) + 4206 (Public Health)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"MR203 \/ DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Caroline Chen, Daisy Chou and Gaoping Zheng","title":"ESG news, management behaviour and firm decision","description":"While environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information has received increasing attention in practitioner circles and among academics, the focus has been on internal ESG information quality and managerial decisions. The extent to which external ESG news matters for corporate managerial decisions needs further exploration. External ESG news may alter expectations of related corporate behaviours from investors, finance providers, customers, analysts and even regulators, which may alter managerial decisions. Besides examining the impacts of external ESG news on managerial decisions, this project also investigates the channels through which ESG news affects managers who may also display different behavioural biases. ESG consideration may affect various managerial decisions related to investments, finance, financial reporting, corporate governance, and digitalisation. These managerial decisions may also lead to different capital market reactions, which should be examined.\r\nThis PhD project will apply theory and principles in sustainable finance, behavioural finance and Fintech to corporate finance, governance and capital market. In particular, the focus will be whether and how increasing popularity in ESG information affects manager behaviours and firm decisions and further explore the related capital market consequences.\r\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in finance and economics, research methods, strong data analytic skills, and experience working with large datasets.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"MR203 \/ DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen, Thao Tran","title":"Internationalisation, Financial Integration and Bank risk","description":"The traditional portfolio theory argues that geographic expansion can lower bank risks if returns generated by additional assets are imperfectly correlated with those generated by existing assets. However, geographic expansion may hinder bank headquarters\u2019 capacity to monitor their subsidiaries and branches abroad, hence, yielding a potentially negative impact on overall bank asset quality. The recent global banking and financial crises have further reinvigorated the debate on the benefits of financial market integration. Financial integration may increase the risk of cross border contagion and thus the probability of widespread banking failures. As bank risk can have a first-order effect on financial and economic stability, mitigating bank risk has become a focus of many national and international regulations to avoid future financial crises. Much of the focus on such reforms has been on constraining banks\u2019 risk within one country. However, banks may engage in regulatory arbitrage, circumventing strict domestic regulations by taking more risk abroad. This raises the question of how bank internationalization affects the risk of individual banks, especially in the context of current financial integration. Our research project aims to address this critical research question. The study is expected to have important implications for policy makers on adjusting supervisory approaches and structures to the geographical scope of banking activities, reducing the likelihood of individual as well as widespread banking crises.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"Crisis and recovery in Australian cultural industries: measuring the impact of COVID-19","description":"This project specifically addresses an urgent crisis in contemporary Australian culture: the severe economic downturn in the cultural and creative industries caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project aims to generate vital new knowledge into the contemporary state of cultural and creative industries, giving policy makers a roadmap to recovery for Australian cultural life. The HDR scholarship being offered will contribute to a larger project being undertaken across a consortium of Universities that brings together leading researchers from a range of disciplines that share an interest in understanding the creative economy. The specific contribution that the HDR candidate will make towards the larger project offers some leeway depending upon the educational background and experience of the candidate. It is however, expected that as a scholarship provided through the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing that the candidate will have suitable qualifications from one of these areas broadly defined. The project embraces interdisciplinary methodology grounded in the study of cultural and creative industries and has both a quantitative and qualitative component. A central question that will be addressed by the project is: what has been the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian cultural production? A further related question is: how have the cultural industries, including artists and creatives, responded to the crisis? While a third aspect of the project will address: how audiences and the general public value the cultural industries in Australia? The successful candidate will be expected to contribute towards addressing one of these questions as part of their HDR studies. Note for panel: An ARC SRI application for this project has been submitted through Monash University (SR200200396). If the ARC application is funded there will be a HDR scholarship provided by the ARC that would go to Monash. This application and any resulting scholarship awarded would support a candidate based and supervised primarily here at RMIT. In the event the ARC application is not successful members of the project team still plan to undertake research (some of which has begun) on the impact and implications of COVID-19 for the cultural sector. Furthermore, within the BBL there is research underway that aligns with this project investigating the impact of external shocks on peoples economising behaviours.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice and Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Banita Bissoondoyal-Bheenick, Xiaolu Hu","title":"Firm Centrality and Credit Rating","description":"There is a nexus between the firm and the economy through the trading connections along with the supply chain. Hence, the economy can be seen as a trade network with topology characteristics, where trading entities work as nodes and trading between them act as links. Previous studies find that the position in the trading network plays an importance role that economic shocks propagate through trade links (Long and Plosser, 1983; Acemoglu et al., 2012) and firms in the centre of the trade link are exposed to more information. However, it is still unclear if these firms are associated with higher credit risk. The literature suggests that on the one hand, firms located in the centre of the trade network are exposed to higher systematic risk since they are more likely to be affected by shocks from their trading partners (Ahern, 2013) and on the other hand, central firms are more resilient to external shock through diversified trading relationship (Ramirez, 2017; Herskovic et al., 2020).\rThe PhD project will assess the relationship between a firm\u2019s position in the trading network and its credit rating as well as how the credit risk spread along the supply chain vary over time. Specifically, the candidate will use the US input-output tables (I-O table) and the topological method to identify the positions of US companies in their domestic trading network and investigate how this position affects their credit ratings. The candidate will further evaluate how a central firm\u2019s credit rating impacts the ratings of its trading partners.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods and data analysis skill. The supervision team consists of experts in asset pricing and credit risk. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 2 Organizational Transformation and Innovation Capabilities Enhancement; GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement; GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong, Di Mo","title":"The impact of digitalisation in financial markets","description":"The conversion of traditional finance to the digital era requires trading exchanges to be digitized and assets to be tokenized. The digitalization process is likely to give rise to additional risks, such as operational risks and technological risks, etc. It is crucial to understand these additional risks to adapt to fast-paced digital era in financial markets. This HDR project aims to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the digitalization process in finance around the world, and explore its implications for financial markets from regulatory, pricing, and risk management perspectives. It can be further extended to explore cross-country differences in the staggered implementation of digitalization in financial markets. This could assist policymakers in designing governance and risk management strategies to facilitate the digitalization process in finance.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods, principles of risk management, and advanced understanding of digital finance and financial technology. The supervision team consists of experts in investment, risk management and asset pricing. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance; GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement","forcodes":"350201"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong, Xiaolu Hu","title":"Behavioral shift and biases in sustainable investment","description":"There has been tremendous growth in sustainable investment in global financial markets in the recent decade. Existing research in finance largely focuses on investment decision making without considering investors' preferences for social good. Recently, the burgeoning literature on sustainable finance highlights investor preferences towards an optimal balance between risk-return tradeoff and societal wellbeing. This can have important effects on their investment making process. The related area in exploring the behavioral shift constitutes a promising area of future research.\rThis PhD project will apply theory and principles in behavioral finance to sustainable investment. This project aims to investigate the behavioral biases exhibited by investors in sustainable investment in different asset classes and the relevant price impact. The focus will be on whether and how increasing popularity in sustainable investment distorts investors' decision-making process and induces biased decisions and reactions to corporate events.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods, principles of behavioral finance, and a passion for sustainable investment. The supervision team consists of experts in investment, sustainable finance and asset pricing. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance; GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement; GBI 1 Collaborative Design Approaches for Innovation","forcodes":"350201"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen","title":"Cybercrime Law and Financial Stability Around the World","description":"Attacks on information and communication technology systems (cyberattacks) are rising globally, and financial services continue to be the most targeted industry. According to a recent estimate by the IMF, average annual losses to financial institutions from cyber-attacks could reach a few hundred billion dollars a year. Successful cyber-attacks such as Wannacry in May 2017 or NoPetya in June 2017 have shown that cyber-attack can lead to severe disruptions and major damages for the targeted industries.\rTwo ongoing trends exacerbate this risk. First, the global financial system is going through an unprecedented digital transformation, which is being accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, the pandemic has heightened demand for online financial services and made work-from-home arrangements the norm. Central banks around the globe are also considering adopting digital currencies and modernizing payment systems. In this time of transformation, malicious actors such as cyber attacks can pose a growing threat to the global financial system, financial stability, and public confidence in the integrity of the system. Cybercrime law plays an important role in strengthening the resilience of financial system against cyber-attacks. Since the 1980s, countries around the world have enacted and enforced cybercrime law. However, the empirical evidence investigating the effectiveness of cybercrime law on financial stability is lacking. Our study attempts to fill this knowledge gap in the literature by examining whether cybercrime law promotes financial stability across 165 developed and developing countries during 1980 to 2019.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance;ISE 4 Cyber Security;SC 2 Transformations in mobility, migration and security;","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen","title":"Entrepreneurship and digital finance sources","description":"Financing has always been an important and puzzling topic not only for large listed corporations but also for entrepreneurial firms. Several theories, including the pecking order theory, the trade-off theory, asymmetric information, credit rationing and the life cycle theory, have been developed to address the capital structure choice of listed corporations. The extent to which these theories explain entrepreneurial firms\u2019 choice of finance is relatively underdeveloped (Frank and Goyal 2003; Lee et al. 2015). At the same time, in the last decade, many countries around the world have developed new ways for entrepreneurs to raise finance such as accelerators, incubators, equity crowdfunding and blockchain based techniques such as ICO. The entrepreneurial finance literature so far, however, is very segmented and focus exclusively on a single source of financing (mostly focuses on the \u201ctraditional\u201d bank debt financing and venture capital funding sources (i.e., Cumming and Groh, 2018)) while neglecting the dependencies and interconnections between the different types of financing instruments. This stands contrast with the practice that entrepreneurs raise funds from new sources or from a combination of different forms of finance. Hence, we need a better understanding of how these various (new and\/or traditional) sources of financing interact and how different combinations enhance entrepreneur\u2019s successful exit.\rAccordingly, our project will investigate whether entrepreneurial firm\u2019s finance choice affect firm\u2019s successful exit and how differences in international institutional settings affect entrepreneurial firms\u2019 finance choice and their success at the exit stage.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance;SC 3 Transformations in digital society and economy;","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong","title":"Digital Finance CRC (DFCRC) Industrial PhD Scholarship - Tokenisation of Environmental Markets: Specifically looking at the tokenisation of carbon permits and derivative carbon assets","description":"Digital Finance CRC (DFCRC) Industrial PhD Scholarship - Tokenisation of Environmental Markets: Specifically looking at the tokenisation of carbon permits and derivative carbon assets","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"380105, 380107"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Emawtee(Banita) Bissoondoyal-Bheenick, Angel Zhong","title":"Investor sentiment and Australian superannuation funds","description":"Investor sentiment describes investors\u2019 misinterpretation driven by mood, emotion and attitude that can potentially cause mispricing. Research in investor sentiment in Australia is in its infancy. This project proposes to construct a publicly available Australian Investor Sentiment index to price Australian stocks and measure voltility in the stock market. Further, the project assesses if sentiment index drives the intuitional investment of Superannuation Funds in Australia. One important set of institutional investors that requires significant attention are Australian Superfunds. Th retirement nest-egg of individuals is largely dependent on the investment held by Superannuation members. While a common theme in this area is de-risking as we go to different phases of life, it is well known we are faced with the problem of longevity and Australian Superannuation Funds hold a large proportion of investment in the equity markets, Hence, as an important institutional investor in this market, the project will explore how sentiment impacts the strategic and tactical asset allocation in equity both domestic and international over time.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, strong data analytic skills, experience working with large datasets, sound knowledge in asset pricing and funds management. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform (Collaborative design approaches for innovation and Organisational transformation and innovation capabilities enhancement).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Simon Pervan, Kieran Tierney","title":"Trading off benefits to self and other for sustainable consumption","description":"Achieving sustainable consumer behaviour presents many challenges for marketers but we play a critical role in helping to achieve Australia\u2019s as well as global sustainability goals. In a recent Journal of Marketing article, White, Habib and Hardisty (2019) present several propositions to suggest paths to overcoming these hurdles. This include the self-other trade-off where consumers must forgo benefits or incur costs for themselves to achieve external benefits for others or \u201call\u201d. Also, the problem of abstractedness where the outcomes of sustainable behaviour are unclear or difficult to determine.\nThis project invites a PhD applicant to examine one or more of these propositions to empirically examine the suggested relationships through experimental design and to propose additional theory for testing to understand the mediating processes of effects that show enhanced or diminished sustainable consumption habits.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Foula Kopanidis, Mike Reid","title":"Understanding Ecosystem influence on the Health and Wellbeing practices of Midlife Women.","description":"From a health and wellbeing perspective, middle age (45 \u2013 65) is viewed as a pivotal period in one\u2019s life course in terms of engaging in proactive behaviours and practices that influence healthy aging (Lachman et al., 2015; Steptoe, 2019). It is a population group that is under researched. Importantly, the \u2018feminisation of ageing\u2019 (Esser & Ward, 2013) means that increased emphasis is required to improve women\u2019s health and lifestyles, particularly as women encounter new sets of lifestyle challenges in their middle years and retirement (Tuohy & Cooney, 2019). Measuring behaviours in the context of health and aging that move beyond measuring single psychosocial or biological predictors (Fiacco, Mernone & Ehlert, 2020) have shown to align with positive health practices and behaviours (Aspinwall, 2010). This PhD project will recognise health and well-being as a dynamic, personal ecosystem that integrates a broader biological, psychological, and social perspective to better understand this cohort and the implications for service systems (Domegan, et al., 2016).\rThe successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate flexibility and openness in addressing real world and conceptual challenges around the ecosystem that influences women\u2019s health and wellbeing. Candidates will need a solid understanding of social marketing theory and practice and an ability to undertake mixed methods research including qualitative interviews, case studies, and quantitative survey. The project aligns with the Social Change Enabling Capability Platform (ECP) at RMIT University and the challenge of how can we understand and help shape possible futures for health and social support.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bronwyn Coate","title":"Behavioural Economics of Culture and the Creative Industries","description":"Culture and the arts (including the products of the creative industries and cultural heritage) generate not only value to producers and consumers but also have non-market effects on society such as externalities and public goods. Also, much consumer and producer decision making in the cultural industries inherently goes beyond rational choice, involving intrinsic and social motivations, personality, emotions, fashions and fads, social influence, intuition and instinct and many others.\nThis PhD project will use behavioural economics and psychology to better understand individual economic activity in the cultural industries. Behavioural approaches use different empirical methods to better understand individual decision making including experiments in the lab, field or online, as well as psychometric and psychophysiological measurement. It is envisaged that the successful candidate will use one or more of these in a multi-disciplinary approach to different aspects of cultural economic decision making. Potential examples include: artist motivations and personality, audience appreciation and affect, authenticity and art fakes and price discovery in cultural markets.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, principles of psychology and\/or economics. The supervision team will include specialists from both cultural and behavioural economics. The project will be based within RMIT\u2019s Behavioural Business Lab that includes a vibrant PhD and researcher community and state-of-the art laboratory facilities in central Melbourne. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peyman Khezr","title":"Behavioural economics of the real estate market","description":"Real estate markets are a cornerstone of every economy due to their contribution to financial transactions, individual debts and assets. In the macroeconomy, house prices are often used as an economic barometer and construction industry activity is a known motor of the business cycle. While buying and selling houses are the most costly, infrequent and long-lasting decisions the average person makes in the economy, the process is rife with a plethora of irrational behaviours and psychological processes that have been much studied in other business and economic contexts. There is an urgent need to better understand real estate buyer and seller behaviour from the behavioural economic perspective because they have considerable effects on the outcome of individual financial well-being and the economic climate. This project aims to develop better theories of behavioural decision making in all aspects of real estate and to test these using empirical behavioural tools such as experiments and psychometric surveys.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bronwyn Coate, Sveta Angelopolous","title":"Creative placemaking: Understanding and measuring economic and social benefits from the arts and culture","description":"Creative placemaking to leverage the arts and culture as well as creativity more broadly, has featured in economic development policies targeted at geo-specific areas, including notably at localised community levels including Local Government Areas (LGAs), as well as broader regions and cities (e.g. cities belonging to the Creative Cities Network). Despite the prominence of creative economy strategies at various levels, evidence on the effectiveness of these policies in creating a sense of place is limited. How these policies translate to providing economic and social benefits also remains a challenge to policymakers and governments at various levels. Art and culture has often been associated with vibrant communities and its contribution to enriching wellbeing situates it in a unique category. As a public good, its value is difficult to identify and measure using traditional approaches and assumptions. Alternative ways to both conceptualise and produce evidence of benefits is needed. Furthermore, the potential of creative economy approaches to \u2018nudge\u2019 community behaviour that can improve resident well-being is largely unexplored relative to uptake in other policy areas such as health and the environment.\nSuccessful candidates will demonstrate flexibility and openness in addressing real world and conceptual challenges around creative placemaking that is informed by a range of disciplines including economics and relevant sub-fields such as cultural economics and behavioural economics, as well as cultural policy, sociology and human geography. Candidates will be expected to be have a solid background in research methods relevant to economics and\/or one or more relevant discipline areas related to the project. The project aligns with the Global Business Innovation and Urban Futures Enabling Capability Platforms (ECPs) at RMT University.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mike Reid, Kate Westberg","title":"Examining the Older Consumer\u2019s Experience of Aging and its Impact on Consumption Decisions","description":"In a survey by the Australian Human Rights Commission, 71% of Australians felt that age discrimination in Australia was common. Further, more than a third of Australians 55+ feel they have experienced age discrimination, including being overlooked by service staff and marketers more generally. Older Australians are both under-represented, and poorly portrayed in the media; there is a belief that the media has a significant influence on the negative perceptions of older Australians. This discrimination influences older Australians\u2019 self-worth and their experience of aging.\nGlobally, particularly in developed countries, Baby Boomers feel middle-aged, not old, and have cognitive identities younger than their chronological age. In Australia, 75% of older people feel 5-10 years younger than their chronological age. While it can be argued that this cohort is healthier, more active and have a younger mentality than previous generations of a similar age, the literature suggests that this younger perceived age may be a self-protection mechanism triggered by negative Western cultural attitudes towards age. This project will examine older Australians\u2019 experience of aging and the influence that aging has on their age identity and their role as consumers. It will examine how older people adapt to changing circumstances as they age, the impact of aging on their buying behaviour and consumption interactions and experiences and how these consumers confront and manage ageist stereotypes. The research will have implications for marketers and policy makers in relation to prompting social change to facilitate positive aging.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Meg Elkins","title":"Notions of value in the market for art","description":"How do we assess the value of an artwork? This seemingly simple question does not have a simple answer. Value can be related to the artist and the artwork itself. However, other notions of value exist such as social, cultural, historic and economic value. A related issue is authenticity and value since provenance plays a key role in, particularly, economic value (price). Recent developments in cultural economics have started to systemise how value may be created. Value creation is a dynamic process with multiple perspectives. Thus, untangling the relationships over time between types of value are critical to our understanding. This project will extend existing and develop new frameworks to understand value. The key research questions to be addressed include: How is value created? How can we measure it and how are different notions of value related? It is anticipated that a particular art market, such as the Australian Indigenous art market, be used as the focus of the project. The research will cut across a number of academic disciplines, literatures and approaches. The project is thus likely to be multidisciplinary and multi-method. The project aligns with research and innovation priority 4: \u201cdesign and creative industries\u201d of the Design and Creative Practice Enabling Capability Platform. This priority area seeks to move beyond creative industries and explore the role of the social impact (measuring and evaluating the often tacit and multisensorial dimensions of arts value). In particular, the project relates to the \u201carts and cultural heritage\u201d key application area.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Janneke Blijlevens, Bronwyn Coate","title":"Reconciling aesthetic value with economic value of artworks","description":"The discipline of empirical aesthetics has gained a lot of knowledge on how aesthetic principles\/dimensions (e.g., complexity, unity, variety) explain people\u2019s aesthetic appreciation or perceived beauty of artworks. For example, it is well known that people typically find artworks beautiful that are moderately complex, or with a variety in patterns while still being presented as a unified whole. These principles predict aesthetic appreciation very reliably across domains (paintings, music, product designs).\nHowever, aesthetic value does not necessarily translate to the economic value of artworks (pricing). Actually, aesthetic value and economic value are often considered irreconcilable. Most research on the economic value of arts focuses on factors external to the artworks (e.g., expert characteristics), with the exception of \u2018hedonic pricing models\u2019. In these models, next to artist factors (deceased\/famous), artwork specific factors are included such as size, and type (landscape\/portrait\/urban). However, aesthetic principles known to explain aesthetic value have been ignored in such models.\nIn this research, you will combine the disciplines of empirical aesthetics and economics to investigate how aesthetic principles are related to economic value of artworks using a combination of experiments and hedonic regression modelling. You will work with supervisors in empirical aesthetics and cultural economics from the RMIT\u2019s Behavioural Business Lab. The BBL includes a vibrant researcher community and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced researchers from the BBL, who specialise in behavioural and experimental research. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Constantino Stavros, Kate Westberg","title":"Sport\u2019s Social Impact: Exploring Opportunities to Enhance Community Health and Consumer Wellbeing","description":"There is considerable literature suggesting the ways in which sport contributes positively to society and have a significant impact upon social wellbeing. It can not only enrich the lives of fans and participants, but society at large. It is readily accepted, for example, that sport can promote and amplify equality, cohesiveness and peace within society. Sport participation is associated with positive health outcomes that promote wellbeing as well as facilitating the development of aspirational qualities such as teamwork, leadership and the pursuit of excellence. Increasingly many sport organizations have adopted a mandate to promote awareness and behaviour change around issues such as domestic violence and diversity. Initiatives that capture social impact in sport are necessary to gain social, political and financial support for sport governing bodies, especially in the form of sponsorship.\nThe successful candidate would be supported to explore opportunities for sport to promote positive social change in areas that will deliver the greatest value to society; to identify how this impact can be further cultivated; ultimately how these insights can be used to further advance community benefits; and the implications for sport management policy and practice at governing organisations, such as Football Victoria (the governing body of soccer in the state). The nature of this community impact may well be in physical or mental health, or a range of other areas. This work would feed into marketing planning to shape appropriate policy and resourcing decisions within the sporting body to enable community sport to maximise its social impact.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaolu Hu, Caroline Chen","title":"The impact of immigration policy on firm value","description":"This project aims to estimate the impact of immigration on firm value in Australia. Previous research on immigration mainly focuses on macroeconomics such as its impact on labour market, demographic changes, and GDP growth. There is sparse literature taking a microeconomics perspective and analysing how firms react to and\/or are affected by immigration, particularly immigration policies.\nThis project will fill in this gap and be the first to provide an insight into how immigration affects an economy through its impacts on the firms. It has far reaching significance for both Australian policy makers and other immigration intensive countries.\nThis project will investigate how general immigration and individual immigration categories affect Australian firm value. Additionally, to address the endogeneity issues, the impact of immigration policies \u2013 which are considered as exogenous shocks, will be tested using an event study methodology. Furthermore, this project will estimate how immigration influence Australian firm value through various channels such as: first, labour force composition which leads the change of human resources, labour productivity, management team, business relationship and innovations; second, financial activities transformation like financing sources, cost of capital, financial market size and liquidity; third, consumption\/demand that changes the product market.\nImmigration data will be collected from ABS, data.gov.au, DoHA and the state government websites. Immigration policy data will be manually collected from DoHA and stat government websites and a Python program can be coded to capture the key words. Firm level data will be collected from Thomson Reuters DataStream and SIRCA and Google Patents.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stuart Thomas, Sarah Sinclair, Ashton de Silva","title":"Using Home Equity to \u201cAge in Place\u201d","description":"Many retiree households want to age in their own homes. The ability to finance this choice through the use of housing equity is not well understood or widely used. Yet, it is likely to become an increasingly important part of retirement funding in the near future.\nThe key focus of this research is to explore how households might realise their desire to age in place using home equity. Globally, utilising equity in the home to support quality of life in latter years is not new or uncommon. Yet in Australia it is not typically regarded as being a standard option by retirees. Notably, the market for home equity products is small which may also be limiting the extent to which retirees see this as a viable option.\nUsing equity to facilitate aging in place is likely to be seen as a more viable option- especially for retirees that are asset rich but income poor. Utilising equity in this way will likely lead to service innovations (e.g., in health) that will require a careful and well-thought out regulatory approach. Scoping the likely trends and their (unintended) consequences will be important consideration of this investigation.\nThe research is intended to examine the following themes:\na)The supply-side dynamics of the aged care sector, including supported in-home care and residential care,\nb)The demand-side considerations including consumer perceptions and appetites for choice and flexibility of care to suit current, anticipated and unanticipated needs,\nc)The financing options available to support ageing in place.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Van Vu, Gaoping Zheng","title":"Social platforms and corporate activities","description":"While social platforms (e.g., social media and stock forums) have received increasing attention in practitioner circles and among academics, the extent to which information is transmitted via social platforms and how this type of information could affect firm activities is not well understood. So long as the information from social platforms influences the perception of various stakeholders (such as customers, analysts, investors, or even regulators), it could have implications for real corporate activities. \r\nThis PhD project will apply theory and principles in social media and information transmission and behavioural finance to corporate finance, governance, and capital market. Specifically, the focus will be on whether and how the information on social platforms affects firms\u2019 real activities. In addition, we also investigate the economic channels of this effect. The social platform could work as an external governance mechanism to monitor a firm\u2019s performance and affect the firm operating, investing, and financing decisions. It could also directly affect the managers to change decisions within the firm by improving the internal governance and boosting the corporate social responsibilities to improve reputation and affect the reaction in the capital market.\r\nThe successful candidate is expected to have a solid background in finance and economics or accounting research methods, strong data analytical skills using STATA, SAS or Python programming, and experience working with different datasets.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammad Safiullah, Van Vu","title":"The implications of board diversity for corporate outcomes","description":"This project investigates the effect of having a diverse board of directors on corporate outcomes. In particular, we contribute to the literature that studies the values that female directors bring to the company. Prior literature suggests that female directors provide better oversight over managers, thus improving corporate governance practices. However, there is mixed evidence regarding the impact of board gender diversity on corporate outcomes. In addition, how female directors bring about better management oversight and advisory effectiveness is still not well understood. We aim to shed further light on these issues in this research. \r\nThe successful candidate is expected to have a solid understanding of finance theories (e.g., having a bachelor's degree in a finance-related field). Some experience in programming skills (SAS or Stata) and research publications is preferable. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Di Mo and Daniel Chai","title":"Adaptive Market Hypothesis in financial markets ","description":"The Adaptive Market Hypothesis (AMH) aims to reconcile market efficiency. AMH reunites the concepts of behavioral finance with the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH). The theory states that investments pass through cycles of bad and good performance mainly because of changing market conditions such as competition in the industries, the flexibility of investors, and the number of opportunities to gain profit. Due to the instant changes in market conditions, information technologies and market regulations, it is expected that market efficiency experiences cyclical patterns which AMH predicts. \r\n\r\nMarkets are interconnected and as such both global and specific market shocks can impact different markets. AMH has been used to explain a wide range of market phenomena such as seasonal patterns in stock prices. Recently, AMH is considered a dominant theory over EMH in explaining why issues in corporate social responsibility are not in security prices. In this project, we will explore AMH in explaining investment behavior and patterns in a wide range of financial assets including equities, commodities, and exchange rates across international markets. For example, in the equity space, AMH can be used to explain patterns in stock market anomalies. In commodities, AMH can be used to evaluate the general effect of the impact of specific events\/shocks on commodity performance. The finding of this project aims to improve our understanding of patterns and investor behaviour observed in financial assets. \r\n\r\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in finance and economics, research methods, strong data analytic skills, and experience working with large datasets. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement","forcodes":"350202 Finance "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Chai and Di Mo ","title":"The effect of intangibles on firm performance  ","description":"Company financial reports provide useful information for fundamental analysis. If every asset is priced, then information from the balance sheet is useful. However, empirical studies show that most listed firms are priced much higher than their accounting values. This indicates that the value of firms has shifted from tangible assets, such as land, buildings, and machinery, and financial assets, to intangibles, such as human capital, processes, data, and innovation. This is particularly so in research and development (R&D)-intense industries such as health care and information technology and\/or in services sectors such as consultancy. \r\n\r\nThe project aims to investigate the importance of intangibles in pricing stocks in global markets. Intangibles have been looked at in a number of studies. The conclusion from the finance literature is that intangibles are important in determining firm values. However, asset-pricing implications of intangibles have received less attention and this project aims to address this limitation by investigating the impact of intangibles on firms\u2019 financial performance.  \r\n\r\nThe project will be extended to explore the relationship between intangibles and firms\u2019 actions in sustainability. This is because many intangible resources do not meet the criteria of assets and are thus not capitalized as assets, such as the social and environmental costs in sustainable development. Successful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in finance and economics, research methods, strong data analytic skills, and experience working with large datasets. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement; GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance","forcodes":"350202 Finance "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Armin pourkhanali and Peyman Khezr","title":"Analysis of large-scale dynamical network: Case study of petrol station data","description":"The main goal of this study is to enhance our understanding of the energy industry, specifically the petrol station market, and to provide insights into the pricing and competition dynamics that exist within this complex ecosystem.\nThis project is a multidisciplinary effort that focuses on analysing the pricing strategies of petrol stations and interpreting the results using various modelling techniques. The aim of this research is to investigate the existence of competition between petrol stations located in close proximity to each other and to determine the extent of brand premium associated with different petrol station brands.\n\nTo achieve these goals, we will employ dynamic spatial panel models to analyse the petrol station data. Furthermore, we will evaluate the impact of external factors such as exogenous shocks, including price jumps and COVID-19 lockdowns, on the performance of petrol station networks. This study will utilize a range of econometrics and machine learning approaches to model the data.\n\nThe successful candidate for this project should have a solid understanding of data analysis (such as        AI and Data Analytics, economics) and be proficient in programming languages such as R, Python, or MATLAB. Previous experience in research publications is preferred. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Caroline Chen, Gaoping Zheng","title":"The two sides of crypto coins in the financial sector","description":"The markets for cryptocurrencies are burgeoning, attracting capital from every corner of the world as well as concerns on different aspects.  While there is some evidence indicating good investment returns from cryptocurrencies and supporting their role as a hedge and\/or safe haven, there are many concerns on whether cryptocurrency markets are becoming an unregulated playground for market manipulation, insider trading and money laundering. \nThis research aims to examine the use of cryptocurrency in the financial sector by using a mixed-method approach. This study will perform empirical analyses to identify the main users of cryptocurrencies, e.g., hedger, speculator, or market manipulator. In addition, surveys will be conducted with the relevant financial institutions and regulators to further analyze the adoption and the application of cryptocurrencies in the finance industry. Financial institutions and regulators play a crucial role in shaping the use of cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, other factors such as technological, economic, social, and regulatory factors and their impacts on cryptocurrency adoption and application should also be considered. The findings will provide insights into the current roles played by the cryptocurrency markets as well as the factors that need to be considered by the policy makers to shape these markets to their desirable uses. \n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"27\/03\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"350299 Banking, finance and investment not elsewhere classified (50%) ; 350204 Financial institutions (incl. banking) (25%) ; 350208 Investment and risk management (25%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ankita Mishra","title":"Income inequality and mental health in low- and middle-income countries","description":"Income inequality is a phenomenon that affects both high- and low-income countries. It has increasingly been at the forefront of global economic and political debates. Reducing income inequality within and across countries has become one of the core goals of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development (United Nations, 2015). With growing focus on mental health and wellbeing both in developed and developing nations, social scientists are now increasingly showing interest in the link between income inequality and individuals\u2019 mental health. However, most studies have focused on high-income countries while for low- and middle-income countries, the bulk of the literature looks at the association of mental health with poverty and other measures of deprivation. The literature on health and income inequality posits three hypotheses: \u2018neo-materialistic\u2019 hypothesis; \u2018social capital\u2019 hypothesis; and the \u2018status anxiety\u2019 hypothesis to explain their negative association. However very little work has been done towards testing these hypotheses to elucidate the pathways. For example, potential mediators of the income inequality- mental health relationship can range from education, healthcare infrastructures, social connectedness to status-oriented good consumption. In this project, we aim to conduct a deeper analysis on such mechanisms, focussing on selected low- and middle-income countries that have experienced high income inequality in the last decade. Importantly, we aim to provide important insights into the various mechanisms through which income inequality affects mental health.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"380108        Health economics (25%) ; 440404        Political economy and social change (25%) ; 440405 Poverty, inclusivity and wellbeing (50%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen","title":"Internationalisation, Financial Integration and Bank risk","description":"The traditional portfolio theory argues that geographic expansion can lower bank risks if returns generated by additional assets are imperfectly correlated with those generated by existing assets. However, geographic expansion may hinder bank headquarters\u2019 capacity to monitor their subsidiaries and branches abroad, hence, yielding a potentially negative impact on overall bank asset quality. The recent global banking and financial crises have further reinvigorated the debate on the benefits of financial market integration. Financial integration may increase the risk of cross border contagion and thus the probability of widespread banking failures. As bank risk can have a first-order effect on financial and economic stability, mitigating bank risk has become a focus of many national and international regulations to avoid future financial crises. Much of the focus on such reforms has been on constraining banks\u2019 risk within one country. However, banks may engage in regulatory arbitrage, circumventing strict domestic regulations by taking more risk abroad. This raises the question of how bank internationalization affects the risk of individual banks, especially in the context of current financial integration. Our research project aims to address this critical research question. The study is expected to have important implications for policy makers on adjusting supervisory approaches and structures to the geographical scope of banking activities, reducing the likelihood of individual as well as widespread banking crises.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"150201; 150203; 150299"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong, Armin Pourkhanali","title":"The impact of digital finance on household consumptions in Australia","description":"As the world transitions from traditional finance to digital era (mobile payment and internet banking and shopping), it is critical to understand how digital finance affects household consumption. This project aims to better understand the challenges posed by digital transformation in financial markets. Expanding digital financial services underpins many human activities, and nowhere is it truer than in developed countries and large cities. The specific aim of this project is to examine impacts of the digital finance on household consumption and explore its mechanisms. We also aim to explore the impact of an exogenous shock (i.e. Covid pandemic) on digital financial service, and what can be learned from the exogenous variation.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, strong data analytic skills, experience working with large datasets. For the candidate, this offers a unique opportunity to gain understanding and expertise in the research area of digital financial.","sdg":"3 Good health and wellbeing","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"STS 3 Energy","forcodes":"350202 finance (40%)\r350203 financial econometrics (30%)\r350205 household finance (30%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen, Gaoping Zheng","title":"Financial Technology Development and Financial System Stability in China","description":"Modern technology has led to increased globalization and interaction of financial markets, resulting in a more complex global financial system. While this complexity provides opportunities for development, it also leads to higher synchronization and unpredictable consequences, including economic imbalances. In response to the 2008 financial crisis, the financial industry began implementing innovative digital approaches, known as financial technology (FinTech), to provide better financial services. However, the implementation of FinTech threatens the sustainability of the global financial system, as it changes the financial system's architecture and creates potentially unstable and uncertain environments. Traditional participants in the financial industry have been forced to modernize their activities to remain competitive, but regulators are not yet able to withstand these new challenges, leading to increased uncertainty and turbulence. This project investigates the impact of FinTech development on financial system stability in China, a global leader in FinTech. It further analyses the effectiveness of institutional support by the Chinese government, such as the development of prudential standards and revision of the licensing regime for financial companies in mitigating the negative consequence of Fintech development on financial stability. Such understanding is crucial for policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders in China and other countries around the world.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Robyn Barnacle, Amanda Berry, Arnan Mitchell","title":"COMBS PhD scholarship in Equality Diversity and Inclusion in STEM","description":"We are excited to announce a fully funded PhD scholarship on diversity and inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This project offers a unique opportunity to investigate the research culture of a community of researchers engaged in frontier science from the inside. You will be working with an interdisciplinary research team located within the prestigious Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS). ","sdg":"5 - Gender Equality","funded":"","closedate":"2025-11-30","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"441007        Sociology and social studies of science and technology \n440710        Research, science and technology policy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        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                                                                                                                          "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"STEM\/STEAM","programcode":"DR209 PhD (Education)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amanda Berry, Arnon Mitchell Centre of Excellence COMBS","title":"PhD scholarship in Science Education and Outreach","description":"COMBS seeks expressions of interest from eligible graduates for a funded PhD in Education. This PhD project presents an opportunity to study how frontier science, in the context of optical frequency comb (COMB) technology, can be meaningfully introduced to school aged learners. The project sits within a nationally funded interdisciplinary research centre (ARC COMBS) of collaborating universities and industry partners. This PhD project will investigate how teachers can be supported to develop the confidence and knowledge to effectively bring the applications and discoveries of this frontier science into their teaching in a way that motivates and engages learners and contributes to the advancement of science education on a national scale.\n\nThe project can be shaped by the applicant\u2019s own interests and areas of expertise in consultation with the supervisory team, provided it is consistent with COMBS\u2019 mission. For example, the project may focus on particular target groups of students (e.g., primary, secondary, regional, girls, low SES), address specific aspects of the science curriculum (e.g., light, optics), or be more broadly directed to improving connections and understanding between the worlds of scientists and school students. The candidate should be willing to work collaboratively with a team of COMBS Chief Investigators \u2013 interdisciplinary researchers \u2013 some of whom will not be based in Melbourne. Experience in science\/STEM education research and its methods is highly desirable. COMBS is making a budget available for travel and other costs needed to make this a successful and meaningful PhD project.\n","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-03-03","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390113 Science Technology and Engineering Curriculum & Pedagogy\n390307 Teacher Education and the Professional development of Educators "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Sociology of Education","programcode":"DR209","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amanda Berry","title":"Planning for effective parent-school partnerships for students with a disability","description":"Fully Funded PhD Opportunity in Educational Research \u2013 Inclusive education\r\n\r\nThis is a unique opportunity to undertake a fully funded PhD (fees + living stipend) in educational research. The successful applicant will work with academics at RMIT\u2019s School of Education and with industry partner Noah\u2019s Ark, who are the project funders. The successful applicant will work between the University and the industry partner to design, develop and carry out the research project named below. \r\n\r\nNoah\u2019s Ark in partnership with RMIT University School of Education.\r\n\r\nTitle \u2018Planning for effective parent-school partnerships for students with a disability\u2019\r\n\r\nKeywords: parent-school partnerships, inclusion, disability, schools. \r\n\r\nThis fully funded PhD scholarship will investigate what factors facilitate an effective parent-school partnerships for students with a disability. Knowledge gained is designed to help school and families plan for effective partnerships, benefitting students with a disability.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, in scope, this project will: \r\n-\tinvolve students with a disability who are in receipt of NDIS funding as well as those awaiting funding\/a diagnosis entitling them to NDIS funding\r\n-\tinvestigate this topic in a mixture of regional and metropolitan primary schools in Victoria \r\n-\tideally involve schools in the Catholic Education and public education sectors in Victoria \r\nMethodology: Mixed methods and\/or qualitative. \r\n\r\nCommencement date: 30 September 2023.\r\n\r\nCompletion: 30 September 2026.\r\n\r\nThe candidate is required to successfully complete all HDR milestones as required by RMIT Policy. Exact dates for completion are scheduled by the School of Graduate Research (SGR).\r\nThe three milestones are: \r\n\u2022\tConfirmation of Candidature\r\n\u2022\tSecond Milestone Review \r\n\u2022\tThird Milestone Review.\r\nPlease refer to policy set out here: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/students\/my-course\/research-students\/milestones.\r","sdg":"10 - Reduced Inequalities,4 - Quality Education","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390407 Inclusive Education \r\n390411\tSpecial education and disability\r\n390201\tEducation policy"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Daniel Harris","title":"Creative Agency Research Lab","description":"The Creative Agency Research Lab is a thriving hub for multi-disciplinary studies of creativity across the educational life-course. We are an open community of researchers, educators, creative practitioners, and industry professionals who share a commitment to creativity as a catalyst for social change in response to global challenges. Our members are actively developing new ways to address the most pressing issues of our times, including climate change, socio-economic inequality, the mental health crisis, and rapid advances in science and technology. We specialise in co-developing creative pedagogies and methodologies in collaboration with communities, working closely with children, young people, and diverse communities of all ages to co-create educational benefit, impact, and transformation. As a seed bed for creative research and social innovation across educational, cultural, community, industry, and governmental sectors, the Creative Agency Research Lab offers a generative and radically inclusive space for re-imagining what education can be, do, and become in the 21st century. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1300"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"David Rousell","title":"Climate Change and Sustainable Education Futures","description":"The United Nations acknowledges that education is the single most important factor in effectively mitigating and adapting to climate change and achieving more sustainable futures across local and global scales. RMIT\u2019s School of Education has a longstanding commitment to the UN\u2019s Sustainable Development Goals and produces cutting-edge research which directly addresses Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and Goal 13 (Climate Action). The school\u2019s research on climate change and sustainable education futures is world-leading in its integration of multiple disciplines, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks, in many cases bridging approaches across the social sciences, art and design, the humanities, and physical sciences. This methodological diversity is essential to addressing climate change as a planetary-scale crisis which also manifests locally in highly specific ways. The complex implications of climate change effectively demand a re-imagining of the entire field of education, including how we think, live, practice, and understand educational systems and institutions, curriculum and pedagogy, teaching and learning, research and impact, justice and community-building under 21st century conditions. Research in the School of Education research is breaking new ground in facilitating this re-imagining through critical and creative research in collaboration with diverse educational communities. Our innovations in participatory research, co-design, and social practice have led to collaborative outcomes and impacts that reflect the values of children, young people, and communities whose lives and educations will be most severely impacted by climate change. Our researchers are active within leading national and international networks of knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of climate change education, and supported by close associations with other research entities across RMIT, including the Creative Agency Research Lab; Enabling Capability Platforms (ECPS) in Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, and Urban Futures; the Mapping Future Imaginaries (MFI) network as well as the newly established Climate Change Research Network (CCR-Net). ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1300"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Naomi Wilks-Smith","title":"Languages, Literacy and Schooling","description":"The School of Education at RMIT has a strong and innovation Languages and Literacy teaching and research team with a focus on the diversity of linguistic backgrounds that students bring to the teaching and learning situation. Our work brings together strong aspects of the evidence based and the science of reading whilst recognising and catering for the language worlds that students in an urban setting bring to the classroom. Recent theorising around translanguaging and the recognition of young children\u2019s linguistic expertise in languages other than English drives the research focus of the group. A further element of our work is linked to children as readers and the books and materials that they read. A focus on children\u2019s literature which represents to myriads of worlds that children bring to school drives our research and teaching focus. One project works with Teachers as Readers with a purpose for teachers to grow their appreciation of the importance of quality reading materials. A further focus of our work is the role of emotional and social learning through books and literacy materials in the early years.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1300"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Emily Gray","title":"Inclusive education, social justice and equity","description":"The School of Education has a long history of learning, teaching and researching issues of diversity, difference and inclusion. We have a deep understanding of formal and informal educational spaces which includes engaging with public pedagogies. This works takes place in collaboration with the Social Change ECP and other spaces within and outside of RMIT that are dedicated to social justice and equity. In an increasingly fractured world, it is important to interrogate the hopes and possibilities for social justice and equity and their relationships to education.  Education plays a vital role in addressing issues of inequality for minorities across the globe, and we seek to imagine different possible futures within which education writ large works to meet the needs of individuals and communities to ameliorate intersecting inequalities, and therefore to address social justice more broadly.","sdg":"1 No Poverty; SDG 4 Quality Education; SDG 5 Gender Equality; SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390201 Education policy\r390202 history and philosophy of education\r390203 sociology of education\r390302 Early childhood education\r390303 Higher education\r390304 Primary education\r390305 Professional education and training\r390306 Secondary education\r390307 teacher education and professional development of teachers 390406 Gender, sexuality and education\r390407 Inclusive education\r390410 Multicultural Education (excl. ATSI & Maori Ed)\r390411 Special Education and disability\r390412 Teacher and student wellbeing\r450201 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Naomi Wilks-Smith","title":"Learning and Teaching Across the Lifespan","description":"The School of Education at RMIT are leaders in educational research and innovation. Learning and teaching are central to our work which covers the lifespan of learning, including early childhood, primary, secondary, and adult higher educational and life learning. Our research focuses on supporting teachers and educators at all career stages to build resilient futures for themselves and the students and communities they serve. It often involves collaborations with industry partners, including place-based and school-based research which is sensitive to unique teaching-learning contexts, including in urban, regional, rural and remote locations. Research may also focus on global, international contexts. Our educational research values praxis-based pedagogy that drives research-informed teaching and teacher-informed research and utilises a variety of research methods to explore these. In an ever changing and uncertain world, teachers and educators need to be well prepared and equipped to support diverse student needs and futures. Our research broadly aims to contribute to ongoing knowledge and positively impact the directions of future teaching-learning practice, improving the education of learners and effecting transformative change in classrooms and schools.","sdg":"4 Quality Education, 5 Gender equality, 17 Partnerships for the goals.","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390102 Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development 390114 Vocational education and training curriculum and pedagogy 390115 Work integrated learning (incl. internships) 390301 Continuing and community education 390302 Early childhood education 390303 Higher education 390304 Primary education 390305 Professional education and training 390306 Secondary education 390307 Teacher education and professional development of educators 390308 Technical, further and workplace education 390401 Comparative and cross-cultural education 390403 Educational administration, management and leadership 390412 Teacher and student wellbeing"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tasos Barkatsas","title":"STEM, Industry 4.0 and the learning sciences","description":"The School of Education at RMIT has a strong STEM teaching and research emphasis, reflective of our position as a university with a reputation for being at the forefront of technology, design and innovation. Our STEM work and understandings continue to expand as society moves closer to the higher-skilled knowledge and service-based industries that directly contribute to the transition to Industry 4.0, which is characterised by new and emerging technologies and the opening up of global markets. Our research approaches view STEM as existing on a continuum with our applied research improving practice in the singular discipline areas of mathematics, science, design engineering and technology.  We contribute to a growing body of knowledge in interdisciplinary STEM and learning sciences, incorporating diverse areas of human endeavour such as, neuroscience, cognitive science, instructional design, computer science and innovative teaching practices.  Our research is grounded in approaches that are underpinned by attributes such as curiosity, creativity, higher-order thinking, problem-solving and innovation and contributes to the key 21st century skills of critical and computational thinking, reasoning, communication and collaboration. Through our research work, we seek to contribute to a society where all individuals can both comprehend and utilise STEM skills and knowledges to navigate their daily lives in increasingly complex working and living environments.","sdg":"8 Decent work and economic growth 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"90113 Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy\r390304 Primary education 390307 Teacher education and professional development of educators\r390401 Comparative and cross-cultural education\r390115 Work integrated learning (incl. internships)\r390307 Teacher education and professional development of educators\r390199 Curriculum and pedagogy not elsewhere classified\r390402 Education assessment and evaluation\r390109 Mathematics and numeracy curriculum and pedagogy\r390306 Secondary Education\r3901 Curriculum\/Pedagogy\r3903 Education systems\r3999 Other education\r390303 Higher Education"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/ DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng) ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chrystal Zhang, Dorian Notman, Jose da Silva","title":"Balancing Economic and Environmental sustainability in air service development-case of Australia ","description":"Despite of contributing approximately 2% to 3% of the global emissions, the aviation industry has become under heavy scrutiny of the respective authorities. Airports have the dual obligations of maximizing the socioeconomic positives while minimizing the environmental negatives (Desharnais, J. 2021). Despite of airports generating substantial positive economic impacts to its serving regions, their expansion to accommodate the growing demand is often impeded between economic benefits and sustainability outcomes. While airport\u2019s sustainable reports have mentioned Sustainable Flying practices (support decarbonizing in flying), most of the research conducted in this niche has been specific to either comparing aircraft fuel burn against airline\u2019s route network models (O\u2019Kelly, M.E. 2012), (Baumeister, S. 2017), (Rosenow, J. et.al 2017) or comparing different route network models (O\u2019Kelly, M.E.; Park, Y. 2023, Eskenazi, A.G.  et. Al 2023). To address this knowledge gap, this project intends to investigate 1) the barriers for maintaining a balance in economic and environmental sustainability in developing air services strategies at Australian International Airports, and 2) Develop a framework using parameters supporting a balanced economic and environmentally sustainable air services development. The proposed research will facilitate the key aviation stakeholders such as airports to develop concrete measures to contribute to the net zero commitment in response to Australia government\u2019s call in its Aviation Green paper. The project proposes to adopt qualitative approach with data to be collected in major airport across Australia. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350901        Air transportation and freight services, 40%\n410404        Environmental management, 40%\n330408        Strategic, metropolitan and regional planning, 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/ DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng) ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chrystal Zhang","title":"Promoting gender equality in global airline industry","description":"Gender imbalance in workforce has been documented in many industries including airline industry, where women take 5% of airline CEOs and 3% of the board members (IATA). Women are also underrepresented in technical professions such as pilots and aviation engineers, who takes 5% and 13% respectively (IATA 2021). The pandemic had an advert effect on gender disparities in global aviation industry, as women have borne the brunt of the pandemic's economic consequences, with a higher risk of being laid off or having their hours and salaries decreased (McKinsey Global Institute 2020). An increasing interest in examining gender equality issues helped shed light on our understanding of the gender matters, however, there is little investigation in global airline industry. To this effect, this project intends to examine the enablers and barriers that affect female\u2019s pursuit for a professional career and senior management role in global airline industry. Mixed research methods will be adopted. Qualitative data will come from semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions while quantitative data will come from a couple rounds of surveys with both industry professionals and public. Industry databases such as that of ICAO, IATA, ACI and aviation organisation\u2019s websites and various reports will be reviewed for secondary data collection. Content analysis and statistical analyses will be applied to the synthesized data. The prospective findings will be used to establish best practices in promoting gender equality across the industry. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350901, Air transportation and freight services\r\n350502, employment equity and diversity"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das, Raj Ladani","title":"Damage Tolerant 3D Printed Composite Materials for Engineering Applications","description":"Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing is emerging to be a promising and feasible method for manufacturing of continuous fibre reinforced polymer composites. The versatility in fabricating complex shapes along with desired multifunctional properties have led to increased application of 3D printing in a variety of engineering products in aerospace, automotive, biomedical and architecture areas. However, fibre-reinforced polymer composites manufactured by 3D printing processes often have lower mechanical properties, including damage tolerance and fatigue life, compared to those manufactured by conventional processes, such as the resin transfer moulding and injection moulding. This is usually caused by manufacturing induced deficiencies in the composite quality (e.g., fibre waviness) and defects (e.g, voids, fibre breakage, cracks, etc.) produced during the 3D printing process. A lack of sufficient knowledge and design tools in the failure and life time prediction implies that the composite structures are often over designed with a large factor of safety, and numerous tests are to be performed on prototypes for prediction of performance over the required life time.\n\nThe aims of the research are to develop efficient and accurate computational and experimental methodologies for characterising hybrid, multifunctional 3D printed fibre-polymer composites and explore novel techniques for enhancing the fracture toughness and damage tolerance properties in order to develop next generation 3D printed composites with high strength and toughness. \nThe project provides opportunities to collaborate with aircraft industries and research institutes in the UK and Germany. Knowledge and background in Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n\nThe key outcomes of the project will be new understanding of damage tolerance characteristics in 3D-printed continuous fibre polymer composites, and development and characterisation of novel concepts to enhance damage tolerance. The expected outcomes of this research will also incorporate well-validated computational analysis methods to predict failure modes, and quantify defect and damage produced in 3D printed fibre polymer composites. The models can be used to predict mechanical behaviour and residual strength and estimate fatigue life of 3D printed composite structures under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The modelling and optimisation tools will then be used in developing high strength composites with high durability and longer service life for critical engineering components.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 Solid Mechanics (25%)\n400101 Aerospace Materials (25%)        \n401602 Composite and Hybrid Materials (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Defect Analysis and Fatigue Life Prediction in Additively Manufactured Alloys using Machine Learning","description":"Additive manufacturing (AM) is widely utilized to create intricate and custom-shaped components. However, the process can introduce internal defects, such as lack of fusion, porosities, and unmelted particles, which significantly reduce the fatigue performance of the materials. The current fatigue assessment methods for AM alloys rely on empirical relationships between initial defect characteristics and stress\/strain states. These methods fail to account for the anisotropic evolution of defects and their interactions with fatigue damage.\n\nTo address this limitation, this project aims to develop an innovative fatigue damage model that incorporates detailed defect characteristics using machine learning and multiscale modeling. High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) will be employed to observe and quantify the dynamic changes of defects in AM Ni-based alloys with varying porosities and printing orientations during fatigue testing.\n\nThrough machine learning analysis, fatigue damage-sensitive defects will be identified and categorized based on various defect properties such as defect center, equivalent diameter, sphericity, and aspect ratio. This information will be used to create a fully connected deep neural network that correlates the 3D defect data with microscopic fatigue damage.\n\nTo simulate the evolution of defects and fatigue damage under mechanical loads, critical defects will be incorporated into a 3D representative volume elements (RVE) model. Multiphase phase-field methods will be employed in the RVE simulation to model the evolution and interaction of defects and fatigue cracks. The accuracy of these simulations will be validated against the defect evolution observed through CT imaging. This approach will introduce a novel tensorial variable of defects within a thermodynamically consistent modelling framework.\n\nFinally, a hierarchical artificial neural network will be introduced to integrate the damage-sensitive defect characteristics layer by layer into a macroscopic anisotropic fatigue damage model. This mechanism-informed fatigue damage model will enhance our understanding of the relationship between defects, damage, and performance in AM components.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401607 Metals and Alloy Materials (50%)        \n400102 Aerospace Structures (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das, Simon Barter","title":"Manufacturing Alloys with Refined Microstructure through Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) for High strength and Radiation Resistance","description":"It is well known that severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods such as equal channel angular processing (ECAP), high pressure torsion (HPT) and accumulative roll bonding (ARB) are capable of refining the grain size of a large range of alloys, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties such as yield strength and toughness. Moreover, a small grain size also results in increased interfacial area per unit volume of the material, as the grain boundary (GB) area increases with decreasing grain size. Since grain boundaries act as effective sinks for radiation induced defects such as vacancies and self-interstitial atoms (SIAs), the increase in GB area through grain refinement improves the radiation damage resistance of a material.\n\nThus, the SPD technique will provide a novel way of manufacturing materials with refined grains which will have potentially enhanced mechanical properties and improved radiation tolerance.\nThe aim of this project is to manufacture novel materials with high strength and radiation tolerance using SPD techniques, characterize them with advanced techniques such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), irradiate them with high energy particles such as He or heavy ions (e.g. Fe, Ni, Cr, etc.), and study the changes in mechanical properties due to the irradiation through nano-indentation in situ micro-mechanical testing.\n\nIon irradiation is the ideal irradiation mode as it is fast and allows the application of a high radiation dose within hours or days, in contrast with neutron irradiation, which can take years to achieve the same dose. Moreover, ion irradiation is much safer as it does not cause radioactivity in the samples in most cases, unlike neutron irradiation. The small scale testing technique is of crucial importance here as the ion-irradiated layer thickness ranges from a few hundred nm to a few microns, and it is essential to test only this affected volume in order to assess the changes due to ion-irradiation.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401401 Additive manufacturing (50%)\n080110 Simulation and Modelling (25%)\n401607 Metals and Alloy Materials (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Matthew Marino, Nick Brown","title":"Uncrewed Aerial System solutions for Humanitarian Action","description":"In 2021, there were 367 climate-related disasters, accounting for the lives of over 10,000 people and negatively impacting and disrupting the livelihoods of over 104 million people (CRED 2021). Engineers, and problem-solving capabilities are well placed to contribute to humanitarian action arising from disaster or conflict with complex emergencies requiring complex responses and consideration for long-term consequences (Davis and Lambert, 2002 p.1). Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, distributed ledger technologies, and uncrewed aerial systems are a type of engineering solution, increasingly used to support humanitarian and development efforts. However, the humanitarian sector is widely known to operate with stretched resources and capabilities which hinders its innovative ecosystem (Ramalingam et al. 2015), often inducing organisations to outsource R&D services or turn to commercial tools, which are not designed for the complexity of humanitarian and development contexts (Young & Jurko 2021). There are instances of AI-supported uncrewed aerial systems are speeding up the assessment and response after a disaster see Munawar et al. (2021) but there is still plenty of opportunity to develop solutions that are appropriate for application in humanitarian contexts. \nThis research project will develop Uncrewed Aerial Systems specifically for use in humanitarian action such as response. The project will have to understand the unique operating environments that UAS may be present, including robustness, this could mean ensuring medium to long-term observation and monitoring capabilities covering disaster-prone areas requiring durability against high winds (cyclone), ash (volcanic eruption\/bushfires), rain (flooding). The project can look at problems that exist, both for applications in emergency response and disaster management in Australia as well as internationally. \nObservation monitoring and feedback to operators and decision-makers on the bound is of key importance. The project could engage Research End Users such as Swoop aero, Zipline, UN OCHA and other humanitarian organisations.  \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400199"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Ladani, Everson Kandare","title":"3D Reinforced Multifunctional Fibre Polymer Composites","description":"Fibre reinforced polymer composites are susceptible to interlaminar and intralaminar delamination damage resulting from impact, fatigue or overloading. The delamination resistance of composite laminates can be improved by through-the-thickness reinforcement using various techniques including three-dimensional weaving, stitching, z-anchoring, z-pinning and tufting [1]. Through-thickness reinforcement using fibre tow or metal wires can enable multifunctionality in composites by promoting a wide range of mechanical, structural, electrical, thermal and sensing properties. Recently, 3D weaving and tufting using metal wires have been demonstrated to engender multifunctional properties to laminated composites, such as greater fracture toughness, higher thermal and electrical conductivity, damage sensing and joining properties [2-7].   \r\n\r\nThis project will investigate a new type of 3D reinforced fibre polymer composite containing shape memory alloy wires as through-the-thickness reinforcement to promote their multifunctional properties. In particular, the project aims to demonstrate a new functionality for composite materials to close delamination cracks using thermally activated shape memory effect of the through-thickness reinforcements. The project will systematically investigate the effects of the through-thickness reinforcement material, volume content, geometry, etc on the mechanical, structural, electrical, thermal and sensing properties of the 3D reinforced composites using experimental testing and finite element modelling. Mechanical properties such as interlaminar fracture toughness, fatigue resistance, tensile and compression strength of the laminated composites and their structural joints will be investigated. Microstructural characterisations will be conducted to identify the effect of through-thickness reinforcement on the microstructure of composite laminates. Damage tolerance studies will be conducted to assess the residual strength of impacted 3D reinforced composite laminates. This research will enable the creation of high-performance composites materials with multifunctionality for wide-ranging application.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Mouritz AP, Bannister MK, Falzon PJ, Leong KH. Review of applications for advanced three-dimensional fibre textile composites, Comp A, 1999;30:1445-1461.\r\n[2] Ladani RB, Pingakarawat K., Nguyen ATT, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Delamination toughening and healing performance of woven composites with hybrid 3D fibre reinforcements, Comp A. 2018,110:258-267.\r\n[3] Ciampa F, Ladani R, Knott G, Buns T, Foreman AD, Meeks C, Steele A, Cooper T, Phillips A, Mouritz AP. Shape memory alloy tufted composites combining high delamination resistant and crack closure properties. Comp A. 2021;147:106455.\r\n[4] Khor W, Ravindran AR, Ciampa F, Ladani RB, Limprapuwiwattana M, Whitton P, Foreman AD, Meeks C, Steele A, Cooper T, Rider A. Improving the damage tolerance of composite T-joints using shape memory alloy tufts. Comp A. 2023;168:107474.\r\n[5] Abbasi S, Ladani R, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Improving the delamination resistance of fibre reinforced polymer composites using 3D woven metal z-filaments. Comp Sci Tech. 2020;198:108301.\r\n[6] Abbasi S, Ladani R, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Boosting the electrical conductivity of polymer matrix composites using low resistivity z-filaments. Mats & Des;2020;195:109014.\r\n[7] Abbasi S, Ladani RB, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Improving the structural properties of composite T-joints by z-weaving of continuous metallic filaments. Comp Struct. 2021;260:113509.\r\n\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"90102 Aerospace Materials (30%) , \r\n91202 Composite and Hybrid Materials (40%), \r\n91006 Manufacturing process and technologies (30%)."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abdulghani Mohamed","title":"Studying Bird Flight in Turbulence","description":"The project aims to discover how birds perceive and cope with turbulence in order to greatly increase the steadiness of aircraft flight through turbulent air. Initial research showed that by adapting novel sensors, inspired by the sensory functions of birds, the flight performance and safety in turbulence is significantly improved. As part of this proposal, other avian turbulence mitigation strategies will be discovered through wind tunnel experimentation in repeatable gust(s) and turbulence. The discovered avian strategies will be adapted for human-made aircraft, to enable ultra-stable flight in turbulence. The project will involve access to a detailed database of bird flight which offers an opportunity for analysing data for a variety of purposes related to adaption for aircraft. Project scope can be in different areas including flight control, biomimetic & bioinsipiration, machine learning, AI, robotics etc...","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Abdulghani Mohamed","title":"Turbulence Detection Sensor for Aircraft","description":"Small unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are flying sensory platforms, well-suited to autonomous surveillance. However their operational capability is severely limited in windy conditions. The undesirable aircraft motion caused by turbulence in the wind blur image data, curtail the number of flying days per year and result in aborted flights (e.g., crashes). Reducing the size of UAVs increases the challenges of holding a steady flight path. A patented, biomimetic technique of \u00e2\u20ac\u2122feeling\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 a way through turbulent air has demonstrated enormous promise, with far steadier flight being demonstrated than is possible with existing inertial-based stabilization: https:\/\/youtu.be\/m_2-bblBmQY . The technique involves sensing upstream wind gusts and providing control inputs to counteract the impending undesirable motions much earlier than current technology permits. To-date we have \u00e2\u20ac\u0153sensed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the upstream turbulent air using pressure probes forward of each wing. This PhD project proposes to build on this prior success, extending the technique to incorporate improved sensing using new, non-invasive sensors (e.g. micro LIDAR and \/ or RADAR). Key characteristics of upstream turbulence will be determined to permit evasive control movements in a far timelier manner than is currently possible. The systems will be evaluated via wind-tunnel flight tests of small UAVs in turbulent flows, followed by outdoor flight trials under a range of adverse turbulent winds. The aim of the research is to enhance autonomous flight by enabling ultra-stable flight of increasingly small UAVs in the presence of atmospheric turbulence through the optimisation of a turbulence detection and rejection system. Prerequisites: Holds a degree in any of Physics, Electronics, Telecommunications, or related fields.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Orifici","title":"Novel technologies for composite aircraft structures","description":"This project will develop novel technologies for aircraft structures using fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Aircraft structures present numerous complex design challenges, based around the need to enhance performance within a weight-critical context. The project will build on previous work that has investigated such aspects as: \n * bio-inspired features (e.g. hierarchical toughness and strengthening, control of fracture to mimic biological processes and mechanisms); \n * aircraft repair (e.g. bonded and bolted repairs, design optimisation, dissimilar adherends, damage tolerance and effect of defects, environmental effects)\n * postbuckling structures (e.g. skin-stiffener interface failure; interaction of damage mechanisms)\n * 3D printing of metals and composites (e.g. SLM printing for metal-composite hybrid joints; 3D printing of continuous fibre composites)\n * through-thickness reinforcements (e.g. pinned reinforced joints, novel bio-inspired pin features and pin types, effect and optimisation of pin insertion)\n \n The project will focus on quantifying the performance enhancement from the novel technology in comparison with traditional techniques, and the mechanisms driving performance enhancement at the different length scales. The project will also develop and apply high fidelity computational modelling to investigate and optimise the performance of composite aircraft structures","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andoh Michael Afful","title":"Autonomous Operations for Distributed Satellite Systems","description":"Distributed satellite systems (DSS) consist of two or more satellites working together to accomplish a goal that is otherwise infeasible with traditional monolithic spacecraft. Depending on the objective, different concepts for such systems have been designed and developed. They are mostly characterised by the distance between the satellites and the level of control accuracy. Examples of distributed satellite system architectures include constellations, trains, clusters, swarms, fractionated and federated satellites. DSS concepts are paving the way for new possibilities in science and space exploration; and new architectures are being explored and exploited using associated technologies to create the high level of adaptability, robustness, and autonomy required to increase the chances of success of operating in a largely unknown space environment. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) has been identified as having enormous promise within the satellite and space technology fields and may enable the achievement of various short- and long-term goals for space applications. The technology will go beyond automated planning and scheduling phase and include different mission phases, from conceiving the preliminary design to the mission operation phase. The goal of this project is to develop AI and Machine Learning (AI\/ML) software to explore autonomous operation for Space Domain Awareness (SDA). The project will seek to advance the understanding of model-based methods for hardware and physical processes to track the states of the system and detect deviations from nominal behaviour and data-driven approaches based on ML techniques. The project will explore DSS architectures for long-term formation maintenance and onboard autonomy for SDA and\/or Development of AI\/ML algorithms for DSS mission-planning architectures that incorporate technical, economic, strategic, legal, and regulatory constraints on the DSS system for space operations. Insights gained from this research will inform the future development of space system engineering and its associated cyber-physical architectures for SDA.\n \n References\n  E. Lagona, S. Hilton, A. M. Afful, A. Gardi, R. Sabatini \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Autonomous Trajectory Optimisation for Intelligent Satellite Systems Operations and Space Traffic Management\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Acta Astronautica, vol 194, pp. 185-201, 2022\n J. Guo, D. Maessen and E. Gill, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fractionated spacecraft: The new sprout in distributed space systems,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Guo, J., D. Maessen, and E. Gill, Fractionated spacecraft: The new sprout in distributed space systems. Vol. 8. 2009., 2009. \n W. YAO, X. CHEN, Y. ZHAO and M. v. TOOREN, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 A Fractionated Spacecraft System Assessment Tool Based on Lifecycle Simulation Under Uncertainty.,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 71-82, 2012. \n O. Brown and P. Eremenko, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fractionated Space Architectures: A Vision for Responsive Space,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in 4th Responsive Space Conference, Los Angeles, 2006. \n O. Brown and P. Eremenko, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Value Proposition for Fractionated Space Architectures.,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in AIAA SPACE Forum, 2006. \n J. Lafleur and J. Saleh, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153GT-FAST: A Point Design Tool for Rapid Fractionated Spacecraft Sizing and Synthesis,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in AIAA SPACE 2009 Conference & Exposition., 2009. \n A. Golkar and I. L. i. Cruz, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Federated Satellite Systems paradigm: Concept and business case evaluation.,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Acta Astronautica, vol. 111, pp. 230-248, 2015. \n I. Lluch and A. Golkar, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Design Implications for Missions Participating in Federated Satellite Systems,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, vol. 52, no. 5, pp. 1361 - 1374, 2015. \n J. A. Ruiz-de-Azua, L. Fernandez, J. F. Mu\u00c3\u00b1oz, M. Badia, R. Castella, C. Diez, A. Aguilella, S. Briatore, N. Garzaniti, A. Calveras, A. Golkar and A. Camps, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Proof-of-Concept of a Federated Satellite System Between Two 6-Unit CubeSats for Distributed Earth Observation Satellite Systems,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in IGARSS 2019 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andoh Michael Afful","title":"Autonomous Manoeuvring and Satellite Resilience","description":"Growing congestion in space has increased the need for spacecraft to develop resilience capabilities in response to natural and man-made hazards. Equipping satellites with increased manoeuvring capability has the potential to enhance resilience by altering their arrival conditions as they enter potentially hazardous regions. Reliance on space capabilities for defence and commercial operations and the global nature of space systems make it impossible to avoid overflying potentially hostile areas of the globe. Resilience through avoidance in space may be achieved by preventing the occurrence of hostile action. One way to prevent hostile action is to introduce uncertainty into the arrival conditions of space assets when they overfly potentially hazardous geographic regions. This uncertainty may be achieved by equipping space assets with enhanced manoeuvring capability that would allow them to modify their arrival conditions from those predicted by previous observations and orbit prediction algorithms. This project will develop manoeuvres to enhance resiliency and investigate the viability of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and optimisation techniques and tools to enable spacecraft autonomy.\n \n References\n E. Lagona, S. Hilton, A. M. Afful, A. Gardi, R. Sabatini \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Autonomous Trajectory Optimisation for Intelligent Satellite Systems Operations and Space Traffic Management\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Acta Astronautica, vol 194, pp. 185-201, 2022\n R. Burch, Resilient Space System Design: An Introduction, Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis, 2020\n M. Vasile, E. Minisci and K. Tang, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Computational Intelligence in Aerospace Science and Engineering,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine, vol. 12, pp. 12-13, 2017.\n P. Fortescue, Spacecraft Systems Engineering, 4th ed., West Sussex: Wiley, 2011.\n K. Thangavel, A. M. Afful, K. Ranasinghe, S. Hilton, S. Bijjahalli, A. Gardi and R. Sabatini, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Artificial Intelligence for Trusted Autonomous satellite Opeartions,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Internal Report, RMIT\/CPAS\/004-2021, Melbourne, Australia, June 2021","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Annie Liang","title":"Unmanned traffic management digital twin for drone-enabling future healthcare logistics systems","description":"With current technology, drones can improve patient survival, outcomes, and quality of life, particularly in remote areas lacking sufficient funds or relevant infrastructure. Compared to ground transportation, the speed, convenience and cost savings make them particularly applicable in emergency medicine. This research aims to study the digital infrastructure for the future healthcare logistic system to support a safe, on-time, and sustainable beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone delivery.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Using deep learning for predicting composites manufacturing process degradation","description":"The Resin Transfer Infusion (RFI) process, developed in the UK for the production of the Airbus A220 wing, has been heavily instrumented and a substantial quantity of data has been generated over the years. One parameter which needs to be carefully monitored, in the production of these wings, is the level of porosity in the resulting resin-infused non-crimp-fabric (NCF) carbon fibre reinforced composite structure. On occasion, a process degradation is observed through a commensurate increase in the measured porosity leading to part rejection when the volumetric porosity exceeds 2%. The aim of this project is to use deep learning algorithms to mine existing data and investigate whether it is possible to predict process degradation so that corrective measures may be implemented before the level of porosity exceeds acceptable limits. \n Objectives:\n - Develop suitable data infrastructure environment to be able to create any necessary metadata representations to allowing development of suitable analytic algorithms.\n - Undertake initial quality assessment of the data to investigate and address any missingness and inconsistencies using suitable imputation techniques.\n - Undertake investigative analytical approaches which will act to reveal any dependencies within the data, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s revealing any relationships.\n - Explore ensemble methods for improving the predictive performance and reducing variability of the model in close collaboration with the manufacturer in order to gain a better understanding of the relationship of the manufacturing process","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Enhancing the through-thickness thermal conductivity of carbon-fibre composite aerospace structures.","description":"This project is in collaboration with a major manufacturer of advanced composite aerospace structures. The predominant type of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites, qualified for flight, have relatively low through-thickness thermal conductivity compared to an aluminium equivalent. This reduces the efficiency of anti-icing devices, the majority of which are based on the extraction of hot air from the combustion chamber, which is fed through perforated piping to the inner surface of susceptible structures. The \u00e2\u20ac\u02dchot air bleed\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 from the engine reduces its efficiency and the required piping incurs a considerable weight and maintenance penalty. Wing leading edges are particularly susceptible to ice build-up which can lead to a rapid deterioration in aerodynamic performance, potentially leading to loss of aircraft control. Engine nacelle inlets also require anti-icing\/de-icing functionality since ice-build up in these regions will degrade the quality of airflow into the engine, degrading powerplant performance. Breakaway ice, ingested by the engine, may further result in internal structural damage. As powerplants and bypass ratios continue to become larger, so too does the nacelle structural weight and, consequently, the need to make these lighter. The move towards more electrification of on-board systems aims to do away with hot air bleed. The Boeing 787 is the first aircraft to use an electrothermal anti-icing\/de-icing system for its leading edges, incorporating a device developed by GKN. The engine nacelles still use a hot air bleed system, presumably as a result of the level of design and structural changes that would need to be made by the engine manufacturer, requiring a much greater level of airframe\/powerplant integration and co-development than is the current norm. Airframe\/powerplant integration has recently emerged as a priority for the industry as it recognises the rapid changes required to deliver aircraft with higher efficiency and, indeed, aiming towards net-zero tailpipe emissions. The aim of this project is to develop a composite material that provides a significant through-thickness thermal conductivity enhancement over current composite systems. Carbon nanotube enhanced composites have shown promise and this project will initially build on this work. A secondary challenging aspect of this work, contingent on progress on addressing the primary research question, is to consider the feasibility of simultaneously enhancing through-thickness thermal conductivity and surface (preferably not through-thickness) electrical conductivity for lightning strike protection.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Development of a reliable test for dynamic interlaminar fracture toughness measurements","description":"There is still much debate regarding the influence of strain rate on the apparent interlaminar fracture toughness of composite materials. A deeper understanding of this relationship is imperative if accurate computational models are to be developed which are truly predictive without the need of 'calibration'. Two approaches will be explored to cover a range of strain rates; one which uses a high-speed servo-hydraulic test machine (SHTM) and another which makes use of a split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB). Where strain rates overlap, comparative assessments will be conducted. The project will require the design and development of appropriate fixtures and specimens for Mode I, Mode II and mixed mode fracture testing. Computational analysis will be used to guide the design of the rig and specimens.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Development of a reliable test for dynamic intralaminar fracture toughness measurements","description":"This project will explore the influence of strain rate on intralaminar fracture toughness Two approaches will be compared; one which makes use of compact tension\/compression (CT\/CC) tests, and a technique which exploits the size-effect law [20] where a series of self-similar double-notched specimens of different sizes are tested. Both approaches will be investigated and compared using a high-speed servo-hydraulic test machine (SHTM) and a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). One criticism of the CT\/CC approach is the difficulty in tracking the crack and the diffuse damage arising in CC tests (propagating kink-band). This is particularly pertinent for dynamic testing. High speed digital image correlation (DIC) will be used for tracking the crack. Moreover, CT\/CC specimens will be grooved to further ensure clear crack\/kink-band propagation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Cees Bil","title":"Improved Air Traffic Flow Optimisation using Weather Information","description":"This project aims to improve air traffic flow by optimising speed, altitude and heading based on given flight schedules. Flights are collaborative, they follow recommended speed, altitude and heading, so that the total fuel consumption over a given period is minimised. Standard conflict avoidance rules apply as well as given weather conditions enroute.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dorian Notman","title":"Aviation Safety Programs and their role in improving safety performance","description":"This sponsored PhD position based in Melbourne, Australia is for a suitably qualified and enthusiastic full-time student from an engineering or technical discipline. The industrial sponsor is the Flight Safety Foundation (Melbourne) and the project will involve significant time embedded within the sponsor. The project will also involve an internship within the FSF on related topics to develop the student\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s industrial experience and expertise. The topic is in the analysis of existing Aviation Safety Programs with a view to develop and incorporate enhanced risk management processes in line with contemporary Safety Management Systems for aviation organisations. Prior knowledge of, or experience in, Safety Management Systems, Safety\/Quality Management, Risk Management, Performance Improvement, Aviation Systems, and cognate areas will be valuable. This role will also involve a significant interaction with industry so excellent written\/spoken English and excellent presentation skills will be essential. \n The sponsorship involves a stipend from the FSF for living expenses (approximately AUD 33,000 per year for 3.5 years) and the tuition fees will be covered by RMIT. \n The student must be eligible for postgraduate study in Australia (https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/study-with-us\/international-students\/apply-to-rmit-international-students\/student-visas) and meet the programme entrance requirements (https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/study-with-us\/levels-of-study\/research-programs\/phd\/phd-aerospace-engineering-and-aviation-dr215%23admissions)\n The essential core skills will be in process design and data analysis. Specific techniques and methods can be developed during the project and this will be supported by RMIT. \n If this is interesting to you, check your eligibility at the links above. If you would like apply, contact Dorian Notman (dorian.notman@rmit.edu.au) for an initial discussion. The project will begin as soon as a suitable candidate is approved.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Matthew Marino","title":"Boundary layer augmentation of propellors for quieter and more efficient operation","description":"This project aims to enhance the performance of low Reynolds number propellers utilised in drones and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft by implementing boundary layer augmentation techniques. Low Reynolds number conditions, characteristic of these applications, often result in reduced propeller efficiency and increased noise levels due to the formation of a laminar separation bubble. This research seeks to address these challenges by investigating innovative methods to manipulate the boundary layer to reduce the bubble\u2019s adverse effects.\nThe project will involve a comprehensive study of boundary layer augmentation techniques, which may include passive methods such as specialised blade geometries and active methods like micro-jet or synthetic jet actuation. Numerical and CFD simulations will be conducted to analyse the flow behaviour and assess the effectiveness of different augmentation strategies. These findings will guide the design and optimisation of prototype propellers. Wind tunnel experiments will be used to validate each simulated concept.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400103 ; 400199"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Matthew Marino","title":"Engineering Drones for Novel Operations for Safety and Societal Advancement","description":"This PhD project investigates engineering strategies to revolutionise their utility and societal impact. Focusing on safety, sustainability, and growth, this research introduces novel engineering solutions that redefine drone usage.\nThis project will allow the candidate to research into the various aspects of drone operations and seek out solutions to current operational, engineering and performance problems. Anticipated contributions include expanded drone applications, heightened safety protocols, sustainability promotion, and profound societal enhancements. By generating sustainable engineering solutions, this research accelerates the integration of drones into civil society, paving the way for a safer and technologically advanced future.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400199"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Radiation Effects on the structure and properties of 3D printed ODS steels","description":"The recent acquisition of nuclear submarines by Australia, and the worldwide search for more efficient and safe nuclear reactor technologies for meeting future global energy demands, has renewed interest in developing high temperature radiation resistant materials. It is well known that radiation by neutrons and other high energy particles in a reactor can cause significant structural damage leading to mechanical property degradation and reduction in service life of a reactor.\n A class of high Cr ferritic steels with ultrafine grains and nanoscale precipitates, called Nanostructured ferritic alloys (NFAs) have been developed, which exhibit excellent creep and radiation resistant properties. The underlying principle behind these materials is that the enormous number of fine precipitates and grain boundaries provide an extremely large interfacial area which can act as a sink for radiation induced defects such as interstitials and vacancies. One of the major issues with producing these materials by mechanical alloying has been the inhomogeneity of the particle distribution of the second phase in the matrix. Such inhomogeneity can be severely detrimental to the radiation resistance and deformation characteristics of the alloys\n Therefore, in this project, it is proposed that ferritic alloys of similar composition and characteristics to those mentioned above will be produced, but via the alternative process of additive manufacturing using laser deposition. The main potential advantages of this method would be that, since it allows the use of alloy and oxide powders separately and enables the rapid solidification of extremely small amounts of material at a time, it would be possible to control the system better to produce a more homogeneous material. Different laser deposition parameters will be tried to obtain the best combination of creep and radiation resistance. These samples will then be irradiated with ion beams (as a surrogate for neutron irradiation), and examined using advanced electron microscopy techniques to study the microstructural damage caused thereby. They will further be tested by in situ micro-mechanical testing inside an electron microscope, allowing the assessment of property changes in the extremely small volume of ion irradiated material. The results will be analysed using advanced finite element and dislocation dynamics modelling.\n This project is expected to provide a new and improved method for producing creep and radiation tolerant structural materials for nuclear reactors in submarines and for power production. There will be both a theoretical and an experimental approach, which will contribute to overall understanding of the material system, thus paving the way for broader application of the techniques developed.\n The project provides opportunities to collaborate with the Department of Defence and with ANSTO, the premier nuclear science organisation of Australia.\n Knowledge and background in either solid mechanics, material science or finite element analysis, or in phase transformations, electron microscopy or mechanical testing will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n \n Collaboration: The project provides opportunities to collaborate with the Department of Defence and with ANSTO, the premier nuclear science organisation of Australia.\n \n Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge and background in either solid mechanics, material science or finite element analysis, or in phase transformations, electron microscopy or mechanical testing will be beneficial to undertake this project.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"091207 Metals and Alloy Materials  (50%) ; 091105 Ship and Platform Structures  (25%) ; 080110 Simulation and Modelling   (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vincenzo Muscarello","title":"Development of a Virtual Flight Laboratory for Structural Health Monitoring","description":"Development and maintenance of accurate and reliable structural health monitoring systems to ensure the safe and efficient operation of aerospace platforms is of ever-increasing importance. It is particularly essential for future aerospace vehicles having lighter and more flexible structures while being subjected to more extreme operating conditions acting over longer time periods than the current generation of vehicles. \n To provide significant improvements to vehicle performance and structural life management, RMIT University and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) are working on the development of a numerical flight simulation environment for assessing aerospace vehicle flight dynamics, in-flight load and stress distributions and aims to improve the Individual Aircraft Tracking capability.\n The FlightLab simulation tool will integrate aerostructural flight dynamics components through a state-space, plug-and-play architecture to support third-party software integration for system development, enabling:\n i) analysis of the vehicle's flight dynamics and simulation of complex manoeuvres;\n ii) evaluation of internal loads and stress\/strains in critical airframe locations;\n iii) prediction of structural failures supporting damage detection.\n The simulation environment will be designed to be modular and to incorporate heterogeneous subcomponents from different sources into the model. Intrinsic modularity will allow several advantages, including:\n 1) a broad range of approximation levels for each subsystem;\n 2) the possibility of using different sources of increasing sophistication to assemble models for the same component;\n 3) ease in model expansion to include additional components.\n Expected outcomes include an advanced methodology that enables accurate prediction of vehicle dynamics, through the development of high-fidelity Digital Twin models that can continuously monitor aerodynamic, structural, thermal, and other loading and forecast the structural health of the vehicle and the remaining useful life.\n \n [1] Levinski O., Verhagen W., Muscarello V., Scott M. J., Fayek H., Marzocca P., \"An Innovative High-Fidelity Approach to Structural Health Monitoring\" 20th Australian International Aerospace Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 2023.\n \n [2] Glaessgen, E.H., Stargel, D.S., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Digital Twin Paradigm for Future NASA and U.S. Air Force Vehicles\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Proceedings of the 53rd AIAA\/ASME\/ASCE\/AHS\/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, AIAA Paper 2012-1818, 2012\n \n [3] F. Saltari, C. Riso, G. De Matteis and F. Mastroddi, \"Finite-Element-Based Modeling for Flight Dynamics and Aeroelasticity of Flexible Aircraft,\" AIAA Journal of Aircraft, vol. 54, no. 6, pp. 2350-2366, 2017.\n \n [4] Guimar\u00c3\u00a3es Neto A. B., Silva R., Paglione P., Silvestre F., \"Formulation of the Flight Dynamics of Flexible Aircraft Using General Body Axes\", AIAA Journal, Vol. 54, no. 11, pp. 3516-3534, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vincenzo Muscarello","title":"Development of Control Laws for Whirl Flutter Suppression on Distributed Propulsion Aircraft","description":"Modern aircraft designs, such as electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles, often contain distributed propulsion systems (DPS) since electrification and hybridization simplify the integration of these systems and thanks to the benefits on aerodynamic efficiency. Nevertheless, several issues regarding aeroelastic response may occur on wings with DPS, which needs to be considered during aircraft design.\n From a structural dynamics point of view, even for a single propeller mounted on a flexible wing, aeroelastic phenomena such as whirl flutter may arise [1]. Whirl flutter requires one to consider the influence of rotating masses producing centrifugal, Coriolis, and gyroscopic forces\/moments in addition to aerodynamic loads. The instability is a whirl divergence that is the result of precession-generated aerodynamic hub forces. The precession is caused by in-plane aerodynamic forces that can destabilize the pitch or yaw degree of freedom of the wing\u00e2\u20ac\u201cpylon elastic suspension of the propellers [2].\n This project aims to develop Reduced Order Models (ROMs) of wing-propeller systems using linear aeroservoelastic tools [3, 4] and to design robust control laws for whirl flutter suppression. The control laws will be subsequently validated using more sophisticated simulation environments, based on nonlinear coupled multibody \u00e2\u20ac\u201c mid-fidelity tools [5].\n Expected outcomes include the capability to model complex aeroservoelastic systems to be enrolled in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) context, together with the design of robust control laws to prevent aeroelastic instabilities and to extend the aircraft flight envelope.\n \n [1] Bielawa R., \"Rotary Wing Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity,\" Second Edition, ISBN (print): 978-1-56347-698-3, AIAA Education Series, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2514\/4.862373 \n \n [2] Reed,W. H., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Propeller-RotorWhirl Flutter: A State-of-the-Art Review,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 4, (3), 1966, pp. 526 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 544. doi: 10.1016\/0022-460X(66)90142-8\n \n [3] Masarati P., Muscarello V., Quaranta G., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Linearized aeroservoelastic analysis of rotary-wing aircraft,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in 36th European Rotorcraft Forum (ERF 2011), 2010, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c10.\n \n [4] Muscarello V. and Quaranta G., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Structural coupling and whirl-flutter stability with pilot-in-the-loop,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Journal of the American Helicopter Society vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c16, 2021. Available: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4050\/JAHS.66.032003 \n \n [5] Savino, A.; Cocco, A.; Zanotti, A.; Tugnoli, M.; Masarati, P.; Muscarello, V. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Coupling Mid-Fidelity Aerodynamics and Multibody Dynamics for the Aeroelastic Analysis of Rotary-Wing Vehicles\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Energies 2021, no. 14, 6979. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/en14216979","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wim Verhagen","title":"Mixed Reality for Aircraft Maintenance and Sustainment","description":"Mixed Reality (MR) has in recent years proven its potential in improving efficiency of operations and sustainment in multiple application domains. MR merges elements of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to seamlessly blend real-world elements and virtual content, allowing for better information retrieval, task execution, control and (remote) support for complex tasks. MR therefore has several unique advantages over existing approaches towards sustainment tasks and has furthermore shown potential across a range of operational environments. In terms of impact, MR can deliver time savings, improved knowledge transfer and learning outcomes, and increased productivity. Despite significant interest in MR from a large variety of aerospace companies, academic partners and indeed Defence itself, MR has not yet penetrated the aerospace sustainment sector at significant scale, either nationally or internationally. Several practical and theoretical gaps remain to be addressed, including 1) achieving an increased understanding of learning and training performance using MR technology, 2) the identification and selection of appropriate performance measures to reliably capture the effectiveness of MR in various operational scenarios, 3) the integration of formal MR process representations in multi-criteria decision support models and approaches.\n \n This research aims to address the challenges highlighted above by developing and testing MR for representative maintenance decision processes under real-life conditions. This will be enabled by a systematic review, development, verification and validation of appropriate MR performance metrics in training and, ideally, actual sustainment scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wim Verhagen","title":"Structural Prognostics and Health Management for aircraft maintenance decision support","description":"Current approaches to aircraft maintenance are primarily reactive and driven by scheduled inspection intervals and preventive maintenance. However, there has recently been a major shift towards actionable and pro-active condition-based maintenance to significantly reduce fleet sustainment costs [1]. On a trajectory towards the realisation of aircraft Digital Twin technology, Next Generation (NextGen) aircraft programs [2] are beginning to adopt this new paradigm, known as Structural Prognostics and Health Management (SPHM). Although NextGen aircraft are designed and fitted with SPHM sensory networks, full exploitation of this hardware requires several rapid technological developments. This includes novel methodologies for i) intelligent sensor processing, systems integration and data fusion, ii) smart structural anomaly diagnostics, and iii) state-of-the-art aircraft prognostics techniques; iv) systematic decision support approaches for operational and tactical time horizons while accounting for internal and external sources of uncertainty, such as model uncertainty or resource availability constraints. Currently, detection, diagnosis and resolution of structural anomalies requires aircraft grounding and physical inspection, which reduces aircraft availability\/mission readiness and is expensive. Furthermore, prediction of future events is usually not supported or present at a relatively low degree of fidelity. Hence, driven by the SPHM concept, smart structural anomaly diagnostics and prognostics refers to rapid detection, localisation, tracking and prediction of these structural events, which would allow for pro-active decision support and thereby substantially increase availability and reduce sustainment costs. The candidate will join the RMIT aeroelasticity research group, who have been working towards the realisation of SPHM-based technologies in collaboration with Australian Defence Science and Technology for the past years. The aim of the PhD project is to make a major contribution towards SPHM and Digital Twin technology through the development of state-of-the-art smart diagnostics\/prognostics and decision support algorithms for NextGen individual aircraft tracking and health management. The research will harness a truly-multi-disciplinary environment, where both fundament and practical aspects of physics-based aerodynamic\/structural modelling, nonlinear system identification, data fusion\/analytics, machine learning and decision making models are integral components.\n \n References:\n [1] Kappas, J. and Frith, P., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153From HUMS to PHM: Are we there yet?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d 17th Australian International Aerospace Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 2017. [2] Fallon, T., Mahal, D., and Hebden, I., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Structural Prognostics and Health Management An Overview\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, 25th SYMPOSIUM of the International Committee on Aeronautical Fatigue, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2009.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Damage Tolerant Hybrid Composite Materials for Applications in Critical Aerospace Structures","description":"Fiber reinforced composites are often considered and selected for weight-critical structural applications due to their high specific stiffness and strength. However, lack of sufficient knowledge in the failure and life time prediction methodologies implies that the composite structures are often over designed with a large factor of safety, and numerous tests are to be performed on prototypes for prediction of performance over the required life time. Residual strength degradation and fatigue behaviour of composite laminates are of vital importance to the damage tolerance design of structures. Cyclic loading causes adverse effects and leads to accumulated damage and degradation of residual strength in composite laminates. Predicting the residual strength of composite structures for both monotonic and fatigue loading has several advantages in the design of critical load bearing structures and components. The aims of the research are to develop efficient and accurate computational and experimental methodologies for characterising hybrid, multifunctional fibre metal laminate composites for aerospace components. This includes damage type, location, mechanisms under complex monotonic and fatigue (cyclic) loading and assessing their effects on the residual strength degradation and consequent fatigue life. Using this information, a parametric study will be conducted with different composite material parameters (thickness, lay-up, and types of fibre and matrix) in order to develop optimised FML composites with high durability and fatigue life.\n The expected outcomes of this research will be well-validated computational analysis methods to predict failure mode, and quantify defect and damage produced in fibre metal laminate composites. The models can be used to predict residual strength and estimate fatigue life of composite structures under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The modelling and optimisation tools will then be used in developing high strength composites with high durability and longer service life for critical aerospace components. The project provides opportunities to collaborate with aircraft industries and research institutes in the UK and Germany. Knowledge and background in Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n References:\n [1]. Shokrieh, M.M. and L.B. Lessard, Progressive Fatigue Damage Modeling of Composite Materials, Part I: Modeling. Journal of Composite Materials, 2000. 34(13): p. 1056-1080. [2]. Afaghi-Khati, A., L. Ye, and Y.-W. Mai, Effective Crack Growth and Residual Strength of Composite Laminates with a Sharp Notch. Journal of Composite Materials, 1996. 30(3): p. 333-357. [3]. Koo, J.-M., J.-H. Choi, and C.-S. Seok, Prediction of post-impact residual strength and fatigue characteristics after impact of CFRP composite structures. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2014. 61(0): p. 300-306.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"MR215","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Damage Tolerant Hybrid Composite Materials for Applications in Critical Aerospace Structures","description":"Fiber reinforced composites are often considered and selected for weight-critical structural applications due to their high specific stiffness and strength. However, lack of sufficient knowledge in the failure and life time prediction methodologies implies that the composite structures are often over designed with a large factor of safety, and numerous tests are to be performed on prototypes for prediction of performance over the required life time. Residual strength degradation and fatigue behaviour of composite laminates are of vital importance to the damage tolerance design of structures. Cyclic loading causes adverse effects and leads to accumulated damage and degradation of residual strength in composite laminates. Predicting the residual strength of composite structures for both monotonic and fatigue loading has several advantages in the design of critical load bearing structures and components. The aims of the research are to develop efficient and accurate computational and experimental methodologies for characterising hybrid, multifunctional fibre metal laminate composites for aerospace components. This includes damage type, location, mechanisms under complex monotonic and fatigue (cyclic) loading and assessing their effects on the residual strength degradation and consequent fatigue life. Using this information, a parametric study will be conducted with different composite material parameters (thickness, lay-up, and types of fibre and matrix) in order to develop optimised FML composites with high durability and fatigue life.\n The expected outcomes of this research will be well-validated computational analysis methods to predict failure mode, and quantify defect and damage produced in fibre metal laminate composites. The models can be used to predict residual strength and estimate fatigue life of composite structures under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The modelling and optimisation tools will then be used in developing high strength composites with high durability and longer service life for critical aerospace components. The project provides opportunities to collaborate with aircraft industries and research institutes in the UK and Germany. Knowledge and background in Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n References:\n [1]. Shokrieh, M.M. and L.B. Lessard, Progressive Fatigue Damage Modeling of Composite Materials, Part I: Modeling. Journal of Composite Materials, 2000. 34(13): p. 1056-1080. [2]. Afaghi-Khati, A., L. Ye, and Y.-W. Mai, Effective Crack Growth and Residual Strength of Composite Laminates with a Sharp Notch. Journal of Composite Materials, 1996. 30(3): p. 333-357. [3]. Koo, J.-M., J.-H. Choi, and C.-S. Seok, Prediction of post-impact residual strength and fatigue characteristics after impact of CFRP composite structures. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2014. 61(0): p. 300-306.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Digital Twin and Machine Learning-assisted Thermal Management and Advanced Manufacturing","description":"The next generation of defence technology follows the technological trends which are currently being observed on a broader scale throughout the sector. This includes a major focus on weight reduction, improved safety, enhanced reliability and robust functionality and highly integrated intelligence-based systems including. The development of such state-of-the-art technologies in the defence space requires an integrated multi-disciplinary approach, with high-fidelity \u201cvirtual test\u201d numerical modelling being critical. This report discusses progress to date of a state-of-art modelling technology for a defence system, with a focus on high-flux conjugate thermal fluid dynamic simulation to capture the transient event for thermal management. A machine-based learning strategy to assist the modelling process will be developed in detail to broaden predictive modelling capability. In this project, student will engage with industry partner, Thales, one the leading defence manufacturing company in Australia and in the world. Regular training and onsite visit and discussion with the industrial engineers will be required and to provide student with unique research and practical training environment. \u2022 Candidates with backgrounds in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering are preferred with expertise in CFD, Matlab or thermal modelling. Experiences with modelling software like Ansys Fluent will be highly evaluated. Students with skill, expertise in machine learning are highly encouraged to apply. \u2022 Candidate should be an Australian citizen.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Graham Dorrington","title":"Experimental investigation of electric propulsion system intended for micro-satellite","description":"Experimental investigation of the performance of a robust, lightweight, high specific impulse electric propulsion system intended for micro-satellite low Earth orbit manoeuvring, using a thermal vacuum test chamber","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Fire-retardant and lightweight composite materials for rolling stock carriages","description":"The adoption of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in the design of passenger and freight trains reduces the vehicle weight considerably, thereby increasing the payload and decreasing energy consumption and environmental damage. The use of FRP composites in the railway industry ranges from cellular\/sandwich materials for floor boards, laminates for loading-carrying structures to recyclable and biodegradable composites for the interior. However, the presence of highly flammable organic matrices in FRP composites, is one of the most limiting factors inhibiting wide spread adoption of these materials in rolling stock carriages. Polymeric components in transport vehicles have been identified as primary sources of combustible materials that initiate and sustain combustion, consequently presenting the risk of injuries to the passengers. The wide spread use of FRP composites in railway sectors can only serve to increase this fire risk. There is a lack of understanding of the flammability and fire resistance of FRP composites for railway applications. As such, there are growing concerns that current fire regulations may not adequately address the safety requirements and should be amended to be comparable to those prevailing in the aviation industry. This project aims to develop lightweight structural FRP composites exhibiting multifunctional properties including acoustic and thermal insulation, vibration damping and most importantly improved fire performance and fire structural resistance. Specifically, the proposed project will lead to the development of fire-safe and structurally-efficient composite materials for rolling stock carriages and a multi-physics numerical model with the ability to simulate the fire response of these structures under service conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"JJ Richardson, Ali Zavabeti","title":"Advanced Metal-Organic Thin Films for Next-Generation Technologies","description":"Imagine ultra-thin, high-performance coatings that could transform industries\u2014from cutting-edge sensors to sustainable energy solutions and next-generation wearable devices. A new class of safe, scalable metal-organic materials has recently been discovered, offering remarkable functional properties with immense potential for real-world applications.\n\nIn this PhD project, you will explore, design, and develop these materials to unlock their capabilities for advanced device applications. Your work could lead to breakthroughs in energy storage and production, wearable devices, bio-sensors, and a range of optoelectronic sensors. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge materials science, work with state-of-the-art synthesis and characterization techniques, and help shape the future of sustainable technology.\n\nIf you're passionate about innovation, materials discovery, and pushing the boundaries of science, this project is for you!","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2027-01-01","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 Functional Materials (50%)\n400902 Digital Electronics Devices (25%)\n400404 Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim","title":"Developing novel membranes for efficient removal of emerging contaminants in wastewater recycling","description":"Wastewater reuse is critical to addressing global water scarcity, yet conventional treatment processes struggle to remove trace micropollutants including pharmaceuticals (e.g., antibiotics), personal care products, micro- and nano-plastics. These contaminants pose significant ecological and human health risks due to their persistence and bioaccumulation and therefore limit usability of the recycled water. Membrane-based processes such as forward osmosis (FO) and membrane distillation (MD) offer energy-efficient alternatives for wastewater recycling. However, existing membrane processes face limitations in selectivity, fouling, and water flux, particularly for small and complex micropollutants. This project will focus on designing novel membranes (e.g., through new material composition and fabrication methods) and optimising the membrane processes to achieve high rejection of micropollutants, high water throughput, and strong antifouling capabilities. The focused membrane technology and targeted micropollutants in this study will be determined through a thorough literature review and investigated by the respective experimental programs that utilise commercial membranes as benchmarks. This project will advance membrane science by addressing critical gaps in micropollutant removal, directly contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6: Clean Water and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption). The developed membrane technology will facilitate sustainable wastewater treatment in industries and municipalities, mitigating environmental contamination and enabling safe water reuse. The project will provide the PhD candidate with the opportunity to collaborate with researchers at external organisations such as CSIRO Manufacturing. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2027-12-06","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410 Wastewater treatment processes (50%)\n401101 Separation technologies (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Zavabeti, Vikram Garaniya","title":"Atomaterials Discovery for Next-Generation Sensors and Sustainability","description":"Designing and configuring materials at the atomic scale presents an exciting pathway for developing next-generation smart functional materials for sensors and wearable technologies. This project aims to explore atomic-level manipulation to achieve tunable functionalities, with a focus on fundamental investigations into charge doping and interactions within materials. By uncovering these mechanisms, the project seeks to pave the way for advanced applications in emerging technologies.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 Sensor Technology (Inc. chemical aspects)\n401810 Nanoscale characterisations"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ibrahim Hakeem","title":"Resource recovery from organic wastes through co-digestion and thermal treatment","description":"The project will explore through experiments and theoretical modelling the maximisation of resource recovery from diverse organic waste streams including sewage sludge, food organics, garden organics, and trade waste by combining anaerobic digestion and thermal treatments. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403-50% \n400402-50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Zavabeti, Vikram Garaniya","title":"Process and Materials Engineering for Energy Conversion and Storage","description":"This project focuses on optimizing energy management and process design for energy and chemical production and storage, incorporating advanced materials and innovative methodologies. It aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and energy efficiency of novel materials and processes, offering an integrated approach to sustainable technologies. The project encourages collaboration across disciplines, providing opportunities for students in materials science, chemical engineering, and process simulation to contribute to cutting-edge research and technological advancements.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403 Chemical Engineering Design (50%)\n401605 Functional Materials (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vikram Garaniya","title":"Biofouling Management of Maritime Assets","description":"Marine biofouling of external structure surfaces and connected internal systems is a major concern in the maritime industry.  It causes significant detrimental effects on all seawater-immersed marine systems, including vessels, offshore rigs, wave-energy converters, undersea pipelines, and fishing nets. \n\nIt adversely affects marine vessels through the loss of speed, decreased manoeuvrability, increased fuel consumption (and thereby increased emissions of harmful gases), inefficient operation and damage to machinery reliant on seawater intake, increased frequency of costly and time-consuming biofouling remediation (e.g. dry docking), domestic and international translocation of invasive species, impact on acoustic sensor performance, and the increased vulnerability of warships and submarines from cavitation induced wake and broadband acoustic noise. The scope of this project is constrained to external biofouling.  It has been estimated that frictional drag resulting from external biofouling can reduce the speed of a ship by more than 10%, and a biofouled ship can burn 40% more fuel. The shipping industry needs a proper balance to prevent\/reduce biofouling on surfaces immersed in seawater yet maintaining designed performance parameters. \n\nThe project has the following three main interconnected tasks.\n\nHydrodynamic Performance Modelling: The candidate will develop a new methodology using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools to predict the performance degradation of vessels under various external marine biofouling conditions. The investigation will study the impact on parameters such as speed reduction, fuel consumption, harmful exhaust emission increase, and manoeuvrability. \n\nValidation and Testing: The candidate will conduct experiments to validate the numerical models and prepare the data for developing resilient design solutions. This ensures the practical applicability and effectiveness of the developed models. \n\nResilient Design Framework: The candidate will develop a framework for naval vessel designs that are resilient to biofouling and provide optimum hydrodynamic performance. The framework will be applied to a case study of a baseline hull and will include recommendations for application to novel hull designs, coatings and materials. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"4004 Chemical Engineering and 4011 Environmental Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vikram Garaniya, Kalpit Shah, Kevin Zhang, Mohammad Aminpour ","title":"Risk-Based Asset Integrity Management of Water Infrastructure","description":"1. Tentative Topic: Asset Integrity Management of Water Utilities\n\n2. Scope of Work: \n\u2022        Review the Available Approaches to Asset Integrity:  Conduct a thorough assessment of different asset integrity management strategies currently utilised in the industry. This includes identifying best practices, methodologies, and tools that ensure the reliability and safety of water infrastructure assets.\n\u2022        Examine Applicable Codes and Standards for Water Infrastructure in Australia and Victoria:  Investigate the relevant regulations, codes, and standards that govern the construction, operation, and maintenance of water infrastructure in Australia, specifically focusing on Victorian legislation. This will ensure compliance with legal requirements and industry benchmarks.\n\u2022        Develop a Probabilistic Degradation Model: Create a model that assesses the likelihood of degradation in water infrastructure assets over time. This model should incorporate factors such as environmental conditions, material properties, and operational loadings to provide a comprehensive risk assessment of asset deterioration.\n\u2022        Develop a Failure Model:  Design a failure model that identifies potential asset failure modes and analyses the mechanisms that could lead to these failures. This model should include both historical data and predictive analytics to understand how and when failures may occur.\n\u2022        Formulate a Consequence Model: Develop a consequence model that evaluates the ramifications of asset failures. This should consider factors such as economic impact, environmental effects, and implications for public safety, providing a holistic view of the risks associated with asset failure.\n\u2022        Construct an Asset Risk Model: Integrate the findings from the degradation, failure, and consequence models to create a comprehensive asset risk model. This model should quantify the overall risk associated with assets, allowing for informed decision-making regarding asset management.\n\u2022        Develop an Asset Risk Management System:  Establish a structured system for managing the risks identified through the asset risk model. This system should include policies, procedures, and resources needed to address risks and implement mitigation strategies proactively.\n\u2022        Test and Validate All Models:  Implement testing and validation processes for each model to ensure their accuracy and reliability. This may involve scenario analysis, back-testing with historical data, and peer reviews to confirm that the models function as intended.\n\u2022        Apply the Models in Practical Scenarios: Use the validated models in real-world applications to assess their effectiveness and practicality. Conduct pilot projects or case studies to demonstrate how these models can improve asset integrity management and reduce risks in water infrastructure.\n\n3. Objectives:\n\n\u2022        Develop an innovative risk-based asset integrity management system for water infrastructure. This model will incorporate advanced methodologies that identify and assess potential risks to ensure the long-term sustainability of water assets.\n\n\u2022        Apply this model effectively in order to minimise risks associated with water infrastructure. Enhance the reliability and safety of water delivery systems, ultimately safeguarding public health and preserving environmental quality.\n\n\u2022        Integrate data-driven decision-making processes that will allow for continuous asset integrity monitoring and evaluation. This will enable proactive maintenance strategies that extend the lifespan of water infrastructure.\n\n\u2022        Assess the impact of the developed system on operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that it provides a robust safety framework and contributes to overall resource management and optimisation within the water sector.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"4004 Chemical Engineering and 4011 Environmental Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh Veluswamy","title":"Sustainable graphite production from biomass","description":"Design a novel, eco-friendly, and cost-effective method of producing graphite from biomass and other waste feedstocks","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400403-50%\n400402-50%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Daniel Lester","title":"Efficient pipeline transportation of highly concentrated wastewater sludges","description":"The project expects to generate new knowledge about the complex flow of concentrated wastewater sludge which will enable predictive models to support the design and optimization of sludge pipeline transport systems. Expected outcomes of the project contributes toward developing a new toolkit that will enable wastewater treatment plants to design and optimize both existing and future pipeline systems. This will support the Australian wastewater industry to plan for future growth, increase throughput and efficiency, reduce environmental pollutants, and capital and operating costs. This project involves close collaboration with a research team with extensive experience in sludge rheology and fluid mechanic as well as Melbourne Water research team.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401211        Multiphysics flows (incl. multiphase and reacting flows), 40%\n401212        Non-Newtonian fluid flows (incl. rheology), 40%\n410404        Environmental management, 20%\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh Veluswamy","title":"Resource recovery from organics via hydrothermal processing","description":"Develop an optimized hydrothermal process for wet biomass conversion into quality bio-oil, focusing on increasing reaction efficiency and product yield.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400402 -25%\n400403- 50%\n400408- 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Nasir Mahmood","title":"Development of a Sustainable Pathways for Extraction of High Value Pure Materials from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) ","description":"Spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in Australia are increasing by 20 % annually. Approximately 5290 tonnes of LIB waste were generated in Australia during the 2017-2018 financial year, but only 320 tonnes were sent to upcycling facilities. This project aims to develop sustainable upcycling pathways for extraction of high-value pure materials from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This project will involve developing the upcycling process by utilising a range of organic acids and optimising it through laboratory scale testing. The process will start with the selective dissolving of Li-ion compounds from used batteries, followed by optimization of experimental variables like leaching temperature, time and acids concentration. In order to maximize the effective solubility of lithium-ion compounds for various combinations of organic acids, statistical optimization will be used to refine the promising routes. The effectiveness of the upcycling pathways will be assessed using a variety of analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410404        Environmental management (50%)\n400404        Electrochemical energy storage and conversion"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Nasir Mahmood","title":"Microplastic removal from waterways","description":"Microplastics are not detectable and removable through conventional treatment systems which is scary as a huge amount of these is being released into aquatic systems every day. Microplastics are a life-threatening pollutant not only for aquatic life but also have significant negative impacts on human health. It is such a dangerous pollutant as if even landfilled, it takes up to 450 years to be degraded. Thus, it is time to capture this pollutant efficiently and treated it properly to effectively save aquatic life and protect both human health and the environment.\nThere are many industries which require this sort of treatment to remove this sort of hazardous pollutant being released into water. Specifically, water utilities, food manufactures, packaging, health care, textile etc. are the major end users of this developed technology.\nRecently, our team developed adsorbents that can remove this undetectable hazardous microplastics from water through a simple adsorption process without leaving any fingerprint of secondary pollutants. This project aims to build on the previous success to expand the suitability of the adsorbent at industrial scales. \nThis project is suitable for those one who have passion to make a positive impact on human life and environment by contributing to the development of the adsorbent. MPs is a global issue and acquiring knowledge in this area provide a competitive edge in job market.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410404        Environmental management (50%)\n401605        Functional materials (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Maazuza Othman, Raj Parthasarathy","title":"Improving biogas from anaerobic digestion utilizing pre-treated sewage sludge (Thermal hydrolysis and wet oxidation of sludge)","description":"Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable environmental technology to recover energy and stabilise the biosolids from WWTP. However, hydrolysis is the rate limiting step for biosolids, leading to slow degradation and requiring long retention times. Many pretreatment technologies have shown to improve the kinetics of anaerobic biodegradation of sludge, accelerate the hydrolysis and enhance biogas productivity and affect the characteristics of digested sludge. Pretreatment technologies applied at industrial scale in WWTP include thermal hydrolysis (TH), ultrasound, high pressure homogenizers, electric-pulse and ozonization . TH (>100 \u00b0C) has shown to improve methane yields by 51-340% by enhancing sludge solubilisation, and improve dewaterability and achieve complete disinfection of treated sludge. On the other hand, wet air oxidation process (150-320 \u00b0C, at 20\u2013150 bar and with a residence time 15\u2013120 min) has shown to improve dewaterability, destruction of organic matter (92-95%) and biogas production (24-59%) of sludge. However, there is no comparison on the technical, energy and economic evaluation of WAOP and TH in the literature. Therefore, this project will provide required design data for WAOP process at industrial scale in terms of energy efficiency.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Daniel Lester","title":"Sludge rheology and its impact on pumping and heating wastewater sludge ","description":"Due to increasing pressures from population growth and urbanization, climate change and decreasing land availability, there exists a strong global drive to significantly intensify the capacity of existing wastewater treatment plants. For tertiary treatment processes, this inevitably means a transition to processing of more concentrated sludges in e.g. anaerobic digesters, associated pipe works, pumps and heat exchangers. This transition represents a serious challenge, however, as the rheological complexity of these sludges rapidly change from slightly non-Newtonian (water-like) to strongly viscoelastic-plastic (gloopy and gooey) with relatively small changes in solids concentration. These fundamental changes in material properties present serious processing challenges and demand new approaches to the design and operation of sludge processing and transport. The complex rheology of concentrated sludges means that these challenges cannot be addressed naively by e.g. simply increasing pumping power or pipe diameter or surface area of heat exchangers. This project aims to develop new insights into the rheology and fluid mechanics of rheologically complex materials under laminar, transient, and turbulent flows and its impact on heat transfer. The project shall a new insight for the design, optimisation and operation of pipeline and associated infrastructure such as heat exchanger in concentrated wastewater sludges via experimental investigation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes 30%\n401211        Multiphysics flows (incl. multiphase and reacting flows) 35%\n401212        Non-Newtonian fluid flows (incl. rheology), 35%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdokht Shaibani, Torben Daeneke","title":"Investigating Failure Mechanisms in Commercially Relevant Lithium-Sulfur Batteries","description":"Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries offer significant promise due to their high energy density and the abundance of sulfur. However, their commercial viability is limited by performance and stability challenges, particularly those related to the degradation and failure of key battery components.\n\nThis collaborative project with Monash University aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that cause failure in Li-S batteries, focusing on issues such as polysulfide dissolution, sulfur cathode degradation, and the stability of the lithium anode. Through a combination of experimental work and advanced characterization techniques (e.g., electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, SEM, XPS), the research will seek to identify and mitigate the critical factors limiting the lifespan and efficiency of Li-S batteries.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"50% Environmental Engineering (4011), 50% Chemical Engineering (4004)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdokht Shaibani, Torben Daeneke","title":"Gallium\u2010based liquid metals for lithium\u2010ion batteries","description":"We invite passionate and motivated candidates to join our cutting-edge research project focused on revolutionizing lithium-ion battery technology. Our innovative approach leverages gallium nanodroplets as anode materials, synthesized using a proprietary method. These nanodroplets exhibit exceptional properties, making them ideal for high-performance battery applications.\n\nThis groundbreaking technology offers a robust alternative to traditional graphite anodes, promising superior energy storage capacity, extended cycle life, and rapid charging capabilities. Beyond performance enhancements, our solution addresses critical safety concerns and supply chain issues associated with graphite, paving the way for more reliable and sustainable energy storage solutions.\n\nJoin us in this exciting research journey to develop the next generation of lithium-ion batteries, with the potential to significantly impact the future of energy storage.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"50% Environmental Engineering (4011), 50% Chemical Engineering (4004)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"JJ Richardson","title":"Exploring the formation and application of metal-organic nanomaterials","description":"Metal-organic nanomaterials offer significant promise for the rational design of functional nanomaterials due to their hybrid metal and organic properties. We are currently synthesizing a variety of metal-organic nanomaterials including metal-phenolic networks, metal-organic frameworks, and coordination polymers for a range of applications, such as agriculture, medicine, and forensics.\n\nThis project will explore the rational design of metal-organic nanomaterials and their use in different applications depending on the engineered properties of the materials. An ideal candidate will have a diverse scientific background that does not need to be in an any specific discipline. Experimentation will range from advanced microscopy techniques to materials characterization and potentially biological assays.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh Veluswamy","title":"Conversion of Waste Materials into Value Added Carbon Nanomaterials","description":"This project will involve the fundamental investigations related to 1.) the screening of the most suitable catalysts\nfor the vapor deposition process and 2.) the process and reactor design to produce ultra-high purity carbon nanomaterials from waste materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400401 (carbon capture engineering) - 25%\n400402  (chemical and thermal process in energy and combustion) - 50%\n400403 (Chemical engineering design) - 25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Namita Roy Choudhury","title":"2D material based aerogel suitable for clean energy and water","description":"A group of two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials, have been extensively exploited for various applications, including electrochemical catalysis, energy storage, water treatment, and electromagnetic interference shielding. However, fabrication of three-dimensional architectures with a tailored porous structure and desired physical\/mechanical properties remains a major challenge. Using various nanofibrous polymeric materials and their concentrated dispersion, we aim to create entangled nanofibrillar network with excellent 3D printability. In this work, we will perform the fabrication of three-dimensional microporous aerogels by integrating polymeric nanofibers with MXene nanosheets via a 3D printing strategy. The 3D printed aerogels are expected to possess low density, high electrical conductivity, and excellent mechanical properties suitable for diverse applications. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400406 Powder and particle technology; \n400404 Electrochemical energy storage and conversion; \n400411Water treatment processes"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Namita Roy Choudhury","title":"Biomimetic hydrogel for adhesion and repair","description":"The project aims to create a strong biomimetic sticky gel platform prepared from the fusion of proteins and polymers which entail fast regulation of wet adhesion on diverse surfaces with the right level of stick but allows movement during repair. The expected outcome is a versatile adhesive platform to deliver the next generation of bioadhesives with tunable flexibility and wet adhesion. The interfacial rheology, photorheology and spectroscopic imaging will provide fundamental understanding of these bioadhesives for their use as soft electrode or implantable bioadhesive. The project should provide tremendous opportunities for this unique gel family application in tissue adhesion\/repair and as implantable bioadhesives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"401609 (50%), 091205 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Jue Hou, Felicity Roddick","title":"Algal Membrane Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery","description":"Nutrients (e.g., N and P) in wastewater are valuable resources which should be reclaimed. It is also essential to remove them from wastewater to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge, e.g., N <10 mg\/L and P <0.5 mg\/L for Victorian inland water bodies (EPA Victoria 1995). Algae can be used for wastewater treatment and resource recovery by taking up N and P, and removing chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) including pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the wastewater. However, this technology can be limited by the low concentration of algal cells in the system, and the difficulty in separating the tiny sized cells after the treatment. To maintain high cell concentrations and achieve high separation efficiency, algal bioreactors may be integrated with membranes, i.e., a algal membrane bioreactors (AMBRs). This project aims to develop an algal membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment and resource recovery through the assessment of the influence of various process variables and process optimisation. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410 Wastewater treatment processes (60%)\n400409 Separation\u00a0technologies (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim, Felicity Roddick","title":"Chemoinformatic tool for predicting removal of CECs in wastewater treatment lagoons","description":"Typically, 100-150 chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) enter municipal wastewater treatment plants. Of the 1,234 wastewater treatment plants in Australia, 737 are predominantly lagoon-based and 943 partly lagoon-based. Currently, it is not possible to predict the efficiency of CEC removal, and thus the risk associated with the treated water.\n\nSunlight-induced photodegradation is a major pathway for the removal of CECs, which are then further chemically or biologically broken down in aquatic systems. The photodegradation of most CECs in wastewater primarily occurs via indirect photolysis which is driven by secondary reactions between the CECs with four major photochemically produced reactive intermediates (PPRIs). PPRIs are generated by the sunlight excitation of photosensitisers, such as nitrates and dissolved organic matter, present in the water.\n\nOngoing work at RMIT has shown that indirect photolysis depends on CEC structure, as well as wastewater properties, temperature and sunlight irradiance, all of which vary over time. The different PPRIs react to different extents with various CECs, and PPRI production varies with these variables, leading to different extents of CEC photolysis.\n\nThe overall aim of the project is to develop a wastewater lagoon photolysis model to enable prediction of the photolytic removal of CECs during lagoon wastewater treatment.\nTo achieve this, the student will work with the project team to determine the relationships between different classes of CECs and wastewater characteristics, temperature, irradiance and PPRI production and their photolytic removal. The resulting model will be tested and validated in the project sponsor\u2019s lagoons.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes (80%)\n401106        Waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang, Kalpit Shah","title":"Processing complex fluid melts using advanced induction heating systems ","description":"This Project will develop a model of material dynamics and heat transfer within a commercial vertical induction heating reactor. This novel reactor gains significant efficiency by melting plastic on a larger scale than conventional extruders and avoiding preprocessing for \u2018hard to recycle\u2019 plastics. In-field measurements will explore the behaviour of the complex non-Newtonian fluids present in this system. This Project addresses a significant scientific knowledge gap in the understanding of the rheology and thermal behaviour bulk plastic melt-flows. This will deliver an accurate model of inductively heated polymer melt-flow processing in larger scale systems. A short horizon to very significant impact is likely. An expanded understanding of these very simple and efficient reactor systems will make available their greater added value with lower energy and capital expenditure demands both to the Australian recycling industry but also to the wider process design and 3D metal fabrication communities.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400402 Chemical and thermal processes in energy and combustion (60%)\n400408 Reaction engineering (excl. nuclear reactions0 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh K Veluswamy","title":"Optimisation of aeration process for sewage treatment plant through oxygen enrichment","description":"The RMIT school of engineering funded PhD stipend scholarship will address challenges associated with existing aeration systems in wastewater treatment plants. The objective of this PhD program is to explore the fundamental science around oxygen transfer and intake during removal of BOD and COD in aeration process, through experiments and modelling.  This project will also develop an improved understanding around the relationship between oxygen concentration and sludge rheology. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"- 400404 Chemical engineering design (50%)\n- 400410 Wastewater treatment processes (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke, Ken Chiang","title":"Heterogeneous liquid metal catalysis","description":"Non-toxic, room temperature liquid metals have recently been discovered as an intriguing class of catalysts that are highly resistant to coking and deactivation. Recent examples of liquid metal catalysis developed at RMIT include the conversion of CO2 into solid carbon at comparatively benign reaction conditions. Here the liquid nature of the metallic catalysts offers a unique reaction environment that enables this challenging reaction without being compromised by coking. Similar reaction schemes for other industrially important small molecules such as CH4, NH3 and H2 are emerging as we speak. Interestingly, the activity of liquid metals can be tuned through alloy design, providing an ideal platform for creating highly active catalysts with tailored properties and selectivity. However, many of the design principles of molten metal catalysts are still unknown.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Bao","title":"Sustainable approaches to develop functional carbon nanomaterials","description":"Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable environmental technology to recover energy and stabilise the biosolids from WWTP. However, hydrolysis is the rate limiting step for biosolids, leading to slow degradation and requiring long retention times. Many pretreatment technologies have shown to improve the kinetics of anaerobic biodegradation of sludge, accelerate the hydrolysis and enhance biogas productivity and affect the characteristics of digested sludge. Pretreatment technologies applied at industrial scale in WWTP include thermal hydrolysis (TH), ultrasound, high pressure homogenizers, electric-pulse and ozonization . TH (>100 \u00b0C) has shown to improve methane yields by 51-340% by enhancing sludge solubilisation, and improve dewaterability and achieve complete disinfection of treated sludge. On the other hand, wet air oxidation process (150-320 \u00b0C, at 20\u2013150 bar and with a residence time 15\u2013120 min) has shown to improve dewaterability, destruction of organic matter (92-95%) and biogas production (24-59%) of sludge. However, there is no comparison on the technical, energy and economic evaluation of WAOP and TH in the literature. Therefore, this project will provide required design data for WAOP process at industrial scale in terms of energy efficiency.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Bao","title":"Development of carbon nanodot-based polymer composites","description":"This ARC funded project aims to study liquid metal catalysts in detail in order to unlock their full potential. This project is part of an ARC Discovery Project. The successful candidate will be working as part of a larger team and will be focusing on the experimental realisation of new catalysts. The successful candidate will be synthesizing liquid metal catalysts, conduct activity appraisal studies and conduct in-depth characterisation of these materials. The candidate will also be working with the broader team and conduct studies at the Australian Synchrotron.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Bao","title":"Droplet-based technology for controllable nanomaterial assembly and fabrication.","description":"The immobilisation of nanomaterials on various surfaces is essential to many industrial processes and applications, such as catalysis, printing, and sensing. The functionality and structures of the nanomaterials highly rely on the deposition process. This project will focus on developing a new platform for in-situ nanomaterial fabrication on the surface. \r\n\r\nSuch a platform is based on utilising surface nanodroplets as nanoreactors for confined nanomaterial synthesis and tailored microstructures. Surface nanodroplets are femtoliter in volume and are immobilized on substrates in contact with a surrounding liquid phase. The liquid-liquid interface between the droplets and the surrounding phase provides ideal sites to initiate the self-assembly of colloidal nanomaterials dispersed in the liquid phase. \r\n\r\nThis project will investigate how to obtain metal and nonmetal-based nanomaterial in droplet-based nanodroplets, compare the material properties with conventional methods and apply the obtained materials for energy and environment-related applications.\r\nIn this project, students will have opportunities to access the state-of-art nano\/micro fabrication facilities in RMIT and the wet lab in RMIT Chemical Engineering fully equipped with the various instrument for surface preparation and characterization. Besides the experimental skills in nanomaterials and colloidal interface, the students will have opportunities to gain knowledge in simulations and data processing through international collaborations.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jue Hou, Huacheng Zhang","title":"Membrane Separation for Mineral Extraction and Recovery","description":"Resource recovery and mineral extraction play crucial roles in meeting the ever-increasing demands of our society. Both processes have significant implications for the environment, economy, and sustainable development. Novel extraction and recovery methods and technologies are strongly desired to address the growing resource demands while minimizing waste disposal. The membrane separation process emerges as a promising candidate to revolutionize mineral processing, enabling high-efficient, clean, and continuous operations that reduce environment disruption, waste disposal, and chemical usage.\r\nThis project aims to utilize advanced porous materials, specifically metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), to fabricate membranes capable of high-selective ion transport and ion separation, leveraging their highly monodispersed pore sizes. The project will involve the fabrication and testing of membranes with different structures and composed of various advanced porous materials.\r\nBy undertaking this project, we expect to deepen our understanding of the relationship between selective mass transport and the geometry and pore size of advanced porous materials. This understanding has the potential to greatly benefit mineral processing, water treatment, environmental protection, sustainable development, and waste recycling efforts.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (Chemical Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huacheng Zhang, Jue Hou","title":"Bioinspired Light-Driven Ion Transporters for Efficient Energy Conversion and Storage","description":"This project to address this challenge and to create new artificial ion transporters with biomimetic structures to achieve light-driven active ion transport properties for efficient energy conversion and storage by developing new nanotechnologies and synthesizing new photonic, angstrom-porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huacheng Zhang, Jue Hou","title":"Engineering sub-nanofluidic membranes for efficient lithium-ion separation","description":"With the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in our lives, global lithium production has increased from 34,100 to 100,000 metric tons in the past ten years.1 Worldwide lithium demand will increase to 2,000,000 metric tons by 2030 due to increases in battery demand for electric vehicles.2 High-purity lithium sources such as lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for producing LIBs have been mainly extracted from lithium-containing rocks and brines by chemical-intensive separation methods.3-4 Moreover, the disposal of spent LIBs also discharges large volumes of waste and causes severe environmental pollution. This project aims to address the challenge of developing sustainable separation technologies for efficient lithium extraction and recycling by engineering sub-nanofluidic membranes with high Li+ selectivity and permeability using sub-nanometre porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as ion filters. As illustrated schematically in Fig. 1, flexible sub-nanofluidic membranes will be fabricated by MOF crystal engineering, polymerization, and functionalization. The proposed membranes can selectively transport lithium ions and reject other ions, enabling one-step selective lithium extraction from brines and seawater. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Namita Roy Choudhury","title":"Sustainable future for Tyre: 2D Material based Polymer composition design for 3D printing of Elastomer","description":"Elastomers are an important class of polymers that find applications in healthcare, aerospace, automotive, packaging and many other sectors. However, due to inherent physical, thermo-mechanical properties of elastomers, the additive manufacturing (AM) of elastomers\r\nremains challenging. Advanced functional materials are the key enabling materials for advanced manufacturing. Research on printable 2D materials based polymer\/elastomer composite development for 3D printing of tyre tread represents the biggest knowledge gap in the current developmental cycle.\r\nThe aim of this project is to develop a robust advanced materials and printing methodology enabled sustainable process for elastomer compositions  for tyre treading  that will enable efficient and reliable renewal of tyre in short time by machine learning driven printing method. This will be accomplished by developing novel 2D material based elastomer composition and processing techniques for tyre formulation, with advanced 3D printing method. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Sustainable Low-Cost Green Hydrogen enhancement using High Frequency Sound Waves","description":"The search for a more e\u00ef\u00ac\u0192cient means for the production of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source alternative to fossil fuels [1] has motivated renewed interest in water splitting through electrolysis to produce hydrogen. However, only 4% of hydrogen is produced through water electrolysis, where water molecules split when direct voltage bias is applied. While promising as a green energy technology, electrolysis is not widely used because of (a) the high catalyst cost (Pt\/Ir), (b) the need for highly corrosive acidic or alkaline electrolyte, (c) low yield and electrical conversion efficiency (~40 - 50%).\n \n A promising strategy we have pioneered [2, 3] within the Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL) at RMIT wherein high frequency (>10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations [4] in the form of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are able to drive efficient water splitting of electrolytes, through disturbing the water molecules to \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfrustrate\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 them, enhance electrochemical hydrogen production by more than a 10-fold. \n \n Within the project, the student will therefore continue to uncover more of the intriguing fundamental aspects of the sound wave coupling to water molecules and other electrolytes, test different acousto-electrochemical configurations, then move into building flow-through microfluidic devices to quantify and improve the hydrogen production efficiency. Students will also have access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication cleanrooms at the RMIT MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) and the advanced microscopy tools (atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy) at the RMIT Microscopy & Microanalysis Facility (RMMF).\n \n References:\n \n [1] Chornet, E.; Czernik, S. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Harnessing hydrogen\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nature 2002, 418, 928\u00e2\u20ac\u201c929.\n \n [2] Ehrnst, Y: Sherrell, P; Rezk, A; & Yeo, L. \"Acoustically\u00e2\u20ac\u0090Induced Water Frustration for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Neutral Electrolytes.\" Advanced Energy Materials (2022): 2203164.\n \n [3] Gallagher, J. Sound\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s good. Nat Energy 8, 7 (2023)\n \n [4] Rezk, A. R.; Tan, J. K.; & Yeo, L. Y. Advanced materials, 2016, 28(10), 1970-1975","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Sound Waves based Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Advanced Energy Applications","description":"As fossil fuels continue to deplete, recent surge of efforts has been dedicated to developing alternative energy storage and conversion devices with high energy and power densities. For example, supercapacitors should ideally possess high energy storage and long life. Nevertheless, their performance so far has been inadequate, particularly for large industrial uptake, where vast improvements are to be made particularly with the choice of electrode materials with large accessible surface area, fast ion transfer and stable electrode-to-electrolyte interface. Nanomaterials play a pivotal role in the advancement of the supercapacitors\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 architecture and performance, where a large pool of new nanomaterials have been recently discovered and therefore many researchers are on a journey to synthesise, and test tailored composite structures fulfilling the supercapacitor requirements. \n \n In this project, the student will be synthesising and testing a range of composite materials using our unique high frequency (10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations [1] in the form of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) through a nebulisation (spraying) technique \u00e2\u20ac\u201c an exciting technique developed in our Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL). The spraying method allows fast crystallisation of porous structures (i.e. Metal Organic Frameworks, MOFs [2]), or rapid synthesis of MXene quantum dots [3]) as well as intimate binding to conductive additive materials (i.e. Graphene). The student will also have access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication cleanrooms at the RMIT Micro\/Nano Research Facility (MNRF) and the advanced microscopy tools (atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy) at the RMIT Microscopy & Microanalysis Facility.\n \n References:\n [1] Rezk, A. R.; Tan, J. K.; & Yeo, L. Y. Advanced materials, 2016, 28(10), 1970-1975\n [2] Ehrnst, Y., et al, 2022. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 10(13), pp.7058-7072. \n [3] Alijani, H., et al., 2021. ACS nano, 15(7), pp.12099-12108","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Yang","title":"A Greener and More Sustainable Future Powered by Alcohol Fuels","description":"Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are emerging technologies that can convert the chemical energy in alcohols, e.g., methanol, ethanol, glycerol etc, directly into electricity without any pollutant emissions. In fact, alcohols are considered as more superior fuels to hydrogens for their ease of storage and transportation, and they can be made from renewable resources such as food waste, sugarcanes and grains. However, so far this technology is hurdled by the high cost and limited cell durability, which are mainly derived from the use of expensive noble metal catalysts. This project aims to devleop cost-effective liquid metal-based electrocatalysts with long durability to enable immediate commercialization of high-performance and durable alcohol fuel cell technology. Candidates working in this project will be a valued member in Liquid Metal Research Group, supported with a diversity of research expertise in materials science, catalysis, electrochemistry, and chemical engineering. They also can access RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities. The knowledge and the skills acquired, e.g., catalyst formulation and test, assembly of a functioning fuel cell prototypes, will make the candidates ready for both academia and industry sectors!","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Yang","title":"Producing Green Hydrogen from the Water","description":"Green hydrogen produced from renewable resources such as water is a critical enabler of the global transition to sustainable energy development with net zero carbon emissions. However, this technology is halted by its low efficiency and excessive energy consumption, making it less economically appealing. Developing efficient electrocatalysts could improve its energy efficiency, except for the catalyst itself, such as Pt and Ru, is pricy. This project aims to provide one alternative solution by developing the liquid metal-based electrocatalysts to promote sustainable production of green hydrogen at a reduce cost. The candidate will work within the vibrant and dynamic community of the Liquid Metal Research Group, focusing on synthesis of liquid metal-based catalysts and analyzing them using RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities such as the in situ XPS, TEM and Raman. Properties and catalytic efficiencies of the electrocatalysts will be studied. Fundamental understanding of the liquid metal-based electrocatalysts will be built. During working on this project, the candidate will also accumulate sound knowledge in materials science, electrochemistry, and catalysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nevena Todorova","title":"Molecular understanding of protein misfolding and aggregation phenomena","description":"The ability of proteins to fold spontaneously in their native structure or functional state is essential for biological function. Failure to fold in the native shape may lead to misfolding and aggregation of proteins into insoluble aggregates, known as amyloid fibrils. These fibrous deposits have been linked to debilitating and age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, Parkinson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, type-II diabetes and others. Molecular level insight into the interplay between protein sequence, structure, and conformational dynamics is crucial for the comprehensive understanding of protein folding, misfolding, and aggregation phenomena that are pertinent to the formation of amyloid fibrils implicated in these degenerative diseases. Computational modelling provides insight into protein behaviour at spatial and temporal resolution still largely outside the reach of experiments. An increased understanding of how various factors including temperature, pH, mutations and other external conditions, modulate protein folding, misfolding and subsequent fibril formation will lead to an improved understanding of the biophysics of protein folding and amyloid formation, and possible development of new therapies for a number of debilitating diseases. Such knowledge will enable the evaluation of these molecules in influencing disease processes and assess their potential for use as stabilising agents within protein-based pharmaceuticals or food formulations.\n \n References:\n [1] Nevena Todorova, Irene Yarovsky \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Enigma of Amyloid Forming Proteins: Insights From Molecular Simulations\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Australian Journal of Chemistry 72(8) 574-584","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Develop advanced injectable bioactive hydrogels for improving tissue regeneration","description":"In situ tissue engineering technology is promising in breaking the bottleneck of traditional tissue engineering technology by only using pure biomaterial scaffolds to in situ recruit surrounding cells and tissues into scaffolds to form regenerated tissue, taking advantage of the surrounding microenvironment as a natural bioreactor. As the only and key factor, the engineered biomaterial scaffolds for in situ tissue engineering requires specific biophysical and biochemical cues to direct endogenous cells to the injury site and modulate the behaviour of the cells. \n Injectable hydrogels have been playing a major role in tissue engineering as biomaterial scaffolds. However, in terms of the biochemical cues, most of the current hydrogels can only stimulate a certain phase of tissue regeneration by delivering bioactive substances, ignoring the facts that tissue regeneration is a dynamic process that involves several sequential phases working in coordination to ensure an optimal tissue regeneration. In terms of the biophysical cues, the nanoporous structure of traditional hydrogels is an obstacle for the infiltration of surrounding cells and tissues into the hydrogels and maintaining normal behaviour of the migrated cells, which significantly impede tissue regeneration. Thus, advanced injectable hydrogels with an ability of sequentially delivering therapeutic agents to each wound healing stage and macroporous structure are desired for advancing in situ tissue engineering. The current project aims to develop advanced injectable hydrogels simultaneously possessing sequential delivery ability and macroporous structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Anti-tumour effects of juxtamembrane 2 (JM2) mimic peptide and the Mechanism studies","description":"This PhD project investigates the effects of JM2 mimic peptide on various kinds of cancer cells and tissue forming cells and the mechanism to find a potential novel cancer therapy strategy and a novel tumour post-surgery treatment. The aim is to find the optimal concentration of JM2 on killing various kind of cancer cells but not damaging tissue forming cells and to elucidate the mechanisms.\n \n Recently, we have shown that juxtamembrane 2 (JM2) mimic peptide can suppress the growth of 4T1 breast tumours and melanoma tumours by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the proliferation of 4T1 tumour cells and melanoma cells. Further study indicates that JM2 can stimulate the mitochondria to gather near the microtubule-organizing centre of tumour cells and subsequently induce ROS-induced ROS release responses, which results in mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In addition, JM2 can arrest cell cycle in S phase by regulating the expression of cell cycle-related proteins and consequently is able to kill the cancer cells. Interestingly, we found that certain concentration of JM2 is cyto-compatible to non-cancer cells and even can stimulate migration of tissue forming cells. However, the effects of JM2 on other types of cancer cells and the mechanism through which JM2 mimic peptide kills cancer cells but not damaging the health cells is not clear. \n \n The successful candidate will be required to study the effects of JM2 on various kinds of cancer cells and tissue forming cells and investigate the mechanisms. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Chemical and Environmental Department, School of Engineering at RMIT University and be supervised by Dr. Haiyan Li and Dr. Jiali Zhai.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vikram Garaniya, Pier Marzocca","title":"Artificial Intelligence for the optimisation of the response of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) systems on ships ","description":"The PhD project aims to establish a link between system, electrode, and material degradation issues. Where possible, the project will also develop algorithms to define these connections. This will primarily be accomplished through laboratory studies and field measurements. \n\nAn extensive set of data will be collected, detailing potential distributions that vary spatially and temporally based on factors such as the geometry being protected, the types of protection methods used, the electrode type, and the nature of the substrate (conducted in Spain). From this dataset, artificial intelligence will be employed to predict potential variations in a given system and use the linkage algorithms to anticipate the likely material degradation that could occur. The scope of the project includes (but is not limited to).\n\n\u2022        Conduct a literature review on the current state of the art in applying machine learning (ML) to impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP). Identify gaps in the existing literature.\n\u2022        Define a practical case study with Navantia Australia to gather data on ICCP under real-life conditions.\n\u2022        Perform real-life tests and collect data. Additionally, conduct laboratory-scale tests on small specimens and gather electrochemical data on ICCP for various components.\n\u2022        Develop a physics-based model of ICCP and validate it through small-scale tests.\n\u2022        Combine the physics-based model with a data-driven model to create a physics-assisted ML model. Apply this model to Navantia's real-life case, refining and validating it as necessary.\n\u2022        Produce research papers, technical reports, and a PhD thesis. Present the results to Navantia Australia.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400404 Electrochemical energy storage and conversion\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aonghus McNabola","title":"Exploring the Impact of Urban water bodies on Air Quality and Heat Island Mitigation","description":"Urban waterfront spaces are the vitality cores of waterfront areas, offering people a respite from the fast pace and pressures of modern urban life. These spaces possess climate-friendly attributes and can significantly improve the well-being of urban residents. However, global warming and the intensification of urban heat islands have led to an increase in extreme weather conditions, harming outdoor thermal comfort and inhibiting enjoyment of water activities. In addition, high emissions from industries and transportation, particularly particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), have led to frequent haze events that negatively affect urban residents' health.\n\nThis study aims to explore the factors affecting the thermal environment and air quality in waterfront spaces, examine the interactions between urban water bodies and surrounding buildings, and investigate how these interactions jointly influence air quality and heat island effects. The study will also reveal the main determinants shaping these effects. The research will quantify the contribution of urban water bodies to heat island and air pollution mitigation (e.g., reductions in urban temperature, particulate concentrations, and pollutant diffusion efficiency), and analyze the relationship between water body characteristics (area, depth, shape, etc.), urban layout (building density, height, etc.), and the effectiveness of heat island mitigation and air purification. The study will also explore the potential of passive control measures and green infrastructure for the mitigation of UHI and air pollution in waterfront spaces. The ultimate goal is to provide design guidance for urban waterfront spaces.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"401101 Air Pollution Modelling & Control 50%\n401299 Fluid Mechanics and thermal Engineering not elsewhere classified (25%)\n370102 Air Pollution processes and air quality measurement (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jorge Paz-Ferreiro","title":"Innovative Biochar Materials for Soil Amendment","description":"Soil amendments with the use of biochar is not a new concept yet there are no optimized standards or methods available to assess the environmental and economic advantages of biochar for its commercialization [1]. The main objective of using biochar extensively in environmental management includes (a) soil improvement, (b) waste management, (c) mitigation of climate change, and (d) energy production [2]. Biochar technology seems to have a promising future. However, continuous research is essential for the development of this technology. This project will look at preparing innovative biochar for soil amendment using waste materials as precursors (biosolids, paunch waste).\n References:\n [1]. D.J. Tenenbaum, Environmental Health Perspectives 117, (2009). [2]. J. Lehmann and S. Joseph, Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology (Taylor and Francis, London, 2012)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jorge Paz-Ferreiro","title":"Use of innovative chars for the improvement of saline and sodic soils","description":"Soil salinization is one of the major causes of declining agricultural productivity in many arid and semi-arid areas. Excessive salt concentrations in soils, in most cases, cannot be reduced with time. Approximately one third of the land area in Australia has saline or sodic soils. The use of organic materials including compost has been trialled for the remediation of saline and\/or sodic soils. There is a gap of knowledge with respect to the use of chars (biochars or hydrochars) for the amelioration of saline\/sodic soils.\n References:\n [1]. Paz-Ferreiro, J; H Lu; S Fu; M\u00c3\u00a9ndez, A; Gasc\u00c3\u00b3, G. Use of phytoremediation and biochar to remediate heavy metal polluted soils: a review. Solid Earth 5, (2014): 65-75. [2]. M Qadir A Ghafoor G Murtaza. Amelioration strategies for saline soils: a review. Land Degradation and Development","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Novel catalytic micro-reactor fabrication and design for clean energy applications","description":"Micro-reactors offer excellent mass and heat transfer performance for extraction and multi-phase reactions. They provide a powerful tool for process intensification and micro scale processing. One of the important issues in catalytic micro-reactors is the immobilisation of the active catalyst within a micro-channel. The existing packed-bed reactors are not an efficient design as a reactor size is scaled down because of large pressure drop. In addition, the significant axial and radial temperature gradients can exist in the bed because of heat transfer limited on a packed bed. When the surface\n of the micro-channel is coated with the catalyst, the heat has to be transferred through the channel walls and the isothermal condition can be achieved. In addition, the catalyst-coated micro-channel provides a lower pressure drop compared with the granular catalyst packed inside the reactor. Thus, the overarching objective of this study is to prepare a micro-reactor with mechanically stable monolithic catalyst for (i) converting carbon dioxide (CO2) emission into higher value products, and\/or (ii) producing renewable hydrogen (H2) for clean energy applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"A novel catalytic system for the production of renewable hydrogen","description":"The continuous increase in population and industrial development, results in an increase in energy demand and green house gas (GHG) emissions. Expected growth in global energy demands further exacerbate GHG emissions concerns, and highlight the importance of developing alternative energy production methods. The utilization of hydrogen as an integral part of a clean energy production arrangement is presently considered a viable substitute to current energy production methods, and a significant addition to the economy. The production of high purity hydrogen from renewable feedstock can potentially be capitalized on to produce clean energy that can replace that obtained by fossil fuel combustion. This research aims to investigate the use of novel metal alloy catalysts to enhance the production of green hydrogen. This has a significant impact on the development of future hydrogen economy. \n The proposed research will focus on the development of novel metal alloy catalysts to convert renewable feedstock including waste, biomass, biogas and\/or landfill gas into hydrogen and high-value carbon. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, chemical adsorption and temperature-programmed reactions analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Developing novel catalysts for the production of low-carbon fuels","description":"The paradigm of using anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) as a building block for the synthesis of commodity chemicals has the potential to contribute to a sustainable growth of the chemical industry and reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The annual industrial conversion of CO2 into chemicals is approximately 1% of the CO2 emissions. On the other hand, the worldwide consumption of fuels is approximately two orders of magnitude larger than that of chemicals and the use of fossil fuels contributes ca. 60% of the total CO2 emission. Thus, chemically fixing CO2 back to components of the fuel pool has the potential to turn emission liability into economic value. This project aims to develop the basic design principles that govern the performance of metal catalysts for converting carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels and\/or higher-value products. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in understanding the reaction dynamics occurring at the catalyst interface and the composition-catalytic activity relationships through an experimental approach. The project will benefit key societal challenges of emissions reduction, sustainable development and waste utilisation. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, chemical adsorption and temperature-programmed reactions analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Machine learning-augmented design of advanced functional materials","description":"Liquid metals are rapidly emerging as a new frontier in catalysis. Unlike conventional solid heterogeneous catalysts, liquid metals consist of free-flowing ionised metal atoms that are surrounded by a fluid of delocalised electrons that make up the metallic bonds, providing them with a dynamic catalytic interface that is resilient towards deactivation. More importantly, in the presence of one or more dissolved metals, liquid metal alloys (LMAs) can provide novel catalyst design and reaction routes due to the unique properties of liquid-state metals and the modified structures. Recent successes have highlighted the tremendous potential of LMA catalysts for applications in carbon dioxide utilisation, hydrogen production, pollutant degradation and dehydrogenation. In view of the lack of unifying rationale design theory in the literature, it necessitates a systematic assessment of their catalytic activities under a set of consistent conditions. The aim of this project is to develop a tandem approach combining rapid catalyst testing with machine-learning algorithms in order to establish a theoretical understanding of the structure-catalytic activity relationships that will guide the future design of LMA catalysts. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, catalyst screening equipment, and computational techniques.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarathinam Parthasarathy","title":"Flow behaviour of non-Newtonian fluids mixed by submerged recirculating jets","description":"The project will study the flow behaviour of viscous non-Newtonian liquids in a vessel mixed by a submerged recirculating jet using electrical resistance tomography (ERT). The efficiency of processes involving viscous non-Newtonian fluids depends significantly on the extent to which the liquid is mobilised within the vessel. Adequate flow of liquid is critical to the success of the process as it enhances the rates of transfer processes and aids in maintaining physical and chemical uniformity within the vessel. The flow behaviour becomes complex for a non-Newtonian fluid with yield stress and shear thinning behaviour. Mixing such fluids at lower shear rates often leads to forming a well-mixed zone in the form of a 'cavern' or 'active mixing region,' surrounded by 'dead zones' or 'inactive regions' which are unmixed. Although it has been hypothesised that active regions and dead zones exist in yield stress fluids, this has not been studied widely. Conventional flow visualisation techniques cannot be applied to study the dead zones because the fluid is often opaque. In this project, electrical resistance tomography (ERT) will be employed to study the presence of active and dead zones. The project aims to determine the type of flow structures formed in yield stress shear-thinning liquids mixed by recirculating submerged jets. The objectives of the work are to \n1) determine if active volume\/cavern formation occurs in yield-stress non-Newtonian liquids by visualising local flow patterns using ERT, \n2) study the influences of jet velocity and jet nozzle location on the extent of active volume, and \n3) develop numerical models for predicting the active volume as a function of specific jet power input and effective liquid viscosity.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403 Chemical engineering design (70%) ; 400499 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR219 MEng (Environ Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim","title":"Design and optimization of a spongy super-hydrophobic material-based filtration process for oil spill clean-up applications","description":"Developing materials that are highly efficient at recovering oil to mitigate the environmental impact of oil spills is both crucial and challenging. This collaborative Masters by Research project between CSIRO Manufacturing and RMIT University aims to design and optimise the application of a novel spongy super-hydrophobic material for oil spill clean-up through small pilot-scale testing. The ultimate goal is to significantly improve oil filtration efficiency in Oil Spill Response, potentially revolutionising current practices and contributing to environmental sustainability. \n\nA hyper-crosslinked polymer-coated sponge (HPCS) was previously developed and successfully applied by CSIRO Manufacturing to remove crude oil from oil-in-water emulsions to improve oil spill clean-up processes. This research will advance the technology by scaling up the HPCS production and the filtration process to facilitate its future implementations. The project activities include formulating and fabricating functional sponges, optimising the product at a large scale, improving the filtration process, conducting system characterisation and preparing research papers for publication. \n\nA stipend scholarship will be provided to the successful applicant by CSIRO Manufacturing for two years. The candidate will be based primarily at CSIRO Manufacturing in Clayton for the duration of the project.  \n","sdg":"[\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-20","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400409\tSeparation\u00a0technologies (70%)\n401102\tEnvironmentally sustainable engineering (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim","title":"Design and optimization of a spongy super-hydrophobic material-based filtration process for oil spill clean-up applications","description":"Developing materials that are highly efficient at recovering oil to mitigate the environmental impact of oil spills is both crucial and challenging. This collaborative Masters by Research project between CSIRO Manufacturing and RMIT University aims to design and optimise the application of a novel spongy super-hydrophobic material for oil spill clean-up through small pilot-scale testing. The ultimate goal is to significantly improve oil filtration efficiency in Oil Spill Response, potentially revolutionising current practices and contributing to environmental sustainability. \n\nA hyper-crosslinked polymer-coated sponge (HPCS) was previously developed and successfully applied by CSIRO Manufacturing to remove crude oil from oil-in-water emulsions to improve oil spill clean-up processes. This research will advance the technology by scaling up the HPCS production and the filtration process to facilitate its future implementations. The project activities include formulating and fabricating functional sponges, optimising the product at a large scale, improving the filtration process, conducting system characterisation and preparing research papers for publication. \n\nA stipend scholarship will be provided to the successful applicant by CSIRO Manufacturing for two years. The candidate will be based primarily at CSIRO Manufacturing in Clayton for the duration of the project.  \n","sdg":"[\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-20","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400409\tSeparation\u00a0technologies (70%)\n401102\tEnvironmentally sustainable engineering (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri, Samuel Ippolito, Rajarathinam Parthasarathy, Torben Daeneke , Glenn Matthews, Mahdokht Shaibani, Hamid Arandiyan, James Tardio, Selvakannan Periasamy ","title":"Nanoengineering for Sustainable Waste Upcycling: Transforming Waste Materials into Value-Added Products","description":"The project endeavors to delve into waste upcycling, a transformative process that converts waste materials into valuable products, employing principles from materials science and engineering. Commencing with the identification of waste materials such as plastic, paper, and textiles, the project will formulate an upcycling process utilizing methodologies such as polymerization, pyrolysis, and other innovative techniques.\n\nSubsequently, the project will employ various materials science techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis, to characterize the properties of the upcycled products comprehensively. Evaluation will extend to mechanical, thermal, and chemical attributes of the products.\n\nIn its culmination, the project will conduct an economic feasibility assessment, considering the raw material costs, processing expenses, and market value of the upcycled products. Anticipated outcomes include the establishment of a sustainable upcycling process yielding valuable products from waste materials. These products will boast desirable properties, offering a sustainable remedy to waste management challenges.\n\nMoreover, the project aims to enrich the field of sustainable materials science by contributing valuable insights into waste upcycling. It holds the promise of providing a pragmatic solution, propelling the advancement of sustainable practices in material utilization and waste management.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303 Nanochemistry (50%)\n401605 Functional Materials (25%)\n400499 Chemical Engineering not elsewhere classified (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Nanoengineering approach in upcycling waste materials to value added products","description":"The project aims to explore waste upcycling, a process of converting waste materials into valuable products, using materials science\/engineering principles. It will begin by identifying waste materials such as plastic, paper, and textiles and an upcycling process will be developed using techniques such as polymerization, pyrolysis and other means. The properties of the upcycled products will be characterized using various materials science techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of the upcycled products will also be evaluated. Finally, the economic feasibility of the upcycling process will be assessed by considering the cost of raw materials, processing, and the market value of the upcycled products.\n \n The project's expected outcomes are the development of a sustainable upcycling process that produces valuable products from waste materials. The upcycled products will have desirable properties and offer a sustainable solution to waste management. This project will contribute to the growing field of sustainable materials science and provide valuable insights into waste upcycling. It will also offer a promising solution to tackle the significant concern of waste management worldwide.\n \n In conclusion, this project aims to develop an innovative approach to waste management through upcycling using materials science principles. The project's outcomes will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions to the pressing issue of waste management and provide valuable insights into the application of materials science principles in waste upcycling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 MEng (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Green hydrogen production assisted with high frequency sound waves","description":"The Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory at RMIT have made the surprising discovery wherein high frequency (10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are able to drive efficient splitting of pure (DI) water at low voltages. Within this project, the student will continue to uncover more of the intriguing fundamental aspects of the sound wave coupling to water molecules, working with a team that is building microfluidic devices to test and improve the hydrogen production efficiency. Ultimately, the project will involve building an efficient microfluidic hydrogen production system that is triggered by high frequency sound waves. \n\nThis project is appropriate for students interested in Masters in the following disciplines:\nChemical Engineering; Mechanical and Automotive Engineering; Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering; Biomedical Engineering;\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400499 Chemical Engineering not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarthinam Parthasarathy","title":"Laminar flow of thickened slurries in pipes","description":"Transport of thickened slurries such as mineral tailings, sludge, and coal mixture is challenging due to solids settling, pipeline fouling, and increased transport cost. Pumping costs can be reduced by transporting slurries under laminar flow conditions, but it has the risk of higher levels of solids settling. To minimise settling solids settling while transporting slurries under laminar flow conditions, slurry concentration and composition in terms of the fractions of fine and coarse particles in the slurry need to be optimised. This project aims to investigate the rheological and settling characteristics of slurries using a rheometer and electrical resistance tomography (ERT) and use the results to\n1) Optimise slurry composition and concentration to minimise settling,\n2) Relate the viscometric flow of a rheometer to the laminar flow in pipelines,\n3) Develop suitable model equations based on slurry rheology and settling to calculate the critical pipeline length required to transport slurry without settling under laminar flow conditions.\n\nThe information and model developed in this project will help predict the pipeline length required to transport slurries under laminar flow conditions and the pumping energy needed\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403  Chemical engineering design (50%) ; 400406 Powder and particle technology (40%) ; 400499 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Machine learning-augmented design of advanced functional materials","description":"Liquid metals are rapidly emerging as a new frontier in catalysis. Unlike conventional solid heterogeneous catalysts, liquid metals consist of free-flowing ionised metal atoms that are surrounded by a fluid of delocalised electrons that make up the metallic bonds, providing them with a dynamic catalytic interface that is resilient towards deactivation. More importantly, in the presence of one or more dissolved metals, liquid metal alloys (LMAs) can provide novel catalyst design and reaction routes due to the unique properties of liquid-state metals and the modified structures. Recent successes have highlighted the tremendous potential of LMA catalysts for applications in carbon dioxide utilisation, hydrogen production, pollutant degradation and dehydrogenation. In view of the lack of unifying rationale design theory in the literature, it necessitates a systematic assessment of their catalytic activities under a set of consistent conditions. The aim of this project is to develop a tandem approach combining rapid catalyst testing with machine-learning algorithms in order to establish a theoretical understanding of the structure-catalytic activity relationships that will guide the future design of LMA catalysts. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, catalyst screening equipment, and computational techniques.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400402 Chemical and thermal processes in energy and combustion (50%) ; 340601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Modulate small extracellular vesicles with biomaterials","description":"Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs, 50 to 200 nm in diameter) are functional vehicles secreted by almost all cell types, carrying a complex cargo of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The applications of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived sEVs (MSC-sEVs) have increased immensely in tissue regeneration and cancer therapeutics fields because their cargos can facilitate intercellular communications through transferring biologically active compounds to recipient cells. \n\nHowever, high dose requirements and uncontrollable biological function limit sEV therapy applications. In tissue engineering field, the effects of biomaterials on behaviour of MSCs have been widely studied and it has been proved that the chemical, structural and mechanical cues of biomaterials can significantly affect the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs. \n\nAs sEVs are the main secretome of MSCs, it can be hypothesized that biomaterials will also affect the behaviour of sEVs, including their biogenesis, secretion, and cargo, which will finally determine their biological function and applications. This project aims to decipher the effects of two types of biomaterials, electrospun membranes and ion products of silicate bioceramics, or their combinations, on the behaviour of MSC-sEVs. Specifically, the production yield and biological function of MSC-sEVs released from the MSCs cultured under different conditions will be studied. This study will shed light on the response of sEVs in systemic responses of MSCs to biomaterial stimulation, providing a new direction in developing strategies to modulate the behaviour of sEVs.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400311 Tissue Engineering (50%) ; 400302  Biomaterials (25%) ; 400399 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Seungju Kim, Jue Hou, Namita Roy Choudhury, Linhua Fan, Ken Chiang","title":"Superhydrophobic membranes for low-energy separation","description":"This PhD project aims to develop novel nanofibre membranes with superhydrophobicity using novel polymer chemistry and nanofibre morphology. Superhydrophobic membranes with water repellent properties are required for emerging processes such as membrane distillation (MD), for example to draw freshwater vapor from saline water, and membrane gas absorption (MGA).","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/08\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400409 Separation Technologies (50%) ; 400411 Water Treatment Processes (30%) ; 400401 Carbon Capture Engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leslie Yeo","title":"Mechanotransduction-Driven Cell Nucleus and Epigenetic Modulation","description":"High-frequency acoustics has emerged as a powerful tool for cellular mechanotransduction wherein short MHz mechanostimulation was shown to induce a cascade of cellular activities, including stem cell differentiation, vesicle trafficking and cellular reorganisation. Recent investigations have implicated the modulation of second messengers, which trigger various intracellular signalling cascades that, in turn, activates a plethora of transcription factors. Such effects have therefore opened up exciting possibilities for exploiting the platform as means for mechanotherapy.\n \n A detailed understanding of the mechanisms involved in such acoustic mechanostimulation is nevertheless lacking. Given the aforementioned observations, it is imperative that it has a profound effect on epigenome. There is limited understanding however on how it shapes epigenetic regulation. We will carry out experiments to study how molecular signals induced by the acoustic stimuli are transmitted from the cytoplasm to the nucleus to regulate the epigenome of mammalian cells by precisely tracking chromatic modulation and gene deregulation. More specifically, the project aims to\n 1. Understand cytoplasmic mechanotransduction in mammalian cells following high-frequency acoustic stimulation.\n 2. Analyse the effect of high-frequency acoustic stimulation on cellular chromatin remodelling.\n 3. Identify the genetic targets epigenetically modulated by the acoustic stimulation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leslie Yeo","title":"Immune cell activation through high frequency mechanostimulation for autologous immunotherapeutics","description":"There is a significant need for the production of functional\/activated immune cells for various clinical applications, including cancer immunotherapy. To date, ex vivo cultivation and production of functional immune cells primarily requires costly chemicals (e.g., ionophores, and inhibitors) or biochemicals (e.g., receptor antagonists or ligand biosimilars) that are often costly and toxic to the cells. As such, there is a critical need to develop new, cheaper and non-toxic methods for activating immune cells.\n\nImmune cells (e.g., T cells, monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells) are known to rely on mechanotransduction to differentiate and function. More importantly, effective immune response arise as the immune cells undergo actin-mediated migration to interact with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or transformed cells. Moreover, it has been recently noted that immune cells can respond to a variety of mechanical stimuli that directly affects receptors on their surface that allows them to discriminate between antigens and intracellular signalling.\n\nThis project builds on our recent advances on the use of high frequency (10 MHz) mechanostimulation to modulate second messenger calcium signalling, that, in turn, triggers various downstream signalling cascades to influence a variety of cell fates. In this project, we will, in particular, study the possibility of such mechanostimulation to improve monocyte activation. In doing so, we intend to demonstrate a cheaper, non-toxic and scalable platform for the production of functional immune cells. This will then constitute an ex vivo therapeutic strategy in which it is possible to harvest a patient\u2019s own immune cells, prime them in the laboratory and reinfuse them to the same patient as a means for boosting vaccine delivery along the same vision as autologous cell-based therapies.\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400307 Mechanobiology (40%) ; 320402 Applied immunology (incl. antibody engineering, xenotransplantation and t-cell therapies) (30%) ; 320699 Medical biotechnology not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400307 Mechanobiology (40%) ; 320402 Applied immunology (incl. antibody engineering, xenotransplantation and t-cell therapies) (30%) ; 320699 Medical biotechnology not elsewhere classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 MEng (Chemical Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huacheng Zang, Jue Hou","title":"Responsive ion adsorbents for selective ion recovery","description":"Stimuli-responsive ion absorbents (SRIAs) with reversible ion adsorption and desorption properties have recently attracted immense attention due to their outstanding functionalities for sustainable separation applications. In contrast to traditional adsorbents that are mainly regenerated through chemical additives, SRIAs allow for reduced chemical and even chemical-free regeneration capacities, thereby enabling environmental-friendly and energy-efficient separation technologies. This project aims to fabricate single-, dual-, or multi-responsive ion adsorbents and apply these responsive ion adsorbents for sustainable water desalination, toxic ion removal, and valuable ion extract and recovery. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 MEng (Chemical Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan","title":"Effect of cellulose recovery from wastewater on microplastics removal in sewage treatment","description":"Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are transforming into water resource recovery facilities, with the aim of recovering resources from sewage and moving towards a circular economy. Recovery of cellulose and further adding value to the cellulosic fibres can contribute to the sustainability of wastewater treatment processes by generating new eco-efficient products while reducing energy and cost for wastewater treatment and reclamation.\n \n Currently, the physical process using rotating belt filters (RBF, mesh size <500 \u00c2\u00b5m) is considered the most practical cellulose recovery method. One of the potential benefits of the RBF process is that it can simultaneously remove the emerging contaminant microplastics (MPs) during the cellulose separation process. However, the effect of RBF-based cellulose recovery on MP removal has not been systematically studied.\n \n This project aims to gain more insights into the effect of the variables of the RBF process such as mesh size of the filter, wastewater flow rate, cellulose load, dissolved organic content, water temperature, initial MP concentration and the physical properties of filter cake on MP removal. The knowledge obtained from the project can help develop the integrated MP control in the RBF process, to improve the efficiency of MP removal while maintaining the efficiency of cellulose recovery, and eventually reducing the risks of MP on human health and the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"JJ Richardson","title":"Nanomaterials to stop infections in humans and plants","description":"This project focuses on the interface between biological systems, like plants, people, and microbes, and nanomaterials. A key aim is to understand fundamentals related to nanomaterial design and how the properties of nanomaterials influence their interactions with living things. This has implications for microplastics research, improved crop yields, preventing future pandemics, and developing new nanomedicines.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan","title":"Novel adsorbents for removing persistent organic pollutants from water and wastewater","description":"Emerging persistent organic compounds such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and many other micropollutants in water and wastewater are gaining growing attentions due to their toxic and bio-accumulative natures. Although many existing technologies are capable to remove them such as membranes, high cost and high maintenance requirement remain the limiting factor for these technologies for wide applications. The aim of this project is to develop novel adsorbents by utilising advanced functional materials, which can selectively remove the target organic compounds from the contaminated water, be easily recovered and reused and be integrated with pollutant destruction process. The project outcomes would lead to the development of low-energy and low-cost technologies for the control of the harmful organic compounds in water and wastewater, and mitigation of the risks of the pollutants on human health and the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan","title":"Modifying polymeric membranes with 2D nanomaterials for water purification applications","description":"Polymeric membranes are utilised widely in the water industry for producing ample high-quality water to meet the growing demand on freshwater supply, mitigating pollution of the water environment, and facilitating resource recovery. However, the issues including low chemical and mechanical stability, high fouling propensity and maintenance requirement, short life span, and high energy requirement remain for the conventional polymeric membranes and hence limit their wider applications. Potential applications of 2D nanomaterials have been reported in many areas such as electronics, optoelectronics, catalysis, sensors, and supercapacitors. There is growing interest in the modification of polymeric membranes using metal oxide and metal hydroxide nanosheets to fabricate the hybrid membranes that carry the desired characteristic. This approach is expected to help address the issues associated with polymeric membranes. Moreover, the modified membranes can be added with extra functions such as photocatalysis and self-cleaning, which would help broaden their applications in water and wastewater treatment. The project is aimed at fabricating the hybrid membranes through modification of several selected commercially available polymeric membranes with the nanosheets produced with suitable metal oxides\/hydroxides, or other nanomaterials. To gain an in-depth understanding of the modification approach and the product properties, the fabricated hybrid membranes and the unmodified membranes will be thoroughly characterised with advanced surface and material characterisation facilities at RMIT and an external research organisation. The most promising membrane(s) will then be tested with real water and wastewater under real-world conditions to evaluate their potential for large-scale applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mariam Ameen","title":"Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production from biomass waste via thermocatalytic processes","description":"This project aims to convert biomass waste into renewable aviation fuels also called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or Bio Jet fuel. Plants and animal-based waste oil is one of the most commonly produced wastes in the food industry which is difficult to degrade or utilize. The utilization of waste materials particularly waste vegetable or animal fats\/oils for sustainable and renewable fuel is more challenging in terms of catalyst development, process optimization and product quality assessment. Generally, SAF is produced via a thermochemical catalytic cracking reaction from hydrotreated vegetable oils or lignin-containing biomass which produces several side reactions, as the intermediates of C5-C14 hydrocarbons, polymerize or condense to C22-C44 long-chain hydrocarbons which lead to catalyst deactivation. We generally develop the most efficient catalytic system for the thermochemical conversion of waste biomass into value-added chemicals and renewable fuels. The detailed investigation includes process optimization and scaling up the process to meet industrial requirements in terms of the quality of products. We do have all the facilities for characterization testing of materials and products. We also encourage collaborations with biomass industries which are mainly dealing with the waste conversion to wealth.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mariam Ameen","title":"Conversion of Biomass Waste (Lignin) Materials into Renewable Drop in Liquid Fuels i.e. Biogasoline","description":"Lignin is one of the abundantly found waste materials and its valorisation is a big challenge. The challenge in using lignin for fuel-compatible molecules arises from the depolymerization of the lignin components to the selective range of gasoline hydrocarbons (C5-C12), which could directly be used as drop-in fuels or blended components. The project aims to investigate the novel technique for the depolymerization of lignin polymers into small products, i.e., aromatic and aliphatic molecules, which can be further catalyzed into the gasoline range hydrocarbons. The introduction of a novel technique which can depolymerize the lignin into small fragments, which can be upgraded further into fuel additives. Generally, bio-gasoline is produced via a thermochemical process, which is difficult to control due to several side reactions. This project expects that the implementation of several advanced techniques will reduce the reaction steps needed Moreover, there will be small fractions of other depolymerized lignin products, which could be upgraded into gasoline-range hydrocarbons. \n We have in-house facilities and laboratories for biomass processing and characterization techniques. Also, we are open to industrial collaboration. for HDR industry related internships. \n Reference: \n 1. Five-lump kinetic approach on biofuel production from refined rubber seed oil over Cu\/ZSM-5 catalyst via catalytic cracking reaction. Renewable Energy, Volume 171, June 2021, Pages 1445-1453\n 2. Biogasoline production from linoleic acid via catalytic cracking over nickel and copper-doped ZSM-5 catalysts. Environmental Research, Volume 186, July 2020, 109616\n 3. Production of gasoline range hydrocarbons from catalytic cracking of linoleic acid over various acidic zeolite catalysts, Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 26, pages34039\u00e2\u20ac\u201c34046 (2019)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mariam Ameen","title":"Ultrasound-assisted conversion of waste sugar materials into fuel additives using green solvents","description":"5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a fuel additive, a chemical platform that can be generated from cellulose through acid dehydration and used as an alternative to petroleum supplies to manufacture polymers, fuels or commodities. HMF has been listed by the US Department of Energy among the top 10 added-value bio-based chemicals as one of the derivatives of furan compounds.\n This project employed a new approach through the use of the ultrasound method and green solvents as additive or co-solvents. The ultrasonic method is implemented in the reaction mixture by ultrasonic irradiation. The synthesis of waste sugar materials into 5-HMF also is supported by kinetics and mass transfer studies.\n \n Reference: \n 1. Rosatella, A.A., et al., 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) as a building block platform: Biological properties, synthesis and synthetic applications. Green Chemistry, 2011. 13(4): p. 754-793.\n 2. Tuercke, T., S. Panic, and S. Loebbecke, Microreactor Process for the Optimized Synthesis of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural: A Promising Building Block Obtained by Catalytic Dehydration of Fructose. Chemical Engineering & Technology, 2009. 32(11): p. 1815-1822.\n 3. Zhou, C., et al., Conversion of glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in different solvents and catalysts: Reaction kinetics and mechanism. Egyptian Journal of Petroleum, 2017. 26(2): p. 477-487.\n 4. Grande, P.M., C. Bergs, and P. Dom\u00c3\u00adnguez de Mar\u00c3\u00ada, Chemo-enzymatic conversion of glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in seawater. ChemSusChem, 2012. 5(7): p. 1203-6.\n 5. Kuster, B.F.M., 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). A Review Focussing on its Manufacture. Starch - St\u00c3\u00a4rke, 1990. 42(8): p. 314-321.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarathinam Parthasarathy","title":"Polymer composite synthesis using end of life tyre (EOLT) char","description":"The disposal and recycling of end-of-life-tyre (EOLT) have drawn wide attention from academia and industry in the recent decade. As of June 2018, one company in Australia is licenced for pyrolysis of EOLT at a commercial scale to produce EOLT-pyrolysis char (EOLT-PC). Moreover, numerous pilot-phase plants that had been trialled are now defunct. However, the actual reuse rate of EOLT-PC remains low as it is still deemed unusable and destined to landfill. Thus, this project aims to develop the combined pyrolysis-vortex process to upcycle EOLT-PC. The process will produce high-quality char as additives in tyre and construction materials, in polymer composites, with modified physio-chemical properties. The project will leverage the advanced manufacturing, extensive material characterisation and materials performance testing facilities at UoM and RMIT University. The project will also help establish a proof of principle pilot plant that will be pivotal in integrating the developed technology at Bioplant.\n  \n The PhD candidate will be based at RMIT University and will have the opportunity to work closely with industry partners. The project will involve the development of various polymeric composites for different applications and undertaking a techno-economic assessment of the overall process that will be developed.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"Next generation electronics based on printed two dimensional materials","description":"This project involves the synthesis and characterization of atomically thin semiconductors, dielectrics and conductors. The developed materials will be investigated for their use in next generation low energy electronics, addressing the emerging need for energy efficient computing. Data processing and storage currently consumes about 3% of the world\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s energy production. This fraction is predicted to rise to above 30% by 2030, threatening current efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Two dimensional materials including 2D semiconductors, 2D ferroelectrics and piezoelectric are predicted to enable electronic devices which require orders of magnitude less energy than current silicon-based technologies. The project aims to produce these materials, characterize them and develop the first devices based on these newly emerging materials. The materials that will be investigated predominantly include post-transition metal compounds including gallium, indium and tin based materials. The materials will be produced utilizing liquid metal-based printing methods that have been developed in our research group. The synthesis of the materials is straightforward and scalable. The PhD candidate will prepare the materials and will then conduct a thorough characterization using multiple electron microscopy-based techniques as well as optical and electronic characterizations. The developed materials will then be integrated into traditional and emerging electronic device designs which will be fabricated utilizing state-of- the-art lithography techniques (ion beam, electron beam and photo lithography). \n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, physics, electronics, materials engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"Development of next generation liquid metal catalysts for CO2 reutilization","description":"Catalytic conversions are the foundation of today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chemical industry and enable many aspects of our daily lives. Catalysts find application in the production of fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and aid in the mitigation of harmful pollutants. Due to their global success, catalysts are now being intensely investigated to solve todays most pressing problems such as global warming, food security and providing green energy. This project focuses on converting CO2 into valuable products as well as solids that can be safely stored. Reducing CO2 is challenging and catalysts often suffer from the effects of catalyst poisoning and deactivation via coking. Recent advances in liquid metal chemistry have shown that room temperature liquid metals can overcome these limitations, leading to a new class of catalysts. The liquid state of these catalysts gives rise to self-refreshing surfaces and interfaces that effectively mitigate coking and poisoning. During this project, the candidate will synthesize new liquid metal catalysts and apply them in prototype reactions to convert CO2 into value-added products. The candidate will learn valuable synthesis techniques, explore the properties of the produced liquid metals using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities and will design catalytic reactors and prototypes. This project will be conducted within the vibrant liquid metal and catalysis research groups, providing ample opportunities for collaboration.\n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"Development of next generation liquid metal catalysts for ammonia production","description":"Catalytic conversions are the foundation of today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chemical industry and enable many aspects of our daily lives. Catalysts find application in the production of fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and aid in the mitigation of harmful pollutants. Due to their global success, catalysts are now being intensely investigated to solve today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most pressing problems such as global warming, food security and providing green energy. This project focuses on finding less polluting ways to produce NH3. NH3 is a key ingredient in fertilisers and is also considered to be an important hydrogen storage medium for the future hydrogen economy. Unfortunately, current NH3 production catalysts require very high pressures and temperatures, causing significant CO2 emissions. Recent advances in liquid metal chemistry have shown that room temperature liquid metals may offer new pathways to facilitate this reaction and could overcome these challenges. During this project, the candidate will synthesize new liquid metal catalysts and apply them in prototype reactions to produce NH3. The candidate will learn valuable synthesis techniques, explore the properties of the produced liquid metals using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities and will design catalytic reactors and prototypes. This project will be conducted within the vibrant liquid metal and catalysis research groups, providing ample opportunities for collaboration.\n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"The chemistry and properties of liquid metals","description":"Liquid metals are an intriguing class of materials that is enabling novel applications and technologies spanning from functional electronics, biomedical devices, sensors to catalysis and the synthesis of nanomaterials. In recent years a range of novel alloys has been developed that are liquid at or near room temperature and that are non-toxic. Liquid metals are unique, since they combine the electric and thermal conductivity of metals with the fluidity that is usually associated with covalent solvents such as water or ethanol. Despite harbouring immense technological potential, very little is known about the chemistry that occurs within liquid metals. This project will investigate the fundamental properties of liquid metals using advanced electron microscopy-based techniques as well as synchrotron and neutron scattering experiments in order to reveal processes such as bond formation and chemical reactions within a molten metallic matrix. During this project, the candidate will synthesize new liquid metal alloys and will analyse their properties in detail. The candidate will learn valuable synthesis techniques, explore the properties of the produced liquid metals using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities and will work with the broader team to understand how liquid metals can catalyse reactions. This project will be conducted within the vibrant liquid metal and catalysis research groups, providing ample opportunities for collaboration. \n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, physics, materials science, chemical engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Nanoengineering approach in upcycling waste materials to value added products","description":"The project aims to explore waste upcycling, a process of converting waste materials into valuable products, using materials science\/engineering principles. It will begin by identifying waste materials such as plastic, paper, and textiles and an upcycling process will be developed using techniques such as polymerization, pyrolysis and other means. The properties of the upcycled products will be characterized using various materials science techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of the upcycled products will also be evaluated. Finally, the economic feasibility of the upcycling process will be assessed by considering the cost of raw materials, processing, and the market value of the upcycled products.\n \n The project's expected outcomes are the development of a sustainable upcycling process that produces valuable products from waste materials. The upcycled products will have desirable properties and offer a sustainable solution to waste management. This project will contribute to the growing field of sustainable materials science and provide valuable insights into waste upcycling. It will also offer a promising solution to tackle the significant concern of waste management worldwide.\n \n In conclusion, this project aims to develop an innovative approach to waste management through upcycling using materials science principles. The project's outcomes will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions to the pressing issue of waste management and provide valuable insights into the application of materials science principles in waste upcycling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aonghus McNabola, Sara Moridpour, Vikram Garaniya","title":"Assessing the impacts of air pollution on commuter exposure to air pollution in Melbourne","description":"Air pollution poses a significant risk to public health worldwide and is known to be responsible for the premature death of 6.8 million people per annum. Exposure to high levels of air pollution can commonly occur in cities, in indoor environments and in transport settings. Exposure to air pollution of commuters in the transport arena has been extensively studied. However recent shifts towards electrification of transport (electric cars, trains, scooters, etc), and shifts in work practices (working from home) have resulted in changes to the air quality landscape.\n\nThis PhD project will examine the evolution of air pollution exposure in commuters in Melbourne considering factors of changed work practices and transport options. The project will assess the health impact of commuter mode choice and the impact of working routine patterns (i.e number of days at home vs in the office). The project will also assess mitigation options (Green Infrastructure, Transport Policy, etc) to address public health impacts using air pollution and transport modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"401101 Air Pollution Modelling & Control (25%). \n370102 Air Pollution processes and air quality measurement (50%).\n400512 Transport engineering (25%).\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Developing Solutions for Wastewater Heat Recovery in Australian Food Processing and Production ","description":"Significant amounts of energy are expended on heating water for various applications including the processing and production of food. This occurs in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and food processing plants. When this hot water is used it is discharged as hot wastewater, still containing a large portion of the energy embedded within it. Sending hot water to the sewer system is a significant waste of energy and unnecessarily contributed to the emissions of the food sector.\n\nThis project will develop solutions for the recycling of waste heat in wastewater from the Australian food sector. The project will include assessment of the available heat energy resources available in the Australian context and co-develop solutions with industry to recycle this heat, reducing the cost and environmental impact of water heating for food production. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401204 Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) (25%).\n401205 Experimental methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (25%).\n401106 Waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling (25%).\n400513 Water resources engineering (25%).\n401703Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical) (25%)."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Nanosensors for pollution monitoring and industrial process control","description":"Introduction:\n Chemical sensors play a critical role in environmental monitoring, energy, and industrial process control applications. In this project, we aim to develop a new generation of chemical sensors that are sensitive, selective, and cost-effective.\n \n Objectives:\n The primary objective of this project is to develop chemical sensors that can accurately detect and quantify a wide range of chemical species in environmental, energy, and industrial applications. Specifically, we aim to:\n \n 1. Identify the chemical species of interest in the target applications.\n 2. Develop novel sensing materials and designs to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity.\n 3. Characterize the performance of the chemical sensors using various analytical techniques.\n 4. Test the chemical sensors in real-world scenarios to evaluate their performance and reliability.\n \n Methodology:\n The project will begin by identifying the chemical species of interest in the target applications. These could include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), greenhouse gases, and other contaminants commonly found in the environment, energy, and industrial processes.\n \n Next, we will develop novel sensing materials and designs that can achieve high sensitivity and selectivity for the target chemical species. This will involve the synthesis and characterization of various sensing materials, such as metal oxides, polymers, and nanomaterials.\n \n The performance of the chemical sensors will be characterized using various analytical techniques such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The sensors will also be tested in real-world scenarios to evaluate their performance and reliability.\n \n Expected Outcomes:\n We anticipate that this project will result in the development of a new generation of chemical sensors that are sensitive, selective, and cost-effective. The chemical sensors will have a wide range of applications in environmental monitoring, energy, and industrial process control. The findings of this project will contribute to the growing field of chemical sensors and provide valuable insights into the design and development of novel sensing materials.\n \n Conclusion:\n This project proposes an innovative approach to chemical sensor development for environmental monitoring, energy, and industrial process control applications. The project's outcomes will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions to the pressing issue of environmental monitoring and process control. The findings of this project will also provide valuable insights into the application of chemical sensors in various industrial sectors, such as energy, chemical, and manufacturing.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng) \/ DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Felicity Roddick, Kathryn Hassell (School of Science)","title":"Integration of CO\u2082 capture with algal wastewater treatment for carbon fixation and resource recovery","description":"The global demand for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving sustainable wastewater treatment is becoming increasingly urgent. Traditional wastewater treatment processes often rely on energy-intensive methods that contribute to carbon emissions, while ineffective nutrient management leads to water pollution. To meet global climate goals and sustainable development targets, novel technologies must not only improve treatment efficiency but also offer solutions for carbon capture and resource recovery.\n\nThis PhD project aims to develop and optimise an integrated CO\u2082 capture and algal wastewater treatment system that maximises carbon fixation, nutrient removal, and resource recovery. By harnessing algae\u2019s potential for carbon sequestration and nutrient recycling, this project will create a scalable, sustainable process that aligns with circular economy principles. Although algal-based systems have shown potential in both CO\u2082 capture and nutrient removal, challenges remain in terms of system efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Limited research exists on the integration of these two processes at a large scale. This project will address these gaps by optimising the synergy between carbon capture and wastewater treatment using algae, with a focus on practical, industrial applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400401        Carbon capture engineering (excl. sequestration) (40%)\n400410        Wastewater treatment processes (40%)\n310699        Industrial biotechnology not elsewhere classified (20%)\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Building with smoke","description":"Carbon soot is one of the oldest materials known for its hydrophobic properties, robustness, and availability, making it an ideal material for use in various applications. The drawbacks, however, are the loose structural binding between constructing carbon nanoparticles and the amorphous nature of soot itself. In this project, the student will investigate a facile chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method that maintains the soot template structural integrity and enables its modification into a highly photoactive, self-cleaning titania fractal network. We have previously shown that such technique results in surfaces with small air pockets that are available on the surface combined with the salinization process producing TiO2 fractal network with superamphiphobic properties. Given the high surface area of the fractal network structure and titania\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s well-known photocatalytic activity, the designed surfaces can be assessed for their photocatalytic decoloration activities. Soot template derived TiO2 films can offer enormous potential in many different applications where self-cleaning and\/or high surface area and photoactive properties are required. When modified with other metal\/metal oxide decoration techniques, these surfaces could be highly active for catalysis and chemical\/biochemical sensing applications. The student will have an opportunity to explore a large combination of materials with different properties for a wide range of applications. This is an emerging field and the student will be able to produce a range of novel structures for applications ranging from gas sensing to solar energy harvestation, electrochemistry, catalysis and the like.\n \n References:\n [1] AE Kandjani, YM Sabri, MR Field, VE Coyle, R Smith, SK Bhargava, Chemistry of Materials 28 (21),\n 7919-7927","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Develop advanced injectable bioactive hydrogels for improving tissue regeneration","description":"In situ tissue engineering technology is promising in breaking the bottleneck of traditional tissue engineering technology by only using pure biomaterial scaffolds to in situ recruit surrounding cells and tissues into scaffolds to form regenerated tissue, taking advantage of the surrounding microenvironment as a natural bioreactor. As the only and key factor, the engineered biomaterial scaffolds for in situ tissue engineering requires specific biophysical and biochemical cues to direct endogenous cells to the injury site and modulate the behaviour of the cells. Injectable hydrogels have been playing a major role in tissue engineering as biomaterial scaffolds. However, in terms of the biochemical cues, most of the current hydrogels can only stimulate a certain phase of tissue regeneration by delivering bioactive substances, ignoring the facts that tissue regeneration is a dynamic process that involves several sequential phases working in coordination to ensure an optimal tissue regeneration. In terms of the biophysical cues, the nanoporous structure of traditional hydrogels is an obstacle for the infiltration of surrounding cells and tissues into the hydrogels and maintaining normal behaviour of the migrated cells, which significantly impede tissue regeneration. Thus, advanced injectable hydrogels with an ability of sequentially delivering therapeutic agents to each wound healing stage and macroporous structure are desired for advancing in situ tissue engineering. The current project aims to develop advanced injectable hydrogels simultaneously possessing sequential delivery ability and macroporous structure.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarathinam Parthasarathy","title":"Scale mitigation in agitated slurry tanks","description":"Scale build-up in slurry vessels employed in the mineral processing industry costs the industry millions of dollars through increased capital expenditure, reduced capacity, and production loss during the de-scaling cleaning operations. Most of the available literature on scale minimisation focuses on applying chemical anti-scalants. However, it is currently hard to predict the extent of scale suppression that anti-scalants could achieve due to a lack of complete knowledge of scale inhibition mechanisms. Moreover, chemical anti-scalants are expensive and significantly increase operating costs. This project investigates the influence of fluid flow patterns and intensities generated by agitators on scale minimisation in single- and two-phase systems. The project will use an accelerated precipitation reaction to grow scales on the walls of the agitated tank, which can be dismantled for quantitative scale thickness measurements. A coordinated measuring machine would be employed to scan the surface of the tank wall for scale analysis. The project aims to investigate the influence of operating and geometric variables such as impeller type, baffles, inert solids concentration, particle size, impeller speed, and impeller number of impellers on the scale distribution on tank walls. In addition to experimental work, numerical modelling (CFD) will be employed to understand the relationship between the scale distribution and the fluid flow patterns within the vessel. The project's outcomes would have the potential to significantly reduce the downtime experienced by the mineral processing industry due to scale build-up, thereby increasing revenue due to increased throughput.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403 Chemical engineering design (70%) ; 400408 Reaction engineering (excl. nuclear reactions) (20%) ; 400499 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Erica Kuligowski, Matt Duckham","title":"Community Evacuation Modelling in Fire Evacuations (PhD position)","description":"RMIT University has been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d. As part of this program, the School and our partners GhD are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area wildfire evacuation, modelling and multi-modal and big data analytics. The candidates will contribute to the enhancement of the WU-NITY community evacuation platform to enable its use in industrial applications in fire evacuations, including techniques to automatically take in multi-modal information to reconfigure the platform in real-time and compare with the evolving situation on the ground.\n\nThe candidate will be working with Dr Erica Kuligowski (lead) and Dr Matthew Duckham, experts in evacuation and modelling. GHD is an international company and provides a range of engineering and professional services in several key sectors (Energy and Resources, Environment, Property and Buildings, Transportation and Water). GHD is actively expanding its capacity to provide professional engineering and science services relating to community preparedness for wildfire events, evacuation planning\/design, evacuation management and post-incident recovery. GHD operates a dedicated technical service line for emergency and disaster management globally alongside our Digital and Advisory businesses.","sdg":"[\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-05-30","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"460207 (50%) - Modelling and simulation \n400507 (50%) - Fire safety engineering\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ricky Chan, Ben Cheng ","title":"Intelligent monitoring of scour damages to bridge structures ","description":"Erosion of foundations due to fast-moving water (scour damage) is a common cause of bridge damage. Over half of our bridges are built over water and this is a significant concern. Scour damage is also very difficult to detect since they are underwater. In this project, we will investigate the possibilities of detecting scour damage using a sensor network. By observing changes in sensor reading, we may indirectly detect damages that are not visible during routine visual inspections. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400508\n400510\n400512"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chun-Qing Li, Sujeeva Setunge, Kevin Zhang, Jie Li, Usha Iyer-Raniga, Kate Nguyen, Chamila Gunasekara        ","title":"ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure","description":"ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure aims to transform the capability of civil infrastructure stakeholders to design, construct, operate and dispose of infrastructure in a carbon neutral way. By training industry-embedded PhDs and postdocs in the methodology and technology required to design out excess carbon of infrastructure in its whole life, this Centre expects to lead the world in sustainable infrastructure design, enabling a new generation of infrastructure design in Australia and internationally. \n\nFor further information, please visit the Centre\u2019s website on https:\/\/dfco2.org.au","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400508 - Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management\n400510 - Structural Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)\/ MR218 MEng (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sathees Nava, Kevin Zhang, Srikanth Venkatesan","title":"Developing Bio-Inspired Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) to Improve Resistance to Blast and Impact Loads","description":"In the modern era, ensuring the safety and resilience of infrastructure against dynamic loads such as blasts and impacts is a critical engineering challenge. Cross-laminated timber (CLT), an environmentally friendly and sustainable building material, has shown great promise in construction due to its lightweight nature, ease of use, and renewable sources. However, traditional CLT may not be robust enough to withstand extreme conditions like blast and impact loads, which are common in military, industrial, and high-security environments. To address this, we propose developing bio-inspired CLT that mimics natural structures, enhancing its resistance to these dynamic loads while maintaining the material's sustainability and structural efficiency. The primary objective of this project is to develop a new form of bio-inspired CLT with enhanced resistance to blast and impact loads. By drawing inspiration from biological structures known for their superior load-bearing and energy dissipation capabilities, such as the toughened, layered structure of seashells or the intricate fibre arrangement in bone. This research aims to enhance the structural properties of CLT to resist blast waves and impact forces more effectively. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510  Structural Engineering (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)\/ MR218 MEng (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sathees Nava, Kevin Zhang ","title":"Developing an AI-Based Framework to Assess the Post-Fire Status of Mass Timber Buildings","description":"The number of mass timber building (MTB) construction projects is increasing in Australia and globally due to their environmentally friendly attributes. Engineered timber products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (GLT), are key materials used in mid-to high-rise MTB construction. These products provide a high level of prefabrication and offer multiple performance benefits, including high in-plane and out-of-plane strength, stiffness, and superior acoustic and thermal performance. However, their combustibility poses a challenge to their application in taller buildings. To mitigate this, appropriate fire safety measures are implemented in high-rise constructions to delay the rapid spread of fire, typically confining the damage to the vicinity of the fire's origin. Despite these measures, localized fires can lead to delamination failures in the adhesive bonds of CLT and GLT, resulting in a swift reduction in structural strength and the potential for progressive collapse. This research aims to develop an AI-based framework to assess the post-fire condition of mass timber buildings, providing crucial insights into their structural integrity and safety following fire exposure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510  Structural Engineering (60%)\n 400508 Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ngoc San Ha, Yi Min Xie","title":"Innovative Bio-Inspired Concrete for Superior Mechanical Properties, Sustainability, and Resilience","description":"This project aims to revolutionize the mechanical performance and sustainability of concrete materials through innovative bio-inspired designs and eco-friendly manufacturing techniques. The project seeks to pioneer the integration of Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS), such as primitive and gyroid cells, into composite concrete materials, forming lightweight yet durable structures. These designs will be realized using advanced 3D-printed sacrificial moulds, providing a unique combination of strength, ductility, and energy absorption. The research will develop an eco-conscious concrete mix that reduces carbon emissions while enhancing mechanical properties, leveraging biomimetic methods. Rigorous testing, including uniaxial compressive loading, bending, and drop impact tests, will assess the performance of these bio-inspired materials under various stress conditions. Expected outcomes include a cutting-edge design methodology for high-performance concrete and a sustainable manufacturing process that reduces material waste and environmental impact. This project will deliver substantial benefits, including enhanced durability, resilience in extreme conditions, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and significant cost savings in construction and repair. The findings promise to set new standards for next-generation construction materials, particularly in critical infrastructure projects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400505 Construction Materials (100%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Filippo Giustozzi","title":"Asphalt materials for roads and airports","description":"This project focuses on the development and application of advanced asphalt materials for road and airport infrastructure. The aim is to enhance the durability, safety, and sustainability of asphalt pavements used in both urban roads and high-traffic airport runways. \n\nThe project encompasses several key components:\n1. Material Research and Development: Investigate new asphalt formulations, including modified asphalts and composite materials, to improve performance under varying environmental conditions and traffic loads. This involves experimenting with additives such as polymers and recycled materials to increase the resilience of asphalt against cracking, rutting, and thermal deformation.\n\n2. Performance Testing: Conduct rigorous testing of asphalt mixtures to assess their performance metrics, including resistance to wear and tear, water infiltration, and temperature fluctuations. These tests will simulate real-world conditions to ensure the materials meet or exceed industry standards.\n\n3. Application Techniques: Explore and refine application techniques to optimise the paving operations. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of different mixing and laying methods (i.e. WMA).\n\n4. Sustainability Assessment: Evaluate the environmental impact of asphalt materials and explore ways to enhance their sustainability through life-cycle assessment studies. This includes assessing the potential for using recycled materials and reducing the carbon footprint associated with asphalt production and application.\n\n5. Case Studies and Implementation: Implement and monitor the performance of new asphalt materials in selected road and airport projects via digital technologies (i.e. digital twins) and sensors. Gather data and feedback to refine material properties and application methods.\n\nThe project's outcomes aim to set new benchmarks for asphalt performance, leading to longer-lasting, safer, and more environmentally friendly pavements in critical infrastructure projects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400505 (50%)\n400512 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chun-Qing Li, Kevin Zhang, Sujeeva Setunge, Kate Nguyen, Jie Li, Usha Iyer-Raniga, Chamila Gunasekara","title":"Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure","description":"The ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure (\u201cDfCO2\u201d) will bring together expertise from 21 academic and industry partners from including universities, government authorities, professional associations, and industry partners. We aim to transform the capability of civil infrastructure stakeholders to design, construct, operate and dispose of infrastructure in a carbon neutral way. By training industry-embedded PhDs and postdocs in the methodology and technology required to design out excess carbon of infrastructure in its whole life, this Centre expects to lead the world in sustainable infrastructure design, enabling a new generation of infrastructure design in Australia and internationally.\n\nPlease visit https:\/\/dfco2.org.au for further information.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400508 Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management (60%)\n400510 Structural Engineering (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajeev Roychand, Jie Li","title":"An innovative concrete slab and flexible pavement system","description":"The aim of the project is to investigate the performance, feasibility, and potential benefits of using Rombus concrete slabs and flexible pavement systems in road construction and rehabilitation projects. In addition, it looks to carry out detailed structural optimisation using finite element analysis to optimise and enhance its structural performance. The project seeks to assess the structural integrity, durability, and sustainability of these innovative pavement designs compared to traditional methods. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianhu Shen, Mohammad Saberian, School of Engineering","title":"Hypoplastic-Constitutive Law for Evaluation of Stabilized Soils with Recycled Materials","description":"The dramatic growth of construction activities and urbanisation has increased the need for raw and virgin materials around the world. A large volume of solid waste materials is piled up in landfills, leading to environmental concerns. The waste materials can be recycled and reused for soil stabilization purposes such as slope stability, road embankments, pavement base, subbase and subgrade, etc. In addition, a reliable constitutive model essential for evaluating the stability of stabilised soils with recycled materials should be employed to describe their mechanical properties. There is a huge gap in the knowledge of hypoplastic constitutive models for evaluating the behaviour of stabilised soils with reclaimed materials.\r\n\r\nThe motivation for using hypoplastic equations over elastoplastic ones is that hypoplastic constitutive equations require fewer parameters and constants compared to the complex system of equations involved in elastoplasticity, which includes elasticity, yield criterion, plastic potential function, hardening laws, and other factors. Also, hypoplastic constitutive equations involve a single equation with a homogeneous function of degree one that relates the objective rate of the stress tensor to the rate of the deformation tensor. As a result, hypoplastic materials are easier to model and simulate compared to elastoplastic materials. \r\n\r\nIn this research project, shear band formation and hardening and softening behaviours of stabilised soils with recycled waste materials will be investigated by hypoplastic constitutive law. Also, the results will be compared with experimental data.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Hou, John Thangarajah","title":"Artificial Intelligence for Timber Structure Design Optimisation","description":"This PhD aims to tackle the critical challenges faced by the Australian timber frame sector, including timber structure design, cost efficiency, resource usage, sustainability, and productivity, through developing advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. \nWe encourage motivated students passionate about integrating advanced technology into structural engineering to apply. \n\nAnticipated Outcomes: \n \u2022 Conduct a comprehensive literature review on machine learning, genetic algorithms, and neural networks. Identify suitable AI techniques for timber structure design optimisation and provide a detailed report on selected AI techniques, their applicability, and potential synergies; \n \u2022 Develop an AI model incorporating reinforcement learning and deep learning to optimise timber structure design. The model should consider factors like financial effectiveness, material consumption, environmental impact, and work efficiency. An analysis of feature importance and model interpretability will be part of this task; \n \u2022 Validate the developed AI model using cross-validation and transfer learning in case studies. Develop practical guidelines for AI implementation, based on AI ethics and best practices\uff1b\n \u2022 A comprehensive AI model for intelligently optimising timber structure design.\nEssential Criteria: \n \u2022 First-class honours in Civil Engineering, Computer Science, or similar fields from a recognised institution; \n \u2022 Prior research experience in AI, machine learning, or structural engineering;\n \u2022 Publications in relevant fields will be an advantage;\u2022 Experience with data analysis and statistical software.\n\nSupervisors: \nSenior joint supervisors: Professor Kevin Zhang and Dr Lei Hou \nAssociate supervisor: Professor Jie Li ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"David Law","title":"Optimisation of Cathodic Protection of Reinforced Concrete Structures","description":"\"The majority of the infrastructure built today is made from steel reinforced concrete. As a result of this widespread use, the corrosion of steel reinforcement costs billions of dollars annually in repair and maintenance. It was estimated in 2010 that this corresponds to 3% of the world gross domestic product ($73.3 trillion). One of the most widely adopted repair techniques is impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) which has been shown to be an effective method of halting corrosion. ICCP operates by negatively polarising the steel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s potential in order to thermodynamically prevent corrosion from occurring. Research has shown that the application of ICCP also induces secondary changes in the local environment at the steel\/concrete interface. This is due to the removal of chloride ions from the vicinity of the steel coupled with the production of hydroxyl ions at the steel surface, resulting in the restoration of the steel passivity. Current standards state that initial polarisation of the steel can employ a current of up to 20mA\/m2. The aim of the application of ICCP being to reduce the corrosion rate to a minimal level. In the early years of the technology this current was maintained over the life of the ICCP system, however it is now general practice to reduce the current to the minimum level required to maintain protection as per the relevant standard. In addition to saving energy, lowering the applied current extends the lifetime of the ICCP system and reduces the likelihood of acid attack at the anode. Past studies on structures with ICCP systems have reported evidence of continued passivation and protection (based upon a number of factors including, steel potentials, corrosion rates and continued increase in potentials to more positive values even after the current has been halted. This ongoing protection is known as residual protection. Residual protection of structures has been observed to last for several years however it is not observed in all structures .While studies have confirmed the presence of continued protection, to date there has been no systematic study on which factors are critical to it. This project will investigate potential factors include applied charge density, duration of current application, total amount of charge passed, concrete chloride content and structure environmental conditions. This will provide information on the reaction kinetics, the electrochemistry of the steel concrete interface and the operation of ICCP systems. This project will involve the understanding of electrochemical process in the corrosion and protection of reinforced steel structures. The understanding of how these factors influence continued protection will contribute to the improved operation of ICCP systems over the long term.\n References:\n [1]. S. Bhuiyan, D. W. Law, P. Nicholls & C. Christodoulou, Investigation of Residual Protection of Steel following Application of Protective Current, Construction & Building Materials, 162, 503-511, 2018, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.conbuildmat.2017.12.049 [2]. ALEXANDER, M. & THOMAS, M. 2015. Service life prediction and performance testing - Current developments and practical applications. Cement and Concrete Research, 78, 155-164. [3]. ANGST, U., ELSENER, B., LARSEN, C. K. & VENNESLAND, O. 2009. Critical chloride content in reinforced concrete - A review. Cement and Concrete Research, 39, 1122-1138. AS2328.5 2008. AS 2328.5 Cathodic Protection of Metals; Part 5 Steel in Concrete. . Australian Standards. [4]. ASTM, C.-. 2009. Standard Test Method for Half Cell Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete. [5]. BHUIYAN, S., LAW, D. W., MOLYNEAUX, T. C. K. & NICHOLLS, P. 2014. The Impact Of The Interruption Of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection On The Steel\/Concrete Interface. In: GRANTHAM, M. (ed.) Concrete Solutions; 5th International Conference on Concrete Repair. Belfast. [6]. BROOMFIELD, J. P. 2007. Corrosion of Steel in Concrete, 2nd Edition, London, Taylor & Franc","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Uplift resistance of buried offshore pipelines in clay soils","description":"In recent times, there has been a rapid increase in the use of subsea pipelines to transport high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) hydrocarbons. Such pipelines are commonly buried in clay seabed to provide environmental stability, thermal insulation and mechanical protection. These buried pipelines, operating at high temperature and pressure, have a high tendency to buckle upward during its service life. Such upheaval buckling of pipes are traditionally restrained by using a rock dump and\/or backfill materials to prevent the potential failures. The use of rock introduces more stability to the pipeline during its upward expansion, but is less economically viable compared to the use of backfill material. However, there is uncertainty in the use of backfill materials, as determining the safe cover heights depends on several factors such as clay consolidation (time-dependent process), pipe operating conditions and racheting effects. This research project will investigate the estimation of uplift resistance of buried offshore pipelines in clayey soils and safe burial depths required to mitigate upheaval buckling. This research project will determine the factors affecting uplift resistance in cohesive (clayey) soils using large scale experiments and advanced numerical simulations. The results will be used to obtain the probability of failure for pipelines against upheaval buckling and to produce design guidelines for safe burial of pipelines in clay backfills.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Predicting the vulnerability of road pavements subjected to landslides","description":"Failure of coastal roads in Australia and worldwide can be significant due to cascading events such as flood or storm surge. One of the major causes for these failures was identified as landslides near the major road due to the floods and associated erosion. Even now, the authorities are unsure about the stability of the surrounding land and the vulnerability of road network under floods. Such damage to road networks would cost millions of dollars for remediation of the infrastructure, and more importantly, these cascading events can result in significant social cost as a result of damage to the community\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s transportation network. This project will look into assessing the vulnerability of road infrastructure subjected to floods. Flooding can induce damage to roads by a two-way damage mechanism. Firstly, the roads can fail due to washouts of embankments by scour phenomenon which can lead to landslide of the road subgrade (local slide). Secondly, the failures can be due to shear strength failures in cut-through slopes across roads (i.e. external slide). The soil conditions of subgrade and cut-through slopes will first be collected across a series of road network in Australia. Then, the hydro-mechanical numerical models will be developed to assess the effect of flooding induced hydro-dynamic forces on embankments and cut-through slopes. The major contribution to knowledge will be understanding of the floods which lead to failure. The developed models will be validated using case studies. A prediction model which can be used to assess the potential damage of roads during floods will be developed for in-place road infrastructure","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Assessing the leak-before-break in underground tunnels","description":"Construction of underground tunnels for needs such as transport, water supply, sewerage and telecommunication is an increasing worldwide demand. The reported statistics showed that many countries adopt underground tunnelling to facilitate their transportation systems due to limited above ground space and safe operational requirements. Such tunnels are buried in ground with soil\/rock which provides protection and support. However, these buried tunnels are often subjected to deterioration mainly due to weathering of rocks, corrosion of reinforcement and\/or degradation of concrete. Consequently, the leaks have become a common problem in these assets and management of these aging infrastructures has become a pressing issue for asset managers. Such failures can cause significant consequences in terms of economic loss to asset managers, public safety, damage to property and also have an adverse effect on the overall performance of the tunnels.\n \n The main driver for the failure of underground tunnels is the water flow through the surrounding material. Due to deep embedment conditions, most of underground tunnels could be assumed under submerged conditions and hence the water flow imposes major concern when assessing the condition of underground tunnels. The water flow will first induce scour\/erosion of the surrounding material, which can result a run off of fine particles from the soil\/rock matrix. The erosion will further cause to generate additional pathways for water flow (i.e. increases the permeability) due to particle run off. As a result of enhanced permeability in the surrounding material, additional water percolates on the surface of the tunnel. As most of the buried tunnels are ageing, there is high possibility that lining could possess cracks through which soil\/rock particle could run off with the leaking water. Such leaking is commonly identified as exceeding serviceability condition by asset managers who tend to adopt remedial measures such as cement grouting to fix the water leaking. Even though such practice could fix the leaking in short term, these cracks can still be active due to continuing deterioration, operation loads and material erosion behind the tunnel. As a result, cracks can propagate to a limiting condition (i.e. length & width) that could lead to exceed acceptable convergences or even to result catastrophic failures. This project will investigate the effect of cracks on the performance of buried ageing tunnels using numerical modeling. First, an advanced numerical model will be developed on the basis of randomly generated concrete meso-structure using user defined concrete damage plasticity model. The model will be calibrated using unconfined compressive strength tests on samples prepared at different concrete grades. The developed and calibrated model will be applied to capture the crack propagation of the tunnel lining which interacts with eroded rock\/soil interface under fatigue loading. The results will be useful to asset managers to understand the influence of existing visible cracks on the overall performance of the underground tunnel and to estimate the safe life before resulting unacceptable tunnel behavior.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Application of recycled waste materials in road construction","description":"Expansive soils in many areas of the world cause significant hazards to lightweight building foundations and highway pavements. These soils experience changes in volume due to seasonal moisture fluctuations by undergoing swelling during wet season and shrinkage during dry periods. If a pavement rests on expansive soil, longitudinal cracks may occur on its surface because of the seasonal volume change of the subgrade expansive soil. Moisture susceptible change characteristics of expansive soils always cause costly damages to buildings in terms of inclined cracks in claddings and instability of footings. Over designing of foundations and slabs to address this problem incur excessive expenses in addition to the overuse of natural resources. Consequently, the need for change in conventional foundation construction system is becoming a very important requirement to construct houses and buildings more sustainable and with a very low maintenance cost over the lifetime. This project will look into the use of recycled wastes in constructing roads and foundations in expansive soils.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Understanding the fate and control of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants","description":"Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are the major receivers of microplastics (MPs) prior to their release into open waterways. The major proportion of MPs are generated from textile fibres from washing machines and plastic commodities such as personal care products and cosmetics, these particles enter WWTPs through municipal wastewater discharge systems. Current studies focus on the removal of MPs (1 \u00c2\u00b5m to 5 mm in size) in primary and secondary wastewater treatment processes. Studies have demonstrated that these processes do not remove all MPs and that well over 100 million MP particles are released from WWTP each day. Concerningly, our preliminary data shows that the levels of nanoplastics (NPs) released into the environment after wastewater treatment due to water shear forces are at least 40 times greater than the levels of MPs. Notably, NP has potentially greater health impacts due to their greater surface area, enabling them to adsorb heavy metals and other toxic species, that are then consumed by humans, animals, and aquatic living organisms. Therefore, our researchers are solving this problem by (i) developing\/modifying the existing technology used in the primary treatment stage to remove NP\/MPs from wastewater so that this pollutant stop entrance to the next stages of the WWTPs, and (ii) developing a membrane-based platform for tertiary unit of the WWTP to remove NP\/MP with other impurities present in secondary effluent.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Controlling FOG Deposition and Corrosion in Sewer Lines: Insights into the Mechanisms and Control Strategies","description":"Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are a major problem in sewer systems, leading to blockages, corrosion, and other issues that can cause significant damage to infrastructure and the environment. Despite efforts to control FOG, the problem persists, and there is still a need for better understanding of the mechanisms of FOG deposition and corrosion in sewer lines, as well as effective control strategies. This proposal aims to investigate the mechanisms of FOG deposition and corrosion in sewer lines and identify effective control strategies. The study will involve laboratory experiments and field observations to examine the behavior of FOG in sewer systems, including factors that influence deposition and corrosion. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of better strategies for controlling FOG deposition and corrosion in sewer lines, which can help prevent damage to infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs, and protect the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"From Waste to Resource: Selective Recovery of Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future","description":"Critical minerals are vital for many modern technologies, but their supply is limited and difficult to extract. Waste streams, including mining waste, electronic waste, fly ash, and wastewater, contain significant amounts of critical minerals that can be recovered. Recovering critical minerals from waste streams can reduce environmental impacts, generate new revenue streams, and reduce dependence on imports. Our proposal is to develop physical-chemical and separation-based platforms to selectively recover critical minerals from different waste streams, promoting the circular economy and reducing the environmental footprint of critical mineral extraction.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Development of a novel catch basin insert basket to remove pollutants from stormwater","description":"The urban stormwater runoff volume is increasing with the increase in impervious areas due to rapid development. The surface runoff, along with gross and dissolved pollutants, accumulates inside the side entry pit and then infiltrates into the groundwater or passes onto the receiving water environment through the underground stormwater drainage network. However, gross pollutants can clog the underground pipe network system and increase the dissolved pollutant concentration of nearby water bodies. Various best management practices have been introduced to remove these pollutants, including gross pollutant traps, constructed wetlands, retention ponds, detention basins, grass swales, bio-filters, and catch basin insets. However, most of these technologies are not effective enough in stormwater treatment. As a result, minimally treated stormwater is rapidly discharged into ground and surface waters. The focus of the project is to develop a new catch basin insert basket to remove gross and dissolved pollutants and road-dusted micro-plastics from stormwater. The treated stormwater will then be released gradually to recharge a groundwater aquifer or released to surface waters in a manner that mimics the natural hydrologic cycle.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Erica Kuligowski","title":"Modelling Human Behaviour along the Bushfire Evacuation Timeline","description":"With global temperatures rising, bushfires are expected to increase in frequency and intensity in the coming years. Just in 2019-2020 alone, the bushfires burnt tens of millions of hectares, caused 33 deaths, and threatened and displaced hundreds of communities across Australia [1]. Since the 2009 Black Saturday fires, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) have emphasized evacuation as the preferred option to protect exposed populations from harm due to these fires and led the development of a handbook on evacuation planning for all hazards [2]. Additionally, the use of decision-making tools, like evacuation simulation models, are being used more frequently to calculate clearance times for communities, identify areas of congestion, and even test the benefits of certain traffic management solutions.\n However, it is difficult to plan for evacuation (or use any of the decision-making tools or models for evacuation) when the data on human behaviour in response to bushfires are limited [3]. This project focuses on collecting data on people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s response to bushfires using survey and interview methodology. Surveys and interviews have been used to study evacuation decision-making in bushfires, and in particular, the factors that influence people to decide to evacuate or not in a particular fire [3]. However, few studies have collected data on what happens after a household makes a decision to evacuate or not \u00e2\u20ac\u201c including the types of protective actions that they take; the time until actual movement to safety begins (i.e., also known as departure time); and the modes, routes and destinations chosen to reach safety (if evacuating). A student involved in this work will focus on 1) developing surveys and interview guides to collect data on a range of evacuation decisions and behaviours during bushfires; 2) use these data collection instruments to collect household response data from multiple fires across Australia; and 3) develop predictive models that identify the relationship between environmental, social and individual factors and behaviours throughout the evacuation timeline. The student would then work with researchers on implementing these predictive models into evacuation simulation platforms.\n References:\n [1] Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements: https:\/\/naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au\/ [2] https:\/\/knowledge.aidr.org.au\/media\/5617\/aidr-evacuation-planning-handbook.pdf [3] Kuligowski, E. (2020). Evacuation decision-making and behavior in wildfires: Past research, current challenges and a future research agenda. Fire Safety Journal, 103129. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.firesaf.2020.103129","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianhu Shen","title":"Monitoring Quality of 3D Constructed Buildings Through Digital Twin Models","description":"Different from conventional new buildings, there are layered patterns on any surfaces of 3D printed concrete structures. Those patterns are formed during the printing and curing process of concrete structures. Any abnormality during printing and curing process will result in some types of changes on the layered printing patters. A close monitoring of allowable variation of patterns from normal printing pattern will be a significant information to monitor the health of those newly 3D constructed buildings. Identifying the practical range for the allowable variation of the changes will be a significant further development for this new technology. \n The research project aims to identify the acceptable range of variation between the designed model and digital twins formed during and after the 3D printing process as to assist the monitoring the safety of the 3D printed buildings. The digital twin models are formed through computer vision by means of videos and images recorded during and after printing process.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianhu Shen","title":"Design Active Protective Structures Against Impact Loadings Caused by Extreme Weather","description":"Climate change affects everything. The chance of impact loadings on structures and human are greatly increased due to hail, flood, and strong winds. It is necessary to design an economic, effective, and eco-friendly defensive structures to reduce those negative impacts. One of such methods under extensive exploration is to utilize the design of smart structures and well developed 3D printing technology to build temporary defensive structures. \n This project aims to design new sustainable smart structures to save life against strong impact loadings during extreme weather conditions. Those smart structures could be used as decoration structure and will be self-adaptive to a defensive mode subjected to change of environments, i.e, water immersive, heavy wind, sufficient impact loading acting on them.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie li","title":"Development of sustainable and low-carbon concrete utilising different forms of recycled materials","description":"Recycling waste in concrete applications is an important step towards creating a closed-loop circular economy. Concrete is one of the world's most widely used construction materials, and its production requires large amounts of natural resources, including aggregates, water, and cement. Recycling waste materials such as demolished concrete, fly ash, slag, red mud, mining waste, and glass can help to reduce the environmental impact of concrete production by reducing the amount of virgin materials needed. By using recycled materials in concrete, we can conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, recycled concrete can often perform as well as, or even better than, traditional concrete. By incorporating recycled materials in concrete, we can support a circular economy where waste is seen as a valuable resource rather than a problem to be disposed of. This project aims to investigate different forms of challenging waste materials, treating them where required to make them compatible for their application in concrete to develop a sustainable, low-carbon concrete composite.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Li","title":"Development of innovative low-carbon pavement using recycled waste materials","description":"The civil and infrastructure sectors' increasing activities have led to a significant rise in quarry aggregate consumption. As a result, there is a heavy reliance on natural resources in civil engineering, which has led to large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions from virgin material extraction. Moreover, the construction sector, particularly road construction, generates a considerable amount of waste materials (almost half of the world's waste) through demolishing buildings and other infrastructure projects. This project aims to explore various recycled materials' potential applications in road pavement. An innovative low-carbon pavement stabilisation technology that utilises different waste streams will be developed.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Li","title":"Pile foundation in expansive soils","description":"Pile foundations are one of the most cost-effective methods of transferring the loads from superstructures to the underlying firm ground. However, the design of pile foundations in unsaturated expansive clays presents many challenges for geotechnical and structural engineers. These are primarily associated with the shrinkage and swelling that accompanies seasonal changes in soil moisture. Current design tools are only applicable to piles embedded in fully saturated soils. This project will develop a mechanistic approach to pile foundation design in expansive soils through scaled laboratory testing, field experiments and numerical analyses.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Li","title":"Impact of Trees on Ground Movement and Infrastructure Performance","description":"Planting and maintaining trees in urban areas are crucial for environmental sustainability. However, trees can also cause issues such as extracting excessive soil moisture near buildings, which can lead to settlement and structural damage. Current engineering guidelines given in Australian Standard AS2870 (2011) are not based on adequate field research and measurement. Consequently, attempts to design footings to resist the additional ground movement due to trees are often flawed, owing to poor understanding of the water demands of various tree species, wilting points and potential root development.\n This project aims to study the impact of trees on building performance, soil moisture patterns, and ground movement on clay sites in suburban areas. The results will be used to improve the AS2870 guidelines and guide the selection of street tree species for sustainable urban development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Digital Twin and Virtual Simulation for Efficient Energy Planning","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. As part of this program, the School and our partners Wu You Technologies are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of digital twin and virtual simulation for the purposes of efficient energy planning in the construction industry. \n \n The candidate will be working with Prof Kevin Zhang and Dr Lei Hou, experts in digital twin modelling in the construction industry. Wu You Technologies is a local company is with deep industry knowledge, decades of experience and networks in the architecture, engineering and construction sectors.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan","title":"Modelling and Decarbonising Critical Infrastructure using Digital Twins","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. As part of this program, the Schools and our partners Mott MacDonald are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of digital twin methodologies to model critical infrastructure. This could include characterising the performance of critical infrastructure under a range of conditions and provide decarbonisaion options. \n \n The candidate will be working with Dr Mojtaba Mahmoodian, Prof. Sujeeva Setunge and Dr Juerg von Kaenel, experts in Civil Engineering and digital twin modelling. Mott MacDonald is an international company that have contributed to the development of many important national infrastructure in transport, energy, water and the built environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Automatic Condition Assessments of Civil Infrastructure","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. As part of this program, the School and our partners MacDonald Lucas are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of IoT enabled inspections and image recognition techniques to automate condition assessments of civil Infrastructure. The project will create a proof of concept for a digital twin of a facility to enable self-diagnosing and predictive modelling. \n \n The candidate will be working with Prof Sujeeva Setunge and Dr Mojtaba Mahmoodian, experts in IoT and automated assessment of civil infrastructure; and Dr. Azadeh Alavi, expert in computer vision. Macdonald Lucas is a SME that provides advice and services for civil infrastructure and have a long, on-going collaboration with RMIT University.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mohammad Saberian Boroujeni","title":"Development of eco-friendly low-carbon pavements using waste materials, low-carbon\n binders and a nanopolymer admixture","description":"Renolith has been used for road applications in many countries for over 25 years. Several projects were completed very successfully in Australia until 2001, when it was withdrawn from the Australian market due to a commercial dispute between the patent holder and the distributor. The suitability of the product for road construction in the contemporary Australian context has not been examined. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation of the stabilization of pavement\u2019s wearing course, base, subbase and subgrade layers using the latest Renolith formula (Renolith 2.0) will be performed in this project. To this end, a series of experimental studies, including strength and stiffness tests, deformability analyses, microstructural and physicochemical analyses, and durability tests under various weather conditions (such as cyclic wetting-drying and freeze-thaw), will be conducted. Suitable soil\/aggregate materials will be selected based on market context and sustainability criteria, such as RCA, clay and in-situ materials (eg. Degraded unsealed roads). Compatibility with lowercarbon cementitious binders, such as OPC\/slag\/fly-ash blends will be evaluated. To limit the number of variables, binder and Renolith 2.0 admixture will be applied at rates recommended by the Organisation. We will collaborate with Grey Vort Pty Ltd on this project, as the company partially funded the project. The PhD applicant will have a chance to work in the company as an intern for 3-6 months. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400502 Civil geotechnical engineering (90%) ; 401902 Geomechanics and resources geotechnical engineering (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Development of Digital Twins for Intelligent monitoring and maintainance of civil infrastructure","description":"The traditional approach for monitoring and maintenance of civil infrastructure (e.g., bridges, ports, pipeline) is visual inspection and judgmental assessment. This approach is costly, risky and inaccurate. With advancements in technologies such as Internet of Things, 3D visualisation and artificial intelligence, more advanced methods can be developed for intelligent monitoring and maintenance of civil infrastructure. In this project the efficient use of Internet of Things including high tech sensors (e.g., wireless sensors, fibre optic sensors, etc) will be investigated. Methodologies to select the best type of sensors, optimise number of sensors and suggest the best locations for sensors will be developed. A fast Finite Element model of the infrastructure will be built and then sensor data will be used as an input for the FEM, to create a real-time FEM. The digital model (which is a digital twin of the structure) will be equipped with artificial intelligence algorithms (using machine learning) to suggest the best maintenance decision to the asset owner. The intelligent maintenance system can be developed for different type of infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels, ports, energy infrastructure, pipeline network, etc","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Development of digital twins to improve energy efficiency in buildings","description":"Buildings consumes approximately 40% of the total energy in developed countries. A huge portion of this energy is wasted due to lack of a good control and management of heating and cooling systems. To overcome these challenges, a digital twin tool to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort in residential buildings will be developed in this research. The technology integrates Internet of Things and artificial intelligence algorithms. The digital twin framework enables the creation of a virtual replica of a building\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s physical environment and helps facility managers to gain new operation insights, optimize energy use, and monitor building performance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Digital twin development for predictive corrosion management","description":"Many of civil engineering structures and infrastructures are made of steel. However, the major problem with steel is 'corrosion'. There are methods to prevent steel corrosion, but most of them are not efficient or are very costly.\n Billions of dollars are spent every year in the world due to the cost of steel corrosion. This research will develope a digital twin technology based on Internet of Things which can remotely collect data from a steel structure under corrosion, and then automatically analyze data and suggest the best maintainance action. Use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms will help to create an intelligent digital twin which can help the asset owner to make optimum maintainance decisions and also predict the remaining life the steel structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Synthesis of biochar\/nano-biochar for remediation of microplastic soil pollution","description":"The accumulation of microplastics (MPs, plastic particles < 5 mm) in the soil environment has become a growing concern in recent decades due to its various detrimental impacts on agroecosystems. The intrusion of MPs into agricultural land through plastic mulching, wastewater irrigation, application of sewage sludge, and atmospheric deposition causes alteration of soil physicochemical and biological properties of soil. MPs with different sizes and properties are also responsible for altering soil structure, bulk density, and water-holding capacity to hamper nutrient recycling and thus disrupt soil microbial activity. Hence, the trophic transfer of MPs through the food chain harms humans and other animals.\n Biochar\/nano-biochar (BC\/nBC) can enhance soil properties, plant growth, bioremediation of pollutants and pesticides, management of plant disease-pest, treatment of biosolid and wastewater, and assist in the mitigation of climate change through carbon sequestration (Chausali et al. 2021). However, several studies have revealed the higher removal efficiency of MPs via biochar from an aqueous medium (Wang et al. 2020, Wang et al. 2021, Elbasiouny et al. 2023), where little information on biochar (especially nano-biochar) application in remediation of MPs contaminated agroecosystem (soil-plant) are available. During experimentation, fabrication (from crop residues or other materials) and characterization of BC\/nBC and MPs with soil and plant will be studied first. Then most potential interactive behavior will be examined under different conditions like soil moisture, pH, and temperature. Simultaneously, the remediation percentage and other challenges will be investigated under controlled and field environments. \n Chausali, N., Saxena, J. and Prasad, R., 2021. Nanobiochar and biochar based nanocomposites: Advances and applications. J. of Agriculture and Food Research, 5, 100191. \n Elbasiouny, H., Mostafa, A.A., Zedan, A., Elbltagy, H.M., Dawoud, S.F., Elbanna, B.A., ... & Elbehiry, F., 2023. Potential Effect of Biochar on Soil Properties, Microbial Activity and Vicia faba Properties Affected by Microplastics Contamination, Agronomy, 13(1), 149. \n Wang, J., Sun, C., Huang, Q., Chi, Y., Yan, J., 2021. Adsorption and thermal degradation of microplastics from aqueous solutions by Mg\/Zn modified magnetic biochars, J of Hazardous Materials, Vol 419, 126486. \n Wang, Z., Sedighi, M., Lea-Langto, A., 2020. Filtration of microplastic spheres by biochar: removal efficiency and immobilisation mechanisms, Water Research, 184, 116165.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Water quality monitoring sensor data for operation and future improved design of Water Sensitive Urban Designs (WSUDs)","description":"Water Sensitive Urban Designs (WSUDs) have formed a part of integrated water management (IWM) in the Melbourne metropolitan region since the early 2000s when Melbourne Water (MW) launched several initiatives aimed at improving the water quality of the catchments discharging into Port Phillip Bay (Port Phillip City Council 2010). However, few studies exist on the performance of the engineered features in WSUD assets, e.g. wetlands and bioretention filters. There are also considerable variations between different Councils in terms of WSUD implementation policies (e.g. type and number of features in a given district). Moreover, Council boundaries rarely coincide with the water catchment boundaries. These may therefore suffer from a lack of integrated river basin management due to both the policy variability and local variations in land use.\n Existing water quality monitoring network has revealed significant data gaps and weaknesses both in the monitoring data collected by the State VWQMN network (i.e. in this region; MW or EPA data) and the volunteer (Waterwatch) networks. Temporal gaps are a particular issue as the current monitoring frequency (usually monthly) is simply too infrequent to capture the full range of events in these catchments. Spatial gaps exist especially in terms of the existing network failing to monitor the effects of WSUDs (i.e. support the hypothesis that WSUDs are improving water quality) due to an absence of suitable sites in these catchments. In the 2005 VWQMN assessment, most monitoring sites in the target catchments failed the standards for concentrations of both nutrients and heavy metals.\n It is our opinion that a clear requirement exists for a field monitoring based research project to collect high quality data from targeted assets and other monitoring sites (e.g. upstream of WSUDs) to add value to the current design and implementation strategies. In this regard, a suite of newly developed water quality monitoring sensors could be utilised to collect continuous data both from upstream and downstream locations of the targets. Based on these data, advanced modelling tool like SWMM can be standardised to evaluate the future design, construction, and management of those assets.\n References:\n 1. Port Phillip City Council, Water plan toward a water sensitive city, 2010; ISBN 978-0-9757763-7-7\n 2. Tjandraatmadja, G., Cook, S., Sharma, A., Chacko, P., Myers, B.and Pezzaniti, D. 2014 Water Sensitive Urban Design Impediments and Potential: Contributions to the SA Urban Water Blueprint Goyder Institute for Water Research Technical Report Series No. 14\/16, Adelaide, South Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Life cycle optimization of green building design, construction and operation: a multi-criteria approach for decision-making","description":"The construction industry plays a vital role in the Australian economy, contributing around 7% to Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s GDP (ABS 2010). Australia's per capita GHG emissions are the highest of any OECD country where building sector alone contribute to 19% of Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s total energy, and 23% of Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s total GHG emissions (ASBEC 2008). Buildings are built to last for several decades. Over such a long lifetime, operational use of the buildings with its heating and cooling has a significant economic and environmental effect, as like maintenance. Construction and disposal have a one-off effect, but this may also be significant. Even a small reduction in economic and environmental effects in any of the life cycle stages would be significant when the number of buildings is taken into account. This project will develop an integrated analytical framework for optimization of building design and construction. Currently a number of tools are in use to evaluate star rating of the buildings only to comply with local legislation. There is no provision to integrate cost-benefit analysis and performances of materials and methods to construct and operate a building to have a whole life cycle management perspective. In order to achieve a fully optimized building, the life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) along with star-rating would be integrated into the proposed framework. LCA and LCC will be based on whole building and whole life cycle basis, which would include construction, operation, maintenance, recycle and disposal phases. In order to integrate all these fragmented activities, an integrated tool will be developed to enable multi-criteria decision-making. A designer can easily navigate through the complex relationship of the design objectives and constraints to trade-off the various design options and their impacts on life cycle energy, cost and environment. A simple data input-output interface under the Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform will be proposed to analyze the bill of quantity (BOQ) of the building plan and various assemblages. All these will be subsequently used to evaluate the star rating, life cycle environmental impacts and cost. Finally, the optimization algorithms will be used to verify the potential economic, environmental and social savings that could have achieved without compromising project specific constraints. Optimization will evaluate all the results of alternative designs to come up with potential decision options.\n References:\n [1]. ABS (Australia Bureau of Statistics) 2010, Year Book Australia, 2009\u00e2\u20ac\u201c10, ABS, Canberra, <www.abs.gov.au>.\n [2]. ASBEC (Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council) 2008, Building A Low Carbon Economy With Energy Efficient Buildings, ASBEC, Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Forecasting and control of biofouling in water distribution system","description":"Biofilm growth, also known as biofouling on any submersed surfaces, is the unwanted attachment and growth of sessile microorganisms. Biofouling in water distribution system (WDS) can lead to a number of water quality issues, including chlorine demand, coliform growth, pipe corrosion, water taste and odour problems. While it is well-known that a number of physicochemical and biological factors contribute to biofilm formation, recent studies suggested that the surface roughness and the near-surface microfluidic conditions play a key role in the settlement of microorganisms and subsequent biofouling problems (Partha et al. 2013 and 2014. Conventionally, the biofilm growth problem in a WDS is being handled by different manual cleaning methods such as flushing, air scouring and swabbing to more abrasive methods. However, conventional pipe cleaning practices (e.g. flushing) have limitations in developing appropriate flow conditions to remove biofilms from wall surfaces. An aggressive cleaning method could aggravate the problem further by dislodging the encrustations of the pipe walls and accelerating the next stage biofouling. On the other hand, the excessive use of disinfectant (e.g. chlorine\/chloramine) to remove harmful microorganisms from water and pipe walls produces disinfection by-products (DBPs) which can cause potential health problems. To reduce excessive use of disinfectant and costly manual cleaning, the present study proposes a novel approach based on CFD analysis of the pipe geometries to forecasting biofilm growth potential areas. These critical areas in WDS will be protected by applying self-cleaning engineered surfaces. The introduction of CFD model parameters into an existing ANN model is expected to be effective in reducing excessive operational cost involving unnecessary monitoring and chlorine injection points. CFD analysis can also reveal precise mechanism of biofilm growth on pipe walls in relation to surface roughness and flow conditions.\n The proposed self-cleaning surfaces are microstructure-based synthetic patterned surfaces, capable of developing lotus-effect on the pipe walls, and are effective in controlling biofilm growth under specific hydrodynamic conditions. The microstructure-based synthetic patterned surfaces are non-toxic approach of biofouling control inside the pipe networks.\n References:\n 1. Partha Halder,..and Muhammed A. Bhuiyan, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153An assessment of dynamic stability of microorganisms on patterned surfaces in relation to biofouling control\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Biofouling: The J. of Bioadhesion & Biofilm Research, Vol. 30, Issue 6, pp. 695-707, 2014 (Impact factor 3.701 in 2013\/14); DOI:10.1080\/08927014.2014.914177\n 2. Partha Halder,\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and Muhammed A. Bhuiyan, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A novel approach to determine the efficacy of patterned surfaces for biofouling control in relation to microfluidic environment\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Biofouling: The J. of Bioadhesion & Biofilm Research, Vol. 29, 6, pp. 697-713, 2013 (cited by 3 - Scopus; impact factor 3.701 in 2013\/14); DOI:10.1080\/08927014.2013.800192","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Analysing Road Safety Strategies and Analysis and Modelling of Accidents for Different Road Users","description":"In today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world, traffic accidents are known as an important concern for many countries. In fact, safety is defined as a main concern on designing, maintenance and development of every transport system in these countries. The number of traffic accidents in Australia and Melbourne has decreased in recent years. However traffic crash always is a noticeable concern in transport research. According to Crash Statistic of Victoria (CrashStat) data 49,401 accidents are happened during 2008 and 2012 in Melbourne metropolitan area [4, 5, 6]. Analyzing the crash severity in this city shows that 1% and 34% of these accidents were fatal and serious injuries, respectively. In these accidents, cars (Passenger cars, utilities and vans) were involved in 81% of accidents, also motorcycles and bicycles involved in 7% of accidents. In addition, trucks, buses and trams involved in 3.5%, 1% and 0.4% of accidents, respectively. Analyzing the accident shows that 57% of these accidents are occurred at intersections and 60% of these intersections were without any controls. Identifying these locations with high number of accidents helps improve safety and decrease the number of accidents in these locations.\n \n Road safety still remains one of the main social and health issues in many countries. Understanding the underlying relationship between traffic crash severity outcomes and factors leading to more severe crashes is very important in addressing the problem of safety for different road users including pedestrians, cyclists, heavy vehicles, and passenger cars. This research aims to identify the main factors including road, drivers, and social-economic characteristics associated with crash severity outcomes in Victoria. Furthermore, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will be applied to identify crash hotspots. Understanding of contributing factors and crash hotspots will provide practical policies and strategies to enhance road safety.\n \n Social and economic factors are known as influencing variables for vehicle-pedestrian crashes. Literature shows that socioeconomic factors related to location of crash are usually applied for vehicle-pedestrian crash analysis. Moreover, limited study considered pedestrian living area neighbourhood to apply social and economic factors for vehicle-pedestrian crash modelling. However, it is not investigated that for vehicle-pedestrian crash analysis variables related to living area neighbourhoods are more important or location of crash.\n This research aims to reveals how factors related to living area neighbourhoods and location of crashes can influence on vehicle-pedestrian crash severity. Consistent with that broad aim, the following objectives are identified:\n \n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Extract and compare socio-economic factors related to pedestrians\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and drivers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 living area neighbourhoods and location of crashes.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Develop models to predict the frequency or severity of crashes for different road users.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Improving Access to Transport Systems and Enhancing Active Transport in Urban and Rural Areas","description":"A large number of research studies have identified that suburban areas of Australian metropolitans are suffering from significant transport disadvantages. More recent research indicated that increasing auto fuel prices and home loan interest rates intensify transport disadvantages in Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s suburban fringe. However, improving public transport accessibility in terms of service coverage and availability may result in a more reliable transport system as a whole [5]. The growing number of studies used land-use and design measures such as population density; land use mixing and connectivity. Six groups of land use factors are interconnected with transport including settlement size; urban density, land use mix; urban design; local accessibility to public transport and the provision of parking. More recently, transportation research has become concerned with built-environmental determinants of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153active transport\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, driven mainly by the need to reduce the negative side effects of auto-related issues. Active transport is commonly defined as trips made by non-motorized mode of transport such as walking and cycling. However, Use of public transport is considered within the definition of active transport as it often involves some walking or cycling to get connected from origins to destinations of trips. As discussed two fundamental urban features that impact travel choice and active transport, are the proximity of different land uses and connectivity between complementary activities e.g. work, and shop. The aim of this project is to develop a framework to integrate disaster mitigation strategies in transport system and enhance access to transport network during disaster. The project expects to develop innovative and practical accessibility measures to transport network during disasters. The project also presents strategies to enhance access to road network and public transport system during natural disasters. The expected outcome is a robust framework to measure how residents could access the road network and public transport system in natural disasters. This should minimise the costs associated with natural disasters and save lives. The results from this project should provide significant benefits to the Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s economy and society.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Optimising the Planned Maintenance of Transport Infrastructure","description":"Transport organisations have traditionally focused on construction\/expansion of transport infrastructure. After completing the expansion of transport networks, the emphasis has shifted from developing new infrastructure to intelligently maintaining the existing ones. In recent years, economical constraints have influenced budget allocation to transport sectors. This resulted in highlighting the development of maintenance management systems in transport sectors particularly in transport infrastructure. Maintenance management systems assist organisations in deciding when and how to maintain transport infrastructure facilities to minimise the maintenance cost\/time and diminish replacement activities. Many parameters involve ensuring that transport systems is operating to its safe and best practice standards. The condition of the transport infrastructure can influence the system operation either directly or indirectly. To keep the transport infrastructure in a reasonable condition and to obtain the most benefit out of its life cycle, a maintenance\/renewal regime is required. Providing a maintenance plan to recover the serviceability of transport infrastructure from damages and preventing further wear-out is essential for such large networks. Meanwhile, existing transport infrastructure optimisation models minimise the operating cost\/time of maintenance. They mainly ignore the cost\/time experienced by the users of that particular transport infrastructure and users of other transport sectors (e.g. road users). However, a systematic modeling\/optimisation approach which is general, efficient, and practically implementable will assist the transport industry in gaining consumers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 satisfaction as well as significant cost savings and operational benefits in the longrun. The broad aim of this research project is to optimise the planned maintenance tasks and timing for transport infrastructure by means of a state-of-the-art data collection coupling smart phones and traditional techniques. Consistent with that broad aim, the following objectives are identified: \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Develop a deterioration model to predict the transport infrastructure damage by a state-of-the-art data collection method using smart phone applications. \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Develop an optimisation model for planned maintenance activities that minimises the maintenance as well as users cost\/time at the same time.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Route planning and optimisation in Urban Areas","description":"Finding the shortest route in urban space for tourist buses is a complicated problem in the temporary world. Therefore, the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) is a problem that is essential that I need to research and apply the existing optimal solution. In my study, I investigate one solution, the Genetic Algorithm (GA), to solve the problem. Moreover, when this algorithm is implemented in Python language programming and combined with Google APIs to calculate the optimal distance between multiple locations, and then I consider the real-time traffic condition to solve TSP effectively and efficiently via Google Maps.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Development of a modelling tool to optimise traffic management actions","description":"This project aims to develop a modelling tool to understand the car-following and lane changing patterns of passenger cars and heavy vehicles on urban freeways and highways and to predict the dynamic traffic congestion, incidents and traffic flow breakdown, occurrence of incidents and incident duration on urban freeways and highways during congestion. The key objectives of this project are:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2Developing a framework to predict traffic patterns, traffic congestion and the traffic flow breakdown under different traffic patterns during congestion.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2Developing a framework to predict the occurrence of incidents, type of incidents and duration of incidents during congestion.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shiwei Zhou","title":"A Computational Framework for Designing High-performance Shell Lattices","description":"This project aims to design ultra-lightweight shell lattices that exhibit exceptional stiffness, strength, and energy absorption capacity, individually or in combination. It expects to advance material design by using innovative approaches to thin-film expression, finite element analysis, and optimization. Furthermore, it will enhance the understanding of the effective properties of porous materials composed of self-repeated cells.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shiwei Zhou","title":"Sectionwise Volumetric Additive Manufacturing and Its Computational Design","description":"This project aims to devise and prototype ultra-lightweight shell lattices with functional gradient properties and exceptional energy absorption capacity. It expects to generate new knowledge in computational structural design using innovative approaches to thin-film geometry expression, finite element analysis, and optimisation algorithms. Also, it will develop the understanding of ultrafast manufacturing of complex structures via printing them volumetrically.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Susanna Lin","title":"Application of Innovative Materials and Technologies in Precast Structures","description":"Precast structures have attracted a lot of research interests in recent years. Prefabricated structural components such as slabs, walls, columns and beams can be constructed and assembled in a short period of time. Better quality control and higher efficiency can be achieved in prefabrications of structural components, and the interruption to the environment and traffic can be minimised. However, the application of precast structures is still limited due to the lack of knowledge of their performance under dynamic loads, such as seismic and impact loads. This project will investigate the structural performance of precast elements\/structures under both static and dynamic loads. The advanced materials and approaches will be applied to solve the critical issues in precast structures so as to improve the performance of connections\/joints between segments, enhance energy dissipation capability, reduce displacement and reduce damage to the structures. For example, the high performance fibre reinforced concrete, FRP or rubber can be applied to connections as a substitute material or strengthening material, the precast segments can be made of or infill with advanced materials, and the innovative shape and arrangement of shear keys can be developed for assembling two segments with enhanced shear resistance. Both laboratory testing and numerical study are required for this project. Knowledge of engineering materials, structural analysis and fundamentals of computational mechanics is essential. The experience of numerical modelling is desirable.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Susanna Lin","title":"Investigation and Application of Advanced Materials in Engineering Structures","description":"Engineering structures might be subjected to extreme loadings during their service life, such as seismic loads, impacts and high temperatures, which may result in severe damage to the structures and cause tremendous casualties and property loss. The application of advanced materials, such as fibre reinforced polymer and fibre reinforced cementitious composite, has gained worldwide interest in recent years due to their superior characteristics. By using the advanced material as a substitute or retrofitting material, it is expected that the performance of engineering structures could be improved substantially. This PhD project will investigate the characteristics of a selected composite material and the performance of the structural component made of the selected material under the extreme loading conditions. Compared to the materials tested under static load and room temperature, very different behaviours are often observed for the materials under extreme loading conditions. For example, the cracking and spalling may occur in cementitious materials under high temperatures and lead to material degradation, whereas the material strength could increase significantly when subjected higher loading rates. In this project, the properties of the selected material will be tested and determined, considering various affecting parameters caused by the selected loading scenarios as well as the different material compositions. A constitutive material model may then be developed and employed in the structural analysis under the selected loading scenario. This project requires both laboratory testing and numerical study. Knowledge of engineering materials, structural analysis and fundamentals of computational mechanics is essential. The experience of numerical modelling is desirable.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Designing Innovative and Efficient Structures Using Topological Optimisation Techniques","description":"Novel and efficient designs of structures can be achieved by using topological optimisation techniques that are capable of maximising the performance of the load bearing system and minimising its weight. The bi-directional evolutionary structural optimisation (BESO) method, originally proposed by Professor Mike Xie and his team, has been developed for this purpose. BESO is based on the simple concept of gradually removing inefficient material from a structure and, at the same time, adding material to the most needed locations. Such a simple but universally applicable technique can be used to not only significantly reduce the weight and the associated energy consumption of aircraft and motor vehicles but also produce strikingly elegant structural designs of bridges and buildings. \n \n This PhD project is aimed at: (1) further developing the BESO technique and apply it to the design of innovative buildings, bridges and other structures and devices; (2) integrating the design optimisation method with additive manufacturing technology (including direct 3D printing and lost-wax casting) so that the optimised forms could be fabricated quickly, precisely and economically. \n \n The PhD candidate will be supervised by an internationally renowned researcher and practising engineer, Distinguished Professor Mike Xie, who is one of the most highly cited scholars in his discipline in Australia, with over 27,000 citations and an h-index of 77 (as of March 2023). The candidate will be interacting extensively with an outstanding team of researchers in the RMIT Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (https:\/\/www.cism.org.au\/).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Digital Design and Advanced Manufacturing of Customised Fa\u00c3\u00a7ade Panels and Structural Components","description":"This PhD project will explore emerging technologies in both digital design (including structural optimisation, form-finding, algorithmic design, and parametricism) and advanced manufacturing (including 3D printing, robotic fabrication, and hybrid processes) with a view to further developing and applying these technologies for rapid prototyping and, ultimately, economical production of customised fa\u00c3\u00a7ade panels and structural components for innovative\/iconic architecture. There have precedents of architects creating such forms using digital tools. However, the cost and complexity of construction have been limiting. New technologies in both design and manufacturing are offsetting these limitations, reducing time, cost and risk. Using advanced manufacturing technologies (including 3D printing and robotic fabrication) this project will attempt to produce a series of large-scale prototypes of innovative structures generated from the design optimisation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Optimal Design and Additive Manufacture of Novel Metamaterials for Exceptional Mechanical Performance","description":"The project aims to establish an effective and efficient computational framework for the topological design of novel mechanical metamaterials considering both geometrical and material nonlinearities. This will overcome a formidable bottleneck in practical applications of metamaterials which are mostly based on linear elastic assumptions. The expected outcomes will be a new methodology and an advanced engineering design tool that can be used for the development of new classes of metamaterials with exceptional mechanical properties (e.g. negative compressibility or negative Poisson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ratio) over a large strain range. Such novel metamaterials will have many important applications, particularly in biomedical and defence industries.\n \n The PhD candidate will be supervised by an internationally renowned researcher, Distinguished Professor Mike Xie, who is one of the most highly cited scholars in his discipline in Australia, with over 27,000 citations and an h-index of 77 (as of March 2023). The candidate will be interacting extensively with an outstanding team of researchers in the RMIT Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (https:\/\/www.cism.org.au\/).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Innovative Structural Design and Additive Manufacturing","description":"This PhD project aims to conduct research on the theoretical development and practical applications of structural optimisation and additive manufacturing techniques. The topics can be related to: \n\u2022 Shape and topology optimisation of structures for a wide range of applications\n\u2022 Novel structural designs for free-form architecture\n\u2022 Additive manufacturing and robotic fabrication of complex-shaped structures\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2028","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis for Building Green Retrofit","description":"Global warming caused by carbon emissions-induced energy consumption has been recognized as the largest threat to future sustainable development. The building sector is a major contributor to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. Therefore, how to reduce building environmental impact has become an important research issue. Green retrofitting has been considered an effective solution for energy saving and carbon emission reduction in the short term, compared with new green building construction. There are many retrofitting technologies for green retrofit. To determine the best green retrofitting strategy, a comprehensive life cycle sustainability analysis becomes necessary. This research will investigate the current development in building green retrofit, explore the possibility to use new technologies and methods for sustainability analysis of building green retrofit over its life cycle and propose a sustainability analysis framework for building green retrofit in Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Developing an IoT System for Asset Information Management for Prefabrication Industry","description":"Building projects using prefabricated techniques can achieve high levels of performance from the collaboration between design development, manufacturing and logistics. In practice, however, methods that dominate the day-to-day exchange of asset information are predominantly based on 2D drawings, barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification tags. Such methods may hinder timely responses when changes or interruptions occur, leading to inaccurate inventory, prolonged lead time, late delivery and misplaced assets. The construction industry is seeking productivity growth and there is an immediate need for these issues to be tackled. The Internet of Things (IoT) has incredible potential for information management and helping the industry to deal with diverse prefabricated assets across the design, manufacturing, logistics and on-site construction phases. This project aims to develop a low-cost IoT system that is capable of efficiently gathering, archiving, displaying and sharing the information about production and logistics tasks of prefabricated assets. This project will also verify the feasibility and effectiveness using a real-life prefabrication construction project in which the SME and its business partners collectively participate. Eventually, the development will be made accessible to the Australian prefabrication industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Integrating BIM with System Dynamics for Simulating Building Life-cycle Environmental Impact","description":"With fast economic development, especially in developing countries, large amounts of natural resources are consumed for new buildings, including land, water, timber and minerals. Buildings also consume a lot of energy and generate large amounts of greenhouse gases during their life cycle. The consumption of resources causes many harmful local and global changes, such as deforestation, climate change and global warming. The built environment is responsible for 40% of world materials usage, a third of the energy consumed by the world economy and 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions, therefore, have been considered the main contributor to global warming. There is a need to reduce building life cycle environmental impacts.\n The integration of a BIM model with System Dynamics can help analyze a building\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s environmental impact at an early stage, and relevant sustainability trade-off analysis can be made using actual BIM data. The real building data can also be used effectively throughout its life cycle. The information extracted from a BIM model can be integrated with a System Dynamics model for the development of sensitivity analyses. The results can help make better decisions related to design, operation, maintenance and upgrading. This integrated model will help decision makers to find better solutions, improving a building\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sustainability performance in its life cycle. This research will provide a new data-sharing method between BIM and System Dynamics, and an integrated simulation model of the environmental impact a building makes throughout its life cycle.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Low Carbon Modular Housing in Australia","description":"The increasing global housing demand, along with the growing number of infrastructure projects, has seriously challenged the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Thus, modular housing offers a sustainable alternative method to traditional buildings. For example, modular housing can be relocated to another site, and the embodied energy can be preserved. Modular construction can also help to increase production efficiency and shorten the construction duration. With modern technologies, such as 3D simulation and visualization technology, modular housing can be simulated from design to demolition stage to optimize the design by considering a combination of the building envelope, heating, cooling, water heating and ventilation issues, and renewable energy. This research investigates the technical and managerial challenges in Australian modular housing, identifies energy-efficient technologies and practices for modular housing, and develops a framework for optimizing the design of low-carbon modular housing in Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kevin Zhang","title":"Digital Twin and Virtual Simulation for Efficient Energy Planning","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d. As part of this program, the School and our partners Wu You Technologies are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of digital twin and virtual simulation for the purposes of efficient energy planning in the construction industry. \n \n The candidate will be working with Prof Kevin Zhang and Dr Lei Hou, experts in digital twin modelling in the construction industry. Wu You Technologies is a local company is with deep industry knowledge, decades of experience and networks in the architecture, engineering and construction sectors.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Susanna Lin","title":"PhD Scholarships in Structural Engineering: Innovative Structural Design and Additive Manufacturing","description":"An exciting opportunity for two outstanding PhD candidates. The two PhD projects aim to conduct research on the theoretical development and practical applications of structural optimisation and additive manufacturing techniques. The topics can be related to:\n \u2022 Shape and topology optimisation of structures for a wide range of applications\n \u2022 Novel structural designs for freeform architecture\n \u2022 Additive manufacturing and robotic fabrication of complex-shaped structures\n The projects will be carried out in the Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (CISM). More information about the centre can be found from the following website https:\/\/www.cism.org.au\/","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Synthesis of metal organic framework-based membranes for nano\/microplastics removal","description":"The aim of this project is to understand the fundamental science governing the removal of nanoplastics from waste water by developing an innovative dually charged metal organic framework based nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane. The project expects to lead to a breakthrough in our scientific understanding of how nanoplastics and other pollutants can be efficiently removed from wastewater using membranes. The expected outcome is a process that can be used to convert wastewater into freshwater suitable for household, industrial and agricultural use. Such removal could also be of significant environmental benefit, as secondary effluent is a significant source of nanoplastics entering the aquatic environment.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Erica Kuligowski","title":"Agent models of tsunami evacuation behaviour to improve planning and preparedness","description":"When tsunami strikes, it is imperative that people are able to swiftly evacuate the affected area. The commonly communicated advice is to head inland or to higher ground, but there are areas in New Zealand where distances to safe locations may be too long for some to evacuate safely on foot and the capacity of the road network is limited. In these cases, it is imperative to evaluate evacuation conditions for multimodal evacuation, i.e., evacuation involving different means of transportation (e.g. by foot and\/or vehicle). This evaluation requires multimodal evacuation models for tsunami evacuation. Most existing evacuation models typically focus on one mode for evacuation, i.e., either on foot or using a vehicle. The PhD research aims to explore the use of multimodal models for tsunami evacuation, which may involve building on existing models or the development of a new model. Once a multimodal approach has been selected, the approach will be used in a case study. The case study will involve simulations of tsunami evacuation for a tsunami prone area in New Zealand (location to be determined). Finally, the research will involve visualisation of simulation results, which may involve the use of Virtual Reality.\n The PhD research will require programming skills (e.g. Python, Matlab, Java, C++). Past experience of evacuation modelling, choice modelling, human behaviour modelling, traffic modelling and\/or Virtual Reality visualisation is a merit.\n The scholarship is part of the NZ MBIE Smart Ideas grant: \"Agent models of tsunami evacuation behaviour to improve planning and preparedness.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Sustainable and optimised processes for 3D Concrete Printing ","description":"The project aims to harness the potential of sustainable 3D printing technology for the construction of concrete structures, with recycled materials taking precedence. This technological trend offers numerous advantages, such as rapid construction, the elimination of formwork, the reduction of heavy labour, and a vast array of design options and freedoms. In response to the urgent challenges posed by rapid climate change, the development of sustainable solutions must be accelerated [1]. The project focuses on utilising 3D printing technology to aid in carbon capture, decarbonization, and waste upcycling [2], among other significant initiatives. Traditional cement-based building materials, which are notorious for their high carbon emissions, typically possess low tensile and flexural strengths. However, the project intends to overcome these limitations without the use of fibre reinforcement by adopting sustainable principles. This method reduces reliance on carbon-intensive processes and eliminates the time- and material-intensive manual process of mixing fibre reinforcement during construction. Through the use of eco-friendly and recycled materials, the project aims to increase the durability and strength of the cementitious composite while reducing its ecological footprint. Through the investigation of new printable materials and advancements in 3D printing techniques, the project aims to produce high-quality structures that adhere to sustainable building standards. The project's goals align with the urgent need for eco-friendly solutions in the face of climate change and the promotion of sustainable practises.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"24\/11\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Bioinspired composite materials: design and optimisation","description":"Traditionally, engineers have depended on high strength and high hardness monolithic materials (steel and ceramics) to achieve the required resistance to such severe loadings. Unfortunately, many of these properties tend to be mutually exclusive within individual materials. There are limited options exist to improve the performance of conventional materials, which often come at a cost of additional mass. Natural (or biological) materials are generally composites with spatially heterogeneous having unique characteristics that distinguish them from synthetic ones. The Project focuses on identification of deformation & failure mechanisms of the hierarchical structure of hard biological materials through different length scale, with emphasis on biomineralized marine organisms such as mollusk shells, radular teeth and crustaceans exoskeletons. Understanding the biological materials could lead to design of intelligent and resilient materials and structures enhancing the performance and damage tolerance.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Innovative lattice structure for energy absorption","description":"The design of resilient structures and materials requires the use of e\ufb03cient energy-absorbing structures made of multiple layers. In actual excessive loading conditions, a large amount of kinetic energy imparted to the structures that need protection. These sacri\ufb01cial layers are responsible for the dissipation of the energy as well as ensuring the forces transmitted to the main structure are kept below acceptable levels. Recent attention has focused the need to design and construct lightweight structures that o\ufb00er protection to infrastructure. Foam-based materials, such as highly ductile metallic foams, have been implemented in the design and manufacture of sandwich structures. However, many of the \ufb01rst generation of core materials o\ufb00ered highly irregular cell structures, making safe design both di\ufb03cult and highly conservative. Lattice structures have been identi\ufb01ed as possible energy-absorbing core structures, which can o\ufb00er greater strength-to-stiffness ratios compared to traditional foams. Different advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing or micro\/nano-fabrication will be considered to build the novel lattice structure.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"15\/11\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"3D printing composite material and bioinspired structures","description":"3D printing is expected to revolutionize the manufacturing of composite structures. The conventional composite fabrication methods require expensive facilities and equipments, such as autoclaves and complex rigid molds, hindering the rapid application of composites in the aerospace and automotive industry. 3D printing or additive manufacturing enables the rapid fabrication of near-net-shaped complex 3D parts without expensive molds or tools. Broadening the applicability of 3D printing for manufacturing primary and secondary composite structures is a major goal for aerospace and automotive industry. 3D printing of short or continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastics using commercially available fused-deposition modeling (FDM) systems such as Markforged has received greater attention for manufacturing high-performance composite components. However, the mechanical properties of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composites fabricated by conventional FDM 3D printing are inferior to the composites manufactured using the conventional processes. This research project will investigate the effects of the FDM process on the mechanical performance of 3D printed CFRTP composites. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tariq Maqsood","title":"Stability of buildings in flash flooding conditions","description":"Floods have caused widespread damage in several Australian communities in the recent past. The fundamental cause of this level of damage and the key factor contributing to flood risk, in general, is the presence of vulnerable businesses and buildings constructed within floodplains due to inappropriate land use planning [1].\nWhile there is now a construction standard published by the Australian Building Code Board [2] for new construction in flood prone areas, there is a large proportion of existing building stock that has been built in flood prone areas across Australia. An in-depth understanding of the effects of floods is required for the assessment of risk and the development of mitigation strategies, particularly in the context of limited financial resources. \nThe objective of this PhD project is to develop an understanding of the likelihood of damage and total building loss in high velocity flash flooding and riverine environments.  The project will assess the thresholds that relate building stability to flood hazard parameters (depth and velocity) and its ability to withstand the forces exerted by water during flash flooding events for selected building types. \nThis PhD project will build up on the research undertaken by Geoscience Australia [3] to understand vulnerability of residential buildings to natural hazards and will align with the research outcomes of the flood mitigation project within Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400599"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tariq Maqsood","title":"Understanding the resilience of businesses to flood inundation","description":"Recent natural disasters In Australia highlighted the vulnerability of buildings and businesses to natural hazards. These disasters resulted in physical damage, monetary losses and community disruption (along with deaths, injuries and impacts on health and wellbeing). More than nine million Australians have been impacted by a natural hazard in the past 30 years and the cost of natural disasters is expected to reach $39 billion per year on average by 2050 (in present value terms) [1]. In Australia, floods cause more damage on an average annual cost basis than any other natural hazard [2]. In this respect, reliable information about the vulnerability of buildings and businesses to floods is crucial in order to reduce the impacts in future.\nThis PhD project intends to understand the resilience of businesses to flood inundation. This would include assessing direct property damage and loss as well as understanding the ability of different businesses to recover. The research will assess business interruption costs due to a range of severities of floods within different catchment types. The project would involve exploration of resilience of selected businesses and field survey work following flood events.  The project would assess the broader scale impacts of flooding to economy at a business district scale.  The project will identify cost-effective strategies through cost-benefit analysis to make businesses more resilient physically and to improve their ability to recover and to resume operations.\nThis PhD project is precisely aligned with the research priorities in Urban Futures within the Enabling Capability Platforms and will explore strategies for sustainable development and resilient economies in Australian floodplains. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400599"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani, Du Yong Kim, Branko Ristic","title":"Advanced Autonomous Maritime Sensor Arrays for Detecting Drone Targets (PhD)","description":"This project focuses on developing AI-driven planning and control methods to deploy and manage an autonomous maritime sensor array for detecting drone targets. The system will coordinate multiple sensor platforms equipped with multimodal sensors (sonar, acoustic, radar, and vision) to ensure robust detection and tracking across diverse environmental conditions. The research will develop novel algorithms to optimize sensor deployment, communication relays, and dynamic configurations under varying sea states and visibility ranges.\n","sdg":"[\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103\tDeep learning (50%)\n400607\tSignal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani, Kandeepan Sithamparanathan, Bisma Manzoor","title":"Distributed Cognitive Electromagnetic Systems (PhD)","description":"This PhD project investigates how multiple intelligent platforms, such as drones, ships, or aircraft, can autonomously sense, communicate, and adapt their (communication, sensing) behavior in shared and dynamic RF environments. You will explore how AI can enhance spectrum awareness, improve coordination between platforms, and maintain reliable operation especially in congested or contested RF conditions.","sdg":"[\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103\tDeep learning (50%)\n400607\tSignal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Enhancing Quantum Communication with Machine Learning","description":"This research aims to integrate advanced machine learning techniques with quantum communication protocols to significantly improve their efficiency, security, and robustness. By leveraging adaptive algorithms and dynamic optimization methods, the project will develop and refine novel quantum communication strategies. These strategies will be designed to dynamically adapt to varying conditions and potential threats, ensuring reliable and secure data transmission. The project will explore the integration of quantum communication protocols with advanced wireless communication systems to enhance data transmission efficiency and security. Additionally, it will focus on developing and optimizing quantum communication strategies through adaptive algorithms and dynamic optimization methods, contributing to the broader field of quantum engineering systems. The expected outcome is a set of cutting-edge protocols that enhance the performance of quantum communication networks, paving the way for the development of next-generation secure communication systems. This research will contribute to the broader field of quantum information science, offering practical solutions for real-world applications in quantum communication networks.\n\n[1]. Hoch, F., Caruccio, E., Rodari, G., Francalanci, T., Suprano, A., Giordani, T., Carvacho, G., Spagnolo, N., Koudia, S., Proietti, M. and Liorni, C., 2025. Quantum machine learning with Adaptive Boson Sampling via post-selection. Nature Communications, 16(1), p.902.\n[2]. Khatri, S. and Wilde, M.M., 2020. Principles of quantum communication theory: A modern approach. arXiv preprint arXiv:2011.04672.\n[3]. Koudia, S., Oleynik, L., Bayraktar, M. and Chatzinotas, S., 2024. Physical layer aspects of quantum communications: A survey. arXiv preprint arXiv:2407.09244.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400608        Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave) (30%)\n400912        Quantum engineering systems (incl. computing and communications) (35%)\n510803        Quantum information, computation and communication (35%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Partridge ","title":"Understanding the resilience of businesses to flood inundation","description":"The demand for secure communication in defence, aerospace, and data networks is driving the need for reliable and efficient semiconductor technologies. Gallium Oxide (Ga\u2082O\u2083), with its ultra-wide bandgap of 4.9 eV, offers exceptional electrical properties, making it a strong candidate for advanced secure communication devices.\nThis project focuses on optimizing Ga\u2082O\u2083-based devices to enhance communication security by leveraging their energy efficiency and robustness. You will grow high-quality Ga\u2082O\u2083 thin films using scalable techniques such as RF\/DC magnetron sputtering, design novel device architectures for secure communication, and characterize their structural and electrical properties. The research will examine how material synthesis and contact design influence device performance, with applications in secure optical communication and related technologies, aligning with the UN\u2019s goals for sustainable innovation.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400909 Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications)\n401605 Functional materials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorbani","title":"Conformal Active Beamforming Metasurfaces","description":"This project aims to create conformal active holographic metasurface antennas with beam steering capabilities. By developing novel design methodologies using discrete surface impedances and Voronoi surfaces, the project expects to highly simplify the design procedure, antenna structure, and active beam-forming electronics. By using advanced aerospace compatible manufacturing, the metasurface antennas will be made fully conformal on the aerospace structures. The expected outcomes of this project will build fundamental components for the next generation multi-functional telecommunications, defence, and space electronic systems. Such antennas will potentially improve the payloads on the airborne and aerospace equipment and improve communication quality and internet access in the rural and regional areas of the world. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400608"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bui Xuan Minh, Ke Wang, Guanghui Ren, Arnan Mitchell","title":"Development of photonic IC and electronic IC integration","description":"This project aims to develop the capability to unite integrated electronic circuits with integrated photonic components onto a single photonic-electronic integrated chip (PEIC) through the collaboration between RMIT Melbourne InPAC team with RMIT VN and VNU. We will demonstrate this capability by integrating electronic driver circuits, biasing controllers and electronic transimpedance amplifiers with photonic circuits to form a fully integrated photonic transceivers, and demonstrate these transceivers for high-speed data transmission and signal processing. We will achieve this through device-by-device hybrid integration approach, by selectively micro-transfer printing different electronic dies to a photonic chip.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400909"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bui Xuan Minh, Thach Nguyen, Kandeepan Sithamparanathan","title":"Sub-Terahertz and Ultra Low Noise Clock Synthesizer for 6G Technology","description":"Aiming to achieve superfast data communication above 1Terabit per second (Tbps), ultalow latency, enhanced network capacity and improved security, the next generation of cellular network technology 6G promises to be a game changer, driving the boundary of connectivity and unlocking new possibility for AI and cloud computing applications. However, the key challenge is the generation of the extremely low noise local oscillator (LO) at sub-terahertz bands. The most common methods employ the cascaded architecture to generate sub terahertz local oscillation signal. However, this method requires high power consumption and large chip area. Therefore, this projects aims to develop a single stage phase lock loop to generate the local oscillation signal above 100 GHz, with ultra low noise below 50 femto seconds RMS jitters, and power consumption below 30mW.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400901"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu","title":"Electric Motorbike Battery-Swap System Optimisation for Sustainability and the Creation of a Circular Economy","description":"With 8.5 million motorcycles (89% of the vehicle fleet), electrification in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) offers significant potential to improve air quality and public health. However, deploying charging infrastructure presents challenges, particularly given the city's limited space and electrical infrastructure. Battery-swap systems-where users exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones-offer a promising solution. This project focuses on designing and optimising such a system tailored to HCMC's unique needs, ensuring battery longevity and exploring circular economy opportunities for repurposing or recycling used batteries.\n\nThe first phase of the project will use digital-twin simulations and battery-aging models to optimise deployment strategies, balancing battery use across diverse duty cycles to maximise their lifespan. The second phase will explore technologies to enable a circular economy, using synthetic data to predict recycling and redeployment yields specific to HCMC's conditions. A new battery design will be proposed to align with local capabilities and future recycling requirements, fostering sustainable urban electrification.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"404017 Mechanical Engineering (40%)\n464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (20%)\n404007 Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ataur Rahman, Madhu Bhaskaran, Sharath Sriram, Taimur Ahmed","title":"Cyber secure, battery-free, and wireless wearable patch technology","description":"The project aims to investigate the technological and manufacturing challenges in wearables to integrate prominent high-frequency electrical, optical, and chemical signals on a single tiny patch. The integration expects to generate new multidisciplinary knowledge in wearables for real-time on-site and remote multisensory monitoring systems by using wireless, battery-free, and on-chip data encryption operation. It will develop cutting edge technology for the highest performance with the least amount of power and space in a challenging environment. The project is expected to provide benefits to national security and defence, agriculture, manufacturing, and human and animal health sectors with remote area accessibility.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401611, 401703, 460403"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorbani","title":"Microwave-based non-destructive assessment of metallic and concrete structures","description":"Concrete is a fundamental material used in many civil structures. As a heterogeneous material, concrete composes water, cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, and air. The chemical reaction of water and cement forms a binding agent between the aggregates forming a structurally dense compound. The specific portion of each constitutional component directly affect the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the concrete. Thus, detecting the constitutional properties of the concretes are of high importance in the structural health monitoring.\nMicrowave-based evaluation methods are of great interest among researchers and engineers because of their non-destructive and real-time response. Microwave signals can penetrate deeply into the dielectric materials such as concrete and return insightful information regarding the compositional materials and parameters such as stress, humidity, mechanical deformation, etc. The aim of this project is to design microwave-based non-destructive systems for online and real-time monitoring the concrete-based structures. The designed microwave systems will be self-contained capable of the structural health monitoring without the requirement of addition expensive measurement instruments such as vector network analysers (VNAs), etc. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"400608"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianzhen Ou, Baoyue Zhang, Guanghui Ren","title":"Spectroscopy technology using optical frequency combs","description":"Optical frequency combs, known for their precise and wide-range frequency measurement capabilities, offer transformative potential in enhancing the accuracy and resolution of spectroscopic analyses. This project will explore the integration of combs into various spectroscopic applications, focusing on bio imaging, medical diagnostics, and fundamental material research. This project is in line with the ARC centre of excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS). You will utilise the world most precise optical tool to achieve ultra-high resolution chemical sensing, imaging which have never been realised in the past. You will apply the conceived technique to demonstrate several nanomaterial research and spectroscopy using optical combs and the state of the art equipment at RMIT. The opportunity to integrate material science, silicon photonic technology and biomedical applications will be available in this project.\n\n ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400909        Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (50%)\n401605        Functional materials (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shruti Nirantar","title":"Lateral Emitters as Electron Source in Microwave Vacuum Electron Devices","description":"Vacuum electronics touches our lives everyday being active in civilian systems, defence, space, communication, and material characterisation systems. Recent advancements in manufacturing and nanofabrication have enabled the marriage between old vacuum electronics and state-of-art integrated circuits, RF and microwaves, material science, and quantum photonics.\nThe project focuses on scaling of planer nanoscale vacuum channel devices or empty-state devices to large-area arrays. Further, with innovative biasing arrangement will be used extract the horizontally emitted electrons in vertical space \u2013 creating an electron beam source which is flat.\nElectron source is a core component of any vacuum systems. They are, conventionally, arrays of vertical emitters. These vertical emitter arrays are plagued with complex fabrication, high-leakages, and capacitances limiting higher frequency response, high power, uniformity and reliability over large-areas. The proposed novel concept of flat electron source seeks to directly address these issues by creating a new-type of nanoscale, low-power flat electron sources that can be integrated in both conventional and novel miniaturised vacuum electron devices (VED).\nThe candidate will have to conduct extensive micro-nano fabrication, device characterisation in vacuum system, and material characterisations after undertaking required inductions and trainings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401804 - Nanoelectronics (40%), 401805 - Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly (40%), 400909 - Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Md Ataur Rahman, Madhu Bhaskaran ","title":"Self-powered Standalone Device for Monitoring Biosignals","description":"This project aims to investigate novel materials and techniques to harvest the waste energy from our body and radio frequency to power the wearable biosignals monitor. The biosignals monitor will be developed using ultra-low power electronic components on the flexible and stretchable substrate to realize the skin-mountable and sub-dermal implantable electronics. The energy harvesters will be mounted on the patch to develop battery-free, wireless, biosignals monitors such as electrocardiogram, blood oxygen saturation, and temperature. The techniques can be further implemented for monitoring hazardous materials in the environment and monitoring the health of plants and animals. The investigation will solve the following research question:\n\nResearch question 1: What are the materials and how to utilize them to harvest energy from our body temperature, movement, indoor light, and radio frequency?\nResearch question 2: How to develop miniaturized electronics that require very low power to run? Will the harvested power using the techniques from research question 1 be enough to power the biosignal monitor? \nResearch question: What will be the effect of skin impedance and curvature on the performance of the energy harvesters and the electronics?\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401611- Wearable Materials (40%)\n401703- Energy generation, conversion and storage (30%)\n460403 - Data security and protection (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Madhu Bhaskaran, Shanmuga Sundar Dhanabalan, Sharath Sriram\n","title":"Wearable Ultrasound devices for Neurosonography","description":"The development of wearable ultrasound devices for brain imaging, or neurosonography, presents a promising frontier in non-invasive neurological diagnostics and monitoring. This research aims to design and optimise a wearable ultrasound device capable of providing real-time imaging of brain structures and dynamics.\nThe device will leverage advanced ultrasound transducer arrays and signal processing to enhance image resolution and depth penetration, enabling detailed visualisation. The proposed research will focus on miniaturising the hardware, ensuring patient comfort, and validating the device's efficacy through validation studies.\nBy offering a portable and continuous monitoring solution, this technology has the potential to revolutionise the diagnosis and management of neurological disorders, making brain imaging more accessible, cost-effective, and widely applicable in both clinical and remote settings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - 40%\n400906 - 40%\n400308 - 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shruti Nirantar","title":"Empty state electronics - flat electron source for vacuum electron devices","description":"Vacuum electronics may sound like an ancient technology, but it touches our lives everyday being active in civilian systems, defence, space, communication, and material characterisation systems. Recent advancements in manufacturing and fabrication have enabled the marriage between old vacuum electronics and state-of-art integrated circuits, RF and microwaves, material science, and quantum photonics. \nThe project focuses on scaling of nanoscale vacuum channel devices or planer empty-state devices to large-area arrays. Further, with innovative biasing arrangement extract the horizontally emitted electrons in the vertical space \u2013 creating an electron beam source with is flat. \nElectron source is a core component of any vacuum systems which is conventionally the arrays of vertical emitters. These vertical emitter arrays have been plagued with complex fabrication, high-leakages and capacitances limiting higher frequency response, high power, uniformity and reliability over large-areas. The proposed novel concept of flat electron source seeks to directly address these issues by creating a new-type of nanoscale, low-power flat electron sources that can be integrated in both conventional and novel miniaturised vacuum electron devices (VED).\nThe candidate will have to conduct extensive micro-nano fabrication, device characterisation in vacuum system, and material characterisations after undertaking required inductions and trainings.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-06-30","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401804 - Nanoelectronics (40%), 401805 - Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly (40%), 400909 - Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Javad Tavakoli","title":"Generation, characterisation, and mechanobiological investigations of wear particles using a spinal implant-on-a-chip platform","description":"Spinal implants, including total disc replacements, rods, screws, and cages, are widely used to restore spine function with their bearing surfaces generating wear particles. Wear particles have been detected in intervertebral disc (IVD) periprosthetic tissue. Mechanical forces cause tears and structural defects in the adjacent IVDs and the proximity of periprosthetic tissues to the adjacent IVD tears likely leads to wear particle penetration accelerating their degeneration. While spinal implant wear particles have been linked to adjacent segment degeneration, yet their mechanobiological effects on IVD tissues under physiological loading conditions remain unknown. This project aims to bridge this gap by developing a spinal implant-on-a-chip platform to investigate the mechanobiological effects of wear particles on healthy IVD cells.\n\nResearch Aims:\n1-        Generation and Characterisation of Clinically Relevant Wear Particles\nDevelop standardised protocols for generating wear particles from various biomaterial types, using pin-on-plate technology or alternative wear simulation techniques informed by clinical data. Characterise particle size, morphology, composition, and biological reactivity to ensure relevance to in vivo conditions and clinical scenarios.\n\n2-        Development of a Jig-Integrated Microfluidic Organ Model for Mechanical Loading\nDesign, fabricate, and optimise a novel mechanical jig integrated with a microfluidic organ model to simulate physiological loading conditions. Validate the system by optimising cell culture protocols under mechanical loading that replicates routine daily activities, ensuring biomechanical accuracy and cellular responsiveness.\n\n3-        Mechanobiological Assessment of Wear Particle Effects\nInvestigate the impact of wear particles on cells under both physiological and pathological mechanical loading conditions. Assess cellular responses, including viability, metabolic activity, and inflammation to elucidate the interplay between wear debris and mechanical stress in IVD degeneration.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400303 Biomechanical Engineering (50%)\n400301 Biofabrication (30%)\n400307 Mechnobiology (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Javad Tavakoli","title":"Spinal implant-on-a-chip: investigating the biological impact of spinal implant wear particles on intervertebral disc cells","description":"Spinal implants, such as total disc replacements, rods, screws, and cages, are widely used to restore spinal function. These implants are made from biomaterials like metals, polymers, and ceramics, often in bearing combinations (e.g., metal-on-polymer), which can generate wear particles. Emerging evidence suggests that these particles may contribute to adjacent intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, alongside mechanical changes post-implantation. While wear particle effects have been extensively studied in hip and knee prostheses, their impact on healthy IVD cells remains largely unexplored.\n\nThis PhD project aims to investigate the biological effects of spinal implant wear particles using a physiologically relevant microfluidic organ model.\n\nResearch Aims:\n\n1- Advanced Organ Model Development and Cell Culture Optimisation:\nRefine and optimise a 3D microfluidic IVD model to replicate the complex native microenvironment, improving cell viability, functionality, and physiological relevance under controlled conditions.\n\n2- Optimisation of Cell Culture in the Presence of Wear Particles:\nEvaluate and refine culture conditions to study cellular responses to different wear particles, ensuring accurate simulation of in vivo conditions and optimising biocompatibility assessments.\n\n3- Comprehensive Biological Assessment of Wear Particle Effects:\nInvestigate how wear particles affect key cellular functions, including viability, metabolism, morphology, and inflammatory response, using advanced bioimaging, biochemical assays, and molecular analysis.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310105 Cellular interactions (60%)\n320216 Orthopaedics (25%)\n400303 Biomechanical Engineering (15%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Development of a smart charging framework for Electric Vehicles Leveraging Machine Learning Approach","description":"Background: With the increasing adoption of EVs, their charging demand put pressure on the grid, especially during peak hours. Further, Real- time information on available charging stations and charging times coupled with the continued growth of the charging station framework can help to mitigate the fear of range anxiety among EV users. Using AI, Smart EV charging emerges as a potential solution to improve the overall sustainability and efficiency of EV charging infrastructure, optimizing charge scheduling, forecast demand and reducing stress on the grid.\n\nSmart charging is an intelligent connectivity between smart charger and EV while ensuring when and how a power will be delivered to the EV through the charger based on the cost of electricity, its availability and the EV user\u2019s need. This helps to monitor, operate and manage energy consumption and has the potential to significantly contribute to the development of a more sustainable transportation future.\n\nObjectives and Working: a smart charging framework will be developed. When an EV is put on charge, the EV and the smart charger initiate communication. The smart EV charging platform starts the session with the optimum energy utilization, keeps track of the vehicle's battery charge, ends the session when the vehicle is fully charged, and driver pays the money according to their predetermined terms. It includes scheduling, forecasting, and dynamic pricing linked to EV charging. Accurate forecasting outcomes provide scheduling models with valuable data on system conditions. These models, in turn, provide optimal charge management and price signals, which are subsequently employed to enhance the forecasting model and improve prediction accuracy. Therefore, reliable forecasting results are essential to create the best EV charging strategy.\n\nMethodology: A smart charger (~ 5kW) will be developed, to achieve the smart charging, data will be collected on charging patterns of EV, price of electricity, peak usage time and grid capacity etc. The Machine learning models will be developed for the prediction of EV charging demand, grid load and optimal charging times etc. The relevant communication protocols and user interface will be developed. The proposed system will be tested with a small group of EV users. Finally, the complete system will be teste in real time using Hardware in loop setups.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805        Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (60%)\n460502        Data mining and knowledge discovery (40%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan","title":"Load modelling for future power grids with new energy technologies.","description":"Power grids are transforming all over the world with the integration of new energy technologies (NET), such as renewable energy resources and new types of loads [1]. In modern power systems, the proportion of power electronic converter (PEC) interfaced generation sources such as wind and solar are increasing significantly, with the consequential replacement of several large synchronous generators. Since these new sources are connected to the network by inverter interfaces instead of direct coupling of rotating machines, the increasing penetration of PEC-interfaced generation, loads, and storage devices is reported to affect changing the power system characteristics [2].","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan, Inam Nutkani","title":"Enabling technologies for grid integration of electric vehicles.","description":"The operational aspects of future power systems are expected to be influenced significantly by the increasing grid integration of electric vehicles (EVs). This PhD project will analyze the impact of EVs on future power systems and will investigate the enabling technologies to facilitate high EV integration into the electricity grid. Based on collected charging station data, this study is expected to analyze electric vehicle (EV) charging profiles from residential and public charging stations throughout the entire annual cycle to extract the loading patterns of different EV charging stations. The EV loading profiles will be overlaid on the grid loading profile to demonstrate the impact of widespread EV charging stations on the electricity network. Furthermore, this study will focus on the contribution of enabling technologies for alleviating system overloading and voltage violation issues in a power network. The EV enabling technologies could be but are not limited to, as follows: (i) load shifting, (ii) renewable integration, (iii) storage deployment, and (iv) system reconfiguration. The contributions of the EV enabling technologies on the grid loading and system voltage profiles will be quantified. The effectiveness of alternative enabling technologies at different network conditions will be identified.    \n\nFurthermore, a combined approach of controlled EV charging for grid benefit, proper utilization of renewable generation for environment-friendly solutions, and execution of demand response through dynamic pricing for customer satisfaction will be investigated in this research. This research proposes smart EV integration to the grid which can accomplish all-round achievements. MATLAB\/Simulink and DIgSILENT PowerFactory software platform will be utilized for the implementation and verification of the proposed algorithm. Successful implementation of the research will progress the highly desirable adoption of EV integration for a clean and sustainable future.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan, Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Probabilistic stability analysis of future power systems.","description":"The number of non-controllable parameters or uncertainties is increasing in electrical power networks. These uncertainties are mainly caused by the intermittency of renewable generation, natural load variation, EV charging-discharging and demand response in power systems. The increased share of intermittent generation is reported to have an adverse effect on the short-term operation and stability of power systems [1]. By typically considering the worst case scenarios, deterministic studies do not accurately reflect the status and capability of a power network and may lead to overly pessimistic and non-optimal techno-economic solutions [2]. That is why the uncertainties are needed to be modelled and assessed by using probabilistic techniques. To perform a probabilistic analysis of future power systems, the traditional approaches such as the Monte Carlo methods are computationally expensive and almost impossible to employ for a realistic power system [3, 4]. Hence the identification of computational techniques, which are advanced, efficient and accurate for probabilistic analysis of future uncertain power systems, is an ongoing area of research [2].\nThis PhD project will investigate the application of efficient probabilistic techniques to assess the operation of future renewable-rich uncertain power systems accurately. Efficient sampling techniques suitable for power system stability assessment will be explored in this research [3-5]. The accuracy and efficiency of different techniques will be evaluated about their applications to power system dynamic stability. In this aspect, appropriate dynamic modelling of power system components is expected to be performed in an electrical grid. The suitability of the applications of the selected method(s) for large-scale power systems will be validated in this research. Efficient identification of power system (in)stability issues will facilitate better operation and preventive control in power systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan","title":"Electric Vehicle Tariff and Feed-in-tariff Design for Smart Charger Implementation","description":"This PhD research focuses on developing an appropriate tariff design tool for supporting enhanced grid integration of electric vehicles (EVs). The widespread adoption of EVs will transform the operation of future electricity grids. The challenge is facilitating a fair tariff structure for EV charging and discharging. With a high EV integration scenario, EV tariffs and feed-in tariffs would play an important role in the operation of the electricity grid (similar to solar feed-in tariffs used to manage the electricity grid). \r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop algorithms based on fair market design mechanisms for EV tariffs and feed-in tariffs which would be implementable in both centrally controlled Australian NEM (national electricity market) and peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading schemes. Alongside this PhD project, the industry partner would develop apps and other user interfaces for product development to be coordinated with EV owners' home energy management systems and public EV charging facilities.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\r\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Cesar Sanchez Huertas","title":"Improving heart attack diagnosis and outcomes through ultrasensitive and multiplexed photonic technology.","description":"Cardiac troponins are specific diagnostic indicators that are released into the circulating blood after a person experiences a heart attack. A variety of high-sensitive troponin tests exists in the market such as Abbot I-STAT and Roche Elecsys Troponin T. They enable their use in early \u2018rule-out\u2019 algorithms to exclude heart attack in patients presenting to the emergency centers with recent chest pain. However, it seems like sensitivity and time are not it all. Although they are sensitive and rapid, they are often not accurate enough to be trusted in the clinical setting given the high variability between assays. Due to this lack of harmonization, clinicians send the samples to be re-tested using conventional hospital facilities to reconfirm the test result, delaying treatment even more. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this research is to tackle these issues and improve the management of heart attacks using our ultrasensitive photonic technology. This technology integrates multiple biosensors in a finger-nail size chip, allowing us to analyse with high-precision cardiac troponin.. \r\n\r\nThe objectives of the project are:\r\n(i)\tOptimise a sensor surface modification protocol to increase the robustness and sensitivity of the assays.\r\n(ii)\tIdentify what antibodies will allow better performance to diagnose the onset of a heart attack as early as possible.\r\n(iii)\tValidate the biosensor using patient samples and compare the performance with conventional troponin tests.\r\n\r\n\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani","title":"Neuromorphic hardware for next generation processing platforms","description":"Neuromorphic hardware replicates the structure and functionality of the human brain using specialized computer systems. It integrates memory and processing units closely, enabling faster and more energy-efficient computations. These systems have the potential to advance AI, cognitive computing, and robotics by emulating the brain's capabilities in a compact and power-efficient manner. Developing neuromorphic hardware poses several challenges. First, designing and fabricating complex circuits that accurately mimic the behaviour of biological neurons and synapses is a considerable technical feat. Additionally, optimizing the hardware for efficient and scalable parallel processing while minimizing power consumption remains a challenge. This project theme aims to address some of these challenges through:\n- The application of neuromorphic models for wireless and satellite communications \n- The application of neuromorphic models for onboard satellite processing.\n- Develop novel hardware modelling approaches to capture the performance of neuromorphic devices.\n- Investigate the use of novel materials for applications in neuromorphic hardware.\n- The integration of sensing and neuromorphic processing\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461104 Neural networks (25%) ; 340304 Optical properties of materials (25%) ; 400607 Signal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rani, Glenn Matthews","title":"Increasing efficiency of Large Language Models for generating realistic and coherent images from textual prompts","description":"The recent improvements in generative AI with text-to-image and text-to-video synthesis have made great advancements in the field of computer vision. Diffusion models have greatly evolved as one of the fast-improving generative models for test-to-image generation, leading to creation of high-quality images. However, these models do not understand the contextual relationships between the diverse objects in the real-world and as a result, they do not generate realistic and accurate images. This limitation further increases in creating complete scenes rather than that of single objects. Generated content can fail to adhere to physical laws and reality, which makes the images appear unreal or unnatural. Failures often occur in in modelling complex real-world systems and defining relationships between objects. For example, if the given text is \u201can astronaut riding a horse\u201d, an AI model could generate an image of an astronaut in the space riding a horse.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to increase the efficiency and functionality of Large Language Models (LLMs) to deal with diverse and complex systems to create realistic images. Different techniques will be developed and tested as part of the research to generate images that are realistic, coherent and capture the context of the given text accurately. The proposed outcome of this study is to develop algorithms with high accuracy so that the end users using these LLMs for content generation could develop images of their own that are high quality and coherent with useful insights.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Efficient integration of electric vehicles into the grid","description":"The transport sector is responsible for 20% of global greenhouse emissions and electrification is a key solution to decarbonise it. Electric Vehicle (EV) uptake is expected to increase significantly due to policy (e.g. the introduction of National EV Strategy, April 2023) and market forces. Massive EV uptake requires the energy and transport sectors to aggressively prepare for charging and operational requirements to ensure that infrastructure can handle the transition. The energy sector, and in DNSPs, are not ready to integrate large EV fleets within the distribution grid. As reported by the Energy Networks Australia, the peak national body representing transmission and distribution businesses, \u201cAustralia's distribution networks were not designed for any significant uptake of electric vehicles and the consequential demand for charging\u201d. If not properly managed and coordinated, EV charging can put the already stressed national grid under even more pressure, resulting in higher energy costs and reduced fairness and equity in access to energy. On the other hand, EVs are mobile batteries, and they can support the grid through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) or Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capability. EVs can become virtual power plants on wheels by absorbing excess generation from rooftop Photovoltaics (PVs) and provide backup power for homes and the grid. \nThe challenge is to effectively integrate EVs with other distributed energy resources, such a rooftop PV and batteries, and unlock the potential of V2G-enabled EVs to support the grid, whilst maintaining reliability and affordability of electricity. Currently, there is no whole-of-system modelling framework considering techno-economic factors of EV-grid integration. This presents a significant gap in forecasting future scenario outcomes, particularly when considering the mass adoption of EVs, and the way it could interact with other clean energy movements. This project aims at developing data-driven and AI-based tools and technologies for efficient integration of EVs within the grid. This will support transition to clean energy and transport solutions, whilst maintaining reliability, security and affordability of the electricity supply.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Data-driven integration of distributed energy resources","description":"The energy-related emissions account for over three-fourth of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The world is at a tipping point in climate change, and accelerated action is urgently required to reverse the climate change impacts or at least avoid further worsening. Zero emission technologies, such Electric Vehicles (EVs), electrification of heavy industries and gas electrification combined with increased electricity generation from renewables are key solutions to reducing global carbon footprint.\n\nThere has been a lot of progress in legislating GHG emission reduction targets globally, and countries are taking action to address the climate crisis and transition to a low-carbon economy. Australia has recently legislated its 2030 target by committing to reduce GHG emissions to 43% below 2005 levels. The Commonwealth Government has also recently introduced the National EV Strategy, which includes several measures and government initiatives to boost the uptake of EVs. These positive steps, however, require an accelerated transition to clean energy, effective engagement with the community and industry via a user-centric design, and a strengthened grid that is supportive of a smooth transition to clean energy and transport, whilst ensuring reliability, security, and affordability of the electricity supply.\n\nAustralia\u2019s grid is undergoing a transition to more renewables and hosting more Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as rooftop Photovoltaics (PVs), batteries and EVs. This combined with \u201celectrification of everything\u201d (EoE) movement will help decarbonise both energy and transport sectors and meet Australia\u2019s emission reduction targets. However, smooth transition to a smart and digital grid, with increased share of renewables in the energy mix, faces several pressing challenges. This project aims at developing optimisation, machine learning and AI-based solutions and technologies for efficient integration of DERs into the grid.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Controlling complex networks with higher order interactions","description":"Critical infrastructure systems, such as power grids, communication and transport networks have an inherently limited flow-carrying capacity, which if exceeded results in congestion. \u201cCongestion control\u201d has been a problem of keen interest in different areas of science and engineering, as rapid urbanisation has strained infrastructural capacity of cities. State-of-the-art congestion control of Flow-Carrying Networks (FCN), such as those using model predictive control methods, formulate the flow dynamics to make predictions and calculate appropriate control actions. Yet, the persistence of chronic traffic jams on urban roads calls for the urgent development of methods beyond current congestion models and control practices. The limitations of most existing methods stem from i) the complexity of interactions within the system being simplified or ignored, and ii) the control system does not fully account for the perturbation of flow dynamics caused by its own actions. We see the solution to this in i) next-generation models of critical infrastructures systems with an accurate accounting of the complex pairwise and higher-order interactions between components, and ii) an innovative mathematical control system with the ability to control and learn flow-dynamics in real-time. To achieve this, we will develop ground-breaking theory and computational tools following the most recent modelling trends in network science. \n\nThis project aims to develop ground-breaking theory and computational tools for congestion modelling and control in FCN. We will develop mathematical network models integrated with Machine Learning (ML) techniques to simultaneously learn and control congestion dynamics in real-world FCN. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalilu","title":"Machine learning for graph learning","description":"Many real systems can be modelled as complex networks where individual entities (modelled by network nodes) are connected through edges (links). Examples include power grids, transportation systems, computer networks, and online social networks. Real networks are often large, making their analysis a challenging task. Recently, several machine learning techniques and AI-based tools have been developed to facilitate network processing. This project aims at developing machine learning techniques for complex network analysis and control. Examples include representation learning, network embedding, congestion control, link prediction and recommendation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Moradi Amani","title":"Resilient and reliable complex networks: Application in future power systems","description":"Power grids are cyber-physical systems and can be modelled as network systems where individual units (generators, busbars and loads) are interconnected through physical and cyber links. Network components (nodes\/edges) may undergo intentional and\/or random failures. In catastrophic cases, a failure initiating from a small set of these components can quickly propagate through the whole network, leading to a cascade of failures that might force a deep whole-grid blackout. In the case of active distribution grids, the intermittence and uncertainty of distributed generation units impact the reliability of the grid. This project aims to provide computationally efficient tools and solutions for modelling power grids as complex networks and their resilience and reliability analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Moradi Amani","title":"Developing data-driven smart algorithms for active power distribution grids","description":"With the increased penetration of renewable-based Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the electric vehicle uptake, distribution grids are highly subject to voltage fluctuations due to back power feed from DERs or significant EV charging demand. Conventionally, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) have addressed this voltage issue by adjusting the taps of transformers. However, managing the naturally unpredictable renewable generation and the power consumption behaviour of technology owners requires advanced real-time algorithms. Real-time control algorithms should be applied to efficiently use the flexibility in active distribution grids, provided by local or community battery storage systems and EV charging process, in order to increase the quality of the delivered power, e.g. reduce voltage fluctuations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Moradi Amani","title":"Data-driven control of complex dynamical networks","description":"The \"Complex networks\" paradigm looks promising in analysis and control of large-scale systems. Complex systems can be presented using complicated, nonlinear and often uncertain models. Thus, classic control approaches my fail to manage these complex models or may result in conservative or computationally complex solutions. Although data-driven approaches have potentials to overcome this complexity, they are still at the beginning. The aim of this project is to develop data-driven control technique to manage a large-scale system modelled as a complex network.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Arman Ahnood","title":"Diamond electrodes for bimodal cellular control","description":"The objective of this project to develop a new tool for investigating intercellular communication. Currently, techniques for probing cellular functions are either well-suited to controlling a limited number of individual inputs or a large number of complete cells. This project aims to address these limitations by utilising cutting-edge fabrication techniques to create an optically controlled nanoscale array of diamond electrodes, capable of modulating a large number of single cellular inputs with precision. This technology would allow researchers to manipulate cellular processes with more control than ever before, potentially gaining insights useful for understanding brain function, memory formation, or cell death.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Arman Ahnood","title":"A Smart Surgical Tool for Precision Brain Tumour Removal","description":"Brain cancer has a very low survival rate even with proper surgeries and treatments, as complete surgical removal of cancerous tissue is almost impossible. Neurosurgeons aim to remove as much tumor as possible while preserving healthy tissue, but this is often not possible, leaving behind small cancerous tissues that can grow into more aggressive tumors. New surgical tools are needed to better distinguish between healthy brain tissue and cancerous tissue. \n \n In collaboration with neurosurgeons, this project aims to improve tumour removal during surgeries, by developing a smart ultrasonic aspirator that can detect tumours' glow more accurately than the naked eye. The current surgical tool, ultrasonic aspirators, does not have any sensing capability. You will be using cutting-edge micro and nanofabrication technologies, state-of-the-art optoelectronic sensors and circuits to develop a new tool capable of detecting tumour glows. The final phase of the project includes integration of the the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsmarts\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 with the ultrasonic aspirator and in-vivo benchmarking prior to the potential use during the surgery. This tool is likely to be offering several advantages over the naked eye. These include the ability to detect weaker light intensities, faster detection of light, quantifying intensity, and detecting small tumours. \n \n This project is suitable for a motivated and talented student with a background in physics or electronic\/biomedical engineering.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Arman Ahnood","title":"A novel platform-technology for long-term subcutaneous neurophysiology","description":"This project aims to develop a novel miniature device for subcutaneous and tetherless brain sensing. It addresses the lack of a device solution for brain sensing that combines ultra-long-term reliable sensing capability and small dimensions for minimally-invasive surgical placement. \n \n Working in collaboration with researchers at the University of Sydney, this project will employ cutting-edge microfabrication technologies at the RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cleanroom facilities, characterisation methods as well as electronics circuit development, to demonstrate a novel electrode architecture that significantly enhances the quality and reliability of recorded brain signals will be developed. \n \n The key objectives of this project are to further refine the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lead wire-free\u00e2\u20ac\u009d electrode architecture (see the link below) and the in-vivo evaluation of high-quality brain activity recording using a miniature implant without lead wires. This project would lead to a platform technology designed for subscalp anatomy with future use in various brain-machine interfacing applications relying on reliable, long-term and easy-to-implant systems.\n \n \n More info at DOI: 10.1039\/D1SD00020A","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"15\/02\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400308 - Medical devices (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Javad Tavakoli, Joanne Tipper","title":"Biomechanical impact of transfemoral drill hole characteristics on femoral integrity in hip replacement surgery","description":"Total hip replacement (THR) is a widely performed orthopaedic procedure to restore joint function and alleviate pain in patients with severe osteoarthritis or hip joint degeneration. However, during implant fixation, surgeons often drill unicortical or bicortical holes into the femur to secure components or attach auxiliary implants. These drilled holes may alter the femoral bone\u2019s mechanical properties, potentially leading to stress concentrations, microfractures, or implant loosening over time. Our research team have developed a unique surgical procedure that uses transfemoral preparation of the acetabulum, so that femoral retraction is not required. This PhD project aims to investigate the biomechanical effects of the transfemoral hole characteristics on femoral bone integrity following hip replacement surgery. Using finite element modelling (FEM) to simulate different hole configurations and validating these models with cadaveric femur specimens, this study will provide crucial insights to optimise surgical techniques and improve implant longevity.\n\nAims:\n1.\tDevelop and optimise a finite element model (FEM) to simulate the mechanical behaviour of the femur with different hole characteristics (e.g., size, depth, and location) specific to the developed THR procedure.\n2.\tExperimentally validate the FEM using cadaveric femur bones, assessing bone strength, stiffness, and failure mechanisms through mechanical testing.\n3.\tAnalyse the clinical implications of different hole characteristics, identifying optimal parameters that minimise stress concentrations, reduce the risk of peri-prosthetic fractures, and enhance implant stability post-surgery.\n\nHypotheses:\n\u2022\tThe size, depth, and location of the holes significantly influence the femoral bone\u2019s mechanical integrity post-hip replacement surgery.\n\u2022\tFEM simulations can accurately predict bone behaviour and failure patterns, which will correlate with cadaveric validation studies.\n\nMethodology:\n\u2022\tDevelop a high-fidelity FEM of the femur incorporating patient-specific anatomical data and simulating hip replacement surgical procedures.\n\u2022\tSimulate different hole characteristics and analyse stress distributions, strain patterns, and potential failure zones under physiological and non-physiological loading conditions.\n\u2022\tConduct mechanical testing on cadaveric femur bones with drilled holes, using techniques such as digital image correlation (DIC) and micro-CT scanning to assess damage propagation.\n\u2022\tCompare FEM predictions with experimental data to refine and validate the computational model.\n\nExpected Outcomes for the PhD Candidate:\n\u2022\tExpertise in advanced finite element modelling and biomechanics.\n\u2022\tHands-on experience with cadaveric specimen preparation, mechanical testing, and validation techniques.\n\u2022\tContribution to impactful research that informs best practice for hip replacement surgeries and implant design.\n\u2022\tOpportunities to present findings at international conferences and publish in high-impact journals.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-07-01","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400303 Biomechanical Engineering (70%)\n320216 Orthopaedics (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Nanobots for Cancer Detection","description":"Working with an industry partner","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400302 50%\n400308 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toh Yen Pang, Ben Cheng, Adrian Pranata","title":"Enhancing Rehabilitation through Extended Reality (XR) Systems","description":"The increasing accessibility and affordability of \"Extended Reality\" (XR) technologies, have led to a growing interest in their application within rehabilitation, particularly in home settings. \u201cXR technologies\u201d is a term that refers to all real-and-virtual combined environments and human-machine interactions generated by computer technology, such as augmented reality\/virtual reality\/mixed reality (AR\/VR\/MR) and wearables. \n\nDespite promising indications, current research reports mixed results regarding the effectiveness of XR technologies in rehabilitation after stroke. XR systems can be complex to set up and operate. Many studies lack detailed information on the practical aspects of using XR equipment in home settings, including installation, accommodation within the home and user acceptance. While XR technologies offer potential for personalised treatment, the current level of customisation has not been sufficient to address the specific needs and abilities of all patients, especially those with significant physical or cognitive limitations. Furthermore, patients' willingness and ability to engage with technology is crucial. \n\nThe future of XR systems in rehabilitation is promising, with ongoing advancements in technology expected to enhance effectiveness and usability. There is also a growing interest in integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide more sophisticated, personalised, therapeutic experiences. Addressing this potential necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing technological advancements, inclusive design practices, and a deeper understanding of diverse user needs.\n\nAim: To investigate the impact of XR therapy on biomechanical functions and rehabilitation outcomes, utilising affordable XR technology in a home-based setting, particularly for stroke patients.\n\nThis project represents an innovative approach to overcoming the current challenges to maximising the potential of XR technologies and systems in rehabilitation, aiming to improve clinical outcomes significantly. The successful PhD candidate will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team comprising experts from Biomedical and Mechatronics Engineering, Health and Biomedical Science, and Rehabilitation Science, particularly Physiotherapy.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics; \n400399 Biomedical engineering not elsewhere classified; \n329999 other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Harnessing Advanced Sensing Technologies for EEG Access in Challenging Environments","description":"Join our pioneering research group dedicated to enhancing access to electroencephalography (EEG) and related sensing technologies in critical care and prehospital settings. This PhD project aims to identify and overcome the practical barriers that limit the availability of EEG in challenging environments, ensuring that patients receive timely and effective neurological assessments.\n\nThe research will focus on developing innovative technologies and their applications for improving access to EEG, as well as validating these solutions in clinical settings. Candidates will explore a range of advanced sensing techniques designed to optimize the use of EEG in diverse healthcare scenarios.\n\nCollaboration with industry partners is a key aspect of this project, allowing for the translation of research findings into practical, market-ready solutions. We are particularly interested in candidates who have a strong interest in entrepreneurship and commercialization, as we believe that effective research should lead to tangible benefits for society.\n\nAs part of our interdisciplinary team, you will contribute to both theoretical advancements and practical implementations, working on various pathways to enhance access to EEG. If you are passionate about addressing real-world healthcare challenges and want to make a significant impact in the field of neurotechnology, we encourage you to apply. This is a unique opportunity to be part of an initiative aimed at revolutionising EEG access and application in critical healthcare contexts.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400305"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toh Yen Pang, Kate Fox","title":"Development of Digital Twins for Accelerating Medical Device Innovation","description":"The medical device industry is rapidly evolving, necessitating innovative approaches to design, development and regulation. Digital twins\u2014virtual replicas of physical devices\u2014offer an opportunity for significant advancements in this sector.\r\n\r\nThis research project focuses on the development of digital twins to enhance innovation in medical devices. The core of this research involves creating and implementing a digital twin framework using a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach. MBSE provides a structured approach for developing comprehensive models that represent all aspect of a complex system, including its functionalities, behaviours and interactions. This framework will facilitate more efficient and accurate design processes, the use of predictive maintenance, and lifecycle management of devices. Digital twins will be developed and utilised for advanced simulations, which will involve computational analysis and modelling, including Finite Element Analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Multiphysics approaches to predict device performance and reliability under various conditions, leading to safer and more effective devices. This project will also address key issues such as sustainability, usability, manufacturability and regulatory compliance (focusing on ISO13485) in the medical device lifecycle.\r\n\r\nAn integral part of this project is the collaboration with industry such as utilising internships, and creating other opportunities that allows for the practical application of research findings and the development of real-world solutions. The project will contribute to the field of medical device development, offering a more efficient, accurate and cost-effective design and testing, thereby accelerating innovation in healthcare technology development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Kate Fox, School of Engineering","title":"Additive Manufacturing Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering","description":"Tissue engineering applications often utilise 3D printing or additive manufacturing to create 3D scaffolds or structures to support cell growth and tissue formation. However, challenges in this area include adequate penetration of cells into a 3D environment, and using these 3D environments to promote stem cell differentiation into the desired tissue. This project aims to combine the fabrication of 3D constructs for tissue engineering with an applied external electrical field, to influence the differentiation of stem cells to specific cell phenotypes and to guide cellular migration into and through-out the 3D environment. \r\n\r\nRMIT has world-class facilities in fabrication and biomedical research (Digital Manufacturing Facility and the ACMD) which will support this project. This project is highly multidisciplinary, and as such would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. Experience in mammalian cell culture is not required; this will be a very multidisciplinary research project and will involve learning many new skills.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Kate Fox, School of Engineering","title":"Biomedical Cell Culture Devices for Custom Stimulation","description":"Applying external physical stimulus, such as electrical pulses or mechanical strain, can influence the differentiation of stem cells to specific cell phenotypes [1]. This is an exciting area of using stem cells for tissue engineering applications. However, screening and optimising the experimental parameters for external physical stimuli is conventionally very difficult, due to the vast number of possible permutations. This project will employ a combination of micro-fabrication and additive manufacturing techniques to build custom devices for investigating the influence of external stimulus on targeted stem cell differentiation. \r\n\r\nThe platforms need to be custom designed and made to incorporate the required features for different external stimulus protocols.  The candidate will learn how to perform additive and photolithographic fabrication techniques, as well as basic stem cell culture protocols. \r\n\r\nRMIT has world-class facilities in fabrication and biomedical research (Digital Manufacturing Facility and the ACMD) which will support this project. This project is highly multidisciplinary, and as such would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. Experience in mammalian cell culture is not required; this will be a very multidisciplinary research project and will involve learning many new skills.\r\n[1] A. Gelmi, C. Ibsen. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10 (1), 2001125, 2021\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dinesh Kumar","title":"AI for wound management","description":"While significant diabetic foot ulcers heal with regular wound management within 12 weeks, some of these can have delayed healing and require additional care, and it is essential for clinicians to recognize these in the early stages. The current state of the art is based on monitoring the ulcers over the first 4 weeks, and this can lead to 4 weeks delay. Our previous work demonstrated that it was possible to use thermal images of the ulcers to identify those that will have delayed healing. \n We are now looking for developing a device that can be used by the clinician to determine the healing trajectory of the wound. This will require combination of selecting the suitable hardware, developing the software and the AI model that can be used for this application.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4611-35% ; 4003-35% ; 4009-30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arash Vahidnia","title":"Enhancing the Security of the Renewable Rich Power Systems through Utilization of Advanced Control and Protection methods","description":"This project aims at addressing the important issue of energy security through implementation of advanced control and protection methods on various power system elements. The main focus of this project is to use Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) for developing advanced control algorithms to deal with the nonlinear nature of power systems and improve the system stability while the increasing penetration of renewable energy resources and their displacement of traditional rotational synchronous sources have increased the performance complexity and uncertainty of the interconnected power system [1, 2].\n In order to address the new challenges and avoid future catastrophic failures, it is important to adapt new technologies and control methods to improve the stability and security of the power systems. This proposed project extends the previous studies and findings to provide a more secure and stable power system for the benefit of network operators, stakeholders and consumers. The project is to develop and demonstrate significantly enhanced system security with particular focus on the reduced inertia systems with significant penetration of renewable based resources. [3-5].\n References:\n [1]A. Vahidnia, G. Ledwich, and E. W. Palmer, \"Transient Stability Improvement Through Wide-Area Controlled SVCs,\" IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 31, pp. 3082-3089, 2016.\n [2]A. Vahidnia, G. Ledwich, E. Palmer, and A. Ghosh, \"Wide-area control through aggregation of power systems,\" IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, vol. 9, pp. 1292-1300, 2015.\n [3]M. Chenine and L. Nordstrom, \"Modeling and Simulation of Wide-Area Communication for Centralized PMU-Based Applications,\" Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 26, pp. 1372-1380, 2011.\n [4]P. W. Sauer and A. Pai, Power system dynamics and stability: Prentice Hall, 1998.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arash Vahidnia","title":"Reliable and secure operation of electricity grids with high penetration of distributed energy resources and electric vehicles","description":"This project will develop a novel management mechanism for electricity distribution grids with high penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) such as rooftop PVs, battery storage systems and electric vehicles. The major practical challenge of effective integration of DER (mainly from wind and solar) with the main electricity grid is unpredictable (or difficult to predict) and very frequent intermittency in the generated electricity from these sources. The project will develop new flexible DER capacity and grid stability technologies that would optimally balance the electricity distribution system with even high levels of DERs and associated technologies such as storage systems as well as electric vehicles. This would allow designing new electricity grids with substantially increased share of DERs integrated with the main grid.\n References:\n [1] F. Shahnia, M. Moghbel, A. Arefi, G. M. Shafiullah, M. Anda and A. Vahidnia, \"Levelized cost of energy and cash flow for a hybrid solar-wind-diesel microgrid on Rottnest island,\" 2017 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC), Melbourne, VIC, 2017, pp. 1-6. \n [2] S. Najafi, S. H. Hosseinian, M. Abedi, A. Vahidnia and S. Abachezadeh, \"A Framework for Optimal Planning in Large Distribution Networks,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 1019-1028, May 2009.\n [3] N. Al Khafaf et al., \"Impact of battery storage on residential energy consumption: An Australian case study based on smart meter data,\" Renewable Energy, vol. 182, pp.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Carlos Teixeira","title":"Common-Mode Mitigation Techniques for Three-Phase Soft-Switched Dual Active Bridge Converters","description":"Dual active bridge (DAB) converters are the topology of choice to transfer energy in either direction between two galvanically isolated direct-current sources [1][2]. Compared to its single phase counterpart, a three-phase DAB converter offers the benefits of reduced AC link RMS and bridge switching devices turn-off peak currents as well as smaller DC bus filter requirements, essentially because of its inherent six-step modulation capability [1].\n However the six-step modulation strategy applied to this converter topology offers as side-effect a large common-mode component, which needs to be appropriately mitigated by hardware filtering techniques. The conventional approach to address the issue is to use sufficiently large common-mode filters to prevent undesirable circulating currents from occurring within the topology.\n The aim of this PhD project is to apply frequency domain analysis [2] to mathematically model the characteristic common-mode component typically present in this converter arrangement to then develop effective mitigation techniques which minimise the consequential circulating currents without requiring expensive over-dimensioned hardware. The project will be conducted at RMIT Power Electronics Laboratory Facility using a three-phase dual active bridge converter prototype built during the course of the project with the primary purpose of investigating common-mode issues and mitigation techniques.\n References:\n [1]. De Doncker, R.W.A.A.; Divan, D.M.; Kheraluwala, M.H., \"A three-phase soft-switched high-power-density DC\/DC converter for high-power applications,\" in Ind. Applic., IEEE Trans. on, vol.27, no.1, pp.63-73, 1991.\n [2] J. Riedel, C. Teixeira, D. G. Holmes, and B. P. McGrath, \"Identication of zvs soft switching boundaries for three-phase dual active bridge converters using harmonic analysis,\" in Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'15 ECCE-Europe), 2015 17th European Conference on, pp. 1-10, Sept 2015.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Carlos Teixeira","title":"Decentralised Phase Disposition Modulation of Modular Multilevel Converters","description":"The modular multilevel converter is an attractive topology for medium\/high voltage applications with large power conversion ratings because of its scalability to high operating voltages via the series connection of 2N commutation sub-modules (N per arm), its ability to operate from a single direct current supply without bulk bus storage capacitors, and its capability to synthesise switched waveforms with low harmonic content [1]-[3].\n Recent work has demonstrated that compared to the more traditional phase-shifted carrier modulation, phase disposition modulation of a modular multilevel converter provides superior harmonic performance [2][3]. However, as indicated in [2], the harmonic benefit of phase disposition modulation is only achieved when the strategy is implemented on a per-arm basis, and this requirement goes against the distributed and modular nature of this multilevel converter topology.\n The primary aim of this PhD project is to investigate practical controller implementation alternatives for achieving phase disposition modulation in a distributed manner while still benefiting from its superior harmonic performance. The project will be conducted at RMIT Power Electronics Laboratory Facility using a three-phase six-level modular multilevel converter prototype.\n References:\n [1]. H. Akagi, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Classification, terminology, and application of the modular multilevel cascade converter (MMC)\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 26, no. 11, pp. 3119 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 3130, Nov. 2011.\n [2] B. McGrath; C. Teixeira; G. Holmes, \"Optimized Phase Disposition (PD) Modulation of a Modular Multilevel Converter,\" in IEEE Trans. on Industry Applications, vol. PP, no. 99, pp. 1 1, 2017.\n [3]. C. A. Teixeira, Y. Sun, D. G. Holmes and B. P. McGrath, \"Design and implementation of finite state machine decoders for phase disposition pulse width modulation of modular multilevel converters,\" 2016 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), Milwaukee, WI, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Carlos Teixeira","title":"Identification of Zero Voltage Switching Boundaries of Three-phase Multilevel Dual Active Bridge Converters","description":"Three-phase dual active bridges (DABs) commonly have their interconnecting impedances built around three or five limb transformer cores, hence the per-phase coupling impedances of these transformers are inherently unbalanced, and so the zero voltage switching (ZVS) boundaries for the primary and secondary bridges become asymmetrical. Hence the effective ZVS region of a three-phase DAB is further constrained to the region of the first phase leg to reach its ZVS boundary, irrespective of the switching conditions of the other two phase legs [1][2].\n Besides allowing for switching devices with lower voltage ratings which benefit from smaller conduction and switching losses, multilevel three-phase DABs also offer additional degrees of freedom, which can be used to counteract the reduction of ZVS capability caused by practical three-phase impedance asymmetries [3].\n Previous work has applied frequency domain analysis to precisely and comprehensively identify the ZVS boundaries of three-phase dual active bridge converters [4]. The aim of this PhD project is to extend the methodology presented in [4] to now identify the ZVS operating regions of three-phase three-level DAB converters. The theoretical concepts developed in this work will be experimentally validated on a three-phase three-level dual active bridge converter prototype built during the course of the project.\n References:\n [1]. De Doncker, R.W.A.A.; Divan, D.M.; Kheraluwala, M.H., \"A three-phase soft-switched high-power-density DC\/DC converter for high-power applications,\" in Ind. Applic., IEEE Trans. on, vol.27, no.1, pp.63-73, 1991.\n [2]. C. A. Teixeira, J. Riedel, D. G. Holmes and B. P. McGrath, \"Extended soft switching operation of three-phase dual active bridge converters with unbalanced transformer impedances,\" 2016 IEEE 2nd Annual Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC), Auckland, 2016.\n [3]. N. H. Baars, J. Everts, C. G. E. Wijnands and E. A. Lomonova, \"Evaluation of a high-power three-phase dual active bridge DC-DC converter with three-level phase-legs,\" 2016 18th European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'16 ECCE Europe), Karlsruhe, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Francisco Tovar, Ayman Allahham, Thilini Thrimawithana, Naz Nassar","title":"Microfluidic-Based Liposomes for Enhanced Ocular Drug Delivery: A Multidisciplinary Approach","description":"Eye structure and functionality pose considerable obstacles to local drug delivery systems. Furthermore, the unique properties of biotherapeutic molecules, including their targeted pharmacodynamics and fewer side effects, have captivated researchers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 attention worldwide. However, an advanced responsive, controlled drug delivery system for such large and sensitive molecules is yet to be satisfied. This proposal explores the potential of microfluidic-based liposomes as a versatile, controlled ocular drug delivery system for biologics. By leveraging the advantages of liposomes in terms of controlled release, protection of the cargo, and targeting, along with the precision and slow release offered by microfluidics, we seek to enhance drug diffusion, and extend residence time while protecting the cargo, which should improve therapeutic outcomes, This project emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and pharmaceutical and pharmacological sciences in addressing the complexities associated with this endeavour.\n \n The research proposes designing microfluidic devices tailored for liposome synthesis, optimizing flow control and particle formation using cutting-edge techniques. Liposome characteristics, such as size, stability, and encapsulation efficiency, will be systematically evaluated. In vitro diffusion studies with an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) will assess drug release kinetics and pharmacodynamics. This tunable liposomal system addresses antibiotic resistance and has potential for various biologics targeting conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.\n \n Successful in vitro work and precise control enabled by microfluidics will advance the technology for pre-clinical animal studies. The interdisciplinary collaboration will yield a comprehensive understanding, driving field advancements, and enhancing patient care.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401801 Micro- and nanosystems ;  400403 Chemical engineering design ; 321404 Pharmaceutical delivery technologies"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Distribution Generations (DGs) Control and Management of AC and\/ DC Microgrids","description":"The world-leading economies have set ambitious mandatory targets for renewable deployment to meet their increasing energy demand and greenhouse gas emission targets. The deployment of renewable is usually realised through microgrids which are formed by clustering the alternative and conventional generation technologies, storage systems, and loads. Compared with the standalone deployment of renewable, microgrids offer several benefits, including optimal utilisation of resources, enhanced power supply reliability and power quality. Achieving these benefits, however, require proper control and management of DGs and microgrids. This topic has been extensively researched, and distributed and autonomous control schemes are found to be more reliable and cost-effective. However, recent research suggests that the grid-forming and supporting DGs and synthetic inertia play a significant role in the stable and dynamic operation of the power system and microgrid, which could be the new operational requirements for the DGs used in the power system and microgrid. The new operational requirements and control schemes for the conventional and emerging distributed generations (DGs) performance have not been thoroughly investigated. This project is to,\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Design and develop DGs, EVs and storage control to share power and provide grid-support services to enhance the supply power reliability and resilience in AC and\/or DC microgrid. \n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Design and develop the operational plan and management system to enhance supply power quality while maximising the economic benefits in AC and\/or DC microgrids.\n The project involves characterisation, mathematical and control model development of various DG systems for microgrid and power system application, frequency-domain and time-domain simulation analysis and their experimental performance verification under various scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Inverter Control Technology for Microgrid and Power System Application","description":"The future electric grids are anticipated to have a high penetration of renewable-based distributed generations (DGs) deployed in different forms, such as standalone, hybridized to form a microgrid, or interconnected with the utility grid. Extensive research has been carried out to achieve optimal DG design, control, and operation for various applications. However, with the increasing penetration of renewables, the control and operational requirements of DGs are still evolving with the emerging grid codes and standards. DG inverter topologies and their control for synchronization, synthetic inertia, and grid support services, with a reduced number of sensors, have not been fully exploited yet. The proposed project aims to develop inverter control technology for DGs to enhance system stability and resilience. \n The scope of work may include the mathematical and simulation model development of inverter control systems to evaluate their performance under different operating conditions and to develop new inverter control technology for the considered application. The project involves inverter system modeling, frequency domain and time-domain simulation analyses, and experimental verification of their performance for various conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Solar PV Generation and Loads - Model Development and Forecasting","description":"The leading economies around the globe have set mandatory targets for renewable deployment to meet their increasing energy demand and greenhouse gas emission targets. Conventional generation is being replaced with renewables, mainly solar PV, which is highly unpredictable and variable in nature. Moreover, load characteristics are changing as conventional fossil fuel vehicles are being replaced with EVs that are expected to have different load profiles. Accurate predictions and forecasting of solar PV generation and loads are crucial for power system planning and efficient and stable operation. Although significant research has been carried out on these aspects, accurate solar PV generation and load forecasting, load characterization, and model development, as well as their impact analysis on the network and power system operation, are the key topics of research to be explored in this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Adaptive Protection for AC\/DC Microgrids and Power System","description":"Renewable-based distributed generations (DGs) have been widely deployed in power systems in recent years. They are typically connected to the distribution network at various points. The distributed integration of DGs and their operating conditions significantly impacts power flow levels and directions, fault levels, and network protection. Similarly, microgrids are another effective way of generating power or integrating renewable energy with the power system. However, changes in network conditions following the DGs and load switching, as well as transitions of operation modes, raise protection issues in the microgrid system. Therefore, protection device settings need to be adjusted to accommodate the changes resulting from varying power flow, load\/DG switching, or mode transitions to maintain system reliability and safety.\n This project aims to develop autonomous and distributed adaptive protection schemes for AC or DC microgrids, including islanding detection and microgrid reconnection detection functions. The project involves the development of mathematical and simulation models for DGs and microgrids, fault characterization of different types of DGs and microgrids under various operating conditions, development of new protection schemes, and testing and verification in power system software such as Powerfactory.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Du Yong Kim","title":"Target detection and tracking using Machine Learning","description":"An area of interest aligned with a number of projects is the use of machine learning techniques to aid both in target detection and tracking. Three research paths could be explored. Firstly, the use of convolutional neural networks for detecting targets. Secondly, there are a number of potential uses of machine learning to aid in target tracking, including learning how targets manoeuvre and how to improve the separability of close-in targets. The third application is to use the raw radar data to both detect and track targets, i.e. a track-before-detect approach.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Glenn Matthews","title":"Investigation of Joint Time-Frequency Analysis for Separating Chemical Gas Sensing Events","description":"The field of acoustic wave devices is continuing to expand in the area of sensor technology due to their ability to detect minute environmental perturbations. Acoustic wave devices can be employed in the field of chemical gas sensing by applying a selective layer such as a metal oxide or polymer to the surface of the device which an analyte will react with. This reaction causes a change in electrical and\/or physical boundary conditions which can be quantified. \n \n Such changes can be correlated to the concentration of the analyte interacting with the device. As conventional practice measures only the resonant frequency of the system, a significant amount of usable data from both the time and frequency domain is neglected. The proposed research aims to investigate if Joint Time-Frequency Analysis (JTFA) can be employed to use this additional data to increase overall system performance when compared to existing techniques. \n \n This research will focus on the application of direct digital synthesis to produce sensor data in both the time and frequency domains which may then be used to separate the response mechanism of an analyte. The performance of acoustic wave devices are dependent upon a number of variables including the chemistry of the selective layer, topology of the device and the specific crystal orientation of the substrate. Due to this variable performance the proposed technique will be tested on several different acoustic wave platforms to characterise overall performance benefits and to identify its shortcomings in particular applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Glenn Matthews","title":"Collision Avoidance Radar Algorithm Development for Micro-Aerial Vehicles","description":"The aim of this project is to develop novel signal processing techniques (both theoretical and practical) that can be applied to FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar transceiver systems for Micro-Aerial Vehicle (MAV) collision avoidance and mapping. The current state of the art solution relies on existing (fixed design) radar transceivers. The issue with these types of systems is that they provide limited flexibility in terms of encoding the FMCW signal.\n \n Existing localisation systems typically rely on static information provided by the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite system which is limited to outdoor scenarios. If the MAV were to be deployed in an urban environment satellite signals could be occluded by buildings. The proposed algorithms to be developed would allow a customised radar system to be developed that can be successfully operated in both indoor and external environments as it does not rely on existing infrastructure. Furthermore, radar is not greatly affected by smoke and dust making it superior to other technologies such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR).\n \n In a typical radar system there are two outputs which represent the in phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the system which are typically disregarded in commercial systems. The relationship between these components can be used to obtain both the distance to the specified target as well as other characteristics such as velocity. By further processing of the I\/Q data, the type of environment and location of static objects (floor, ceiling and doorways) in the MAV environment can be identified.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hiep Tran","title":"Metal oxide semiconductors for electronic devices","description":"As electronics becomes more deeply embedded in everyday items, there is an increasing need to develop electronic materials that are more powerful, energy-efficient and flexible. Metal oxide, particularly the wide bandgap semiconductors are beginning to replace silicon in many applications, including solar cells, smart windscreens, high-resolution flat panel displays, and most notably in power electronics. High-quality metal oxide films are necessary for the development of these advanced electronic devices. In this project, you will grow a variety of metal oxide materials using physical deposition methods to study their properties such as mobility, carrier concentration, and resistivity. The project will also involve advanced materials characterisation, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) accessed via the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility (RMMF). These processes will advance our understanding of the characteristics and behaviors of these materials, thus enabling their implementation in applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Diamond Implant Technology","description":"It is essential that new materials can be generated for improved implant technologies. The industry standard, titanium, although bioinert, has a natural surface oxide which prevents integration between metal and surrounding bone. Diamond is known to possess biocompatibility and biostability.[1,2] Here, we will investigate the development of diamond implants. RMIT is at the forefront of optimising 3D printing technology for medical prototyping. It is expected that the new implant will provide an improved 3D scaffold capable of improving the biomaterial-bone interface. Skills: Understanding of surface science, materials, physics, electronics. Willingness to work on a collaborative interdisciplinary project. Some animal work may be required.\n References:\n [1]. Fox K, Palamara J, Judge R, Greentree AD. Diamond as a scaffold for bone growth. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine. 2013;24:849-61. [2]. Auciello O, Sumant AV. Status review of the science and technology of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD\u00e2\u201e\u00a2) films and application to multifunctional devices. Diamond and Related Materials. 2010;19:699-718.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Tailoring the interface of dental implants","description":"Additive manufacturing of dental and maxillofacial implants has rapidly become a growing field. Due to the nature of the oral environment, the integration of any implant requires not just bone growth but interaction with soft tissue. This tissue mismatch requires an engineering solution. This project will work with an industry partner to develop an implant that can improve not only the implant-soft tissue interface but also provides antimicrobial properties to a challenging bacterial interface. RMIT has been at the forefront of 3D printing techniques that allow for the fabrication of personalised orthopaedic implants [1] and the supervisory team has developed innovative material solutions for improving the interface and treating gum recession.[2,3] The HDR candidate will gain experience in an interdisciplinary field that include surface and interface chemistry, materials science, nanoengineering, dentistry and biomedical engineering. The implants will be studied by various surface characterisation techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Subsequently, their bioactivity and toxicity will be studied by examining bone-forming cell viability, soft tissue growth and function on the implant surfaces. Moreover, the ability of the coating to resist bacterial colonisation will be assessed against common pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.\n References:\n [1]. Wang X et al., Biomaterials, 2016, 83:127-141\n [2] Rifai A et al. ACS applied materials & interfaces 2018 10 (10), 8474-8484\n [3] Rifai A et al. ACS applied materials & interfaces 2019 11 (27), 24588-24597","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan","title":"Assessment of Grid Compatibility of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Functionality","description":"Project Scope:\n The focus of this Ph.D. research is on enabling technologies for grid integration of electric vehicles. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) will significantly transform the operation of future electricity grids. The number of EVs on the Australian street is expected to be 2 million by 2030. While each EV battery would contain 40 to 80 kWh of energy, 2 million EVs will be able to serve 6 million homes for up to 24 hours. As it brings a lot of opportunity so is the challenge! The challenge would be facilitating the V2X functionality, whether X is the home, grid, another vehicle, or electrical appliance. The concerns include V2X connectivity, grid codes, interoperability of the charging platforms, communication standards, and access to cheaper bidirectional chargers. \n In the pursuit of those research challenges, this project aims to:\n (1) identify the best practices in V2X (level 2) chargers: \n (2) design and implement the V2X functionality by following the Australian grid codes: \n (3) assess the applicability of these bidirectional chargers in Australia and elsewhere: \n This research is designed to lay a platform for EV charger software and hardware development (with a particular focus on the V2G functionality) and help support industry partners to test the EV chargers against the grid connection requirements.\n Financial sponsorships:\n The procurement of this stipend is proposed to be supplied by Smart Lifestyle Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Smart microfluidic systems","description":"Microfluidic systems provide unique platforms for generating highly controlled flow profiles within miniaturized structures and are increasingly used for studying complex biological processes throughout our body, modeling diseases, and developing drugs. Despite these advantages, most microfluidic systems require external sensors for measuring various flow variables such as flow rate, shear stress, pressure, temperature, and chemical concentration. This increases the overall cost and size of the system, adds more levels of complexity to the system, and limits the widespread application of microfluidic technologies in biological laboratories. \n This project aims to address the abovementioned limitations by developing smart microfluidic systems. Such smart systems will be packed with a range of integrated commercial or customized miniaturized sensors utilizing piezoelectric, capacitive, optical, or chemical mechanisms for real-time measurement of flow rate, shear stress, pressure, temperature, and chemical concentration. Such sensors can be embedded in the polydimethylsiloxane elastomer block, which surrounds the microfluidic structure, or positioned onto the elastomer block similar to wearable sensors. Such smart microfluidic systems will be used for generating various physiological and pathophysiological flow patterns and will be used for studying the mechanobiology of the cells constituting human blood vessels.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Self-sufficient microfluidic systems for cell-based assays","description":"Microfluidic systems enable rapid diagnosis, screening, and monitoring of diseases using small amounts of biological samples and reagents. Despite these remarkable features, conventional microfluidic systems rely on bulky, expensive external equipment, which hinders their utility outside the research laboratories. A logical way to address this limitation is to move towards \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcself-sufficient\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 also known as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcself-contained\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 or \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcstand-alone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 microfluidic systems, which include all necessary components to facilitate a complete assay and can be operated with minimum training. \n This project aims to develop highly integrated self-sufficient microfluidic systems for conducting cell-based assays. The microfluidic system will be equipped with miniaturised pumps and valves for driving and control of flow through microfluidic structures as well as heaters to regulate the temperature. Target cells will be immobilised onto the predetermined locations of the microfluidic system under hydrodynamic forces. The immobilised cells will then undergo a combination of physical (flow-induced shear stress) and chemical (drugs\/inhibitor) stimuli to exhibit the desired cellular responses. The operation of the pumps, valves, and heaters will be controlled via a smartphone. The cellular responses will be monitored and evaluated in real-time using a smartphone interfaced with a portable microscope, LED, and photodiodes. The project involves the design, theoretical and numerical analyses, fabrication, and experimental analysis of self-sufficient microfluidic systems as well as biological assays.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models of the human cardiovascular system","description":"The human circulatory system is a complex system, composed of the heart at its center and a fascinating network of large to small vessels spanning throughout the body. The current animal and cell culture models do not recapitulate the functional properties of the human circulatory system, limiting our ability to fully understand the complex biological processes underlying various cardiovascular diseases. \n This project aims to develop microfluidic models to recapitulate the structural, biophysical, and functional properties of the heart and blood vessels. Such microfluidic models allow for exploring the complex mechanobiology of the cardiovascular system and mechanistic studying of cardiovascular diseases, with the ultimate goal of screening cardiovascular drugs. \n This project will provide a unique opportunity for you to develop multidisciplinary skills in microfluidics, microfabrication, biofabrication, fluid dynamics, and vascular biology, and collaborate with a team of biomedical engineers, vascular biologists, and clinicians.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"System Support Services from Demand Response Schemes","description":"Power grid dynamics are rapidly changing due to high-share of renewable energy resources (e.g. solar-photovoltaic, wind, and battery energy storage systems) and new technologies added to the power grid [1]. Therefore, innovative and flexible strategies are required to improve the grid stability and reliability. Loads in the power grid can play a major role by providing system support services to the power grid.\n \n In particular, if power grid loads are effectively managed during peak and off-peak periods, they can support the network stability, and these schemes are known as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcdemand response schemes.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 More specifically, the demand response schemes can provide frequency response and flexibility services to the power grid [2]. However, more research studies are required to exploit these services from the power grid loads. This project will explore various innovative approaches to provide system frequency support services via demand response schemes. \n \n References:\n [1] L. Meegahapola, P. Mancarella, D. Flynn, and R. Moreno, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Power System Stability in the Transition to a Low Carbon Grid: A Techno-Economic Perspective on Challenges and Opportunities,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d WIREs Energy and Environment, vol. 10, no. 5, Sep-Oct. 2021.\n [2] Yuan-Kang Wu, and Kuo-Ting Tang, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Frequency Support by Demand Response \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Review and Analysis,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Energy Procedia, vol. 156, pp. 327-331, Jan. 2019.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Real-Time System Stability Analysis of Active Distribution Grids via Micro-PMUs","description":"The dynamics of the power distribution networks are rapidly changing due to high penetration of distributed energy resources (e.g. solar-photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems) and electric vehicles in low-voltage and medium voltage distribution networks. Therefore, new stability issues are emerging in power distribution networks, such as oscillations and voltage stability [1]. Consequently, advanced monitoring and detection techniques are required to analyse and mitigate these stability issues in power distribution networks.\n \n The micro phasor measurement unit (PMU) technology offers ultra-precise measurements of power grid parameters [2], such as voltage and angles, which are essential for analysing and detecting stability issues. Therefore, by deploying the micro-PMU technology highly accurate stability analysis and instability detection algorithms can be developed to preserve the stability. This project will explore the real-time stability analysis techniques using micro-PMU data streams for power distribution networks.\n \n References:\n [1] S. Bu, L. G. Meegahapola, D. P. Wadduwage and A. M. Foley, \"Stability and Dynamics of Active Distribution Networks (ADNs) with D-PMU Technology: A Review,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, doi: 10.1109\/TPWRS.2022.3179488.\n [2] A. von Meier, E. Stewart, A. McEachern, M. Andersen, and L.. Mehrmanesh, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Precision Micro-Synchrophasors for Distribution Systems: A Summary of Applications,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Trans. Smart Grid, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 2926\u00e2\u20ac\u201c2936, Nov. 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"System Support Services from Demand Response Schemes","description":"Power grid dynamics are rapidly changing due to high-share of renewable energy resources (e.g. solar-photovoltaic, wind, and battery energy storage systems) and new technologies added to the power grid [1]. Therefore, innovative and flexible strategies are required to improve the grid stability and reliability. Loads in the power grid can play a major role by providing system support services to the power grid.\n In particular, if power grid loads are effectively managed during peak and off-peak periods, they can support the network stability, and these schemes are known as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcdemand response schemes.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 More specifically, the demand response schemes can provide frequency response and flexibility services to the power grid [2]. However, more research studies are required to exploit these services from the power grid loads. This project will explore various innovative approaches to provide system frequency support services via demand response schemes. \n \n References:\n [1] L. Meegahapola, P. Mancarella, D. Flynn, and R. Moreno, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Power System Stability in the Transition to a Low Carbon Grid: A Techno-Economic Perspective on Challenges and Opportunities,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d WIREs Energy and Environment, vol. 10, no. 5, Sep-Oct. 2021.\n [2] Yuan-Kang Wu, and Kuo-Ting Tang, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Frequency Support by Demand Response \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Review and Analysis,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Energy Procedia, vol. 156, pp. 327-331, Jan. 2019.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Combined Voltage and Frequency Support Ancillary Services Support via Virtual Power Plants","description":"The virtual power plants (VPPs) are receiving a strong attention due to its superior capability to coordinate distributed energy resources (e.g. domestic solar-PVs and battery energy storage systems) in an optimal manner [1]. VPPs are primarily designed to participate in the energy market, however the VPP could be designed to provide these ancillary services to the power grid. These ancillary services include voltage and frequency support services. However, only a limited number of studies have been conducted on ancillary services support from VPPs [2], and these studies have significant drawbacks, such as non-consideration of DER characteristics, non-consideration of the capability of network assets (e.g. transformers), and less emphasis has placed on system stability requirements. Moreover, these studies have considered either voltage or frequency support ancillary services from VPPs [3],[4]. \n The aim of this PhD research project is to develop combined voltage and frequency control strategies for VPPs to deliver ancillary services for power grids with optimal orchestration of DERs. The VPPs which have been designed using small-scale solar-PV and battery energy storage systems in LV distribution networks will be considered in this research. Frequency and voltage support ancillary services will be the primary focus of this research study. In addition, new strategies will be developed with a strong emphasis on other network requirements (e.g. stability and reliability) and constraints (e.g. network assets constraints). The effectiveness of the proposed strategies will be assessed via simulation studies conducted in power system software tools.\n \n References:\n [1] AEMO, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AEMO Virtual Power Plant Demonstration,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Knowledge Sharing Report %231, Mar. 2020. [Online]. Available: https:\/\/aemo.com.au\/-\/media\/files\/electricity\/der\/2020\/aemo-knowledge-sharing-stage-1-report.pdf?la=en.\n [2] N. Etherden, M. H. J. Bollen and J. Lundkvist, \"Quantification of ancillary services from a virtual power plant in an existing sub transmission network,\" IEEE PES ISGT Europe 2013, Lyngby, 2013, pp. 1-5.\n [3] P. Moutis, P. S. Georgilakis and N. D. Hatziargyriou, \"Voltage Regulation Support Along a Distribution Line by a Virtual Power Plant Based on a Center of Mass Load Modeling,\" in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 3029-3038, July 2018, doi: 10.1109\/TSG.2016.2624633.\n [4] W. Chen, J. Qiu, J. Zhao, Q. Chai and Z. Y. Dong, \"Bargaining Game-Based Profit Allocation of Virtual Power Plant in Frequency Regulation Market Considering Battery Cycle Life,\" in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 2913-2928, July 2021, doi: 10.1109\/TSG.2021.3053000.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Dynamic Modelling of Microgrid","description":"The need for a reliable and secure smart electrical power system incorporating renewable energy sources is drawing much attention to the microgrid. Microgrids use a combination of inertial and non-inertial electrical power sources to serve consumers in the vicinity. An attractive feature of the microgrid is its flexibility. It can enhance service reliability to consumers by continuing to operate even when the utility grid is unavailable due to a grid fault or natural disaster. While these features of microgrids are attractive, they also create modelling and control challenges that are currently unsolved. When the main utility grid shuts down, the microgrid needs to ramp up generation to meet the local electricity demands. When the utility grid comes back on, the microgrid needs to re-synchronise with it for smooth operation. These transitions should be made automatically, immediately, and seamlessly. One major problem during such transitions is the voltage fluctuation and frequency deviations, especially in the presence of motor loads. These transient events are not well characterised by the current practice of state-space-based modelling of microgrids, making it a major theoretical and modelling limitation that constrains the potential of microgrids. This project will research these transients and switching events of microgrids to achieve a fundamental theoretical understanding of the non-linear processes that cause the transients and drive the voltage fluctuations and frequency deviations to establish the analytical and modelling frameworks for control strategies that can then manage these transients and switching events under both normal and abnormal utility grid operating conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Forecasting and State Estimation-based Predictive Control of Smart Grid","description":"Modern power grids are integrated with a large amount of intermittent and distributed generation sources, loads and various energy storage systems. Therefore, to realise a smart and resilient grid, more precise and enhanced observability and controllability of the grid are required. A good forecasting of future generation and loads, as well as a good estimation of the real-time state of the grid, is possible by applying novel forecasting and estimation techniques. This PhD project will focus on developing such novel forecasting and estimation technique, which requires minimum field measurements and weather data. It is expected that this novel technique will improve flexibility, protection, and load and generation congestion management in the distribution and transmission power grid. It is also believed that this project will help to develop intelligent algorithms for effective power system asset management in the context of voltage control, power quality and stability in the smart grid with the large penetration of distributed generation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Intelligent Energy Management in the Distribution Power Grid","description":"Residential loads play a significant role in the distribution power domain. Therefore, energy efficiency in the distribution power domain is essential. One of the critical components of this energy efficiency is the intelligent energy management system, which will include extensive use of sensors, optimum and automated control of the different types of loads, integration of renewable energy, e.g., PV systems, batteries and the ability to respond to real-time pricing to realise the modern smart grid. However, large integration of distributed resources like roof-top PV systems, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), and batteries can create significant technical challenges, notably grid voltage fluctuations, local reactive power management, and optimisation for optimisation two-way power flows, and integration with the real-time energy pricing. Therefore, this project aims to develop a novel and intelligent energy management system, which will be deployed via the Internet of Things (IoT) network architecture. The IoT will ensure that every component in the distribution power domain can exchange information with the central power system. New smart buildings and smart homes will be incorporated into the distribution power domain where renewable energy generation, electric vehicle charging\/discharging, and distributed energy storages will communicate and interact effectively with the central electricity grid to minimise the technical challenges.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Optimisation of Renewable Energy Systems in Hybrid Microgrid","description":"When planning renewable-based hybrid energy systems and microgrid, multi-objective and multi-criteria optimisation and decision-making becomes an integral part. To find the optimal capacity of the system, performance and cost are optimised following a multi-objective optimisation process. One of the significant challenges in this process is the uncertainties related to the electric load demand and renewable power generation based on weather variations. Usually, two optimisation processes are used: deterministic and non-deterministic. Deterministic optimisations need to be better at including the related uncertainties in the process; on the other hand, non-deterministic ones rely heavily on time-consuming stochastic methods to handle uncertainties. This project aims to devise a robust optimisation method, which can include the related uncertainties and will not be time-consuming. This optimisation process will be applied to microgrids and hybrid energy systems, which could be completely stand-alone or grid connected. On an advanced level of development, the optimisation will also take into account unforeseen circumstances such as grid faults, short circuits, unexpected islanding, impractical power generation or load demand.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rani, Du Yong, Peter Saunders (School of Health and Biomedical Sciences) ","title":"Mental health monitoring in residential aged care using wearable devices","description":"Mental health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, particularly in older adults, where psychological and emotional health can significantly influence quality of life. Despite the recognition of multiple factors that contribute to mental health, such as sleep quality, social isolation, physical activity, and dietary habits, many interventions still tend to focus on a single element. This limited scope fails to address the complex, interconnected nature of these factors, especially among older adults who may face unique challenges like reduced mobility and social engagement along with various health complications. Recent advancements in wearable technology, such as smartwatches, provide an unprecedented opportunity to monitor a wide range of physiological and behavioral indicators in real time. These devices can track sleep patterns, physical activity, heart rate variability, and even social interactions, offering a holistic approach to mental health monitoring. For older adults, who may not frequently seek mental health care due to stigma or accessibility issues, smartwatches can offer a discreet and continuous means of monitoring mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.\nThis project aims to develop and evaluate a comprehensive mental health monitoring system for older adults in residential aged care, integrating data from smartwatches and advanced machine learning algorithms. By focusing on a broader range of behavioral and physiological markers, this project seeks to improve real-time mental health predictions, monitoring, offering personalized interventions to enhance mental health management and quality of life.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460307        Multimodal analysis and synthesis\n461199        Machine learning not elsewhere classified\n400399    Biomedical engineering not elsewhere classified\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Improvement of Speech Inteligibility Using Machine Learning","description":"The project aims to research a machine learning solution that provides a real-time recognition of words, sentences, and emotions of speakers with a very low speech intelligibility. The project addresses a fundamental research gap in an automatic recognition of a severely slurred (low-intelligibility) speech. Unlike a noisy speech which is usually caused by the presence of a background noise, a low-intelligibility speech is predominantly caused by speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s inability to perform adequate phonation and articulation during the process of speech production. A speech disorder can affect the way a person creates sounds to form words, as well as, decrease person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ability to convey verbally expressed emotions. Most common causes include vocal cord damage, traumatic brain injury (TBI), strokes, vocal cord lumps or paralysis, and spastic cerebral palsy. In many cases the condition cannot be treated and makes the person disable for life. People with speech disorders are unable to articulate their thoughts and convey acoustically coded feelings and emotions. Their speech is heavily slurred, and the intelligibility is so low, that outside of the closest family circle nobody can understand what they say. Speech-based online technologies, toys and computer games, call and support centres are beyond rich. This frequently leads to slower development of social skills, low self-esteem, anger, behavioural problems, social isolation, and in the severe cases development of depression. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) offer innovative technology solutions that can significantly improve lives of people with severe speech disabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Improvement of Speech Ineligibility Using Machine Learning","description":"The project aims to research a machine learning solution that will provide real-time recognition of words, sentences, and emotions of speakers with a very low speech intelligibility.The project addresses a fundamental research gap in an automatic recognition of a severely slurred (low-intelligibility) speech. Speech intelligibility in the context of this project is a subjective quality describing how clearly a person speaks, and how easy a normal-hearing listener can comprehend that speech. Unlike a noisy speech which is usually caused by the presence of a background noise, a low-intelligibility speech is predominantly caused by speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s inability to perform adequate phonation and articulation during the process of speech production. Insertion, deletion and repetition of phonemes reduces the intelligibility of speech signal. A speech disorder can affect the way a person creates sounds to form words, as well as, decrease person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ability to convey verbally expressed emotions. Most common causes include vocal cord damage, traumatic brain injury (TBI), strokes, vocal cord lumps or paralysis, and spastic cerebral palsy. In many cases the condition cannot be treated and makes the person disable for life. People with speech disorders are unable to articulate their thoughts and convey acoustically coded feelings and emotions. Their speech is heavily slurred, and the intelligibility is so low, that outside of the closest family circle nobody can understand what they say. Speech-based online technologies, toys and computer games, call and support centres are beyond rich. This frequently leads to slower development of social skills, low self-esteem, anger, behavioural problems, social isolation, and in the severe cases development of depression. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) offer innovative technology solutions that can significantly improve lives of people with severe speech disabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Real-Time Speaker's Voice Transformation","description":"Aim:\n The project aim is to research an efficient voice transformation method that will allow to convert the actual speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice into a voice of another person of different gender, age or ethnicity. Conversion into a different language will also be considered. The transformation will be performed in real-time which means with minimum delay, so the process is fully disguised. Depending on the user requirements, the software can be trained to simulate voices of generic speakers or particular individuals. \n Intelligence Capabilities and Significance:\n The project will provide an intelligence tool strengthening the operational capabilities of the National Intelligence and Security forces. Voice transformation devices play a critical role in hiding speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s identity. It is needed for protecting persons privacy, providing security to witnesses or victims in criminal investigations or hiding the identity of person providing sensitive information. Given the popularity of voice communication over Internet and mobile phones, voice transformation software can be used by the defence force, police or security officers to identify and incriminate social predators. It can be achieved by engaging into the conversation under pretence identity. It can be applied in many other operational scenarios when spoken negotiation plays a crucial role in providing protection or saving people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani, Du Yong Kim, Branko Ristic","title":"Machine Learning Methods for Autonomous Search of Radio Frequency Emitters Using a Swarm of UAVs (Master by Research)","description":"This project aims to develop advanced machine learning techniques for a swarm of autonomous UAVs to detect and locate radio frequency (RF) emitters in outdoor environments. The research focuses on scenarios where GNSS is unavailable and communication between UAVs is limited or nonexistent. Using multi-agent reinforcement learning, the UAVs will learn to coordinate, adapt, and optimize their search strategies in real-time.\n\nRequired Skills:\n(1) Programming and simulation: strong experience in Python or MATLAB.\n(2) Mathematical modelling: probability, optimization, or multi-agent interactions.\n(3) Machine learning: reinforcement learning, or multi-agent systems.\n(4) Signal processing: spectrum sensing, localization, or radio environment modelling.\n(5) Optimization and control: algorithm development for decision-making under constraints.  ","sdg":"[\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103        Deep learning (50%)\n400607        Signal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Real-Time Speaker's Voice Transformation","description":"Aim:\n The project aim is to research an efficient voice transformation method that will allow to convert the actual speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice into a voice of another person of different gender, age or ethnicity. Conversion into a different language will also be considered. The transformation will be performed in real-time which means with minimum delay, so the process is fully disguised. Depending on the user requirements, the software can be trained to simulate voices of generic speakers or particular individuals. \n Intelligence Capabilities and Significance:\n The project will provide an intelligence tool strengthening the operational capabilities of the National Intelligence and Security forces. Voice transformation devices play a critical role in hiding speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s identity. It is needed for protecting persons privacy, providing security to witnesses or victims in criminal investigations or hiding the identity of person providing sensitive information. Given the popularity of voice communication over Internet and mobile phones, voice transformation software can be used by the defence force, police or security officers to identify and incriminate social predators. It can be achieved by engaging into the conversation under pretence identity. It can be applied in many other operational scenarios when spoken negotiation plays a crucial role in providing protection or saving people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Building Personal and Social Preference Models","description":"The project aims to develop machine learning models that will allow prediction of personal and social preferences. It will include models for preferences in musics, audio-visual arts, movies, computer games, fashion, food, as well as preferences of different social and learning activities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nuwantha Fernando","title":"Electrical machine design and manufacture for sustainable technologies","description":"The objective of the project is to utilize electrical machines to facilitate the implementation of sustainable technologies in either power and energy sectors or with application to ground or air transportation. Electrical machines that can meet the growing energy demands while minimizing their environmental impact. This project involves the design, simulation, and optimization of various types of electrical machines such as motors, generators, transformers, and power electronic devices using advanced tools and techniques. The focus is on improving the efficiency, reliability, and durability of these machines while reducing their size, weight, and cost. The project also involves the development of sustainable manufacturing processes that minimize the use of non-renewable resources and reduce waste and emissions. This includes the use of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient production methods, and recycling and reuse of materials. The ultimate goal of the project will be to contribute to the development and implementation of sustainable technologies that can address the challenges of climate change, energy security, and sustainable development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prof Dinesh Kumar","title":"AI for Affordable medical diagnostics for neurodegenerative and ophthalmology diseases.","description":"With the rapid growth of mobile phones and AI, there is the opportunity to use these for quality diagnosis and disease monitoring of patients without requiring them to travel to the clinics. We have developed software-based medical devices suitable for recognizing the number of neurological symptoms for detecting Parkinson's disease. \n The next step is to integrate multiple modalities to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of the disease conditions. This project requires the use of signal processing and machine learning to determine the inter-symptom relationship that will provide a means for monitoring the progress of patients with neurodegenerative disease. \n You will work closely with a number of neurologists and publish in technical and medical journals.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prof Elena Pirogova","title":"Melt electrospinning writing as reinforcement scaffolds of biofabricated articular human cartilage (collaborative project with St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne)","description":"Cartilage injuries cause pain and loss of function, and if severe may result in osteoarthritis (OA). 3D bioprinting is now a tangible treatment option for the delivery of bioscaffolds capable of regenerating the deficient cartilage tissue. A hand held device, the Biopen, has been developed to allow in situ additive manufacturing during surgery. Given its ability to extrude in a core\/shell manner, the Biopen can preserve cell viability during the biofabrication process and biofabricate human hyaline-like neocartilage. As a necessary step toward the clinical translation, this project will develop a reinforcement scaffold to demonstrate that it is possible to biofabricate \n eocartilage with stiffness properties close to the native human tissue. The reinforcement structure will be fabricated using melt electrospinning writing (MEW) with polycaprolactone (PCL) which can be placed in the defect before in situ bioprinting.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Richardt Wilkinson","title":"Investigation into the non-linearities of Pulse-Width Modulation and their effects on current control of switching converters","description":"Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is fundamental to power electronics and has been studied since the 1950\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s [2]. PWM is used in many industrial and commercial products, ranging from motor drives to home theatre audio amplifiers. The inherent non-linearities for sinusoidal PWM (SPWM) has been studied for single-edge [1] as well as double-edge modulation [2] and ultimately affect the stability and efficiency of control loops in PWM-based converters. Recent work has demonstrated that it is possible to optimize naturally sampled PWM control loop design for switching converters using exact analytical solutions of the system and control loop differential equations [3]. This work still needs to be expanded for the symmetrical and asymmetrical regular sampling cases. A small-signal analysis method has recently been introduced to analyze the stability of the continuous-time PWM feedback loop. This method was demonstrated for the naturally-sampled single-edge PWM case [4]. The primary aim of this PhD project is to investigate the theoretical and practical implications of the nonlinearities of the PWM process and to derive practical design methodologies that compensate for these nonlinearities. The project will be conducted at RMIT Power Electronics Laboratory Facility using a single-phase three-level full-bridge converter prototype.\n References:\n [1]. H. D. T. Mouton, B. Putzeys, \"Understanding the PWM nonlinearity: Single-sided modulation\", IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 2116-2128, Apr. 2012.\n [2]. H. d. T. Mouton, B. McGrath, D. G. Holmes and R. H. Wilkinson, \"One-Dimensional Spectral Analysis of Complex PWM Waveforms Using Superposition,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 29, no. 12, pp. 6762-6778, Dec. 2014.\n [3]. T. Mouton and S. Cox, \"Fast and accurate simulation of bifurcations in naturally sampled PWM control loops,\" 2016 IEEE 17th Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL), Trondheim, 2016, pp. 1-6.\n [4]. T. Mouton; S. Cox; B. McGrath; L. Risbo; B. Putzeys, \"Small-signal analysis of naturally-sampled single-edge PWM control loops,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 51-64, Jan. 2018.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Richardt Wilkinson","title":"Learning, competing, and decision-making machines","description":"The project will research a machine reasoning process regarded as a sequence of multi-stage algebraic manipulations of information, where information acquired by the previous stage is modified by the next stage [1]. The aim is to solve a complex problem by answering a sequence of simpler questions presented by each stage. This procedure is known as first-order logical or probabilistic inference [2]. More complex reasoning structures can be built by creating algebraic connections between basic inference units. The solution is then derived by the flow of information between these interconnected units. The first stage of the system will perform classical learning and inference based on features calculated directly from the data. The second stage learns and infers the final decision using related information generated at the first stage. Since both stages will be trained independently, the learning results of the second stage will not alter the learning results accomplished at the first stage. This important property will enable the generation of more complex, multi-channel and\/or multi-level machine reasoning systems consisting of algebraically connected basic two-stage units. \n In contrast to existing multi-channel and multi-modal classification systems [4], the proposed system will completely exclude all \u00e2\u20ac\u0153human-designed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d decision-making units, usually incorporating table look-up rules of conjunction, disjunction, or implication [3]. The inference of the new \u00e2\u20ac\u0153thinking\u00e2\u20ac\u009d classification structure will be based purely on information flow through algebraically interconnected classifiers. This is to ensure pure \u00e2\u20ac\u0153machine thinking\u00e2\u20ac\u009d rather than following a human-designed set of rules.\n References:\n [1]. L. Bottou, 2014, \"From machine learning to machine reasoning.\", Springer Machine Learning, 94(2) pp 133-149.\n [2]. J.P.E. Hodgson, \"First Order Logic\", Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, 1995.\n [3]. K.E.B. Ooi, M. Lech, and N.B. Allen, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Prediction of major depression in adolescents using an optimized multi-channel weighted speech classification system\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Elsevier, Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, Vol. 14, Nov 2014, pp. 228-239.\n [4]. M.N. Stolar, M. Lech and I.S. Burnett, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Optimized multi-channel deep neural network with 2D graphical representation of acoustic speech features for emotion recognition\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, ICSPCS-2014, Brisbane, Australia, pp. 1-6.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Richardt Wilkinson","title":"A multi-modal classification and decision-making system for the monitoring of mental states and fatigue levels","description":"The project will research a multi-modal decision-making system designed to monitor a person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mental state (stress, emotion, cognitive load) and fatigue level. It can be applied to pilots, car drivers, or control centre operators. The assessment will be based on independent predictions given by N classifiers, with each classifier making the assessment using a different modality of sensor data. For example, a four-channel system may have a channel assessing a person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state based on facial images, a channel making an assessment based on infrared pictures, a channel trained on pulse signals and a channel trained to make a prediction based on speech. A decision-making network will be trained to arbitrate between the outcomes from the N channels. This network will recognize the response pattern of the N channels and make a final assessment of the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state. \n Independent classification models will be trained for each type of modality to detect the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state. The outputs from different sensors will be transformed into a 2-D representation consistent for all different modalities. It will allow either a full training of a convolutional neural network (CNN) model or fine-tuning of a pre-trained image classification network such as VGG16, ResNet18, or similar. A decision-making neural network model will be trained to arbitrate between potentially different prediction outcomes given by network models working with different modalities. This network will be trained to recognise the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mental state not directly from sensor data but from combined responses of individual sensor channels. \n The multi-modal decision-making system will be tested in a real-time monitoring scenario where a second-by-second assessment of the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state is generated. A demo to demonstrate the real-time performance will be created.\n References:\n [1]. H.M. Bui, M. Lech, E. Cheng, K. Neville K, I.S. Burnett, Object Recognition Using Deep Convolutional Features Transformed by a Recursive Network Structure, 2017\/3\/2, Journal IEEE Access. \n [2]. H.M. Fayek, M. Lech and L. Cavedon L, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Evaluating Deep learning architectures for speech emotion recognition\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Neural Networks, Special Issue 21 March 2017, pp. 1-11. \n [3]. Z Huang at al. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Speech emotion recognition using CNN\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, ACM 2014, November 3-7, 2014, pp. 801-804. \n [4]. W. Lim, D. Jang, and T. Lee, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Speech emotion recognition using convolutional and recurrent neural networks,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Proceedings of the Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference, Jeju, Korea, December 2016, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c4. \n [5]. Ian C. Bruce, Physiologically based predictors of speech intelligibility, Acoustics Today, 13,(1), 28-35.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robert Kapsa","title":"Engineering Muscle and Nerve Tissues for Functional Biomedical Outcomes.","description":"Muscle and nerve tissues can be made from the skin cells of people with dysfunctional tissues\/organs. These autologous (from the person from whom the cells were harvested) tissues can be used to restore function to the person with the tissue\/organ dysfunction either by integrating with mechatronic devices or by direct regenerative therapy for the dysfunctional tissue\/organ. This project investigates the use of cells to restore the function of dysfunctional muscle and neural tissue through integrated biomechatronic cellular devices.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samuel Ippolito","title":"Investigation of Machine Learning Analysis & Multivariate Analysis for Food Quality & Identification","description":"Machine learning algorithms have found applications in many different fields and have been shown to achieve high accuracy for predicting future patterns and relationships between different variables within a data set. The aim of this project is to explore different machine learning algorithms for both spectroscopic and machine vision data to assess the quality of raw materials used within the food products and agricultural industries.\n \n Current literature shows that different machine learning algorithms have been exploited in the field of infrared microscopy for extracting wavelength (i.e. feature selection) relating to important chemical groups within food based cereal grains. The extracted features can then be used for classification and the identifying sample outliers [1] as well as determine geographical origin and identifying genetically modified variants[2]. Similarly, machine vision techniques have been used to assess physical characteristics such as shape, size, moisture content, kernel hardness, as well as determine the presence of infestation, discolouration and other visual characteristics [3].\n \n The techniques developed in this project will aim to accurately classify food based cereal grains into different value grades, as well as determine the inclusion of common adulterants or if signs of spoilage are present. In addition, the data will be explored to determine the viability of using such techniques to predict important nutritional indicators such as protein and fat content of a given sample. This will be achieved by combining the use of machine vision with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Both machine vision and FTIR spectroscopy techniques are well suited to high throughput and automated sampling processes which require very little sample preparation. However, challenges regarding sample similarity on both the chemical composition as well as the visual and physical properties will need to be overcome [4].\n \n References:\n [1]Steven G. Buckley, \"Combining Broadband Spectra and Machine Learning to Derive Material Properties,\" Spectroscopy Volume 32, Issue 10, pp. 26\u00e2\u20ac\u201c31, 2017.\n [2]D. Cozzolino, \"Authentication of Cereals and Cereal Products\" in \" Advances in Food Authenticity Testing\", editor: G. Downey, Elsevier, Woodhead Publishing, Duxford, United Kingdom, pp. 441 - 457, 2016. (ISBN: 9780081002209)\n [3]P. Vithu and J. A. Moses, \"Machine vision system for food grain quality evaluation: A review,\" Trends Food Sci. Technol., vol. 56, pp. 13\u00e2\u20ac\u201c20, 2016.\n [4]A. Rupenyan, N. Sansonne, and F. Dell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Endice, \"Machine vision combined with near-infrared spectroscopy to guarantee food safety,\" Cereal Foods World, vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 140\u00e2\u20ac\u201c142, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samuel Ippolito","title":"UV-assisted solid-state gas sensors for non-invasive diagnostic applications","description":"Widespread screening for lung cancer by novel non-invasive methods can drastically increase early-stage diagnosis. This can improve long-term survival rates from less than 6% to 35% with the potential to reduce the yearly worldwide lung cancer mortality rate of 1.3 million by one third [1]. Among non-invasive screening methods, breath composition analysis is a low-cost alternative to blood analysis that can detect early-stage lung cancer [1]. However, its application to healthcare is currently restrained by the lack of portable technologies having sufficient selectivity and sensitivity for the real-time measurement of the marker molecules in complex gas mixtures such as the breath. Here, we will develop a novel gas molecule sensing technique to enable real-time measurement of breath markers. We will do this by exploiting the ability of plasmonic nanostructures to selectively absorb light and transfer its energy to drive chemical reactions on the surface of a nearby semiconductor nanoparticle. Integrating plasmonic light absorbers into highly sensitive (semiconductor) gas sensors [2] will provide a means to selectively promote oxidation or reduction of the target molecules. This will be achieved by tuning the light absorption wavelength to match the activation energy of the desired (gas sensing) reactions. Enabling selective measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human breath by low-cost semiconductor technology could revolutionize modern healthcare through early-stage diagnosis and self-monitoring of a wide range of medical conditions. \n \n References:\n [1] G. Peng, U. Tisch, O. Adams, M. Hakim, N. Shehada, Y. Y. Broza, S. Billan, R. Abdah-Bortnyak, A.\n Kuten, H. Haick, Nature Nanotech. 2009, 4, 669.\n [2] A. Tricoli, S. E. Pratsinis, Nature Nanotech. 2010, 5, 54.\n [3] A. Tricoli, M. Graf, S. E. Pratsinis, Adv. Funct. Mat. 2008, 18, 1969.\n [4] M. Righettoni, A. Tricoli, S. E. Pratsinis, Chem. Mat. 2010, 22, 3152.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samuel Ippolito","title":"Design of Nanosized ceria-based Materials for Catalytic Oxidation Reactions","description":"Nanostructured Ceria (CeO2) based materials have attracted significant interest in the present frontier research for their wide applications in heterogeneous catalysis. Particularly, the use of ceria in the domain of environmental catalysis is due to its superior chemical and physical stability, and a large number of oxygen vacancies (involving facile Ce4+\/Ce3+ redox chemistry) and their mobility, which are the main characteristic features of the fluorite-type oxides. Although, its inherent chemical properties such as high oxygen storage capacity and high oxygen mobility originating from facile Ce3+\/Ce4+ redox cycle dominate its use, its functional performance is further influenced by its size, morphology and structure, and surface area. The main focus of this project is to develop various ceria-based materials for different catalytic applications such as Hg0 oxidation, soot oxidation, and degradation of organic pollutants. Among these three applications, primarily, the Hg0 oxidation studies will be done thoroughly over different ceria-based materials under different flue gas conditions such as HCl, O2, HCl\/O2-mix, and NH3. Also an attempt will been carried out to expand the work to utilize the ceria-based materials for other well-known applications like catalytic soot oxidation and photocatalysis.\n \n This is a collaborative project with CSIRO and RMIT and will give the student opportunity to work with scientists from diverse backgrounds. \n \n References: Y. Shijian, G. Yongfu, Y. Naiqiang, W. Daqing, H. Hongping, Q. Zan, and J. Jinping Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2011 50 (16) 9650-9656.\n D. Jampaiah, K. M. Tur, S. J. Ippolito, Y. M. Sabri, J. Tardio, S. K. Bhargava and B. M. Reddy, RSC Adv., 2013, 3, 12963\u00e2\u20ac\u201c12974.\n A. A. Presto, E. J. Granite, A. Karash, R. A. Hargis, W. J. O'Dow and H. W. Pennline, Energy Fuels, 2006, 20, 1941\u00e2\u20ac\u201c1945.\n A. P. Jones, J. W. Hoffmann, D. N. Smith, T. J. Feeley and J. T. Murphy, Environ. Sci. Technol., 2007, 41, 1365\u00e2\u20ac\u201c1371.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shaun Cloherty","title":"Deciphering the neural code","description":"When we open our eyes we are immediately rewarded with rich visual information about the shape, colour, texture, location and motion of objects in our environment. Given the ease with which we process this information to guide our behaviour, we tend not to consider the computational challenges it poses. While modern optical sensors allow us to capture images well beyond the capabilities of the human eye, the task of using visual information to adaptively guide behaviour is one at which the human brain comfortably outperforms even the best artificial systems. This research program is aims to understand the circuit and cellular mechanisms that underlie this ability. Our long-term goal is to understand how the brain extracts meaning from sensory information and how it guides rapid decisions and complex behaviours. This knowledge may one day help us design machines that can interpret the world as well as we do, or to better interface sensors directly to the brain in order to overcome the natural limitations of our senses or to restore sensory and motor function impaired by injury or disease.\n \n The 'neural code' that underlies behaviour is embedded in the patterns of activity of neurons in large distributed brain networks. This project will involve decoding the spatiotemporal patterns of activity recorded across populations of neurons in multiple brain areas. This research will combine sophisticated experimental techniques for neural and behavioural recordings with a computational framework for analysis and data driven modelling of brain function.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/06\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"110903 Central Nervous System 40% ; 110906 Sensory Systems 35% ; 090399 Biomedical Engineering not elsewhere classified 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tariq Nazir","title":"Electrical insulation design and diagnostics for future electrical aircraft and space industry","description":"Electrification of transportation which includes aircraft and ships could contribute to controlling the greenhouse gas emission. Literature suggests that the aviation industry emits nearly 900 million tons with 2% to 2.5% of total global carbon dioxide emissions [1]. It is forecasted that air traffic would be 2.1 times higher in 2040 relative to 2019 with increased demand for passenger aircraft, cargo, and defence jets. Hence, a global consensus has been developed to reduce the carbon emission and electrification of aircraft (more\u00e2\u20ac\u0090electric aircraft (MEA), hybrid\u00e2\u20ac\u0090electric propulsion aircraft to all\u00e2\u20ac\u0090electric aircraft (AEA)) and transportation is popped up a future technology to achieve carbon neutrality targets. In 1996, Trans World Airline Flight crashed in the USA resulting in a deadly crash and an investigation suggested that it happened due to electrical insulation failure and potential short circuits of the electrical wires [2]. The reliable operation of the electrified aircraft system and the integrity of electrical insulation under space conditions will be highly critical for future electrical propulsion systems. This project aims to design novel electrical insulation and diagnostic method to tackle insulation challenges for future aerospace electrical components. The project aims are as follows.\n Aim 1: Designing hybrid and co-filled electrical insulation with lightweight inorganic fillers with improves thermal conduction performance.\n Aim 2: Develop an electrical non-destructive diagnostic method to investigate the electrical tracking and flashover performance of novel insulation.\n Aim 3: Exploring the thermal dissipation, dielectric, arc resistance, discharge resistance and flame-retardant prospects of insulation.\n \n References:\n 1. Jiang, Jun, et al. \"A review on insulation challenges towards electrification of aircraft.\" High Voltage (2023).\n 2. M. Borghei and M. Ghassemi, \"Insulation Materials and Systems for More- and All-Electric Aircraft: A Review Identifying Challenges and Future Research Needs,\" in IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 1930-1953, Sept. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Toh Yen Pang","title":"Wearable Devices for Continuous Auditory Feedback to Encourage Movement Awareness","description":"Physical rehabilitation is crucial for patients recovering from neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and stroke. However, traditional rehabilitation methods have limited effectiveness and can be challenging for patients with motor impairments. Wearable devices that provide real-time feedback have shown promise in improving patient engagement and outcomes.\n \n The objective of this project is to develop a wearable device that provides continuous auditory feedback to encourage movement awareness in physical rehabilitation, leveraging Industry 5.0 principles for personalized treatment. The specific objectives are as follows:\n 1. To evaluate the effectiveness of continuous auditory feedback in improving movement awareness in physical rehabilitation. 2. To develop a wearable device that enables personalized treatment options for people with neurological disorders. 3. To investigate the feasibility and usability of the wearable device in a controlled laboratory environment.\n \n This project is expected to contribute to the development of innovative wearable devices for providing real-time auditory feedback to patients during physical rehabilitation. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the device through experiments, develop a wearable device that enables personalized treatment options, and investigate the feasibility and usability of the device in a controlled laboratory environment. This will provide insights into the potential benefits and limitations of the device in clinical settings, ultimately enabling personalized treatment options that can be tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each user.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Du Yong Kim","title":"Target detection and tracking using Machine Learning","description":"An area of interest aligned with a number of projects is the use of machine learning techniques to aid both in target detection and tracking. Three research paths could be explored. Firstly, the use of convolutional neural networks for detecting targets. Secondly, there are a number of potential uses of machine learning to aid in target tracking, including learning how targets manoeuvre and how to improve the separability of close-in targets. The third application is to use the raw radar data to both detect and track targets, i.e. a track-before-detect approach.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"David Garrett","title":"Carbon Cybernetics: Next generation tools for neuroscience","description":"The successful student will work between RMIT and the National Vision Research Institute characterising a novel carbon fibre brain activity recording array. The project will involve fabrication of carbon fibre and diamond electrode arrays, microassembly and bench top characterisation, in vivo characterisation of array performance over extended time frames and post analysis of device safety and efficacy. A 50% scholarship is offered to the successful candidate.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Inverter Control Requirements for Stability Enhancement of Renewable Rich Power Grids","description":"Over the last twenty years, the power system dynamic characteristics have significantly changed due to the wide-scale integration of power electronic converter (PEC) interfaced renewables [1]. With this renewable power revolution, the conventional power generation plants, such as coal power generation stations are currently being rapidly decommissioned from the power network. The traditional generation plants typically provide ancillary services to power networks, such as frequency and voltage regulation. These ancillary services are essential to maintain power network stability and security. Many major blackouts have caused due to power system instability, and hence it is an important concern for the secure operation of the power system with high penetration of PEC interfaced renewables [1]. The power electronic converter (PEC) interfaced renewables are typically based on the grid following converter schemes. These converters essentially depend on the existing power grid's synchronism and dispatch energy to the grid without providing grid forming support to the network [2]. In addition, the grid-forming technology could also offer some voltage and frequency support services [2]. However, grid-forming controls are not sufficient to alleviate the emerging stability issues with PEC-interfaced generation, such as low short-circuit strength (SCS), low inertia, synchronisation and oscillatory stability issues [1]. The new grid forming technologies are emerging to tackle these challenges [3], however, the requirements for these two technologies have not been thoroughly investigated. The main objective of this research project is to assess the requirements for grid forming and grid following inverter control technologies to maintain grid stability under high penetration of PEC-interfaced sources. References\n 1. L. Meegahapola, A. Sguarezi, J. S. Bryant, M. Gu, E. R. Conde D., and R. B. A. Cunha, \u201cPower System Stability with Power-Electronic Converter Interfaced Renewable Power Generation: Present Issues and Future Trends,\u201d Energies, vol. 13, no. 13, p. 3441, Jul. 2020.\n 2. J. Rocabert, A. Luna, F. Blaabjerg and P. Rodr\u00edguez, \"Control of Power Converters in AC Microgrids,\" IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 27, no. 11, pp. 4734-4749, Nov. 2012.\n 3. Y. Jiang, A. Bernstein, P. Vorobev and E. Mallada, \"Grid-Forming Frequency Shaping Control for Low-Inertia Power Systems,\" IEEE Control Systems Letters.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Synchrophasor Data-Driven Stability Analysis & Control in Renewable Rich Power Networks","description":"Power network landscape is evolving rapidly with the large-scale integration of power-electronic converter (PEC) interfaced distributed renewable power generation. This ongoing evolution in power network infrastructure has given rise to new stability issues, requiring advanced monitoring systems to measure and control power grid to avoid any potential instability issues [1]. Concurrently, synchrophasor technology (also known as the phasor measurement unit (PMU) technology) has emerged as the next-generation power system measuring and monitoring technology. The accuracy, resolution and the fast data acquisition speeds are the main attributes which make PMUs more robust measuring systems for stability monitoring, analysis and control. Typically, a network of PMUs is used to observe the power network parameters at the power grid's critical locations. A PMU network capture and accumulates a large amount of data within a day (terabytes per day), thus require more robust data-driven algorithms to analyse these data in real or quasi-real-time to identify potential instability issues. Also, with the high penetration of power electronic converter based variable renewable energy sources, networks are more likely to be exposed to uncharted operating scenarios, potentially leading to instability. Although algorithms are designed to monitor and identify instability, they are limited to a specific stability category, such as voltage stability [2], oscillatory stability [3] etc. Thus, synchrophasor data-driven real-time holistic stability analysis and control algorithms are required to maintain power system stability. This project aims to develop new data-driven stability analysis algorithms from a holistic perspective to identify potential stability issues and then devise appropriate control actions to alleviate these stability threats.\n References:\n 1. L. G. Meegahapola, S. Bu, D. P. Wadduwage, C. Y. Chung and X. Yu, \"Review on Oscillatory Stability in Power Grids With Renewable Energy Sources: Monitoring, Analysis, and Control Using Synchrophasor Technology,\" in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 519-531, Jan. 2021.\n 2. C. Thilakarathne, L. Meegahapola and N. Fernando, \"A Modified Lyapunov Exponent based Approach for Real-Time Voltage Stability Assessment Using PMUs,\" 2018 8th International Conference on Power and Energy Systems (ICPES), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2018, pp. 104-108.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani","title":"Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Methods for Satellite and UAV Communications and Sensing\n","description":"Transferring information over a wireless medium has seen a steep improvement during the last 30 years, taking advantage of the increasing computational power of digital signal processors and their reduced cost. This has allowed the introduction of novel algorithms that operate near the theoretical limits under known channel and noise conditions. However, with more and more wireless devices joining the network, a vast problem in managing the limited radio resources and interference is becoming an increasing hurdle for today\u2019s wireless network. Novel methods in machine learning and neural networks combined with smart signal processing approaches hold a very promising approach to tackle several key problems:\n-\tInterference learning and mitigation in shared spectrum environment\n-\tRadio channel learning and adaptation in dynamic scenarios\t\n-\tRadio resources sharing methods and distribution using machine learning\n-\tCompensation for RF hardware imperfection \n-\tRF finger printing for increased security\n-\tAdaptive waveform design and optimization\n-\tCellular-to-UAV communications\n-\tSynthetic aperture radar signal processing\n-\tInterference mitigation in Synthetic aperture radar (SAR)\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani","title":"Next generation mega satellite communication networks","description":"With the significant reduction in satellite development and launch costs in recent years, the path to achieving true global satellite connectivity has now opened. Several major players, such as Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon, are currently deploying thousands of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to provide a direct-to-user coverage. Such \u201cMega\u201d constellation networks offer several key advantages, including: (i) Significantly reduced latency compared to GEO orbits. (ii) Higher spectral efficiency due to smaller coverage spots, resulting in higher throughput. (iii) Reduced free space path loss, leading to smaller and more cost-effective ground terminals and satellites. (iv) The potential to provide lower delays than fiber networks when utilizing intersatellite links (ISL). However, the deployment of such a massive number of satellites also brings forth numerous challenges such as: Spectrum availability, radio channel fluctuation, interference, intersatellite connection, jitter and topology optimization, network security, integration with terrestrial networks. This project theme aims to address some of these challenges through:\n-\tThe use of AI and machine learning for modelling Q\/V and THz (Terahertz) radio channel.\n-\tModelling delay and jitter in satellite networks\n-\tImproving inter-satellite connectivity using hybrid wireless optical \/ THz combination\n-\tSpectrum sensing and classification using advanced AI methods.\n-\tTraffic forecasting and network topology optimization for reduced network latency\n-\tSpoof detection and physical layer security\n-\tAntenna design and fabrication\n-\tAI-enabled wireless channel prediction and adaptation\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Enhanced 6G: Smart Wireless Networks for Seamless Connectivity and Efficiency","description":"Join this cutting-edge project revolutionizing radio signal propagation and information transfer with \"smart\" wireless environments. Using state-of-the-art beyond 5G and future 6G technologies, like Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) and Holographic MIMO, we aim to enhance energy efficiency and achieve fast, reliable wireless connectivity in 6G networks. While these technologies are emerging, fundamental modeling and analysis are essential to understand smart wireless network performance. Contribute to this project to develop new communication-theoretic and learning-based models, enabling practical implementation of these advancements. Our smart environments hold immense potential to offer \"greener\" and seamless wireless connectivity for mobile, autonomous, and IoT networks in the future. Join us now to shape the future of wireless communication.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Advanced Strategies for Enhanced Wireless Communication: Sensing and Communication","description":"This research endeavors to explore cutting-edge methodologies aimed at optimizing the performance of contemporary wireless communication networks. The primary focus is on mitigating the well-established challenges faced by mobile networks when operating in diverse and potentially hostile environments. By leveraging the capabilities of radio nodes to perceive and communicate via the radio spectrum, a decentralized network of nodes can collaborate to generate a comprehensive and intricate radio-frequency (RF) environment map. The core objective of this project is to devise sophisticated sensing and localization techniques to accurately map the RF spectrum, thereby enabling dynamic adaptations in communication system design. To achieve dynamic spectrum characterization, this project pioneers novel physical-layer detection, estimation, and localization approaches, utilizing cooperative and optimization-based strategies to dynamically assess spectrum occupancy. In addition, the project integrates state-of-the-art 6G technologies, such as Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs), in conjunction with machine learning methodologies, to achieve precise sensing and high-resolution localization within the intelligent wireless environment. These adaptive environments can dynamically adjust communication techniques and protocols at both the physical and network layers. Successful fulfillment of these objectives is anticipated to significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of wireless communication networks, bolstering their resilience against adversarial conditions. The research outcomes possess the potential to revolutionize wireless communication systems across a wide range of scenarios, offering new possibilities for future wireless networks, including cellular networks, internet of things (IoT) networks, and vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). \n\n[1]. F. Liu et al., \"Guest Editorial Special Issue on Integrated Sensing and Communication\u2014Part II,\" in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 2007-2010, July 2022.\n[2]. Z. Wang, Z. Liu, Y. Shen, A. Conti and M. Z. Win, \"Location Awareness in Beyond 5G Networks via Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces,\" in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 2011-2025, July 2022.\n[3]. H. Zhang et al., \"Holographic Integrated Sensing and Communication,\" in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 2114-2130, July 2022.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorabni","title":"Integrated microwave sensors for chemicals and biologicals analysis","description":"Microwave-based test and measurement methods are of high interest among engineers and researchers due to their low cost, non-destructive, and real-time response. Such advantages led to the development of microwave-based sensors and instruments for variety of applications from detection of mechanical movements, to sensors for identification of solid composites, chemical and biological agents. More specifically, microwave sensors for liquids identification have found increased attention because of their label-free detection, which is highly demanded for medical purposes and bioanalysis. The advances in the microfluidic technology in the last decade enabled analysis and manipulation of the liquid samples in the micro scales. The microfluidic technology has also been combined with the radio frequency circuits fabrication technologies resulting in the evolvement of microwave microfluidic sensors.\n\nThe microwave circuit and microfluidic network are fabricated separately and the attached to each other using an external package\/holder in conventional sensors. Such a package increases the total size of the device not appropriate for integrated platforms. This project aims to develop microwave microfluidic sensors using low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. This significantly reduces the overall size and results in more robust and accurate detection that is highly desirable for lab on chip applications. LTCC offers inherent advantages such as chemical inertness, biocompatibility, high-temperature stability, excellent RF dielectric properties, all these together seem to be ideal for a lab on chip platform. The recently established LTCC fabrication facilities at RMIT, will guarantee access to state-of-the-art infrastructure to achieve a successful design device over different iteration cycles.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorabni","title":"Liquid metals enabled tunable and reconfigurable microwave circuits","description":"The very rapid advances in the wireless communication in recent years is driven by a continuous increase in the number of wireless facilities, standards, and services. This necessitates the development of multi-standard and reconfigurable transceivers capable of changing their operation modes. Tunable circuits and components are essential building blocks of such systems. The tunable components are conventionally designed using solid-state components like varactors and PIN diodes or using the microelectromechanical (MEMs) devices. The solid-state components offer wide tuning ranges together with fast tuning speed. However, they suffer from nonlinearity and low power handling. The linearity is a very critical factor specially in the modern multi-carrier communication systems with large crest factors due to the non-constant envelop. MEMs devices offer better linearity with moderate power handling and lower insertion loss. However, MEMs are usually implemented as switches thus offer discrete tuning. Such challenges led the evolution of new tuning technologies such as liquid metals (LMs). The LMs-based tuning approach is promising in terms of linearity, and high power handling together with the possibility of continuous tuning. \n\nThis project aims is to investigate the design and implementation of liquid metals-based planar tunable and reconfigurable microwave components and circuits such as filters, phase shifters, power dividers\/combiners, and matching networks. With the aid of microfluidic technology, such devices are expected to address the significant challenge of linearity and power handling in the emerging reconfigurable multi-standard communication systems.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorabni","title":"Microwave properties of the soil","description":"The quality of soil is controlled by physical, chemical and biological components of soil and their interactions. The soil has physical, chemical as well as electrical properties. Color, texture, grain size, bulk density etc., comprise the physical properties; Nutrients, organic matter, pH, etc., comprise chemical properties while, electrical properties include dielectric constant, electrical conductivity and permeability. The concept of soil health and soil quality has consistently evolved with an increase in the understanding of soils and soil quality attributes.\n\nThe aim of this project is to investigate the relation between the relative permittivity of the soil and its quality. In recent literature, investigations have been held primarily through the means of time domain reflectometry (TDR). The relative permittivity of the soil has been analyzed in this method, however none have analyzed the relationship between the quality of the soil under investigation and its corresponding permittivity. The quality of soil is dependent upon many considerations. These include soil profile according to depth, differences in color, texture, structure and dispersibility of soil peds; pH levels, organic matter content\/carbon sequestration, porosity, salinity, moisture content and most importantly nutrients. Hence the aims of this project is to investigate soils termed as \u2018good\u2019, \u2018bad\u2019 and \u2018average\u2019 in accordance with their chemical nutrient profiles, and correlate these samples to the permittivity values measure; via the microwave waveguide cell and basic microstripline methods to characterize soil quality.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alberto Peruzzo","title":"Quantum Systems Identification and Control","description":"We seek an outstanding & enthusiastic PhD candidate to work on quantum control at the RMIT University node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology. Following our recent success in demonstrating novel techniques for quantum characterization and control, this project will extend the current capability by adding new theoretical and numerical methods to improve the state-of-the-art performance of real-world devices.  \n\nThe candidate will design, analyse, and implement novel techniques for modelling, identifying, and controlling quantum systems under realistic conditions, which will eventually be tested on quantum hardware. They will learn a wide range of techniques from theoretical quantum engineering to high-performance computing and machine learning.  \n\n[1] A. Youssry, R. J. Chapman, A. Peruzzo, C. Ferrie, M. Tomamichel, Quantum Science and Technology, 5(2). (2019) \n\n[2] A. Youssry, G. A. Paz-Silva, C. Ferrie, npj Quantum Information 6 (1). (2020) \n\n[3] A. Youssry, H.I. Nurdin, Quantum Science and Technology, 8 (1), 015018. (2022) \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510803 Quantum information, computation and communication (40%) ; 510805 Quantum technologies (40%) ; 400705 Control engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell, Thach Nguyen","title":"Micro-nano fabrication for hybrid integration","description":"Active optical components in photonic circuits are weak or missing pieces of the current silicon photonic technology. Such pieces are needed for the generation, detection and manipulation of light on chips. InPAC have started addressing this roadblock by heterogeneously integrating functional optical materials, such as chalcogenide glass and emerging novel two-dimensional materials onto integrated silicon photonic platforms, providing an unprecedented electronic and photonic laboratory on a chip to study these materials and to utilize their unique properties, realizing integrated optical lasers, amplifiers, modulators and detectors for applications in defence, data communications and biotechnology. This project is to develop the novel hybrid integration platform in InPAC. The InPAC centre has a long success history on the integrated optics for different applications for more than three decades. Through this project, we will continue to elongate the legacy for other decades. Therefore, we need highly motivated students who have interest in micro-nano fabrication and using such optical platform to realise practical applications such as data communications, and biomedical sensing.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell","title":"Integrated photonic frequency comb source","description":"In many photonic applications, including wavelength division multiplexing ultra-high speed optical communications, optical signal processing, spectroscopy, the generation of high quality light sources with many different frequencies is often required [1, 2]. The brute force approach of using multiple discrete laser diodes to create optical frequency combs typically results in very high cost, complexity, energy consumption and footprint systems. Recently, integrated ultra-broadband optical frequency combs have been demonstrated that can produce over one hundred stable and high quality comb lines \u2013 each like a coherent laser source [3].\n\nThis project aims to investigate high-quality optical frequency comb sources that can be generated from a single integrated photonic chip using the new silicon nitrite waveguide platform being developed at RMIT [4]. The possibility of integrating the on-chip comb sources with other devices and components to form sophisticated integrated photonic circuits in single compact photonic chips for applications in signal processing, data communications and sensing will also be considered.\n\nThis project will be conducted within the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC, https:\/\/www.inpac.org.au\/) at RMIT. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realise practical solutions for real world applications. The integrated photonic chips will be realised using the state-of-the-art facilities at the RMIT Micro-Nano Research Facility (MNRF).\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell","title":"Photonic signal processing using broadband optical frequency comb","description":"Many applications, including radar mapping, precision synchronization, environmental measurement, imaging as well as the realization of advanced modulation formats for ultrahigh bandwidth digital communications, require the generation, analysis and processing of analogue RF signals in wide bandwidth. Processing wide bandwidth signals in the electrical domain is still challenging due to limited bandwidth of electronic circuits and introduction of digital quantisation noise. Due to the virtually unlimited bandwidth and ultralow noise available in the optical domain, optical signal processing is a very attractive alternative to electronic counterparts. Many signal processing functions have been demonstrated using optics; however, often multiple discrete optical channels with their own laser diodes must be used. This typically results in a very high cost, complexity and energy consumption and footprint. Recently, ultra-broadband optical frequency combs have been demonstrated that can produce over one hundred stable and high quality comb lines \u2013 each like a coherent laser source. This technology opens up opportunities to conceive practical and sophisticated photonic signal processors with small foot-print which can be robustly integrated into integrated photonic devices with no moving parts. This research project will investigate novel methods to implement high speed, reconfigurable optical signal processors using the integrated optical frequency comb source. You will investigate photonic techniques to manipulate signals in both the temporal and frequency domains. You will apply the conceived techniques to demonstrate several practical applications in wireless and optic fibre communications as well as radar and remote sensing using the state of the art equipment in the photonic laboratory at RMIT. The opportunity to integrate entire systems as a single compact photonic chips will be available in the final stage of the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Thach Nguyen, Arnan Mitchell","title":"Integrated photonic devices exploring novel phenomena","description":"Micro-technology has underpinned the information revolution, enabling exceptionally precise and almost incomprehensibly complex microelectronic systems to be mass-manufactured, reliably and at low-cost using standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) wafer processing. Integrated photonics has emerged as a successor to integrated electronics, enabling ultra-high speed information transfer through a single optical fibre [1]. Integrated photonics is also attractive to non-data transfer applications, with a particular emerging opportunity being bio-sensing. Our team at RMIT has pioneered research into an unusual phenomenon in integrated photonics, particularly in silicon photonics, called lateral leakage behaviour and bound states in the continuum [2, 3]. \n\nWe are seeking talented and passionate PhD candidates to join our team to explore this phenomenon in the emerging integrated photonic waveguide platform Lithium Niotate on Insulator (LNOI) [4] and to create new integrated photonic devices and circuits harnessing this phenomenon. The possibility of utilising the strong electro-optic and nonlinear effects of this waveguide platform to achieve high speed data modulation, programmable\/reconfigurable integrated photonic circuit, dynamic filtering functions will also be investigated.\n\nThis project will be conducted within the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC, https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/integrated-photonics-and-applications-centre) at RMIT. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realise practical solutions for real world applications. The integrated photonic chips will be realised using the state-of-the-art facilities at the RMIT Micro-nano Research Facility (MNRF).\n\n\nReferences:\n[1] Hochberg, M., Baehr-Jones, T. \u201cTowards fabless silicon photonics,\u201d Nature Photon, 4 (2010).\n[2] Nguyen, T.G., Ren, G., Schoenhardt, S., Knoerzer, M., Boes, A., Mitchell, A., \u201cRidge Resonance in Silicon Photonics Harnessing Bound States in the Continuum\u201d, Laser and Photonics Reviews, 13 (2019).\n[3] Nguyen, T.G., Boes, A., Mitchell, A., \u201cLateral Leakage in Silicon Photonics: Theory, Applications, and Future Directions,\u201d IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 26 (2020).\n [4] Boes, A., Corcoran, B., Chang, L., Bowers, J., Mitchell, A., \u201cStatus and Potential of Lithium Niobate on Insulator (LNOI) for Photonic Integrated Circuits,\u201d Laser and Photonics Reviews, 12 (2018).\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell, Guanghui Ren","title":"Programmable silicon photonics","description":"Silicon Photonics is an emerging technology which allows wires connected to silicon chips to be replaced by optical fibres. Silicon photonics has the potential to increase the performance of data centres and will eventually replace copper wires in computers. In addition, silicon photonics potentially can be used in many other applications, including bio-sensing, signal processing and quantum communications. Using the same manufacturing facilities as making integrated electronic circuits, sophisticated silicon photonic chips can be manufactured in high volume with low cost. Due to some unique material properties, many photonic components can be integrated in a small footprint, enabling the creation of compact photonic devices but with sophisticated functionality that cannot be achieved with other photonic technologies.\n\nAlthough many silicon photonic circuits have been demonstrated, most of these are in the form of purpose built application-specific designs that are only fit for a single purpose. The functionality of such devices are fixed when the devices are designed and fabricated. Changing the circuit functionality requires an entirely new device to be designed and fabricated. If photonic circuits can be made reprogrammable similar to Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in electronic devices, it would be easy, quick and low cost to prototype different photonic functions on the same device in which the circuit function is redefined by the users after the device has been fabricated.\n\nThis project aims to investigate technologies to allow the functionality of silicon photonic circuits being reconfigurable or programmable. You will learn about silicon photonics design and methods for fabrication. You will work closely with our team to develop technologies to change the configuration of a silicon photonic circuit. These technologies will then be applied to demonstrate reconfigurable\/programmable silicon photonic devices using traditional silicon photonic waveguide device topologies or our recently discovered lateral leakage effect. You will also have opportunities to collaborate and visit other world leading researchers in integrated photonics and silicon photonics in the Europe.\n\nThe project will be conducted within RMIT's Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC) directed by Distinguished Prof Arnan Mitchell. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realising practical solutions for real world applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Armandas Balcytis","title":"Integrated photonic chips Multi-dimensional lattices","description":"Integrated microelectronic circuits have revolutionised the electronics industry, and have transformed our lives. Replacing electrical signal with light, integrated photonic microchips can result in enormous improvements in data processing speeds with much lower energy consumption, meeting demands of many applications from information transfer and processing to sensing and environmental monitoring. However, current photonic chips often suffer from high loss, limited connectivity as well as sensitivity to manufacturing defects. \n\nResearch has theoretically suggested that by increasing the dimenionality of light interaction, new photonic components with unprecedented performance, overcoming the above shortcomings, can be created. However, this potential currently cannot be practically realised with existing photonic chip technology due to limited dimensionality of the practical photonic chips. This project aims to investigate photonic chips that can support multidimensional lattices to allow light to intect in extra dimensions beyond the spatial dimensions of a chip. \n\nThis project will be conducted within the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC, https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/integrated-photonics-and-applications-centre) at RMIT. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realise practical solutions for real world applications. The integrated photonic chips will be realised using the state-of-the-art facilities at the RMIT Micro-nano Research Facility (MNRF).\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell, Thach Nguyen, Guanghui Ren","title":"Integrated Photonic Chips for Atomic Clocks","description":"The precise measurement of time plays a surprisingly important role in our every day lives.   Our smart phones can tell us our location to within a few meters and we take this for granted but it may be surprising to know that this functionality relies on multiple satellites each sending an extremely precise timing signal.   To achieve such navigation, we need a line of sight to several satellites simultaneously.  This is hard to achieve in built up urban environments or indoors and is impossible when underwater, undergound or in space.  To be able to navigate in these environemnts it would be a great advantage to have an ultra-precise clock that we can carry around with us.  Today\u2019s atomic clocks are large and expensive - they can be launched into space on satellites, but they are about the size of a fridge and a similar weight, and can cost over $1 million.   It would be a great advantage to realise ultra-precise clocks that have the size weight and cost of consumer electronics. \r\nThis project will explore the use of integrated photonic chip technology to realise all of the components of an atomic clock on a single chip.  It will be conducted within the context of the internationally recognised Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre working with a team of more than 50 people at RMIT University and beyond.  Through this project you will learn about both integrated optics technology and the science and technology of atomic clocks.  You will learn about the applications of this technology in defence and civilian applications and will see how advanced technology is created and translated to real world applications. \r\nNote: As this project is connected to a defence project, Australian Citizenship is a requirement. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kandeepan Sithamparanathan, Akram Hourani, Saman Atapattu","title":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Signal Processing for Communication, Sensors and Radars","description":"Signal processing and machine learning (Artificial Intelligence) in general can be applied in many fields such as communication, radar, health, and localization and navigation systems. The advancements in mathematical sciences and high speed computing had taken signal processing to a level where mostly all the technologies are depended on signal processing. In particular, we concentrate on signal processing for communication engineering, radar systems and localization and navigation focusing on various problems expected to be solved using signal processing solutions. In this project students develop novel signal processing algorithms using statistical signal processing techniques and analyse the system performance by means of rigorous mathematical analysis. The systems of interest to develop such signal processing algorithms include wireless communications, localization and navigation, sensor networks, and advanced radar systems. The application areas for the research may depend on any particular research projects that are running at the time and could range from 5G cognitive wireless communications, automotive and defence radar systems to global navigation systems. The prospective student is expected to have a solid academic and practical background in signal processing, random processes, probability and statistics and also good software skills for simulating algorithms and systems. \n\nReferences:\n[1] F. Tang, Survey on Machine Learning for Intelligent End-to-End Communication Toward 6G: From Network Access, Routing to Traffic Control and Streaming Adaption, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials\nYear: 2021 | Volume: 23,\n[2] E. Bj\u00f6rnson, et. al, Twenty-Five Years of Signal Processing Advances for Multiantenna Communications: From theory to mainstream technology,  IEEE Signal Processing Magazine ( Volume: 40, Issue: 4, June 2023)\n[3] H. Tan, et. al, Detection of Jamming Attacks for the Physical-Layer Authentication,  IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications ( Early Access )\n May 2023 , DOI: 10.1109\/TWC.2023.3272337\n[4] Felix, Resilient Machine Learning for Networked Cyber Physical Systems: A Survey for Machine Learning Security to Securing Machine Learning for CPS, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials\nYear: 2021 | Volume: 23, \n[5] W. Lui, et.al, Twenty-Five Years of Sensor Array and Multichannel Signal Processing: A review of progress to date and potential research directions, \n IEEE Signal Processing Magazine ( Volume: 40, Issue: 4, June 2023)\n[6]. S. Kandeepan, A. Giorgetti, Cognitive Radio Techniques: Spectrum Sensing, Interference Mitigation and Localization, Artech House, 2012 ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Sound-Light-Electricity coupling in Atomically Thin Two-dimensional Materials for Broadband Light detection","description":"Photodetectors capture and convert light into electrical signals. There is a huge demand for miniaturised broadband photodetectors for emerging applications including autonomous self-driving cars, night vision, cameras, optical fiber communication, microscopes, and others. While atomically thin Two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides have shown great promise, these materials are often limited to detecting a narrow part of the wavelength spectrum. \n \n An intriguing strategy that this project explores within the Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL) at RMIT is the use high frequency (>10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations in the form of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) [1-3] to efficiently couple with 2D optoelectronic nanomaterials for an enhanced photosensitivity. The sound-light-electricity (i.e. Phonon-photon-electron) coupling is an intriguing effect that is not only expected to modulate the band gap of the 2D material, but also provides the requisite momentum for indirect band gap transition of the photoexcited charge carriers, to enable broadband photodetection beyond the visible light range.\n \n Within the project, the student will therefore continue to uncover more of the intriguing fundamental aspects of the sound wave coupling to different 2D nanomaterials to produce highly sensitive broadband optoelectronic devices. Students will also have access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication cleanrooms at the RMIT MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) and the advanced microscopy tools (atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy) at the RMIT Microscopy & Microanalysis Facility (RMMF).\n \n [1] Rezk, A.R., et al, 2016. Advanced materials, 28(10), pp.1970-1975.\n \n [2] Rezk, A.R., et al, 2016. Nano letters, 16(2), pp.849-855.\n \n [3] Rezk, A.R., et al, 2021. Advanced Science, 8(1), p.2001983.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amir Ebrahimi","title":"Liquid metals enabled tunable and reconfigurable microwave circuits","description":"The very rapid advances in the wireless communication in recent years is driven by a continuous increase in the number of wireless facilities, standards, and services. This necessitates the development of multi-standard and reconfigurable transceivers capable of changing their operation modes [1]. Tunable circuits and components are essential building blocks of such systems [2]. The tunable components are conventionally designed using solid-state components like varactors and PIN diodes or using the microelectromechanical (MEMs) devices. The solid-state components offer wide tuning ranges together with fast tuning speed. However, they suffer from nonlinearity and low power handling [3]. The linearity is a very critical factor specially in the modern multi-carrier communication systems with large crest factors due to the non-constant envelop. MEMs devices offer better linearity with moderate power handling and lower insertion loss. However, MEMs are usually implemented as switches thus offer discrete tuning. Such challenges led the evolution of new tuning technologies such as liquid metals (LMs). The LMs-based tuning approach is promising in terms of linearity, and high power handling together with the possibility of continuous tuning [4]. \n \n This project aims is to investigate the design and implementation of liquid metals-based planar tunable and reconfigurable microwave components and circuits such as filters, phase shifters, power dividers\/combiners, and matching networks. With the aid of microfluidic technology, such devices are expected to address the significant challenge of linearity and power handling in the emerging reconfigurable multi-standard communication systems.\n \n [1] E. G. Rodriguez, Reconfigurable transceiver architecture for multiband RF-frontends. Springer, 2016. \n [2]A. Ebrahimi, T. Baum, J. Scott, and K. Ghorbani, \"Continuously tunable dual-mode bandstop filter,\" IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 419-421, 2018.\n [3] S. N. McClung, S. Saeedi, and H. H. Sigmarsson, \"Band-reconfigurable filter with liquid metal actuation,\" IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. 3073-3080, 2018.\n [4] K. Entesari and A. P. Saghati, \"Fluidics in microwave components,\" IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 50-75, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amir Ebrahimi","title":"Near field microwave probe for skin cancer diagnosis","description":"According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, skin cancer causes more deaths than transport accidents in Australia. An average of two in three Australians are likely to develop skin cancer by the age of 70 [1]. Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer as it can metastasize and spread to other organs, leading to death. Research shows that the five-year survival rate of malignant melanoma can be around 99% if it is detected immediately after its outbreak [2]. \n \n The visual diagnosis of skin cancer requires a high level of experience and training. Meanwhile, diagnosis of early-stage melanomas is particularly difficult even for a skilled dermatologist. Thus, new technologies have to evolve to overcome the limitations of visual inspections. Microwave technology is a promising approach since the healthy skin and cancer can be distinguished with high specificity based on their dielectric properties. Cancerous tissues have a higher water content than health healthy skin tissue, resulting in a significantly higher absorption of microwave energy [3].\n This project aims to develop a near filed microwave probe for accurate and real-time detection of skin cancer. The probe will be designed and fabricated using the low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology offering a compact size. Furthermore, a high consistency between the dielectric properties of high-permittivity ceramic substrate and skin tissue, the probe can operate in direct contact with the skin when taking measurements. This allows microwave signals to better penetrate the skin and results in highly accurate detection results.\n \n [1] G. Mansutti, et. Al, \"Millimeter-Wave Substrate Integrated Waveguide Probe for Skin Cancer Detection,\" in IEEE Trans. Biomedical Eng., vol. 67, no. 9, pp. 2462-2472, Sept. 2020.\n \n [2] P. Mehta, et. Al., \"Microwave reflectometry as a novel diagnostic tool for detection of skin cancers,\" in IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., vol. 55, no. 4, pp. 1309-1316, Aug. 2006.\n \n [3 ]F. T\u00c3\u00b6pfer, et. Al, \"Micromachined 100GHz near-field measurement probe for high-resolution microwave skin-cancer diagnosis,\" in Proc. IEEE\/MTT-S Int. Microw. Symp. Digest, , 2012, DOI: 10.1109\/MWSYM.2012.6259671.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amir Ebrahimi","title":"Integrated microwave sensors for chemicals and biologicals analysis","description":"Microwave-based test and measurement methods are of high interest among engineers and researchers due to their low cost, non-destructive, and real-time response [1]. Such advantages led to the development of microwave-based sensors and instruments for variety of applications from detection of mechanical movements, to sensors for identification of solid\n composites, chemical and biological agents [1]. More specifically, microwave sensors for liquids identification have found increased attention because of their label-free detection,\n which is highly demanded for medical purposes and bioanalysis [2]. The advances in the microfluidic technology in the last decade enabled analysis and manipulation of the liquid samples in the micro scales. The microfluidic technology has also been combined with the\n radio frequency circuits fabrication technologies resulting in the evolvement of microwave microfluidic sensors [3].\n \n The microwave circuit and microfluidic network are fabricated separately and the attached to each other using an external package\/holder in conventional sensors. Such a package increases the total size of the device not appropriate for integrated platforms. This project aims to develop microwave microfluidic sensors using low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. This significantly reduces the overall size and results in more robust and accurate detection that is highly desirable for lab on chip applications. LTCC offers inherent advantages such as chemical inertness, biocompatibility, high-temperature stability, excellent RF dielectric properties, all these together seem to be ideal for a lab on chip platform. The recently established LTCC fabrication facilities at RMIT, will guarantee access to state-of-the-art infrastructure to achieve a successful design device over different iteration cycles. \n \n [1]A. Ebrahimi, J. Scott, and K. Ghorbani, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ultrahigh-sensitivity microwave sensor for microfluidic complex permittivity measurement,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Techn., vol. 67, no. 10, pp. 4269\u00e2\u20ac\u201c4277, 2019.\n \n [2] M. Mertens, M. Chavoshi, O. Peytral-Rieu, K. Grenier, and D. Schreurs, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dielectric spectroscopy: Revealing the true colors of biological matter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Microw. Magazine, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 49\u00e2\u20ac\u201c62, 2023.\n \n [3] F. Artis, T. Chen, T. Chretiennot, J.-J. Fournie, M. Poupot, D. Dubuc, and K. Grenier, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Microwaving biological cells: Intracellular analysis with microwave dielectric spectroscopy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Microw. Magazine, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 87\u00e2\u20ac\u201c96, 2015.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baoyue Zhang","title":"Development of upcycling technology of wastes into high-end electronic nanomaterials and devices","description":"The world is facing a growing problem of waste management, as the volume of waste generated continues to increase with the growth of human population and consumption. At the same time, there is a growing demand for carbon-based nanomaterials such as graphene, which are essential components of cutting-edge technologies such as energy systems, sensors, and other electronic devices. The goal of this research project is to develop upcycling technology for transforming waste materials into carbon-based nanomaterials. Specifically, we will focus on the synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials from waste materials such as plastics, and electronic waste. By developing new methods for upcycling waste materials into graphene and its derivates, which can be further applied in consumer electronics, energy storage devices, sensors and beyond. This project aims to develop new technology to help build a complete circular economy across waste and advance electronic nanotechnology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baoyue Zhang","title":"Novel low-dimensional nanomaterials for full optical device applications","description":"This research project aims to investigate the nonlinear optical properties of 2D metal oxide materials and their potential applications in the fabrication of full optical devices such as sensors and switches. 2D metal oxide materials are a relatively new class of materials with unique electronic, optical, and mechanical properties that make them promising candidates for various applications in nanoelectronics, energy conversion, and optoelectronics.\n \n The nonlinear optical properties of 2D metal oxide materials will be explored through various experimental techniques such as second-harmonic generation (SHG). The ultimate goal of this research is to demonstrate the potential of 2D metal oxide materials for full optical device applications. The nonlinear optical properties of these materials can be harnessed to design new types of optical sensors, switches, and other devices that exhibit enhanced performance compared to existing devices. This research project will contribute to the fundamental understanding of the nonlinear optical properties of 2D metal oxide materials and will pave the way for their use in a wide range of applications in optoelectronics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianzhen Ou","title":"Upcycling of wastes into carbon-based high value products","description":"Our goal is to first develop a scalable conversion machine that transforms unsorted plastic wastes into graphene derivatives, which is a useful material especially in improving the performances of renewable energy storage devices. We will then create these value-added products in the form of electronic paste and apply them to supercapacitors for improving the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy systems featured with high power density, fast charging and discharging, and long cycle life. This approach will bridge the recycling industry with the energy storage sector in a low-cost manner. Each conversion will take within a few minutes, powered by an arc discharging that generates an extremely high temperature for a short time, cleaving all chemical bonds of plastics except carbon-carbon bonds. The remaining carbon elements are crystallized into graphene derivatives, while the rest vaporizes and exits the machine. To scale up production, we will use graphite-based fillers to ensure even heat distribution in the reaction chamber and maintain the conversion efficiency close to lab-scale results. Any gaseous by-products will be converted into value-added industry-grade salts by purging them into an alkaline solution. Additionally, we will test the feasibility of using converted graphene derivatives to fabricate supercapacitors and assess their electrical performances. Our project will benefit multiple users, including reducing plastic waste in landfills, improving renewable energy storage, and increasing the value of upcycled products.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng) \/ MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Md. Ataur Rahman, Madhu Bhaskaran, Sharath Sriram","title":"Electronic Somatosensors \u2013 Feedback Receptors for Artificial Skin and Eye","description":"Human skin and eyes consist of different receptors such as thermoreceptors sense heat or cold, Meissner\u2019s corpuscle senses touch, the nociceptor senses pain, the Pacinian corpuscle senses pressure, and the photoreceptor senses light. The receptors are the peripheral sensory nerves that detect noxious stimuli and generate rapid biomechanical warning signals to the central nervous system to avoid further damage from incoming harmful stimuli. The receptor accomplishes the complex task by the combination of four separate tasks known as threshold, relaxation, allodynia, and hyperalgesia behavior. By reducing the threshold and amplifying the response intensity, the receptor enables and enforces protective behavioral responses, such as withdrawal or avoidance of acute painful stimuli.\nThis project aims to investigate and develop a skin-like electronic receptor to detect optical stimuli and activate motor responses, mimicking human-like sensory perception. It aims to enhance humanoid robots' ability to react to the environment, making them safer and more efficient in industries like mining and space exploration. By bridging the gap between humans and robots, this technology enables advanced sensory capabilities for nuanced responses, ultimately improving human-robot interaction and expanding the range of tasks robots can perform.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401611 - Wearable materials, 400608 - Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave), 400909 - Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianzhen Ou, Baoyue Zhang","title":"Upcycling hard-to-recycle wastes into value-add materials","description":"Plastic products are commonly used for packing because of their lightweight, low cost, high flexibility, and durability. However, the poor degradability and extreme longevity of most plastic products result in a severe mass of waste accumulation in landfills, causing significant pollution to the soil, air, and waterways. According to the government report in 2018, a total of 3.4 million tons of plastics were consumed in Australia, but 320,000 tons were recycled which accounts for 9.4% only mostly due to the massive cost of sorting plastic waste as well as a significant amount of unrecyclable types of plastics. The carbon contents of plastic and tyre wastes are generally >70%, making them low-costalternative resources and therefore alleviating the environmental impact. This project is to develop an innovative method of flash heating, to convert the plastic particles into value add carbon material such as graphene and its derivates. Compared withconventional pyrolysis which typically happens in hours, such a conversion here only occurs in less than 1-2 minutes,presenting high energy and production efficiency with promising prospect for practical use. The master by research student is required to participate the project development with the research team, involving both experiment and paper work.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baoyue Zhang","title":"Innovative technology of upcycling hard-to-recycle materials into value-add materials","description":"Plastic products are commonly used for packing because of their lightweight, low cost, high flexibility, and durability. However, the poor degradability and extreme longevity of most plastic products result in a severe mass of waste accumulation in landfills, causing significant pollution to the soil, air, and waterways. According to the government report in 2018, a total of 3.4 million tons of plastics were consumed in Australia, but 320,000 tons were recycled which accounts for 9.4% only mostly due to the massive cost of sorting plastic waste as well as a significant amount of unrecyclable types of plastics. The carbon contents of plastic and tyre wastes are generally >70%, making them low-costalternative resources and therefore alleviating the environmental impact. This project is to develop an innovative method of flash heating, to convert the plastic particles into value add carbon material such as graphene and its derivates. Compared withconventional pyrolysis which typically happens in hours, such a conversion here only occurs in less than 1-2 minutes,presenting high energy and production efficiency with promising prospect for practical use. The master by research student is required to participate the project development with the research team, involving both experiment and paper work.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-efficient scheduling in distributed server farms","description":"World-wide customer demands for various Internet services are dramatically increasing during past decades. A parallel growth has occurred in the IP traffic of data centers and the markets of computing and storage infrastructures. Rapid growth of heterogeneous network service requirements and wide deployment of network applications have driven fundamental changes to the Internet. Network virtualization has become one of the most promising methodologies for deployment in current networks to mitigate problems associated with legacy structures, which enables substrate physical networks to be shared by multiple Virtual Networks (VNs) customized to the requirements of various customers. \n \n This project aims to improve existing physical resource allocation algorithms in large-scale network scheduling problems that raised in modern data centers. Specifically, we focus on geographically deployed networks with wired components, and networked server systems located in big data centers. These problems are significantly complicated by enormous system sizes, heterogeneity of Internet services and substrate physical components and uncertainty of Internet demands. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as Markov decision process and queueing process), applied probability and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-efficient scheduling in distributed Data centers","description":"World-wide customer demands for various Internet services are dramatically increasing during past decades. A parallel growth has occurred in the IP traffic of data centers and the markets of computing and storage infrastructures. Rapid growth of heterogeneous network service requirements and wide deployment of network applications have driven fundamental changes to the Internet. Network virtualization has become one of the most promising methodologies for deployment in current networks to mitigate problems associated with legacy structures, which enables substrate physical networks to be shared by multiple Virtual Networks (VNs) customized to the requirements of various customers. \n \n This project aims to improve existing physical resource allocation algorithms in large-scale network scheduling problems that raised in modern data centers. Specifically, we focus on geographically deployed networks with wired components, and networked server systems located in big data centers. These problems are significantly complicated by enormous system sizes, heterogeneity of Internet services and substrate physical components and uncertainty of Internet demands. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as Markov decision process and queueing process), applied probability and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-Efficient Scheduling in Wireless Network Slicing","description":"In modern networks, mobile service providers (MSPs) are expected to simultaneously support vertical slices of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing wireless traffic driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. Wireless network slicing (WNS) technique, which is built based on network function virtualization and software defined network schemes, has been applied to consolidate wireless applications on substrate physical facilities with higher flexibility and lower cost. In particular, this project focuses on the trade-off between the energy efficiency and service level agreement of wireless networks with highly dense user population. The problem is complicated by the heterogeneity of mobile applications potentially sharing the same physical facilities, the difference between wireless facilities with limited service capacities, and the large population of mobile users. Stochastic processes and restless\/non-restless multi-armed bandit techniques, which have been studied with great potential in above mentioned fields [3] and have been applied to similar problems in prestigious publications [1][2], will be used as mathematical tools for modeling and analyzing. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as queueing process), network optimization and wireless communications, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.\n \n [1] J. Fu, B. Moran, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Energy-Efficient Job-Assignment Policy with Asymptotically Guaranteed Performance Deviation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, t IEEE\/ACM Transactions on Networking, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 1325-1338, Apr. 2020.\n [2] Q. Wang, J. Fu, J. Wu, B. Moran, M. Zukerman, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Energy-Efficient Priority-Based Scheduling for Wireless Network Slicing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, in Proc. IEEE Globecom 2018, Abu Dhabi, UAE, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c6, Dec. 2018. \n [3] J. Fu, B. Moran, P. Taylor, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Restless Bandits in Action: Resource Allocation, Competition and Reservation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, INFORMS Operations Research, Mar. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation in Wireless Network Slicing","description":"In modern networks, mobile service providers (MSPs) are expected to simultaneously support vertical slices of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing wireless traffic driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. Wireless network slicing (WNS) technique, which is built based on network function virtualization and software defined network schemes, has been applied to consolidate wireless applications on substrate physical facilities with higher flexibility and lower cost. In particular, this project focuses on the trade-off between the energy efficiency and service level agreement of wireless networks with highly dense user population. The problem is complicated by the heterogeneity of mobile applications potentially sharing the same physical facilities, the difference between wireless facilities with limited service capacities, and the large population of mobile users. Stochastic processes and restless\/non-restless multi-armed bandit techniques, which have been studied with great potential in above mentioned fields and have been applied to similar problems in prestigious publications, will be used as mathematical tools for modeling and analyzing. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as queueing process), network optimization and wireless communications, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Cooperative Resource Allocation for Internet-of-Things (IoT) \u2013 Reinforcement-Learning-Based Algorithms","description":"Rapidly increasing Internet traffic has motivated developments of various applications that enables Internet access everywhere and every time and concluded as Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems. Future IoT systems are expected to simultaneously support parallel accesses of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing numbers of wireless sensors\/receivers\/transmitters driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. We aim to balance the holding costs and the profits of the wireless access system, exploring a large number of widely deployed sensing and network devices in a cooperative manner. The resulting problem is significantly complicated by the scale of the communication system and the heterogeneity of devices and applications, where exact optimal solutions are usually intractable. We then resort to efficient heuristics with rapid reactions and eliminated performance degradation. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of signal processing, stochastic process (such as Markov decision process) and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Cooperative Resource Allocation for Internet-of-Things (IoT) \u2013 Reinforcement-Learning-Based Algorithms","description":"Rapidly increasing Internet traffic has motivated developments of various applications that enables Internet access everywhere and every time and concluded as Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems. Future IoT systems are expected to simultaneously support parallel accesses of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing numbers of wireless sensors\/receivers\/transmitters driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. We aim to balance the holding costs and the profits of the wireless access system, exploring a large number of widely deployed sensing and network devices in a cooperative manner. The resulting problem is significantly complicated by the scale of the communication system and the heterogeneity of devices and applications, where exact optimal solutions are usually intractable. We then resort to efficient heuristics with rapid reactions and eliminated performance degradation. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of signal processing, stochastic process (such as Markov decision process) and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kandeepan Sithamparanathan","title":"6G Wireless and Mobile Communication with Artificial Intelligence","description":"The next generation (6G) communication system has to surpass the previous generations in regards to the offered rate and achievable capacity with improved latency and energy efficiency. In this project the student investigates wireless communications and the network infrastructure that supports beyond 5G and 6G systems. In particular the access strategies, transmission strategies, scheduling strategies and network control and management strategies are to be investigated along with meeting the energy efficiency, throughput and latency. The prospective student is expected to have a solid academic background in wireless communications, mathematical analysis with good software skills for simulating communication systems. \n \n References: \n [1] Demos Serghiou; et. al, Terahertz Channel Propagation Phenomena, Measurement Techniques and Modeling for 6G Wireless Communication Applications: A Survey, Open Challenges and Future Research Directions, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 2022\n \n [2] Wen Tong; Geoffrey Ye Li, Nine Challenges in Artificial Intelligence and Wireless Communications for 6G. IEEE Wireless Communications, 2022 \n \n [3] Cheng-Xiang Wang;, et. al, On the Road to 6G: Visions, Requirements, Key Technologies and Testbeds, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 2023\n \n  [4]. S. Kandeepan, A. Giorgetti, Cognitive Radio Techniques: Spectrum Sensing, Interference Mitigation and Localization, Artech House, 2012","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kandeepan Sithamparanathan","title":"Space, Satellite and Unmanned-Aerial Communications with Intelligence","description":"The development of mega-constellation based satellite systems and the advancements in UAV based applications have prompted a lot of challenges related to communicating with the airborne stations at specific altitudes. In this project the students develop novel techniques and solutions for transmissions and the network infrastructure for space\/satellite and aerial based communications. In particular the students work on channel modelling, novel modulation and coding schemes, dynamic spectrum access solutions, intelligent radio access and resource allocations strategies. The prospective student is expected to have a solid academic background in communications theory, random processes, probability and statistics and also good software skills for simulating algorithms and systems. Any knowledge on airborne platforms and systems would be an added advantage to the research project. \n \n References:\n [1] B Al Homssi, A Al-Hourani, K Wang, P Conder, S Kandeepan, J Choi,Next generation mega satellite networks for access equality: Opportunities, challenges, and performance, IEEE Communications Magazine 60 (4), 18-24, 2022\n \n [2] S Kandeepan, L De Nardis, MG Di Benedetto, A Guidotti, GE Corazza, Cognitive satellite terrestrial radios, IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference GLOBECOM 2010\n \n [3] Ruoqi Deng, et. al, Ultra-Dense LEO Satellite Constellations: How Many LEO Satellites Do We Need?, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 2021\n \n [4] Dong-Hyun Jung; et. al, Performance Analysis of Satellite Communication System Under the Shadowed-Rician Fading: A Stochastic Geometry Approach, IEEE Transactions on Communications\n Year: Dong-Hyun, 2022","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Wang","title":"Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Sensors and Telecommunications","description":"Machine learning and artificial intelligence, such as deep neural networks, have great capability in recovering the received data from sensors and telecommunication systems. They can mitigate various types of impairments imposed onto the data. They are also capable of monitoring the performance of sensor networks and communication systems, to realise efficient resource allocation, network management, and predictive control. Machine learning algorithms (mainly focus on neural networks) will be investigated in sensors. One example to be studied is LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging. LiDAR has attracted substantial interests during the past several years. It is capable of obtaining the 3D representation of the target with high resolution and has a wide range of applications, including geography, atmospheric physics, laser guidance, agriculture, biology, and the recently emerging autonomous vehicles (such as the Google driverless car which is currently known as Waymo). Machine learning techniques can significantly improve the current spatial and angular resolution limitations in LiDAR, enhance the sensing of low signal-to-noise ratio objects, and realise intelligent LiDAR sensing and detection.\n Telecommunication system is another area to be investigated in this project. One target system is the radio-over-fibre (RoF) system, which is widely considered as a promising solution for future 5G fronthaul and backhaul, it suffers from severe fibre dispersion, ASE noise, and nonlinearity induced by modulation, fibre and optical detection. Preliminary results have shown that neural networks can suppress these impairments and improve the system performance considerably. Another target system is the optical wireless communication system, which is capable of providing over gigabit-per-second wireless connections. This project mainly involves studying machine learning (focusing on neural networks) algorithms and techniques, and investigating sensor networks and high-speed communication systems based on neural networks.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Wang","title":"Solid-State Silicon Integrated LiDAR \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Key Devices and Functions","description":"LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, has attracted substantial interests during the past several years. It measures the distance to a target by sending out pulsed laser lights and measuring the reflected signals. It is capable of obtaining the 3D representation of the target with high resolution and has a wide range of applications, including geography, atmospheric physics, laser guidance, agriculture, biology, and the recently emerging autonomous vehicles (such as the Google driverless car which is currently known as Waymo). LiDAR typically consists of four parts: the light source, the beam scanning and pattern generation unit, the detector, and the signal processing part. Although being widely studied and even utilised, current LiDAR still has several fundamental limitations, such as the limited spatial and angular resolutions, low scanning\/sensing speed, large size, and high cost, especially for consumer grade applications such as the autonomous driving. This project aims to (A) investigate solid-state LiDAR based on the silicon integration platform, especially the light scanning and pattern generation unit, to realise small-size, integrated, low-cost and advanced LiDAR systems; (B) break the spatial\/angular resolution limitation through dense integration and innovative crosstalk-suppression mechanism; and (C) investigate the application of solid-state silicon integrated LiDAR in the autonomous driving application.\n This project involves silicon integrated photonic devices and circuit analysis, design, simulation, fabrication, implementation, and demonstration. The integrated circuit will be fabricated locally using the state-of-art Micro-Nano Research Facility (MNRF) at RMIT University.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Wang","title":"Terahertz Communications \u00e2\u20ac\u201c High-Speed Wireless Communications in 6G and Beyond","description":"With the exponential growth of wireless services, mobile traffic has increased by more than an order-of-magnitude over the past 5 years and is predicted to reach over 300 Zettabyte (EB) per month. To facilitate the rising and pressing demand, exploring new regions of the electromagnetic spectrum is vital since the conventional microwave band is highly congested. This urgent need has been seen in 5G, where the new millimetre-wave (mm-wave) band has enabled >10 times higher system capacity. To meet the continuous explosive growth in the future 6G and beyond, even higher terahertz (THz) band has been considered as the key enabler, which has broad and unlicensed spectra to accommodate 10-100 times larger capacity. Terahertz wireless communications are envisioned to provide high-speed mobile backhaul, leveraging optical fibre to provide wireless mobile fronthaul connections, and to realise wireless data centre networks targeted at traffic bursts.\n \n Whilst significant progress has been achieved recently, the terahertz communication is still facing a number of fundamental challenges to meet future 6G and beyond requirements, which is predicted to be deployed by 2028-2030. Hence, this project will investigate key technologies in terahertz communications, including fundamental waveform design, advanced signal processing (both conventional and machine learning based), spatial domain MIMO principles, key device and transceiver integration, and intelligent resource allocation and network management. Large capacity, low power consumption and high reliability terahertz communication technologies are expected as the outcomes of this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Madhu Bhaskaran","title":"Wearable and nearable devices","description":"MOTIVATION\n Electronics that bend, twist, and stretch and merge with their environment represent the future of technology. With all pervasive devices interconnected through internet-of-things platforms, making devices unobtrusive is critical. Such technology can be applied to electronics, healthcare, and defence. This research project explores the incorporating of ultra-thin oxide films with elastomeric substrates. Combining inherently brittle oxides with stretchable polymers creates new functionality.\n This will be harnessed for a range of sensing technologies to monitor the environment and personal health.\n RESEARCH OUTCOMES\n The research program intends to create wearable sensor technologies. Focus areas include dangerous gas detection, ultra-violet exposure, physiological parameters, and biomarker tracking. Devices would measure such parameters and incorporate wireless technology that is either passive or active.\n CANDIDATE ACTIVITIES\n The research candidate would be expected to produce high quality research publications, actively participate in promoting their outcomes through the media (including social media), and develop strong research communication and commercialisation skills.\n RESEARCH TEAM\n The candidate would undertake their research with the Functional Materials and Microsystems research team and the ARC Industry Hub for Connected Sensors for Health. The team focusses on discoveries in materials science and device engineering at the convergence of electronics, applied physics, and physical chemistry. The Functional Materials and Microsystems research team brings together a diverse group of researchers with expertise in micro\/nanofabrication, thin films synthesis, materials characterisation, condensed matter physics, surface chemistry, and electronic engineering.\n RESEARCH FACILITIES\n The candidate with have access to the University\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s flagship research facilities \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the state-of-the-art $30 million Micro Nano Research Facility for thin film processing and cleanroom-based fabrication and the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility for materials characterisation. This will be complemented with extensive nanoelectronic device characterisation equipment in the Functional Materials and Microsystems Laboratory.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Madhu Bhaskaran","title":"Multi-stimuli thin films for tomorrow\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s electronics and optics","description":"MOTIVATION\n Multi-stimuli materials, as the name suggests, can be tuned using various stimuli including heat, electricity, light, and strain. One such example is a phase change material such as vanadium oxide which transforms from an insulator to conductor with heat or an external electric field. The potential to combine tuning approaches creates immense opportunities for observing never before seen phenomena in inorganic materials and such technology can be applied to electronics, optics, and defence.\n RESEARCH OUTCOMES\n The project will explore tunable thin films \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the deposition conditions of these films will be tailored to maximise performance. Various stimuli will be utilised to trigger the response, whose area dependence will also be studied and the outcomes could be used to tailor materials synthesis, the application of stimuli, and device design for maximum response and long-term stability and repeatability. Applications can be envisioned ranging from optics (smart contact lenses) to defence (UV and infrared-imaging arrays) to futuristic artificial intelligence (memories). \n CANDIDATE ACTIVITIES\n The research candidate would be expected to produce high quality research publications, actively participate in promoting their outcomes through the media (including social media), and develop strong research communication and commercialisation skills.\n RESEARCH TEAM\n The candidate would undertake their research within the Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group and ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS). TMOS aims to develop the next generation of smart and miniaturised optical systems and is committed to develop a multidisciplinary, dynamic, inclusive and collaborative culture fostering future research leaders who thrive in academic excellence and are equipped with strong transferable skills. As a PhD candidate, TMOS will provide you mentoring, networking, outreach career development opportunities as well as exposure to international and industry partners. \n RESEARCH FACILITIES\n The candidate with have access to the University\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s flagship research facilities \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the state-of-the-art Micro Nano Research Facility for thin film processing and cleanroom-based fabrication and the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility for materials characterisation. This will be complemented with access to advanced nanophotonic characterisation and electronic device characterisation equipment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"6G Mobile Cellular Edge Design and Security","description":"The project aims to design the 6G mobile cellular EDGE and to build security into the EDGE. The EDGE is the interface between core networks and the radio access network (RAN) in a mobile cellular network [1]. This is an exciting project that aims to achieve protocols and security for a key part of 6G networks. The research focus includes use cases, system architecture and enabling technologies for 6G EDGE deployment scenarios [2].\n The project will focus on innovative design and an approach that takes into account product and service delivery at the EDGE. The activities involved will include modelling, protocol design and integration of advanced encryption techniques including block-chain where appropriate.\n The 6G EDGE is a major point for aggregation and service injection to the RAN. There are significant challenges for 6G and the EDGE design encompasses intelligence, new routing and service delivery approaches, enhanced reliability, lower latency and overall efficiency [3].\n References:\n [1] Soldani, D., Shore, M., Mitchell, J., & Gregory, M. A. (2018). The 4G to 5G Network Architecture Evolution in Australia. Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, 6(4), 1-30. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18080\/jtde.v6n4.161\n [2] Niu, Z., (2019). Mobility-Enhanced Edge inTelligence (MEET) for 6G. 6G Wireless Summit. 26 March 2019. Online: https:\/\/www.6gsummit.com\/2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Day3_Session6_Niu_Tsinghua_University.pdf\n [3] Letaief, K.B., Chen. W., Shi, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y.A., (2019) The Roadmap to 6G: AI Empowered Wireless Networks, IEEE Communications Magazine. 57. 84-90. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/MCOM.2019.1900271","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"Next Generation Network Design and Capacity Planning","description":"This project will involve the modelling and analysis of wireless, mobile, satellite and fixed networks leading to the design of a next generation network design and capacity planning. The advancing need for high speed low latency traffic flows over carrier networks has highlighted the requirements for new design and capacity planning techniques that reduce the complexity of existing networks. The project will focus on new and innovative approaches to network design and capacity planning utilising an online environment and leading edge techniques. Techniques investigated include a connection oriented transport model that reduces the IP overhead, reduces latency and enhances traffic management and control by shifting to a Software Defined Networking (SDN) paradigm, 6G and wireless networking and connectivity and capacity planning for all fibre networking.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"Smart Telecommunication Networks and Data Aggregation, Arbitration and Security","description":"The project will model, analyse and design a communication network and management systems for smart cities [1]. The advent of the Internet of Things and the introduction of sensors, smart devices and other systems has meant that there is a need for new technologies, networks and systems to support telecommunications in smart cities, buildings and for vehicular networking as a focused research area of the work being carried out on smart cities [2][3].\n A key aspect of the myriad of devices being installed in smart cities and buildings is the management of the installation and operation of the communication network and the aggregation and secure arbitration of data distribution. There is a need to remove privacy related information prior to the data leaving the smart network and being distributed to the key stakeholders and this arbitration system must be able to aggregated traffic and work with multiple equipment vendors and carriers.\n The modelling and analysis will focus on traffic aggregation, arbitration and distribution between the Cloud, key stakeholders and the myriad of devices being connected to the network in smart cities [4]. The modelling and analysis outcomes should provide the basis for a smart city communication network design that utilizes the software defined networking paradigm.\n References:\n [1]. A. Zanella, N. Bui, A. Castellani, L. Vangelista and M. Zorzi, \"Internet of Things for Smart Cities,\" in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 22-32, Feb. 2014. doi: 10.1109\/JIOT.2014.2306328 [2]. J. Pan, R. Jain, S. Paul, T. Vu, A. Saifullah and M. Sha, \"An Internet of Things Framework for Smart Energy in Buildings: Designs, Prototype, and Experiments,\" in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 2, no. 6, pp. 527-537, Dec. 2015. doi: 10.1109\/JIOT.2015.2413397 [3]. Talari, S.; Shafie-khah, M.; Siano, P.; Loia, V.; Tommasetti, A.; Catal\u00c3\u00a3o, J.P.S. A Review of Smart Cities Based on the Internet of Things Concept. Energies 2017, 10, 421. [4]. Petrolo Riccardo, Loscr\u00c3\u00ac Valeria, and Mitton Nathalie (2017), Towards a smart city based on cloud of things, a survey on the smart city vision and paradigms, Trans. Emerging Tel. Tech., 28: e2931. doi:10.1002\/ett.2931","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"Smart Communication Networks","description":"This project will involve the modelling, analysis and design of communication networks for smart cities. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are expected to play a crucial role in the sustainable development of new urban environments [1]. There is a need for smart city communication networks that meet the requirements for technology-intensive cities.\n The project will focus on enhancing the efficient distribution of traffic within smart cities by designing a communication network model that satisfies the low latency, flexible traffic requirements that meet the needs of sensor networks, control systems, energy distribution and smart utility solutions.\n The idea of a smart city has been with us for a couple of decades and now we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re rapidly moving towards the implementation of a technological solution for the digital world in which we live today [1]. The expansion of smart devices into the urban environment is placing existing telecommunication networks under increasing pressure and the solution is the design and implementation of smart city communication networks that are able to provide the low latency and high traffic volumes expected as more discrete devices are connected to the network [3]. The modelling and analysis will focus on traffic aggregation and distribution between the Cloud and the myriad of devices being connected to the network in smart cities [4]. The modelling and analysis outcomes should provide the basis for a smart city communication network design that utilizes the software defined networking paradigm.\n References:\n [1]. Fabrice Theoleyre, Thomas Watteyne, Giuseppe Bianchi, Gurkan Tuna, V. Cagri Gungor, and Ai-Chun Pang. 2015. Networking and communications for smart cities special issue editorial. Comput. Commun. 58, C (March 2015), 1-3. DOI=https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.comcom.2015.02.001 [2]. Anthopoulos, L.G., (2015) Understanding the Smart City Domain: A Literature Review, M. P. Rodr\u00c3\u00adguez-Bol\u00c3\u00advar (ed.), Transforming City Governments for Successful Smart Cities, Public Administration and Information Technology 8, doi:10.1007\/978-3-319-03167-5_2 [3]. Talari, S.; Shafie-khah, M.; Siano, P.; Loia, V.; Tommasetti, A.; Catal\u00c3\u00a3o, J.P.S. A Review of Smart Cities Based on the Internet of Things Concept. Energies 2017, 10, 421. [4]. Petrolo Riccardo, Loscr\u00c3\u00ac Valeria, and Mitton Nathalie (2017), Towards a smart city based on cloud of things, a survey on the smart city vision and paradigms, Trans. Emerging Tel. Tech., 28: e2931. doi:10.1002\/ett.2931","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shuo Li","title":"6G Mobile Cellular Design","description":"Moving to the intelligent digital world in the near future requires reliable data connectivity. Mobile networks, which are called data highways, are needed to connect everything in the intelligent digital world, which includes connecting people to sensors, data, cloud services, vehicles and any other digital devices. The currently deploying fifth-generation wireless networks may be unable to meet the full connectivity and unlimited bandwidth demands of the future digital society [1]. 6G networks, which are said to be emerged around 2030, are expected to provide performance superior to 5G and satisfy the requirements of the intelligent digital world [2]. This project aims to design new architecture and protocols for the 6G cellular network to meet new challenges, e.g. frequencies up to terahertz, unlimited bandwidth, microsecond latency [3] and the high demand for EDGE computing [2].\n \n The research focus includes enabling technologies for 6G EDGE deployment [2], use case and stem architecture design for 6G networks and new performance models for 6G networks. The activities involved will include modelling, protocol design and integration of advanced encryption techniques, including block-chain where appropriate.\n \n \n \n \n References:\n [1] M. Giordani, M. Polese, M. Mezzavilla, S. Rangan and M. Zorzi, \"Toward 6G Networks: Use Cases and Technologies,\" in IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 55-61, March 2020. \n [2] Niu, Z., (2019). Mobility-Enhanced Edge inTelligence (MEET) for 6G. 6G Wireless Summit. 26 March 2019. Online: http:\/\/www.6gsummit.com\/2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Day3_Session6_Niu_Tsinghua_University.pdf\n [3] Letaief, K.B., Chen. W., Shi, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y.A., (2019) The Roadmap to 6G: AI Empowered Wireless Networks, IEEE Communications Magazine. 57. 84-90. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/MCOM.2019.1900271","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wayne Rowe","title":"Meta-atoms and Meta-surfaces, including Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and Frequency-selective surfaces (FSS)","description":"Meta-surfaces are thin planar surfaces comprising array of specifically engineered subwavelength elements (called Meta-atoms). They are commonly utilized to customize the electromagnetic fields and wave propagation response to suit a particular guiding, transmission or reflection scenario. The numerous advantages of employing metasurfaces in microwave engineering have been exploited over the past few years. However, there is still keen interest in the investigation of meta-atoms\/meta-surfaces to enable unique methods of frequency selective beam shaping and scanning for integrated antenna and guiding structures [1, 2]. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) will become a key component deployed in beyond 5G and 6G wireless communication systems. The split-ring resonator (SRR) is a popular building block of metamaterial-based resonant devices in the microwave regime [3, 4].\n Your research will investigate novel advanced meta-atom and meta-surface structures for applications in the microwave, millimeter wave and terahertz regimes. The work will leverage off advanced fabrication facilities at RMIT, namely the MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) and the new Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) capability. Applications in the communications space (for example, beyond 5G and 6G devices and systems), sensors and sensing system, defence and biomedical fields are all possible avenues for exploration.\n \n References:\n [1] Asif Ahmed, Md. Rokunuzzaman Robel, and Wayne S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Reconfigurable Dual-Beam Lensing Utilizing an EBG-Based Anisotropic Impedance Surface\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. 68, Iss. 1, 2020.\n [2] Asif Ahmed, Md. Rokunuzzaman Robel, and Wayne S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dual-Band Two-Sided Beam Generation Utilizing an EBG-Based Periodically Modulated Metasurface\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 68, Iss. 4, 2020.\n [3] R. A. Awang, T. Baum, M. Nasabi, S. Sriram, W. S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mechanically Tolerant Fluidic Split Ring Resonators\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 25, pp. 075023, 2016.\n [4] I. E. Khodasevych, G. Kostovski, W. S. T. Rowe and A. Mitchell, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nonlinear microwave metamaterial resonators using gravitational restoring force realized on a microfabricated perforated substrate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Applied Physics Letters, vol. 105, 181908, 2014.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wayne Rowe","title":"Flexible and Wearable Communications Devices, Antennas and Circuits Utilising Novel Materials","description":"The revenue of flexible electronics has estimated to be USD$30 billion in 2017 and over USD$300 billion by 2028 [1]. Advantages of being lightweight, low-cost and straightforward fabrication, and the availability of inexpensive flexible substrates such as paper, textiles, and polymers make flexible electronic devices and systems an ideal choice for next generation of consumer electronics. \n The efficiency of flexible radio frequency (RF) communication and sensing systems is highly dependent on the characteristics of the integrated antenna and passive RF components. The nature of these flexible\/wearable wireless technologies requires the implementation of light weight, compact, and low profile antennas and RF devices that are tolerant to mechanical manipulation [2-4]. In addition, flexible\/wearable devices may need to exhibit mechanical characteristics such as conformability, stretchability, and reversible deformity, as well as eliminating the need for external electronic wiring and interconnections. \n Your research will investigate novel RF devices and structures for applications in the high frequency telecommunication, biomedical, and defence applications in the wearable and flexible technology fields. The work will leverage off the advanced fabrication facilities of the MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) or the advanced 3D structural fabrication technologies of RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s new Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) capability to create novel RF or microwave devices, circuits and antennas.\n \n References:\n [1] J. Hu, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Overview of Flexible Electronics from ITRI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Viewpoint,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d VLSI Test Symposium (VTS), pp.19-22, 2010.\n [2] Robiatun A Awang, Thomas Baum, Kyle J Berean, Pyshar Yi, Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, Sharath Sriram, Wayne ST Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Elastomeric composites for flexible microwave substrates\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 119, Iss. 12, 124109, 2016.\n [3] R. A. Awang, T. Baum, M. Nasabi, S. Sriram, W. S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mechanically Tolerant Fluidic Split Ring Resonators\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 25, pp. 075023, 2016.\n [4] R. A. Awang, F. J. Tovar-Lopez, T. Baum, S. Sriram, W. S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Meta-atom microfluidic sensor for measurement of dielectric properties of liquids\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 121, 094506, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wayne Rowe","title":"Wireless Power Transfer for Biomedical applications","description":"Bioelectronic medicine is a novel and emerging approach to treat and diagnose disease and injury. It is believed that therapy of the future will employ heat, light, electricity and agents yet unknown, and toxic drugs shall cede their place to physical agents. Hence, future medical treatment will be based on electroceuticals rather than pharmaceuticals. It is possible that instead of prescriptions for chemical molecules doctors will prescribe specific frequencies, voltages and currents!\n \n Miniature implantable electronic devices will play increasing roles in modern medicine (e.g. [1]). In order to implement these devices successfully with minimal intrusion, Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology is proposed as it provides an alternative to a battery as the energy source. It also can substantially reduce the size of the implant, allowing the implant to be placed in a restricted space within the body, reduce both medical costs and chances of complications, and eliminates repeated surgeries for battery replacements.\n \n References:\n [1] Robert A. Gaunt and Arthur Prochazka, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Transcutaneously Coupled, High-Frequency\n Electrical Stimulation of the Pudendal Nerve Blocks External Urethral Sphincter Contractions\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 23 No. 6, 2009, pp. 615-626.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongxiang Li","title":"Advanced 2D Piezoelectric Materials and Micro-Nano-Devices","description":"The emergence of piezoelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) nanocrystals are now more than just a theoretical curiosity, as very recently mechanical to electric field transformation has been experimentally demonstrated. This project aims to establish a new paradigm for 2D piezoelectric and ferroelectric theory; to discover 2D nanocrystals with the highest piezoelectricity, and multi-functionalize the materials via doping and tailoring of the structures. The project will design, model, and fabricate NanoElectroMechanical Systems (NEMS) based on new ferroelectric\/piezoelectric 2D materials in the Micro Nano Research Facility (MNRF) which supports research and training in micro and nano-scale materials, devices and integrated systems, by providing access to state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure and expert technical and development staff. The MNRF provides capability and capacity for research, fabrication, characterisation, integration and packaging of chips, sensors, functionalised materials and devices. The PhD project is available for students interested in undertaking cutting-edge research into new 2D materials preparations, piezoelectric properties and Micro-Nano-Devices as part of ARC DP project, working in a multidisciplinary team in physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongxiang Li","title":"3D printed piezoelectric structures and applications for sensors and actuators","description":"Piezoelectricity also called the piezoelectric effect, is the ability of certain materials to generate a voltage when subjected to mechanical stress or vibration, or inversely to vibrate when subjected to an electric field. Piezoelectric materials have become of great interest across many different industries (medical diagnosis, non-destructive testing, sonar underwater communications etc.) due to their capability of ultrasound sensors, actuators, and energy harvesters. Normally, widely used piezoelectric materials are bulk ceramic, crystals, and polymers. \n \n Making custom complex geometries with piezo-materials can be almost impossible to achieve through conventional fabrication methods. The recently emerging approach to this issue is to fabricate complex ceramic\/polymer parts with Additive Manufacturing (AM). A wide array of smart materials and devices has been fabricated in recent years using AM, such as shape memory polymers, polymer-carbon mechanical nanocomposites, ceramic-polymer dielectric composites, and electrically conductive polymer-carbon nanocomposites.\n \n This project is to use ink-jet and aerosol-jet printers to fabricate complex piezoelectric devices. The objectives are 1) Design and simulate 3D structures and the piezoelectric response by software, like COMSOL Multiphysics; 2) Fabricate designed 3D structural devices by the 3D printers; 3) test the mechanical properties, electric properties, and design devices used for sensors and actuators; 4) Conduct microstructure characterisation, and analyse the structures and performances of piezoelectric materials, to clarify the relationship between the 3D structures, deformation and elasticity, piezoelectric coefficient, dielectric constant, acoustic impedance and other parameters of the materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongxiang Li","title":"2D material based gas sensor arrays and AI-enabled sensing systems","description":"Two-dimensional (2D) materials have enabled significant leaps in gas-sensing applications over the past few decades. They are used to make gas sensors operating at room temperature, to detect several gases in low concentration, such as ethanol, methanol, ammonia, acetone, NO2, H2S, CO, and other volatile organic compounds (VOC). Different synthesis methods have been studied for 2D gas sensing materials. The gas sensor arrays can be fabricated by microfabrication technology, which provides vast opportunities to develop electronic noses and tongues for the applications of environmental monitoring, food and beverage monitoring, medical diagnosis etc. \n \n  This project is to study an electronic nose platform embedded with 2D semiconducting materials sensor arrays, to detect gases in real-time with high sensitivity and gas performance at room temperature; combined with AI (Artificial Intelligent) meta-learning algorithms that can be continually trained to overcome selectivity. The objectives of this project are 1) to use semiconducting and LTCC technology to design and fabricate a gas sensor array with a micro-heater; 2) to compare CNN (convolutional neural networks) deep learning to PCA (Principal component analysis) or KNN (k-nearest neighbour) algorithms; 3) to test gas sensing performances of the devices.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alberto Peruzzo","title":"Photonic quantum computing","description":"We seek an outstanding and enthusiastic PhD candidate to work in photonic quantum computation at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T). CQC2T, the flagship organisation for Australian research in quantum computing, comprises eight Australian Universities and more than 30 international partner organisations. Following our recent success in demonstrating high-fidelity, chip-scale optical quantum information processing, this project will extend the work to multi-qubit devices with novel control capabilities. The candidates will design, develop and measure multi-qubit devices, where they will learn a wide range of techniques from single atom manipulation, device processing and optical measurements at cryogenic temperatures. The candidates will work as part of a dedicated team of researchers in this world-leading group. References:\n [1]. A Peruzzo, J McClean, P Shadbolt, et al, Nature Communications 5:4213 (2014)","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell","title":"Lab-on-a-Chip devices for early ovarian cancer diagnosis","description":"Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer. Every year, it takes the life of around 1,800 Australian women, and a quarter of a million worldwide. The reality is that, for every woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 70% will discover they are in an advanced state, and only 25% of these women will survive beyond five years. There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer.23 Symptoms of ovarian cancer are very vague and are generally mistakenly attributed to common female complaints, dramatically delaying its diagnosis. The only reliable diagnostic method requires the performance of very invasive biopsies during surgery that, when positive, is followed by intense chemotherapy with no time for recovery. The fact is that this terrible experience does not guarantee their complete recovery. In 90% of the cases, many women will realise that the cancer has come back within the next 18 months, with an inevitable and fatal outcome. This project aims to create new lab-on-a-chip technologies that can diagnose ovarian cancer at the early stages, when it is most curable. We will use specific circulating protein and DNA methylation biomarkers, originated from ovarian cancer cells and\/or immune cells. We are interested in immune biomarkers from blood as a growing body of evidence suggests that immune status determines OC formation, progression and resistance to chemotherapy. We will also determine epigenetic alterations (DNA methylation), in cell-free DNA from blood, given such changes can be detectable even before malignancy occurs. We aim to create accurate, user-friendly, cost-effective and scalable blood sampling lab-on-a-chip devices, for widespread routine ovarian cancer testing at the point of care, to enable practical monitoring, earlier diagnosis and better patient outcomes.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Adaptive Wireless Communication Techniques for Energy-Efficient Next-Generation Networks","description":"This project explores radio wave propagation and data transmission in intelligent wireless environments, with a focus on leveraging next-generation 6G technologies. The objective is to enhance energy efficiency and ensure ultra-reliable, high-speed wireless communication in 6G networks through advanced implementations of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. As these technologies evolve, accurate modeling and performance analysis become essential. The project will integrate concepts from electromagnetic wave theory, information theory, and machine learning to develop innovative models that optimise intelligent wireless networks. These advancements aim to provide sustainable and efficient wireless connectivity solutions for mobile, autonomous, and IoT systems. \n\n[1] M. Di Renzo, A. Zappone, M. Debbah, M.-S. Alouini, C. Yuen, J. de Rosny, and S. Tretyakov, \u201cSmart radio environments empowered by reconfigurable intelligent surfaces: How it works, state of research, and the road ahead,\u201d IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 38, no. 11, pp. 2450\u20132525, 2020.\n\n[2] T. Gong, P. Gavriilidis, R. Ji, C. Huang, G. C. Alexandropoulos, L. Wei, Z. Zhang, M. Debbah, H. V. Poor, and C. Yuen, \u201cHolographic MIMO communications: Theoretical foundations, enabling technologies, and future directions,\u201d IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, pp. 1\u20131, 2023.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400608 Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sumeet Walia","title":"Artificial neural networks for versatile applications","description":"Project advertised below:","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aonghus McNabola, Vikram Garaniya","title":"PhD in Advancing the Control of Air Pollution in Cities","description":"Air pollution poses a significant risk to public health worldwide and is known \nto be responsible for the premature death of 6.8 million people per annum. \nExposure to high levels of air pollution can commonly occur in cities, in indoor \nenvironments and in transport settings. This project will employ CFD modelling \nto advance knowledge on the control of air pollution in cities incorporating \ngreen infrastructure, and building and city ventilation concepts. The project \nwill also examine the interaction of urban heat island with these air pollution \ncontrol measures.\n\nThe project will involve modelling of the dispersion of air pollution in cities \nwith a view to reducing exposure to air pollution in indoor and outdoor \nenvironments. \n\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"13 - Climate Action\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401101 Air Pollution Modelling & Control (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Jue Hou, Biplob Pramanik, Felicity Roddick","title":"Algal Membrane Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery","description":"Nutrients (e.g., N and P) in wastewater are valuable resources which should be reclaimed. It is also essential to remove them from wastewater to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge, e.g., N <10 mg\/L and P <0.5 mg\/L for Victorian inland water bodies (EPA Victoria 1995). Algae can be used for wastewater treatment and resource recovery by taking up N and P, and removing chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) including pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the wastewater. However, this technology can be limited by the low concentration of algal cells in the system, and the difficulty in separating the tiny sized cells after the treatment. To maintain high cell concentrations and achieve high separation efficiency, algal bioreactors may be integrated with membranes, i.e., a algal membrane bioreactors (AMBRs). This project aims to develop an algal membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment and resource recovery through the assessment of the influence of various process variables and process optimisation. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410 Wastewater treatment processes (60%)\n400409 Separation\u00a0technologies (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mhammad Aminpour","title":"Enhancing Infrastructure Safety with AI and Geotechnical Engineering","description":"This PhD project is designed for individuals eager to merge artificial intelligence (AI) with geotechnical engineering to bolster the safety of essential infrastructure. The project will focus on developing robust prediction models for slope stability and other geotechnical failures in critical structures such as roads, railways, pipelines, slopes, and tailing dams, which face increasing risks from natural disasters and climate change. \n\nBy harnessing cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies, alongside concepts of soil variability and geotechnical uncertainty, candidates will work on improving soil analysis and geomechanics to forecast and mitigate potential failures.  Join us to contribute to a safer, more sustainable approach to urban development through innovative research at the intersection of AI, climate science, and civil engineering.\n\nCandidate Profile: This opportunity is perfect for candidates with backgrounds in geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, and those interested in programming and machine learning, who are driven to apply these skills to address pressing challenges in infrastructure resilience.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400502 - Civil geotechnical engineering (50%)\n401102        Environmentally sustainable engineering (25%)\n461104        Neural networks (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nick Brown","title":"Creating Engaging Engineering Education at Scale","description":"Commencements in Bachelor of Engineering degrees have been steadily increasing in Australia over   the past few decades. At the same time, the use of asynchronous learning materials has increased most recently driven by the development of significant online learning resources during mandated closure of campuses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in use of video-based learning resources has led to guidance on how to make educational videos engaging. Less well investigated are the mechanisms to identify, capture, and present relevant video resources. Videos and online learning play only a small part in the overall student learning journey and experience. The opportunity exists to examine how engaging learning environments can be created to teach engineering in higher education with specific attention to asynchronous learning and large cohort sizes.  \n\nThis topic is for researchers wanting to push the boundaries of engineering education, investigating the use of simulations and scenario-based learning, service learning, experiential learning and blended learning. The researcher should look at both learner and teacher attitudes towards engineering higher education understanding where there are similarities and where there are differences. Case studies could include looking at the use of software in the classroom and the perceptions of the mindset or the skillset to use it. Researchers would look at verifying any findings in large cohort courses with over 1,000 enrolled students. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"401002 Engineering Education (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nick Brown","title":"Water, Sanitation and Hygiene solutions for Complex Contexts","description":"The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG\u2019S) provide a framework with which to achieve universal access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH). Whilst huge achievements are being made, current rates of progress need to quadruple for everyone to have safely managed WaSH services by 2030. Not everyone lives in places where conventional WaSH engineering infrastructure and services are appropriate, for example due to high groundwater, flood affected land or households that do not have land tenure. In these \u2018complex contexts\u2019 an even greater increase in rates of progress is required to achieve SDG6. Multiple complexities that intersect and compound often create challenges for these households and communities. Over simplification of the complexity, as well as failure to understand the interconnectedness of complexities, has resulted in WaSH interventions that have been inappropriate. RMIT\u2019s Humanitarian Engineering Lab has established an approach for WASH programs to begin unpacking intersecting complexities, see https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0043135421011039.\nThis project will build on the intersecting complexities approach by evaluating the effectiveness of engineered WaSH solutions in a variety of complex contexts; study sites may include informal settlements, flood plains, peri-urban environments etc. Researchers should come to the project with a context that they are interested in studying or a particular theme (e.g., decentralised waste water treatment). Depending on the context, part of the project will be spent in that context.\nThis project would be suitable to WaSH engineers or development practitioners familiar with WaSH interventions who have relevant experience. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"401006 Humanitarian Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi, Pier Marzocca, Vincenzo Muscarello","title":"INTELLIGENT POWER AND MISSION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC AIR MOBILITY","description":"The project will be conducted in collaboration with RMIT and Khalifa University. The growing demand for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) services, including both Urban and Regional Air Mobility (UAM\/RAM) modes, offers several opportunities but also entails challenges towards achieving carbon neutrality. Most UAM\/RAM concepts are based on highly automated and autonomous Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, which often exhibit poor energy management, even when implementing the most recent technical solutions and Hybrid-Electric (HE) propulsive configurations. Significant research gaps exist in intelligent power\/propulsion management and associated fault detection and recovery functions, hindering HE-VTOL aircraft's safety, efficiency, and sustainability in UAM and RAM operations. This project addresses these challenges by designing and developing Intelligent Health and Mission Management (IHMM) functionality for the Intelligent Power and Mission Management System (IPMS). The project will also involve the simulation and verification of the system.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"13 - Climate Action\",\"17 - Partnerships for the Goals\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2028-12-30","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350902 Intelligent mobility (40%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks, and systems (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"MR216P23\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hua Qian Ang, Wenqian Gan","title":"Reimagining Engineering Education for Industry 5.0: Developing T-Shaped Skills to Meet the Challenges of a Rapidly Evolving Global Landscape","description":"This research seeks to investigate the significant challenges faced by engineering educators worldwide in light of rapid technological advancements, increasing globalisation, evolving work environments, and shifting societal expectations. These factors are reshaping the nature of professional engineering work, requiring a rethinking of educational practices. As we enter the era of Industry 5.0, which prioritises human-centered design and innovation, there is a growing need to adapt engineering education to focus on developing T-shaped skills [1] in students\u2014combining deep technical expertise with broader, interdisciplinary capabilities such as communication, collaboration, and creativity. This study is aimed at researchers looking to push the boundaries of engineering education by critically examining the current flaws and limitations within existing engineering curricula, identifying barriers that hinder the development of these essential graduate attributes, and proposing new, innovative pedagogical approaches. Ultimately, the goal is to create a framework for engineering programs that better prepares students to navigate and excel in the rapidly evolving demands of the global engineering landscape.\nReferences:  Crosthwaite C. Engineering Futures 2035 Engineering Education Programs, Priorities & Pedagogies. Australian Council of Engineering Deans (ACED) report, 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390101: Creative arts, media and communication curriculum and pedagogy\n390102: Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development\n390113: Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy\n390303: Higher education\n390407: Inclusive education\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)\/ DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu, Liuping Wang","title":"HCMC Traffic Simuation for Improved Air Quality: A Novel Approach","description":"Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) faces severe air quality challenges due to rapid urbanisation and a growing vehicle fleet. Vehicle emissions significantly contribute to pollution, posing health risks to the population. While policies aim to improve air quality, the city's complex urban layout complicates traffic management.\n\nThis project will leverage data from over 600 live-feed traffic cameras to develop Al computer vision algorithms that extract insights such as traffic density, vehicle types, and driver behaviour. These insights will parameterise urban traffic simulations (using tools like VISSIM or SUMO), integrated with vehicle emission models, to assess emission reduction strategies.\n\nFocusing on key intersections, the project will simulate road layouts, signage, and vehicle types to facilitate generation of realistic drive cycles. Emission models will evaluate the impact of various changes in infrastructure and vehicle composition, providing actionable insights into mitigation strategies. This research aims to support sustainable urban planning and enhance public health through data-driven policy recommendations\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n373701 Atmospheric Sciences (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (30%)\n464601 Applied Computing (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu, Liuping Wang","title":"Digital twin model development for fleet management of automated guided vehicles in indoor applications","description":"Digital twin technology is recognised as a groundbreaking and indispensable tool for smart manufacturing, which utilises the advanced technology from emerging domains of robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet of Things. In the context of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) used widely used in indoor applications such as manufacturing or farming, a digital twin is a virtual replica that leverages data and simulation to enable real-time prediction, optimization, monitoring, control, and enhanced decision-making processes.\n\nThe aim of this PhD project is to develop and optimise a digital twin to enhance the performance of the fleet of AGVs in operation, which ultimately increases the safety and quality of automation process. The project's core focus is on developing a digital twin\u2014a dynamic and real-time simulation that accurately represents the vehicle's physical characteristics and operational processes of multiple vehicles. This advanced model incorporates real-time data on system performance resulting in helpful insights to facilitate data-drive decisions on AGV management. The impact of the project includes cost efficiency, energy efficiency, safety, and advancement in digital twin technology. This research project has potential applications in smart manufacturing and smart farming, where automated guided vehicle or ground mobile robots are widely\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (30%)\n404007 Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi","title":"Real-time anomaly detection, fault diagnosis and forecasting for railway asset fleet monitoring","description":"The project aims to develop unsupervised ML (Machine Learning) methods for anomaly detection in the fleet time series data to identify unknown and unlabelled train issues. Currently, Downer's fleets output millions of data signals that are either unused or unrelated to the faults that arise. This project will entail: Developing real-time anomaly detection techniques capable of handling streaming data and dataset shifts. Through the development of these techniques, the ability to forecast and prevent future faults from occurring. Furthermore, the methods can incorporate inputs by a fleet\/maintenance engineer into ML-based training and data analytics, which will provide algorithmic transparency, allowing decision-makers to have faith and confidence in the recommendations made by the ML\/AI algorithms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"350902        Intelligent mobility (405)\n461106        Semi- and unsupervised learning (30%)\n460206        Knowledge representation and reasoning  (30%)\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        \n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Crash Dynamics Simulation: Enhancing Bus Safety and Occupant Survival Strategies","description":"An industry-linked PhD project with very competitive scholarship, open to Australian candidates, with possibility of post-doctoral employment at one of the largest crash test facilities in the southern hemisphere. You will examine world's best practice in Bus Safety, develop recommendations for enhanced safety on Australian roads, and simulation modeling and digital twins of bus and seat structures, seatbelt and safety systems for industry. This is an opportunity\nto directly contribute to saving lives and reducing injury levels.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401706 Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation (70%)\n400204 Automotive safety engineering (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Electronic High-Speed Pre-Tension System for a Seatbelt Retractor","description":"An industry-linked PhD project with very competitive scholarship, open to Australian candidates, with possibility of post-doctoral employment at a globally recognised company for innovation and\npassive safety systems. You will examine the design and development of an advanced seatbelt pre-tensioner with electric motor drive including control and power modules to provide superior levels of passenger safety in motor vehicles, transport, industrial and mining applications. This is an opportunity to directly contribute to saving lives and reducing injury levels.\n\nEnjoy free education plus annual tax-free stipend of $51,535 for your living expenses. Work at a world top-100 ranked engineering school and one of the world\u2019s leading Safety Specialists in Seatbelt and Occupant Restraint design, APV Safety Products, from their Australian manufacturing facilities supporting this exciting R&D project. Receive continuous mentorship from the best in academia and industry.\n\nEnjoy a 12-week training program by an external service provider that will enhance\nyour industry engagement and collaboration skills.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400705 Control engineering (80%)\n400905 Electronic instrumentation (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang, Yingyan Zhang, Henin Zhang, Shaoyu Zhao","title":"Smart and sustainable metaconcrete composite structures","description":"Conventional concrete structures ensure the safety and reliability of infrastructures, but they are inadequate in meeting sustainable requirements. Thus, developing advanced smart and sustainable concrete structures with multi-functionalities and mechanical tunability is a crucial scheme for reimagining traditional civil engineering structures. This project aims to develop origami-enabled multifunctional metamaterial concrete composite structures with energy harvesting, self-sensing, and self-healing functions. Origami structures are used to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete, such as flexibility, strength, and energy absorption. By integrating smart materials or nanomaterials, the composites can respond to external stimuli, achieving smartness and multifunctionality. The design offers innovative solutions for the next-generation green and sustainable engineering structures.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 (40%), 401706 (20%), 400510 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang","title":"Origami engineered carbon nanotube based metamaterials","description":"Carbon nanotubes have attracted extensive research interest due to their outstanding mechanical, thermal, and electric properties. To expand their range of applications and overcome their shortcomings such as brittleness and low-dimensional features, many engineering strategies have been proposed to modify their properties. Origami engineering not only results in interesting architectures, but also enables a design platform for developing advanced metamaterials with novel mechanical properties, such as increased stretchability, negative Poisson\u2019s ratio, and multistability. This project aims to develop novel origami-based carbon nanotube metamaterials that will achieve high energy absorption, buckling control, and increased flexibility. Such novel metamaterials will have many important engineering applications in various industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401706 (50%); 401707 (30%); 401702 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu","title":"Electric Motorbike Battery-Swap System Optimisation for Sustainability and the Creation of a Circular Economy","description":"With 8.5 million motorcycles (89% of the vehicle fleet), electrification in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) offers significant potential to improve air quality and public health. However, deploying charging infrastructure presents challenges, particularly given the city's limited space and electrical infrastructure. Battery-swap systems-where users exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones-offer a promising solution. This project focuses on designing and optimising such a system tailored to HCMC's unique needs, ensuring battery longevity and exploring circular economy opportunities for repurposing or recycling used batteries.\n\nThe first phase of the project will use digital-twin simulations and battery-aging models to optimise deployment strategies, balancing battery use across diverse duty cycles to maximise their lifespan. The second phase will explore technologies to enable a circular economy, using synthetic data to predict recycling and redeployment yields specific to HCMC's conditions. A new battery design will be proposed to align with local capabilities and future recycling requirements, fostering sustainable urban electrification.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"404017 Mechanical Engineering (40%)\n464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (20%)\n404007 Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Rosengarten","title":"Using Biomimetic Microfluidics to Test Novel Anti-Thrombotic Therapy","description":"Myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke remain leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. This PhD project is part of a large NHMRC-funded initiative aiming to develop engineered drugs that specifically inhibit clotting at pathological thrombus formation sites, thus eliminating the risk of major bleeding complications associated with generic anticoagulant therapies.\nProject Objectives:\n1.        Design and Testing of Biomimetic Microfluidic Systems:\no        Utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to design microfluidic layouts that replicate the diverse stenosis geometries observed in vivo.\no        Fabricate the selected microfluidic designs in RMIT\u2019s cleanroom facilities.\no        Test the functional performance of these designs using micro particle image velocimetry (\u03bcPIV).\n2.        Integration of Machine Learning for Experimental Optimization:\no        Employ machine learning and AI to optimize the experimental parameter space, minimizing the need for extensive experimental variations.\n3.        Validation with Real Blood Samples:\no        Conduct testing of microfluidic chips with real blood samples in collaboration with Monash University.\no        Generalize findings across various thrombotic conditions to enhance the applicability of results.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"401202 50%, 401203 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Stuart Bateman","title":"Data-driven design of functional paint surfaces ","description":"The PhD project will focus on the development of functional surfaces, with a specific emphasis on the domain of paint technology on creating a material that bestows omniphobicity to surface, which could possibly be in the form of an additive to a coating or a coating itself. This will be derived using data-driven approaches. The investigation strives to harness the capabilities of machine learning and advanced experimental techniques to systematically optimize the formulation and therefore characteristics of paint surface chemistry and morphology to deliver functional attributes such as omniophobic to control contamination, and enhanced resistance to environmental factors for improved durability. \n\nMost contaminants, a surface is exposed to will be either hydrophilic or lipophilic (hydrophobic) in nature. A surface\u2019s ability to repel these contaminants will be influenced by its chemistry. A surface that is hydrophilic will repel lipophilic materials and vice-versa. Therefore, a surface that can resist both hydrophilic and lipophilic contaminants, i.e. is omniphobic is desired.\n\nCurrently, omniphobicity can be bestowed upon a surface using per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, these substances can be extremely hazardous and are progressively being banned. Therefore, there is need for new types of materials that can bestow surfaces with omniphobic properties without being hazardous.\n\nIn addition to resisting contaminants, omniphobic surfaces may also have the potential to possess dry-film antimicrobial properties. Typically, the mode of action for antimicrobial chemicals (or biocides) is to destroy the relevant microbe, e.g. bacteria and fungi. Whilst these biocides are effective, since they are designed to destroy living organisms, they are usually hazardous to humans as well. An omniphobic coating will not actively destroy microbes however, its surface properties will result in bacteria and fungi not being able to adhere hence they cannot establish colonies. This prevention of adhesion is how omniphobic coatings can derive their antimicrobial behaviour.\n\nThrough this multidisciplinary approach that incorporates principles from materials science, computer-aided design, and machine learning, the project seeks to redefine conventional paradigms governing surface design within the paint industry, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable coating solutions. Ultimately, the outcomes of this research hold the potential to influence other industrial sectors, offering novel perspectives on the intersection of data-driven methodologies and functional surface design. \n\nReferences \n1. Le, Epa, Burden, Winkler, Quantitative structure-property relationship modelling of diverse materials proper\udbc0\udd9fes, Chemical Reviews 112 (5), 2889-2919, 2012 \n2. Le, Winkler, Discovery and optimization of materials using evolutionary approaches, Chemical Reviews 116 (10), 6107-6132, 2016 \n3. Le, Penna, Winkler, Yarovsky, Quantitative design rules for protein-resistant surface coatings using machine learning, Scientific Reports 9 (1), 265, 2019 \n4. Salahinejad, Le, Winkler, Aqueous solubility prediction: do crystal lattice interactions help?, Molecular Pharmaceutics 10 (7), 2757-2766, 2013 \n5. Le, Yin, Chen, Chen, Zhao, Casey, Chen, Winkler, An experimental and computational approach to the development of ZnO nanoparticles that are safe by design, Small 12 (26), 3568-3577, 2016 ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"4016 Materials Engineering (40%)\n3407 Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (40%)\n3403 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Milan Simic","title":"Artificial Intelligence Based Digital Transformation of Railway Systems\n","description":"Purpose of this research is the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in railway systems and development of AI models for this digital transformation. AI powered Intelligent Railway System (IRS) will be used, in the near future, to manage and optimise railway transport. Research in AI applications in railway has increased in recent years. For example, artificial neural networks, computer vision and data mining are the main AI-based technologies seen to be able to solve railway maintenance problems such as track, rolling stock and infrastructure maintenance. In addition to maintenance, AI application in railway scheduling is another important research area. Regular railway schedule can be interrupted due to incidents such as equipment failure, or due to planned railway line occupation. Travellers will need to decide on whether they will continue their trip using an alternative train line, use a different transport option, or cancel their trip all together. Many factors will contribute to this decision, including the availability of the alternative transport option, the criticality of the trip to the traveller, or the cost and time penalty the alternative transport option will come with. Any of those decisions will have a different impact on the railway and on the overall transport system. In summary, predictive maintenance, infrastructure monitoring, traffic monitoring and management, IRS safety, passenger experience, optimal energy management, and finally autonomous trains are subsystems of IRS. Development of a comprehensive IRS model based on AI is the main objective of the proposed research. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350902        Intelligent mobility (25%)\n350907        Rail transportation and freight services (30%)\n400703        Autonomous vehicle systems (10%)\n460207        Modelling and simulation (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maciej Mazur","title":"Additive manufacture of mechanical springs","description":"Springs are common functional devices used in a broad range of applications requiring the elastic storage of mechanical energy. The traditional manufacture of springs often requires special tooling which may limit the manufacturability of spring geometry (and thereby the mechanical response), the minimum economic order quantity, or the lead time. These constraints impose restrictions which may compromise design optimisation, prototyping agility and cost for low batch quantifies. Additive manufacturing techniques such as Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) are able to manufacture a broad range of complex part geometries in low batch quantities without the need for special tools and may provide an opportunity to address the limitations of traditional spring manufacture. It is foreseen that the L-PBF manufactured spring may fulfill a niche for low-volume, low-cycle springs which may offer unique mechanical properties, short lead time and the ability for direct integration into other components. However, L-PBF provides a range of unique challenges such as: manufacturable limits of overhanging geometry, high residual stress, unique microstructural properties, porosity defects and comparatively rough surface finish. These challenges may impose restrictions on the feasible spring geometry, mechanical properties, and fatigue life. However, to date no comprehensive study has been published which documents the effectiveness of L-PBF spring manufacture and this project aims to address this knowledge gap. This project will investigate: \n- L-PBF Manufacture of conventional coil springs and experimental measurement of the manufacturing fidelity, mechanical properties and fatigue life. The measured results will be compared to theoretically predicted values and to traditionally manufactured springs. \n- Methods of improving the performance of L-PBF springs through geometry or manufacturing parameter modification, heat treatment or surface modifications to reduce surface roughness. \n-  The potential of L-PBF manufacture of unique springs design geometries not feasible with conventional manufacturing ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"1401401 Additive manufacturing (50%)\n401607 Metals and alloy materials (25%)\n401706 Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lucy Lunevich","title":"Decarbonisation Strategy and Business Models","description":"This project is proposed to develop a Greenhouse Emission Model for specific country using economic parameters. In recent years, renewable energy technologies have undergone a vertiginous development. There are also much of confusions what drives investments into the renewable technologies. The prices have dropped significantly, while at the same time the installed capacity of renewable energy technologies has increased strongly. New, interesting questions arise this change, primary focused on the integration and the interaction of the renewable energy technologies in the system. How will the energy as a whole develop? How different technologies be combined in order to optimally cover the need for energy? ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310301 Behavioural ecology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lucy Lunevich","title":"Technology-Economic Assessment of Energy Technologies ","description":"This project is proposed to develop a Greenhouse Emission Model for specific country or industry using economic parameters. In recent years, renewable energy technologies have undergone a vertiginous development. There are also much of confusions what drives investments into the renewable technologies. The prices have dropped significantly, while at the same time the installed capacity of renewable energy technologies has increased strongly. New, interesting questions arise this change, primary focused on the integration and the interaction of the renewable energy technologies in the system. How will the energy as a whole develop? How different technologies be combined in order to optimally cover the need for energy? ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310301 Behavioural ecology(100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lucy Lunevich","title":"Energy economic of energy systems","description":"This project is proposed to develop a Greenhouse Emission Model for specific country using economic parameters. In recent years, renewable energy technologies have undergone a vertiginous development. There are also much of confusions what drives investments into the renewable technologies. The prices have dropped significantly, while at the same time the installed capacity of renewable energy technologies has increased strongly. New, interesting questions arise this change, primary focused on the integration and the interaction of the renewable energy technologies in the system. How will the energy as a whole develop? How different technologies be combined in order to optimally cover the need for energy? ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310301 Behavioural ecology (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran, Vi Nguyen","title":"Topology optimization for metal 3D manufacturing technology","description":"Metal 3D printing technology plays an important role in advanced manufacturing technology, especially in the strategy of sustainable manufacturing. In this project, modeling of structure-property characterization and structural design optimization are centered. The utilization of topology optimization is investigated for structural design in metal additive manufacturing. The goal is to answer the question if there is a relationship between topology optimization and metal 3D printing technology in medical, dental, or aerospace. From the expectedly achieved model and structure design, a multiple objective optimization problem will be solved for finding effectiveness of the process parameters on strengthen of mechanical properties and optimal weight of finished parts. Simulation and experimental studies are implemented to validate the proposed research.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 Solid mechanics (40%)\n401401 Additive manufacturing (40%)\n401408 Manufacturing processes and technologies (excl. textiles) (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Xiaobo Chen","title":"Autonomous Discovery of Green Inhibitors -Modelling and AI","description":"The project will develop a system to allow the autonomous discovery on non toxic corrosion inhibitors combining ,  robotic testing , evolutionary algorithm's , molecular modelling and analytical studies of corrosion inhibitor\/metal surface interactions\n\n\nCandidate will spend a period at the Institute for Nano-Engineering and Nano-Science , Barcelona learning cutting edge skills ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400711  70%\n401605  30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Nevena Todorova","title":"Study of the lifetime of corrosion inhibitors by molecular modelling ","description":"Corrosion inhibitors are vital to protect many common and electrochemically active metals (steel, galvanised steel, aluminium copper).  Unfortunately many of the inhibitors that have been used are toxic and are being banned by legislations so there is a world-wide search  to find new non-toxic inhibitors.  Molecular modelling has the potential to assist the discovery of new inhibitors and the combined RMIT\/ICN2 (Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Barcelona, Spain) has developed new approaches to modelling of inhibitors that combine, for the first time in inhibitor studies, large models that include both solvent and potential effects. These models have uncovered new affects around inhibitor surface bonding and the formation of the first self-assembled mono-layer. However, molecular modelling can only access periods of pico-seconds and thus cannot assess changes that occur in the system across hours or days. Experimental studies have discovered that these changes are quite profound and inhibitors layers can both become more effective at restricting corrosion or their performance may deteriorate on exposures from 1- 72 hours in electrochemical tests. New techniques have recently been develop that allow molecular modelling to take snapshots of the system at discrete and widely spaced time intervals. This doctoral study will use the snapshot approach to investigate changes in inhibitor layers over time and in particular the role of inhibitor shape and properties in promoting these changes. This will in turn lead to improvements in design of durable inhibitors. The candidate will have the opportunity to spend some time at the ICN2@ in Barcelona Spain","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 50%\n401607 505"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Michele Spencer","title":"Molecular modelling of second and multiple layers for rapid discovery of green corrosion inhibitors . ","description":"Corrosion inhibitors are vital to protect many common and electrochemically active metals (steel, galvanised steel, aluminium copper).  Unfortunately many of the inhibitors that have been used are toxic and are being banned by legislations so there is a world-wide search  to find new non toxic inhibitors. One of the most promising alternatives are small heterocyclic compounds with attached linkages \u2013 however there are literally tens of thousands of alternatives. Virtual screening is possible but requires an identification of the molecular features and properties of the inhibitors that control inhibitor layer formation.  The combined RMIT\/ ICN2 (Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Barcelona, Spain) team has developed new approaches to modelling of inhibitors that combine, for the first time in inhibitor studies, large models that include both solvent and potential effects. These models have uncovered new effects around inhibitor surface bonding and the formation of the first self-assembled mono-layer. Most notably, they have demonstrated how the charge within the binding molecules re-arranges itself to form a dipole, which will have a profound effect on the second inhibitor layer formation. This doctoral study will investigate the second and multi-layer formation of green inhibitors using the same advanced modelling technique. This will not only provide a fundamental understand of inhibitor layer formation and their effectiveness and stability, but also enhance the identification of critical inhibitor features and properties permitting virtual screening and rapid discovery. The candidate will have the opportunity to spend some time at the ICN2@ in Barcelona, Spain.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 50%\n340701  50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Paul White, Xiaobo Chen","title":"Autonomous Discovery of New Corrosion Inhibitors ","description":"The project will discover new green corrosion inhibitors by combining robotic electrochemistry and artificial intelligence .  Corrosion inhibitors acting either as a passivating agent of embedded in a paint system (typically in the primer) have protected metals from corrosion for decades . Unfortunately mainly of these are based on toxic compounds and are being banned and phased out around the world . Heteoro- cyclic compounds with active ligands are an attractive replacement but there are literally thousands of choices so rapid methods are required to select or design such inhibitor. An attractive approach is inverse design where the molecular features or attributes defining effective inhibition are identified and then large data bases are searched for candidate molecules with these features .  The candidate molecules are then tested to determine if they are suitable as corrosion inhibitors .While this approach is very attractive it has only been partially successful with diverse approaches being used to define the molecular descriptors and the AI or Ml method to define the relevant descriptors for corrosion inhibitor . This doctoral project will use the electrochemical robot to generate a large data base of inhibitors and then compare various approaches to defining molecular characteristics and AI\/ML methods to evaluate which approaches yield relationships which are most useful in prediction performance of new inhibitors and thus in implementing virtual design. During the PhD there is the possibility of spending time at the University of Science and Technology Beijing","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen, Nevena Todorova","title":"Autonomous Discovery of New Inhibitors-Experimental Development","description":"The candidate will spend a period on time at the Max Planck institute for steel research using state of the art analytical and experimental tools in order to understand the fine scale nature of surface inhibitor interactions in aqueous media","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 70%\n400711  305"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Rosengarten, Boahua Jia, Tianyi Ma\n","title":"Thermal Management of Green Hydrogen Generation System","description":"This  project,  funded by Australia Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and industry, is on solar energy driven green hydrogen production. You will be part of large multi-university and industry team helping to increase the efficiency of photocatalytic green hydrogen production using sea or wastewater as the feedstock. The research will involve optical-thermal design and optimisation to help increase the energy efficiency of the system. The methodology will include a mixture of theory, simulations and experiments.  Some experience\/knowledge in one or more of heat transfer, optics or photonics would be viewed favourably. We are looking for candidates from an Engineering or Physics background.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400404 50%\n401204 25%\n401205 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fugen Daver","title":"A novel biodegradable bio-composite ","description":"Amidst increasing concern over the negative environmental implications of plastic waste, the most promising solution is to adopt a zero\u2010waste and carbon\u2010neutral circular plastics economy where plastics have an ultimate end-of-life fate. Solving plastic waste is an important task as Australian federal government has contributed to a significant budget of approximately $40 million through the CRC program, offering unparalleled opportunities to increase plastic recycling rates or provide a circular solution for plastics. This is seen as a significant step in the fight against plastic pollution. To provide a viable alternative to conventional plastics and formulate a sustainable solution, new generation of plastics termed \u2018bioplastics\u2019 have been manufactured. Several types of bioplastics (renewable or fossil-based) have been manufactured and available in the market. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a bioplastic manufactured from the polymerization of lactic acid monomers derived from the fermentation of sugar. PLA is a well-known example of 100% renewable polymer. The Food and Drug Administration approved PLA for direct contact with food or medical products. However, PLA does not have a sustainable end-of-life in home compost and cannot be labelled as biodegradable. Indeed, PLA is only compostable under high-temperature industrial facilities which are not accessible in many countries. To solve this problem, several research papers proposed that another biodegradable polymer (e.g., polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate (PBSA), etc) should be compounded in PLA to yield a bio-composite with improved performance and accelerated biodegradation. This project aims to develop a novel biodegradable bio-composite where PLA is major component and evaluate its structural, mechanical, thermal performance for engineering applications. The scope of the project is expanded to understand the biodegradation of PLA-based bio-composite under normal soil\/compost conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401609 Polymers and plastics 50%\n401602 Composite and hybrid materials 30%\n401408 Manufacturing processes and technologies 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yihe (Henin) Zhang, Jie Yang, Yingyan Zhang","title":"Origami-reinforced auxetic metamaterial pipes conveying fluid","description":"In industries such as oil and gas, and water supply, pipes play a crucial role in fluid transportation. Throughout their operational lifespan, pipes are often exposed to complex environmental conditions such as pulsating fluid flow, temperature fluctuations, and earthquakes, which can lead to excessive vibration, buckling, thermal expansion, and fatigue failure. Ensuring dynamic stability in pipe design and material selection is essential to mitigate these effects and extend their service life. Metamaterials are well known for their outstanding properties such as tunable Poisson\u2019s ratio, thermal expansion, and enhanced mechanical performance. This project aims to develop and analyze pipes constructed with origami-enabled metamaterials through mechanics modeling, structural analysis, and numerical simulation. The goal is to achieve a novel pipe design that provides safer and more stable fluid transportation, benefiting applications in mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering.\nThe major tasks of this project:\n1)        Numerical Analysis: Analyze the static and dynamic performance of origami-enhanced metamaterial pipes under various operating conditions using numerical methods.\n2)        Theoretical Framework: Develop a theoretical framework to understand the dynamic performance of the proposed pipes under different operating conditions.\n3)        Design Framework: Create a machine learning-based design framework to efficiently guide the design of metamaterial pipes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401702        Dynamics, vibration and vibration control (40%)\n401602        Composite and hybrid materials (40%)\n401206        Fluid-structure interaction and aeroacoustics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Tian","title":"Hydrodynamic optimization on ocean vehicles","description":"The presence of flow structures such as 3D laminar and turbulent boundary layers, recirculation zones, vortical structures, and wave interactions are frequently encountered in ocean vehicle hydrodynamics, which significantly affect its performance in drag, heat transfer, stability, acoustics and erosion processes. A fundamental understanding of flow physics can improve the design, prediction, and operation of these vehicles. Utilizing the leading-edge computational and experimental tools, the project will investigate critical areas that can improve the understanding. The project apply the findings to accurately analyse, predict, and optimize the design and operation of the ocean vehicles under various settings. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2030-12-21","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401204, 401205"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le","title":"Machine learning for sustainable, functional materials","description":"The development of sustainable, functional materials is critical to addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation. Traditional materials discovery processes are often slow, resource-intensive, and unable to keep pace with the growing demand for eco-friendly and high-performance materials. In this context, machine learning (ML) offers a powerful solution by accelerating the design, discovery, and optimization of sustainable materials. This PhD project aims to leverage advanced ML techniques to predict and design functional materials with minimal environmental impact.\n\nThe project will involve the development of predictive models based on materials databases, incorporating experimental and computational data to predict key material properties. The student will explore supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms, optimizing model performance to identify promising materials that meet specific criteria. The integration of materials informatics with ML tools will enable the rational design of new materials, significantly reducing the time and cost involved in traditional experimentation.\n\nBy combining data science with materials science, this research will contribute to the development of novel materials that support global sustainability goals while expanding the boundaries of machine learning in materials design.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"4016 - Materials Engineering (60%)\n4611 - Machine Learning (20%)\n3704 - Theoretical and computational chemistry (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen\n","title":"Smart Self-Healing Coatings System for Mg alloys","description":"This project aims to develop a new coating technology, where active components will be incorporated into a passive\/barrier matrix to achieve a multifunctional coating system. The key idea behind this approach is to create nano-containers for loading active agents with sells possessing controlled permeability specific to several triggers including pH, heat, light etc., and then to introduce them into the coating matrix. The simplest trigger to release the active agents is pH shift in the local environment. For instance, hydrogels with weak acid or basic functional group in the shell are sensitive to pH. Upon corrosion occurs on Mg surface, pH increases and then anticorrosive agents are released to actively healing the damage in the coating. Ideally, such active coating system provides Mg alloys a super prolonged and robust protection against corrosion. It is also possible to replace the anticorrosive agents with some antibiotics for specific drug delivery [1]. \nVia adjusting the content in the coating matrix, multiple purposes can be fulfilled. Main tasks of this project include design, preparation and characterisation of smart coatings and their responsive release of loaded agents to terminate corrosion on the surface of bulk Mg materials. Ex-situ characterisation includes structural, physical and electrochemical measurements through scanning and transmission electron microscopy of surfaces and interfaces (SEM & TEM), a range of surface science analysis techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning tunelling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM & STS) at RMIT. In addition, the corrosion behavior of Mg specimens with smart coatings will be exmained through potentiodynamic polarisation curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electrochemical electron microscopy [2].\n\nReferences:\n[1].  Shchukin, D.G. and Mohwald, H., Smart nanocontainers as depot media for feedback active coatings. Chem. Commun. 2011, 47 (31), 8730-8739\n[2].  Chen, J.Y. et al., Electrosprayed PLGA smart containers for active anti-corrosion coating on magnesium alloy AMlite, J. Mater. Chem. A 2014, 2, 5738- 5743.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401607 70%\n 401603 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen","title":"Antibacterial Nano-coatings for Biomedical Applications","description":"When artificial bone implants are placed into the patient, they are subjected to the formation of colonies of bacteria and infection [1]. Biofilms are prevalent on the surface of artificial implants, and exhibit distinct features, such as high tolerance to antibiotics [2]. Current managements of device-related infection involving antibiotics often result in significant socioeconomic costs, not to mention the risk of life-long functional impairment for the patient. As a result, feasible implant devices should be endowed satisfactory and sustainable resistance to the formation of biofilms and subsequent growth of bacteria to tackle the acute and chronic infections [3].\nThis project aims to address such challenges through design and manufacturing of feasible coatings with controlled and continuing release of inorganic antibacterial species, such as Ag, Ga, Sr and peptide molecules to inhibit the adherence of stains on implant surface and subsequent formation of biofilms. The implants with promising self-antibacterial surface would advance the knowledge and technique to a great degree in the relevant disciplines and attract immense interest from both academia and industry. \nThis project has a multi-disciplinary nature and thus requires a full-time HDR student who is capable across the multidisciplinary aspects of the project significantly. The HDR student under supervision by Chen, will focus on exploring wet chemical and physical deposition techniques to prepare and characterise the structure and antibacterial properties of coatings. The recruited PhD student (based at City Campus RMIT) will gain significant interdisciplinary training via this project. 3D printer, optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), potentiostat, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) will be employed to characterise the properties of yielded components. In vitro cell culture and bacterial resistance tests will be performed.\n\nReferences:\n[1] T.F. Moriarty, et al., Orthopaedic device-related infection: current and future interventions for improved prevention and treatment, EFORT Open Rev 1(4) (2016) 89-99.\n[2] C.R. Arciola, D. Campoccia, P. Speziale, L. Montanaro, J.W. Costerton, Biofilm formation in Staphylococcus implant infections. A review of molecular mechanisms and implications for biofilm-resistant materials, Biomaterials 33(26) (2012) 5967-82.\n[3] S. Bauer, P. Schmuki, K. von der Mark, J. Park, Engineering biocompatible implant surfaces, Progress in Materials Science 58(3) (2013) 261-326.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401603 60%\n 401607 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen, Prof Ivan Cole","title":"Titanium-based Hybrid Materials Exhibiting Bone-like Structural Hierarchy","description":"A number of natural hybrid materials (e.g. bone, tooth, wood and shell) exhibiting hierarchical architectures spanning near macro- to nano-metre length scales create unique combination of properties (i.e. strength, toughness and low density) that are rarely seen in existing manmade materials [1, 2]. In the quest for the advanced materials containing such promising combination of properties, extensive efforts have been devoted to the design and development of ceramic-polymer based composites mimicking such structural hierarchy [3, 4]. However, it remains a great challenge to achieve metals displaying such periodic arrangements at multiple length scales varying from mill-, micro- to nano-metre, most likely owing to the lack of critical knowledge and technical availability [2]. In comparison to their composite counterparts, lightweight, strong and tough metals are desired for many engineering applications bearing heavy-load, such as frames of car seats, wings of aircrafts, and in particular orthopaedic implants - plates, screws and joints. \nThe main scientific aim of this project is to explore feasible techniques to produce titanium (Ti)-based hybrid materials exhibiting bone-like hierarchical structure at each individual length scale; and develop fundamental science of the role of such structural hierarchy in the controls over mechanical performances, in particular tough crack resistance. The yielded hybrid materials are anticipated to maintain their high strength and inherit the characteristic fracture tolerance (toughness) of natural bone through mimicking its hierarchical features.\nThe proposed study will comprise a hitherto untried coupling of periodic structure covering three orders of length scales with in situ characterisation. The first stage of the proposed project will establish a set of sound process strategies for the development of Ti materials mimicking the hierarchical features of natural bone over the full range of length scales through 3D printing technology, hydrothermal synthesis (RMIT) and magnetron sputtering (Melbourne Centre for Nanotechnology). \n\nReferences:\n[1]. Ritchie, R.O., Nat. Mater. 2011, 10(11), 817\n[2]. Wegst, U.G.; Bai, H.; Saiz, E.; Tomsia, A.P.; Ritchie, R.O., Nat. Mater. 2015, 14(1) 23\n[3]. Li, J.; Baker, B.A.; Mou, X.; Ren, N.; Qiu, J.; Boughton, R.I.; Liu, H., Adv. Healthc. Mater. 2014, 3(4), 469.\n[4]. Hollister, S.J., Nat. Mater. 2005, 4(7), 518.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401603 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen, Prof Ivan Cole","title":"Elucidating the electrochemical roles of surface conditions upon biodegradable Zn alloys in simulated body fluids","description":"Biodegradable Zn alloys are promising materials candidate for manufacturing future commercial implant devices [1]. However, corrosion behaviour of such new biomaterial category is not well understood in simulated body fluid, where a number of chemical and biological species exist [2]. The surface film of Zn displays a complex nature, which contributes greatly to the corrosion kinetics and dynamics of underlying metal Zn in contact with electrolytes [3]. This project aims to address such challenges through design and manufacturing of feasible techniques for exploring the electrochemical roles of surface films upon Zn alloys in SBFs. \nThis project has a multi-disciplinary nature and thus requires a full-time HDR student who is capable across the multidisciplinary aspects of the project significantly. The HDR student under supervision by Drs. Chen, Cole and Ward, will focus on exploring wet chemical and electrochemical techniques to prepare and characterise the structure and chemical properties of surface films of Zn in a number of SBFs. The recruited PhD student (based at City Campus RMIT) will gain significant interdisciplinary training via this project. Optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), potentiostat, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) will be employed to characterise the properties of yielded components. In vitro cell culture tests may be performed.\n\nReferences:\n[1] H.F. Li, et al., Opportunities and challenges of biodegradable Zn-based alloys, J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 46, 2020, 136-138.\n[2] X. Tong et al., Degradation behavior, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, and antibacterial properties of electro-deposited Zn\u2013Cu metal foams as potential biodegradable bone implants, 105, Acta Biomater., 2020, 481-492.\n[3] J. Sun et al., Adjusting comprehensive properties of biodegradable Zn-Mn alloy through solution heat-treatment, Mater. Today, in press, doi:10.1016\/j.mtcomm.2020.101150","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401603 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Milan Simic","title":"Novel AI methodologies in Gait analysis","description":"The main objective of proposed research is to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) through Deep Learning (DL) in the gait analysis of neuro-muscular disorders.\nGait is defined as the sequence of lower limb\u2019s motion initiated by the brain that results in muscle contractions. Analysis of gait events and parameters, such as Foot Progression Angle (FPA) are important in the assessment, monitoring and treatment of conditions which affect patients\u2019 physical motion functions. \nGait measurement and analysis are used in healthcare by medical practitioners, but also in different areas such as sports, and security. In the medical field, there is extensive research on gait abnormalities due to pathological disorders such as Parkinson\u2019s disease, dementia, and neuro-muscular disorders. Early diagnosis, proper treatment, and after-surgery rehabilitation efforts depend on the accuracy and reliability of kinematic and spatio-temporal measurements conducted using different sensor modalities. There is still no consensus on the relevant parameters to classify and predict neuro-muscular disorders, before and after surgical operations. \nThe utilization of Deep Learning is still open-ended research that can potentially advance gait analysis\u2019s objectivity, accuracy, and real-time monitoring performance in the clinical context. \nThe main contribution of the proposed research is the development of new methodologies based on the use of AI i.e., DL in the medical diagnosis, and therapy, as well as in the security, sports applications and other. \n\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (50%)\n 320602 Medical biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) (20%)\n 420701 Biomechanics (20%)\n 420799 Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Rosengarten, Ahmad Mojiri","title":"High-flux cooling using optimised spray systems","description":"Spray cooling is where a fine mist or spray of coolant is applied either directly to heated surfaces, such as processors or memory modules, or to an internal surface in a standalone heat sink unit. It is an efficient cooling technique that provides a promising solution to address the rising heat challenges associated with high-density computing and power electronics. This project will involve using a commercial droplet generator to investigate heat transfer on structured surfaces. The research will be mainly experimental, and is in partnership with an industrial partner. It is expected that the student will spend about 3 months with the industrial partner to develop the experimental set-up.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"091505 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Fugen Daver, Raju Adhikari","title":"Bio-degradable and Bio-compostable Mulch Films from Agri-Waste","description":"Plastic mulch film is a used in agriculture to retain soil water, regulate soil temperature, and supress weed growth. However, most of the plastic films currently used are non-degradable under natural condition and due to their non-degradable nature, they are converted into microplastics and such residual plastics particles can be easily absorbed by organisms posing a potential threat to soil environment and human health. Legislation is some European countries and USA have already phased out the use of such films. Biodegradable mulch film has been considered as a potential alternative but due to low mechanical strength, moisture barrier and radiometric properties, they are still in the development stage and a large number of such films have been trailed with mixed results (1-3). This project aims to develop a fully biodegradable mulch film with controlled degradation and improved mechanical strength using a combination of agri-wastes sources such as cellulose, gluten with biodegradable polymers. The project will develop specific tailored formulations by combining above agriculture waste with synthetic biodegradable polymers and fabricate agri-mulch film for water saving and weed control. The by-product of the polymer will also value add to soil as nutrients and support crop productivity. It is expected that the newly developed smart agri-mulch film will have not only controlled biodegradation, crop bio-stimulation characteristics but also compostable and degradation products are expected to act as plant growth promoter.\nReferences:\n1. Biodegradable Mulch Based on Cellulose of Cornhusk with Addition Anti UV-Tinuvin - doi:10.1088\/1742-6596\/1491\/1\/012051\n2. Physical properties and soil degradation of PLA\/PBAT blends film reinforced with bamboo cellulose - doi:10.1088\/1755-1315\/596\/1\/012021\n3. Biodegradable plastic mulch films in agriculture: feasibility and challenges - doi.org\/10.1088\/1748-9326\/abd211\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401609 Polymer and plastics (50%)  \n401602 Composite and hybrid materials (25%) \n401408 Manufacturing processes and technologies (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahyar Khorasani, Martin Leary, David Downing","title":"A Digital Twin-Driven Model for Mapping Part Quality in Multi-Jet Fusion","description":"This project aims to develop a digital simulation model to address the irregular mechanical properties of Multi-Jet Fusion in 3D printing of automotive components. This model expects to solve a significant challenge when using Multi-Jet Fusion which is the dependence of quality on the build position. The expected outcome of this project is the development of a novel tool for quality assessment in mass customisation and production. This project will provide significant benefits by creating an independent digital simulation model for quality mapping in Multi-Jet Fusion that reduces production costs and enhances automotive part quality.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401401 Additive Manufacturing 50%\n400204  Automotive safety engineering 25%\n401403 - Flexible manufacturing systems 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Stuart Bateman","title":"Data-driven design of functional paint surfaces ","description":"The PhD project will focus on the development of functional surfaces, with a specific emphasis on the domain of paint technology on creating a material that bestows omniphobicity to surface, which could possibly be in the form of an additive to a coating or a coating itself. This will be derived using data-driven approaches. The investigation strives to harness the capabilities of machine learning and advanced experimental techniques to systematically optimize the formulation and therefore characteristics of paint surface chemistry and morphology to deliver functional attributes such as omniophobic to control contamination, and enhanced resistance to environmental factors for improved durability. \r\n\r\nMost contaminants, a surface is exposed to will be either hydrophilic or lipophilic (hydrophobic) in nature. A surface\u2019s ability to repel these contaminants will be influenced by its chemistry. A surface that is hydrophilic will repel lipophilic materials and vice-versa. Therefore, a surface that can resist both hydrophilic and lipophilic contaminants, i.e. is omniphobic is desired.\r\n\r\nCurrently, omniphobicity can be bestowed upon a surface using per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, these substances can be extremely hazardous and are progressively being banned. Therefore, there is need for new types of materials that can bestow surfaces with omniphobic properties without being hazardous.\r\n\r\nIn addition to resisting contaminants, omniphobic surfaces may also have the potential to possess dry-film antimicrobial properties. Typically, the mode of action for antimicrobial chemicals (or biocides) is to destroy the relevant microbe, e.g. bacteria and fungi. Whilst these biocides are effective, since they are designed to destroy living organisms, they are usually hazardous to humans as well. An omniphobic coating will not actively destroy microbes however, its surface properties will result in bacteria and fungi not being able to adhere hence they cannot establish colonies. This prevention of adhesion is how omniphobic coatings can derive their antimicrobial behaviour.\r\n\r\nThrough this multidisciplinary approach that incorporates principles from materials science, computer-aided design, and machine learning, the project seeks to redefine conventional paradigms governing surface design within the paint industry, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable coating solutions. Ultimately, the outcomes of this research hold the potential to influence other industrial sectors, offering novel perspectives on the intersection of data-driven methodologies and functional surface design. \r\n\r\nMain objectives: \r\n\r\n1. Data Compilation and Analysis: \r\n\r\nCollect and curate extensive datasets, from existing literature, encompassing diverse material properties, and environmental conditions, relevant to functional surfaces in coating technologies. \r\n\r\n2. Machine Learning Model Development: \r\n\r\nEmploy statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to analyse the compiled data to extract patterns, correlations and insights on the relationship between the chemistry, formulation, and the surface properties. Fine-tuning the models for accurate prediction and optimization of the functional characteristics of the surfaces. \r\n\r\n3. Experimental Characterization: \r\n\r\nConduct in-depth experimental investigations to synthesize and characterize novel additives and coating formulations, providing more data for fine-tuning the models if necessary. \r\n\r\n4. Testing and Performance Validation: \r\n\r\nConduct rigorous testing regimes to assess the performance of the developed formulations under various environmental conditions to ensure the practical viability of the proposed functional surfaces. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"4016 Materials Engineering (40%)\r\n3407 Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (40%)\r\n3403 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stefania Castelletto, Alberto Peruzzo","title":"Silicon carbide photonics devices for temperature quantum sensing","description":"Silicon carbide has recently emerged in the quantum technologies domain as an advantageous material that can be used for quantum computation and sensing applications. In particular in its thin film on insulator it can be used to design and fabricate integrated photonics-electronic devices for temperature quantum sensing. In this project you will design and test an integrated photonics and electronic device in silicon carbide on oxide for quantum sensing of temperature based on infrared laser excitation and collection.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chi Tsun (Ben) Cheng, Songlin Ding, Maciej Mazur","title":"Development and Optimization of Additive Manufacturing Processes for the Creation of High-Strength Microfluidic Devices and Microelectronic Components from Metal Alloys","description":"This project aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities presented by additive manufacturing, in the creation of complex small-scale components, namely microfluidic devices and microelectronic components. The project is born out of the recognition that despite the disruptive potential of 3D printing across various industries, there are substantial hurdles to overcome when applying these methods to the fabrication of these highly intricate parts.\n\nAdditive manufacturing has revolutionised mass customisation and on-demand production; however, when it comes to micro-components that play key roles in diverse areas such as biochemistry, synthetic biology, drug delivery systems, computation, and telecommunications, the technology encounters barriers. Among these are issues relating to precision and fidelity in crafting intricate geometries, limitations associated with the mechanical strength and thermal endurance of materials, and constraints in speed, cost, and resource utilisation efficiency of the manufacturing process.\n\nIn response to these obstacles, the project aims to develop and optimise additive manufacturing processes for creating robust, high-endurance microfluidic and microelectronic components using metallic alloys. A central focus will be on achieving a balance between the precision, durability, and efficiency of the manufacturing process while seeking innovative solutions to overcome temperature resistance constraints.\n\nThe objective is to push the boundaries of current methodologies, thus deepening our understanding of additive manufacturing dynamics. This research aspires to contribute to the advanced applications of microfluidic devices and microelectronic components, spurring the next wave of technological innovations by overcoming existing barriers in the field of additive manufacturing.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alireza Bab-Hadiashar, Ruwan Tennakoon","title":"Automated Visual Inspection for Industrial Applications: Robustness Through Time","description":"In practical applications of computer vision techniques, an algorithm has only limited amount of time and computational resources to complete a given task. Within those limits, the algorithm is expected to accumulate, understand and respond to external stimuli. This requirement lends itself to a \u201ctime progressive information processing\u201d approach that prioritises discovery of environmental structures based on their importance for the accomplishment of a given task. In this context, a computer vision algorithm can be given the opportunity to exploit its previous experience and knowledge of the environment as part of its formal time progressive approach. This is somewhat akin to enabling a computer experiencing d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu. In the above \u201ctime progressive\u201d paradigm, an algorithm starts from what it can recall and place its focus on the processing (whatever the application requires) of the major visual attractions (e.g. largest objects) and deal with them first (e.g., thwart any potential dangers). As time progresses, the algorithm can successively discover smaller details for a more complete recognition of lesser elements in the environment. The prescribed approach is particularly advantageous for automation of visual surveillance of urban environment and industrial inspection tasks. Visual inspection often involves processing a mixture of static and dynamic entities that may or may not have been seen before. The processing is time critical and different levels of details are sought depending on task in hand and the availability of computational resources. In contrast to the usual approach, which focuses on the static interpretation, the current project is aimed to develop a time progressive framework for automation of visual inspection or surveillance tasks.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefania Castelletto, Lei Bao","title":"3D printing technology for fabricating luminescent solar concentrators","description":"Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are optoelectronic devices that collect sunlight and concentrate it onto a small area of solar cells. 3D printing has emerged as a promising technology for fabricating LSCs. This research aims to investigate the potential of 3D printing for fabricating LSCs and compare the performance of 3D printed LSCs with those fabricated using traditional methods. The research will involve designing and fabricating LSCs using both 3D printing and traditional methods. The performance of the fabricated LSCs will be evaluated by measuring their optical efficiency, spectral response, and power conversion efficiency. The results obtained from this research will provide insights into the potential of 3D printing for fabricating LSCs and assist in developing more efficient and cost-effective solar LSC for building applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Rachel Caruso School of Science","title":"Machine Learning Discovery of Perovskite Materials for Biomedical Applications","description":"Perovskite materials have garnered significant attention in the field of materials science due to their unique properties, such as high photoluminescence, tunable bandgaps, and excellent charge transport properties. These characteristics make perovskites highly promising for biomedical applications, including bioimaging, drug delivery, and biosensing. This research project aims to utilize machine learning techniques to discover novel perovskite materials with enhanced properties for biomedical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Shadi Houshyar","title":"Machine Learning for the Discovery of Antimicrobial Materials","description":"Antimicrobial resistance has become a global health concern, necessitating the development of innovative strategies to combat pathogenic microorganisms. One promising approach is the design and discovery of antimicrobial materials that can inhibit or eliminate microbial growth. Machine learning techniques have demonstrated great potential in accelerating the discovery of novel materials with antimicrobial properties. This research proposal aims to leverage machine learning algorithms to facilitate the identification and optimization of antimicrobial materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Jonathan Tran, Mark Easton, Dong Qiu, Duyao Zhang, Yunhui Chen","title":"Machine Learning Techniques for Enhancing 3D Printing Processes and Performance","description":"3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing and prototyping by enabling the creation of complex three-dimensional objects with unprecedented speed and precision. However, challenges still exist in optimizing print quality, reducing print failures, and minimizing resource utilization. This research proposal aims to investigate the application of machine learning techniques to enhance the 3D printing process, improve print quality, and optimize printing parameters for various materials and geometries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Robust Stereo Vision System","description":"Two-view stereo vision is one of the most active research areas in computer vision. Among the existing techniques, stereo matching remains one of the most widely used due to its strong connection to the human binocular system. Traditionally, stereo-based depth estimation has been solved using a pipeline of four building blocks: (1) cost volume generation, (2) cost aggregation, (3) disparity computation, and (4) disparity refinement and postprocessing. With this pipeline, three research problems and corresponding possible methods were introduced.\n Stereo Vision via Transformer\n Stereo depth estimation relies on optimal correspondence matching with a cost volume between pixels on epipolar lines in the left and right images to infer depth. Traditional stereo matching cost volume generation algorithms rely on the distance between the two image pairs. Alternatively, the MC-CNN [6] and GC-Net [1] approaches concatenate the left and right features to learn matching cost estimation using a deep network. Furthermore, most learning-based models apply SPP features to form a cost volume by concatenating left feature maps with corresponding right feature maps across each disparity level, resulting in a 4D volume. To address the above-mentioned limitation, this module aims to utilise Transformer [7] or ViT [2] [3] as alternative architectures with innate global self-attention mechanisms to capture long-range dependencies. Synthetic Dataset\n Collecting and collating large amounts of real data to create a stereo dataset is a challenging task, and with the development of virtual modelling techniques, researchers are trying to build synthetic datasets such as scene flow [6] and Replica[6]. These datasets usually contain a larger number of images pairs compared to real-world datasets such as KITTI. However, limited by the technology available, the datasets always have weak textures and fewer environment variables. This is why most models are pretrained in the scene flow datasets and then fine-tuned in real-world datasets. This module aims to establish almost real synthetic datasets to train our stereo vision models. Occlusion detection and refinement\n Disparity refinement is designed to improve the results in complex regions, such as occluded regions and low texture regions. Occlusion usually occurs in edge areas of the object; based on that, the occlusion can be detected by the segmentation [5] and refine the occlusion by exploring statistical significance. However, for the large occluded regions, current strategies cannot directly refine inner occlusions, and cumulative error may be introduced. In the Middlebury 2014 benchmark, top-rank methods have achieved high accuracy in non-occluded regions. However, the evaluation error containing occluded regions almost doubled for most error metrics. Therefore, accurate estimation near occluded regions is still a challenging problem. This module aims to recover the disparity for the occlusion area and embed it into the current models.\n [1] Yue Cao, Jiarui Xu, Stephen Lin, Fangyun Wei, and Han Hu. Gc- net: Non-local networks meet squeeze-excitation networks and beyond. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF International Conference on Computer Vision Workshops, pages 0-0, 2019. 1\n [2] Alexey Dosovitskiy, Lucas Beyer, Alexander Kolesnikov, Dirk Weissenborn, Xiaohua Zhai, Thomas Unterthiner, Mostafa Dehghani, Matthias Minderer, Georg Heigold, Sylvain Gelly, et al. An image is worth 16x16 words: Transformers for image recogni- tion at scale. arXiv preprint arXiv:2010.11929, 2020. 1\n [3] Ze Liu, Yutong Lin, Yue Cao, Han Hu, Yixuan Wei, Zheng Zhang, Stephen Lin, and Baining Guo. Swin transformer: Hierarchical vision transformer using shifted windows. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF International Conference on Computer Vision, pages 10012-10022, 2021. 1\n [4] Daniel Scharstein and Richard Szeliski. A taxonomy and evaluation of dense two-frame stereo correspondence algorithms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Information Fusion in a Large-Scale Sensor Network","description":"Recent advances in sensor technology have led to tremendous development in wireless sensor networks (WSN). These networks consist of spatially distributed static or dynamic nodes\/agents (e.g. vehicle). Each node is equipped with sensors (camera, LIDAR, RADAR), on-board processing units, and communication capabilities [1]. The objective of a WSN is to provide a complete picture of the spatio-temporal events of a dynamic environment by combining information gathered by each agent. The success of this undertaking depends on formulating an effective and efficient information fusion strategy. Information fusion method combines data measured by sensor nodes to improve the potential values and interpretation performances of the source data, and to produce a high-quality visible representation of the data [2]. Any proposed solution should be scalable with respect to the number of agents, flexible and reliable [1].\n This project aims to:\n develop a principled mathematical framework for multi-source information fusion in a distributed sensor network. This project will formulate a principled sensor fusion strategy through the combination of multi-modal multi-object densities by devising a method to address track management and identity consistency issues.\n develop a metric to evaluate the value-of-information generated by each sensor node. It is often the case that not all sensor nodes provide valuable information for the entire system at all times. Thus these nodes only increase the communication cost for the system. Consequently, it is necessary to restrict information commutation to the sensor nodes with high-value information. This objective aims to address the problem of distribution support diversity and double counting.\n References:\n [1] Special issue on Distributed Signal Processing in Sensor Networks,IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, vol. 23, no. 4, 2006.8\n [2] Jixian Zhang. Multi-source remote sensing data fusion: status and trends.International Journal of Image and Data Fusion,1(1):5-24, 2010.\n [3] J. Shin, L. J. Guibas, and F. Zhao, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A distributed algorithm for managing multi-target identities in wireless ad-hoc sensornetworks,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Information Processing in Sensor Networks.Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2003, pp.223-238.\n [4] P. Chakravarty and R. Jarvis, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Multiple target tracking for surveillance: A particle filter approach,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in2005 International Conference on Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing, dec 2005, pp. 181-186.\n [5] B. Benfold, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stable multi-target tracking in real-time surveillance video,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d inComputer Vision and Pattern Recognition(CVPR), 2011, pp. 3457-3464.\n [6] Y. Bar-Shalom, W. D. Blair, and L. A. U. E. of California,Multitarget-multisensor Tracking: Applications and Advances, ser.Artech House radar library. Artech House, 1990, no. v. 3.\n [7] T. Rathnayake, R. Hoseinnezhad, R. Tennakoon, and A. Bab-Hadiashar, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Labeled multi-Bernoulli tracking for industrialmobile platform safety,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in2017 IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics (ICM). IEEE, 2017, pp. 393\u00e2\u20ac\u201c398.\n [8] T. Rathnayake, R. Tennakoon, A. K. Gostar, A. Bab-Hadiashar, and R. Hoseinnezhad, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Information fusion for industrial mobile platform safety via track-before-detect labeled multi-Bernoulli filter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009dSensors, vol. 19, no. 9, p. 2016, 2019.\n [9] T. Rathnayake, A. K. Gostar, R. Hoseinnezhad, and A. Bab-Hadiashar, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Occlusion handling for online visual tracking using labeled random set filters,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in2017 International Conference on Control, Automation and Information Sciences (ICCAIS),Oct 2017, pp. 151\u00e2\u20ac\u201c156.\n [10] R. Hoseinnezhad, B.-T. B.-N. N. T. Vo, B.-T. B.-N. N. T. Vo, and D. Suter, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Visual tracking of numerous targets via multi-Bernoulli filtering of image data,\u00e2\u20ac\u009dPattern Recognition, vol. 45, no. 10, pp. 3625\u00e2\u20ac\u201c3635, 2012.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Anomaly Detection for in Large Dynamic Networks","description":"Recent progress in the commercialisation of sensor and communications technologies have brought connectivity to the automotive industry. Using the connected features will provide significant advantages to traffic flow control. However, adversarial attacks (zero-day attacks) could make unauthorised access to sensitive data, interrupt the coherency of the information and cause a significant hazard for drivers and pedestrians. In such a network, protection of the vehicle perception and control systems against malicious intrusions requires effective countermeasures. However, conventional countermeasures are often falling short against sophisticated cyber attacks.\n Statistical and machine learning algorithms have been utilised to develop anomaly detection systems to ensure the security of the connected vehicle systems against vulnerabilities in any underlying technologies (such as network systems, edge computation and data centres). However, cyber attackers use different techniques to identify and exploit systems and other vulnerabilities to circumvent detection and deceive existing countermeasures.\n This project aims to formulate and develop an anomaly detection framework to detect cyber attacks against large scale dynamic networks (such as connected vehicles), which is adaptable and robust against zero-day attacks. More specifically, this project aims to achieve the following outcomes: \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Creating a dataset that reflects the modern dynamic and distributed network traffic for connected vehicle scenarios, \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Constructing a robust model of normal system behaviour, \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Designing a measure to efficiently distinguish between normal and malicious behaviours in large, high-speed network environments, \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Ensuring the developed solution is scalable and suitable for high-velocity and high-dimensionality of data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Sensor Control Strategies for Multi-Target Tracking Using Levy Processes","description":"The proposed PhD research aims to develop novel sensor control strategies for multi-target tracking using Levy processes to model the statistical properties of the target motion. The traditional sensor control strategies may not be effective in scenarios where the targets exhibit anomalous behaviour, such as sudden changes in velocity or trajectory. Therefore, the research will investigate the effectiveness of Levy-flight-based sensor control algorithms, which are designed to model the heavy-tailed and long-range dependence properties of the target motion.\n \n The proposed research will focus on four objectives. Firstly, developing a framework for sensor control in multi-target tracking that uses Levy processes to model the statistical properties of the target motion. Secondly, investigate the effectiveness of Levy-flight-based sensor control algorithms in improving tracking performance in scenarios where traditional sensor control strategies may not be effective. Thirdly, developing a stochastic control approach for sensor selection that optimizes the sensor selection strategy based on the statistical properties of the target motion modelled using a Levy-flight process. Lastly, investigates the use of Levy processes for sensor placement optimization in multi-target tracking.\n \n The proposed research will employ a mathematical framework for using Levy processes in sensor control and placement optimization in multi-target tracking. The research will involve the implementation and evaluation of Levy-flight-based sensor control algorithms on simulated and real-world data sets. Furthermore, the research will develop and evaluate stochastic control approaches for sensor selection in multi-target tracking. The research will also investigate the use of Levy processes for sensor placement optimization in multi-target tracking.\n \n The expected outcomes of this research include the development of novel sensor control strategies for multi-target tracking, improved tracking performance in scenarios where traditional sensor control strategies may not be effective, identification of optimal sensor selection strategies that optimize the tracking performance and resource utilization, and improved sensor placement strategies for multi-target tracking.\n \n [1] - Essam H. Houssein, Mohammed R. Saad, Fatma A. Hashim, Hassan Shaban, M. Hassaballah,\n L\u00c3\u00a9vy flight distribution: A new metaheuristic algorithm for solving engineering optimization problems, Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, Volume 94, 2020, 103731, ISSN 0952-1976.\n [2] - A. K. Gostar, R. Hoseinnezhad and A. Bab-Hadiashar, \"Robust Multi-Bernoulli Sensor Selection for Multi-Target Tracking in Sensor Networks,\" in IEEE Signal Processing Letters, vol. 20, no. 12, pp. 1167-1170, Dec. 2013, doi: 10.1109\/LSP.2013.2283735.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chi Tsun (Ben) Cheng","title":"Worker-Centric Industry 5.0 Applications for Improving Safety, Productivity, and Inclusivity","description":"This PhD research project aims to develop worker-centric Industry 5.0 applications that improve safety, work conditions, and productivity while promoting inclusivity and sustainability. The project will investigate advanced sensing and monitoring techniques, robust and flexible communication strategies, visualization technologies, and AI technologies for data processing, reasoning, and decision-making. The goal is to create a suite of tools and applications that allow workers with diverse backgrounds and capabilities to stay up to speed faster, extend the working lives of the aged workforce, and address labour shortages in Australia and other similar countries.\n \n The project will address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, including Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Responsible Consumption and Production.\n \n The PhD candidate will work with industry partners (subject to availability) to identify specific use cases and requirements for the development of worker-centric Industry 5.0 applications. The project will involve the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the applications in real-world settings. The PhD candidate will also be expected to conduct research on relevant theories and models related to Industry 5.0, human factors, safety engineering, and AI technologies.\n \n The expected outcome of the project is a suite of worker-centric Industry 5.0 applications that are effective, efficient, and user-friendly, with the potential to improve safety, productivity, and inclusivity in various industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chi-Tsun (Ben) Cheng","title":"Enhancing Energy Productivity in Industries through IIoT and AI Technologies","description":"This PhD research project aims to help industries improve their energy productivity by adopting Industrial IoT (IIoT) and AI technologies. The goal is to reduce waste and make processes more lean and efficient, making industries more agile and able to withstand market fluctuations. The project will investigate advanced sensing and monitoring techniques, robust and flexible communication strategies, visualization technologies, and AI technologies for data processing, reasoning, and decision-making.\n \n The project will address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, including Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Responsible Consumption and Production.\n \n The PhD candidate will work closely with industry partners (subject to availability) to identify specific use cases and requirements for the development of energy productivity, monitoring and enhancing, solutions. The project will involve the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the solutions in real-world settings. The PhD candidate will also be expected to conduct research on relevant theories and models related to IIoT, energy management, and AI technologies.\n \n The expected outcome of the project is a suite of energy productivity solutions that are effective, efficient, and user-friendly, with the potential to reduce waste and improve efficiency in various industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Development of high-strength antibacterial Ti-Cu alloys enabled by additive manufacturing","description":"Titanium is currently the mainstream biomedical implant material for load bearing applications due to its good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. However, bacterial infection occurs in a chance of as high as 16% for hip surgery and the patients have to suffer from the pain from secondary operation. It is a consensus that addition of copper into titanium could enhance the antibacterial performance significantly as copper has excellent spectrum antimicrobial properties. As a result, Ti-Cu alloys attracted increasing attention as promising antibacterial materials for biomedical applications. The performance of Ti-Cu alloys is closely related to its microstructure. It is revealed by recent studies that finer secondary phase, Ti2Cu, in Ti-Cu alloys improves antibacterial performance and also better mechanical properties. Metal additive manufacturing appears to be the ideal manufacturing technique to produce Ti-Cu alloys with desirable properties because the ultrahigh cooling rates during the building process usually leads to very fine microstructure and compositional homogeneity. This project aims to harness the unrivalled power of additive manufacturing to develop high-strength antibacterial Ti-Cu alloys that can be used as a new generation of biomedical implant material. The effect of copper addition, laser scanning strategy and post treatment on the as-built Ti-Cu alloys on the microstructure, defect configuration and resultant mechanical properties will be comprehensive investigated. The antibacterial properties and in vitro corrosion rate will be tested after optimisation of the composition and processing parameters. The overall performance will be compared with the commercial Ti-6Al-4V and commercially pure Ti respectively.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Improving wear and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys for automotive applications","description":"It is well recognised that magnesium and its alloys have higher specific strength and higher damping capacity, over steels and aluminium alloys. As a result, the development of magnesium alloys as a light-weighting solution for automotive applications has attracted increasing attention and gained enormous investment since 1990\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. However, magnesium alloys usually suffer from poor corrosion resistance and wear resistance, which poses a critical barrier to wider adoption of Mg alloys by automotive manufacturer. Therefore, it is of technological significance to develop a low-cost and reliable process to improve the corrosion and wear resistance of magnesium alloys. This project will address the aforementioned challenge through laser cladding on the surface of magnesium component. Laser cladding can provide strong metallurgical bonding between coating and substrate, a fine and uniform microstructure due to rapid cooling rates and better thermal fatigue properties. In addition, laser cladding is an environmental-friendly, simple, and time-saving process, and hence it offers a promising pathway to solve this long-standing problem. In this project, new cladding materials which are compatible with aluminium at joint in a vehicle will be developed and the associated laser cladding processing parameters will be optimised to minimise the defects and cracks in the laser processed layer. The microstructure evolution from the bottom to the top of the cladded part will be characterised in a comprehensive manner by SEM and TEM. The wear and corrosion resistance after cladding will then be validated compared to the naked magnesium substrate in the freestanding and service conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Developing high-performance high-entropy alloys for demanding applications","description":"High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are an emerging class of alloys in materials family with equal (or near equal) molar fractions of multiple elements in a single solid solution. HEAs have a number of unusual characteristics, such as high thermal stability, excellent corrosion resistance and in particular, superior strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures [1,2], which far exceed the properties of conventional engineering alloys, like steels and titanium alloys. So HEAs are ideal candidate materials for many challenging cryogenic applications, like the carrier for storage and transport of liquefied nature gas from deep in the sea and ship propulsion systems working in cold ocean current, etc. This project aims to further enhance the mechanical properties of near eutectic HEAs enabled by metal additive manufacturing (AM). On one hand, the high cooling rates during the metal AM process can further refine the lamellar microstructure and lead to higher strength and toughness compared to the cast counterpart. On the other hand, solidification in a very small molten pool reduces macro-segregation of solute elements. In this project, laser processing strategy will be optimised for minimising the porosity and cracks in the as-built HEA samples. The as-fabricated and heat treated microstructure will be comprehensively characterised and resultant mechanical properties will be assessed at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Hetero-deformation induced strengthening in additively manufactured alloys","description":"Heterostructured materials with an alternating pattern of soft zones and hard zones in a micro-scale, have been reported as a new class of materials with superior mechanical properties, over conventional alloys with uniform microstructure. The underpinning mechanism is called Hetero-deformation induced (HDI) strengthening, where back stress is developed in soft zones to offset the applied stress. However, most of the current HDI related research are confined within conventional manufacturing techniques, like rolling, forging and extrusion, etc. In this project, the magnitude of HDI strengthening will be comprehensively evaluated in a metal additively manufactured (AM) component. Due to the ultra-high cooling rate and multiple thermal cycles during the metal AM process, microstructural heterogeneity easily develops in the as-fabricated component, in particular in hypo-eutectic alloys where the ultra-fine eutectics act as the hard zone, surrounding the pro-eutectic phase as the soft zone. A wide range of laser processing parameters will be investigated to tune the configuration (size, volume fraction and distribution) of soft zones and hard zones. The resultant mechanical properties will be tested to optimise the processing parameter. In addition, hierarchical hetero-structure will also be studied by incorporating the periodic macro-bands across layers. It is expected that the research outcomes can be used to guide the design of new high-performance heterostructured materials enabled by metal AM.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Benjamin Noble","title":"Developing Switchable Ligands to Control Gold Nanocluster Interfaces","description":"This project aims to unlock the catalytic activity of protected gold nanoclusters by developing switchable ligands capable of undergoing controlled detachment and exchange. This project expects to provide a detailed understanding of how the gold thiolate interface of nanoclusters influences their physical and chemical properties. Expected outcomes of this project include the design of improved catalysts for chemical synthesis and biological assays using computer aided chemical modelling. These catalysts should be easier to recover after use, which should improve cost-effectiveness. They should also improve the accuracy of biological sensors, which could ultimately be used for the rapid and early detection of diseases.\n \n This project is an excellent opportunity for driven students to learn advanced molecular modelling approaches, while working within a multidisciplinary team (Materials Modelling and Simulation Group) with expertise in Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi","title":"AI and Machine Learning for Robotic Perception and Manipulation","description":"Robots are usually equipped with multiple RGB-D cameras, TOF, and laser sensors and can actively collect a large amount of raw data. However, labelling and training large data sets hinder supervised learning methods in changing environments. Machine learning frameworks have gained increasing attention in many robotic applications, where expensive data collection and labelling for supervised learning is not feasible. Considering the task of robotic manipulation or assembly in a changing and unstructured environment, weekly supervised learning and deep reinforcement learning (DRL) are more compelling solutions compared to supervised learning. The problem of object detection and segmentation can be addressed based on weakly supervised learning methods, while DRL can solve the grasping task of irregular objects and trajectory planning. The doctoral student will work on an exciting project lying at the intersection of robotics and machine learning. Specifically, this project studies the state-of-the-art learning framework and its application to robotic vision and manipulating objects in an unstructured and changing environment. We will investigate core tasks of visual object detection, classification and grasping for robotics manipulation or assembly. We will draw from state-of-art computer vision and learning methods and adapt new algorithms for the considered robotic scenario. We will consider a stationary-base or floating-base robotic arm actively exploring the environment to detect\/classify objects on a tabletop or in a room. Then, at the next stages, we will engage the interactive capabilities of the robot and DRL to perform various grasping, pushing, pulling, assembly or disassembly of objects of interest from different and diverse views.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi","title":"Advances in Intelligent Robotics and Collaborative Automation","description":"The industry is part of the recent global movement for attaining digital platforms, automation and robotization in various domains (e.g. manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics and transport). Still, the pace of applying intelligent and autonomous robots in real-world applications is slow. Most of the traditional robotic systems in manufacturing, automobile, and so on, are meant to automate predictable tasks, manual repetitive or cognitive repetitive, with no people nearby, and robots rely on precise CAD models (i.e., cars) or vision to manipulate workpieces that are fixed, relative to the robotic systems. Recent research is motivated by the huge need for automation of cognitive nonrepetitive tasks. Future robots need to perform many nonrepetitive tasks that frequently change in small-volume manufacturing or in unstructured and dynamic environments, which are much harder to automate. In this project, students will design a new generation of robotic systems with novel locomotion [3], vision-based perception and path planning for manipulation in 3-D environments [1][2][3], and robot-human collaboration [3] to deal with task variations and uncertainties in the environment. By enabling robots to learn from their own experience and specified goals, it is possible to automate complex processes robustly. Students can work on the following topics: a) machine learning applied to nonrepetitive tasks, teaching by demonstration and human-robot skill transfer: To handle the effects of extreme conditions on perception and localization. b) Robots and mechanisms with novel locomotion, high precision, force sensing and control: To automate challenging tasks that are considered dangerous, dirty and dull (3D) for human workers. c) Automated path planning methods for manipulators operating in complex workspaces: To allow robotic manipulation in unstructured and changing environments. d) Robots that are inherently safe for interaction with human beings, understanding of human intention: To enable close human-robot collaboration. Prospective students should have prior knowledge and a strong background in machine learning, mechanical \/ mechatronics design, and control.\n References:\n [1]- H. Dong, E. Asadi, G. Sun, D.K.Prasad, I-Ming Chen. Real-Time Robotic Manipulation of Cylindrical Objects in Dynamic Scenarios Through Elliptic Shape Primitives. IEEE Transactions on Robotics, Vol. 35:1, 2019. DOI: 10.1109\/TRO.2018.2868804 [2]- Huixu Dong, Ehsan Asadi, Chen Qiu, Jian Dai, I-Ming Chen. Geometric Design Optimization of an Under-Actuated Tendon-Driven Robotic Gripper. Robotics and Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Vol. 50, pp. 80-89, 2018. [3] Ehsan Asadi, Bingbing Li and I-Ming Chen. Pictobot: A Cooperative Painting Robot for Interior Finishing of Industrial developments. IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 82-94, June 2018","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maciej Mazur","title":"Design and additive manufacture of a high-performance hybrid rocket motor","description":"Demand for wider, low-cost space access is increasing rapidly due to the significant expansion of the space economy in recent years. Specifically, economical rocket propulsion engines for small scale launch vehicles are in demand by industry and research institutions to help accelerate the development of new technologies for earth observation. Most current space launch services rely on liquid, regeneratively cooled rocket engines which are complex and incur significant manufacturing cost, thereby limiting their economic feasibility for small scale launch applications. A potential way to reduce complexity and cost is to use hybrid rocket motors which incorporate solid propellants, and which can be manufactured at lower costs. However, such rocket motors exhibit reduced performance, partially due to design compromises imposed by constraints associated with traditional manufacturing methods. However, recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) have significantly increased the range of manufacturable geometries, enabling the economic construction of complex designs previously not feasible. There is potential that through the application of emerging AM techniques, the performance of hybrid rocket engines can be increased thereby expanding their suitability for small scale launch vehicles. This PhD project aims to develop a compact, high-performance hybrid rocket motor suitable for small-scale launch vehicles. The project will address key research challenges in thermo-mechanical and combustion modelling, material selection, design for AM by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) technology, as well as extensive experimental testing and analysis. The project will be undertaken at the world-class RMIT Center for Additive manufacture (RCAM) and facilitated by a multi-disciplinary supervisory team.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nirajan Shiwakoti","title":"New methods for simulating the adoption and deployment of automated vehicles","description":"Emerging automated vehicle technology (AVT) could considerably change road transport and mobility service. AVT, however, faces some barriers to adoption. The adoption rate and market penetration of AVT depend on an interconnected network of influences. For example, AVT must overcome the perceived risks to safety, data-cyber security and ethical issues (e.g., liability, privacy). Undesirable events, such as crashes and data theft, might occur due to malfunctioning control systems and malicious hacking. This project aims to develop new methods and tools to conduct uncertainty analyses on various interventions (i.e. technology and policy scenarios to gain insights into facilitating the adoption and deployment of AVT.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nirajan Shiwakoti","title":"Modelling Adoption and Deployment of Electrical Vehicles","description":"Electric Vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity in recent years mainly due to price reduction, improvement in battery technology and sustainability awareness. However, the adoption and deployment of EVs are still at a slow pace. The project aims to develop a modelling tool to identify the short-term and long-term leverage points for adopting and deploying EVs. The project will consider EV users' perceptions of tangible and intangible incentives that may influence EVs adoption, route planning and charging behaviour. Understanding users\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 behaviour is critical for the successful deployment of EVs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nirajan Shiwakoti","title":"Developing Resilient Transport Systems During Disruptions or Disasters","description":"Different disruptions and threats, such as natural disasters (e.g., bushfires, floods), technological failures, and terrorist attacks, have consistently put large populations at risk worldwide. A robust and resilient transportation system is required to absorb the effects of such disturbances and to safeguard operational continuity. Emergency managers have the big task of planning for such risks by developing strategies to alleviate damage and protect lives. Therefore, this research aims to develop approaches to assess the vulnerability and resiliency of multi-modal transport systems. Diverse transport systems issues under natural and human-made disasters will be explored and examined in this project, including traffic networks and demand management, evacuee behaviour, mode of transport, multiple objectives, and spatial and temporal distribution of evacuees.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Stasinopoulos","title":"Dynamical life cycle assessment","description":"The life cycle assessment (LCA) technique is used to quantify the environmental impacts of a product, process, or decision. The standard LCA method, however, makes some limiting assumptions that exclude changes in parameter values over time. This lack of the temporal dimension and the focus on a single functional unit lead to uncertainty in estimates, especially for new, high-volume, long-life products and processes; and for products and processes that have long-term impacts.\n \n The aim of this project is to explore the value and challenges of an LCA technique that can account for the dynamics (i.e., changes over time) in adoption, consumer behaviour, resource consumptions, emissions, and environmental impacts. The focus is on dynamics that are driven by feedback, accumulation, and delays. Such complex dynamics often occur throughout product fleets and in the wider system, beyond the products themselves.\n \n The main contribution will be to the LCA methodology. Results may include the identification of circumstances in which dynamical LCAs provide worthwhile benefits over static\/steady-state LCAs. Dynamic processes may be modelled using system dynamics modelling, agent-based modelling, analytical approaches, or other methods.\n \n Case studies may address products, processes, and decisions that relate to clean\/renewable energy, other clean technology, critical metals and minerals, emerging high technology (including autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, and distributed ledger technologies), forests and biomass, other natural resources, emerging economies, humanitarian action, and development assistance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"MR216 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Stasinopoulos","title":"Dynamical life cycle assessment","description":"The life cycle assessment (LCA) technique is used to quantify the environmental impacts of a product, process, or decision. The standard LCA method, however, makes some limiting assumptions that exclude changes in parameter values over time. This lack of the temporal dimension and the focus on a single functional unit lead to uncertainty in estimates, especially for new, high-volume, long-life products and processes; and for products and processes that have long-term impacts.\n \n The aim of this project is to explore the value and challenges of an LCA technique that can account for the dynamics (i.e., changes over time) in adoption, consumer behaviour, resource consumptions, emissions, and environmental impacts. The focus is on dynamics that are driven by feedback, accumulation, and delays. Such complex dynamics often occur throughout product fleets and in the wider system, beyond the products themselves.\n \n The main contribution will be to the LCA methodology. Results may include the identification of circumstances in which dynamical LCAs provide worthwhile benefits over static\/steady-state LCAs. Dynamic processes may be modelled using system dynamics modelling, agent-based modelling, analytical approaches, or other methods.\n \n Case studies may address products, processes, and decisions that relate to clean\/renewable energy, other clean technology, critical metals and minerals, emerging high technology (including autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, and distributed ledger technologies), forests and biomass, other natural resources, emerging economies, humanitarian action, and development assistance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Development of nanodiamond\/selenium based medical textiles","description":"By serving as a physical or chemical barrier, the human skin protects internal organs from microbes, dehydration, and environmental hostility [1]. The functionality of skin and neighbouring cells could be damaged by severe injuries like trauma, disease, burns, or surgical procedures [2]. Bacterial development from the injured skin may lead to infection and hinder recovery [3]. The rise of multi-drug resistance strains of bacteria, in particular, caused serious clinical challenges and lost lives, particularly in developing nations where antimicrobials were widely available without a prescription [4]. Additionally, the environmental issues brought on by the contamination of water resources with antibiotics and related pharmaceutics [5]. Finding a different approach to prevent bacterial infection and the development of the wounded site is however unavoidable [6]. \n The primary goal of the current study is to fabricate Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) loaded membrane or electrospun nanofibrous mat composed of chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), where a variety of concentrations of SeNPs will be used to boost the antibacterial properties of the composite. To examine the possible biosensing and biocompatibility, another membrane or electrospun nanofibrous mat of CS and PVA hybrid doped with different concentrations of Nanodiamonds (NDs) will be generated. Eventually, an electro-spinning process will be used to achieve a fibrous composite of CS\/PVA\/SeNPs\/NDs for possible use in biomedical applications especially wound dressing. Based on the previous studies, there are hardly any narratives about the production, characterization, or impact assessment of a nanocomposite electrospun CS\/PVA\/SeNPs\/NDs nanofibrous membrane or mat for wound dressing. Using this next-generation nanocomposite wound dressing, hopefully, a wound could be protected from bacterial growth and infection as well as the mats could help with wound ventilation and exudate management, which would speed up the healing process. The presence of NDs on this multifunctional wound dressing is highly anticipated to add temperature-sensing features that can be employed to track and detect the status of an infection and recovery phase.\n References\n \n 1. Hoque J, Haldar J. Direct Synthesis of Dextran-Based Antibacterial Hydrogels for Extended Release of Biocides and Eradication of Topical Biofilms. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2017 May 2;9(19):15975\u00e2\u20ac\u201c85.\n 2. Huang X, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Xu L, Chen X, Wei S. Influence of radiation crosslinked carboxymethyl-chitosan\/gelatin hydrogel on cutaneous wound healing. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 2013 Dec;33(8):4816\u00e2\u20ac\u201c24.\n 3. Adeli H, Khorasani MT, Parvazinia M. Wound dressing based on electrospun PVA\/chitosan\/starch nanofibrous mats: Fabrication, antibacterial and cytocompatibility evaluation and in vitro healing assay. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2019 Feb;122(Epub 2018 Oct 18):238\u00e2\u20ac\u201c54.\n 4. Ardekani NT, Khorram M, Zomorodian K, Yazdanpanah S, Veisi H, Veisi H. Evaluation of electrospun poly (vinyl alcohol)-based nanofiber mats incorporated with Zataria multiflora essential oil as potential wound dressing. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2019 Mar;125:743\u00e2\u20ac\u201c50.\n 5. Levy SB, Marshall B. Antibacterial resistance worldwide: causes, challenges and responses. Nature Medicine [Internet]. 2004 Nov 30;10(S12):S122\u00e2\u20ac\u201c9. Available from: https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nm1145\n 6. Ahmed MK, Moydeen AM, Ismail AM, El-Naggar ME, Menazea AA, El-Newehy MH. Wound dressing properties of functionalized environmentally biopolymer loaded with selenium nanoparticles. Journal of Molecular Structure. 2021 Feb;1225:129138.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Tissue- Engineered Vascular Grafts","description":"Coronary artery diseases and peripheral vascular disease are leading causes of death and impaired quality of life. Vascular graft plays an important role in the contemporary management of a wide range of clinical conditions, including coronary artery bypass and distal limb bypass. In most cases, autologous tissue, in the preferred treatment and gold standard for the long-term revascularization especially for small diameter vessels (<6mm). However, these vessels are of limited availability, require invasive harvest which can be associated with significant morbidity and are often unsuitable for use. Synthetic vascular grafts represent an alternative to autologous vessels. Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) have been developed to overcome these issues and withstand the high pressures of the arterial circulation. Most TEVGs seek to replicate the biological and mechanical properties of native blood vessels, if not the protein, materials, and cells themselves present in native vascular architecture. These grafts have shown satisfactory long-term results for replacement of large- and medium-diameter arteries, such as the carotid or common femoral artery, but have poor patency rates when applied to small-diameter vessels(<6mm), such as coronary arteries and arteries below the knee. Considering the limitations of current vascular bypass conduits, a TEVG with the ability to grow, remodel, and repair in vivo presents a potential solution for the future of vascular surgery. \n An ideal TEVG will undergo rapid vascular remodelling process by facilitating cellular infiltration and scaffold degeneration. This project will focus on feasibility of novel small arterial TEVGs created using several biodegradable materials and their combinations to consider the degradation rate, processability, ease of manufacturing, cellular infiltration. Furthermore, fabrication conditions for specific techniques will be optimised for tunable physical and chemical properties that can lead to optimum tissue formation in vitro and regeneration in vivo, and experimental data will be used for modelling the grafts.\n References\n 1. T. Funkunisi, et al, Tissue Engineering small diameter arterial vascular grafts from cell-free nanofiber PCL\/Chitosan scaffold in a sheep Model, PLOS ONE, 2016; DOI:10.1371\/journal.pone.0158555 \n 2. M. Carrabba and P. Madeddu, Current strategies for the manufacture of small size tissue engineering vascular grafts, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2018, doi: 10.3389\/fbioe.2018.00041\n 3. C. S. Ong, et al, Tissue engineering vascular grafts: current state of the field, EXPERT REVIEW OF MEDICAL DEVICES, 2017, VOL. 14, NO. 5, 383\u00e2\u20ac\u201c392, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/17434440.2017.1324293\n 4. S. Pashneh-Tala, et el, The tissue engineered vascular graft- past present and future, TISSUE ENGINEERING: Part B, Volume 22, Number 1, 2016, DOI: 10.1089\/ten.teb.2015.0100\n 5. F. Ahmed, N.R. Choudhury et al Interaction of Platelet with Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) electrospun surfaces, Biomacromolecules 2014, 15: 744\u00e2\u20ac\u201c755 \n 6. F. Ahmed, N.R. Choudhury et al Engineering interaction between bone marrow derived endothelial cells and electrospun surfaces for artificial vascular graft applications, Biomacromolecules 2014 15(4):1276-87 \n 7. F. Ahmed, N. R. Choudhury et al Fabrication and characterisation of an electrospun tubular 3D scaffold platform of poly (vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) for small-diameter blood vessel application, J. of Biomat. Sci., Polym. Ed. 2014, 25, 18, 2023\u00e2\u20ac\u201c2041.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Bioengineered materials with visibility under medical imaging","description":"Imaging techniques are utilised for a variety of applications, including 3D imaging to analyse heat and drought stress on food crops, the microstructure of composites, ceramic, polymer, and modelling organisms, as well as visualising internal interactions of biological components within physiological systems in a non-invasive and rapid way. However, it is challenging to visualise internal soft biological structures or embedded polymeric materials with high clarity under current imaging techniques. Such materials can be used to support or modify (e.g., by releasing compounds) biological structures in complex physiological systems. Since not all soft tissue or polymeric materials absorb X-rays or have similar contrast properties under X-rays, imaging of these components is usually suboptimal due to low resolution and clarity [1,2]. Novel agents are therefore required to better delineate soft tissues and polymeric materials in physiological systems and enhance the contrast between soft tissue and polymeric materials. This project will achieve this by untapping the potential of nanomaterials and nanoscale fabrication to increase the contrast sensitivity of the agents and improve the visualisation or be able to model their structure and interactions. \n Contrast agents are usually taken up by soft biological structures (for example, biological tissues) and increase visibility and definition using a range of imaging techniques, such as Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques. However, most currently available contrast agents undergo rapid clearance, within a few hours, from physiological systems and can cause issues such as reduction in biological functions when remaining in tissue for extended durations (48 hrs). In addition, the polymeric materials used to support damaged tissue generally have poor absorbance properties resulting in difficulties visualising using current imaging techniques such as CT and MRI [2,3]. Therefore, suitable contrast agents are required to understand and study the interaction between the polymeric materials used to support damaged tissue and the biological system, as well as detailed information about their conditions in a non-invasive way [1][4]. \n This project will therefore provide a completely novel non-invasive visualisation technique applicable to define internal biological structures and polymeric structural materials, such as sutures, thread, and gels, in functioning complex physiological systems. The fluorescent properties of carbon dots combined with their chemical sensitivity make them suitable for applications such as the detection of corrosion, manufacturing defects modelling organisms, microstructure analysis and failure behaviour of polymeric composites. \n References\n 1. Jeong, Y., et al., Biocompatible carbonized iodine-doped dots for contrast-enhanced CT imaging. Biomater Res, 2022. 26(1): p. 27.\n 2. Yin, M., et al., Precisely translating computed tomography diagnosis accuracy into therapeutic intervention by a carbon-iodine conjugated polymer. Nat Commun, 2022. 13(1): p. 2625.\n 3. Ballard, D.H., et al., 3D printing of surgical hernia mesh impregnated with contrast agents: in vitro proof of concept with imaging characteristics on computed tomography. 3D Print Med, 2018. 4(1): p. 13.\n 4. Ding, X., et al., Preparation and Biocompatibility Study of Contrast-Enhanced Hernia Mesh Material. Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2022. 19(4): p. 703-715.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Stuart Bateman","title":"Design and manufacture of ultra performance materials for use as thermal protection systems for aerospace applications","description":"Aerospace manufacturers have an interest in developing materials that could be used as thermal protection for space vehicles traveling at hypersonic velocities. The goal of this research is to develop a class of materials and manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing that could one day substantially reduce the manufacturing and assembly costs of space vehicle thermal protection systems (TPS). Knowledge gained in this area would not only underpin this grand challenge but near term support the development of materials with improved thermal stability and flammability for application in transportation and critical civil infrastructure.\n Currently the range of materials available for Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) based additive manufacturing is limited compared to other polymer manufacturing processes. Even less is known about FDM manufacturing of ultra-performance polymeric materials such as those with high inherent stability and which undergo chemical \/ physical transformations to produce stable insulative residues on exposure to extreme thermal events, the focus of this project. Research into thermally responsive polymeric materials and additive manufacturing would be conducted at RMIT, . Investigation of thermal, fire performance and ablative response of specimens via micro-scale combustion calorimetry, oxy-acetylene test bed (OTB) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) would be conducted in collaboration with co-supervisor Prof Joe Koo at the University of Texas (Austin). Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) will be used to analyze the heat transfer between the specimens under various scenarios compared with material response obtained experimentally to develop predictive models to support the research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tingting Song","title":"Hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials by 3D printing and nanofabrication","description":"This project aims to develop a novel approach to the manufacture of hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials with a fine nanoporous tantalum surface through capitalizing on the advantages of metal 3D printing and a unique post nanofabrication process. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the design and manufacture of hierarchical metal lattice materials. Expected outcomes include a new advanced manufacturing method and a new class of highly biocompatible hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials. The former should benefit the Australian Manufacturing Industry for the manufacture of a variety of novel metal lattice materials or products while the latter has the potential for applications as implant materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yingyan Zhang","title":"Development of graphene\/epoxy composites membrane","description":"The exceptional properties of graphene have endowed it with enormous potentials in the anti-corrosion applications for most common metals. The challenging issue in the anti-corrosion application of graphene is the fatal galvanic corrosion occurring between graphene and metals. To make the best use of graphene for long-term corrosion protection, it is of paramount importance that its adversely galvanic corrosion is avoided. In this project, we tackle the challenge of galvanic corrosion of graphene via physically uncoupling by developing a novel graphene\/epoxy nanocomposite coating.\n \n This project includes property characterization by molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory, inverse design by machine learning and structural analysis by continuum mechanics modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yongmin Zhong","title":"Dynamic Soft Tissue Characterisation","description":"Soft tissue properties are important to many modern applications of technology to medicine, such as robotic surgery, surgical simulation and training, tissue engineering and biomanufacturing. The behaviors of soft tissue deformation under applied physical force relies on tissue mechanical properties, which are dynamically changing during tool-tissue interaction. Therefore, soft tissues properties must be acquired and studied through a dynamic characterization process for accurate modelling of soft tissue deformation. This project aims to study the fundamental issues associated with dynamic soft tissue characterisation during the process of tool-tissue interaction (such as palpation-based disease diagnosis, and needle insertion for percutaneous interventions). It is expected to establish advanced real-time estimation algorithms based on biomechanical models to dynamically identify tissue mechanical properties.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yunhui Chen","title":"Unraveling the secrets of laser additive manufacturing using synchrotron radiation","description":"Laser Additive Manufacturing of metals is revolutionising the manufacturing sector for the flexibility to create complex geometries directly from a digital design. However, very high cooling rates and many rapid\n thermal cycles pose many challenges in achieving industrial standard components. This project aims to use synchrotron radiation to resolve the challenges in additive manufacturing by looking inside the process with fast Synchrotron X-ray imaging. With a framerate > 40kHz, we will be able to observe the laser-matter interaction in-situ and understand in-depth the defects and phases forming process. The student will be able to visit world-leading synchrotron facilities including The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France and the Advanced Photon Source in the US for experiments and get trained by beamline scientists in advanced X-ray techniques. This project will also provide the student with real industrial experiences with access to industrial applications and a variety of additive manufacturing machines in the RMIT AM center.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Hamid Khayyam","title":"Intelligent Modelling, Control and Optimization of Engineering Complex Systems (Energy, Transportation, and Automation) ","description":"Complex systems pose significant challenges in mechanical, mechatronics, and electrical engineering. These systems involve studying the interrelationships among multiple entities, which contribute to collective behavior and often reveal intricate dynamic phenomena. Modeling such systems necessitates the use of sophisticated mathematical tools. However, it is evident that our current human knowledge and scientific tools fall short in capturing the overall complexity of system dynamics. Therefore, the need for new theoretical advancements and novel challenges in applications drives the development of suitable tools for accurately describing complex systems. One potential solution involves utilizing intelligent systems that incorporate intelligence into machine-handled applications. Intelligent systems are capable of performing search, control, optimization, and learning functions. Intelligent system design can incorporate various types of machine learning, such as supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning, and deep reinforcement learning. This approach can be applied to the design of diagnostics, construction, and operation of autonomous vehicles, autonomous robots, trains, tram, EVs, Bus, batteries, energy systems, as well as mechanical, mechatronics, and electrical engineering systems.\n\nThe objective of this project is to develop an intelligent model for real-time control and optimization of complex mechanical, mechatronics, and electrical systems.\nThe candidate is expected to have good knowledge in data analytics and mathematical modelling.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"400702 Automation engineering ; 400705 Control engineering ; 401703 Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tingting Song","title":"Hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials by 3D printing and nanofabrication","description":"This project aims to develop a novel approach to the manufacture of hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials with a fine nanoporous tantalum surface through capitalizing on the advantages of metal 3D printing and a unique post nanofabrication process. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the design and manufacture of hierarchical metal lattice materials. Expected outcomes include a new advanced manufacturing method and a new class of highly biocompatible hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials. The former should benefit the Australian Manufacturing Industry for the manufacture of a variety of novel metal lattice materials or products while the latter has the potential for applications as implant materials.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Milan Simic","title":"Managing Transition to Electrical Vehicles","description":"We are currently in the state of the transition from the use of internal combustion engines to the electrical vehicles. It is driven by the demands for the environmental sustainability, less greenhouse emissions and less global warming. Transport sector, worldwide, is generating 10 to 20% of the pollution. To reduce that, we need technology developments, because the new technology, from the customers point of view, should match costs and performances of the traditional transport options. This transition is a major disruption affecting the whole economy of the country and globally. We need investment in new EV infrastructure to cover all transport network. Now, we have following major EV technology streams: Battery Electric Vehicle, Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, and Fuel Cell or Fuel Cell Electric. To support the transition, we need governments\u2019 understanding and commitments with clear policies. Pathways are not straightforward. To have green transportation using EVs we need to use green produced electrical energy. This is not the case in many countries, and the energy sector is currently producing more pollution than the transportation itself. In addition to that, battery life is around five years and the pollution caused by the improper handling, as it is mainly now, could be another attack to the environment. Transition management modelling, systems modelling, and Artificial Intelligence, i.e., Neural Network and Fuzzy Logic, will be methodology tools used for the predictions and proposals for the future directions.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Duyao Zhang","title":"Additive manufacturing of ternary Ti alloys with tuneable microstructure","description":"This project aims to design new class Ti-based alloys specifically for metal additive manufacturing (MAM) with fully equiaxed grains. It is well accepted that achievement of a fine grain size generally leads to improved mechanical properties and structural uniformity of most metals and alloys. However, MAM process is a non-equilibrium solidification processing because of much higher cooling rate and thermal gradient than conventional casting process. As a result, it is a big challenge to form equiaxed grains in MAM, especially in Ti-based alloys. In addition, alloys currently employed in industry have been originally designed for conventional manufacturing routes and not optimized for MAM. Hence, this project will tackle these challenges by considering the thermodynamic behaviour of the alloy elements during solidification to override the negative effects of solidification conditions during MAM.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Duyao Zhang","title":"Develop new fine-grained high-performance Ti alloys by metal 3D printing","description":"This project aims to develop a new class of Ti alloys that have very fine equiaxed grains and excellent mechanical properties, enabled by 3D metal printing. The key innovation is enabling grains that are finer and sprout in all directions, strengthening the overall structure and overcome the problems that conventional alloys have undesirably coarse-grained microstructures. The expected outcomes will lead to the widespread adoption of 3D metal printing for the production of high-performance structural parts, for which reliably high-quality microstructures and mechanical properties are of the utmost importance.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"MR216P23 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rory Gover","title":"Accurate acceleration limit determination methods for quasi-steady state vehicle modeling.","description":"Lap time simulation is a useful tool in motorsport for the design and development of a race car. Two common lap time simulation methods are Quasi-Steady-State (QSS) and Transient-Optimization (TO) with the former generally being computationally less intensive however not as accurate as the latter. This research project aims to improve QSS vehicle models\u2019 accuracy relative to TO models whilst remaining computationally efficient through the development of algorithms to accurately determine the acceleration capacity of a QSS vehicle across a wide operational domain. An accurate and computationally efficient lap time simulation method has many useful applications other than racecar development such as autonomous vehicle control or advanced driver assistance systems. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400203 Automotive mechatronics and autonomous systems  50%\n401706 Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"MR216P23 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yunhui Chen","title":"Synchrotron X-ray understanding of Laser Additive Manufacturing processes","description":"Laser additive manufacturing (LAM; laser 3D printing) is a key underpinning technology for the digital revolution (Industry 4.0), producing complex objects directly from 3D CAD drawings. LAM has incredible potential in rapid prototyping for aerospace, energy, and biomedical applications. Exciting opportunities arise in this research space to create components with exceptional mechanical performance and unique properties using alloy design and process control approach. However, due to the transient nature of the process, the understanding of LAM is limited through traditional post-mortem analysis, necessitating in-situ characterisation. Synchrotron X-ray techniques have only been implemented in LAM research recently but have shown huge advantages over traditional techniques in capturing, both in real and reciprocal space, the LAM processes, evidenced by a series of publications in Science and Nature. \n\nOur research group has pioneered the research field of Synchrotron X-ray investigation of LAM processes. Dr. Chen has developed a series of world-first additive manufacturing machines (both Powder Bed Fusion and blown powder Directed Energy Deposition) that work on synchrotron beamlines at the Diamond Light Source (UK), European Synchrotron Radiation Facilities (France), and Advanced Photon Source (USA) which can do in-situ monitoring and quantification of the LAM process. \n\nThis project aims to design and implement an in-line monitoring system which allows to generate defects free LAM components which process unique mechanical properties. In this project, the Master candidate will be provided with an exciting and unique opportunity to work with alloy design and solidification experts, machine learning experts and synchrotron x-ray material characterisation experts. Using in-situ Synchrotron X-ray results as ground truth, the candidate will develop a new approach will enable fast prediction of defects and microstructure formation on-the-fly during LAM processes. This project has significant industrial and academic potentials to fulfil the candidate\u2019s ambition.\n\nThe candidate will be based at Advanced Manufacturing Precinct, RMIT University, Australia with long placements at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, France. In addition, the PhD candidate will be supported by more than 10 research institutes and industrial partners across the globe with potential placement opportunities.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"404014 Manufacturing engineering (25%) ; 404016 Materials engineering (25%) ; 515110 Synchrotrons and accelerators (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Yarovsky","title":"Computational models of bio \u2013 nano material interfaces for novel biomedical applications","description":"The project will model biomolecule interactions with nanomaterials to develop novel devices for sensing of disease. You will theoretically characterise behaviour of nanomaterials in bio-environment at the time and length scales not achievable experimentally. These theoretical results will guide the experimental development of extremely sensitive diagnostic devices. You will collaborate with world leading experimental teams in the UK and Australia developing new nanomaterials and devices for biomedical exploitation, including point-of-care diagnostics and nanoparticle based treatments of diseases. You will develop atom-resolved models of novel nanomaterials in realistic biological settings using advanced computational chemistry and physics methods and high performance computing. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/03\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials ; 401807 \u2013 Nanomaterials ; 340402 - Biomolecular modelling and design"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Yarovsky","title":"Theoretical modelling of materials interfaces for Australian Steel industry","description":"RMIT is a partner in the Steel Innovation Research Hub funded by the Australian Research Council. The PhD candidate will work within the Steel Innovation Hub collaboratively with industry based technologists, academic Chief Investigators and their teams at RMIT and other partner Universities. The student will be trained to undertake high-quality, cutting-edge theoretical molecular modelling of hybrid materials at multiple time and length scales and contribute fundamental materials design principles to guide the industry in producing high quality environmentally efficient innovative steel products.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"25\/03\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials ;  401807 - Nanomaterials ; 340402 - Biomolecular modelling and design"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Next-generation of Materials for Transvaginal Mesh (TVM)","description":"Transvaginal mesh (TVM) is a medical device utilized for over 15 years to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) [1,2]. However, approximately 8-15% of TVM implants result in complications: lower back and hip pain; vaginal bleeding; blood in the urine\/bladder\/urethra; poor urinary flow; loss of sexual function; recurrent urinary\/vaginal infection and organ perforation [1,3]. Vaginal exposure (mesh becomes visible through the vagina) is the most common complication requiring revision surgery to remove extruding\/eroded mesh, with complete mesh removal not guaranteed. The occurrence rate of mesh erosions increases from 17% to 42% at one to seven years post-implantation [4-5]. In addition, many adverse effects are related to poor integration of materials at the implantation site, which triggers chronic inflammatory responses and contractile scar tissue development around the implant. In 2017, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. issued bans on TVM due to public concern and reported complications. However, treatment with native tissue or suture techniques resulted in a high recurrence rate of POP [1, 6]. Therefore, the TVM implant still remains the first option for POP\/SUI treatment; as such, reported complications should be addressed and prevented - this warrants the need to develop alternative mesh materials. In this project, a novel electrospun, visible and biocompatible mesh will be developed to address the mismatch between implant properties and the pelvic organ\/bladder to enhance its function (mechanical support) and reduce inflammation. The designed and developed transvaginal mesh will possess: i) protein-repellent properties, ii) visibility, and iii) a special structure to reduce its shrinkage and inflammation.\nReferences\n1. CDRH, F.a., Urogynecologic Surgical Mesh: July 2011.\n2. Shafaat, S., et al., Neurourol Urodyn, 2018. 37(2): p. 716-725.\n3. Bae WJ, K.K., et al., Transl Androl Urol, 2014. 3(S1): AB221).\n4. Ballard, D.H., et al., 3D Print Med, 2018. 4(1): p. 13.\n5. Farthmann, J., et al., Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2016. 294(1): p. 115-21\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/06\/2026","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"090301 - Biomaterials (40%) ; 091205 - Functional Materials (20%) ; 091012 - Textile Technology (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"Thermal management of hybrid fuel cell-battery systems in mobile applications","description":"The proposed study aims to address the thermal management challenges associated with hybrid fuel cell-battery systems used in heavy-duty mobile applications, such as trucks and other mobile machineries (e.g., lift trucks). Thermal management of is a significant limitation in these applications due to i) the low operating temperature of fuel cells; ii) multiple thermal needs within the systems; and iii) limited space for heat exchangers. These challenges are pronounced more in extreme cold climates and in the absence of an optimally design energy management strategy.  This study will adopt a holistic system-level approach to address this challenge by considering critical operating conditions, thermal requirements within the systems, potential heat recovery options, and solutions for optimising energy management. The objectives of this study are to i) develop data-driven and simulation approaches for the simultaneous optimisation of energy management by considering the system's thermal requirements; ii) minimise external thermal interactions by identifying internal thermal bridging opportunities, with a focus on system cold-start as well as battery and hydrogen storage thermal management needs (where applicable); iii) address mismatches between available recovered heat and the various system's heat demands; iv) and v) develop methods for applying the findings of this study to various heavy-duty trucks and non-road mobile machinery.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400205 Hybrid and electric vehicles and powertrains"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"An Integrated Energy Management System of a Fuel Cell Electrified Heavy Duty Vehicle","description":"Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) comprise various subsystems such as the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), battery, and electric machine, each requiring a dedicated thermal management system in addition to the cabin HVAC module. Understanding the interactions between these subsystems in an integrated thermal management system is crucial for enhancing the overall performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability of the hybrid powertrain. While previous research has focused on standalone subsystems like fuel cells, batteries, or electrical controls, there is a need for an integrated energy management analysis of the entire powertrain, including the cabin, under realistic drive cycles that reflect city, highway, and urban driving conditions. Based on these observations, the objectives of the present investigation are formulated as follows: i) Develop an integrated energy management system that includes a fuel cell, battery, electrical machine, and cabin for a heavy-duty vehicle, and optimize its performance for different drive cycles; ii) Explore the energy efficiency and temperature stability of the proposed thermal management strategy on large-scale battery packs in both hot and cold ambient conditions; iii) Develop a regenerative and dynamic air humidification cycle using pure wastewater from the fuel cell stack to optimize the reaction rate and energy output for driving the powertrain; and iv) Expose the optimally designed electrical powertrain to different conditions, such as overcharging, and overheating to study thermal runaway and the multi-state reliability of the entire subsystem.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400201 hybrid and electric vehicles and powertrains"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Yasuhiro Tachibana, Rachel Caruso and School of Science","title":"Development of Photocatalytic Nanomaterials for Solar Water Splitting","description":"Solar water splitting is one of the most attractive processes to generate clean energy.[1] This process does not emit greenhouse gases, and the generated hydrogen can be stored and used when required. Although finding the optimum material combination is extremely challenging, extensive efforts have been focused on developing nanomaterials for such solar water splitting reactions at low cost. Identification of parameters controlling water splitting efficiency has also been extensively investigated, however research towards nanomaterial development in correlation with the reaction mechanism has rarely been conducted.[1]\r\n\r\nMetal oxide nanomaterials such as TiO2, Fe2O3 and WO3 and their doped materials have been intensively studied to improve efficiency of water oxidation reaction.[2] However, despite this progress, the mechanism of the key reactions has rarely been understood. We are interested in elucidating mechanisms of photocatalytic water splitting reactions, and studied charge carrier dynamics,[3] and identified several key parameters that potentially control water splitting reactions.\r\n\r\nThis project aims at developing novel photocatalytic nanomaterials to be applied for solar water splitting devices. We will employ wet chemistry methods to synthesize metal oxide (MFe2O4 or WOx) nanocrystals and\/or g-C3N4 nanostructures, and employ state-of-the-art transient absorption spectroscopies and a time resolved microwave conductivity system, installed in part with the support from the awarded ARC LIEF funds (LE200100051 and LE170100235), respectively.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Y. Tachibana, L. Vayssieres, J. R. Durrant, Nature Photon., 6(8) 511-518 (2012).\r\n[2] Can Li et al. ACS Catal. 7 (2017) 675-688.\r\n[3] Y. Tachibana et al., Appl. Catal. B-Environ., 296 (2021) 120226.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340607 Reaction kinetics and dynamics (45%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (40%)\r\n340304 Optical properties of materials (15%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"","teamleader":"Hamid Khayyam ","title":"Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Industrial Applications","description":"Sustainability is essential and should drive innovation through the combination of the circular economy and artificial intelligence in industries. Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in modern industrial settings enable initiatives to better observe, monitor, control, and optimize their mechanical and electrical operations. This leads to improvements in planning, decision-making, efficiency, quality, and productivity [1-4]. The implications for industries are significant. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning, coupled with the high levels of automation in modern industrial environments, has created a window of opportunity for forward-looking companies to surge ahead of the competition. \r\nThis project aims to identify current challenges and stimulate new ideas in the quest to realize the potential of Industry 4.0 and IoT.\r\nThe objective of this project is to focus on system and process analysis, modeling, prediction, and optimization to enhance the reduce, reuse, and recycle economy through the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. The project encompasses related topics, such as renewable energy, electricity supply and demand, bioenergy, robotics, sensors, machine learning, data analytics, material passports, life cycle assessments, life cycle costing, decarbonization, vehicles, energy storage, energy conservation, and energy usage in industrial. This occurs within the broader context of automation control and energy efficiency.\r\nThe candidate is expected to possess a strong understanding of data analytics and mathematical modelling.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"400702 Automation and Control Engineering\n400705 Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified\n401703 Energy generation, conversion and storage \n400203 Automotive mechatronics and autonomous systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sherman C.P. Cheung, Abdulghani Mohamed","title":"Multi-objective optimisation for drone propeller designs","description":"RMIT\/BITS will jointly develop a design methodology that comprises numerical techniques to optimise and assess the performance of propellers. Through the variation of geometric twist of the propellers and planform shape, the propeller geometry will be optimised using a multi-objective optimisation platform. The platform will use advanced surrogate methods to capture and replace lengthy computational simulations. This will significantly shorten the design cycle and improve the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of practical drome propellers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Targeted nasal drug delivery to improve patient outcomes","description":"Nasal drug delivery has emerged as a potential for systemic and possibly pulmonary treatment. It offers an interesting alternative for achieving systemic therapeutic effects of drugs that are comparable to the parenteral route, which can be inconvenient at times or oral administration, which can result in unacceptably low drug bioavailability. Targeted and controlled delivery devices will enable opportunities for new drugs to be delivered with targeted sites such as the olfactory region, sinuses, and even pulmonary. Drug delivery efficiency in a realistic human nasal cavity for a variety of aerosol drug administration systems targeting the olfactory region will be investigated. Outcomes of this work will lead to new innovative delivery device designs for effective respiratory treatment This project will involve experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) using PIV and PLIF at CSIRO, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using Ansys-Fluent aimed at providing practical solutions in order to improving drug delivery efficiency of inhalation therapy devices. Experimental measurements will be performed using both light scattering methods, and high speed photography. \nCoughs and sneezes are dramatic respiratory activities implicated as a primary source for airborne","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Aerosol generation and transmission from respiratory activity","description":"Transmission of viral laden droplets. However, viral droplets may also form during less dramatic events such as singing, shouting and breathing. In both types of activities, aerosols are generated from inside the respiratory airway. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs is poorly understood. The respiratory airway environment is moist, humid, and uniquely intricate in geometry optimised for many physiology functions. Aerosols generated within must navigate the narrow airways before exiting through the mouth and become airborne indoors. The indoor room settings become influential after the droplets are emitted into the air. For example, the number of occupants in a given space influences body thermal plumes, while respiration from nearby occupants creates localised flow fields in the breathing region. At larger scales, the room ventilation wields great influence with building standards ensuring sufficient clean, fresh air is replenished, but airborne particles may travel through ventilation ducts that redistribute air to other parts of a building. The recent coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on a better understanding of viral transmission, reflected by the \u2018flood of coronavirus research\u2019 in journals (4). Nevertheless, the significance of this project in understanding airborne transmission extends beyond the current pandemic highlighted by broader applications of inhalation exposure to dangerous pollutants (e.g., asbestos, silica dust, nanoparticles) that can lead to acute and long-term respiratory injury. This project aims to investigate how aerosols are generated during respiratory activity, and their transmission through indoor environments influenced by an interplay between occupant activity, aerosol science, and building ventilation, through computational multi-physics modelling, built upon data obtained from cine 4D magnetic resonance imaging, experimental visualisation, and measurements from laser diagnostics. Importantly, this project addresses both fundamental questions and contributes directly to a full risk assessment platform comprising the droplet emission chain, airborne dispersion modelling, and inhaled dose estimation through droplet deposition in respiratory airway models. We address two key objectives that are critical to inhaled exposure to aerosols.\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Optimal design of green buildings using computational and experimental fluid dynamics","description":"Natural ventilation or self-ventilation is an economical way to improve indoor air quality. Climate factors such as temperature, received radiation, humidity, and wind flow can significantly affect natural ventilation of the buildings. This study aimed to investigate the performance of some commonly known strategies such as building orientation, aperture area, and coating color to promote natural ventilation on the hot and humid climates. Furthermore extensions of buildings in the form of double and triple facdes, roof designs, shading effects, and windcatchers are included as part of the overall building design.\nThese techniques are traditionally used without any specific knowledge on their individual importance and mutual effects. As an advanced modeling tool for energy assessment, CFD and experimental measurements are used to numerically evaluate the results of each change. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Advanced and Targeted Respiratory Drug Delivery","description":"Pulmonary drug delivery has emerged as a critical method for treating respiratory diseases. Nebulizers, Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) and Pressurized Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs) are common devices that generate fine drug particles through atomization, and are inhaled orally targeting deep lung deposition [1, 2]. Among these devices, the pMDI is the preferred choice by patients for treatment of asthma and COPD [3]. Despite its popularity, drug delivery efficiency on average reaches only 5%-20%. The nasal spray devices also provides respiratory drug delivery where drugs depositing on the mucus walls can provide direct transfer into the blood, bypassing gastric breakdown. Furthermore Nose-to- brain drug administration along the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways offers an alternative route for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The characterization of particle deposition remains difficult to achieve in experiments. Alternative numerical approach is applied to identify suitable aerosol particle size with maximized inhaled doses. This research focused primarily on developing useful and economically viable CFD approaches aimed at providing practical solutions in order to improving drug delivery efficiency of inhalation therapy devices. Drug delivery efficiency in a realistic human nasal cavity for a variety of aerosol drug administration systems targeting the olfactory region will be investigated. Outcomes of this work will lead to new innovative delivery device designs for effective respiratory treatment References: [1]. Dolovich, M.B., et al., Device selection and outcomes of aerosol therapy: Evidence-based guidelines:American College of Chest Physicians\/American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology. Chest,2005. 127(1): p. 335-71. [2]. Inthavong, K., et al., Micron particle deposition in a tracheobronchial airway model under different breathing conditions.Medical Engineering & Physics, 2010. 32(10): p. 1198-1212. [3]. Haughney, J., et al., Choosing inhaler devices for people with asthma: Current knowledge and outstanding research needs.Respiratory Medicine, 2010. 104(9): p. 1237-1245.\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hamid Khayyam ","title":"Intelligent Transportation Systems of Tomorrow","description":"Transition to Connected Vehicles (CAs), Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), and Autonomous Public Transports (APTs) on the roads brings potential opportunities to the society, but it includes many challenges. These vehicles produce large volumes of data, containing valuable information such as time, date, motion detection, navigation, fuel consumption. Such data can be used for many applications, such as voice and image recognition, eye tracking and driver monitoring, vehicle speed with acceleration, deceleration, cumulative mileage, voice search, recommendation engines, sentiment analysis, speech recognition and gesture, and virtual assistance. The size of data is easily in excess of 10 terabyte per year for 100,000 vehicles [1-5]. \r\nAlso, from manufacturing to logistics to passenger transport, robotics has influenced and continues to influence every aspect of transportation. As this technology drives further innovation, it will become inseparable from the industry. In many ways, robots will drive the future of transportation. If current trends continue, all sub-sectors of transport will rely on various types of robotics in the near future.\r\nThe combination of high-speed, resilient, low latency connectivity and technologies of the Artificial Intelligence and IoT will enable transformation towards fully smart vehicles that illustrate the complementary between real world and digital knowledge for industry 4.0. Big data analytics brings enormous opportunities to the research and development in this field. This project aims to create an intelligent model for real-time data fusion optimization of transportation system and IoT technology to (i) increasing vehicle safety, (ii) reduction of accidents, (iii) reduction of fuel consumption, (iv) releasing of driver time and business opportunities, (v) new potential market opportunities, (vi) intelligently Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and (vii) reduced emissions and dust particles. \r\nThe candidate is expected to have good knowledge in data analytics and mathematical modelling.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abhijit Date","title":"Exploring the Use of Osmotic Pressure and Capillary Force in Heat Pipes: Insights from the Water Transport System of Trees","description":"The maximum length or height that a heat pipe can attain is governed by the capillary pumping limit. In situations where the heat source is at the top and the heat sink is at the bottom of the heat pipe, and gravity acts in a normal manner from top to bottom, the height of the heat pipe is further restricted as gravity opposes the capillary lift. This project aims to explore and investigate the use of osmotic pressures for the lifting of the working fluid in heat pipes with the heat source located at the top. This mode of fluid transport is observed in trees in nature. The tallest tree on earth is the 156-m eucalyptus amygdalina in Australia [1], while the California redwoods, which have been growing on earth for thousands of years, can grow over 120m tall. Woodward [2] analyzed the factors that limit tree growth and found that water supply is a key constraint on height, given its significance in other physiological processes. To transport water from the roots to the leaves of tall trees, a driving force of over 2MPa is required to overcome the gravitational forces. It is estimated that all the plants on earth collectively vaporize about 3.2\u00c3\u2014107 million tons of water each year. This project will conduct a comprehensive review of the fundamental principles of the water transport system in trees and the Cohesion-Tension Theory proposed by biologists to explain these principles. In particular, the roles played by capillary forces in leaves and osmotic pressures in roots in the water transport system of trees will be discussed. Drawing inspiration from the water transport system of trees, this project will study the use of osmotic pressure and capillary force in heat pipes. An osmotic heat pipe will be studied through both analytical and experimental means to ascertain its feasibility and investigate its performance and characteristics.\n\n [1] George Koch, Stephen Sillett, Gregg Jennings, and Stephen Davis, How Water Climbs to the Top of a 112 Meter-Tall Tree, Essay 4.3 (2006), 5 pages, in Plant Physiology Online, Fifth Edition. \n [2] Ian Woodward, Tall Storeys. University of Sheffield Nature, Vol 428, 22 April, 2004","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abhijit Date","title":"Sustainable water desalination using waste heat and renewable energy sources","description":"The need for freshwater is considered a critical global problem, consequently the demand for alternative sustainable water sources including ground water, desalinated water, and recycled water has increased over recent years and, as a result, the implementation of desalination plants is growing on a large scale. Desalination processes are applied widely via different technologies. Reverse osmosis (RO) is known as the most widely developed commercial technology. However, RO is an electrically driven process and the electrical energy demand of the RO process is traditionally supplied by combustion of fossil fuels, which causes many adverse environment issues including greenhouse gas emission. There are recent emerging techniques which are aiming to develop more sustainable ways of desalination systems by thermal and\/or membrane-based processes particularly in integration to waste heat or solar energy sources.\n The main research streams, which are under investigation in RMIT Energy Conservation and Renewable (Energy Care) group, to develop more sustainable way of desalination systems are included:\n 1-Investigation of membrane distillation (MD) system performance by coupling with solar pond\n 2-Investigation of simultaneous water desalination and power generation by MD technology\n 3-Sustainable water desalination by Humidification-dehumidification (HDH) technology\n 4-Sustainable water desalination by direct integration of MD system to solar pond and achieving zero liquid discharge desalination (ZLD) process 5-Sustainable water desalination by direct integration of MD system with evacuated tubes solar collectors and solar pond as heat sources and achieving zero liquid discharge desalination (ZLD) process 6-Developing an advanced MD system by optimizing the MD system components These projects, which are conducting in Energy Care group, are aiming to develop sustainable water desalination technologies by using waste heat or renewable energy sources. We seek outstanding and enthusiastic PhD candidates to work in these projects by developing an efficient desalination system experimentally and study the system performance theoretically by developing mathematical model. References:\n [1] Khayet M. Membranes and theoretical modeling of membrane distillation: a review. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2011;164(1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c2):56\u00e2\u20ac\u201c88.\n [2]. Alkhudhiri A, Darwish N, Hilal N. Membrane distillation: a comprehensive review. Desalination 2012;287:2\u00e2\u20ac\u201c18.\n [3]. Winter D. Membrane distillation: a thermodynamic, technological and economic analysis. Ph.D. Thesis University of Kaiserslautern, Germany: Shaker Verlag Publisher; 2015.\n [4] Nakoa K, et al. An experimental review on coupling of solar pond with membrane distillation. Sol Energy 2015;119:319\u00e2\u20ac\u201c31.\n [5] Nakoa K, et al. Sustainable zero liquid discharge desalination (SZLDD). Sol Energy 2016;135:337\u00e2\u20ac\u201c47.\n [6] Nakoa, K, Rahaoui, K, Date, A, & Akbarzadeh, A. (2015). An experimental review on coupling of solar pond with membrane distillation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abhijit Date","title":"Development of a Low-Maintenance Water Desalination and Heat Pump System for Utilizing Low-Temperature Waste Heat Sources","description":"This research project aims to develop a simple and low maintenance water desalination and heat pump system that operates on low temperature heat sources. Fouling affects all desalination technologies, and dealing with it involves trade-offs in performance. One method is reducing the recovery ratio or operating temperature, but both have trade-offs in energy consumption, complexity, and capital cost. The energy consumption of desalination technologies is important for limiting fossil fuel use and minimizing environmental impacts. Zero liquid discharge systems can produce solid salts that can be sold or safely disposed of, but have increased fouling potential. Low pressure evaporative desalination systems with vapour compression heat recovery have the potential for complete internal heat recovery and reduced energy consumption, but still have fouling issues and trade-offs in production rate and compressing low-density vapour.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"Functionalised multilayer porous bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells","description":"This study focuses on an innovative approach to improve the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The approach involves incorporating foam materials into the flow field structure of PEMFCs on the air side, with specific consideration given to the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and micro-porous layer (MPL). This solution can hypothetically reduce contact resistances between these components, while enhancing thermal and water management within the cell and promoting uniform conditions across the active areas of the cells. It is also understood that the foam's randomly distributed tortuous ligaments serve to divert the flow transversely, which is expected to increase the attraction and transport of oxygen molecules towards the cathode. The study also investigates different options for introducing the catalyst layer (CL) into this new design and assesses their impact on cell performance. Additionally, this design is an attempt to reduce the overall mass of the cells and achieve a more compact design compared to conventional flow field designs. Both theoretical and experimental investigations are conducted to understand the behaviour of transverse mass transport of air gas species through stationary porous media used in PEMFCs. ANSYS Fuel Cell module is employed to create a model for theoretical analysis, while experimental methods are used to validate the findings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"David Law","title":"Concrete incorporating recycled textile waste","description":"\"Increasingly large quantities of post-consumer textile solid waste is being generated through industrialization and technological developments as well as consumer demand. The annual per capita textile usage in Australia is 27 kg with 23 kg discarded to landfills each year. Two-thirds of this is waste is manmade synthetic and plastic fibres which may never breakdown. The 525,000 tonnes of leather and textiles are discarded in Australian landfills each year. Australia is the second-largest consumer of textiles after north America, which annually consumes 37 kg, and ahead of Western Europeans at 22 kg while consumption in Africa, the Middle East and India averages just 5 kg per person. At present, only 15 percent of Australian textile waste is recovered through recycling and remaining 85% will end up in landfills. Hence, managing textile waste has become one of the main environmental concerns\n References:\n Zhu, D., Liu, S., Yao, Y., Li, G., Du, Y., and Shi, C. Effects of short fiber and pre-tension on the tensile behavior of basalt textile reinforced concrete. Cement and Concrete Composites 2019. 96: p. 33-45.\n Yin, S., Jing, L., Yin, M., and Wang, B. Mechanical properties of textile reinforced concrete under chloride wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycle environments. Cement and Concrete Composites 2019. 96: p. 118-127.\n Tsangouri, E., Michels, L., El Kadi, M., Tysmans, T., and Aggelis, D.G. A fundamental investigation of textile reinforced cementitious composites tensile response by Acoustic Emission. Cement and Concrete Research 2019. 123: p. 105776\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Hua Qian Ang","title":"Additive Manufacturing of Light Alloys","description":"This is a broad project on light alloys which can be further broken down into smaller individual projects. The focus of this project is to fabricate light alloy (aluminium and\/or magnesium) components for automotive, aerospace and biomedical applications using additive manufacturing processes such as wire arc additive manufacturing, direct energy deposition, selective laser melting and so on. These additive manufacturing processes can often generate undesirable residual stresses, which can result in failure of components due to easy crack propagation and structural distortion. This project aims to improve the additive manufacturing processes and enhance the mechanical properties of light alloys.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jiyuan Tu","title":"Boiling enhancement using nanoengineered surfaces \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The mechanism and modelling","description":"The advances in microelectronics and energy systems have given rise to the demand of dissipating a large amount of heat in a small area. Modern microelectronic chips and military avionics, for example, require a cooling capacity of up to 1000 W\/cm2 with the maximum chip temperature not exceeding 85 C. Conventional cooling technologies using boiling of liquids, despite being the most efficient cooling approach available yet, are facing serious challenge to remove such high heat fluxes. Emerging experimental studies have revealed that coating the heater surfaces with a thin layer of porous micro\/nanostructures can enhance boiling heat transfer, hopefully offering a promising solution of thermal management. However, the degrees of enhancement reported in different studies differ from each other dramatically, mostly due to the diverse micro\/nanostructure materials and morphologies, leading to severe uncertainties hindering designing optimal micro\/nanostructures. We propose that a thorough understanding and formulation of the mechanisms embedded with the novel phenomena of nucleate boiling on micro\/nanostructures can help break the bottleneck to optimised micro\/nanostructures. In this project the student will use the latest nanofluidics and thermal fluid dynamics knowledge to analyse the micro\/nanoscale heat and mass transfer in porous structures, develop new theoretical models and conduct numerical computations. The ultimate aim is to develop a virtual predictive tool that can help design optimal micro\/nanostructures for thermal management in many industries. This project, which involves collaboration with many prestigious international organisations including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) and Tsinghua University (China), will offer the student an invaluable opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in a prominent environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jiyuan Tu","title":"CFD study on human-induced wake flow and contaminant transport","description":"\"Human motion generates wake regions that exhibit highly complicated airflow characteristics. Consequently, it affects the air quality by inducing contaminant transport in interior environments such as manufacturing, hospital wards, clean rooms and airline cabin etc., where occupants\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 exposure to airborne contaminants are of great concern [1]. However, among various influencing factors of indoor air quality, the human motion was paid inadequate attention due to the difficulty on moving model setups and measurements. Although in recent years CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations had achieved considerable progress on moving models by adopting dynamic mesh, more investigations under diverse scenarios involving human activities and contaminant sources are still necessary for revealing the influence of human activities on indoor pollutant transport and the resultant impact on human exposure.\n We propose to use CFD simulations to develop more sophisticated models involving human motion and particle dispersion, with elaborate post-processing on airflow visualizations and quantification on pollutant intake through human breathing. In this project, the student will conduct numerical simulations based on CFD theory and post-processing steps using programming languages. Spatial and temporal characteristics on the dynamic wake flow development will be analysed to identify the transport of pollutants around moving bodies and predict occupant exposure to contaminants, in order to reveal the relationships between human activities, contaminant transport and contaminant intake. Overall, the aim of this project is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the e\u00ef\u00ac\u20acects of occupant activities on particle transport and indoor air quality.\n References:\n [1] Tao, Inthavong, & Tu. (2017). A numerical investigation of wind environment around a walking human body. Journal of Wind Engineering & Industrial Aerodynamics, 168, 9-19.\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jiyuan Tu","title":"Transport and distribution characteristics of contaminants in commercial airliner cabins","description":"\"Contaminants inside commercial airliner cabins could be released from multiple sources (coughing, sneezing, ozone production, etc.) and would suspend inside the cabin as particulate matters (PM). Investigating the PM transport in densely occupied cabin environment was extremely challenging in the past due to the multi-coupling and multi-scale characteristics of the cabin environment. However, through simplifying the passenger models, our initial works indicated that it is possible to significantly increase the efficiency when investigating the PM transport under such cabin environment using our proposed quantifiable simplification approaches [1]. Therefore, we propose to conduct an in-depth investigation of PM transport and distribution characteristics in the commercial airliner cabins by studying the potential source of contaminants inside the cabin, the major affecting factors that would significant change the pattern of contaminants transport, and the corresponding exposure risks of passengers and crew. The ultimate aim is to develop a comprehensive and systematic platform to holistically assess the air quality and health risks of passengers and crew in commercial airliner cabins.\n References:\n [1]. Yihuan Yan, Xiangdong Li, Lin Yang, Jiyuan Tu, Evaluation of manikin simplification methods for CFD simulations in occupied indoor environments, Energy and Buildings, Volume 127, 2016, Pages 611-626\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"John Andrews","title":"Design and performance optimisation of components in a proton battery","description":"The PhD researcher will conduct research and development into one or more of the following topics: design and performance optimisation of selected components in a proton battery (PB) and proton flow reactor (PFR); design options for stacking PB and PFR cells; and novel carbon-based materials for electrochemical storage of hydrogen in solid-state form. The research will be predominantly experimentally-focussed, but may also involve theoretical analysis and computer simulation modelling. The research will contribute to the the project, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Technology development and prototyping of the Proton Battery and Proton Flow Reactor Systems, funded under a Research Collaboration Agreement with Eldor Corporation for a two-year period.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Tian","title":"Inhalation risk assessment of human respiratory systems in occupational and ambient environment","description":"Exposure to micron\/nanoparticles in workplace and ambient environment where pollutants are present is a significant health concern. An increased risk of developing respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders has been reported in occupational and epidemic studies. Confirmed inhalation hazards include the notorious asbestos, with low dosage, causing severe health consequences. The onset of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153manganism\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, a clinical diagnosed neuro-toxin caused by high level exposure to manganese containing particles, were reported in occupational workers conducting mining, ore grinding and smelting activities. In addition to confirmed cases, there have been discussions on the link between sub-clinical human functional impairment and chronic low dose metal particle exposures. Similar concerns were also reported in the office environment where the increased usage of modern electrophotography machines elevates the health risks of office workers on inhalation exposure to the emitted nanoparticles during xerographic processes. This research aims to investigate the human upper airway dosimetry scenes in a wide range of environmental settings, identify key correlation, and provide effective guidance to regulate and mitigate the potential hazards. Utilizing CFD (computational fluid dynamics) methodology, the study focuses on respiratory airway modelling (nasal and tracheobronchial tree), particle-flow dynamics, particle-respiratory physiology interactions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Tian","title":"A multi-scale risk assessment platform for inhaled carbon nanotubes","description":"Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been extensively utilized in the design and fabrication of new engineering materials as they possess extraordinary properties. CNTs resemble the appearance of asbestos, a known inhalation hazard to human. With continued growth of nanotechnology industry, it is important to understand human inhalation risks to these new engineered nano-materials. \n \n This project aims to develop a risk assessment platform to evaluate human respiratory exposure to carbon nanotubes. The project expects to generate new knowledge on unique role of carbon nanotubes geometry toward risk potential by developing transport models, and create risk assessment infrastructure through cross-discipline integrations. \n \n This project is multidisciplinary requiring knowledge of multi-scale fluid-particle dynamics, non-spherical particle dynamics, human\/animal airway reconstruction, computational programming, visualisation, data analysis and cross team collaborations. The project provides an excellent opportunity for high level multi-disciplinary research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maciej Mazur","title":"Development of an additively manufactured Rotating Detonation Engine","description":"The development of cost-effective launch systems capable of inserting a small payload into low earth orbit (LEO) are of high global interest. Key drivers include the design of a lightweight and reliable propulsion system that requires little flight preparation and can offer high performance\/efficiency over existing approaches. The rotating detonation engine (RDE) has been identified as a potential key technology for the next generation of access-to-space systems. The ability to operate in either air-breathing or rocket modes increases versatility and design possibilities across the full flight spectrum from the launch pad to space, each with their share of challenges. However, flight-ready RDEs present many design and manufacturing challenges as they are subject to extreme thermo-structural loads and require advanced materials, cooling systems and highly integrated complex parts. These challenges have been difficult to address with conventional manufacturing processes. However, recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) have significantly increased the potential to manufacture flight-ready RDEs by enabling the construction of complex designs previously not feasible. This project will exploit this opportunity by focus on the development and additive manufacture of an RDE engine, building on substantial work already undertaken by the RMIT High-speed flight research group. The work will focus on multi-disciplinary fluid and thermo-structural design, optimisation and design for manufacture of an RDE prototype design. Extensive experimental testing will be used to evaluate design performance and reliability. It is expected the project will make a significant contribution toward the development of the next generation of advanced and efficient rocket propulsion systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Flame speed measurement of net-zero carbon fuels.","description":"There are many zero and low carbon fuels and blends that are proposed as alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels for use in Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). Considerable research is required, however, in order to characterise an alternative fuel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s combustion behaviour, so that engine design and optimisation can be achieved. One important combustion characteristic is the laminar flame speed of fuel-air mixtures at temperatures and pressures that are expected inside reciprocating ICEs. Such measurements of a number of alternative fuels are notably lacking in the literature. Thus, a prime objective of the research project is to fill this critical research void. Furthermore, computer simulated combustion models must also be developed and verified using measured data, allowing for alternative fuel engine behaviour to be accurately predicted. This will in turn enhance the plausibility of commercialising alternative fuel engine technology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Exhaust gas treatment on engines running on alternative fuels","description":"The use of alternative fuels in internal combustion engines is increasing as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease dependence on fossil fuels. However, these fuels can also produce harmful exhaust emissions. Therefore, it is important to develop effective exhaust gas treatment systems that can reduce the environmental impact of these engines.\n \n The aim of this project is to investigate and develop exhaust gas treatment systems for engines running on alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, ethanol, and hydrogen carrier fuels. The project will focus on the development of catalytic converters and particulate filters that can effectively reduce emissions of pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.\n \n The project will involve laboratory experiments to evaluate the performance of different exhaust gas treatment systems. These experiments will include tests of the catalytic activity of different materials.\n \n In addition to laboratory experiments, the project will also involve computer modeling and simulation to optimize the design of the exhaust gas treatment systems. This will include simulations of the flow of exhaust gases through different filter designs, as well as simulations of the chemical reactions that occur within catalytic converters.\n \n The results of this project will be useful for the development of more efficient and effective exhaust gas treatment systems for engines running on alternative fuels. This will help to reduce the environmental impact of these engines and contribute to a more sustainable future.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Study of active Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) to enhance lean combustion in piston engines.","description":"The use of lean combustion in piston engines has gained increasing attention in recent years as a way to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. However, lean combustion can also lead to increased ignition delay times and combustion instability, which can affect engine performance and emissions.\n \n The aim of this project is to study the use of active Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) to enhance lean combustion in piston engines. The active TJI system is a novel approach to ignition that uses a high-energy turbulent jet to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber. This system has been shown to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions, making it a promising technology for lean combustion applications.\n \n The project will involve laboratory experiments to evaluate the performance of the active TJI system with different levels of lean combustion. These experiments will include tests of ignition delay time, combustion stability, and emissions reduction. Additionally, computer modeling and simulation will be used to optimize the design of the active TJI system for different lean combustion conditions.\n \n The results of this project will be useful for the development of more efficient and reliable ignition systems for lean combustion applications in piston engines. By developing a better understanding of the active TJI system and its performance with different levels of lean combustion, this project can help to accelerate the adoption of lean combustion in piston engines.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Combustion kinetics measurements of alternative fuels using gas dynamic shock waves.","description":"With the growing pressure to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide, green alternative fuels including biodiesel, ethanol, methanol and hydrogen carrier fuels are gaining increasing attention to power engines and heating processes. There is, however, a lack of information available on combustion properties of many of these net zero carbon emission fuels such as branched chemical reaction rates and autoignition delay times. These properties are crucial for understanding and predicting the advent of knock in spark ignition engines as well as diesel knock in compression ignition engines. Knock is an objectionable noise due to abnormal combustion, that if severe, can damage an engine. Shock tubes provide an excellent means of measuring important fuel properties like the autoignition delay time. The successful candidate will use and modify an existing shock tube at RMIT to perform these measurements for a select range of fuels and pressures and temperatures found in real engines. The shock tube can also be used to measure reaction rates using laser spectroscopy. This information is extremely useful for validating computer simulations of combustion occurring not only in many engine types, but also in boilers and furnaces.\n \n References:\n - D.R. Haylett , P.P. Lappas, D.F. Davidson, R.K. Hanson, 2009, Application of an aerosol shock tube to the measurement of diesel ignition delay times, Proceedings of the Combustion Institute 32 (2009) 477\u00e2\u20ac\u201c484 \n - Matthew F. Campbell, 2014, Studies of Biodiesel Surrogates Using Novel Shock Tube Techniques, Stanford University PhD thesis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Time-Varying Direction-of-Arrival Tracking","description":"The tracking of the direction of arrival (DOA) for multiple sources is a significant topic in array signal processing. This project aims to develop innovative solutions for DOA tracking of multiple sources, where the number of sources is variable over time. To achieve this goal, the project will focus on formulating new algorithms in the Random Finite Set (RFS) Framework.\n \n A crucial component of the project will be conducting a comprehensive literature review of RFS filters and their applications to solve DOA tracking problems. Additionally, other solutions developed in various frameworks will be explored. The resulting solutions will be compared to the state of the art in applications with a relatively large number of sources in one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Map-Aided Random Finite Set-Based Tracking of Road Vehicles","description":"This project aims to develop novel tracking algorithms for vehicles on the road using map-based information. The system will utilise data from maps and sensors to track the movement of vehicles and estimate their positions accurately. The project will involve researching and developing algorithms to integrate map-based information with real-time sensor data to improve the tracking accuracy. The main focus of development will be on extending the capabilities of current multi-target filters that are formulated in the random finite set framework. The resulting solutions will be tested and evaluated in real-world scenarios to assess its effectiveness in various conditions. The project's goal is to provide a reliable and accurate vehicle tracking system that can be applied in different contexts, such as traffic monitoring, intelligent transportation systems, and autonomous vehicles.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Random Finite Set-Based Swarm Tracking","description":"This project aims to develop novel solutions for tracking and monitoring the movements of swarms of objects such as drones, using data from multiple sensors. The system will use advanced algorithms based on the Random Finite Set (RFS) theory to process sensor data and estimate the swarm's position, velocity, and shape. The project will involve researching and developing techniques for handling complex swarm behaviors, such as fission, fusion, and formation changes. The system will be tested and evaluated in real-world scenarios to assess its effectiveness in different contexts, such as environmental monitoring, disaster response, and surveillance. The project's goal is to provide a robust and accurate swarm tracking system that can handle complex scenarios with multiple sensors and dynamic swarm behaviors.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Occlusion Handling in Extended Target Tracking Using Random Finite Set Filters","description":"This project aims to develop a system that can track extended targets and handle occlusions using data from multiple sensors. The system will use advanced Random Finite Set (RFS) filters to estimate the positions, velocities, and shapes of extended targets even when they are partially or completely occluded by other objects. The project will involve researching and developing algorithms to handle the complexities of occlusion scenarios, such as occlusion duration, target merging and splitting, and target appearance and disappearance. The system will be tested and evaluated in real-world scenarios to assess its effectiveness in different contexts, such as traffic monitoring, aerial surveillance, and robotics. The project's goal is to provide a robust and accurate extended target tracking system that can handle occlusions and improve tracking accuracy in challenging scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Environment Modeling Based on Generic Infrastructure Sensor Interfaces Using Random Finite Set Filters","description":"Autonomous vehicles face significant challenges when navigating urban intersections, especially when there are obstructions that limit visibility. To address this issue and help vehicles make decisions in unclear situations, infrastructure-based sensing systems are often used to provide additional information. However, the complexity and high costs associated with such systems have limited their widespread use. This project focuses on developing solutions in the form of a generic interface that can connect a wide variety of sensors. The sensors only need to measure a few features of objects, but with multiple distributed sensors providing different viewing angles. The solutions will be based on using Random Finite Set (RFS) filters that can handle these measurements and even infer missing information about the objects' extents. The resulting methods will be evaluated through simulations and demonstrated on a real-world infrastructure setup. The outcomes will offer a promising solution for using infrastructure-based sensing systems to support autonomous vehicles at intersections, without the need for expensive and complex sensor systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Investigating the Olfactory Region Targeted Drug Delivery Using CFD and PIV","description":"The project aims to investigate the effectiveness of drug delivery systems targeting the olfactory region. The study will use experimental fluid dynamics with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using Ansys-Fluent. The project will analyze the drug delivery efficiency of various aerosol drug administration systems in a realistic human nasal cavity. The outcomes of this study will enable the development of innovative delivery device designs for effective respiratory treatment. The project will contribute to the advancement of the field of respiratory treatment by improving the effectiveness of drug delivery systems targeting the olfactory region.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang","title":"Origami enabled ductile and auxetic metaconcrete composite structures","description":"During their service life, concrete structures may experience different dynamic loads such as vehicle-induced vibrations and vehicle\/ship collisions. Energy absorption is required in designs for structural protection against these loads. Using highly ductile and energy-absorbing metaconcrete materials in construction can achieve an effective protection effect, but most of the existing metaconcrete materials often suffer from low ductility. This project aims to develop an innovative origami-enabled auxetic metaconcrete that is a composite of steel origami and concrete. Compared to conventional metaconcrete, such a novel metaconcrete can not only possess improved ductility but can also keep excellent energy absorption and negative Poisson\u2019s ratio characteristics, leading to the low risk of brittle failure. It is a cost-effective alternative to replacing conventional concrete materials for impact resistance and structural protection.\n\nThe major tasks of this project include:\n(1) Develop a novel class of steel origami-enabled auxetic metaconcretes with significantly improved ductility and energy absorption capacity. \n(2) Build a theoretical framework to understand the structural behaviours of the proposed novel metaconcrete composite structures under dynamic loads in depth. \n(3) Establish a machine learning (ML) based model to accurately and efficiently estimate the structural performances of the metaconcrete composite structures.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 (40%), 400510 (40%), 400509 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang","title":"Multiscale modelling of high-performance mechanical metamaterial composite structures","description":"Mechanical metamaterials with programming negative stiffness, Poisson\u2019s ratio, and thermal expansion are of crucial significance in various engineering structures. However, most of them are artificially lattice materials via special architecture\/topology design, which are mechanically weak therefore limiting their engineering applications. Thus, developing materials and structures simultaneously exhibiting metamaterial characteristics and excellent mechanical properties still remains a great challenge. This project aims to develop a novel class of high-performance mechanical metamaterials enabled by graphene origami with highly tunable negative stiffness, Poisson\u2019s ratio, and thermal expansion characteristics as well as improved mechanical properties based on atomic-scale simulation design, micro-scale mechanics model, and macro-scale structural analysis. Such novel metamaterial composite structures designed through the proposed multiscale modelling framework should have many important engineering applications, particularly in aerospace, civil, automotive, mechanical, and energy industries. \n\nThe major tasks of this project include:\n(1)        Atomistic design and simulation of high-performance graphene origami-enabled mechanical metamaterials with highly tunable characteristics;\n(2)        Micromechanics model development based on machine learning method to efficiently and accurately predict the material properties of such metamaterials;\n(3)        Continuum mechanical analysis of high-performance metamaterial composite structures.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 (50%), 401702 (30%), 401602 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Numerical and experimental investigation on multiphase flows","description":"Multiphase flow systems are prevalent in many industries that involve gas\/particle flow (e.g. for indoor air quality, medicine delivery, etc), and liquid\/bubbly flow (e.g. for heating\/cooling systems, etc). This project aims to conduct fundamental research on the physics associated with such systems and analyze the outcomes through investigations in industrial applications. The methodology involves either\/both numerical or\/and experimental techniques to facilitate revealing the underlying physics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"MR216 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Numerical and experimental investigation of multiphase flows","description":"Multiphase flow systems are prevalent in many industries that involve gas\/particle flow (e.g. for indoor air quality, medicine delivery, etc), and liquid\/bubbly flow (e.g. for heating\/cooling systems, etc). This project aims to conduct fundamental research on the physics associated with such systems and analyze the outcomes through investigations in industrial applications. The methodology involves either\/both numerical and experimental techniques to facilitate revealing the underlying physics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Investigation of Heat Pipe Performance for Solar Thermal Energy Applications","description":"The proposed project aims to investigate the thermal performance of heat pipes for solar thermal energy applications. Solar thermal energy systems are an important renewable energy technology that can provide a clean and sustainable source of energy for heating and power generation. The project will involve both experimental and theoretical investigations to optimize the design of heat pipes for solar thermal energy applications.\n \n The experimental investigation will involve designing and testing various heat pipe configurations with different working fluids for solar thermal energy applications. The performance of the heat pipes will be evaluated based on their thermal efficiency, heat transfer coefficient, and maximum heat flux. The effects of different operating parameters, such as orientation, working fluid, wick structure, and heat input, will be studied to optimize the heat pipe design for solar thermal energy applications.\n \n The theoretical investigation will involve developing analytical and numerical models of heat pipe performance for solar thermal energy applications. The models will be used to investigate the heat transfer mechanisms, fluid flow behaviour, and thermodynamic properties of the working fluids. The results from the models will be validated with the experimental data to enhance the accuracy of the model and to provide insight into the underlying physics of the heat pipe operation.\n \n The outcomes of this project will provide a comprehensive understanding of the thermal performance of heat pipes for solar thermal energy applications. The project will contribute to the development of innovative heat pipe designs and improved thermal management systems for solar thermal energy applications. The findings of this project will have practical implications for the design of solar thermal collectors, concentrators, and power generation systems, leading to improved energy conversion efficiency and reduced costs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"Wave energy-powered reverse-osmosis desalination for freshwater production","description":"This project aims to explore a novel method of producing freshwater from seawater through wave energy. The\n project intends to increase the longevity and efficiency of wave energy-powered freshwater production systems by developing a new fouling and chlorine-resistant membrane material. The anticipated outcomes of this project\n include the development of a cost-effective and eco-friendly freshwater production technology and the acquisition of new knowledge regarding the impact of fluid pressure fluctuations on system performance. The expected benefits of this project are manifold, including the mitigation of water scarcity in Australia and beyond, and the enhancement of the global competitiveness of Australian water desalination products.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"A novel direct drive linear tube generator for ocean wave energy conversion","description":"This proposal aims to investigate a direct drive linear electromagnetic generator system for the maximum wave\n energy conversion and frequency bandwidth. A novel translator of a multiple degree of freedom non-linear\n oscillator system built with Halbach magnet ring arrays and ferro-fluid bearings is the key innovation. Wave energy conversion science will be established through investigating the novel machine, its integration with a buoy\n structure under wave loadings and automatic control of power conversion and conditioning. The outcome will\n meet the emerging demands of the nation for wave energy conversion technologies which reduce power generation cost and emissions, thus benefiting the Australia economy and environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"3D printed thermo-electric structure for harvesting industrial waste heat","description":"With about two-thirds of all industrial energy consumption being lost as waste heat, this project aims to develop a\n novel three-dimensional printing technology for a thermoelectric generator to convert waste heat into electrical\n energy. This project expects to develop a modified bottom-up chemical method for sustainable synthesis of large\n throughput copper selenide nanomaterials and nanocomposite ink and generate new knowledge of heat guide\n structures for enhancing thermoelectric conversion efficiency. The outcomes will benefit Australian end-users and industry by reducing energy costs and greenhouse emissions and opening a new market for thermoelectric\n conversion in multidisciplinary fields and emerging industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"Comfort and Ergonomics: Innovative Seating Solution for Commercial Vehicle","description":"Long-term exposure to vibrations transferred from uneven road surfaces, vibrating tools, and vibrating machinery\n significantly influences driver comfort, fatigue, safety, and can also cause neck and shoulder pain, lower back\n injuries, and spinal injuries. This project aims to develop an innovative 6-degree-of-freedom seating system for\n commercial vehicles, including heavy duty trucks and mobile machinery, to maximise the reduction of unwanted\n multiple directional vibrations to the driver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body. The expected outcome of the project is a comfort and\n ergonomic seating system to be widely used in industry, agriculture, transportation, mining and construction\n vehicles, both in Australia and internationally.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Yasuhiro Tachibana","title":"Development of Semiconductor Quantum Dot Solid Solar Cells","description":"Semiconductor quantum dot (QD) is one of the most attractive nanomaterials employed for solar energy conversion devices. With their relatively large extinction coefficients and a tunable wide light absorption range over visible to near infrared wavelengths, QDs can be effective light absorbers. Recently three dimensional arrangement structure of QDs, QD solid, has attracted considerable interest, since superior semiconductor performance is expected by forming extended states inside a QD solid.[1-2] Their highly conductive opto-electronic property can be employed to fabricate low cost opto-electronic devices such as photovoltaics.[3] \n \n A QD solid solar cell can readily be fabricated with a facile solution processed method, and has reached solar energy conversion efficiency beyond 18 %.[4] However, despite these attractive properties, their function, particularly exciton states, charge separation, transport and recombination dynamics has not been well understood. We have been actively working in this area, and reported a novel method to synthesize high photoluminescence PbS QDs [5], and application of QDs to fabricate novel QD solar cells.[6-7]\n \n This project aims at developing novel QD solid solar cells. We will employ high photoluminescence QDs to prepare QD solid films, and assess their charge transfer and transport performance by state-of-the-art transient absorption and emission spectroscopies (visible to mid-infrared, femtosecond to millisecond time scale) installed in part with the support from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE200100051). We will assess electron and hole mobilities in QD solid films by employing a time resolved microwave conductivity system installed with supports from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE170100235).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Yasuhiro Tachibana","title":"Controlling Metal Oxide Charge Transporting Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells","description":"Metal halide perovskite solar cells have been recognized as a newly emerging solar cell with the potential of achieving high efficiency with a low cost fabrication process. In particular, facile solution processed cell fabrication facilitated rapid development of optimum cell structure and composition. Over the last several years, the cell efficiency has rapidly been improved to >25%.[1]\n \n A typical perovskite solar cell employs a perovskite layer sandwiched by p-type semiconductor (such as spiro-OMeTAD, PEDOT or NiO) and n-type semiconductor (such as TiO2, ZnO or PCBM) layers. Intensive research has been conducted for developing alternative electron and hole transporting layers using different components to improve their performance and to reduce the cost of the solar cells.[2] We have actively been working in this area. For example we reported a role of a TiO2 nanocrystalline film acting as an electron acceptor [3, 4]. We also found that the electron injection rate (~10 ns) is relatively slow compared to QD sensitised films.[3,5]\n \n This project aims at developing novel metal oxide (e.g. n-type Fe2O3, p-type MFe2O4) compact layers to be applied for metal halide perovskite solar cells. State of the art transient absorption spectrometers, installed in part with the support from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE200100051), covering from femtoseconds to milliseconds, clarifies charge separation and recombination processes. We will also assess electron and hole mobilities of the metal oxide layer by employing a time resolved microwave conductivity system installed with supports from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE170100235).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":"401605 Functional materials (45%) ; 340607 Reaction kinetics and dynamics (35%) ; 401807 Nanomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yingyan Zhang","title":"Advanced phase-change materials for sustainable construction and building materials","description":"The use of phase change materials (PCM) for sustainable construction and building materials plays an increasing role in tackling global warming. The current PCM materials used in building sections suffer quite a few challenges, including low thermal conductivity, poor thermal stability, and low mechanical strength. These challenges will be tackled by incorporating nanomaterials into PCMs. This project aims to design novel PCMs by using different nanomaterials and explore their thermal and mechanical properties by means of computer simulations and experiments.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yongmin Zhong","title":"Robotic minimally invasive surgery","description":"In the past several decades, robotic minimally invasive surgery has received great attention. Comparing to conventional open surgery, it has the advantages such as small incision, fast recovery and special capabilities in complex surgeries. However, the use of robot to carry out surgical operation presents a great set of research challenges. This project aims to study fundamental issues associated with planning and control of robotic manipulation for minimally invasive surgical operations with force feedback. It will establish advanced methodologies for characterisation and analysis of the contact interaction between robotic manipulators and target biological tissues. Based on this, it will also establish advanced techniques for automatic planning and precise control of robotic manipulation under visual and haptic feedback.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yongmin Zhong","title":"Modelling of soft tissue deformation for surgical simulation","description":"Virtual reality based surgery simulation is expected to provide benefits in many aspects of surgical procedure training and evaluation. Surgery simulation requires soft tissues react to the applied forces in a realistic fashion and in real time. However, it is difficult to handle both of these conflicting requirements, and thus modelling of soft tissue deformation is a challenging research topic in surgery simulation. This project aims to study the fundamental issues associated with soft tissue deformation for surgery simulation. It will establish physically-based soft tissue models and real-time algorithms for surgery simulation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"MR216 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"RMIT CSIRO Masters in Combustion kinetics measurements of hydrogen carrier fuels using gas dynamic shock waves","description":"With the growing pressure to curb greenhouse gas emissions, green alternative fuels including biodiesel, ethanol, methanol and hydrogen carrier fuels like ammonia (Finkel, 2018) are gaining increasing attention to power engines and heating processes. There is, however, a lack of information available on combustion properties of many of these net-zero carbon emission fuels such as autoignition delay times and branched chemical reaction rates. These properties are crucial for understanding and predicting the advent of knock in spark ignition engines as well as diesel knock in compression ignition engines (Heywood, 1988). Shock tubes provide an excellent means of measuring important fuel properties (D.R. Haylett, 2009). Lasers can also be used to collect spectroscopic data to measure chemical reaction rates that occur during combustion. This information is highly prized for validating computer simulations of combustion occurring not only in many engine types, but also in boilers and furnaces. The Masters candidate for this project will build a shock tube to perform these measurements mainly for hydrogen carrier fuels at pressures and temperatures found in real engines. The majority of the components for the shock tube and its instrumentation have already been bought, so construction can begin immediately.\n \n References:\n 1. D.R. Haylett, P. L. (2009). Application of an aerosol shock tube to the measurement of diesel ignition delay times. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 477-484.\n 2. Finkel, A. (2018). Hydrogen for Australia\u2019s future. Commonwealth of Australia.\n 3. Heywood, J. B. (1988). Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals. McGraw-Hill, Inc.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Hua Qian Ang","title":"3D printing of magnesium alloys for biomedical applications","description":"Magnesium alloys are increasingly used as new generation biomaterials due to their ability to dissolve into the body fluids after bone regeneration. However, due to the complex structures of bones, it is difficult to manufacture magnesium implants via conventional manufacturing techniques such as casting. This project will study the feasibility of using additive manufacturing (AM) technique to manufacture magnesium alloys for biomedical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"Metal hydride hydrogen storage thermal management optimisation ","description":"Thermal control of metal hydride hydrogen systems is essential during charging and discharging phases to optimise their performance and maximise their capacity utilisation. To achieve this, a range of internal and external thermal management configurations are employed. While the idea of uniformly charging and discharging the metal hydride (MH) body seems ideal, it may not be feasible when dealing with temperature gradients required for efficient heat transfer within the MH body. Therefore, comprehending the dynamics of charging and discharging across the MH body under varying thermal management setups and temperature gradient patterns is crucial for devising an optimal thermal management strategy. This necessitates intricate dynamic modelling and using both analytical and numerical models, to thoroughly investigate the intricacies of heat transfer within MH systems. The objective is to identify and evaluate the influence of different contributing parameters. Subsequently, this model is experimentally verified to ensure its accuracy and dependability. The project provides a unique opportunity to cultivate an in-depth comprehension of the physics governing MH hydrogen storage solutions, encompassing fundamental equations and intricate heat transfer modeling. The insights garnered from this research will be harnessed to formulate innovative and optimal thermal management solutions for metal hydride hydrogen storage systems.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400404 Electrochemical energy storage and conversion\n401204 Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) \n401205 Experimental methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer \n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yunhui Chen","title":"Synchrotron X-ray inline monitoring of Laser Additive Manufacturing processes using a Machine Learning approach","description":"Laser additive manufacturing (LAM; laser 3D printing) is a key underpinning technology for the digital revolution (Industry 4.0), producing complex objects directly from 3D CAD drawings. LAM has incredible potential in rapid prototyping for aerospace, energy, and biomedical applications. Exciting opportunities arise in this research space to create components with exceptional mechanical performance and unique properties using alloy design and process control approaches. However, due to the transient nature of the process, the understanding of LAM is limited through traditional post-mortem analysis, necessitating in-situ characterization. Synchrotron X-ray techniques have only been implemented in LAM research recently but have shown huge advantages over traditional techniques in capturing, both in real and reciprocal space, the LAM processes, evidenced by a series of publications in Science and Nature.\n\nOur research group has pioneered the research field of Synchrotron X-ray investigation of LAM processes. Dr. Chen has developed a series of world-first additive manufacturing machines (both Powder Bed Fusion and blown powder Directed Energy Deposition) that work on synchrotron beamlines at the Diamond Light Source (UK), European Synchrotron Radiation Facilities (France), and Advanced Photon Source (USA) which can do in-situ monitoring and quantification of the LAM process.\n\nThis project aims to design and implement a machine-learning-based in-line monitoring system that allows the generation of defects-free LAM components that process unique mechanical properties. In this project, the Ph.D. candidate will be provided with an exciting and unique opportunity to work with alloy design and solidification experts, machine learning experts, and synchrotron x-ray material characterization experts. Using in-situ Synchrotron X-ray results as ground truth, the Ph.D. candidate will develop a new approach that will enable fast prediction of defects and microstructure formation on-the-fly during LAM processes. This project has significant industrial and academic potential to fulfill the candidate\u2019s ambition.\n\nThe PhD candidate will be based at Advanced Manufacturing Precinct, RMIT University, Australia with long placements at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, France. In addition, the Ph.D. candidate will be supported by more than 10 research institutes and industrial partners across the globe with potential placement opportunities.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"511002 Synchrotron and accelerators - instruments and techniques (40%) ; 461106 Machine learning - Semi- and unsupervised learning (30%) ; 401607 Materials engineering - Metals and alloy materials (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion & Textiles Design","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Alice Payne, Yassie Samie","title":"Valuing the Handmade for Circular Fashion and Textile Economies","description":"This ARC Discovery project aims to investigate the value of the handmade within fashion and textile ecosystems in two Australian states. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of circular economy by using place-based approaches to foreground experiences of small businesses and craft communities that are typically excluded from the industrial view of a circular economy. Expected outcomes of the project include understanding and defining new forms of value within a fashion and textiles circular economy through surfacing the local economies of making, reuse and remaking. This should provide significant benefits, such as informing new strategies to reduce textile waste and contributing to Australia\u2019s transition to a circular economy. The PhD project will be a practice-led exploration of the handmade within a just and sufficient circular economy, in partnership with craft communities. The PhD candidate will have a background as a creative practitioner in fashion and\/or textile design.","sdg":"12; 13; 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"330315 - Textile and fashion design 60%\n470206 - Cultural studies of nation and region 40%"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion Enterprise","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Alice Payne","title":"Quantifying Circular Economy Impacts in Australian workwear","description":"This Project aims to identify, measure and model circular economy initiatives in workwear. The expected outcome is an evidence-based mathematical decision tool, which enables impact measurement of circular economy initiatives in the workwear sector. The project aims to discover and quantify opportunities for net positive impact in workwear value chains, such as enhanced efficiencies, waste reduction opportunities, cost reduction, productivity increases, and lowered greenhouse gas emissions. Using the high-visibility workwear industry as a case study, a guiding framework for circular economy decision-making in the apparel context can be built. This project is ultimately aimed at advancing the understanding of quantifiable impacts and building a clear business case for circularity in hi-vis workwear and associated textiles.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"Until Filled","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"Division 05 Environmental Sciences > Group 0502 Environmental Science and Management > Field 090703 Environmental Technologies  \n\nDivision 01 Mathematical Sciences > Group 0102 Applied Mathematics > 010206 Operations Research "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation; Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering; Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye, Lijing Wang, Scott Mayson, Jenny Underwood, Stephen Wigley, Rebecca van Amber, Angela Finn, Pia Interlandi, Saniyat Islam, Georgia McCorkill, Kate Sala","title":"Sustainable Fashion and Textile Systems","description":"The fashion and textile industry is currently undergoing a green revolution, driven by a concern for the environmental and social impact of fashion and textile materials, products, processes and systems.\nResearch in this field crosses the disciplines of technology, enterprise and design, and proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nPerformance and properties of sustainable materials including natural fibre biomaterials, natural dye colouration, and\/or the development of alternatives to traditional, polluting materials;\nFibre recycling technologies, textile waste technologies, life-cycle analysis of materials, and\/or environmental management frameworks;\nSustainable fashion and textile business models, including textile manufacturing practices, circular economy development models, and\/or sustainable industry supply chains;\nSustainable fashion retail and consumption models, including the future of retail spaces and\/or the impact of technological innovations;\nThe role of consumer psychology, social movements (e.g. veganism), changing social values and social policy frameworks;\nThe marketing of sustainability in the context of so-called greenwashing;\nSustainable fashion and textile design practice models, from commercial large-scale to independent micro-practices.","sdg":"3; 5; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation; Design and Creative Practice; Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"0910, 0912, 1203, 1503, 1505, 1608"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Robyn Healy, Scott Mayson, Ricarda Bigolin, Jenny Underwood, Stephen Wigley, Sean Ryan, Peter Boyd, Andrea Eckersley, Angela Finn, Laura Gardner, Tarryn Handcock, Georgia McCorkill, Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran, Tarun Panwar, Alex Sherlock, Denise Sprynskyj, Carol Tan","title":"Fashion and Textiles Communication, Enterprise and Pedagogy","description":"Research in this field lies at the intersection of the disciplines of design and enterprise, and proposals are sought that address one of the following topics\nPractice-based and practice-led investigations of diverse forms of fashion and textile practice;\nInnovations in the communication of fashion though image, writing and performance, including its recent adoption of innovative technologies such as VR and AR and\/or its increasingly diverse forms of dissemination through publication;\nContemporary self-critical reflection upon and engagement with fashion by practitioners and writers both within and outside the academy;\nNew models for the teaching and communication of fashion and textile design practice, including the foregrounding of practice-based thinking and\/or the social and environmental responsibility of fashion and textile practices;\nRecent developments in the relationship between local and global systems of fashion, in its cultural, political and economic aspects;\nNew forms of collaborative and cross-disciplinary relationships between practitioners in fashion and textiles and practitioners in fields such as industrial and product design, architecture and urban design, performance, photography, film and the visual arts, and\/or actors and critics working in fields such as public policy or social activism.","sdg":"3; 4; 5; 9; 11; 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice; Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"1203, 1302, 1901, 1904, 1905, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Lijing Wang, Rajiv Padhye, Scott Mayson, Ricarda Bigolin, Jenny Underwood, Sean Ryan, Angela Finn, Rebecca van Amber, Peter Boyd, Andrea Eckersley, Tarryn Handcock, Pia Interlandi, Georgia McCorkill, Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran, Alex Sherlock, Denise Sprynskyj","title":"Wearable Body Space","description":"Textile materials and fashion garments occupy a liminal space connecting and separating the body to and from its physical, technological, social and cultural environments. The investigation of the role of textiles and fashion in this relationship is multidisciplinary and covers several fields, including textile engineering and technologies, materials sciences, electrical and software engineering, design theory and practice, visual communication, and the sociology and phenomenology of dress.\nResearch in this field crosses the disciplines of technology, enterprise and design, and proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nSmart textiles systems and wearable electronics connecting technologies and textiles, in order to harvest and store energy, embed batteries, sensors and actuators, monitor health, monitor the environment, provide communication, etc, including, for example, the development of fibre-based RFID tags, nanocellulose aerogel for energy generation, and stretchable conducting polymer-coated textile electrodes for supercapacitors;\nGarment technology and smart wearables that monitor health and well-being, provide communication or entertainment, enhance user experience, and connect with the Internet of Things and industry 4.0, without compromising clothing performance and functionality;\nPhysiological and\/or psychological responses to textile materials in the context of health, comfort and well-being;\nThe personal, social and cultural role of fashion and clothing, and of its communicative and performative potential, in the context of an increasingly urbanised and\/or technologized environment;\nThe personal, social and cultural place of fashion in the context of an increasingly fluid political, cultural and gender-diverse world.","sdg":"3; 9; 11; 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice; Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication; BHI","forcodes":"0906, 0910, 0912, 1203,1608, 1701, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology; Fashion & Textiles Design","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rebecca Van Amber, Jenny Underwood","title":"Explore strategies to achieve circularity in line with the Fashion & Textile system\u2019s transition to the circular economy","description":"The project envisages examining a mixed methodological and interdisciplinary approach to include\rmaterials selection, design approach, fabrication, user-centric data, disposal\/end-of-life options\/opportunities. Central to the research is to provide an LCA approach to establish normative definitions for the industry partner. In the context of the partner industry's product range, this research will investigate key aspects of materials, design, and governance issues.","sdg":"6; 9; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"STS 1 Circular Economy; AM 4 Materials for sustainable living; GBI 1 Collaborative Design Approaches for Innovation","forcodes":"120306, 091012"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"MR214","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye","title":"Development of Technique for Reduction and Recycling of Textile Waste","description":"Textile waste is ending up in landfill at a catastrophic rate, raising serious environmental issues worldwide. The exponential accumulation of waste, especially non-biodegradable fossil-based textiles, is generating economic, health, and societal concerns for future generations. Australia is ranked second in the world for its rate of textile consumption. The estimated disposal rate of textile-related items is roughly 85% of purchased textiles, with less than 15% currently being recycled. This problem not only impacts the environment; it is also a health issue.\nUtilizing textile waste in the production of polymers for other applications can be a way to recycle textile waste. In this project we aim to develop a new technique to recycle textile waste with a limited preparation before it becomes wastage. The produced materials will be characterised to investigate their potential in various applications, such as geotextiles, concrete, and other textile materials.\nThis Master\u2019s by Research project is based in the Centre for Material Innovation and Future Fashion (CMIFF).","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;6 - Clean Water and Sanitation;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;12 - Responsible Consumption and Production;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication;Advanced Materials;","forcodes":"401106 Waste Management, Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (30%) 401408 Manufacturing Processes and Technologies (30%) 401413 Textile Technologies (40%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye, Lijing Wang, Steve Michielsen, Xin Wang, Scott Mayson, Rebecca van Amber, Pia Interlandi, Saniyat Islam","title":"Materials for Extreme Conditions","description":"Innovations in advanced materials and performance textiles are required to confront a range of extreme environments, from the heat encountered in firefighting, to chemical, biological and other hazardous materials, to the stresses involved in space travel, to protective garments for law enforcement officers.\nResearch proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nThe development of compression garments and gloves for astronauts;\nThe design and evaluation, including through the use of the school\u2019s new flame mannikin, of functional firefighting garments;\nThe development of CBRN protective textiles;\nThe design of body armour for stab and ballistic protection;\nErgonomic performance evaluation of garments;\nThe improvement of UV-blocking and antibacterial properties of protective materials;\nThe coating of textiles with nanomaterials for multiple applications\nThe development of nanodiamond\/textile composites.","sdg":"3; 9; 13","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials","forcodes":"0910, 0912"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye, Lijing Wang, Steve Michielsen, Xin Wang","title":"Nanotextiles and Scalability","description":"The use of nanoparticles has been a promising way to develop performance textiles, although durability and comfort remain issues in the potential application of the technology. Similarly, the scaling up of nanofibres continues to present a challenge to their application. This project has a number of aims, including the growing of nanoparticles on textiles and the development of novel methods of synthesis, and the theory and method of electrospinning in the fabrication of nanofibres.\nResearch proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nThe development of carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites;\nThe development of spacer fabric with CNT-reinforced nanofibres for impact protection;\nNovel electrospinning systems for the scalable production of nanofibres;\nNanomaterials\/fibrous nanocomposite systems for multiple applications;\nThe use of nanodiamond\/selenium within fibrous systems for the development of medical textiles;\nThe design, modelling and engineering of compression garments;\nBraided 3D pre-form structures for fibre-reinforced composites;\nModelling of the protection and thermal comfort of semi-permeable PPE.","sdg":"3; 9","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication: BHI","forcodes":"0910, 1007"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Steve Michielsen, Lijing Wang, Rajiv Padhye, Xin Wang, Rebecca van Amber","title":"Textile Identification and Analysis","description":"The identification and analysis of textile composition and behaviour has important applications in a range of areas including defence and forensics and as protection against fraud and counterfeiting.\nResearch proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nHyperspectral analysis of fibre material and textile digital signal processing, with applications for the development and detection of camouflage and counterfeit materials;\nBloodstain pattern analysis, with applications in the field of forensic science;\nAnalysis of fabric wetting and the wicking of liquids, in the development of innovative materials for comfort and\/or for forensic fibre identification;\nArtificial intelligence tools and developing technologies to provide forensic evidence and to identify the origin of textiles, including, for example, the identification of Australian wool, the origin of animal furs and skins, the DNA analysis of textile fibres, and\/or the integration of fibre-based RFID technology for individual textile identification, life cycle studies, and supply chain tracking.","sdg":"9; 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials; ISE","forcodes":"0303, 0801, 0906, 0910"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Dr Rebecca Van Amber, Associate Prof. Dr Jenny Underwood","title":"Explore strategies toward achieving circularity in line with the Fashion & Textile system's transition to a circular economy","description":"As a means to address unsustainable resource consumption and waste generation in the fashion and textiles industry, the transition to a Circular Economy (CE) has become pivotal in Australia. Transitioning to a CE will require the growth and support of an industry focussed approach.      \r\nThis project will involve:  a literature review; followed by quantitative and qualitative research (surveys, interviews\/focus groups) with industry, government and research bodies aimed at identifying systematic intervention; followed by an analysis of Product LCA to update, with the final research aim being to identify and reform options and investigate potential mechanisms, processes and organisations through which systematic change can ideally be influenced and achieved.  \r","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 - Climate Action , 14 - Life Below Water, 15 - Life on the Land ,17 - Partnerships for the Goals","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401413 - Textile technology\r\n330315 - Textile and fashion design"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miranda Lai","title":"Virtual Emergency for All - Only When you Speak English","description":"Northern Health has introduced the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) since 2023. This is an online service platform hosted by Northern Health which triages and treats patients with non-life-threatening conditions virtually. VVED is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and free for Victorians. This service is the first of its kind in Australia.\n\nThe uptake of this service by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients is significantly under-represented, comparing to other members of community who speak English. It has also proven challenging for clinicians in utilising interpreting services to communicate with CALD clients via the virtual platform, comparing to conventional telephone interpreting service.\n\nThis project aims to:\n- establish current user profiles to establish a baseline for the proposed study\n- investigate the enabling and preventative factors from the CALD user perspective\n- investigate the enabling and preventative factors from the clinician perspective\n- explore possible change avenues to increase VVED uptake for better CALD emergency service outcomes\n\nThis project comes with a PhD scholarship and a 3-month internship to be undertaken at Northern Health.","sdg":"\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"470321        Translation and interpretation studies (50%)\n420305        Health and community services (50%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kathryn Daley, Juliet Watson","title":"Family violence, homelessness and women's refuges","description":"Family violence is a key driver of women's homelessness. Refuges offer short term accommodation for women and their children escaping violence. However, there are barriers to accessing refuges and pathways out of them into permanent, safe housing. This is exacerbated for some minority groups. A lack of housing limits women's ability to escape family violence. These facts are not new yet the issues persist. This research will be a mixed-methods approach drawing on linked datasets and qualitative interviews seeking to offer new insights in this area.\n\nThe successful applicant will have a role in shaping the project, along with the partner organisation(s). We are seeking someone who is able to undertake mixed methods research, though we will consider candidates who are trained solely in either quantitative or qualitative data (and are open to developing their skills). This project will include a 12-week paid internship with Good Shepherd (a not-for-profit supporting women, girls and families).  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440707 Housing Policy (35%)\n440705 Gender, Policy and Administration (35%)\n440903 Social program evaluation (30%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elizabeth Kath, Victor del Rio","title":"Strengthening Australia-Latin America Relations: Institutional Mapping and Building Collaborative Strategies","description":"This project aims to investigate and map the institutional landscape of Australia\u2019s engagement with Latin America, covering educational, governmental, and business sectors. It seeks to identify and understand key organizations involved in promoting Australia-Latin America relations, assess their current priorities and activities, and develop recommendations for improving collaboration to achieve a more cohesive approach for Australia\u2019s engagement with the Latin American region. \nObjectives include mapping existing institutions, analyzing their current activities, experiences, and priorities, and developing strategic recommendations to improve coordination. The project will explore practical strategies for integrating organizations' agendas, focusing on shared interests to build a unified approach. It will also design short-term collaborative activities and propose policies for medium and long-term impact. The research will use qualitative methods to assess collaboration and identify integration opportunities. The findings will produce actionable recommendations and strategies for fostering stronger regional relationships. This project has the potential to enhance bilateral relations between Australia and Latin America, addressing organizational fragmentation and improving collaborative outcomes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440801 Australian Government and Politics (...)\n440808 International Relations\n440303 Migration"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vandra Harris Agisilaou, Robbie Guevara, Julian Lee, Yaso Nadarajah, Peter Phipps, Kaye Quek, Elizabeth Kath, Tuba Boz, Nerkez Opacin, Bruce Wilson, Emma Shortis, Reina Ichii, Aiden Warren, Charlie Hunt, Gonzalez Garcia","title":"Humanitarianism, Migration & Development","description":"Mass migration as a result of humanitarian crises is a key contemporary global challenge shaped by the impact of global financial institutions and governance structures, environmental threats from climate change, ideological contestations and the changing nature of conflicts, generating new forms of precarity and vulnerability. Innovations in social media are impacting on cultural understandings of migration, identity and belonging, while ongoing digital transformations create challenges and opportunities for intervention approaches in the humanitarian and international development sector.\nWe welcome proposals that address issues in the fields of humanitarianism, migration and development by focusing on new and entrenched vulnerabilities locally or internationally, including the impact on women and children and indigenous groups. Candidates may have the opportunity to work with our partners including Australian Red Cross, Oxfam, International Organisation for Migration, Professional Migrant Women. Supervisors come from a background in anthropology, international development, political science, social work, gender studies, language studies, criminology, and global studies. Priority areas: 1. Indigenous and decolonisation perspectives in development\n2. Digital transformations in the Humanitarian Sector\n3. Gender, sexuality and development\n4. Migrant communities, belonging and social 5. Critical engagements with UN Sustainable Development Goals","sdg":"[\"1 - No Poverty\",\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390101 (25%) 440107 (50%) 440810 (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Criminology and Justice Studies; Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Monica Barratt","title":"Evaluating and improving drug checking services in Australia","description":"The supply of illegal drugs is unregulated due to prohibition. Unregulated supply results in drugs being sold that are of unknown content and strength, leading to overdoses which are sometimes fatal. Drug checking (a.k.a. pill testing) services (DCS) are a health response to this problem: members of the public submit substances of concern for chemical analysis and get the results back alongside a tailored health intervention. They empower people who use drugs to make informed decisions about their health, while also enabling communities and authorities to amplify health messages when toxic adulterations are detected. \n \nWhile relatively new in Australia, DCS have been established for 50+ years in 30+ countries. But there is still much we don\u2019t know. Knowledge gaps include: (1) the medium-to-long-term effectiveness of DCS on reducing drug harms, (2) the effects of the public outputs of DCS on drug harms, (3) how best to leverage community experiences of toxic drug outbreaks, and (4) how best to reach diverse groups. \n \nA PhD candidate is sought to lead a research project to address one or more of these knowledge gaps, supervised by Dr Monica Barratt, who leads a research program focused on emerging drug market trends. Dr Barratt is partnered with The Loop Australia, offering access to service-level data and internship possibilities. The candidate may have an academic background in qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods approaches to research. People with living or lived experience of substance use and\/or who have worked with people who use drugs are encouraged to apply.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420305"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hariz Halilovich, Elizabeth Kath, Tuba Boz, Peter Phipps, Charlie Hunt, Cecily Maller, Nerkez Opacin, James Oliver, School of Design","title":"The Art of Remembrance and Peace: Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Post-conflict Societies ","description":"The project investigates how the arts and creativity can be employed to serve reconciliatory ends and transitional justice, especially in \u201cfrozen conflict\u201d contexts categorized by entrenched social and political divisions running across two or more generations. Moreover, it will explore what ethical considerations of war and peace does a fusion between the arts and culture of remembrance in post-conflict societies necessitate? The geopolitical contexts relevant to the project range from the former Yugoslavia (in particular Bosnia and Kosovo) and Northern Ireland, in Europe, to several post-genocide, post-conflict and post-apartheid societies in Africa (e.g., Rwanda, Southern Sudan, South Africa), Asia (e.g., Cambodia, Myanmar, India-Pakistan), Latin America (eg Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador) and the Middle East (e.g., Israel-Palestine, Iraq, Syria\u2026). Recently, there has been a paradigm shift - both in theory and in practice - with transitional justice increasingly abandoning an exclusively legalistic perspective and opting, instead, for multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches. One of the non-conventional approaches has been the use of arts in reconciliation efforts in post-conflict societies. The arts have the power of creatively expressing both the anguish and the elation - as well as anything in between- of the human condition. Moreover, apart from the intrinsic aesthetic function, the purpose of the art can be, and often is, manifold: art is not merely mimetic or cathartic, it can perform sociocultural, historical, religious and ideological functions transgenerationally, transculturally, and transnationally. The PhD researcher will engage in a qualitative study (incl. ethnography\/fieldwork) of one or more of the post-conflict contexts looking at how reconciliation and the arts intertwine in post-conflict societies. Prospective industry partners: Global Reconciliation (Melbourne); KUMA International (Sarajevo), UNDP (Sarajevo).","sdg":"16, 10, 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390101 (25%) 440107 (50%) 440810 (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rojan Afrouz, Juliet Watson \n","title":"Trauma-Informed and Victim-Centred Practice Responses and Services for Domestic and Family Violence Victims\/Survivors from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds","description":"Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) impacts all women in Australia, but research shows that women from migrant and refugee backgrounds are less likely to access services when experiencing abuse. The traumatic experience of DFV, coupled with other structural inequalities and marginalisation, poses significant challenges for victims\/survivors from these communities to access safe and appropriate services. InTouch reported that a lack of victim-centred and trauma-informed skills by police and law enforcement resulted in significant misidentification of female victims of DFV among migrants and refugees. As of now, there is limited knowledge on how to develop policies, practice responses and recovery paths with a victim-centred and trauma-informed lens. This research proposal aims to address these gaps and contribute to the development of more effective, trauma-informed, and victim-centred services for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds experiencing DFV.\n This PhD will be conducted with publication. The method will be qualitative (probably grounded theory) with a feminist and trauma-informed framework. \nThe first paper will include a systematic literature review to explore the requirements of trauma-informed services with migrant and refugee women experiencing DFV, trauma-informed safety planning, counselling and recovery paths.  \nThe second paper will be based on in-depth interviews with victims\/survivors who used the system and their experiences of accessing services and recovery pathways (up to 10 interviews)\nThe third paper will be based on a co-design of trauma-informed practice in collaboration with relevant services. \nInternship opportunities with partner organisations will be explored. ","sdg":"5, 3, 10","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"230114        Violence and abuse services (50 %)\n440505     Intersectional studies (25%)\n440999        Social work not elsewhere classified (25%) \n\n\n\n\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Criminology and Justice Studies; Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210 & MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michele Ruyters, Crystal MacKinnon, Stuart Thomas, Monica Barratt, Nicola Henry, Georgina Heydon, Aiden Warren, Charlie Hunt, Anastasia Powell, Larissa Sandy, Brianna Chesser, Gemma Hamilton, Lisa Harris, Suzi Hutchings, Binoy Kampmark, Marg Lidell, Marietta Martinovic, Rob Watts, Pete Chambers, Rajesh Sharma, Russell Solomon, Robin Cameron, Greg Stratton, Lucy Maxwell, Peta Malins, Sharon Andrews, James Rowe","title":"Crime, Justice & Security","description":"We invite proposals addressing social, political and inter-personal conflict, including family and gender violence, policing and consequences of transnational crime, borders and national security, the impact of terrorism, crime and digital technology, shifting political conditions and relationships, gender and race inequalities in criminal justice systems and forensic mental health settings.\nProjects can focus on the voices of those who are persecuted and discriminated against for their identity, beliefs or circumstances and\/or legal, policy and practice reforms for institutions and services, as part of a broader global agenda towards peaceful, just and inclusive societies. Supervisors come from disciplines including social work and law, justice and legal studies, psychology and forensic mental health, Indigenous studies, international development and political science, criminology and education.\nThere is the opportunity to work with community groups and industry partners to generate an evidence-based for policy and practice reform at the interface of institutions, services and societal norms. Priority areas: - Digital Criminology\n- Gender and Family Violence\n- Indigenous and critical race perspectives on law and justice\n- Forensic mental health\n- Proposals related to Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative\n- International Peacekeeping and Security","sdg":"5, 10, 16, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1602, 160604"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Digital Design; Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Renata Kokanovic","title":"Borderline Personality as Social Phenomena","description":"PhD scholarship attached to the Australian Research Council Linkage Project \u2013 Borderline Personality as Social Phenomena.\nWe have an exciting and unique opportunity for a highly motivated student to undertake a PhD as part of a large Australian Research Council funded Linkage Project entitled Borderline Personality as Social Phenomena. The team is comprised of an international research group with expertise in critical mental health research, medical humanities, cultural studies, psychiatry and qualitative and arts-based research in mental health. The project is also is guided by collaborators with lived experiences and an Advisory Group. The focus of the PhD project will be to explore experiences of borderline personality among young people. The student will be panel supervised and trained in advanced qualitative and critical methodologies, and the production of digital resources. They will also be mentored to develop their expertise in critical social research on mental health. Value and duration\n$31,000 per annum for three years with a possible extension of six months (full time).\nNumber of scholarships available\nOne\nEligibility\nCandidates with backgrounds in critical mental health and health sociology are encouraged to apply.\nTo be eligible for this scholarship you must:\n\u2022 have first-class honours or equivalent in a relevant discipline;\n\u2022 be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident;\n\u2022 provide evidence of good oral and written communication skills;\n\u2022 demonstrable interest to work as part of a multi-disciplinary research team;\n\u2022 meet RMIT\u2019s entry requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy.\nHow to apply\nTo apply, please submit the following documents:\n\u2022 a cover letter, including a research statement\n\u2022 a copy of electronic academic transcripts\n\u2022 a CV that includes details of any publications\/awards and the contact details of 2 academic referees.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"441011 - Sociology of health (70%) 920410 - Mental Health (30%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elizabeth Kath","title":"Understanding Belonging in Education in the Digital Age","description":"\u2018Belonging\u2019, \u2018social inclusion\u2019 and \u2018social support\u2019 are key areas of sociability that are vital to student and staff wellbeing, resilience, and academic success in educational settings, and are still reported to be sustained by face-to-face interaction. In recent years, academic life has been increasingly mediated through screens, with profound social, cultural, and wellbeing implications. This research project aims to better understand the sense of belonging amongst staff and students in educational settings, considering cultural, social, and technological factors. The project investigates strategies for fostering meaningful belonging, social inclusion, and social support, including the examination of school-based and university-based interventions and programs to evaluate their effectiveness. The expected outcomes of the research include providing actionable insights and recommendations for fostering belonging in educational settings, considering cultural diversity and the pervasive influence of digital technologies. The findings will inform policies and practices that enhance individual well-being and social cohesion in academic settings. This project includes a funded industry internship with Awards Victoria.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"4702 - Cultural studies (50%)\n3902 - Education policy, sociology, & philosophy (50%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210 \/ MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Paul Battersby, Hariz Halilovich, Val Colic-Peisker, Damian Grenfell, Robbie Guevara, Vandra Harris, Julian Lee, Yaso Nadarajah, Ceridwen Spark, Kaye Quek, Elizabeth Kath, Bruce Wilson, Emma Shortis, Reina Ichii, Peter Phipps, Gemma Sou","title":"Humanitarianism, Migration & Development","description":"Mass migration as a result of humanitarian crises is a key contemporary global challenge shaped by the impact of global financial institutions and governance structures, environmental threats from climate change, ideological contestations and the changing nature of conflicts, generating new forms of precarity and vulnerability. Innovations in social media are impacting on cultural understandings of migration, identity and belonging, while ongoing digital transformations create challenges and opportunities for intervention approaches in the humanitarian and international development sector.\nWe welcome proposals that address issues in the fields of humanitarianism, migration and development by focusing on new and entrenched vulnerabilities locally or internationally, including the impact on women and children and indigenous groups. Candidates may have the opportunity to work with our partners including Australian Red Cross and Oxfam. Supervisors come from a background in anthropology, international development, political science, social work, gender studies, criminology, and global studies. Priority areas: 1. Indigenous and decolonisation perspectives in development\n2. Digital transformations in the Humanitarian Sector\n3. Gender, sexuality and development\n4. Migrant communities, belonging and social 5. Critical engagements with UN Sustainable Development Goals","sdg":"1, 5,10, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"160104, 160606, 160607, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hariz Halilovich, Elizabeth Kath, Tuba Boz, Peter Phipps, Charlie Hunt, Cecily Maller, Nerkez Opacin, James Oliver, School of Design","title":"The Art of Remembrance and Peace: Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Post-conflict Societies ","description":"The project investigates how the arts and creativity can be employed to serve reconciliatory ends and transitional justice, especially in \u201cfrozen conflict\u201d contexts categorized by entrenched social and political divisions running across two or more generations. Moreover, it will explore what ethical considerations of war and peace does a fusion between the arts and culture of remembrance in post-conflict societies necessitate? The geopolitical contexts relevant to the project range from the former Yugoslavia (in particular Bosnia and Kosovo) and Northern Ireland, in Europe, to several post-genocide, post-conflict and post-apartheid societies in Africa (e.g., Rwanda, Southern Sudan, South Africa), Asia (e.g., Cambodia, Myanmar, India-Pakistan), Latin America (eg Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador) and the Middle East (e.g., Israel-Palestine, Iraq, Syria\u2026). Recently, there has been a paradigm shift - both in theory and in practice - with transitional justice increasingly abandoning an exclusively legalistic perspective and opting, instead, for multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches. One of the non-conventional approaches has been the use of arts in reconciliation efforts in post-conflict societies. The arts have the power of creatively expressing both the anguish and the elation - as well as anything in between- of the human condition. Moreover, apart from the intrinsic aesthetic function, the purpose of the art can be, and often is, manifold: art is not merely mimetic or cathartic, it can perform sociocultural, historical, religious and ideological functions transgenerationally, transculturally, and transnationally. The PhD researcher will engage in a qualitative study (incl. ethnography\/fieldwork) of one or more of the post-conflict contexts looking at how reconciliation and the arts intertwine in post-conflict societies. Prospective industry partners: Global Reconciliation (Melbourne); KUMA International (Sarajevo), UNDP (Sarajevo)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390101 (25%)\r\n440107 (50%)\r\n440810 (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kathryn Daley, Guy Johnson, Juliet Watson","title":"Gendered experiences of housing insecurity and homelessness","description":"This project will investigate the experiences of women and non binary people who are at the margins of the housing market, as well as those who have experienced homelessness. There is international evidence to suggest that womens' experiences of homelessness differ substantially from that of men, but little work has been undertaken in Australian to understand the nuanced experience of this, and in turn, the implications for both policy and practice. This project will work with partner organisation\/s and include an internship. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440707 Housing  Policy (50%)\r\n440705 Gender, policy & Adminstration (50%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210 & MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Judith Bessant, Katherine Johnson, Robyn Martin, Kat Daley, Bawa Kuyini, Belinda Johnson, Chris Maylea, Christina David, Sharlene Nipperess, Ronnie Egan, Sonia Martin, Paul Ramcharan, Angelika Papadopolous, John Whyte, Guy Johnson, Juliet Watson, Renata Kokanovic, Kate Johnston-Ataata, Jacinthe Flore, Anna Urbanowicz, Crystal MacKinnon, Kim Humphrey, Paul Scriven, Suellen Murray","title":"Citizenship, Care & Health","description":"Giving and receiving support and care is intensely personal yet its provision is entrenched in systemic and structural processes. Through a focus on \u2018voice\u2019, lived experience and end-user participation, researchers in Citizenship, Care & Health aim to influence policy, practice and education that benefits citizens and communities in situations of vulnerability and precarity by reducing social inequalities, promoting health and mental health, and improving participation in society.\nWe welcome proposals that work with gender, sexuality, cultural and generational communities in the contexts of mental and physical health, housing and homelessness, disability and the NDIS, social and community service provision and design, and their intersections. We offer the potential to collaboration with our partners in health, housing and community service organisations and consumer advocacy groups, and a supervisory team from a range of disciplinary areas, including social work, social policy, youth work, medical and health sociology, community psychology and disability studies. We are particularly interested in projects with the potential to address intersectional disadvantage and vulnerability using innovative and participatory research methods. Priority area: - Homelessness and housing\n- Lived experience of health and mental health\n- Disability\n- Youth work\n- Aged Care\n- Critical perspectives on trauma","sdg":"1, 3, 10, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change; Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"160512, 160702, 170103"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melanie Davern, Alan Both, Ori Gudes, Jessica Rivera Villicana","title":"Investigating similarities and differences between resident ratings of liveability with objective spatial measurement of neighbourhood liveability using participatory GIS","description":"This project will draw on the existing liveability indicators included in the Australian Urban Observatory (auo.org.au) to compare and analyse key features of local liveability according to resident perspectives using participatory Geographic Information Systems. It will investigate resident perceptions of liveability and compare this to existing objective spatial measures of liveability according to different demographic groups.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330413"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melanie Davern, Jessica Rivera Villicana, Alan Both, Afshin Jafari, Ori Gudes","title":"Developing novel data visualisation methods to understand and communicate city cycling","description":"Develop new methods and data visualisation tools in the Australian Urban Observatory to understand and interpret safe cycling indicator results in local neighbourhoods","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330499\n460807"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210 & MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Bekessy, Ascelin Gordon, Georgia Garrard, Matthew Selinske, Holly Kirk, Alex Kusmanoff","title":"Interdisciplinary Conservation Science","description":"Managing biodiversity demands a multidisciplinary approach that reconciles ecological, social and economic dimensions. The ICON Science Research Group examines these diverse drivers of change, particularly in urban and semi-rural environments. We are looking for HDR PhD students for 6 specific projects:\n1) Effective biodiversity behaviour change across supply chains\nWork with project partner Zoos Victoria on a sustainable coffee engagement project, designing interventions, collaborating with coffee industry partners, and evaluating intervention outcomes. 2) Message framing for improved biodiversity conservation\nHow we say things can be as important as what we say when trying to change behaviours that affect biodiversity conservation. We have numerous partners from state and federal government agencies and non-government organisation interested in exploring the topic of communication and message framing in various contexts 3) Onsets not offsets for real biodiversity gains\nWork with us on an ARC Discovery project investigating an alternative approach to biodiversity offsetting that delivers positive on-site benefits to biodiversity and industry. By requiring proponents to demonstrate how they will retain, protect, restore and improve biodiversity on their site, onsetting will drive creative thinking and much-needed innovation within industry. 4) Designing green spaces for biodiversity and human well-being\nInterested in maintaining and encouraging more biodiversity into the cities? We have an established research program looking at social and ecological factors involved with urban greening, that specifically focuses on how people perceive different types of green spaces in cities, unpacking the elements of 'green' in green space design and delving into city floral visitor networks (like native bees!). 5) Understanding the synergies and trade-offs between conservation and ecosystem service supply and demand in rural and urban areas There has been significant progress in understanding how we value and measure ecosystem services. However, much of this work has been focused on the supply of services, with a less research on understanding the dynamics of the demand for services. In addition, more work is needed to properly understand the likely synergies and tradeoffs that may occur between prioritizing ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. 6) Biodiversity sensitive urban design (BSUD)\nWe work with government agencies, certification bodies, non-government organisations and urban developers to improve urban design in cities to enhance biodiversity within the urban fabric. PhD projects could focus on the intersection of architecture and BSUD, the measurement of biodiversity outcomes, urban design that enhances connectivity for target species or techniques for engaging stakeholders in setting compelling biodiversity objectives.","sdg":"6,9,11,12,14,15","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melanie Davern and Gavin Turrell","title":"What is the role of neighbourhood liveability for support healthy ageing?","description":"Liveable neighbourhoods include a range of different local services and amenities that are easily accessed through walking, cycling and public transport. They encourage and support more active lifestyles, are safe and support sustainability, include affordable and diverse housing options, public open space, public transport, local education and employment options, leisure and recreation, shops, and local services. Yet, little is known about how neighbourhoods change across time in relation to ageing.\r\n\r\nThe proposed PhD project is a study of mid to older aged adults and whether their local neighbourhood liveability supports active and healthy behaviours and overall health and wellbeing. Key aims are to identify whether neighbourhood liveability influences health and wellbeing, and healthy ageing; and the extent to which this relationship is modified by individual preferences and socioeconomic disadvantage.  \r\n","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing,  9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 10 - Reduced Inequalities , 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"200502 - Health related to ageing (50%)\r\n280104 - Expanding knowledge in built environment and design (30%)\r\n200401 - Behaviour and health (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ascelin Gordon","title":"More than a reserve? Measuring the benefits of private protected areas","description":"This is an exciting opportunity to undertake a PhD within an interdisciplinary research project focused conserving biodiversity on private land. It is funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Project titled \u201cMore than a reserve? Measuring the benefits of private protected areas\u201d. Its aim is to improve how we understand, measure and report on the benefits from private protected areas (PPAs) in Australia. \n\nThe project will develop a new theoretical approach and apply this to answer such questions as: (i) What are the contributions PPAs are making to reducing biodiversity loss? (ii) Are there benefits from PPAs beyond biodiversity conservation, such as socio-cultural and economic benefits? (iii) To what extent do these benefits arise within the boundaries of a PPA, and what sort of benefit flows into and out of the PPA occur? \n\nThe project brings together top researchers from academia (RMIT, UNSW, Griffith, and QUT) along with the most important organisations for private protected areas in Australia, including Bush Heritage and BridLife Australia. These organisations have identified PPAs they manage that may be used as case studies in the project. \n\nThe PhD research will involve: (i) collation and synthesis of existing approaches for measuring PPA benefits; (ii) data collection from case study PPAs and analysis of that data to measure specific benefit streams. We are open to students with backgrounds in one or more of ecology\/conservation, social science, and\/or environmental economics. The PhD research may involve travel to case study PPAs around Australia.\n\nSee here for further information: https:\/\/ascelin.github.io\/blog\/new-research-positions-available \n","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 15 - Life on the Land","funded":"Yes","closedate":"05\/05\/2024","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"410401 Conservation and biodiversity (50%) ; 410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring (30%) ; 440704 Environment policy (20%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen","title":"Value-for-Money in social procurement","description":"Social procurement is the practice of purchasing goods and services in a way that generates social, environmental, and economic benefits beyond the primary value of the goods or services themselves. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that instead of generating meaningful impact and value-for-money for different stakeholders, social procurement is often focused on merely reporting dollars spent on contracts with social impact organizations. \n\nTherefore, the purpose of this HDR project is to explore and investigate what is value-for-money in social procurement for different stakeholders, what factors drive or hinder its realization, and how purchasing managers, procurement organizations, and other stakeholders evaluate, influence, and manage it. \n\nThis project will involve qualitative research methods, including case studies and interviews, but they can be supplemented with quantitative methods, if appropriate. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have expertise in qualitative research methods and the ambition to conduct rigorous research that has the potential to deliver significant scholarly, managerial, and societal impact. Prior expertise and experience in social procurement, supply chain management, or organizational buying is an advantage. \n","sdg":"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350603 industrial marketing\n350612 social marketing\n350710 organizational behavior"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen","title":"How social enterprises sell to supply chain partners","description":"Social enterprises pursue a dual mission that combines social and financial goals, and they play an important role in tackling the wider sustainability challenges in business and societal ecosystem. However, since social and commercial business logics are often conflicting, social enterprises tend to struggle to get supply chain partners to buy into their social missions and\npurchase or supply their products and services.\n\nWhile there is a large body of literature that has considered social entrepreneurship and the related business models, logic, and strategies it involves, it has paid much less attention to issues related to successfully selling social missions and social products and services to different supply chain partners. Therefore, the purpose of this HRD project is to explore and investigate how social enterprises can create resonating value propositions and convince their supply chain partners to buy into their social missions and purchase their products and services.\n\nThe project will involve qualitative research methods, including cases studies and interviews within the Australian social enterprise sector and potentially across other countries. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have expertise in qualitative research methods and the ambition to conduct rigorous research that has the potential to deliver significant scholarly, managerial, and societal impact. Prior expertise and experience in social entrepreneurship, selling and\/or sales management, and supply chain partnerships is considered an advantage.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350603 industrial marketing\n350612 social marketing \n350702 corporate social responsibility"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen","title":"How organizations implement and manage Creating Shared Value strategies","description":"Creating Shared Value (CSV) is a business strategy that was coined and popularized by Porter and Kramer (2011) as a way for corporations to align business and social goals, and it has become a popular approach among many corporations and practitioners (Crane et al., 2014). CSV is based on the idea of turning social problems into business opportunities and gaining a sustainable competitive advantage by creating both economic and social value (Porter & Kramer, 2011). \n\nHowever, while there is a growing body of research on CSV (see e.g.,  Pfitzer et al., 2013; Dembek et al., 2016; Mengwar & Daood, 2021), many firms still struggle to implement it in practice, especially in complex value chains and business networks with multiple stakeholders. Therefore, the purpose of this HDR project is to explore and investigate how organizations in different industries and business contexts adopt and implement CSV strategy, what are the major internal and external barriers that hinder this process, and how firms manage CSV partnerships in value chains and business networks.\n\nThis project will involve qualitative research methods, including case studies and interviews. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have expertise in qualitative research methods and the ambition to conduct rigorous research that has the potential to deliver significant scholarly, managerial, and societal impact. Prior expertise and experience in social or sustainable business strategy, corporate social responsibility, or related fields is an advantage\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350702 corporate social responsibility\n350710 organizational behavior\n350718 strategy"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Penelope Weller, Natalya Turkina, Jessica Helmi, Max Theilacker","title":"How Institutions Condition Stakeholders\u2019 Emotions in the Process of Inclusive ICT Innovation?","description":"Many cities nowadays aim to become inclusive in the sense that they strive to include various marginalised communities (e.g., people with disabilities) in the social division of labour and social networks and promote their participation in material (consumption), politico-institutional and cultural activities (Kronauer, 2002). Becoming \u2018smart\u2019 through developing innovations in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be an effective way for cities to promote the inclusion of marginalised communities (Reuter, 2019).\nThe process of inclusive ICT innovation engages multiple stakeholders, including city councils, businesses, NGOs, research organisations and citizens themselves (Borghys, Van der Graaf, Walravens, & Van Compernolle, 2020). Alongside its technological implementation and rationalisation, the process of inclusive ICT innovation is informed by stakeholders\u2019 emotions. This means that emotions help stakeholders to make sense of and then decide to develop a specific innovation (e.g., Friedrich & W\u00fcstenhagen, 2017; Vuori & Huy, 2016). In this context, emotions do, however, not occur in a vacuum but instead are informed by the diverse institutional environments (i.e., values, norms, rules and conventions) that condition these stakeholders (Zietsma & Toubiana, 2018). To date, little is known about the mechanisms of such conditioning (Friedland, 2018) and about how various institutional environments can either hinder or facilitate multiple stakeholder engagement in the process of inclusive ICT innovation. This HDR project, therefore, aims to explore how institutions condition stakeholders\u2019 emotions in the process of inclusive ICT innovation. The underlying project will employ qualitative research methods (i.e., comparative and longitudinal case studies). The HDR student will have an opportunity to collect data in Australia and Indonesia and will be supported by a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers, who have excellent industry connections in these two countries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"Tra Pham","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen, Natalya Turkina","title":"How Social Enterprises Couple Market and Social Welfare Logics to Create Value in the Post-Pandemic World?","description":"The rapid and unprecedented market decline brought in by COVID-19 will inevitably result in dramatic changes (i.e., economic recession, unemployment, inequality) in the economic and social contexts of many countries. These impacts can be addressed by social enterprises \u2013 organisations that generate revenues by creating social value for stakeholders, local communities and society more broadly (Santos, 2012). Since social enterprises are able to selectively couple market and social welfare logics (Pache & Santos, 2013) in complex and demanding economic and social environments (Cherriera, Goswamib, & Ray, 2018), they are in a unique position to create employment and associated community and social benefits for multiple stakeholders and diverse social groups affected by the pandemic. However, to be able to create social value when their own economic existence is under threat, social enterprises will need to find new mechanisms to effectively couple market and social welfare logics in the post-pandemic world. The purpose of this HDR project is to explore how social enterprises can couple market and social welfare logics to create value in the post-pandemic world. The project will involve qualitative research methods, including comparative and longitudinal studies within Australian social enterprise sector, and potentially across other countries. This project is particularly suitable for candidates who have critical thinking, strong interest, prior knowledge and\/or experience in social entrepreneurship. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers from GSBL who have excellent industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb","title":"Unpacking Corporate Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence for Conflict-Affected Areas","description":"A growing body of global governance and corporate sustainability disclosure standards are  placing expectations on companies to act responsibly in conflict-affected regions \u2013 including in compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law, and with sensitivity to conflict-dynamics. Prominent examples of these initiatives include the United Nations\u2019 Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011), the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (2013) and the Global Reporting Initiative\u2019s new sustainability standard for the Mining Sector (2024). Under these initiatives, companies are expected to conduct \u201cheightened human rights due diligence\u201d (hHRDD) to correspond with the heightened risks that arise in conflict-affected areas; this should also incorporate considerations of IHL. However, the initiatives fail to adequately define what that process entails. Companies require more specific guidance and support to understand the relevance of IHL and how to conduct their operations in a conflict-sensitive manner that reflects these international standards. Moreover, there is a lack of clarity as to the practical steps a company should take to conduct hHRDD in a way that genuinely and effectively implements IHL. Subject to negotiation with the successful applicant, this project will explore elements of what constitutes hHRDD in practice grounded in theoretical understandings of conflict-sensitivity and human rights law, identify impediments for greater adoption of hHRDD amongst companies and elaborate on ideas for relevant governance reform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law (40%)\n350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility (30%)\n440810 - Peace Studies (15%) \n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting (15%)\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb, Dr Kate Grosser - CoBL School of Management\nDr Thuy Nguyen - CoBL School of Account, Information Systems and Supply Chains","title":"Exploring the human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities of business","description":"The RMIT Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRIGHT) is Australia\u2019s first university-based research centre dedicated to examining the nexus between the corporate sector and human rights. The Centre\u2019s mission is to contribute research, education and practical support to ensure that businesses respect the human rights of workers, communities, and customers, where they operate, as well as throughout their national, regional and global supply and value chains.\n\nBHRIGHT researchers conduct research, including theoretical and empirical studies, to build evidence of business\u2019 human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities.\n\nThere is a range of disciplinary expertise within BHRIGHT, including management, supply chain management, accounting, labour law and human rights law, and our work is organised across themes --- for more information please visit our website: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/business-and-human-rights-centre The BHRIGHT Co-Directors will work with successful PhD candidates to clarify suitable research topics within the field of Business and Human Rights, and help the candidate assemble a supervisory team from amongst BHRIGHT researchers relevant to their specific project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility\n480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law\n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting \n350701 \u2013 Corporate governance\n350909 - Supply chains\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Penelope Weller","title":"The business contribution to the right to health and wellbeing ","description":"The role of business in the realisation of the human right to right to health and mental health is often overlooked. The human right to health is an expansive human right encompassing the right to access a full suite of the social, economic and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing, including appropriate health care.  Right to health considerations stretch to many aspects of social life.  In developed nations, the task of ensuring appropriate public health and environmental policy related to the necessary regulation of waste and pollution, clean water and food, adequate housing, transport and welfare and other areas was traditionally thought of as a public concern and a task  the welfare state.  In developed neo-liberal nations the essential components of the human right to health has been increasingly governed by private business or by public-private partnerships.  Little attention has been paid to the way these new entities attend to their human rights obligations as expressed in the Charter for Business and Human Rights. This project will consider whether and what ways key industries relevant  to the substantive components of the right to health are incorporating human rights obligations with respect to the delivery of such services. The PhD candidate(s) may choose from a range of relevant areas consistent with their expertise and background. It is expected that the project will make a novel and substantial contribution to our understanding of how business might contribute to and support the right to health.   ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-11-30","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"480405\n480408\n480412"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Penelope Weller","title":"Business and human rights in health systems-improving the regulation of technology","description":"In developed western nations the regulation of health technology is directly relevant to the realisation of the right to health. Health care services are increasingly reliant on complex diagnostic and treatment technologies many of which are augmented by AI or have adopted new AI based technologies to fulfil specified tasks. In general, therapeutic goods and services are regulated by the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) but not all technologies and devices fall within the ambit of the TGA. Other product and service-related laws are also relevant to the regulation of the health system but are seldom in play.  In other areas where complex technologies have been introduced, there have been significant failures associated with discrimination, equality and privacy breaches. At present little is known about the extent to which new platforms and technologies are being use in health services, how they are developed and what human rights issues are implicated in their use.  This project will examine the regulation of medical technologies, devices and platforms from a Business and Human Rights perspective. It will identify whether and how medical device companies and regulatory bodies are engaging with business and human rights obligations .  The project will create new knowledge about the deployment of AI technologies in health. It will create framework for evaluating the human rights dimensions of technological regulation with a view to identifying new approach to the regulation of AI enhanced technologies.  ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-06-01","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"480405\n480408\n480412"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb, Dr Kate Grosser - CoBL School of Management\nDr Thuy Nguyen - CoBL School of Account, Information Systems and Supply Chains","title":"Exploring the human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities of business","description":"The RMIT Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRIGHT) is Australia\u2019s first university-based research centre dedicated to examining the nexus between the corporate sector and human rights. The Centre\u2019s mission is to contribute research, education and practical support to ensure that businesses respect the human rights of workers, communities, and customers, where they operate, as well as throughout their national, regional and global supply and value chains.\n\nBHRIGHT researchers conduct research, including theoretical and empirical studies, to build evidence of business\u2019 human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities.\n\nThere is a range of disciplinary expertise within BHRIGHT, including management, supply chain management, accounting, labour law and human rights law, and our work is organised across themes --- for more information please visit our website: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/business-and-human-rights-centre The BHRIGHT Co-Directors will work with successful PhD candidates to clarify suitable research topics within the field of Business and Human Rights, and help the candidate assemble a supervisory team from amongst BHRIGHT researchers relevant to their specific project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility\n480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law\n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting \n350701 \u2013 Corporate governance\n350909 - Supply chains\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne Kallies, Dr Vanessa Johnston","title":"Building Australia\u2019s climate change resilience through land use legal frameworks","description":"As businesses and communities become increasingly impacted by climate change, greater thought is needed to understand and maximise opportunities to build climate resilience within regulatory frameworks that affect land use. Climate resilience is key for adapting to changing climatic conditions, and to plan and prepare for natural disasters and extreme weather events. In Australia, property and planning laws regulate how land may be used for domestic and business purposes, and create mechanisms to protect and conserve natural environments. Changing climatic conditions and extreme weather events challenge whether and how property and planning law frameworks can or should be used to build climate resilience and minimise vulnerability to loss of life and property.  \n\nThis project will review and analyse the legal frameworks affecting land use, and it\u2019s proponents (property developers, businesses, governments) in Australia in the context of climate change to identify regulatory tools and policy recommendations for an improved pre-emptive response to adverse climate impacts and extreme weather events. \n\nThe project will take a comparative law approach, drawing on examples across Australian and international jurisdictions to:\n\ni)        illustrate how existing regulatory framework challenges or prevents the resilience and preparedness of communities and businesses to climate-change risk, and \nii)        identify how property law and planning regulation might better contribute towards reduced risk exposure. This work will include an assessment of managed retreat options.\niii)        assess regulatory opportunities and barriers especially in relation to vulnerable communities. \n\nThe project will be informed by an appropriate theoretical approach (e.g climate justice, human rights). \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480202, 480203, 480604"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb","title":"Unpacking Corporate Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence for Conflict-Affected Areas","description":"A growing body of global governance and corporate sustainability disclosure standards are  placing expectations on companies to act responsibly in conflict-affected regions \u2013 including in compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law, and with sensitivity to conflict-dynamics. Prominent examples of these initiatives include the United Nations\u2019 Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011), the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (2013) and the Global Reporting Initiative\u2019s new sustainability standard for the Mining Sector (2024). Under these initiatives, companies are expected to conduct \u201cheightened human rights due diligence\u201d (hHRDD) to correspond with the heightened risks that arise in conflict-affected areas; this should also incorporate considerations of IHL. However, the initiatives fail to adequately define what that process entails. Companies require more specific guidance and support to understand the relevance of IHL and how to conduct their operations in a conflict-sensitive manner that reflects these international standards. Moreover, there is a lack of clarity as to the practical steps a company should take to conduct hHRDD in a way that genuinely and effectively implements IHL. Subject to negotiation with the successful applicant, this project will explore elements of what constitutes hHRDD in practice grounded in theoretical understandings of conflict-sensitivity and human rights law, identify impediments for greater adoption of hHRDD amongst companies and elaborate on ideas for relevant governance reform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law (40%)\n350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility (30%)\n440810 - Peace Studies (15%) \n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting (15%)\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb","title":"Companies and International Humanitarian Law: Relevance, Rights, Responsibilities","description":"Increasingly, companies \u2013 including Australian-domiciled firms \u2013 find themselves caught up in armed conflicts with little understanding of what their legal rights and obligations are under the specialised set of laws that apply to, and regulate behaviour in, armed conflict \u2013 international humanitarian law (IHL). The core of IHL are the Geneva Conventions, which are universally-ratified international treaties signed in 1949 \u2013 75 years ago. Traditionally, this body of international norms of behaviour designed to regulate conduct in situations of armed conflict have been understood to place responsibilities upon states and their militaries, and more recently, to non-state armed groups as well. Similarly, accountability processes (eg. through domestic and international criminal law) have been used, primarily, to hold states and armed groups accountable for involvement in war crimes \u2013 grave violations of IHL. However, there has been little research conducted on if and how IHL is applicable and relevant to corporate actors across the spectrum of industries. This project seeks to explore the relationship between business actors and IHL. It will explore questions surrounding the responsibilities and protections afforded to companies under IHL, how such entities\u2019 adherence to IHL could be strengthened, and how corporate actors can be held accountable when IHL norms are violated through domestic or international legal mechanisms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480307 - International humanitarian and human rights law (60%)\n350702 - Corporate social responsibility (15%)\n480306 - International criminal law (15%)\n350701 - Corporate governance (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zsuzsanna Csereklyei, Anne Kallies","title":"Energy Transitions in Electricity Markets","description":"Electricity generation landscapes are rapidly changing around the world. Advances and cost reductions in renewable electricity generation and storage technologies have fueled an unprecedented energy transition in the power generation sector. Electricity consumption is predicted to keep increasing worldwide, hand in hand with economic development, and a shift towards higher reliance on electricity in the energy mix, fueled by the electrification of ransport and industrial processes. This ongoing transition poses a major challenge to our electricity systems and markets, which were originally not designed to accommodate high levels of intermittent, low or zero marginal cost generation. Regulators are grappling to design and adjust market frameworks that can support a more sustainable, but also reliable and affordable electricity system of the future. These goals are however challenging, as the long-run economic and system stability implications of different market frameworks are not entirely understood. The proposed research projects either in the field of economics or law, will investigate the impact of different legal frameworks, regulations and incentive policies on electricity market economics and transitions. These may include but are not limited to the problems of market design and investment adequacy, placing economic value on dispatchability, flexibility, and the evaluation of capacity markets, optimal levels of horizontal and vertical integration, and examining the role of prosumers from a legal and economic perspective. The project will enrich RMIT ECPs capabilities on energy transitions and will develop interdisciplinary RMIT collaboration between economics and law. Its innovative offering addresses industry needs and provides the basis for ongoing work in this area. In particular, this research is aligned with the Information and Systems ECP, which is hosting the energy@rmit network, by 1) deepening our understanding of how regulation and market design influences the economic viability of new technologies and transitions ; 2) building collaboration with public and private sector partners (including regulators) to generate research-driven change and impact in value-driven innovation in electricity markets and create opportunities for energy@RMIT. Professor Sanderson, the ECP director is happy to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Informations and Systems","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Marta Poblet, Christopher Berg, Aaron Lane","title":"Distributed Ledger Technologies, Law, and Governance: Opportunities and Challenges","description":"Distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) are a set of digital technologies developing open, peer-to-peer, distributed ledgers to record transactions between multiple parties in a verifiable and tamper resistant way. As a result, DLTs enable systems where people, Artificial Intelligence agents, or Internet of Things objects can interact in a trusted and virtually frictionless network.\nA key component of DLTs are distributed consensus mechanisms that exclusively rely on the nodes of the network to validate any incoming transactions (e.g. currency transfers, votes, smart contracts, etc.). As there is no need of third trusted parties to validate such transactions, DLTs are expected to disrupt a number of industries and domains: finance and capital markets, logistics and supply chains, utilities and consumer products, and government and the public sector, among others.\nThis research program aims at studying the impact of different forms of DLTs (such as the open platforms Blockchain and Ethereum) on law and governance. More specifically, it proposes to investigate three main areas: legal transactions (e.g. property and IP rights), voting, and governance of big data.\nResearch question\/s\nThe three main research questions are:\n\u2022How DLTs can be used to provide users with greater access and control over the data they create?\n\u2022Do DLTs enable more efficient and tamper-proof online voting mechanisms?\n\u2022Can DLTs provide a more secure and trusted system for legal transactions such as electronic land transfers or IP rights?","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"The project will RMIT ECPs capabilities on value-based healthcare and develop interdisciplinary RMIT collaboration to examine all facets of VBPD. Its innovative offering addresses industry needs and provides the basis for ongoing work in this area. In particular, this research is aligned with the GBI ECP and GSBL Incubator (Innovation) by 1) deepening RMIT\u2019s understanding of innovative business practices and approaches when it comes to VBPD; 2) building collaboration with public and private sector partners to generate researchdriven change and impact in value-driven innovation in healthcare internationally and create opportunities for RMIT University in health 4.0.","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Marta Poblet, Aaron Lane, Chris Berg","title":"Digital democracy for political, corporate, and industry sectors: towards new forms of governance","description":"Digital democracy is an umbrella term that refers to digitally-enabled tools supporting different types of participatory processes in politics, such as monitoring policies and political representatives, signing petitions, deliberating, drafting legal texts, voting, etc. Digital democracy also includes technology-enabled forms of democratic corporate and organisational governance of multiple legal entities (non-for-profit organisations, cooperatives, unions, etc.). Other common terms to designate this broad domain are \u201cparticipatory technologies\u201d or \u201ccivic technologies\u201d. The objective of this project is to develop cutting-edge research on how distributed, trustless, privacy-preserving technologies (notably ledger technologies such as the blockchain, but including other decentralised solutions) can enable new forms of digital governance and democracy. The project will adopt an empirical approach based on a combination of methods (data analytics, qualitative case studies, simulations, etc.) to improve both the discoverability and applicability of the best solutions. Ultimately, this project will be proposing innovative and efficient models of governance adapted to different organisational needs and requirements. Those models will also be context-aware, that is, they will take into account the economic and socio-legal environments where they are going to operate. Therefore, this research will require ongoing collaboration with industry partners (corporations, organisations, and governments) interested in testing and improving their current governance systems. To facilitate industry engagement, we will rely on the industry networks of the Graduate School of Business and Law, the Blockchain Innovation Hub, and the Global Business Innovation EPC.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Marshall, Annie Delaney","title":"Modern Slavery and Gender in Australian Supply Chains","description":"The HDR project will address one of the most significant social problems of our time, modern slavery and associated breaches of labour standards entailing forced labour, bonded labour, dangerous conditions and poverty wages. These egregious labour conditions are collectively referred to as Unacceptable Forms of Work (UFW). Contemporary expressions of UFW are linked to new business models that entail production and trafficking through networks. These production networks can be thought to be gendered. Gendered dynamics shape the labour conditions of workers in different tiers of the production network and the distribution of value. This project examines this question in relation to cleaning and meat. The two production networks differ in a number of respects, with varied dynamics driving labour exploitation. Meat processing workers tend to be male and are often on short term visas. Cleaning workers are majority female and have more mixed migration backgrounds. The purpose of this HDR project is to explore the causes of enforcement deficits in complex production networks, with a particular focus on gender.\nThis project is particularly suitable for candidates who have prior knowledge and\/or background in labour relations, labour law, gender studies and supply chains or related fields. Prior knowledge or interest in the study of labour conditions in production networks is an advantage, but not a critical requirement. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers from GSBL who have excellent industry and international connections to support the project. The project will be supported by an Advisory Board constituted of industry and public sector (regulatory) experts. For the candidate, this offers a unique opportunity to gain understanding and expertise in an area that is globally in high demand, both academically and in business.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mike Hazelton, Oliver Higgins, Sinead Barry","title":"Enhancing Mental Health Services for Children (5-12 years) on the Central Coast, NSW","description":"This PhD research programme aims to critically examine the implementation and effectiveness of mental health service delivery for children aged 5-12 years through the Central Coast Head to Health Kids Hub. The primary research question is:\n\"What is the influence of the Head to Health Kids Hub model on mental health outcomes and service coordination for children (5-12 years) and their families on the Central Coast, and what factors affect successful implementation of this integrated service model?\"\nThe research will focus on:\n1.\tEvaluating implementation of the Head to Health Kids Hub model and identifying factors that enable or impede effective service delivery\n2.\tExploring the impact of family-focused interventions and care navigation on service accessibility and outcomes\n3.\tAssessing the cultural safety and appropriateness of mental health services for diverse communities, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families\n4.\tExamining how system coordination and integration mechanisms influence service delivery and outcomes\nThis research focus acknowledges that successful implementation of new service models requires understanding both the outcomes achieved and the factors that influence those outcomes. By studying the Hub as a living laboratory for integrated care, this research will contribute to evidence-based improvements in child mental health service delivery while providing practical insights for similar initiatives nationally.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2029-03-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420504 \n450408\n420302"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rhonda Wilson, Mike Hazelton, Oliver Higgins, Sinead Barry","title":"Enhancing Mental Health Services for Children (5-12 years) on the Central Coast, NSW","description":"This PhD research programme aims to critically examine the implementation and effectiveness of mental health service delivery for children aged 5-12 years through the Central Coast Head to Health Kids Hub. The primary research question is:\n\"What is the influence of the Head to Health Kids Hub model on mental health outcomes and service coordination for children (5-12 years) and their families on the Central Coast, and what factors affect successful implementation of this integrated service model?\"\nThe research will focus on:\n1.\tEvaluating implementation of the Head to Health Kids Hub model and identifying factors that enable or impede effective service delivery\n2.\tExploring the impact of family-focused interventions and care navigation on service accessibility and outcomes\n3.\tAssessing the cultural safety and appropriateness of mental health services for diverse communities, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families\n4.\tExamining how system coordination and integration mechanisms influence service delivery and outcomes\nThis research focus acknowledges that successful implementation of new service models requires understanding both the outcomes achieved and the factors that influence those outcomes. By studying the Hub as a living laboratory for integrated care, this research will contribute to evidence-based improvements in child mental health service delivery while providing practical insights for similar initiatives nationally.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2029-03-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420504 \n450408\n420302"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Enhancing Digital Communication in Aged Care Using A Multidisciplinary Approach","description":"Project 1:\n\nDespite the growing adoption of digital communication technologies in aged care, significant barriers remain, including usability challenges, digital literacy gaps, and cultural and linguistic disparities. This project aims to evaluate and address these barriers through a multidisciplinary lens, leveraging the expertise of software engineers, healthcare professionals, aged care workers, and consumer representatives. \n\nThe specific objectives are:\n\n1. Evaluating Digital Communication Frameworks in Aged Care: A systematic review and expert panel analysis to assess the effectiveness and limitations of current digital communication frameworks.\n\n2. Exploring Communication Barriers Through Thematic Analysis: A qualitative study identifying key challenges faced by aged care residents, families, and healthcare providers in digital engagement.\n\n3. Developing Inclusive Digital Communication Strategies: Co-designing and testing intervention strategies to enhance accessibility, usability, and cultural sensitivity in digital communication tools.\n\n4. Assessing the Impact of Digital Literacy Training on Aged Care Communication: An empirical study evaluating the effectiveness of tailored training programs for aged care residents and caregivers.\n\nProject 2:\n\nThis project aims to develop an evidence-based conceptual framework for digital communication in aged care, ensuring that digital tools enhance rather than hinder communication between residents, families, and healthcare professionals. \n\nThe specific objectives are:\n\n1. Co-Designing a Conceptual Framework for Digital Communication in Aged Care: A participatory research study involving aged care residents, families, and healthcare providers to develop a structured model for digital engagement.\n\n2. Validating the Framework Using the Delphi Technique: A study employing expert consensus methods to refine and validate the proposed digital communication framework.\n\n3. Comparative Study of Digital Communication Strategies in Aged Care Across Australia and International Settings: Evaluating cross-cultural differences and best practices in digital communication in aged care.\n\n4. Measuring the Effectiveness of the Conceptual Framework in Enhancing Shared Decision-Making: A longitudinal study assessing the impact of the framework on resident autonomy, social inclusion, and care planning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-03-06","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"470108 - Organisational, interpersonal and intercultural communication\n460501 - Data engineering and data science\n420301 - Aged health care"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rebecca Millar","title":"Stress, burnout and resilience in Australian forensic mental health nurses","description":"Forensic mental health nursing is a high pressure, high risk working environment, known to experience significant recruitment and retention challenges. Little is known about nurses experiences of stress and resilience factors in this context. Registered and enrolled nurses will be recruited from Australian forensic mental health services to participate in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences and understanding of stress, burnout and resilience. In addition, validated survey tools will be used to provide a descriptive statistics facilitating quantitative analysis of any differences across demographic variables and participant settings. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2032-04-11","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4205 nursing"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Roula Kyriacou","title":"To explore the role of clinical placement amongst diagnostic radiography undergraduate students.","description":"The aim of this study is to explore diagnostic radiography students pre-clinical placement \npreparedness through understanding practices that affect student learning during clinical \nplacement. The significance of this study is that it will inform University curricula regarding \npre-clinical preparation, and thus improve the placement experience for both students and \nclinical radiographers. It will facilitate a link between tertiary education and clinical \neducation and how the two can work cooperatively to create a cohesive and organised \nlearning structure, ensuring optimum student preparedness and ultimately, the deliverance \nof high-quality patient care.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"390305 Professional education and training 50% \n390402 Education assessment and evaluation 30% \n390408 Learning analytics 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Zhen Zheng, Sophia Xenos","title":"Improving support and care needs for women affected by birth trauma\n","description":"A significant number of women describe their childbirth experiences as traumatic, with estimates of prevalence varying from 10% to 50%. A thorough review of the literature on service provision and frameworks designed to support women who have experienced birth-related trauma emphasizes the urgent need for additional research, consensus-building, and coordinated action to address the diverse needs of this population. Specifically, there is a need for a comprehensive, up-to-date exploration of the service framework for delivering care to women and their families affected by birth-related trauma in Australia, ensuring their needs are adequately met. Therefore, it is crucial to gather insights from stakeholders and understand the lived experiences of women and their families using these services to guide the future development of health policies and service infrastructure in Australia. This project will focus on identifying factors that contribute to service development, along with practical strategies for detecting, preventing, and providing care for this group. Additionally, it will examine the feasibility and acceptability of existing services and models of care that prioritise women's rights and needs at the core of birth trauma care.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420403        Psychosocial aspects of childbirth and perinatal mental health 40%.\n420311        Health systems 30%.\n420305        Health and community services 30%.\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Pranata, Doa El-Ansary, Jia Han ","title":"Lumbar extensor force control training and its effect on force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability in people with chronic low back pain","description":"Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, costing Australia over $9 billion annually. It is characterised by neuromuscular impairments, which include lumbar extensor force control (the ability to accurately exert force) and lumbar movement control (the ability to precisely position the lumbar spine). These neuromuscular functions are essential for spinal stability and postural control. Unfortunately, traditional assessments of these functions are conducted in static, seated positions, which may not accurately reflect the dynamic nature of everyday activities, such as bending and lifting. Therefore, it is not surprising that recent research suggests that adding lumbar extensor force control training to standard lumbar strengthening does not improve force control, presumably because these exercises are not functional enough. In addition, it is unknow to what extent lumbar extensor force control training, in a functional task (lifting), may affect force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability in people with low back pain. The answer will deepen the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying neuromuscular impairments associated with low back pain, particularly during functional tasks.\n\nThis PhD project aims to change how lumbar force control is assessed and trained by exploring it in dynamic, functionally relevant positions such as bending and lifting, and to investigate how it affects force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability in people with chronic LBP.  In order to address these research questions, the following studies will be carried out:\n1. Development and validation of force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability assessments during bending and lifting in people with chronic LBP.\n2. Investigation of the relationship between force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability and their association with patient report outcome measures, such as Oswestry disability index (ODI) and fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ), in people with chronic LBP.\n3. Global strengthening vs core specific strengthening vs force control training (bio-feedback) on force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability and patient report outcome measures in people with chronic LBP.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (50%)\n420302 Digital health (25%)\n420109 Rehabilitation (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR236\/DR237\/DR238\/MR236\/MR237\/MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh","title":"Performance analysis and Injury prevention technology in cricket bowling  ","description":"The project proposed herein is related to Cricket. The research is carried out on spin and fast bowlers during their normal training process. The difference to the normal or standard training process is that the participants will be using an in-house developed smart ball, with sensors and electronics incorporated in the ball. Bawler kinematics will also be evaluated for performance and injury risk analysis.\nThe purpose and outcome of this project are fourfold: 1) baseline assessment of\nbowlers from 10 performance parameters provided by the smart balls to understand their current performance, 2) using special training methods based related to their\ncurrent performance, 3) monitoring of the training process to verify the success of the selected training method; and 4) building a cloud database of bowling data. \nThis leads to the following research questions: 1) can the smart ball detect the reason of the actual problem of a (low-performing) bowler, in addition to just providing the 10 performance parameters? 2) can the efficacy of a training method be assessed and evaluated from the smart ball data?\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics, 25%\n400904 Electronic device and system performance evaluation, testing and simulation 25%\n420799 Sport science and exercise not elsewhere classified, 25%\n400906 Electronic sensors, 25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR236\/DR237\/DR238\/MR236\/MR237\/MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh","title":"Technology in reactive postural responses in rehabilitation","description":"Balance control is a fundamental motor task that enables humans to interact safely with their environment. From early childhood, when taking the first steps, to the later years, individuals are consistently exposed to destabilizing unexpected perturbations during daily activities, such as slipping or tripping. These unexpected events trigger rapid reactive postural responses that, if unsuccessful, can lead to falls and injuries. The effectiveness of these responses can be compromised by factors such as neurological impairments, musculoskeletal injuries, and aging. Consequently, it is essential for clinicians to accurately assess reactive postural responses and provide targeted interventions to improve their patients' stability and safety.\nIn clinical practice, assessing the level of impairment and planning interventions requires comparing an individual\u2019s postural response measurements to those of a larger, healthy control group. Additionally, a large dataset is essential for developing predictive algorithms that can classify individuals accurately and guide the most efficient intervention plans. However, a comprehensive data repository of this nature does not currently exist. To address this gap, the project will be a multicenter research study involving several countries across different continents, including Asia, Europe, and the USA. The objective is to build a universal assessment data collection of reactive postural responses following unexpected postural perturbations, such as the Step Threshold Test in standing. This evaluation will be instrumental in understanding patients' abilities and in designing customized rehabilitation programs. \nThe project will utilise perturbation treadmill to assess individuals' ability to stabilise their posture following unexpected external perturbations during both static and dynamic tasks, such as standing and walking. Clinicians can adjust both the intensity and direction of perturbations whilst measuring various biomechanical outcomes, including the 3D acceleration of the center of gravity, the trajectory of the center of pressure, and the magnitude and timing of muscle activation.\nThe project has 2 primary objectives: 1) Reactive Postural Control Assessment to identify and analyse the association between unexpected postural perturbation intensity, direction, and biomechanical factors in healthy controls and individuals with postural impairments., and 2) Development of a Cloud-Based Data Repository: Create a platform to store and share data, providing clinicians with access to a large normative dataset of healthy individuals. This repository will serve as a baseline for evaluation and will support the development of predictive models for personalised rehabilitation programs.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics, 25%\n420302 Digital Health, 30%\n420109 Rehabilitation, 20%\n420703 Motor Control, 25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Understanding and optimizing Medical Radiation undergraduate students' interactions with the Learning Management System (LMS), and study habits","description":"This project aims to understand the study behaviours of Medical Radiations students, for all three cohorts (Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy), and to identify problems encountered and study patterns amongst this group.\nBy conducting a survey \/and or focus group with each cohort, and each year level (years 1-3), the data will be analysed to determine study behaviours, specifically procrastination, and time spent engaging with the learning management system (LMS) Canvas, and if this changes over the time spent as undergraduate students. As well, correlations between student final grades and the optimum time spent engaging with learning materials provided will be examined.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390305        professional education and training\n390399 education systems not elsewhere classified\n390408 learning analytics\n429999        other Health Sciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Assessing Workplace Stresses and Career Progression\/Recognition Limitations Amongst Nuclear Medicine Technologists","description":"This project aims to identify and determine the impact of workplace stressors encountered by Nuclear Medicine technologists (NMT) working in Australia and New Zealand, including the effect on themselves, and their ability to practice, as well as perceived limitations to career progression.\nUsing an online survey, advertised through the professional society that represents NMTs, the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM), responses will be analysed. The survey will be developed, validated, and designed to assess symptoms of stress, empathic functioning, as well as strategies for coping with stresses encountered.\nFrom the results common workplace stressors will be identified, the impact on NMTs (on self and in practice). As well, perceived limitations to career progression will be identified, and the groups most likely to experience this (years qualified, etc.). We plan to utilise this information to determine other areas for investigation, and to better support NMTs in the workplace, and their career development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420210 Social epidemiology, 15%\n420304 General Practice, 20%\n429999 Other health services not elsewhere classified, 30%\n520304 Health Psychology, 35%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237\/ DR238\/ MR237\/ MR238\/ MR236\/ DR236","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh","title":"Muscle strength and contractile properties in identifying sport performance and risk to injuries","description":"Knowing the state of the lower extremity muscle strength and contractile properties is important to plan training programs, reduce the risk to injuries, assist in surgical planning and rehabilitation, and identify safe time to return to play. For example, the hamstring muscle group is the most frequently injured muscle group in non-contact muscle injuries involving high-speed running sports, and its strength ratio with the quadricep muscle group is important to protect the knee from injuries and identify best graft technique for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.\nIsokinetic dynamometer is the golden standard for muscle strength measurement and has been used within our research group to assist clinician for ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation. Tensiomyography measures muscle contraction time and magnitude and is used as diagnostic and classification tool for sport injuries and the safe time to return to play. Tensiomyography has been adopted by elite sport organisations in USA and Europe, such as, English Institute of Sport, FC Manchester United, FC Barcelona, and University of Iowa Olympic centre. \nThere is a need to obtain, store, share, and manage large reliable data to improve interpretation and decision-making. The proposed project is to measure lower extremity isokinetic muscle strength and muscle contractile properties and to store the data in our developed cloud databank. This will follow with the development of predictive intelligence algorithm model to assist in identifying risk to injury and the safe time to return to play. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics 15%\n420302 Digital Health 15%\n420109 Rehabilitation 30%\n420604 Injury prevention 40%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jack Feehan, Kok-Leong Ong, Shahriar Kaisar, Malka Halgamuge, Akanksha Saini, Abebe Diro, Araz Nasirian\n","title":"Developing digital capacity in the aged care sector","description":"The CSIRO has estimated that there will need to be an additional 161,000 skilled AI workers by 2030, to meet societal in industrial demand. To this end, the Next Generation Graduates program supports the training of industry focused higher degree by research (HDR) students, through generous scholarships, educational support, and project funding. Victoria University (VU), and DIRECTED Electronics, have secured five Ph.D. level positions through the program, to the value of $864,000. The projects are to be co-developed with VU and DIRECTED Electronics, with the overall goal of developing artificially intelligent risk detection and prediction models, which can be deployed in health and aged care settings. This brings together VU\u2019s research training and expertise, and DIRECTED Electronics commercialization experience and product development knowledge, as well as their partnerships in industry. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health\n420301 Aged health care\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Evangelos Pappas","title":"Athletic knee injuries: epidemiological, biomechanical and clinical factors","description":"This research program on athletic knee injuries focuses on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. We will utilise various research tools across basic science, epidemiological, and clinical research. The program will include video analysis of ACL injuries, the effects of injury prevention programs, optimal rehabilitation and treatment stratification, telerehabilitation, and clinical outcome research, including data linkage. Internships with sports teams and clinics will be available. The projects will incorporate the latest technologies in wearable sensors and biomechanical analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701\n420106\n400308\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim, Barbora de Courten, Julie Stevens","title":"Improving cardiovascular disease and risk factor management in Sierra Leone.","description":"Sierra Leone is a Sub-Saharan African country challenged with a double burden of disease due to rapid demographic change. From 1990-2017, the life expectancy at birth increased from 39 to 54 years, significantly contributing to the growing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD management in Sierra Leone is poor, contributing to the higher mortality rate compared to the Sub-Sahara region. It has been reported that CVD biological risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes, are also increasing. The prevalence of CVD and associated risk factors in the Western area rural district, which has the most diverse population and the highest growth rate of 8.5%, is yet to be studied.\n\nA comprehensive approach including focused health communication on salt reduction and other behavioural lifestyle change, task-shifting and implemented policies has been shown to improve CVD, especially in developing countries like Sierra Leone. However, these interventions are yet to be implemented in the country.\n\nThe project has three aims:\n(i)  To describe the prevalence of CVD risk factors and their social determinants in the Western Area Rural District with comparisons between ethnic groups, settings and occupations, and to describe the clinical presentation of patients with hypertension as the main biological risk factor for CVD. \n(ii)  To develop and implement a focused health education campaign tailored according to the result of the first objective. \n(iii)  To evaluate the effectiveness of the developed health campaign and interventions in improving CVD management in the Western Area Rural District.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320101 Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases) (40%)\n420309 Health management (40%)\n420606 Social determinants of health (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"George Lenon, Zhen Zheng","title":"Acupuncture and related techniques for Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy\n\n","description":"Peripheral neuropathy affects 68% of patients undergoing chemotherapy. For 30% of patients, it is still present 12 months after the end of chemotherapy (1). It typically involves numbness, pain and balance problems. Peripheral neuropathy can be uncomfortable, and painful and reduce everyday function and engagement in life. It often also reduces a person's ability to complete their chemotherapy treatment, affecting survival rates.\n\nFor those with ongoing peripheral neuropathy, current treatment is limited to strong nerve pain medications, antidepressants and anti-seizure medications - all of which can involve unwanted side effects.\nAcupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating and\/or managing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Studies have shown measurable improvements for 40-60% of participants (2). However, further high-quality clinical studies are required.\n\nMore information is also required to determine the factors that influence better outcomes for acupuncture patients. This can include the type and timing of the chemotherapy involved and the conditioning of the patient when they first experienced peripheral neuropathy and when they started receiving acupuncture treatment.\n\nThis study aims to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture in treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy through a pilot clinical trial. It also aims to construct a screening process to understand which factors may lead to more successful outcomes for treating CIPN with acupuncture.\n\n\n(1) Colvin LA. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: where are we now? Pain. 2019 May;160 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S1-S10. doi: 10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000001540. PMID: 31008843; PMCID: PMC6499732.\n(2) Giovanna Franconi, Luigi Manni, Sven Schr\u00f6der, Paolo Marchetti, and Nicola Robinson, \u201cA Systematic Review of Experimental and Clinical Acupuncture in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy,\u201d Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2013, Article ID 516916, 7 pages, 2013. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1155\/2013\/516916.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320218, 420803,420603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Wejdan Shahin","title":"PerceptiCare: Empowering Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities through Digital Health Management","description":"This PhD project aims to develop a website \u201cPerceptiCare\u201d that offers a comprehensive suite of innovative features tailored to empower culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people in managing their health effectively. Through the utilization of digital twin technology, users can create personalized health profiles, encompassing their medical history, current health status, and treatment goals. PerceptiCare will then provide an individualised management plan based on users' responses on their preferred language.\n\nThe specific objectives are:\n\n1. Systematic Literature Review: A comprehensive review of existing healthcare innovations utilizing digital twin technology will be conducted to identify best practices and potential gaps.\n\n2. Prototype Development: An intuitive PerceptiCare prototype will be designed and developed, featuring visual health data representations and self-management support tools.\n\n3. Expert Panel Analysis: Barriers and enablers for PerceptiCare implementation will be identified through a Delphi technique with a panel of healthcare specialists.\n\n4. Pilot Study: A pilot study involving consumer representatives, healthcare professionals, and researchers will assess PerceptiCare's effectiveness within the CALD community.\n\n5. Validation Study: A rigorous validation study will be conducted to evaluate PerceptiCare's impact on user health outcomes.\n\nOutcomes:\nPerceptiCare has the potential to be the first Australian website of its kind, offering CALD individuals the benefits of informed decision-making, real-time monitoring and tailored education packages for people of different literacy skills. By providing culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate tools, PerceptiCare aims to empower CALD communities to take charge of their health and improve overall well-being.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (50%) \n420308 Health informatics and information systems (25%) \n420319 Primary health care (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang","title":"Understanding the associations between Australian potentially inappropriate medications and clinical outcomes in older adults","description":"Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, is common among older adults. However, some medications can be potentially inappropriate for this population, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes. This PhD project investigates the associations between Australian-specific Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) and clinical outcomes in older adults.\r\n\r\n\r\nSpecific Objectives:\r\n\r\nSystematic Review: Conduct a review of existing research to examine the global effect of PIMs on clinical outcomes like hospitalizations and deaths. This will provide a foundational understanding and identify potential knowledge gaps specific to the Australian context.\r\n\r\nPrevalence of Australian PIMs: Analyze medication use patterns in older Australians to determine the most prevalent PIMs based on established Australian criteria. This will highlight the most pressing concerns for medication management in this population.\r\n\r\nPIMs and Hospitalizations: Investigate the specific associations between Australian PIM use and hospitalizations in older adults. This objective aims to identify medications linked to a higher risk of hospital admission.\r\n\r\nPIMs and Falls: Analyze the relationship between Australian PIMs and falls in older adults. Falls are a significant concern for this population, and understanding how medications might contribute can inform better management strategies.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"10102"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Sonja Cleary","title":"Managing Student Incivility","description":"In health professional education, student incivility impacts different stakeholders and is detrimental to the learning environment and uncivil behaviour can be carried on to the workforce after students graduate. Students who are impacted by the uncivil behaviour of their peers often endure heightened levels of stress. Academic staff who are implicated in such behaviours experience emotional distress alongside physical manifestations such as sleep disturbances, diminished job satisfaction, and decreased confidence in their teaching abilities. Uncivil behaviours disrupt not just the learning atmosphere but also have the potential to impact others within clinical placement settings, including patients and healthcare professionals. Establishing clear policies and procedures is crucial for effectively addressing and preventing uncivil behaviour management.  This project focuses on examining factors influencing incivility among health professional students, challenges and needs of academics in managing students\u2019 uncivil behaviours and institutional efforts and approaches to address incivility in health professional education. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"50% 390412      Teacher and student wellbeing\n50% 390303      Higher education"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nikos Thomacos, Rebecca Millar (rebecca.millar@rmit.edu.au), Kris Martin-McDonald kris.martin-mcdonald@rmit.edu.au","title":"International Student Nurses' experiences of education and work in Australia","description":"There is a shortage of nurses worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) (2020) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) (2023) state that 100,000 nurses have left since 2020 with more than 600,000 intending to leave by 2027. By 2030 the shortfall will be 13 million. Health Workforce Australia have indicated that the shortfall increased by 85% in the first five years to 2021, with the number of nurses registered but not practicing increasing to 63% in the same period (2014). There are currently over 80,000 vacant nursing positions. \r\n\r\nNurses have expressed a number of reasons for leaving the workforce including: burnout, exhaustion, mistreatment (from other nurses, patients, and other health care professionals), stress, lack of respect; physicality of the role, trauma fatigue, emotional investment, lack of boundaries and retirement. To address this shortfall, increasing numbers of international students are arriving in Australia to train as nurses; with the hope that many of them will stay. Likewise, Australia is actively recruiting foreign-trained nurses.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to address what can be done to better support international student nurses while they complete their studies, as well as better support foreign-trained nurses. The project also aims to empower these groups of nurses so that they can be seen as role models for other health care disciplines and the community in which they practice. Ultimately increase attractiveness of the profession, decrease the attrition, and increase retention.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420505    Nursing Workforce (50%)\r\n390110\tMedicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Zhen Zheng, Tony Zhang, Gillian Vesty Accounting, Info Sys & Supply Chain","title":"Evaluating Acupuncture Service in an Emergency Department in Australia","description":"Acupuncture is included in the acute pain management guidelines developed by the Australian and New Zealand Colleges of Anaesthetists as an effective, safe intervention for reducing acute pain and opioid medication use (1). We have demonstrated that over 80% of hospital doctors and nurses (2) and nearly 90% patients welcome acupuncture as an add-on service. Our preliminary study has shown that that add-acupuncture service in emergency department (ED) is feasible, safe and effective for reducing pain, nausea and anxiety experienced by patients (3). In Australia currently no acupuncture service is provided in any hospital by registered acupuncturists. RMIT collaborates with Northern Hospital to provide add-on acupuncture service to address this significance evidence-practice-patient needs gap, and to provide patients with a non-pharmacological option for pain management.\r\n\r\nThis PhD project is embedded in the acupuncture service project and aims to 1) assess if acupuncture as an add-on service in ED will facilitate patient flow and enhance patient experience and health outcomes; 2) identify the best care pathway for integrating acupuncture into ED; and 3) evaluate the economic benefit. \r\n\r\nThis project is built upon RMIT\u2019s long-term collaboration with NH, strong evidence supporting the needs for acupuncture, patient demand, support from doctors and nurses, and the global opioid crisis. \r\n\r\n1.\tZheng Z et (2022) In: Acute Pain Management: Scientific Evidence. Australian and New Zealand College and Anaesthetists\r\n2.\tZhang NM, .. Vesty ., Zheng Z. (2022). Pain Management Nursing S1524-9042(22)00159-X.\r\n3.\tZhang, A. L., et al (2014). Acupuncture in Medicine :, 32(3), 250\u2013256.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803\tTraditional Chinese medicine and treatments (40%) \r\n320299 Clinical Science (20%) \r\n320218 Pain (40%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"George Lenon","title":"Acupuncture for the treatment of advanced cancer pain","description":"Cancer currently affects over 1 million Australians, with pain being one of the commonest symptoms. Pain adversely affects a person\u2019s quality of life, relationships, everyday function, and ability to cope with the illness and treatment. \r\n\r\nOpioid pain medication (e.g., morphine) is the main treatment recommended for severe cancer pain. However, 20% of people will continue to experience unsatisfactory pain control even despite using opioid medication, and many experience unwanted side effects. This can lead to some patients declining or limiting opioid use. Many of these people consider using non-medication methods of pain relief, and the availability of an effective option would improve quality of life and daily functioning. \r\n\r\nAcupuncture is a non-medication method known to relieve non-cancer pain and improve cancer pain significantly. It is an attractive option; however, high-quality clinical evidence for people with advanced cancer is lacking. People with advanced cancer deserve a viable non-medication option to manage their pain. Our proposed study is a feasibility trial investigating the practicability of offering acupuncture to manage cancer pain in two settings \u2013 a hospital outpatient clinic and in the community (in patients\u2019 homes). Our goal is to provide a safe, effective, non-medication option for patients with advanced cancer to manage their pain better. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320218, 420803,420603\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"George Lenon, Angela Yang","title":"Acupuncture and mindfulness-based eating in the management of overweight: A randomised clinical trial","description":"We hypothesise that an intervention in which we will combine acupuncture and mindfulness based eating, that will improve eating behaviour, and serving size has the potential of achieving and maintaining weight loss in overweight patients.\r\nIt is expected that the systematic reviews will form the broad knowledge of treatment of AD using Chinese medicine which will help public to make an informed choice of weight management.  The clinical trials will provide evidence-based efficacy and safety weight management using Chinese medicine. Overall, the project will contribute to better understanding of weight reduction from Chinese medicine perspectives in order to provide better treatments and preventative measures as well as improve quality of life of overweight individuals.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321301, 321399, 321300, 321200\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angela Yang, Andrew Hung, School of Science","title":"Mechanisms of actions of herbal medicines for chronic conditions: computational analyses","description":"Herbal medicines have been used for the management of many chronic conditions for thousands of years. Many researchers have followed the traditional \u201cone target, one drug\u201d approach to examine their mechanisms of action for a specific condition. However, each herb contains multiple active chemical compounds which makes it challenging or impossible for researchers to explore all possible chemical compounds against all the potential target proteins of a condition considering high costs and time consumption in in vitro or in vivo studies. In recent years, some novel approaches have been developed to identify the mechanisms of action of natural products at a molecular level. This sustainable project will involve a novel approach to investigate the interactions between herbs and commonly seen chronic conditions through network pharmacology. PhD candidates will have opportunities to access supercomputing facilities for molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, and apply a series of computer software to deal with big data through computational analyses thus identifying potential chemical compounds for future drug discovery. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803 Traditional Chinese medicine and treatments (60%)\r\n310202 Biological network analysis (40%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"George Lenon, Angela Yang, Andrew Hung","title":"The effects of Fucoidan and Lingzhi on Lung cancer cells","description":"Cancer is a significant global disease burden, with 14.1 million cases annually and a mortality of approx. 8.2 million each year. Globally, 57% of new cases (8 million) and 65% of mortality (5.3 million) occur in underdeveloped regions, with approximately half of these happening in Asia. Furthermore, the cancer-associated costs to the global economy are estimated at $3.66 trillion annually. In various studies, fucoidan has been found to slow tumour metastasis, and enhance the therapeutic effects of conventional Therapy, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, defend against treatment-related weight loss and muscle loss.  Fucoidan has been shown to directly affect cancer cells in vitro via cellular pathways that involve the activation of NF-\u03ba\u03b2. This activation is mediated by PI3K\/ Akt and ERK signalling pathways. Recent research indicates that fucoidan may also induce programmed cell death (known as apoptosis) in breast and colon cancer cells by modulating the endoplasmic reticulum stress cascades. Fucoidan has been shown to cause cell cycle arrest in the first growth phase (G1) of an HCT116 human colon cancer cell line. By halting the cell cycle process this way, the colon cancer cells could not divide and spread. The direct cytotoxic and anti-angiogenesis mechanisms of Lingzhi have been established by in vitro studies. Lingzhi or its products can be classified as an anticancer agent when current and more direct scientific evidence becomes available. It is proposed that combining these two compounds helps strengthen the immune system to treat and prevent cancer formation as well as metastasis.\r\nThe objective of this project is to use computational analysis to investigate the effects of fucoidan, Lingzhi and combination on cancer cells, especially Lung cancer cells.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim,  Barbora de Courten","title":"AI-Driven Voice Analysis for Type 2 Diabetes Risk Prediction","description":"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global epidemic affecting 496 million people globally. Currently, T2D is diagnosed 5 to 7 years after the onset of the first symptoms. Often, at the time of diagnosis, patients have already developed diabetes complications that negatively impact their vision, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system, and contribute to excess mortality. \n\nWe aim to significantly reduce the time-lag between the onset of diabetes symptoms and diagnosis by developing an artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of analysing a voice \u201csignature\u201d (characteristics of voice) to predict the risk of T2D for Australians. This approach is rooted in emerging evidence suggesting that vocal biomarkers can provide insights into various health conditions, including metabolic (T2D), mental health, heart failure, and neurological disorders. Our project involves using participant voice data and correlating it with several metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors for a comprehensive analysis using AI, thus enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of the predictive model. \nThis project could pave the way for an innovative, non-invasive, and cost-effective risk prediction tool to alert individuals who may potentially have T2D to seek medical advice in a timely manner. \n\nOur project objectives are:\n1.\tDevelop an AI system to analyse voice data for predicting the risk of T2D in an Australian setting through an industry-partnered internship \n2.\tValidate an AI T2D risk prediction model using chronic glycaemic control (HBA1c) and continuous glucose monitoring data \n3.\tCo-design a T2D risk prediction tool that integrates with existing healthcare services to facilitate early detection and management \n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-11-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Endocrinology 320208 (40%), Digital health 420302 (20%), Speech recognition (20%), Medical biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) 320602 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Sciences","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasso Apostolopoulos","title":"Development of vaccine against methamphetamine (ice) addiction","description":"Background: Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is a serious public health concern globally. There are no approved medications for the treatment of METH addiction. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop an effective treatment option. Immunotherapy or immune modulation have shown great promise against nicotine and cocaine addiction, however, application to treat METH abuse is still in its infancy. \n\nAim: The aim of the study is to develop a METH conjugated vaccine using various immunogenic carriers such as mannan, bovine serum albumin, diphtheria toxoid, nanoparticles etc. and assess their efficacy using animal models. \n\nMethods: METH-mannan conjugate vaccine and the other chemical conjugates will be characterised by various analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS, NMR and FTIR. The efficacy of the optimised vaccine will be assessed by measuring the antibody production; effect of vaccine on METH induced animal behaviour and various markers such as concentration of METH and dopamine in brain tissue and brain inflammation markers. \n\nTechniques to be used: chemical conjugations, chemistry, peptide synthesis, NMR, GC-MS, FTIR, HPLC, immunology, antibodies, cytokines, animal studies\n\nOutcome: METH addiction affects the individual life, family life, community, workplace, law enforcement agencies and arguably it is in epidemic stage. The successful development of METH vaccine will be revolutionary.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404\tCellular immunology (50%)\n320899\tMedical physiology not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400302\tBiomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Sciences","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan, Magdalena Plebanski","title":"New improved mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine","description":"Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with millions of women diagnosed annually. Despite improvements in early detection and treatment, challenges persist in developing effective vaccines and therapies to prevent recurrence or treat advanced stages of the disease. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are often accompanied by severe side effects and limited effectiveness. The success of mRNA technology in vaccine development, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, has opened new possibilities for cancer treatment. Although mRNA vaccines for cancer are still in their early stages, an mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine offers significant potential by triggering targeted immune responses against cancer cells.\n\nThe study aims to develop an mRNA-based vaccine for breast cancer and evaluate its efficacy using animal models. The vaccine will be delivered via nanoparticles, with additional delivery methods also explored. Analytical techniques like HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, FTIR, and gel electrophoresis will be used to characterize the vaccine formulations. The vaccine's efficacy will be assessed based on its impact on antibodies, T cells, and tumor growth in animal models.\n\nThis vaccine could revolutionize breast cancer treatment and prevention, improving survival rates and reducing cancer's impact on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. By offering targeted immune responses, it may reduce the reliance on traditional treatments, decreasing side effects and improving patients' quality of life. Its widespread use could lower healthcare costs and provide hope for millions of women worldwide, representing a significant step forward in cancer treatment.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404 Cellular immunology (50%)\n320899 Medical physiology not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321104 Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasso Apostolopoulos","title":"Development of vaccine against methamphetamine (ice) addiction","description":"Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is a serious public health concern globally. There are no approved medications for the treatment of METH addiction. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop an effective treatment option. Immunotherapy or immune modulation have shown great promise against nicotine and cocaine addiction, however, application to treat METH abuse is still in its infancy. \n\nAim: The aim of the study is to develop a METH conjugated vaccine using various immunogenic carriers such as mannan, bovine serum albumin, diphtheria toxoid, nanoparticles etc. and assess their efficacy using animal models. \n\nMethods: METH-mannan conjugate vaccine and the other chemical conjugates will be characterised by various analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS, NMR and FTIR. The efficacy of the optimised vaccine will be assessed by measuring the antibody production; effect of vaccine on METH induced animal behaviour and various markers such as concentration of METH and dopamine in brain tissue and brain inflammation markers. \n\nTechniques to be used: chemical conjugations, chemistry, peptide synthesis, NMR, GC-MS, FTIR, HPLC, immunology, antibodies, cytokines, animal studies\n\nOutcome: METH addiction affects the individual life, family life, community, workplace, law enforcement agencies and arguably it is in epidemic stage. The successful development of METH vaccine will be revolutionary.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404\tCellular immunology (50%)\n320899\tMedical physiology not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400302\tBiomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan, Magdalena Plebanski","title":"New improved mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine","description":"Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with millions of women diagnosed annually. Despite improvements in early detection and treatment, challenges persist in developing effective vaccines and therapies to prevent recurrence or treat advanced stages of the disease. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are often accompanied by severe side effects and limited effectiveness. The success of mRNA technology in vaccine development, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, has opened new possibilities for cancer treatment. Although mRNA vaccines for cancer are still in their early stages, an mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine offers significant potential by triggering targeted immune responses against cancer cells.\n\nThe study aims to develop an mRNA-based vaccine for breast cancer and evaluate its efficacy using animal models. The vaccine will be delivered via nanoparticles, with additional delivery methods also explored. Analytical techniques like HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, FTIR, and gel electrophoresis will be used to characterize the vaccine formulations. The vaccine's efficacy will be assessed based on its impact on antibodies, T cells, and tumor growth in animal models.\n\nThis vaccine could revolutionize breast cancer treatment and prevention, improving survival rates and reducing cancer's impact on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. By offering targeted immune responses, it may reduce the reliance on traditional treatments, decreasing side effects and improving patients' quality of life. Its widespread use could lower healthcare costs and provide hope for millions of women worldwide, representing a significant step forward in cancer treatment.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404 Cellular immunology (50%)\n320899 Medical physiology not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321104 Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geso, Ricky O'Brian","title":"Investigation of melanoma treatment using pH and thermo-sensitive polymeric nanoparticles based on protein-conjugated Chitosan-PNIPAAM-PDPA ","description":"The objectives of the proposed research are listed below: \nThe comprehensive objective or the chief aim of this research is to model a nanoparticle compound with low toxicity to the healthy tissues and efficient in drug delivering capability to the tumour as a target. Moreover, to be respondent tot the external stimuli (such as radiations) in such a way it enhances their effects locally. In achieving this main aim the following sub-aims will be addressed;\n\u2022        Determining optimum molecular weight of each copolymer blocks to attain appropriate polymeric, morphological, and determined features \n\u2022        Investigating the drug loading behavior by calculating the amount of Encapsulation Efficiency and Loading Capacity \n\u2022        Delving into drug release behavior by considering some parameters, including gyration radius, diffusion coefficient, calculating the amount of drug molecules at different pHs and temperatures to predict the optimum experimental conditions \n\u2022        Achieving Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of nanoparticles to gain the empirical operating condition \n\u2022        Comparing the efficacy of drug delivery performance of protein-polymer conjugate nanoparticles with their counterpart (non-protein-polymer conjugate) for cancer treatment \n\u2022        Simulating cell culture of nanoparticles with melanoma tumor cells\n\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"35%   100704\n35%   310208\n30%    310299"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dodie Pouniotis,  Roula Kyriacou, Sonja Cleary","title":"Integrating Pathology and Nursing Education to Improve Patient Outcomes ","description":"It is well established in the Australian healthcare system that a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care is linked to significant improvements in patient outcomes across a wide variety of clinical disciplines. Additionally, a multidisciplinary approach has been proven to increase patient safety by limiting adverse events, decreasing patient length of stay, as well as improving patient impression of staff (1).  \n\nWhile a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care is widely proven to be beneficial, the current literature is primarily focused on care at a clinical level. Additionally, research which is not focused on care at a patient bed-side level, is centered around research projects of nursing and medical teams\u2019 treatment and holistic management of specific clinical conditions.  \n\nWhat has not been explored is a multi-disciplinary approach towards education. The aim of this project is to assess the impact of cross disciplinary education, specifically between medical laboratory scientists (pathology) and nursing. It is anticipated that by harnessing the expertise of subject matter experts from the laboratory, protocol compliance and understanding of practices at the bedside level will result in reduced rejection rates of samples, which in turn has a flow on effect to patient care.  \n\nThis project will look to review current levels of multi-disciplinary education as well as understanding of process and practice. Following which, a change to education will be implemented, which is a post implementation assessment to determine uptake of education.  ","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-05-18","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320220\tPathology (excl. oral pathology) (60%)\n390308\tTechnical, further and workplace education (20%)\n420599\tNursing not elsewhere classified (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim, Barbora de Courten, Kimmi Ko","title":"Adaptive Digital Health for Women's Chronic Condition Management","description":"Chronic conditions often manifest differently in women. Due to their longer life expectancy, women are more likely than men to experience disabilities and face unique health issues stemming from their gender-specific roles in society. Currently, most digital interventions for chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and chronic pain, are not specifically designed or co-developed with\/for women. This leads to significant health inequalities, particularly among marginalised and underserved women. \n\nThis project aims to co-design a scalable, evidenced-based, personalised, behaviour change digital health mobile app, \u201cGroW\u201d, with socio-economically-deprived women with long-term health conditions. Our long-term goals are to reduce health inequities, enhance access to care, and support women with chronic conditions by ensuring their health needs are met through GroW. To develop GroW mobile app, a commercially available mobile app used to manage long-term health conditions will be adapted to specifically meet women\u2019s need. \n\nOur project objectives are:\n1.\tTo conduct extensive female-specific co-design activities with women from disadvantaged backgrounds and experiencing financial hardship through co-design workshops, surveys and interviews to uncover user needs and gather feedback on the mobile app design.\n2.\tTo develop a fully functional prototype with co-created features with our industry partner through an industry-partnered internship, with recommendations identified during co-design activities incorporated into the mobile app with continuous feedback from the steering group.\n3.\tTo optimise Gro W through a usability testing. Exit interviews and questionnaires will be used to assess prior experience with similar platforms and measure user satisfaction.","sdg":"[\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-04-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Digital health 420302 (60%), Primary health care (20%), Health equity 420602 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Exploring the Internal and External Factors Influencing Australian Medical Radiation Professionals' Participation in Research ","description":"Medical radiation science plays an essential role in healthcare, with its professionals, including radiographers, radiation therapists, and nuclear medicine technologists, being crucial members of the healthcare team. Their expertise in medical imaging and therapeutic technologies and patient care is extremely important for precise diagnoses and effective treatments. However, as the field of medical radiation science is rapidly evolving, it demands more than just clinical expertise; it requires a culture of continuous learning, evidence-based practice, and active research engagement. Yet, despite their critical expertise, medical radiation practitioners\u2019 limited engagement in research is not only a missed opportunity for innovation, but also a threat to the advancement of the profession and the delivery of evidence-based practices that could enhance patient outcomes.\n\nMedical radiation professionals\u2019 engagement in research is a relatively underexplored area when compared to other healthcare professionals. There is little literature which addresses their innate thoughts and feelings regarding their lack of participation in research, particularly within the Australian context. Previous research has focused on quantitative metrics, such as participation rates and statistical barriers, but lacked a deep understanding of the personal and professional experiences that influence MRPs\u2019 decisions to participate in research. The factors and stimuli influencing Australian MRPs\u2019 participation in research are unknown. This qualitative study aims to address this gap by exploring the internal and external factors that hinder or motivate Australian medical radiation professionals\u2019 engagement in research.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320206, 441006"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Juliana Antonipillai","title":"Role of LIMK in leukemia progression","description":"A common structural feature in cancer cells is the disruption of normal cellular processes, including the expression and activity of LIMK, which plays a role in cell cycle regulation and cytoskeletal organisation. Overexpression of LIMK and reduction in cilium (stabilised microtubules) expression in leukemia patients\u2019 monocytes have been reported previously. Understanding these cellular characteristics is crucial for developing targeted therapies for leukaemia.\n\nThis project will determine the link between the structural\/expression changes in cilia and the activation of LIMK in PBMCs isolated from leukemia patients. It is unknown whether the loss of LIMK activity by negative regulators, as well as LIMK inhibitors, promotes ciliogenesis and suppresses proliferation. \n\nWe aim to investigate whether changes in LIMK levels and activity affect cilium expression in leukemia and alter the cytoskeletal organisation, including microtubules and microfilaments, which may help predict their potential to form tumours.\n\nIn this project, we will determine the relationship between LIMK expression\/activity and cilium expression in monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes isolated from leukemia patients and established cell lines, including THP-1 (monocytes isolated from peripheral blood of an AML patient), KG1 (macrophages isolated from the bone marrow of an AML patient), and K562 (lymphoblasts isolated from bone marrow of a CML patient) and compare the profiles to cells from healthy donors. We will also investigate cytoskeletal changes that occur in monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes, as well as platelets isolated from leukemia patients.\n\nThe student will be trained at the Department of Medicine\/Royal Melbourne Hospital Clinical Science Building-Inflammation and Chronic Diseases Laboratory.  \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences (p)\n3211 Oncology and carcinogenesis\n3101 Biochemistry and cell biology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Daniel Sapkaroski","title":"The use of surface-guidance in paediatric radiation therapy","description":"Paediatric radiation therapy presents unique challenges due to the heightened sensitivity of developing tissues to radiation exposure. Ensuring precise radiation delivery is crucial in minimising long-term side effects while maintaining effective tumour control. Traditional immobilisation techniques, such as thermoplastic masks and general anaesthesia, are frequently used to mitigate patient movement; however, these methods can be distressing for young patients and may introduce additional procedural complexities.\n\nSurface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) is an emerging technology that facilitates real-time, non-ionising motion tracking, thereby reducing reliance on rigid immobilisation whilst improving treatment accuracy. Despite its increasing adoption in adult oncology, the clinical benefits and limitations of SGRT in paediatric patients remain underexplored.\n\nResearch Objectives:\nThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of SGRT in paediatric radiation therapy by:\n        1.        Comparing treatment accuracy between SGRT and conventional immobilisation techniques.\n        2.        Assessing improvements in intra-fraction motion management using SGRT.\n        3.        Investigating patient comfort, compliance, and the potential reduction in anaesthesia use.\n        4.        Identifying workflow challenges and limitations associated with SGRT in paediatrics.\n\nExpected Outcomes & Impact:\nFindings from this research will inform clinical practice by determining whether SGRT enhances paediatric treatment accuracy while reducing patient distress. The study aims to contribute to the optimisation of clinical protocols and provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating SGRT into paediatric radiation therapy workflows.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321301 Adolescent health  (25%)\n321302 Infant and child health (25%)\n321110 Radiation therapy (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thomas Angelovich","title":"Defining the effect of HIV\/SIV reactivation in the brain following interruption of antiretroviral therapy","description":"Despite successful viral suppression with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain a major clinical problem affecting ~40% people with HIV. These syndromes lead to cognitive impairment and are significant health, economic and social problems for those affected. The mechanisms causing neurocognitive disorders in people with HIV are unclear, but are likely caused by both viral persistence in the brain and ongoing immune activation and inflammation which persists despite ART treatment. Furthermore, viral rebound during interruption of therapy may induce reactivation of viral reservoirs contributing to disease pathogenesis. Understanding the role of viral persistence and rebound in the brain will better inform treatment options for people living with HIV and improve brain health.\nIn this project students will utilise a large cohort of human brain and peripheral tissue samples from people who died with HIV to determine the role of persistent inflammation and\/or viral persistence in cellular activation in the brain. Students will also utilise a cohort of brain tissue from non-human primate samples infected with the SIV model of HIV.\n \nHighly innovative and novel techniques such as multicolour immunofluorescence, DNA\/RNAscope, droplet digital PCR and laser capture microdissection will elucidate the cell-specific mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of viral infection\/viral rebound as well as the persistence of HIV\/SIV in the brain. Findings will also be paired with those from peripheral tissue samples to identify the cumulative effect of HIV and associated inflammation throughout the body. Candidates will complete an internship period in the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University, USA for a period during their PhD.\n\nFindings from this study will provide novel insight into the ability of HIV\/SIV to rebound following therapy interruption and may guide appropriate antiretroviral and adjunctive treatment decisions to reduce the risk of adverse neurocognitive health outcomes in this population.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310702 Infectious agents (50%); 310706 Virology (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vincent Chan","title":"Activating diabetes self-management in culturally and linguistically diverse populations","description":"Health disparities in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population groups exist compared with the rest of the population, in particular for chronic conditions such as diabetes. There is evidence that their cultural beliefs, religious\/spiritual beliefs, negative illness perception and low health literacy can all impact on their overall health management leading to poorer health outcomes. In Australia, consumers and patients attend pharmacies on average 18 times per year. This provides a unique opportunity for pharmacists to play an important role as patient educators and promotors of behaviour change in patients with chronic conditions.\n\nThis project has two aims. The first aim is to develop a pharmacist-led diabetes health coaching program for CALD population groups with type 2 diabetes. The second aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of this pharmacist-led diabetes health coaching in eliciting positive behavioural changes and facilitating effective self-management in CALD patients with diabetes.\n\nThe proposed pharmacist-led diabetes health coaching pilot clinical trial will aim to promote self-management in these patients. According to our pilot work, this population is more likely to benefit from personalised, face-to-face support from trusted healthcare professionals compared to solely using currently available online support systems designed for general populations.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice 321403 (60%)\nHealth promotion 420603 (20%)\nEndocrinology 320208 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Julie Stevens","title":"Personal and cultural beliefs, health literacy and digital health interventions in diverse communities","description":"Medication misadventure is an important problem in Australia, with 2 - 4% of all hospital admissions, and up to 30% in patients >75 years, reported to be medication-related. Up to 50% of patients are nonadherent to medications prescribed for chronic diseases. The problem is further amplified in individuals taking multiple medications (\u2018polypharmacy\u2019) and in those with chronic illnesses. \n\nLow health and medication literacy resulting in medication misadventure is an important problem. This may arise from language barriers, cultural or personal beliefs about medications\/conditions, low health literacy and inadequate access to health education or resources, including digital health tools.\n\nThis PhD project aims to investigate the interplay between personal\/cultural beliefs about medications, uptake of digital health resources and medication adherence and health outcomes in diverse communities.\n\nObjective 1: Systematic review investigating the influence of personal beliefs and health literacy on uptake and utilisation of digital health resources and interventions to improve medication adherence and health outcomes.\n\nObjective 2: Evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally-tailored digital health intervention designed to improve medication adherence and literacy. \n\nObjective 3: Evaluate factors influencing adherence to digital health tools including mobile health applications in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.\n\nObjective 4: Investigate how social and individual factors, including personal beliefs about medicines, health literacy and digital health resources influence medication adherence and literacy in CALD communities.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (35%)\n420305 Health and community services (35%)\n321403 Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan","title":"Unravelling novel targets in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) \u2013 A multi-omics study","description":"Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for CRC. CRC remains a significant global health challenge. Despite progress in treatments, some patients do not benefit, hence there is an urgent need for developing new strategies. Inflammasomes are inflammatory signaling complexes, of which NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome plays a significant role in the development and progression of CRC by promoting inflammation, modulating tumor microenvironment and immune responses.\nThis research focuses on studying the colonic alterations (transcriptomic, proteomic) of mouse models of spontaneous chronic colitis (Winnie), spontaneous CRC mouse models (Winnie x NLRP3-\/-), and CRC patient samples by RNA sequencing and bioinformatics techniques. Understanding the role of NLRP3 involvement in CRC and stages of disease\nprogression from inflammation to cancer could lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets for improved outcomes and fewer side effects.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320403 Autoimmunity \n320803 Systems physiology \n321103 Cancer genetics"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien","title":"Deep learning for brain cancer segmentation in radiation oncology","description":"Brain segmentation of MRI images acquired on an MRI linac is time consuming for clinicians this is especially the case when regular segmentation is required as part of an adaptive radiation therapy approach.  Deep learning offers the opportunity to quickly perform tumour segmentation and notify the clinical team if there has been a change (e.g., tumour reduction) that would trigger a replan during the course of the patient's treatment.  This project will be conducted in collaboration with our industry partners in radiation oncology at the Austin Hospital and will work with MRI linac generated patient data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Medical Physics (510502) 50%, Radiation Therapy (321110) 30%, Medical Devices (400308) 30%."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim","title":"Implementing a behaviour change digital health program for diabetes management","description":"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia associated with numerous health comorbidities and enormous socioeconomic costs. General Practitioners (GP) currently lack the tools and resources to adequately respond to the growing tide of chronic conditions including T2D. However, despite the strong growing international evidence base, no research has been conducted in Australia to demonstrate the feasibility or effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention to promote preventative and population health management within the local health system.\n\nTo determine the effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention compared to standard care for improving glycaemic control, reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors, and achieving diabetes remission in patients with T2D in a primary care setting, an open-label cluster randomised stepped-wedge trial of GP clinics will be used. Adults diagnosed with T2D within 10 years will be recruited via GP clinics and selected by GPs to participate using a \u2018real-world\u2019 approach. Participants will attend follow-up clinic visits in accordance with standard clinical practice throughout the intervention to assess health changes and determine medication change requirements.\n\nThis project will advance health care systems, improve diabetes self-management, and reduce related health complications\/costs for people living with T2D.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Digital health 420302 (40%)\nPrimary health care (40%)\nEndocrinology 320208 (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Zahid Hussain","title":"Optimising Antiplatelet Therapy in Obese Patients Post-Ischemic Heart Disease: A Focus on Dosing Strategies","description":"Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It encompasses acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Obesity is associated with an increased risk of various cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes, and IHD. Obesity involves chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and changes in lipid metabolism, all of which contribute to the development of atherosclerotic and thrombotic events.\r\nThe management of IHD frequently entails antiplatelet therapy to prevent clot formation. Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors, play a pivotal role in both short-term and long-term IHD management. It is noteworthy that the efficacy of these standard antiplatelet regimens may vary depending on individual patient characteristics, including body weight. Obesity is often characterised by a heightened tendency for blood clot formation and increased platelet reactivity, which may result in suboptimal responses to standard antiplatelet therapy. This is an especially concerning issue considering the escalating global prevalence of obesity. \r\nThis project seeks to fill a crucial gap in the pharmacotherapy management of IHD in obese patients. Its focus is on investigating the most effective dosing strategies of antiplatelet therapy in obese post-IHD patients.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111502 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (50%)\r\n111503 Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Pradip Deb","title":"Improvements in CT Simulators for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning","description":"Computed Tomography (CT) simulators are integral tools in radiotherapy treatment planning, providing critical anatomical information for accurate dose calculation and treatment delivery. Despite advancements in CT simulator technology, several factors still limiting the effectiveness and treatment outcomes. Addressing these factors is crucial to enhancing the precision, efficiency, and patient-specificity of radiotherapy planning. \n\nThis study aims to (i) Identify and characterize existing limitations and challenges in CT simulator technology, (ii) Develop and evaluate innovative solutions to enhance CT image quality and resolution for radiotherapy planning, (iii) Investigate methods to reduce imaging dose and radiation exposure without compromising diagnostic accuracy, (iv) Enhance integration of functional imaging modalities (e.g., PET-CT, MRI) into CT simulators for comprehensive treatment planning, and (v) Validate and optimize personalized dose calculation algorithms and treatment planning workflows using advanced CT simulator capabilities. \n\nThe significance of this project: Addressing critical gaps in CT simulators for radiotherapy treatment planning, aiming to advance technology, optimize clinical workflows, and improve patient outcomes. The outcomes will contribute to safer and more effective radiotherapy treatments, personalized patient care, and advancements in oncological imaging.\n\nThis project will be carried out in collaboration with the researchers in Petermac Cancer Centre, Melbourne. PhD student will have the opportunity to use the modern CT simulator and other radiotherapy facilities in a world class tertiary hospital setting.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ayman Allahham, Ravi Shukla\/School of Science","title":"MOF based nanoformulations for improving stability of anticancer drugs","description":"Cancer remains a pressing health care challenge in Australia and worldwide. Cancer drug molecules still faces multiple challenges in their design and formulation to improve their targeting, efficacy, delivery and stability. Azacitidine which is indicated for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and Acute Myeloid Leukemia is an example of biopharmaceutical that is used in chemotherapy but is challenged with storing the medication in room temperature. The reconstituting drug into an injectable suspension is only stable for 4 days when stored at 2-8 \u25e6C and only 2 hours at room temperature (1). Therefore, there is a need to develop a formulation with enhanced stability to enable longer storage conditions for the drug. \r\nDifferent challenges in Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising platforms for cellular delivery and have been used for efficient delivery of therapeutic genes and drugs (2). Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), MOF nanocarriers have being developed for gene therapy and drug delivery (3). A recent study has used MOFs to enhance the stability of antibodies (3) can be promising for the use of this delivery system to enhance the targeting and stability of this drug. \r\nThe project will focus on developing a new formulation for azacitidine using MOFs and then assess its stability, characterisation and potency. Student will have ample opportunities to learn state-of-the-art cross disciplinary tools and techniques. In addition, student will be nurtured for research ethics, critical thinking, time & project management, and problem-solving skills.\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tTrambloy Q, Vigneron J, Clarot I, Blaise F, D\u2019Huart E, Demor\u00e9 B. Physicochemical stability of azacitidine suspensions at 25 mg\/mL in polypropylene syringes stored under different conditions of storage. Pharmaceutical technology in hospital pharmacy. 2022;7(1):11-6.\r\n2.\tHe C, Lu K, Liu D, Lin W. Nanoscale metal\u2013organic frameworks for the co-delivery of cisplatin and pooled siRNAs to enhance therapeutic efficacy in drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2014;136(14):5181-4.\r\n3.\tFeng Y, Wang H, Zhang S, Zhao Y, Gao J, Zheng Y, et al. Antibodies@ MOFs: an in vitro protective coating for preparation and storage of biopharmaceuticals. Advanced Materials. 2019;31(2):1805148.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321045 Pharmaceutical sciences (70%) \r\n401699 Materials Engineering (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ayman Allahham, Thilini Thrimawithana, Vivek Nooney","title":"Improving safety of medication administered via gastrotomy feeding tubes in the community","description":"Enteral feeding tubes are used by both adults and children to supply nutrients directly to the gastrointestinal tract. Enteral feeding tubes include orogastric, nasogastric and gastrostomy tube feeding and this may be for short term or long term management of conditions such as impaired swallowing, congenital anomalies and eating disorders. In addition to feeds, these tubes can be used to administer medication via the enteral route.  Solid oral dosage forms are often modified by nurses and caregivers to enable administration via feeding tubes (1). This includes crushing of tablets and emptying of capsule content. However, not all solid oral dosage forms can be modified as these manipulations can reduce efficacy of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, safety and\/or lead to tube clogging and chemical incompatibilities with tubing materials (2). Research also suggest that educational programs can improve the administration of drugs via nasogastric tubes (3). Moreover, anecdotal evidence suggests frequent off label dosage form modifications by caregivers to administer medication via feeding tubes.\r\nTherefore, this study aims to determine the medication\/dosage forms that are most commonly modified by patients dwelling in the community and the clinical issues encountered when these are administered via feeding tubes. This project will involve qualitative research to understand the dosage form modifications performed by patients and their caregivers and survey research to understand the involvement of community pharmacists and their knowledge of medication administered via gastrotomy feeding tubes. In addition, in vitro studies will be undertaken to determine the ease of preparation, accuracy of administration and in-use stability of medicines that are commonly modified by patients\/caregivers. The in-vitro studies will enable the researchers to develop appropriate instructions for optimum use of these medication via feeding tubes.  \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tGrissinger M. Preventing errors when drugs are given via enteral feeding tubes. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 2013 Oct;38(10):575-6. \r\n2.\tKarkossa F, Lehmann N, Klein S. A systematic approach for assessing the suitability of enteral feeding tubes for the administration of controlled-release pellet formulations. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2022;612, 121286\r\n3.\tHossaini Alhashemi, Samira, Raana Ghorbani, and Afsaneh Vazin. \u201cImproving Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Nurses in Medication Administration through Enteral Feeding Tubes by Clinical Pharmacists: A Case-Control Study.\u201d Advances in medical education and practice 10 (2019): 493\u2013500. Web.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"321045 Pharmaceutical sciences (50%)\r\n321001 Clinical nutrition (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Daryl Wilding McBride, Clare Smith, Moshi Geso, Rick Franich (Physics)\r\nComputer Science (Fabio Zambetta on the machine learning components)","title":"New approaches to CT image reconstruction","description":"It is extremely difficult to acquire CT images of objects that move (lungs, heart and joints), because the patient motion during image acquisitions blurs the resulting reconstructed image.  In this project, you will develop new image reconstruction techniques that simultaneously determine the underlying motion and the patient anatomy during the reconstruction process.  This project will suit a student with a strong mathematics, deep learning or algorithm development background and an interest in working on problems that have strong support from our partner hospitals and direct applications to cancer patient treatment.   Our research group at RMIT is well supported by NHMRC grant funding which will provide access to the equipment and clinical data to perform this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4901 (Applied Mathematics) 50%\r\n4902 (Mathematical Physics) 25%\r\n029903 Medical Physics 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geso, Clare Smith, Daryl Wilding McBride, Rick Franich - Physics","title":"New techniques for lung ventilation imaging","description":"Maximising lung function post cancer treatment (radiotherapy, surgery, etc) is of importance to improve the patient\u2019s quality of life after treatment. This project involves developing new algorithms and techniques to evaluate and predict lung function pre and post treatment using the images routinely acquired during treatment. The project can go in one of two directions depending on the interests of the student: (1) hands on with imaging equipment where you will develop new imaging techniques or (2) a machine learning\/algorithm development pathway to maximise the use of the images obtained during treatment. \r\n\r\nThis project provides an opportunity to work with our team on an NHMRC grant funded project with an existing collaboration spanning hospitals in both NSW (RNSH) and Victoria (Peter Mac) as well as an industry partner (4DMedical).\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111208 Radiation Therapy (75%)\r\n029903 Medical Physics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geso, Clare Smith, Daryl Wilding McBride, Pradip Dep, Rick Franich (Physics),\r\nNick Hardcastle (Medical Physics - Peter Mac)","title":"Pioneering emerging techniques to treat cardiac arrhythmia.","description":"Patients with advanced ventricular tachycardia have often exhausted all treatment options, have a short life expectancy and very poor quality of life. In 2022, we received one of only 10 NHMRC Synergy grants to establish a national research program to develop radiation ablation techniques to treat ventricular tachycardia.  This is an exciting opportunity to work on an emerging treatment for a debilitating disease. You will work within a large collaboration including hospitals that are performing patient treatments as well as researchers performing deep learning\/datamining to optimise treatment regimens and researchers developing new imaging techniques.  As such, this project offers the opportunity for students with a range of backgrounds to contribute to an exciting new treatment for cardiac disease (e.g., students are welcome to enquire from engineering, maths, physics, computer science, medical radiations, etc).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111208 Radiation Therapy (50%)\r\n029903 Medical Physics (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Digital Health","programcode":"DR236","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Barbora de Courten, Chiao Xin Lim","title":"Implementing a digital health program in primary care for diabetes","description":"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia associated with numerous health comorbidities and enormous socioeconomic costs. General Practitioners (GP) currently lack the tools and resources to adequately respond to the growing tide of chronic conditions including T2D. However, despite the strong growing international evidence base, no research has been conducted in Australia to demonstrate the feasibility or effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention to promote preventative and population health management within the local health system.\r\n\r\nTo determine the effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention compared to standard care for improving glycaemic control, reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors, and achieving diabetes remission in patients with T2D in a primary care setting, an open-label cluster randomised stepped-wedge trial of GP clinics will be used. Adults diagnosed with T2D within 10 years will be recruited via GP clinics and selected by GPs to participant using a \u2018real-world\u2019 approach. Participants will attend follow-up clinic visits in accordance with standard clinical practice throughout the intervention to assess health changes and determine medication change requirements.\r\n\r\nA 3-month industry internship with the digital health intervention company\/industry partner will also be included in the first 18 months of this project. It is anticipated that this project will advance health care systems, improve diabetes self-management, and reduce related health complications\/costs for people living with T2D.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Digital health 420302 (40%), Endocrinology 320208 (40%), Primary health care (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Evaluation of Undergraduate Medical Radiations students\u2019 empathic responses, and changes during the completion of their programs (Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy) ","description":"This project aims to understand empathic functioning and development of undergraduate Medical Radiation students during their progression within the program. \nA survey will be designed and validated to assess empathic functioning, and a student\u2019s ability to cope with stresses. The survey will be conducted across all year levels (years 1-4) and for all three-streams (Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy).\n\nChanges in empathic functioning during students\u2019 progression within the program will be analysed, as well as the effects of clinical-placement type (rural private public etc), and if there are correlations to a student\u2019s ability to cope with stressors.\nThis will be followed by targeted focus groups, which will seek to gain a deeper understanding of student responses to the survey, and the factors that encourage or inhibit the development of empathy in these students.\n\nBased on this work, we will assess the survey\u2019s relevance, and modify it as indicated, to make it suitable for use as a prospective student selection tool for entry to the program.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390402 Education assessment and evaluation, 20%\n390499 Specialist studies in education not elsewhere classified 20%\n429999 Other Health Sciences not elsewhere classified 30%\n520304 Health Psychology 30%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Continuous physical activity monitoring with smartwatches in patients with post-intensive care unit syndrome from admission to 12 months after discharge: A feasibility prospective cohort study","description":"Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) affects a significant proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, manifesting in physical, cognitive, and mental sequelae that persist long after hospital discharge. Studies have shown the benefits of early physical therapy in the ICU, such as increased mobilization, a shorter hospital stay and improved functional outcomes. However, the evidence on reporting on measuring the dose of physical activity is poor, particularly the intensity and continuous tracking measurement of physical activity is limited. Wearable devices have been shown to be effective in monitoring and promoting physical activity in different pathologies, but their use in the ICU remains limited to research.\n\nThis research project aims to evaluate the feasibility and impact of continuously monitoring physical activity in patients with post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) from their admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) until twelve months after hospital discharge, using smartwatches. The study seeks to identify the potential challenges of continuous monitoring and their impact on long-term physical, cognitive, mental and social recovery. The main hypothesis is that continuous monitoring of physical activity is feasible and is significantly associated with improvements in health outcomes in patients at ICU and hospital discharge, at 6 and 12 months after. Secondarily, the following aspects will also be explored:\n\n1.        Measure patient recruitment, engagement and adherence.\n2.        Describe satisfaction of use.\n3.        Explore the association of Muscular ultrasound whit physical activity and long-term outcomes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420126 Physiotherapy (40%)\n420199 Allied health and rehabilitation science not elsewhere classified (30%)\n420314 Multimorbidity (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Health Literacy and Personality influences on cancer symptom management and exercise adherence ","description":"Robust evidence supports prehabilitation and postoperative exercise and symptom management in supporting patients following a cancer diagnosis. However, implementing exercise across the continuum of care remains challenging and is not part of routine clinical practice for all cancer groups. \n \nEducation is a key enabler to addressing many well documented barriers to exercise including persistent symptoms and fear of symptom exacerbation such as breathlessness and fatigue. Health literacy refers to the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information to make informed health decisions. Higher health literacy has been correlated with better health outcomes. Personality traits particularly those measured by the Big Five Dimensions (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) may further influence how individuals process health information and act in their care. \n \nThe interplay between health literacy and personality traits in cancer care could provide important insights into how patients navigate their treatment journey and engage with exercise and supportive care services. \n \nTherefore, this project has several aims:\n\u2022        Systematically review the literature regarding the influence of health literacy and personality traits on health-related behaviours in cancer rehabilitation\n\u2022        Explore the relationship between health literacy, personality trait and engagement in symptom management and exercise amongst individuals with a cancer diagnosis \n\u2022        To explore usability and personalisation preferences for cancer education materials (focused on supportive care and exercise) based on health literacy and personality\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (40%)\n420109 Rehabilitation (30%)\n420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Blood flow restricted exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Acute and chronic effects on autonomic cardiac function, functionality, dyspnoea and quality of life","description":"Current international guidelines for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recommend exercise training combined with an optimal pharmacological regimen. However, people with severe COPD often have difficulties performing moderate-to-high load exercise and consequently do not achieve the expected physiological response. Several aspects of COPD contribute to this difficulty in exercising, namely breathlessness, skeletal muscle weakness, frailty, loss of oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle, dynamic hyperinflation and others. Researchers and clinicians have recognised the need to investigate alternative methods of exercise training for this population.\n\nBlood flow restricted exercise (BFRE) training is an emerging novel alternative treatment for populations that cannot perform more intense traditional training protocols. This approach consists of using a cuff placed on the most proximal part of the limb. The cuff is inflated to achieve a venous occlusion and arterial restriction of the blood flow, and is used in association with low intensity exercises, but providing the same benefits in terms of muscle strength, functionality and aerobic capacity as high intensity training. Previous studies have applied this method in athletic populations or healthy individuals. Few studies have explored BFRE training in people with chronic conditions such as COPD. \n\nA previous qualitative descriptive study investigated the views of people living with COPD and clinicians that work with that population towards undergoing a BFRE training program. Whilst majority of participants were willing to undertake or refer someone to a BFRE training program given the potential benefits, concerns were raised on safety, impacts on autonomic cardiac function \u2013 which is usually impaired in that population \u2013 and feasibility of using that exercise modality in people with COPD. \n\nTherefore, the overall aim of this research project is to investigate a BFRE training program for people with COPD regarding aspects of autonomic cardiac function, feasibility and health outcomes. The specific research objectives for this project are:\na) systematically review the available scientific literature analysing whether autonomic cardiac function in adults is altered by BFRE training compared to non-BFRE (Study 1);\nb) investigate acute changes in autonomic cardiac function (heart rate variability parameters) after a single session of cycling with BFR (Study 2);\nc) investigate the effects of an 8-week BFR aerobic exercise program for people with COPD on autonomic cardiac function, muscle health, dyspnoea and quality of life (Study 3).\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (50%)\n420702 Exercise physiology (30%)\n420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Improving the recovery journey from hospital to home in survivors of critical illness","description":"Each year more than one million people are diagnosed with \u2018Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness\u2019 which refers to a global symmetrical muscle weakness which occurs because of critical illness. Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) refers to the ongoing secondary impairments which can ensue long after an intensive care unit (ICU) admission. These include physical functioning deficits, low mood\/heightened post-traumatic stress and cognitive impairment. Recent research has demonstrated that survivors of critical illness are highly inactive and sedentary in the first year after leaving the acute hospital. More work is required to understand the relationship between physical activity levels and measures related to social isolation and loneliness. \n \nCurrently in Australia there are limited services which exist to support survivors of critical illness after they leave the acute hospital. These primarily are follow-up clinics involving screening and\/or peer support. Health literacy refers to the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information to make informed health decisions. Education and lack of knowledge of Post Intensive Care Syndrome have been identified as critical barriers to empowering patient voice in their care. Higher health literacy has been correlated with better health outcomes in other patient populations.\n \nTherefore, the aims of this project are to:\n\n\u2022        Systematically review the literature regarding patient educational materials and how they have been designed and evaluated in supporting patients and\/or families across the continuum of ICU recovery (Study 1)\n\u2022        Establish a list of the most important consumer oriented key messages about Post Intensive Care Syndrome and recovery needs across the continuum of care expressed in language understandable to consumers (this will involve expert consultation and consumer input) (Study 2)\n\u2022        Explore the relationship between health literacy, personality trait and engagement in symptom management and exercise amongst individuals following critical illness (Study 3)\n\u2022        To co-design and evaluate patient educational materials developed to improve knowledge and confidence in recognising\/managing symptoms of PICS (Study 4)\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (30%)\n420314 Multimorbidity (35%)\n420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Wejdan Shahin","title":"Digital Health Interventions for Self-Management of Chronic Illness in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Populations","description":"Background\nChronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, are prevalent worldwide and require continuous self-management to maintain optimal health. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations often face unique challenges in managing chronic illnesses due to barriers such as language differences, cultural beliefs, and limited access to healthcare services. Digital health interventions, including mobile health applications, telehealth, and online education, offer innovative solutions to support self-management including medication adherence, physical activity, and healthy diet. However, the effectiveness of these interventions in CALD populations remains underexplored. This research aims to investigate the impact of digital health interventions on the self-management of chronic illness in CALD populations.\nObjectives\n-To assess the current use and acceptance of digital health tools among CALD individuals with chronic illnesses.\n-Conduct a systematic literature review to understand the existing digital health tools used by CALD populations.\n-To identify the perceptions, barriers and facilitators to using digital health interventions for self-management in CALD populations.\n-Assess the impact of digital health interventions on self-management behaviors and health outcomes.\n-Survey CALD individuals to gather data on their current use and acceptance of digital health tools.\n-The survey will assess the impact of digital health interventions on self-management behaviors, quality of life, and health outcomes for CALDs who already use digital health interventions.\n-Perform mixed methods study to explore CALDs experiences and challenges with digital health tools.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302\tDigital health 40%\r\n321403    Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice 40%\r\n470212\tMulticultural, intercultural and cross-cultural studies 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan ","title":"The effect of carnosine for preventing the sequelae of type 2 diabetes","description":"Carnosine is a naturally occurring dietary anti-oxidant, with a range of bioactive properties including anti-glycating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-chelating. In this study, we are evaluating the use of carnosine as a treatment for the adverse outcomes associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus. These adverse outcomes include cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline and mood disturbance, and immunological changes. This research is translational, including basic science, animal, and eventually clinical studies, depending on the specific project and disease of interest. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320803 Systems physiology \n320903 Central nervous system \n310103 Cell metabolism"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"April Kartikasari, Magdalena Plebanski","title":"Inflammation, immune dysfunction, and molecular changes in cancer","description":"Chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction are significant drivers of cancer development and progression. These factors are also influenced by metabolic and nutritional status, previous infections, and the patient's age. Additionally, molecular changes such as mutations and epigenetic reprogramming of the cancer cells support cancer cell escape from immune surveillance. This project is designed to unravel the complex chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction pathways influenced by such factors, that are significant to cause cancer progression or conversely a positive response to cancer treatment. We will also investigate epigenetic and transcriptomic changes related to cancer and the immune system, to understand the molecular pathways as well as to pinpoint possibilities of using the identified changes as biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic markers or targets of treatment, as well as to optimize treatment. Our projects focus on ovarian cancer, the most lethal gynecological malignancy. PhDs will have opportunities to learn advanced cellular and molecular immunology techniques, including cutting-edge technologies such as multi-parameter flow cytometry, epigenetic profiling, and blood factor multiplex profiling as well as fundamental skills in cell culture, and human clinical trial sample processing and biobanking from diverse tissues, as well as interact across the dynamic CAVA Lab in multiple projects.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/01\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321101 cancer cell biology ; 321104 cancer therapy ; 321102 cancer diagnosis"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Charlie Xue","title":"Systematic Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Evidence for Common Chronic Conditions","description":"Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, has been increasingly used throughout the world. Evidence-based healthcare emphases on the effective use of the best available clinical evidence, incorporating the clinicians\u2019 clinical experience and patients\u2019 preference. This patient-centre care approach reflects the historical nature of Chinese medicine practice in the very rich medical literature accumulated over 2,000 years. However there is an overall lack of systematic evaluation of the evidence connecting those historical descriptions in the classical literature, the contemporary clinical studies, and experimental research to provide the current state of the totality of Chinese medicine evidence for common chronic diseases. PhD opportunities are available at the China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine (https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/research-institutes-centres-and-groups\/multi-partner-collaborations\/cairccm) in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences for a range of research project topics (e.g. diabetes, depression, dysmenorrhea, migraine headache, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis). PhD candidates will have the opportunities to apply Cochrane systematic reviews and meta-analyses methods, data-mining on Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine, evaluating pre-clinical models and their likely mechanisms of action, developing clinical trial protocols, obtaining human ethical approval, conducting multi-centre clinical studies, surveys and focus-group interview studies and, translational research.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/0207","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Melissa Churchill, Thomas Angelovich","title":"Defining the impact of defective HIV proviruses in the brain on neuropathology","description":"Despite successful viral suppression with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain a major clinical problem affecting ~40% people with HIV. These syndromes lead to cognitive impairment and are significant health, economic and social problems for those affected. The mechanisms causing neurocognitive disorders in people with HIV are unclear, but likely involve both viral persistence in the brain and ongoing immune activation and inflammation which persists despite ART treatment. \r\n\r\nThe HIV viral reservoir consists of both intact replication competent proviral HIV as well as incomplete and defective proviral genomes. We recently demonstrated that the brain of people with HIV who were virally suppressed with antiretroviral therapy harbour a HIV reservoir of both intact and defective proviruses. The contribution of defective HIV proviruses to HIV-associated brain pathogenesis is unclear. Understanding the role of defective proviruses in driving CNS pathology will better inform treatment options for people living with HIV and improve brain health.\r\n\r\nIn this project students will utilise a large cohort of human brain and peripheral tissue samples from people who died with HIV to identify and characterise defective proviral genomes. Using highly innovative and novel imaging techniques the impact of viral genomes on the local cellular environment will be defined.\r\n\r\nFindings from this study will provide novel insight into the ability of defective HIV proviruses to contribute to CNS pathology.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320705 (80%)\r\n320211 (20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Melissa Churchill, Thomas Angelovich","title":"Defining the effect of HIV\/SIV reactivation in the brain following interruption of antiretroviral therapy","description":"Despite successful viral suppression with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain a major clinical problem affecting ~40% people with HIV. These syndromes lead to cognitive impairment and are significant health, economic and social problems for those affected. The mechanisms causing neurocognitive disorders in people with HIV are unclear, but are likely caused by both viral persistence in the brain and ongoing immune activation and inflammation which persists despite ART treatment. Furthermore, viral rebound during interruption of therapy may induce reactivation of viral reservoirs contributing to disease pathogenesis. Understanding the role of viral persistence and rebound in the brain will better inform treatment options for people living with HIV and improve brain health.\r\n\r\nIn this project students will utilise a large cohort of human brain and peripheral tissue samples from people who died with HIV to determine the role of persistent inflammation and\/or viral persistence in cellular activation in the brain. Students will also utilise a cohort of brain tissue from non-human primate samples infected with the SIV model of HIV. \r\n\r\nHighly innovative and novel techniques such as multicolour immunofluorescence, DNA\/RNAscope, droplet digital PCR and laser capture microdissection will elucidate the cell-specific mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of viral infection\/viral rebound as well as the persistence of HIV\/SIV in the brain. Findings will also be paired with those from peripheral tissue samples to identify the cumulative effect of HIV and associated inflammation throughout the body.\r\n\r\nFindings from this study will provide novel insight into the ability of HIV\/SIV to rebound following therapy interruption and may guide appropriate antiretroviral and adjunctive treatment decisions to reduce the risk of adverse neurocognitive health outcomes in this population.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320705\r\n320211\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Pradip Deb","title":"Advancing dosimetric precision in gamma knife radiosurgery treating brain tumours","description":"Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is a highly effective and precise technique used to treat brain tumours and disorders. However, achieving dosimetric precision is critical both for patient outcomes and for minimising any side effects. This challenge becomes noticeable when dealing with brain tumours, where the complexities of heterogeneous media can impact the dose distribution [1]. Dosimetric precision depends on the ability to accurately model the interactions of radiation amidst a region of interest surrounded by different densities, such as bone and air cavities. Addressing this critical issue is necessary to achieve an accurate delivery of radiation dose to the target volume and to capture the dose spillage outside the prescription isoline.\r\n\r\nGeant4 is a toolkit for Monte Carlo simulations that allows for detailed modelling of how gamma radiation interacts with different types of materials, helping us fully understand the radiation transport pathway. It enables users to model the Gamma Knife Perfexion system and simulate the inhomogeneous media leading to the assessment of any dosimetric uncertainties [1, 2]. \r\n\r\nThis study focuses on modelling the Gamma Knife Perfexion system and conducting a detailed study of the dosimetric uncertainties associated with current dose computation methods, as well as on developing methods to minimise dosimetric uncertainties for tumours in close proximity to the bone and air cavities. This will enable the development of an improved and validated model that is likely to improve the treatment outcomes for brain tumour patients and advance the field of stereotactic radiosurgery.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Choi, H. J., Chung, H.-T., Sohn, J. W., & Min, C. H. (2018). Independent dose validation system for Gamma Knife radiosurgery, using a DICOM-RT interface and Geant4. Physica Medica, 51, 117-124.\r\n[2] DA\u011eLI, \u00d6., TANIR, A. G., & G\u00f6khan, K. (2021). Analysis of radiation dose distribution Inhomogenity effects in Gamma Knife radiosurgery using Geant4. Politeknik Dergisi, 25(1), 59-64.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Steven Bozinovski, Ross VlahoS, Hao Wang, Stavros Selemidis, Maggie Zhai (SoS)","title":"Developing novel lipid nanoparticles that target pathogenic macrophages in lung diseases","description":"Chronic lung diseases such as COPD, lung fibrosis, severe asthma and lung cancer represent a major global health burden as there is a lack of effective therapies to prevent early morbidity and death. A hallmark feature of many chronic lung diseases is dysregulated immunity and inflammation, where distinct lung macrophage populations become prominent. We are in an era of rapid biotechnological advances, where global and single cell RNA sequencing are revealing an unprecedented insight into disease mechanisms. It is now evident that transcriptionally distinct macrophage populations emergence in chronic lung diseases. For example, a protease called MMP12 is frequently elevated in pathogenic macrophage populations that accumulate in many chronic lung diseases, thus representing a potential therapeutic target. \r\n\r\nThe development of novel therapies for chronic lung disease sufferers has been hampered by lack of cellular specificity and off-target molecular effects. We aim to address this major hurdle by developing lipid nanoparticles that preferentially and efficiently target lung macrophages. Lipid nanoparticles have proven to be excellent nanocarriers for nucleic acids and we will encapsulate interfering RNA molecules directed against MMP12. This is a unique approach to reducing MMP12 levels in pathogenic lung macrophages, with the potential to markedly alter disease outcomes. The successful PhD candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team within the Centre for Respiratory Science & Health and develop high levels skills in pre-clinical mouse models, flow cytometry, nanomedicine, RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103\tRespiratory diseases  100%\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien, Daryl Wilding-McBride, Clare Smith, Moshi Geso","title":"Developing 5D Imaging Technologies in Radiation Therapy","description":"With the introduction of cardiac radiation ablation, there is a growing need to account for cardiac motion in addition to respiratory motion during radiation therapy treatments.  This motion management involves being able to image the heart as it beats, and the patient breathes (commonly referred to as 5D imaging) which is currently not possible.\r\n\r\nIn this project, we will develop new techniques to take existing 4D scans and generate 5D scans for use in patient positioning for both cancer treatment and cardiac radiation ablation. The project will involve a combination of image processing, to extract cardiac motion, image reconstruction and the analysis of the clinical impact of the improved treatment accuracy on patient outcomes.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111208 Radiation Therapy (50%) 010303 Optimisation (25%) 029903 Medical Physics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien, Daryl Wilding-McBride, Ruwan Tennakoon and Alireza Bab-Hadiashar (both from Engineering will co-supervise)","title":"Detecting prostate cancer for radiotherapy treatments using deep learning approaches","description":"In radiotherapy there is clinical benefit in boosting the radiation dose to regions of the prostate that are known to have cancer.  Unfortunately, this can be a challenging and time-consuming process.  In this project we aim to use deep learning techniques to identify the location in the prostate with cancer for improved patient treatments. \r\n\r\nThe project will involve working with our clinical partners in Barwon Health to ensure that the project has strong and well-defined clinical endpoints and utility.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Medical Physics (510502) 50%, Radiation Therapy (321110) 30%, Medical Devices (400308) 30%."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith, Moshi Geso","title":"Detailed model of ionization chamber response in radiotherapy applications","description":"Radiation dosimetry in radiotherapy is most commonly performed using ionization chambers such as the Farmer chamber. While these detectors are well characterized in many instances, there are features of their response that remain unexplained, and which become important when the chambers are used in non-standard radiation beams \u2013 for example small beams, high dose-rate beams, beams with unusual energy spectra or angles of incidence, or beams in media other than water. \r\nThe project aims to produce a model of a specific ionization chamber which includes enough detail to reproduce the response with enough fidelity to be able understand the cause of the behaviour. Such behaviours include a shift in the effective centre of the chamber when close to a source, the relative energy response in kilovoltage radiation, and the contribution of the stem and the cable when these are irradiated in addition to the sensitive volume.\r\nThe model will make use of existing Monte Carlo codes (for example, EGSnrc) to simulate radiation transport, and will involve creating the chamber geometry and calculating the chamber response for different radiation beams. The chamber response will be measured and compared to the model. The opportunity exists to design new experiments (such as performing measurements under vacuum or on the Australian synchrotron) to test the model.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 70%\r\n511001 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith, Robin Laycock","title":"Using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess long-term neurocognitive effects of concussion in female athletes.","description":"Much work has been done on the impact of contact sports on male athletes, with detailed neuroimaging studies completed, and structural abnormalities consistent with repetitive brain injuries identified. To-date, only a few studies have focused on female athletes involved in contact sports, and this work indicates that there are noted differences in neuro-function, metabolic changes occurring and recovery, which suggests gender may impact brain trauma and recovery.  \r\nGiven the rapid evolution of women\u2019s sport and locally the Australian Football League Women\u2019s division (AFLW), studies examining female athletes involved in contact sports are of importance. Therefore, we aim to examine the neuro-impact of concussion events on female athletes who play contact sports. Using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), and eye tacking technology combined with neurocognitive testing we will examine the effects of trauma on the brain, specifically the long-term neurocognitive effects and one\u2019s recovery. This work will be vital in our ongoing understanding of concussion and head trauma for females and help to provide a point of comparison to male athletes. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320999 25%\r\n520203 75%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health and Biomedical Sciences","programcode":"MR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andrew Kilgour, Renee French","title":"Management techniques for difficult patient presentations in medical imaging","description":"Research Objectives\n\u2022\tTo explore the challenges that radiographers encounter when imaging difficult patients and to identify strategies that could be implemented to improve overall patient-centred care.\n\u2022\tTo examine the main causes of challenging patient presentations in medical imaging, such as psychological, physiological, and technical obstacles.\n\u2022\tTo assess the efficacy of current techniques and strategies for handling difficult patient presentations.\n\u2022\tTo develop new approaches that put forward creative ideas for boosting medical imaging quality in difficult situations, lowering anxiety, and increasing patient participation.\n\u2022\tTo investigate how patient education and communication could be beneficial to manage challenging imaging situations.\n","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-01-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320206 Diagnostic Radiography (80%)\n390305 Professional education and training (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"MR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Doa El-Ansary","title":"Active engagement in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease: AUSMED Plus trial","description":"Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of disease burden and death in the Australian population and represents a global health care crisis. Chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation is recognized as an underlying pathophysiological cause of coronary heart disease (CHD). The adoption of a Mediterranean Diet has been reported to be cardioprotective and in non-Mediterranean people has been associated with good adherence and a reduction in high sensitivity interlukin-6 (hs-IL-6) involved in inflammation. Moderate intensity resistance exercise is safe and effective in improving risk factor parameters associated with CVD as well as quality of life, physical capacity, sleep, anxiety and cognitive function.\nThe AUSMED Plus Heart Trial is a multisite randomized controlled trial that will evaluate the efficacy of a  Digital Multidisciplinary solution targeting a mediterranean diet, physical activity, psychological wellbeing, sleep, stress management and avoidance of risky substances verses \"standard care\". Importantly this trial provides evidence based equitable health care across the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine for secondary prevention of CVD in the Australian health care setting. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320101 Cardiology (incl. Cardiovascular disease) 40%; 420309 Health Management (30%); 320299 Clinical Science (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"MR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andrew Kilgour, Clare Smith","title":"Evaluation of Medical Radiation undergraduates\u2019 clinical interactions with difficult patients ","description":"This project aims to look at the current situation in Medical Radiation Undergraduates during their Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements at clinical centres in Australia and understand the likelihood and impact of difficult encounters with patients and their families. Specifically, we are addressing instances of inappropriate comments and touching, dealing with drug and alcohol affected patients, mentally unwell patients, and racial or religious discrimination. \r\nThis study aims to complete a literature review, and produce a qualitative survey, which will be distributed to our current undergraduate medical radiations\u2019 cohort, and anonymously completed. The results are to be coded and analysed, and differences in responses between each stream also evaluated i.e., differences in encounters between nuclear medicine, medical imaging, and radiation therapy students. As well, we aim to use these findings to better equip our students with the necessary tools to navigate these issues if they arise and instil confidence in their responses to various situations.\r\nFinally, we plan to extend this research and examine other potentially difficult relationships that are faced by our students when completing their WIL placements, namely site and supervisor issues, and the impacts on learning.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"61501"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237\/ DR236\/DR238\/ MR236\/ MR237\/ MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh\/ Shanmuga Sundar Dhanabalan\/ Haytham Fayek","title":"Technology in Concussion management","description":"During play and training players experience repeated head impacts from contact with the ball, other players, the ground or objects. These cause the brain to move rapidly within the skull and can cause concussion, defined as \u201calteration in brain function, caused by an external force\u201d. Identifying the frequency and magnitude of that impact during the game and training is important for concussion management. The use of sensors technology was suggested to detect possible concussions during the game that would not otherwise receive evaluation. Accelerometer embedded in mouthguard was shown to be effective, but more research on other possibilities such as small patch IMU sensor behind the ear may be other option, specifical in sport where players do not use mouthguard.\nFurthermore, knowing when to safely return to sport following concussion is another important pilar in concussion management. Current post-concussion decision making lacks accurate and timely evidence-based diagnosis technology and are sub-optimal in determining a safe duration for \u2018return-to-play\u2019. Clinical decisions on return-to-play eligibility are currently not sensitive at capturing brain changes days and weeks after concussion. We developed targeted technology, a nexus of cloud software bundle with smartphone sensors and App allowing clinicians to remotely and objectively measure balance while sharing and monitoring progression in a linkage cloud databank. Balance dysfunction, which persists long after the initial symptoms have resolved, is a hallmark feature of concussion management to identify readiness to return-to-play.\n\nThis proposed project will: 1) develop and validate sensor to monitor head impact during training and game, 2) explore the use of remote assessment technology to objectively monitor postural balance following concussion to identify safe time to return to play, and 3) develop predication AI models to identify risk to concussion and safe time to return to play.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics, 25%\n420302 Digital Health, 25%\n420311 Health systems, 15%\n420109 Rehabilitation, 20%\n400906 Electronic sensors, 15%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Pranata","title":"NeuroUltrasound: Innovative Technology Networks and Application in Neurosurgery for Best Practice","description":"This PhD project aims to revolutionise post-operative brain monitoring by developing AI-enhanced real-time ultrasound (RTUS) imaging for adult neurosurgery. RTUS is a valid and reliable imaging modality that is non-radiative, non-invasive and importantly provides data in real-time pertaining to bone, skeletal muscle and the body systems affording timely medical and health professional management of pathology. This research will explore the correlation between Brain CT scans and RTUS images, with the aim of developing machine learning algorithms to enhance RTUS image acquisition and resolution The focus is to develop a screening system that classifies RTUS findings as normal (green), potentially concerning (yellow), or critical (red), to triage and inform timely medical intervention and follow-up. This project will partner with industry leaders to offer practical experience and the opportunity to translate academic research into real-world clinical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460299 Artificial Intelligence not elsewhere classified (30%)\n320299 Clinical sciences not elsewhere classified (50%)\n320903 Central nervous system (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stavros Selemidis","title":"How Does Influenza A Viruses Exploit the Host to Enhance Inflammation Disease?","description":"Respiratory viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) cause millions of infections worldwide each year, leading to significant illness and death, especially among vulnerable groups like the young, elderly, immunocompromised, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. The host's inflammatory response plays a crucial role in controlling viral replication and establishing immunity, involving a complex network of various cell types throughout the infection process. However, severe cases of respiratory disease can lead to hyperinflammatory \u201ccytokine storms,\u201d which disrupt the resolution of immune responses and often result in chronic complications.\r\nPattern recognition receptors, particularly toll-like receptors (TLRs), are key to initiating antiviral and proinflammatory signaling in response to viral infections by detecting viral nucleic acids. We hypothesize that dysregulated inflammatory signaling following TLR activation in specific cell types including macrophages contributes to severe disease outcomes. Despite this, the differential processing of TLRs by infected cells and the cell types that drive exacerbated inflammatory responses remain unclear.\r\nThis project aims to elucidate the TLR-mediated molecular and cellular mechanisms by which IAV virus exacerbates inflammation and promotes severe disease. Using cell culture techniques including CRISPR\/Cas9 and in vivo IAV infection models, the PhD candidate will explore these mechanisms through a range of methods, including viral inoculations, flow cytometry, multiplex immunoprofiling, qPCR, RNA sequencing, ELISAs, Western blotting, proteomic analysis, fluorescence microscopy, histology, cell culture, and gene-editing. The insights gained from this research will contribute to the development of novel therapeutics aimed at reducing severe disease caused by IAV.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321401 34%; 320103 33% ; 320211 33%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Sharayah Carter, Rajaraman Eri - Science\r\nBobbi Fleiss - Health and Biomedical Science\r\nGayathri Balasuriya - Health and Biomedical Science","title":"A Prebiotic Intervention for Gut Health in Older Adults","description":"This project addresses the prevalent issue of age-related gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction among older adults, affecting over 50% of Australians aged 65 and above. It aims to investigate the impact of gut health on overall well-being in older adults. Ageing disrupts the delicate balance of gut microbiota, potentially leading to gut dysbiosis (imbalances in gut bacteria composition). Emerging evidence suggests that gut dysbiosis is linked to cognitive decline, social behaviour issues, and stress vulnerability in older adults. By exploring the role of prebiotics, non-digestible fibres that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, this research aims to enhance cognitive function, social behaviour, and overall quality of life in the ageing population.\r\n\r\nAims:\r\n\r\nSystematic Review: Examine existing research on age-related GI dysregulation, gut microbiome alterations, and the effectiveness of prebiotic interventions in improving gut health in older adults.\r\n\r\nAssessment of GI Dysfunction: Assess the prevalence and dietary associations of GI dysfunction in older adults across Australia, India, Sri Lanka, and Japan using a validated GI survey.\r\n\r\nEvaluation of Prebiotic Intervention: Evaluate the effects of a prebiotic intervention on age-related GI issues, cognitive function, social behaviour, stress vulnerability, and dietary outcomes in aged care settings using standardised tests, questionnaires, and biomarkers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321001 - Clinical Nutrition (50%)\r\n320799 - Medical Microbiology not elsewhere classified (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stavros Selemidis, Mark Miles, Steven Bozinovski, Ross Vlahos","title":"Deciphering how respiratory viruses exploit host inflammation to promote disease","description":"Respiratory viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infect millions of people globally each year causing significant morbidity and mortality particularly in high-risk individuals such as the young, elderly, immunocompromised and those with pre-existing respiratory illness. Host inflammatory responses to infection are critical for controlling viral replication and establishing immunity, and these processes are mediated by an intricate network of various cell types at various stages of infection. Unfortunately, individuals that experience severe acute respiratory disease often succumb debilitating hyperinflammatory \u201ccytokine storms\u201d, which impairs the ability to appropriately resolve host immune responses, often giving rise to chronic sequalae. Pattern recognition receptors such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) sense viral nucleic acid and are principal initiators of antiviral and\/or proinflammatory signalling in response to viral infection. We believe that dysregulated inflammatory signalling following viral activation of TLRs can occur in certain cell types and is an underlying factor in driving severe disease. However, it remains unclear how infected cells differentially processes TLRs or which cell types predominantly drive exacerbated inflammatory signalling.\r\nThis project will utilise cell culture techniques and in vivo infection models to unravel the TLR-mediated molecular and cellular mechanisms viruses exploit to promote severe inflammatory disease. The knowledge gained from this project will assist in the advancement of future novel therapeutics aimed at minimising severe disease caused by respiratory viruses. The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to perform viral inoculations in vivo, flow cytometry, multiplex immunoprofiling, qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISAs, Western blots, proteomic analysis, fluorescence microscopy, histology, cell culture and gene-editing.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103\r\n321401"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jennifer Boer","title":"Metagenetic Approach To Analyze Vaccine Immunomodulation in The Elderly","description":"The human gut is a vast reservoir of genetic potential and we are learning more and more how it relates to human health and disease. The new generation of deep metagenomic sequencing, consists in simultaneous sequencing of multiple microbial genomes at once and has provided us with a wealth of information on the composition of complex communities in our gut. As different microbial genomes can result in vastly different phenotypes and functions in our gut, it is critical to understand the genomic variations that characterize the different strains that are present. We are currently working on a large-scale vaccine (DTP and influenza) human trial (n=600) in Tasmania in which we will map, as a world first, how innate immunity and innate training differs in humans based on age and sex, and how this affects responses to vaccines. We will be studying these aspects with a systems biology approach in which we will investigate weather the immunological changes in young and elderly are characterized with changes in the gut microbial composition. Currently big data provided by metagenomics next generation sequening (mNGS) is becoming a key driver for the advancement of precision medicine to personalize patient care. Therefore, to take full advantage of these complex datasets we will use bioinformatics to enable quicker and more comprehensive analysis. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310205"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Giulia McCorkell","title":"Improving Radiation Therapy Services In Ghana","description":"This project aims to develop, validate and pilot a clinical audit tool that evaluates radiotherapy clinical practices in Low-and Middle Income Countries, starting with Ghana. Based on the baseline data collecting using this tool, service improvement strategies will be development and implemented, with the clinical audit tool then used to capture post-implementation data to evaluate post-implementation improvements in service delivery.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4203 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thilini Thrimawithana, Benu Adhikari (School of Science)","title":"Development of herbal medicines for the management of cardiometabolic diseases","description":"Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are major public health challenges because of their increasing prevalence and significant effects on health. Sixty-seven percent of the Australian population over the age of 18 years are overweight or obese which puts them at 3x and 20x greater risk of developing T2DM, respectively. Healthy diet and regular exercise are the first line management for these conditions but are difficult to achieve at the population level, hence the obesity and diabetes epidemic continues unabated. Therefore, it is essential to develop new therapies that can reduce the risk of developing these conditions. Many studies have shown the potential use of plant polyphenols (phenolic acids, coumarins, flavonoids, stilbenes and lignans) for the prevention and management of cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases. However, the clinical use of these natural therapies is limited by the variations in extraction methods, instability against oxidation, lack of high-quality clinical trials, and the lack of suitable formulations that can improve patient acceptance of such therapies. This project will focus on development of suitable formulations to enhance bioavailability of plant bioactives and to evaluate efficacy of such formulations.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321004 Nutritional science \r\n321404 Pharmaceutical delivery technologies \r\n321405 Pharmaceutical sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Pradip Deb","title":"Advancements in EPID Dosimetry for Precise Radiation Therapy Delivery","description":"External beam radiation therapy is a crucial component in cancer treatment, aiming to deliver precise doses of radiation to tumour sites while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID) dosimetry plays a vital role in quality assurance by verifying the accuracy of radiation delivery during treatment. However, there remain challenges in enhancing the accuracy, efficiency, and versatility of EPID dosimetry techniques. \n\nThe major objectives of this project will be to (i) investigate novel EPID dosimetry algorithms for real-time dose verification during treatment sessions, (ii) develop automated EPID image analysis techniques to enhance efficiency and reduce human error, (iii) evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of EPID dosimetry for advanced radiation therapy techniques such as volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy (SABR), (iv) integrate EPID dosimetry with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for adaptive radiation therapy planning and delivery.\n\nThe significance of this project: Advancements in EPID dosimetry hold significant promise for enhancing the safety and effectiveness of radiation therapy treatment. By improving the accuracy, efficiency, and versatility of EPID-based dose verification, this research has the potential to positively impact patient outcomes, reduce treatment-related toxicities, and facilitate the adoption of advanced radiation therapy techniques.\n\nThis project will be carried out in collaboration with the researchers in Petermac Cancer Centre, Melbourne. PhD student will have the opportunity to use the modern linear accelerator and other radiotherapy facilities in a tertiary hospital setting. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Durga Dharmadana, Celine Valery","title":"Exploration of combined efficacy of novel small peptides with chemotherapeutic agents through nanocarriers mediated cutaneous delivery system in skin cancer","description":"Skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell\ncarcinomas) have increased in recent decades with more than 1.5 million\nnew cases estimated in 2022. In 2022, an estimated 330,000 new cases of\nmelanoma were diagnosed worldwide and almost 60,000 people died from\nthe disease. Small peptide-based therapeutics has not been highly explored\nfor cancer treatment, and the development of a novel anti-cancer peptide\ncan open up new avenues for research. Unlike traditional chemotherapeutic\nagents, small peptides offer several advantages, including targeted action,\nhigh specificity, low immunogenicity, potential for combination therapy,\nand versatility in the formulation. These advantages offer a promising\napproach for enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.\nOur proposed approach leverages synergistic effects, delivering agents\ndirectly to skin tumors via nanocarriers to enhance outcomes while\nminimizing systemic effects. The project represents an innovative strategy\nfor skin cancer treatment, with significant potential for clinical impact.\nTopical drug delivery has emerged as a perfect modality for localized self-application with minimal systemic ingress for the management of skin cancers. Advances in topical drug delivery as evidenced by the exploration of nanocarriers and newer technologies like microneedle-mediated\ntherapeutics delivery have revolutionized the paradigms of topical\ntreatment. Nanocarriers can improve drug retention in the skin ensures\ndrug localization in the stratum corneum and protection of drugs against\nchemical or physical changes. Nano-formulations can empower the clinician\nto safely and effectively target multiple therapeutics to resistant cancerous\ntissues. Therefore, we propose the co-delivery of novel small peptides with\nchemotherapeutic agents through nanocarriers mediated cutaneous\ndelivery system in skin cancer.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bobbi Fleiss, Rosita Zakaria, Alice Johnstone","title":"Is perinatal brain injury and neuroprotection associated with the altered biochemical response of polydendrocytes?\r","description":"Poly-dendro-cytes (many-tree shape-cells) make up 5-10% of adult central nervous system cells. When first discovered, it was assumed that\npolydendrocytes were an immature form of oligodendrocytes, the cells that make your insulative myelin. However, we now know that only a small\nfraction of polydendrocytes develop into oligodendrocytes, but we do not know what the other functions of polydendrocytes are. We know that polydendrocytes make and release many different substances that can influence cell survival, growth, and activity, including factors that modulate brain immune functions. In response to injury or insult, polydendrocytes have been reported to make more of themselves and migrate to the injured region. In this way, polydendrocytes seem to have some similarities to microglia \u2013 a type of brain immune cell that our research group has a lot of tools and approaches to study. Much of the little known about polydendrocytes has been done in adults, and not much at all is known about how\npolydendrocytes respond to injury and insults around the period of birth, the perinatal period. Perinatal brain injuries can arise from many\ncauses, including systemic inflammation (e.g., an intrauterine infection, chorioamnionitis), hypoxic-ischemic events that involve neuronal overactivation\n(i.e., excitotoxic) injury mechanisms (e.g., hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal stroke), and\/or preterm birth (i.e., birth before 37 of a typical 40\nweeks of gestation). Perinatal brain injuries often lead to permanent disability and account for around 2.4% of the total Global Burden of Disease, meaning that the social and economic impact of these injuries is very significant. For the most part, we have no therapies to treat perinatal brain injuries and few ways to prevent them. It has been shown that, like other cell types of the central nervous system, polydendrocytes have age-dependent differences in response to injury, so studying them in the still-developing brain may help understand perinatal brain injuries better.\nThe focus of our proposed project is to improve the current understanding of polydendrocytes (also known as NG2 glia) in healthy and injured\ndeveloping central nervous system, including investigating their role in mediating changes in response to common neurotherapeutics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"3209        Neurosciences 40\n3213        Paediatrics 30\n310101        Analytical biochemistry 30"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien, Pradip Dep","title":"Dynamic CT Imaging ","description":"Acquiring 3D images of moving anatomy, such as the heart, is challenging due to blurring caused by the motion. The aim of this project is to develop image reconstruction methods to imaging dynamically moving anatomy and then to optimise image acquisition methods.  In addition to reconstructing dynamic CT images, this project will also explore the feasibility of fusing MRI images into the image reconstruction process for improved soft tissue contrast.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Medical Physics (510502) 50%, Radiation Therapy (321110) 25%, Medical Devices (400308) 25%."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Catherine Itsiopoulos, Denise Jackson","title":"Identifying predictive biomarkers of thrombosis \u2013 the role of the fibrinolytic system","description":"Predicting the risks of thrombosis and bleeding remains a critical challenge in modern medicine. Conventional coagulation tests provide limited information, measuring only the start of clot formation, about 5% of the total process. To address this, global coagulation assays (GCAs) like the Calibrated Automated Thrombogram (CAT) and Overall Haemostatic Potential (OHP) have been proposed as more accurate measures of haemostatic function. CAT assesses thrombin generation, while OHP evaluates fibrin generation and clot lysis.\n\nPreliminary research highlights the potential of GCAs, especially in combination, to predict cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, as well as recurrent venous thrombosis in those with previous venous thromboembolism. It's also crucial to understand how cardiovascular risk factors and changes in these factors influence biomarkers. Evaluating disease and lifestyle biomarkers, such as the intake of anti-inflammatory diets high in omega-3 fatty acids, will be part of this project to identify important relationships.\n\nFibrinolysis has emerged as a key factor in these risk prediction models, warranting further investigation. Establishing reference intervals for these novel biomarkers is essential for clinicians and scientists to accurately diagnose abnormalities. This project aims to:\n\nDevelop normative range data for various GCAs across all age groups.\nEvaluate the relationship between biomarkers, cardiovascular disease, and risk factors, including lifestyle markers.\nRefine risk prediction models for bleeding and thrombosis using existing biobank data.\nImprove and standardize key GCA methods for future clinical use.\nFurther understand the coagulation pathway, particularly fibrinolysis, and its interaction with novel biomarkers like vaspin and extracellular vesicles involved in atherosclerosis and inflammation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"329999        Other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified\n400399        Biomedical engineering not elsewhere classified\n321003        Nutrigenomics and personalised nutrition\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Natalie Borg, Elena Ivanova (School of Science), Denver Linklater (School of Science), Graeme Moad (CSIRO), Ranya Simons (CSIRO)","title":"Developing and Investigating Antiviral Mechanisms of Nanostructured Surfaces against Broad Spectrum of Viral Species.","description":"Due to the recent pandemic, the development of nanostructured antiviral surfaces to combat surface respiratory virus transmission has been of great interest. In this project, we will test a range of mechano-responsive nanostructured nanomaterials that show potential to inactivate viruses. The proposed biomimetic antiviral surfaces are analogous to mechano-bactericidal nanostructured surfaces that have shown robust capability to rupture and kill bacterial cells. We will determine which nanopatterns (in terms of geometry, height, density, and aspect ratio) are the most effective in inactivating viruses viruses that are taxonomically related to SARS-CoV-2 including what known as the chicken\u2019s coronavirus, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and foodborne virus: transmissible gastroenteritis enteric virus (TGEV).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310702"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Guiying Nie","title":"Study human placental development and pregnancy health","description":"The placenta is a transient yet critical organ that develops during pregnancy to nourish and protect the conceptus. It functions as the gut, lung and kidney of the growing fetus while these crucial organs are still developing, hence optimal development and function of the placenta is critical to fetal growth and well-being. In addition, the placenta produces hormones and other factors to influence the physiology of the mother to sustain pregnancy. \r\n\r\nUnfortunately, if the placenta doesn\u2019t develop or function properly, the fetus will be inevitably affected, and pregnancy complications such as fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia arise. However, we don\u2019t know a lot about human placental development. \r\n\r\nThis project will study placental development in the human. The study will leverage human placental stem cells, trophoblast organoids, and placental explants to investigate key processes of trophoblast cell differentiation and function. This project will also explore early detection\/prediction of preeclampsia. \r\n\r\nThe study will utilize techniques such as mammalian cell culture, unique models, immunofluorescence, ELISA, real-time RT-PCR, and latest molecular biology approaches such as the CRISPR-CAS9 technology. The results will provide important insights into human placental development and pregnancy health.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310199\r\n321599"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Steven Bozinovski, Christian Aloe, Vipul Bansal\r\n\r\n","title":"Developing treatment strategies for silicosis, a deadly fibrotic lung disease. ","description":"Silicosis is an irreversible and fatal occupational fibrotic lung disease. The high demand for domestic kitchen benchtops fabricated from engineered stone\u2014typically with >90% silica content\u2014has seen a wave of accelerated silicosis cases occurring in workers exposed to large amounts of silica dust. Alarmingly, silicosis can emerge asymptomatically; and there are no effective treatments or biomarkers to diagnose patients at an early stage. Consequently, radiographic changes of \u2018simple\u2019 silicosis consisting of small lung nodules (<1 cm) can rapidly transition to a \u2018complicated\u2019 disease characterised by large fibrotic masses termed progressive massive fibrosis. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) that reside within the alveolar space are frontline cellular responders to inhaled respirable crystalline silica (RCS). We have worked closely with our clinical colleagues at Austin health to demonstrate that AMs alter their phenotype under the influence of excessive iron levels in silicosis patients. \r\n\r\nIn this project, the successful candidate will work with a multi-disciplinary team to develop novel blood biomarkers using a recently established silicosis blood biobank. Mass spectrometry and raman spectroscopy techniques will be used to quantify silicate in well-defined patient cohorts. Furthermore, pre-clinical silicosis models will be used to evaluate the efficacy of iron-chelators as a novel treatment for silicosis. A broad range of techniques including histology\/IHC, lung function physiology, RNA sequencing and flow cytometry will be applied to comprehensively understand how iron chelators work. Our ultimate goal is to develop a treatment that is ready for the clinic and capable of having a transformative impact on the lives of silicosis sufferers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103 Respiratory diseases (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Steven Bozinovski,  Jonathan McQualter, Hao Wang","title":"Unravelling the role of the liver-lung axis during secondary bacterial pneumonia","description":"It was estimated that the Spanish influenza pandemic caused over 50 million premature deaths. What is less appreciated is that most deaths were caused by secondary bacterial pneumonia (SBP), which causes excessive lung inflammation and injury that can manifest into fibrosis and respiratory failure. SBP refers to events where respiratory viruses damage the lung mucosa and compromise host immunity, leading to escape of nasal bacteria into the lower airways. There is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms that drive susceptibility to SBP and use this knowledge to develop new therapeutics to reduce lung inflammation and injury.\r\n\r\nThe host response to acute infection is complex where inflammatory cytokines produced in the lungs spill over into the circulation and stimulate liver hepatocytes to produce an array of acute phase reactants. An important acute phase reactant is serum amyloid A (SAA), which normally serves a protective role by acting as a bacterial opsonin and chemoattractant for blood leukocytes. We have preliminary evidence to show that SAA levels are markedly increased in a pre-clinical model of SBP. \r\n\r\nIn this project, you will investigate why SAA is excessively produced and whether this response remains protective or transitions into a pathogenic contributor to fibrosis and respiratory failure. You will investigate innovate strategies that target SAA (antibodies, nanomedicines) as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat SBP. You will work with a multidisciplinary team and develop high levels skills in RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, tissue\/bacterial culture, ELISA, pre-clinical mouse models and Western Blotting.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103\tRespiratory diseases (100%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ross Vlahos, Simone De Luca, Steve Bozinovski","title":"Utilising mouse organotypic brain slices to halt cognitive decline","description":"The global prevalence of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases is on the rise, posing a significant burden for individuals, families, communities, and health systems. The occurrence of premature brain ageing is rising, largely driven by lifestyle factors such as diet, physical inactivity as well as poor air quality, including cigarette smoke and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). Microglia play a vital role in monitoring and regulating the generation of neurons and synapses by balancing immature and mature dendritic spines to maintain normal cognition. As the brain ages, microglia transition from a surveillant state to an activated state, along with dysregulated phagocytosis resulting in the accumulation of neuronal debris and toxic protein aggregates. Such chronic microglial activation promotes neuronal and synaptic loss and eventual cognitive decline.\r\n\r\nDespite Australia having \u201csafe\u201d levels of air pollution; TRAP and cigarette smoke exposure can cause detrimental lung inflammation and can induce cognitive decline. It is thought that the lungs transmit signals from air pollutant-induced chronic pulmonary inflammation to microglia, leading to their hyper-activation in the brain, triggering cognitive decline. Finding the mechanism underlying this axis may suggest a pathway to halt premature ageing and preserve cognitive function in individuals exposed to environmental pollutants.\r\n\r\nThis project will use organotypic mouse brain tissue cultures and human microglial cells to investigate the mechanism by which lung inflammation induced by air pollutants drives hyper-activation of microglial cells. \r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will be trained in several experimental techniques which include cell culture, immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, ELISA and Western blotting.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320902 \r\n320103 "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos, Bobbi Fleiss, Anita Quigley School of Engineering","title":"Cerebral organoids: precision medicine tools for cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders ","description":"The processes occurring in the brain that lead to cerebral palsy (CP) are poorly understood and treatment is ineffective in preventing or repairing the brain injury that can occur. Babies born preterm or growth restricted are at greater risk of sustaining brain injury that can subsequently lead to the development of CP. Animal models of preterm brain injury have been established and the pathology of the brain injury has been well characterised. However, despite this there are no widely available treatments to prevent or correct the brain injury.\r\n \r\nBrain organoids created using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from people with autism, epilepsy, Parkinson, and Alzheimer\u2019s disease are being used to study mechanisms underpinning brain dysfunction, and to screen potential patient-specific therapies. Therefore, we will adopt this approach to study specific mechanisms associated with brain development and injury in CP. \r\n\r\nIn this project, for the first time, we will generate brain organoids using iPSCs derived from the blood of infants at high-risk of CP due to preterm birth (in collaboration with Prof Atul Malhotra, Early Neurodevelopment Clinic, Monash Children\u2019s Hospital). We will also generate brain organoids using commercially available iPSCs derived from individuals with no known brain disorder. Brain organoids will be grown, and we will study their structure and function to identify the neural mechanisms that may contribute to the development of CP, with the intention of establishing a tool for future therapeutic testing. Throughout this project you will learn fundamental molecular research techniques including cell culture, immunofluorescence, and microscopy.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310102 Regenerative Medicine (incl. stem cells) 35%\r\n320903 Central Nervous System 35%\r\n321501 Foetal development and medicine 30% "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stella Liong, Stavros Selemidis (45%), Ross Vlahos (10%)","title":"The viral origins of cardiovascular disease in women","description":"Cardiovascular health during pregnancy governs the future risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. Respiratory viral infections such as influenza A virus (IAV) can cause cardiovascular complications during pregnancy, which have so far been an under recognised contributing factor to CVD. Our research group has shown that a major IAV disease process during pregnancy is the development of a \u201cvascular storm\u201d, characterised by excessive vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. It is thought that the physiological changes in immunity and cardiovascular adaptations that occur during pregnancy drives this increased vulnerability to respiratory viral infections. Although the acute effects of gestational IAV infection on maternal health have been well characterised, the long-term effects, particularly on the cardiovascular system is poorly understood. Furthermore, therapeutic interventions that can control viral-induced cardiovascular events during pregnancy could improve future cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, classical antihypertensive drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy due to foetal toxicity. Thus, new therapeutics which are safe during pregnancy and can reverse maternal cardiovascular complications will represent a new paradigm in therapeutic interventions to prevent future CVD risk. One candidate drug is aspirin, which we have shown to prevent viral dissemination into the peripheral vasculature and reverse viral-induced endothelial dysfunction during the acute stage of the infection. The aim of this project is to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the cardiovascular system during gestational IAV infection and how they contribute to the development of CVD later in life. The PhD candidate will also assess the efficacy of aspirin treatment during gestational IAV infection to prevent CVD risk later in life. The PhD candidate will have opportunities to learn how to perform viral inoculations in vivo, generate hypertensive mouse models, flow cytometry, multiplex profiling, immune cell depletion, adoptive transfer, qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISAs, Western blots, fluorescence microscopy, histology, and wire myography.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103 Respiratory diseases\r\n320101 Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases)\r\n320211 Infectious diseases\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stella Liong, Stavros Selemidis (45%), Ross Vlahos (10%)","title":"Respiratory infections in early life","description":"Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to respiratory infections during early life is associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders including cognitive impairment and schizophrenia in the offspring. Our research has shown that influenza during pregnancy is associated with neurocognitive impairments that resemble schizophrenia in mice, despite no direct viral infection to the offspring. Studies have also shown that prenatal vaccination against influenza virus to protect against atypical offspring behaviour. Recently, the gut microbiota has been shown to impact healthy neurodevelopment in the offspring through immune and neuronal crosstalk with the brain. Studies have shown that respiratory viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can modify the gut microbiota even in the absence of detectable virus in the gut. However, not all children who contract respiratory viral infections go on to develop neurodevelopmental disorders later in life. This suggests that there may be a cohort of susceptible children who are most at-risk of developing neurocognitive impairment following early life viral exposure. This project aims to: 1) elucidate the role of common respiratory viral infections (IAV, RSV, rhinovirus) during early life and how that affects neurodevelopment by assessing behaviour and immunological and neurological parameters in the brain and gut of mice; and 2) determine whether exposure to viral infections in utero (first hit) increases susceptibility to early life virus induced (second hit) cognitive impairment in adulthood. This study will unravel the impact of common respiratory viral infections during early life on healthy neurodevelopment in adulthood. The PhD candidate will have opportunities to learn how to perform viral inoculations, behavioural assessment in mice, flow cytometry, multiplex profiling, immune cell depletion, adoptive transfer, microbiome analysis, qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISAs, Western blots, fluorescence microscopy, and histology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103 Respiratory diseases\r\n320211 Infectious diseases\r\n320999 Neurosciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Apriliana Kartikasari\nExternal supervisors:\r\nShekhar Kumpta (Northern Health Hospital)\r\nPrahlad Ho (Northern Health Hospital)","title":"Thrombosis and coagulation: an enigma","description":"Thrombosis leading to complications such as cardiovascular disease remains the largest Global cause of mortality and morbidity. A major challenge is the lack of effective personalized biomarkers to predict thrombosis risk. In this project at the Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology (TIN) Theme, well curated patient plasma biobanks with collaborators and co-supervisors at the Northern Experimental Centre for Thrombosis and Research (NECTAR) Centre, at Northern Health Hospital will be explored using the latest molecular technologies, (including but not restricted to epigenetics, molecular spectroscopy, genomics) to help address this gap.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310504 (40%)\n310109 (40%)\n329407 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dr Bobbi Fleiss, A\/Prof Mary Tolcos, Dr Alice Johnstone ","title":"Regeneration of the brain following neonatal stroke","description":"This project will increase our knowledge of how we can use bioengineered hydrogels to repair the brain after neonatal stroke and explore the innate abilities of a species with regenerative abilities to uncover novel avenues for improving on our therapeutic strategies. \n\nStudy 1. Efficacy of a delayed hydrogel therapy for treating neonatal stroke in the rat. Current work shows the efficacy of a hydrogel deposited into the core of the lesion at 24-hours post-injury.  The hydrogel is constructed of a laminin peptide backbone, functionalised with an anti-inflammatory seaweed (Fucoidan) and a cell death inhibitor isolated from the Funnel Web spider (Hi1a). Additional work is needed on the delivery of the hydrogel at 3-days and 7-days post-injury as the delayed time points are clinically relevant. \n \nStudy 2. Develop a model of neonatal stroke in the Spiny Mouse (SpM) to explore the innate regenerative abilities in this species.  Data from our lab in the adult SpM show remarkable abilities of these animals to repair adult brain injury, and other groups have reported similar findings in other organs from this species. \n\nStudy 3. Comparison of the responses of ex vivo glia in the rat and SpM. We know the brains can repair better in the SpM, we wish to explore how. We will use culture microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes from the rat and SpM neonates and adults. Using established paradigms for immune activation and injury ex vivo we will measure markers of immune activation and differentiation, and undertake RNAseq in groups of interest. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"26\/07\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320606        Regenerative medicine (incl. stem cells) (30%) ; 321302        Infant and child health (40%) ; 490502 Biostatistics (15%) ; 310202 Biological network analysis (15%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sarah J. Spencer, Elisa Hill, Blanca del Rosal Rabes. School of Science","title":"Visualising gut immune cells as a window into gut health","description":"Gastrointestinal (GI) macrophages are known to be essential for combatting GI pathogens, as well as regulating GI motility under healthy conditions. However, it is not clear if these roles differ at different developmental stages of life or under different disease conditions to affect the execution of these roles. Life-stage, diet, and disease-specific changes in GI macrophages may reveal important context-dependent targets for amplifying immune efficiency and optimising GI motility. Additionally, such context-dependent changes could also be used as a unique biomarker for GI health. Published data indicate that macrophages are highly autofluorescent and this natural autofluorescence (AFL) could be used to reveal GI immune changes without the need for additional dyes. We will therefore characterise immune cell profiles and autofluoresence at different life stages and under varying disease conditions.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320407 (50%); 320999 (50%); "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos","title":"A novel antenatal therapy to correct neurological deficits in fetal growth restriction.","description":"Fetal growth restriction (FGR) occurs in 5-10% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. FGR is defined as the failure of the fetus to reach its genetic growth potential and can occur when there is an inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus because of poor placental function. Surviving growth\u2013restricted babies can have abnormal brain development and an increased risk of learning difficulties, intellectual and cognitive deficits, motor deficits, cerebral palsy and autism. \n\nWe have identified a novel thyroid hormone analogue that can potentially repair brain injury and reduce the morbidity associated with FGR. The aim of this project is to determine whether antenatal treatment with a novel thyroid hormone analogue will repair brain injury and improve long-term neurobehavioural dysfunction following FGR.\n \nThis project will use a guinea pig model of FGR where we ligate the uterine artery at mid-pregnancy to restrict blood flow and nutrient supply to fetuses. Controls are generated from pregnancies where the uterine artery is not ligated. We will then treat dams (ligated and non-ligated) with either vehicle or the thyroid hormone analogue. The fetal brains will then be collected and assessed using histological, immunohistochemical and molecular techniques. Separate cohorts of offspring (control, FGR, treated, un-treated) will be grown to adolescence and assessed using a suite of neurobehavioral tests. By the end of their candidature students will have expertise in small animal surgery and handling, neurobehavioural assessment, tissue collection, processing and sectioning, histology, immunohistochemistry, qPCR, image analysis, data analysis, interpretation, statistics and scientific writing.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"329093 Central nervous system (50%) ; 321501 Foetal development and medicine (25%) ; 321301 Adolescent Health (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Paul Wright","title":"Evaluating the dietary safety of Australian native foods","description":"As interest in Australian native products continues to grow world-wide, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are striving to be industry leaders in the production of their traditional foods that are being developed for commercial markets. To successfully gain market approval both within Australia and globally, food regulatory authorities require at least a documented history of safe use to indicate dietary safety. Moreover, many countries also require compositional analysis and safety data to further support their safe human consumption. However, safety data is lacking for many of these traditional food items and the history that surrounds their safe use has rarely been recorded in written form, but rather passed on through cultural practices and language.\n\nFor this project, the PhD candidate will have a strong desire to build and maintain working relationships with appropriate Traditional-Owners (TOs). The project will involve undertaking original laboratory research to develop safety evidence to support the dietary safety for prioritised Australian native foods. This will include the preparation of food extracts, chemical compositional analysis and nutritional profiling, as well as in vitro toxicity and safety screening tests. While working in collaboration with the National Measurement Institute (NMI) and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), the candidate will gain a high level of expertise in chemical analysis, dietary safety assessments and food regulation. This project will further develop the evidence base on the dietary safety of Australian native foods that are currently being developed for commercial markets, whilst also supporting TOs to achieve their commercial endeavours.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/03\/2028","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111506 Toxicology (incl. Clinical Toxicology) (50%) ; 110403 Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medicine and Treatments (25%) ; 030502 Natural Products Chemistry (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Simone de Luca","title":"Targeting neuroinflammation to treat cigarette smoke- and viral- induced cognitive dysfunction.","description":"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; emphysema) is a debilitating disease characterised by progressive airflow limitation. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD, with an exaggerated airway and systemic inflammatory response 1. This inflammation leads to oxidative stress, small airway fibrosis and mucus hypersecretion. Moreover, individuals with COPD have an increased incidence viral and bacterial infections or environmental stresses (AECOPD). The average person with COPD will experience two exacerbations per year, with 10% of these episodes requiring hospitalisation and an increased in-patient mortality rate 2, 3. It is now recognised that COPD does not only involve inflammation in the lung, but rather a more complex, multi-component disease that extends to the brain, however, the precise mechanism of pathogenesis is largely unknown. We have recently shown that cigarette smoking exerts diverse effects on the central immune system by altering the profile of the brains immune cells, microglia and cognitive function in a cigarette smoke-exposed mouse model compared to unexposed mice 4-6. We propose that the increased inflammation and oxidative stress observed in cigarette smoke-exposed lungs \u2018spill over\u2019 into the brain. We hypothesise that this inflammation and oxidative stress alters microglia, thereby inducing cognitive impairments. The present project aims to investigate whether targeting microglia can improve COPD-induced cognitive outcomes. This project will use validated preclinical models of COPD and AECOPD, and will provide critical pre-clinical data to develop treatment strategies to prevent or slow down cognitive dysfunction caused by cigarette smoking.  This project involves an number of experimental techniques which include immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, ELISA and Western blotting.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320999 Neurosciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rosita Zakaria, Ronda Greaves","title":"The link between breast milk vitamin D levels and the risk of acute respiratory infection in the first year of life.","description":"National data shows that a fifth of Indigenous infants born in the Northern Territory is hospitalised with an acute lower respiratory infection during their first year of life. Several international studies have reported an inverse relationship between cord blood vitamin D levels and infant respiratory infection. \nVitamin D's key role in Calcium absorption and bone mineralization is well described. Also, Vitamin D is required for innate and adaptive immune responses. These may be particularly important in the respiratory tract of the developing infant and perhaps relevant to the relationship between breast milk vitamin D levels and the risk of respiratory infection. Neonates and breastfed infants rely almost exclusively on maternal vitamin D. According to national population surveys, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in Australia ranges between 10-80% in different regions and races. Breast milk is an emerging matrix for vitamin D assessment of breastfed infants and their mothers. It is considered a more reliable indicator of infant intake than the assessment of maternal circulating vitamin D. \nThe aims of this proposed study are to investigate the presence of vitamin D metabolites in the breastmilk, quantify vitamin D levels, and determine whether breastmilk vitamin D correlate with the risk of acute respiratory infection in early infancy.\nHere is the list of research questions; \n1. Which vitamin D metabolites are present in breast milk?\n2. What is the optimum analytical procedure for the measurement of vitamin D metabolites in breast milk?\n3. Do vitamin D metabolites in breast milk correlate with infant\/cord blood\/maternal plasma vitamin D levels?\n4. What are the common decision limits for breast milk vitamin D?\n5. Is breast milk vitamin D level clinically significant?\n6. Is breast milk vitamin D correlated with the risk of acute respiratory infection in the first year of life? \nThe clinical samples will be sourced by external collaborators, and laboratory practices & analyses will be mainly supported by RMIT.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"3205, Medical biochemistry and metabolomics (70%) ; 3213, Paediatrics (20%) ; 4202, Epidemiology (& Biostatistics, 10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stanley Chan","title":"Understanding the \u201cobesity paradox\u201d in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)","description":"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is currently the 3rd largest cause of death in the world. COPD costs the Australian community over $8.8 billion per year and causes substantial morbidity and mortality1. Patients with COPD often suffer from cardiometabolic comorbidities, which increases their risk of death and reduces quality of life2. Prevention\/ reversal of cardiometabolic comorbidities not only is a primary goal in COPD treatment, but also would increase quality of life and survival in these patients2. \nDespite the renowned health risk in the general population, the unusual observation that overweight\/obesity may confer survival benefits in populations with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has given rise to the enigmatic term obesity paradox3.\n\nAdipose tissue functions as a lipid storage depot and plays an active role in cardiovascular health. This tissue may become dysfunctional during the development of COPD2,5, regardless of body weight changes6,7, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Meanwhile, emerging evidence from our laboratory suggests that adipose tissue dysfunction may worsen respiratory outcomes. This highlights that adipose tissue dysfunction and the increased risk of CVD may be present in COPD patients with or without weight issues.\n\nCVD is a common comorbidity in COPD and a major cause of death, and requires specific treatment8. However, CVD risk is often not described in studies of the obesity paradox9. Moreover, CVD in COPD is often underdiagnosis, particularly in the normal\/underweight populations2 resulting in patients receiving no treatment or incorrect treatment8. Despite the recognised association between adipose tissue dysfunction and CVD2, the cause of adipose tissue dysfunction in COPD remains poorly understood. Our preliminary data demonstrate increased levels of oxidative stress in dysfunctional adipose tissue of CS-exposed mice.\n\nThe aim of this project is to investigate whether adipose tissue dysfunction may be responsible for the obesity paradox in COPD. The student will learn several skills including in vivo disease models, laboratory analytical techniques including proteomic array, quantitative PCR, microscopy, histology, ELISA and Western blotting.\n ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320803 Systems physiology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos","title":"Unravelling the potential for mammalian brain regeneration ","description":"Humans, like most mammals, have limited capacity to regenerate tissue after injuries and damage, and this is especially evident in the central nervous system. On the other hand, species such as salamanders and axolotls can repair their brains and other organs, even after substantial damage, showing how evolutionarily divergent they are from us. This limitation in the ability of the human, or mammalian, brain to repair itself has severe consequences for individuals with traumatic brain injury, stroke and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease, each of which irreversibly damage the adult brain, without the potential for recovery. \n\nHowever, enhanced tissue repair capabilities have been discovered in a unique species of mouse, and our preliminary evidence suggest these capacities extend to the brain. This game-changing discovery is an unprecedented opportunity to study how this mammal achieves such remarkable neurological recovery while others, like us humans, simply cannot. Such a discovery has the potential to uncover novel targets that can then be exploited to repair damaged brain tissue in humans.  \n\nThis project provides an enthusiastic and highly motivated student with an interest in neuroscience and regeneration the opportunity to contribute to our world first discovery. The outcomes of this project will extend our understanding the basic cellular, genetic and functional responses that allow the brain of this species of mouse to repair itself. The student will join a team of researchers including post-doctoral fellows, research assistants and HDR students, and will therefore be well supported.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320903 Central nervous system (40%) ; 320606 Regenerative Medicine (40%) ; 320905 Neurology and neuromuscular disease (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Srinivasa Reddy Telukutla","title":"Gold-based drugs for the effective treatment of ovarian cancer","description":"Current treatments for ovarian cancer are largely toxic, and ultimately, ineffective for many patients. A current collaboration between Distinguished Professor Plebanski (Health & Biomedical Sciences) and Distinguished Professor Bhargava (Science) seeks to enable clinical progression for their novel class of gold-based drugs that show superior selectivity and activity for otherwise drug-resistant cancer cells, for the treatment of ovarian cancer (Mirzadeh et al., 2021, DOI: 10.1093\/mtomcs\/mfab039). As part of Professor Plebanski\u2019s team, the PhD candidates will contribute to determining the in vitro efficacy in ovarian cancer cell lines, organoids as well as immune cells from mice and humans. The lead drug candidates will be tested in a novel immunocompetent ovarian cancer animal model; a mouse model created by Professor Plebanski and Dr Andrew Stephens (Hudson Institute) whereby fluorescent labelling of cancer cells allow for real-time study of cancer growth and treatment (Wilson et al., 2018, DOI: 10.3390\/cancers11010032). Efficacy of the gold-compounds will be analysed by advanced live in-vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry. Testing in cancer organoids may further involve international collaborators at Bristol University, United Kingdom and\/or the Hudson Institute, who are leaders in the development of innovate organoids for cancer research. We are also interested in investigating the potential of gold-based drugs to modulate immune responses and thereby effectively contribute to cancer treatment. The preferred PhD candidates will have completed an Honours or Masters degree in immunology, pharmacology, biotechnology, molecular biology or related disciplines. Animal handling experience preferable. Two positions available.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340401 Biologically Active Molecules (25%)\r\n111502 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (25%)\r\n320409 Tumor immunology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos","title":"What shapes our brain? Understanding the processes that drive cortical folding","description":"The outermost layer of the brain, the cerebral cortex, is involved in higher-order functions such as cognition, language, and information processing. Growth and expansion of the cerebral cortex is considered an evolutionary modification of Mammalia and underlies the emergence of intelligence. One fundamental feature accompanying the growth of the cortex is the onset of surface folding, or gyrification - sulci (inward folds) and gyri (outward folds) increase the surface area relative to brain volume and define gross anatomical landmarks on the surface of the brain. The brain of humans and other higher-order mammals is structurally unique, with the cortical folding pattern being unique to the individual, somewhat like a fingerprint. We now have a clear understanding of when and where cortical folds occurs, but we do not fully understand what the basic mechanisms are that drive this process of gyrification. \n The overall aim of this project is to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that drive the complex process of gyrification in the brain. The specific aims are:\n 1. To identify the cellular and molecular drivers of cortical folding during brain development.\n 2. To develop an ex vivo model system for studying cortical folding and brain development.\n 3. To validate key genetic drivers of cortical folding using in vivo and ex vivo model systems\n Students will gain expertise in a range of techniques that may include magnetic resonance imaging and analysis, RNA sequencing, qPCR, organotypic slice culture, gene transfection, in utero electroporation, immunohistochemistry, image analysis, data analysis, statistics and scientific writing.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320903 Central nervous system (70%)\n 310102 Cell development, proliferation and death (20%)\n 310105 Cellular interactions (incl. adhesion, matrix, cell wall) (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nie Guiying","title":"Molecular understanding of endometrial epithelial cells for fertility treatment ","description":"Embryo implantation is a crucial step in initiating pregnancy, yet implantation failure occurs frequently and is a bottleneck in IVF treatment to overcome infertility. The endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) acts as \u201cfertile soil\u201d for the embryo to implant and grow, and during the implantation process the luminal epithelial (LE) and glandular epithelial (GE) cells of the endometrium exert different functions. However, research in the field has largely overlooked the difference between LE and GE, and to date it is not well understood how these two epithelial cell types differ in general and when remodeling for embryo implantation.\r\n\r\nEndometriosis is a chronic and painful condition, affecting ~176 million women worldwide. It is characterized by growth of endometrial-like cells (including endometrial epithelial cells) outside the uterus. On top of incapacitating pain, endometriosis is often associated with implantation failure and infertility, however, the underlying causes are not well understood.\r\n\r\nThis project will investigate the molecular characteristics of endometrial epithelia cells. It will first characterize LE and GE specific endometrial epithelial cells in women without endometriosis using human endometrial organoids and other techniques, and further investigate how they remodel differently in preparation for embryo implantation. The study will then investigate these two endometrial epithelial cell types in women with endometriosis. This project will provide new fundamental knowledge with translation potential for treatment of fertility. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310199 Biochemistry and cell biology not elsewhere classified (50%) \t\r\n321599 Reproductive medicine not elsewhere classified (50%)\t\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dr Natalie Borg, Prof. Stavros Selemidis, Dr Kylie Quinn","title":"The Mental Health Impact of Childhood SARS-CoV-2","description":"SARS-CoV-2 can cause cognitive and mental health damage in adults that lasts at least months after the initial infection. However, the potential for a long-term impact of the virus on children has been largely ignored. Children have proven highly resilient to the cardiorespiratory effects of COVID-19, which may be due to differences in their expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor by which the virus enters the host cell. These same differences in ACE2 distribution may make children highly vulnerable to cognitive and mental health effects of COVID-19 even in the absence of overt sickness. SARS-CoV-2 inhibits ACE2 when it enters the host cell. Our preliminary data show that just a single event of ACE2 inhibition in juvenile (23-day-old) rats leads to lasting anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour that persists into adulthood, and a long-term downregulation of neuronal and glial genes, particularly in the emotion-processing brain region, the amygdala. In this project we will develop this model to assess the effects of ACE2 inhibition across the lifespan, examining postnatal and adolescent-equivalent life stages in rats. We hypothesize that the long-term affective and cognitive damage associated with COVID-19 will be worse the younger it occurs. We will also investigate inhibition of transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), an additional host protein required for SARS-CoV2 entry that is currently being considered as a target to protect against COVID-19. Our study will reveal the potential for COVID-19 to have a critical impact on children, even in the absence of cardiorespiratory symptoms. It will change the conversation on healthcare approaches to children in this pandemic, highlighting the need for preventative and protective measures that consider children as a priority (e.g. vaccines, masking, air filtering). It will also provide crucial guidance on the child-specific risks of using ACE2- and TMPRSS2-inhibitors to treat COVID-19.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310114 = 33%\r\n320903 = 34%\r\n321302 = 33%\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisa Hill","title":"\u200bMicrobial metabolites: effects on inflammation pathways and behaviour in autism.","description":"Autism is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by stereotypical repetitive behaviours and deficits in social interaction and communication. In addition, children with ASD often experience gastrointestinal (GI) problems such as chronic constipation, pain, and diarrhoea that are more frequent and more severe than developmentally normal children. Gastrointestinal symptoms have been correlated to the severity of core ASD behavioural traits.\rSeveral gene mutations are associated with ASD. Many of these mutations alter the connections between neurons and subtly change nervous system function. Like the brain, the gut has an intrinsic network of neurons known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS regulates gut function, including motility, permeability and secretion. It is becoming increasingly clear that gut function is also influenced by the microbial community and metabolites produced inside the GI tract and that modify mood and behaviour via the gut-brain-microbiota axis may provide new therapeutic targets for treating neurodevelopmental disorders.\rObjectives: Elucidate the effects of gut microbial metabolites on: i) neuroinflammation pathways, neurodevelopment and behavior, and ii) GI inflammation and function in mouse models of autism.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"1\/1\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation;","forcodes":"110901 Autonomic nervous system\r060603 Animal physiology - systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geo","title":"A comprehensive study on radiosensitizer nanoparticles in X-ray brachytherapy and charged particle irradiation of brain cancer using Monte Carlo simulation, coupled with radiobiological validations","description":"This project aims:\n To set up a Monte Carlo simulation unit to investigate at the levels of dose enhancements produced by the presence of nanoparticles in radiation targets. Various nanoparticles will be included in this study such as gold, Iodine, Titanium dioxide  and Iridium. It will also broaden the research into various types and energy levels of radiations (x-rays, electrons, and protons). Further research will be done into the effects of particle size.\n Validation of the simulation results using phantoms and\/or in vitro research.\n Investigations on the influence of different dose rate beams on simulation and experimental results, including FLASH levels where dose rates exceed 40 Gy\/sec.\nThorough investigation, including both simulation and experimental studies, to determine the dose outside the fields and the associated detrimental effects on organs at risk during radiotherapy treatments. \nIntroducing an optimal treatment approach for irradiation of brain cancer using radiosensitizer agents.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5105502"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kristine Martin-McDonald","title":"Addressing adherence to nursing clinical prerequisites: Critical Action Research","description":"Australia, consistent with the global challenge, is facing a serious nursing shortfall of registered nurses. Health Workforce Australia (2014) predicted a shortfall of 85,000 nurses by 2025 and 123,000 by 2030. Given how the pandemic has exacerbated the nursing workforce crisis through high attrition rates, these projections would seem extremely conservative. At the undergraduate education level of nursing, students may not adhere to compulsory Work Integrated Learning (WIL) requirements such as vaccination and documentation deadlines. As a consequent students fail their first placement before they even begin. Progression in the program is delayed for up to a year, potentially causing emotional and financial stress. Alarmingly, this delay may increase the attrition from the course, thereby reducing the number of graduate nurses. Non-adherence also impacts the quality and availability of clinical placements, which are finite and difficult to source and last minute cancellations are damaging to the university's reputation. This PhD project aims to investigate the factors that influence the completion of prerequisite WIL requirements by first year Bachelor of Nursing students using critical action research to design, implement and evaluate interventions to enhance WIL adherence and provide best practice recommendations. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"393901 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Sophia Xenos, Kristine Martin-McDonald","title":"Enablers and barriers to the smooth progression through the BN Program in Australia: An Action Research Project","description":"With a worldwide shortage of nurses, the Australian Government is providing incentives to increase the number of nursing students in the hope of boasting the future workforce. However, many nursing students are not progressing through their Bachelor of Nursing (BN) course due to not meeting Work-integrated Learning Passport deadlines and therefore failing their first placement before they even begin. Failure to meet WIL passport deadlines amongst first-year undergraduate BN nurses is on the increase causing emotional and financial distress to students and staff.\r\nThe result is a delay in the student's progression for between six and twelve months with a high possibility of attrition in the first year of study.  The impact is also felt in hospitals and universities as clinical placements are increasingly difficult to source, with last-minute cancellations affecting the reputation of the university. The aim of this Ph.D. project is to find out the enablers and barriers to pre-placement Passport compliance using Action Research to propose possible interventions and make recommendations for future practice and protocols.  The interventions will be on an individual and systems level. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"20 Health; 2003 Provision of Health and Support Services; 200307 Nursing"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Leanne Sheeran","title":"Improving perinatal care: Towards integration of maternal health,  child development and mental health.","description":"In this project, you will focus on exploring and identifying factors contributing to a community based universal integrated perinatal care system.  Maternal,  Child and Family Health Nurses serve a diverse population in Australia with assessments and interventions provided within a community-based model of care. Unanswered questions about how integrated services can be better delivered in the community and evidence of factors that could contribute to scaling up interventions in special populations and settings in the community still need to addressed. Further, the feasibility and acceptability of interventions for women and their families need investigation to suggest better ways to tackle common early parenting concerns, including perinatal mental health conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420504 Mental health nursing 30%\n420505 Nursing workforce 30%\n420599 Nursing not elsewhere classified 40%\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Sonja Cleary","title":"Implementation of OSCE in health professional education.","description":"Incorporating Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) into the curriculum is becoming a valuable and acceptable tool to assess students' clinical competencies. The OSCE was introduced in medical education but has been introduced into many other health disciplines. The purpose of this project is to explore and identify factors contributing to the implementation of OSCE for undergraduate health education. Further, an exploration of the potential of OSCE to assess communication, interpersonal and student development needs will be considered to enhance the partnership between education and practice. \n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390110 Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy 100%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Sonja Cleary, Sophia Xenos","title":"Embedding WIL into health education and pathways for career readiness.","description":"Embedding WIL into health education and pathways for career readiness. \nEmbedding work-integrated learning (WIL) experience in undergraduate education has been increasingly emphasised to advance and enhance undergraduate students' employability.  With the changing demography of universities after covid and the growing popularity of vocational education in Australia, this study will explore and identify factors contributing to successful WIL programs within the undergraduate health program and suggest ways on how this could be enhanced, especially strategies that are needed to connect between High Education and Vocational Education to position pathway and international students well in the competitive employment market. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420599 Nursing not elsewhere classified 30%\n420505 Nursing workforce 20%\n390110 Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy 50%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang","title":"Relationship between prescribing and clinical, humanistic, and functional outcomes in older hospitalized patients","description":"The aging population presents a significant challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. With an increasing number of older adults requiring hospitalization, there is a growing need to understand the complex interplay between prescription medications and the outcomes experienced by these patients. \r\n\r\nCurrent literature has primarily focused on individual aspects of medication use or specific disease states, often overlooking the intricate relationships between prescribing patterns and the overall well-being of older patients during their hospital stays. To address this research gap, this PhD study seeks to investigate the connections between medication prescribing, clinical outcomes (such as disease management and adverse events), humanistic outcomes (including quality of life and patient satisfaction), and functional outcomes (such as physical and cognitive functioning) in older adults admitted to hospitals.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420301\tAged health care (40%)\r\n420314\tMultimorbidity (30%)\r\n420319\tPrimary health care (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Julie Stevens, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Effects of medicines and falls risk in aged care","description":"Falls and fractures are common in the aged care setting. Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, has been identified as a risk factor for falls in older people. Falls can lead to a cascade of physical, psychological, and socioeconomic consequences, significantly affecting the quality of life for older people. Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older people.\r\n\r\nThis project will involve four specific objectives\r\n1. Systematic Review on the Impact of Medicines on Falls in Aged Care\r\n2. Prospectively analyze the occurrence of postprandial hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, and their association with falls risk\r\n3. Investigate the risk of falls and mortality associated with the use of hypertensive medications \r\n4. Investigate the potential association between Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs), hypotension, and falls risk","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420301\tAged health care (40%)\r\n420314\tMultimorbidity (30%)\r\n420319\tPrimary health care (30%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR236\/MR236","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Evaluating AI-Assisted Feedback in University Education Using ChatGPT","description":"The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has led to the development of tools that support students\u2019 learning processes. One such tool is a customised GPT, a generative AI model designed to assist students in essay writing. Unlike traditional AI-based tools that provide direct answers or complete essays, this version of GPT offers structured, rubric-based feedback. It highlights strengths and areas for improvement, aiming to enhance students' writing skills while maintaining academic integrity.\r\n\r\nDespite the potential benefits of AI-assisted feedback, its effectiveness, perceived fairness, and impact on students\u2019 learning remain underexplored. This project seeks to assess students\u2019 perceptions of AI-generated feedback, focusing on its quality, usefulness, and role in improving writing skills. By evaluating the tool\u2019s performance across disciplines and institutions, the research will contribute to the broader discussion on AI\u2019s role in higher education feedback mechanisms.\r\n\r\nThe specific objectives are:\r\n\r\n1. Conduct a systematic review on existing AI-powered educational tools used for student assessment, writing assistance, and feedback generation.\r\n\r\n2. Design and develop a customized ChatGPT model that provides structured feedback based on grading rubrics. The student will conduct usability testing with students to assess its functionality and user experience. They will also compare the AI-generated feedback with traditional human feedback to evaluate accuracy, clarity, and fairness.\r\n\r\n3. Implement the ChatGPT feedback tool in pharmacy courses where students engage in written assignments. The student will collect survey and interview data to understand pharmacy students\u2019 perceptions of the tool\u2019s effectiveness and impact on their writing skills. They will also assess whether AI-generated feedback meets the specific needs of students in professional and technical disciplines like pharmacy.\r\n\r\n4. Conduct a Delphi study involving key stakeholders, including Students (users of the tool); Educators (those who provide traditional feedback); Assessment specialists (experts in grading and rubric-based feedback) and AI ethics researchers (ensuring fairness, bias mitigation, and transparency). The student will engage experts in multiple Delphi rounds to refine the AI tool\u2019s feedback structure, ensuring its alignment with best practices in education. They will then develop a set of guidelines for implementing AI-generated feedback in university education.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390110 - Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy (30%)\r\n390402 - Education assessment and evaluation (50%)\r\n420302 - Digital health (20%)\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thilini Thrimawithana, Leila Karimi, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Improving well-being and job satisfaction of pharmacists","description":"Work-related stress among pharmacists has been recognized as a considerable concern with serious implications for both pharmacists\u2019 well-being and their job satisfaction. It has been recognized that healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, suffer from high levels of stress, with almost 60% of all Australian pharmacists' stressors being related to workplace issues.  \r\n\r\nOur previous research highlighted the negative impact of workload on pharmacists' job satisfaction, and well-being (1). Additionally, we found that job satisfaction correlated directly to pharmacists\u2019 well-being. Coping mechanisms used by pharmacists range from adaptive strategies such as seeking social support, engaging in physical exercise, employing stress management techniques, to maladaptive methods like social withdrawal or substance use. Although, various studies have reported on coping mechanisms, limited research explore the role of these coping mechanisms in reducing work-related stress level or enhancing well-being in an interventional study.\r\nThis PhD proposal aims first to implement targeted coping strategies tailored to the unique stressors faced by pharmacists and secondly to evaluate their impact on well-being, and job satisfaction of pharmacists. This area of study aims to create supportive environments within pharmacy settings, empowering pharmacists to manage stress more effectively and fostering a healthier and more resilient workforce.\r\n\r\nReference:\r\nShahin W, Issa S, Jadooe M, Shmoae M, Yelegin M, Selvarajah S, Stupans I, Dunkley K, Thrimawithana T. Coping mechanisms used by pharmacists to deal with stress, what is helpful and what is harmful? Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Mar;9:100205. doi: 10.1016\/j.rcsop.2022.100205. Epub 2022 Dec 5. PMID: 36506648; PMCID: PMC9719933.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350507\r\n321403"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thilini Thrimawithana, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Enhancing safe use of complementary and alternative medicines","description":"Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs) are widely used by the public presenting both opportunities and challenges for consumer safety. Pharmacists, as frontline healthcare professionals, are pivotal in ensuring the safe use of CAMs. Responsibilities of pharmacists in enhancing safe use of CAMs include provision of consumer education, collaboration with other healthcare professionals to optimise care and reporting of adverse events associated with CAMs (1). However, our pilot studies have indicated that despite pharmacies being the primary source of CAMs, consultations with pharmacists regarding CAM safety were infrequent. Many consumers obtain CAM related information from web resources and general practitioners rather than pharmacists.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding the challenges and barriers in pharmacist-consumer interactions concerning CAMs is important. While existing literature has shed light on CAMs' safety and their potential interactions with conventional medications, a significant gap persists in safe use of CAMs.\r\n\r\nTherefore, this project is designed to comprehensively evaluate the role and challenges faced by pharmacists when advising consumers on safe CAMs usage and to develop targeted intervention strategies aimed at enhancing safe use of CAMs. \r\n\r\n1)\tUng COL, Harnett J, Hu H. Community pharmacist's responsibilities with regards to traditional medicine\/complementary medicine products: a systematic literature review. Res Soc Adm Pharm. 2017;13(4):686\u2013716. doi: 10.1016\/j.sapharm.2016.08.001. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420899 - Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine not elsewhere classified\r\n420317 - Patient safety\r\n321403 - Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ayman Allahham, Barbora de Courten, Thilini Thrimawithana","title":"Developing a novel formulation of carnosine with enhanced permeability","description":"Carnosine is a dipeptide which is available naturally in meat products. Carnosine is gaining popularity due to many studies that associate it with principally with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiglycation, anticarbonylation, calcium-regulatory, immunomodulatory and chelating properties and to the general human health (1) and to improve the control of glucose for diabetic patients (2).\r\nCurrent available products for carnosine are formulated in capsules, tablets or as powder in an L-carnosine or zinc carnosine. Carnosine, as a small peptide, demonstrate short blood half-life due to their susceptibility to enzyme cleavage and rapid renal clearance. Carnosine degrades significantly due to the encounter enzymes in the blood circulation in the blood circulation (3). Therefore, there is a need to formulate carnosine in a matrix that can provide extended protection with enhanced bioavailability (4, 5). A recent review by a group of researchers have reviewed the new formulations of carnosine and its derivative\/modification and their mode of action concluding that these a need to translate these studies to clinical practice (4). One of effective formulation strategies to reduce the renal clearance and to extend the stability of peptides in the circulation is conjugate them with polymers (6).\r\nTherefore, the aim of this project is to develop a new formulation of carnosine-polymer conjugate which can enhance its permeability and possibly can extend the bioavailability of carnosine in the blood circulation. The project aims to compare between the developed formulation and the current commercially available oral formulations in terms of in vitro dissolution, permeability and stability. The project will involve a validated method to analyse carnosine in all formulations as well as in vitro assessment of the dissolution and permeability profile of carnosine from these formulations. \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tCesak O, Vostalova J, Vidlar A, Bastlova P, Student JV. Carnosine and Beta-Alanine Supplementation in Human Medicine: Narrative Review and Critical Assessment. Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1770.\r\n2.\tCarnosine supplementation improves glucose control in adults with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial. Obesity, fitness, & wellness week. 2023:38.\r\n3.\tLi H, Wang D, Li S, Liu B, Gao L. Sustained Release of BSA from a Novel Drug Delivery Matrix - Bullfrog Skin Collagen Film. Macromolecular bioscience. 2004;4(4):454-7.\r\n4.\tBonaccorso A, Privitera A, Grasso M, Salamone S, Carbone C, Pignatello R, et al. The Therapeutic Potential of Novel Carnosine Formulations: Perspectives for Drug Development. Pharmaceuticals. 2023;16(6):778.\r\n5.\tGrasso M, Caruso G, Godos J, Bonaccorso A, Carbone C, Castellano S, et al. Improving Cognition with Nutraceuticals Targeting TGF-\u03b21 Signaling. Antioxidants. 2021;10(7):1075.\r\n6.\tWijesinghe A, Kumari S, Booth V. Conjugates for use in peptide therapeutics: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one. 2022;17(3):e0255753-e.\r\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"321004\tNutritional science\r\n321404\tPharmaceutical delivery technologies\r\n321405\tPharmaceutical sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim, Barbora de Courten, Julie Stevens","title":"Improving post-discharge medication adherence in CALD patients with cardiovascular diseases","description":"Australia is a culturally diverse country with 30% of the population were born overseas. Significant health disparities in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population groups exist compared with the rest of the population, in particular for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. It has been shown that CALD patients with heart failure have an increased risk of rehospitalisation and emergency department (ED) admission. \r\n\r\nPharmacists play a critical role in improving medication adherence and literacy. Pharmacist-led interventions in transitional care have been shown to have a positive impact in reducing inpatient readmissions and ED visits. However, there is a lack of culturally appropriate pharmacist-led intervention to improve medication adherence post discharge for CALD population groups.\r\n\r\nThis project has three aims. The first aim is to investigate the differences in readmission and ED visit 30 days post discharge between CALD and non-CALD patients who received acute hospital care due to stroke, heart failure and myocardial infarctio . The second aim is to co-develop pharmacist-led education tools and post-discharge pharmacy services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients who were discharged following admission after acute cardiovascular events. The third aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of this pharmacist-led education and follow-up service in promoting medication adherence and reducing readmission and ED visits in CALD population groups. This proposed clinical study will benefit the CALD community by empowering the participants to better manage their own health. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321403 Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice (60%)\r\n420603 Health promotion (20%)\r\n420605 Preventative health care (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"PIH - Preventative and Integrative Health","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang","title":"End-user acceptance of an electronic prescription pilot software for dental practitioners in Australia","description":"Background\nIn Australia, approximately 1.1 million prescriptions were dispensed in 2020. Historically, prescriptions were issued using the paper-based medium. However, electronic prescribing has been introduced to help patients to get medications more conveniently and reducing errors that may occur during the transition between prescribers to pharmacists. Currently, the dental profession has not adopted this initiative. This research will aim to assess the end-user acceptance of an electronic prescription pilot software for dental practitioners in Australia. \n\nThere will be four broad overarching objectives: \n\nObjective 1: To investigate the existing literature on electronic dental prescribing in Australia and Internationally.\n\u2022        Methodology - Utilising the PRISMA checklist, a systematic review\/meta-analysis will be undertaken to assess the current situation in electronic dental prescribing. \n\nObjective 2: To assess the current issues that extend to dental prescribing in Australia. \n\u2022        Methodology - Using the CHERRIES checklist, a web-based survey will be conducted to assess the current issues that extend to dental prescribing amongst dental practitioners and consumers. This will lay a foundation for the extent of the problems that stem from adopting electronic prescribing. \n\nObjective 3: To determine the factors required to develop a novel dental prescription software.\n\u2022        Methodology - Using the COREQ checklist, a focus group will be conducted to create a foundation for the novel software used for dental prescribing.\n\nObjective 4: To develop a novel software for dental prescribing.\n\u2022        Methodology - Using a pre-test and post-test methodology. A developed novel describing software will be utilised amongst the ten dental practitioners (prescribing end) and the ten pharmacists (dispensing end). Training will be provided, and it will be implemented for four weeks for them to adapt. Then, a survey will be conducted to determine their acceptance. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (50%)\r\n420308 Health informatics and information systems (25%)\r\n320399 Dentistry not elsewhere classified (25%)\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"PIH - Preventative and Integrative Health","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Barbora deCourten, Associate Supervisor, 30%; Julie Stevens, Associate Supervisor, 30% ; Senior supervisor: Dr Chiao Xin Lim, 40%","title":"Improving post-discharge medication adherence and safety for culturally and linguistically diverse patients with cardiovascular diseases","description":"Australia is a culturally diverse country with 30% of the population were born overseas. Significant health disparities in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population groups exist compared with the rest of the population, in particular for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. This is further complicated by a documented understanding that their cultural beliefs, religious\/spiritual beliefs, negative illness perception and low health literacy can all impact on their overall health management leading to poorer health outcomes. It has been shown that CALD patients with heart failure have an increased risk of rehospitalisation and emergency department (ED) admission.\r\n\r\nPharmacists play a critical role in improving medication adherence and literacy. Pharmacist-led interventions in transitional care have been shown to have a positive impact in reducing inpatient readmissions and ED visits. However, there is a lack of culturally appropriate pharmacist-led intervention to improve medication adherence post discharge for CALD population groups.\r\n\r\nThis project has three aims. The first aim is to investigate the differences in readmission and ED visit 30 days post discharge between CALD and non-CALD patients who received acute hospital care due to acute cardiovascular events. The second aim is to co-develop pharmacist-led education tools and post-discharge pharmacy services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients who were discharged following admission after acute cardiovascular events. The third aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of this pharmacist-led education and follow-up service in promoting medication adherence and reducing readmission and ED visits in CALD population groups. This proposed clinical study will benefit the CALD community by empowering the participants to better manage their own health.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice 321403 (60%)\r\nHealth promotion 420603 (20%)\r\nPreventative health care 420605 (20%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulosc, Bruno Schivinski, Nalin Aranchchilage ","title":"Understanding and Addressing Behavioral Addictions: The Role of Technology in the Modern Digital Era","description":"Behavioral addiction, traditionally linked to substance abuse, now includes problematic behaviors such as excessive gaming, gambling, and other online activities. However, poor conceptualization has led to debates about theoretical models and a risk of over-pathologizing common behaviors. This research seeks to clarify the symptomatic structure of behavioral addictions, track their development over time, and explore how modern technology influences these addictions. The study will utilize advanced statistical analyses to understand these patterns, offering insights into how technology both exacerbates and potentially mitigates addictive behaviors. The findings will inform future diagnostic criteria, evidence-based interventions, and psychoeducation initiatives, with a focus on the intersection of digital media use and behavioral addiction. A 90-day internship with CatholicCare Victoria will provide practical application of the research, bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world impact. By advancing the conceptualization of behavioral addictions, this research aims to enhance clinical practices and support public health initiatives in managing and preventing addiction in the digital age.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulosc, Bruno Schivinski, Nalin Aranchchilage ","title":"Examining the Impact of Digital Media Use Patterns on Teen Brain Development and Cognitive Functioning ","description":"Background: With the increasing use of digital media among teenagers, varying patterns of use are shaping their brain development and cognitive processes. This project seeks to investigate how different digital media habits influence the psychological and neurological development of teens, drawing on data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.\n\nAims: The primary aim of this study is to understand the psychological effects of digital media use on brain development and cognitive functioning in teenagers. By analyzing data from the ABCD study, the research will identify key psychological and neurological factors that are influenced by digital media use patterns, offering deeper insights into this growing area of concern.\n\nMethods: The study will employ advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to analyze the ABCD data, focusing on how different digital media use patterns are associated with changes in brain structure, cognitive abilities, and psychological development. The research will specifically examine the impact of these use patterns on areas of the brain linked to cognition and behavior.\n\nSignificance: This research will inform the development of psychological interventions and strategies aimed at fostering healthier digital media habits and supporting optimal brain and cognitive development in teenagers. By addressing a critical issue in developmental psychology, this study seeks to contribute valuable knowledge and practical applications. Additionally, a 90-day internship with CatholicCare Victoria will provide an opportunity to apply these findings in a real-world context, ensuring that the research has direct benefits for the community.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226\/MR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling","title":"Exploring Relationships Between Cognitive Impairment and Psychological Health Outcomes \nin Women with Chronic Conditions\n","description":"Chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) are considered somatic functional disorders or central sensitivity syndromes, which disproportionately affect women. These conditions present as not only physical symptoms, such as pain, tenderness and fatigue but also lead to significant cognitive and mental health challenges. Previous research has focused occupational functioning, personal relationships, coping, stress and depression. Additionally, some research has demonstrated cognitive impacts of these illnesses. However, the relationship between cognitive impairment and mental health outcomes within these populations requires further exploration. A mixed methods approach would enable a comprehensive examination of how cognitive difficulties (e.g. brain fog, short-term memory deficits and reduced attention\/concentration) and psychological health issues (e.g. stress, emotional exhaustion, and decreased quality of life) interact and affect women living with these chronic health conditions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520401 Cognition (25%)\n520302 Clinical Psychology (50%)\n520304 Health Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling","title":"Vicarious Trauma in Healthcare Providers Working with Victim-Survivors of Sexual Violence","description":"Vicarious trauma (VT) refers to the unique, negative, and cumulative changes that can occur for healthcare providers who engage in an empathic, caregiving relationship with victim-survivors of trauma. Prior research has conceptualised VT within constructivist self-development theory (CSDT). CSDT frames the provider\u2019s response to trauma as a complex interaction between salient aspects of the traumatic event, and the provider\u2019s own personal characteristics, including cognitive schemas and personal beliefs. In particular, healthcare providers who have a personal history of trauma may be more likely to experience VT when working closely with victim-survivors of trauma. The severity of VT symptoms by healthcare providers may be further compounded when working with victim-survivors of sexual violence, as opposed to other types of trauma. While prior research has demonstrated that quality of care can be negatively impacted by VT, it is still unknown whether having a personal experience of sexual violence impacts the quality of care provided to victim-survivors in healthcare settings. Given the higher risk of experiencing VT when working with victim-survivors of sexual violence, a key aim of this research is to examine whether this risk is further compounded by having a personal experience of sexual violence, and how this ultimately impacts the quality of care provided. A further aim is to investigate how VT can impact the quality of care provided to victim-survivors of sexual violence which is essential for developing more targeted and effective treatment strategies for this population and providing necessary support to healthcare providers. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical Psychology (50%)\n520303 Counselling Psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos","title":"Behavioral Addiction and the Role of Technology in Addictive Behaviors: The Sexual Behaviour Example\n\n","description":"This research project focuses on the intricate relationship between behavioral addiction and technology, with a particular emphasis on sexual behavior. The study aims to explore how digital platforms and technological advancements contribute to the development and perpetuation of addictive behaviors, particularly within the realm of sexual activity. By utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the project will examine the psychological, social, and technological factors that influence these behaviors, seeking to understand the underlying mechanisms that drive individuals towards compulsive use of technology for sexual purposes.\n\nThe research will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather comprehensive data, including surveys, interviews, and digital behavior tracking. The outcomes of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into the patterns of technology-mediated sexual behavior and offer evidence-based recommendations for interventions and preventive measures.\n\nA key aspect of this project is the practical application of its findings. An internship has been secured with CatholicCare Victoria, a leading provider of mental health and social services, where the candidate will have the opportunity to apply research insights in real-world settings. This collaboration with CatholicCare Victoria will not only enrich the research process but also ensure that the study\u2019s findings are directly aligned with the needs of the community, enhancing the overall impact of the project.\n\nThis research is expected to contribute significantly to the field of behavioral addiction, offering new perspectives on the role of technology in shaping addictive behaviors and informing the development of effective interventions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Gordon Ingram, Anh Nguyen, Mary Lam, Yang Yap","title":"Mental health risks and coping strategies in Vietnamese medical students ","description":"Students in high-pressure educational careers, such as medicine, can be at risk of mental health problems that adversely affect their studies and continue causing them problems later in life. They are often lacking in effective institutional support that can help them deal with these problems, especially in under-resourced countries like Vietnam. This research project aims to understand the experiences of medical students in Vietnam who suffer from stress, depression, and anxiety due to academic, financial, and social pressures, and provide concrete solutions for helping them achieve a balanced level of mental and physical health. The first step will include longitudinal mixed-methods research to understand the drivers of these mental health problems in Vietnamese medical students. The outcome variables of stress, depression, anxiety, and wellbeing will be measure using scales such as DASS-21, WHO-5, MHC-SF and CSI [physiological  measures too, e.g. wearables for sleep etc.] A wide range of moderating factors will be examined, including lack of economic resources, family pressure, lack of social support due to dislocation, health problems, alcohol and other lifestyle risk factors, time demands, sleep problems, and media use. We will also investigate the coping strategies that students have developed and develop ways of utilizing advice from members of the cohort who cope better with these problems. The results will feed into the development of a technology-based intervention to improve students' mental health, using positive psychological concepts such as self-compassion, gratitude and patience, and techniques such as mindful concentration, meditation and self-regulation.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"525203 Clinical & Health Psychology\n424206 Public Health \n393904 Specialist Studies in Education"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Russell Conduit","title":"Investigating empathy and ambiguous facial expressions: An eye-tracking study","description":"Empathy encompasses the ability to share and understand others' emotions. Empathetic individuals may exhibit a bias in recognising ambiguous emotions, often perceiving distress such as sadness or fear in ambiguous facial expressions. This bias might facilitate rapid recognition of others' pain and promote prosocial behaviour but could also lead to incorrect emotion attributions and affect interpersonal connections and mental health.\n\nThis PhD study will investigate interpretation bias in empathetic individuals towards ambiguous faces with subtle or contradictory emotional cues. The study aims to understand how empathetic individuals perceive ambiguous faces, using emotion recognition tasks, physiological monitoring and eye tracking technology.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520203 Cognitive neuroscience (50%)\n520207 Social and affective neuroscience (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robin Laycock","title":"Mechanisms of Face Processing during Real-Life Versus Online Social Interactions: An fNIRS and Eye-Tracking Study","description":"Faces provide a rich source of non-verbal social cues but have been studied almost exclusively by utilizing static photographs, offering only a limited understanding of how we perceive real faces, which are typically dynamic. This is important because viewing dynamic faces alters our brain activation and visual fixation patterns.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, real faces typically interact with us. How does the act of being involved in a social interaction, rather than passively viewing it, influence what we attend to?\r\n\r\nDespite the crucial role of vision in social perception, we have very little understanding of how our visual attention and associated brain responses are altered when viewing a face on a computer (e.g., during a Zoom meeting) compared with real-life social interactions.\r\n\r\nDo we process faces differently when they are a real-world person in front of us, compared with a face on a computer monitor? The field has overwhelmingly used computer-based tasks to examine face perception, which has limited inferences about visual attention during real social interactions. For example, knowing that a face can see you is a completely different social experience from watching a pre-recorded video of the same face.\r\n\r\nThis project will utilize neuroimaging (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) and eye-tracking to examine face perception in both virtual and real-life settings.\r\n\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\nJack, R. E., & Schyns, P. G. (2015). The Human Face as a Dynamic Tool for Social Communication. Curr Biol, 25(14), R621-634. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cub.2015.05.052 \r\n\r\nLaycock, R., Crewther, S. G., & Chouinard, P. A. (2020). Blink and You Will Miss It: a Core Role for Fast and Dynamic Visual Processing in Social Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Dev Disorders Rep, 7(4), 237-248. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40474-020-00220-y \r\n\r\nV\u00f5, M. L.-H., Smith, T. J., Mital, P. K., & Henderson, J. M. (2012). Do the eyes really have it? Dynamic allocation of attention when viewing moving faces. J Vis, 12(13), 3-3. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1167\/12.13.3","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320907\r\n520207\r\n520203"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos, Bruno Schivinski","title":"Digital Phenotyping","description":"Background and Aims\nMental health has been associated with individuals' use of internet applications, including gaming and social media. For instance, usage patterns in gaming and social media have been shown to provide reliable information about a user's offline mental health, including their current and prospective mental health risk.\n\nMethods\nTo address the limited knowledge in this area, this study will employ a series of tuned and untuned artificial intelligence (AI) classifiers to analyze longitudinal digital media and mental health data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Data in the US National Data Archive.\n\nFindings and Implications\nThe findings are expected to determine whether, and which, AI models can accurately and automatically identify mental health risk cases. This knowledge could have significant implications for mental health assessment, prevention, and intervention.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Leila Karimi","title":"Optimising Attention: A Rigorous Evaluation of Focus Bear App in ADHD and ASD Populations","description":"Background on disease burden of ADHD and ASD\nAttention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental conditions that significantly impact individuals' executive functioning, including attention regulation, task management, and productivity. These conditions pose substantial challenges in academic, professional, and daily life domains, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Despite the availability of interventions and support services, there remains a need for innovative solutions that effectively enhance attention and cognitive performance for individuals with ADHD and ASD.\nIntroduction to Focus Bear \nFocus Bear is an app designed to augment executive functioning for individuals with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Focus Bear provides AI powered tools to manage distractions and boost productivity. Tailored for those with attention-related challenges, it provides a unique solution to improve cognitive performance and daily productivity.\nResearch Proposal Summary\nThis project aims to develop a digital phenotype of inattention and empirically validate the efficacy of Focus Bear on improving attention. The validation process will use objective, data-driven measures, leveraging methodologies like mouse movement analysis and application usage patterns. This approach will not only substantiate Focus Bear\u2019s effectiveness but also contribute to the broader scientific understanding of digital interventions for ADHD and ASD.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"\u2022        200507 and 60% allocation\n\u2022        200409 and 40% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Christine Grove, Alexandra Marinucci","title":"Youth mental health: Exploring treatment preferences and barriers with young people, caregivers and educators","description":"Untreated mental health issues in youth often persist into adulthood, potentially causing ongoing distress, and challenges. Mental illness is frequently under-diagnosed and undertreated in young people. Effective recognition and treatment knowledge are crucial for facilitating treatment-seeking. Mental health literacy, which includes recognising symptoms, understanding causes and risk factors, and awareness of appropriate treatments, is essential for early identification and increased use of mental health supports. However, the evidence of school-based mental health programs is lacking, often delaying or preventing access to accurate knowledge and support. Caregivers, teachers\/schools, and youth play key roles in supporting help seeking, but youth mental health literacy in these groups is not well understood. This research aims to understand key components of mental health literacy among caregivers, teachers\/educators, and youth, focusing on successes, potential harms and program efficacy. It will seek to understand how youth mental health is supported along the continuum of thriving to struggling. It will also explore perceptions and preferences for treatment seeking and identify perceived challenges of school based mental health programs. The findings will inform mental health policy and service implementation.\n\nThere are numerous potential research avenues within this topic to investigate. This research is part of larger ongoing projects conducted by honours, master\u2019s, and PhD candidates. You will join a team of dedicated researchers engaged in the youth mental health field.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"170103 Educational Psychology (60%) \n170102 Developmental Psychology and Ageing (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos,  Bruno Schivinski, DSC|, School - Media & Communication\r\nhttps:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/contact\/staff-contacts\/academic-staff\/s\/schivinski-dr-bruno ","title":"Social Media Cyber-Phenotyping: A Text Mining Approach","description":"Text analyses of social media posts is a promising source of mental health information. This project will use natural language processing to explore distinct language patterns on X and reddit, related to users' self-reported well-being status.\r\n\r\nA sufficient number of social posts will be collected via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) over a period of six months and will be comparatively analysed, considering user behaviour, Linguistic Inquiry Word Count (LIWC), and sentiment analysis. \r\n\r\nUsers with self-disclosed diagnoses\/condition(s) will be classified to facilitate group comparisons via supervised machine learning models\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5203 Clinical and health psychology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226\/MR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling","title":"The role of social media in the formation of political beliefs in individuals with Schizophrenia","description":"The use of social media by politically motivated groups is widespread. In recent years, successful political campaigns have relied on sites such as Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) to garner support from the public. Likewise, alternative politics such as Marxism and nationalism have found space to thrive online. Algorithms used by social media sites to keep users connected have been accused of encouraging extreme ideas, sometimes due to a failure to restrict misinformation and disinformation. Exposure to such content potentially reforms political beliefs \u2013 an integral part of identity formed from socialisation. In the context of schizophrenia, it is now known that individuals living with the diagnosis interact with the internet differently to individuals without this diagnosis. Many of the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia would suggest that an interaction with politics online would be unique (e.g. those living with high levels of paranoia may interact with more conspiracy-related content). \r\nThe proposed study has the following aims (i) to explore the role of social media in forming the political beliefs of those living with schizophrenia, and (ii) to identify the relationship between symptoms of schizophrenia and political extremes, alternative political views, and vulnerability to misinformation. It is likely that this study will find that individuals living with schizophrenia have a unique experience interacting with political content on social media. However, the varied symptomatology of schizophrenia suggests that those whose disorder manifests with different symptoms may interact with politics on social media differently. This would mean that any proposed intervention for harmful aspects of the social media sphere \u2013 including exposure to misinformation - would need to be tailored to specific symptoms. This project will contribute to the understanding of the way in which individuals with schizophrenia interact with the political world with a view to reducing exposure to and belief in misinformation. In turn, this may reduce levels of marginalisation in this socially isolating disorder.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"520503 Personality and Individual Differences\r\n520401 Cognition\r\n520402 Decision making"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, Chris Powell","title":"Psychometric Assessment of a New Measurement of Belongingness","description":"A review of belongingness as a construct is vital, as even after three decades the concept has been described as \u201cbroad, vague and under-theorised\u201d (Ward, 2022). A precise and shared understanding of belongingness will facilitate the operationalisation of the construct as an entity distinct from the outcomes and antecedents with which it is closely related. This in turn may facilitate the refinement of both belongingness-centred theoretical perspectives and practical interventions. This study, therefore, will develop a new measure of belongingness and will examine the main predictors and outcomes of belongingness in work settings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520104 (50%)\r\n520304 (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Predictors of successful retention of new graduate nurses and transition to practice","description":"To meet the worldwide Sustainable Development Goal, the WHO has estimated that the world needs nine million additional nurses by 2030. In the Australian context, our national nursing shortfall has been recognised and is becoming more imminent. This research supports the strategic national research priority area of health by 'achieving better models of healthcare and services that improve outcomes'. The primary aim of our research is to identify and address systemic facilitators to the recruitment and retention of early-career nurses in order to build and sustain the health workforce of the future.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520104 Org psychology (70%)\n520105 psychological methodology and design (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"Predictors of judgement updating in response to political information of uncertain veracity","description":"Voting a politician into power requires people to predict the politician\u2019s future actions based on their current claims. Social media platforms are the most common sources of information both about and generated by politicians. Given that information is not verified on social media platforms in the way that it typically is in legacy media, the likelihood that users are exposed to political misinformation or fake news is very high. This undermines the quality of beliefs that voters form about politicians as well as creating a dubious decision-making environment.\nInterestingly, even when voters learn that claims made by their favoured politicians are false, this does not necessarily undermine their evaluation of their evaluation of the politician\u2019s overall truthfulness. Whether beliefs are revised seems to depend on many factors including the nature of the information that becomes available (for instance, political reputation is more resilient to a moral scandal, such as an extra-marital affair than a financial scandal, such as tax evasion; and whether the information is politicised), new consumption routines and, individual differences. However, a comprehensive model of factors (both individual and interactive) factors that predict whether an individual is willing to revise their initial judgements is yet to be developed. This would promote the development of tailored interventions to optimise decision-making. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"170106 Health, clinical and counselling psychology (25%)\n170202 Decision Making (50%)\n170113 Social and Community Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Research into clinical and clinical health psychology","description":"Clinical psychology focuses on using psychology theory to directly improve the lives of people, particularly those struggling with mental health and wellbeing issues. The clinical psychology research team invite PhD student interest and students with a particular project idea on topics related to clinical psychology research including interventions and improving our identification and understanding of issues around mental health and mental ill health in a range of populations. These topic areas may include (but not limited to) issues around mood and anxiety, adjustment, body image, eating and exercise behaviours, health psychology and clinical innovation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520310 (Clinical Psychology)\n520304 (Health Psychology)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Research into improving the mental health and wellbeing of Australian workers (organisational psychology PhD projects)","description":"This research theme aims to develop research that improves the mental health and wellbeing of workers and workforces. The projects in this theme include research on developing new psychometric scales to assist with better understanding workforce issues and mental health outcomes, investigating areas around psychosocial hazards at work and burnout as well as assessing interventions that specifically aim to improve workers mental health and wellbeing. Students will be able to co-design a research topic on their interest area within the scope of organizational psychology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5201 (Psychology)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Who cares for the carers? Validation of a self-managed AI-based burnout monitoring and\n preventing app among healthcare workers","description":"Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an upsurge in mental health issues among healthcare workers, especially frontline healthcare workers. Despite the proliferation of digital health applications in mental health, research on its use for burnout, wellbeing prediction and prevention in healthcare workers is limited. This research aims to propose an innovative, more accessible healthcare and service delivery model that mitigates burnout. An AI-based solution will provide early prediction of those at high risk of chronic mental health problems and\/or working in stressful situations and\/or remote health settings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520104 Org psychology (70%)\n520105 psychological methodology and design (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Gamers and Avatars: Does a video-gamer\u2019s connection with their game figure tell us about how they are in their real -world?","description":"This study aims to explore different profiles of individuals who engage in online gaming. Use of online games has increased substantially in recent years, as seen especially in younger populations. Over-gaming has also risen, which has multiple negative consequences, such as issues in schooling and socialisation. Additionally, online gaming with the use of customisable avatars can lead to issues in the gamer\u2019s sense of self-identity. This research aims to explore this, through investigating different profiles of gamers based on how they connect with their avatars. Furthermore, mental health and physical health of the user outside the game will be assessed. To achieve this, over 500 participants (12-85 years old) will be recruited to the study. Over 7 days, participants will be given online questionnaires to complete, as well as wearing a FitBit watch to collect data on their physical activity. Additionally, an application will be installed on participants\u2019 phones to monitor activity (screen time). After one week, the Fitbit will be returned, and the app will be removed from participants\u2019 phones. These procedures will be repeated every 6 months over 18 months total.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5203 Clinical and health psychology\n5299 Other psychology "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Karen Hallam, Peter Saunders","title":"Supporting women\u2019s mental health during the Artificial Reproductive Technology journey","description":"This PhD build on a body of research investigating the challenges facing women who are undergoing ART (for example IVF) treatments in efforts to conceive. Evidence indicates that this is a particularly challenging time for women in terms of biological, psychological and social impacts. This research will develop a modularized intervention that supports women during this intervention in a range of areas as identified by women themselves as their challenges. This research project will then require the development and testing of this intervention for a pilot group of women involved in this process.  The goals are to improve the mental health and wellbeing of women going through this difficult time and provide the foundation for a built intervention to be more widely rolled out and investigated.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520310 (Clinical Psychology 50%)\n520304 (Health Psychology 25%)\n321503 (reproduction 25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Karen Hallam, Leila Karimi","title":"Understanding the occupational challenges and support needs of Australian psychologists.","description":"Psychologists play an important role in the Australian health care system in both public and private contexts. Over the past ten years (and particularly during and post COVID 19), there have been many changes to the way we practice and its personal impacts, particularly as the mental health and wellbeing of the community worsens. This project has three goals:\n\u2022\tIdentify trends in workforce engagement, intent to leave the profession and reduced clinical loads in existing government databases to highlight potential challenges for the workforce and healthcare sector.\n\u2022\tSurvey the experiences of Australian psychologists to understand the concerns, pressures and constraints as well as motivators and facilitators that impact psychologists career considerations, mental health and wellbeing. \n\u2022\tResearch the impacts of these pressures on therapeutic parameters including therapeutic alliance, workload, burnout and career interruptions. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"350507 (workplace wellbeing 50%)\n520304 (Health psychology 30%)\n520310 (Clinical Psychology 20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling, Natalie Jovanovski","title":"Fake news or just what the doctor ordered? A psychological examination of how people navigate misinformation in \u2018healthy eating\u2019 social media communities","description":"This project aims to explore how people who occupy \u2018healthy\u2019 and \u2018clean\u2019 eating social media spaces navigate health information and misinformation. Misinformation is rapidly disseminated in online spaces, particularly on social media platforms. Since health-related guidance is most commonly sought online, the potential for negative impacts of misinformation is extensive. False and inaccurate information about health and eating  carries potentially serious consequences that can severely impact quality of life and increase mortality rates. Social media platforms are particularly problematic as special credence is assigned to information shared by one\u2019s  friend network, particularly when it is circulated in the context of closed groups. \n\nConflicting information about healthy food and eating practices abounds on the internet, especially in social media communities relating to \u2018healthy eating\u2019 and fitness. These spaces are often rife with contradictory advice about food, and have been seen to normalise \u2018clean eating\u2019 discourses that  some researchers have labelled disordered. Given that the social media landscape is a powerful place to spread health misinformation, this study seeks to explore how people who occupy social media spaces dedicated to \u2018healthy\u2019 and \u2018clean\u2019 eating practices navigate these spaces. How do they discern between conflicting sources of information, and interrogate the voices of authority underlying these messages? And how do they identify misinformation in these discourses, including the potential risks to their health?  Ultimately, this project will add to the bourgeoning literature in health psychology on misinformation and eating attitudes. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"170106 Health, clinical and counselling psychology (50%)\n170202 Decision Making (25%)\n170113 Social and Community Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling, Natalie Jovanovski","title":"Predictors of sharing and belief in online eating disorder misinformation.","description":"Misinformation is rapidly disseminated in online spaces, particularly on social media platforms. In the context of eating disorders, information is often sought through online support groups and hence proliferation of misinformation often occurs in these forums.  Exposure to misinformation, even on one occasion, can lead to the formation of false beliefs and once formed, false beliefs are difficult to nudge. False and misleading information about manifestations and management of eating disorders can significantly increase morbidity and mortality. Very worryingly, groups that are purportedly support groups (i.e. exist to promote recovery) may actually promote eating disorder-related behaviours, offering weight loss techniques and perpetuating myths such as extreme thinness as healthy. \n\nThe present study has the following aims: (i) to identify psychological and contextual factors that predispose individuals to develop false beliefs about eating disorders and to share eating disorder-related misinformation, and (ii) to develop and deploy interventions to reduce the spread of misinformation.  One mechanism that has been shown to be successful in reducing misinformation spread is debunking or pre-bunking. However, the optimal presentation of debunked (fact-checked) information is unknown and will be explored here by presenting information in different formats. Furthermore, it is unlikely that interventions conform to a \u2018one size fits all\u2019 approach, therefore a further aim is to develop targeted interventions. This project will significantly contribute to the understanding of the impact of misinformation in the context of significant health issues and to the development of interventions to combat the dissemination of misinformation.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"170106 Health, clinical and counselling psychology (25%)\n170202 Decision Making (50%)\n170113 Social and Community Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, Rapson Gomez","title":"Psychometric assessment of a new ADHD screening tool","description":"There is a disparity between the diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as defined by the DSM-5 and the ICD-11. Though screening tools have been developed and validated based on the DSM-5 criteria, no such measure exists for those of the ICD-11. This project will seek to address this shortfall by developing an adult rating scale of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in accordance with the ICD-11, to identify symptomology that warrants more detailed assessment. Additionally, the project will establish the psychometric properties of this new tool, including validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"529999 other psychology (50%)\n520599 social and personality psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, Rapson Gomez","title":"Cross-validity of a new ADHD screening tool","description":"There is a disparity between the diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as defined by the DSM-5 and the ICD-11. Though screening tools have been developed and validated based on the DSM-5 criteria, no such measure exists for those of the ICD-11. This project will seek to address this shortfall by developing an adult rating scale of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in accordance with the ICD-11, to identify symptomology that warrants more detailed assessment. Additionally, the project will establish the psychometric properties of this new tool, including validity, cross-validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"529999 other psychology (50%)\n520599 social and personality psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nikos Thomacos","title":"Unveiling Hidden Norms: Measuring Sexual Double Standards Amongst Young Adults","description":"This study will investigate (hetero)sexual double standards (SDS; Reiss, 1960), whereby men and women are judged differently for the same sexual behaviour, with greater permissiveness accepted for men. Specifically, these standards posit that women are evaluated more negatively than men for engaging in sexual behaviours and are more restricted in terms of their sexual freedom and ability to express sexual agency (Zaikman & Marks, 2016). Upon exploring young people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s experiences with sexual double standards, this study will aim to develop and validate a new scale for measurement of this phenomenon.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"525201 Applied & developmental psychology (50%)\n525205 Social & personality psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Russell Conduit, Marcel Takac","title":"Psychological Drivers Of Gambling-Like Behaviour During Speculative Investment","description":"Online connectivity has made gambling activities more accessible, whilst making new activities aligned with gambling much more accessible. These gambling-like activities include stock trading, cryptocurrency speculation, investment in digital objects such as non-fungible tokens and virtual real estate, speculatory investment in buying and on-selling physical goods (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153scalping\u00e2\u20ac\u009d), and engagement with lottery systems such as loot boxes during online gaming. Within Australia, the growing diversity of gambling modalities has also coincided with greater regulatory freedom for gambling advertising. This has created an environment that can be predicted to increase the prevalence of problem gambling within the community, placing individuals at greater risk of financial disadvantage, strained family relationships, poor mental health outcomes, and diminished wellbeing. Employment loss, criminal behaviour, and victimisation by scam gambling platforms are also potential consequences of the evolving gambling landscape. The proposed project aims to describe post-pandemic patterns of gambling behaviour and to evaluate the extent to which traditional psychological models of gambling remain applicable in the context of wider gambling accessibility and greater diversity of gambling-like behaviours. This will be accomplished using existing psychometric questionnaires and examination of qualitative data. The findings from this project will provide stakeholder organisations with updated data on gambling behaviour within the community, and inform the development of individual psychotherapeutic interventions as well as broader public health initiatives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Karen Hallam","title":"Nostalgia As A Potential Enhancer Of Attachment In Object Hoarding","description":"Hoarding is characterised by difficulties accumulating, storing, and discarding possessions, and results in a significant burden of care. The average age of diagnosis is approximately 50 years of age, so by the time a diagnosis is made, hoarding difficulties are likely to be entrenched. Despite the late age of diagnosis, signs of hoarding are often reported to have been present earlier in life. This provides an opportunity for investigating the personality traits associated with hoarding vulnerability, and for using this knowledge to develop preventative interventions. One personality trait of interest is predisposition to nostalgia, a sentimental attachment to the past. The proposed research aims to investigate the connection between nostalgia and hoarding using approaches drawn from personality psychology and cognitive psychology. This will allow current psychotherapeutic interventions for hoarding disorder to be strengthened and will inform preventative interventions for hoarding.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Simone Mizzi","title":"The Use Of Fashion As An Intervention For Social Anxiety","description":"Many people experience a problematic level of social anxiety that exerts a significant impact on their wellbeing. At a clinical level, social anxiety is able to be diagnosed as social anxiety disorder, and has been studied in connection with traits such as fear of negative evaluation and interpersonal rejection sensitivity, as well as phenomena such as loneliness. It is feasible that fashion may reflect and impact social anxiety, as the manner in which we clothe ourselves constitutes an observable form of self-expression, and may equally be the object of self-consciousness as well as personal empowerment. To date, few studies have investigated the connection between fashion and social anxiety, a fact that the proposed project seeks to address. The association between social anxiety and fashion will be examined through multiple research modalities, including questionnaire measures and experimental paradigms.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Simone Mizzi","title":"The Negative Impact Of Perfectionism On Workplace Mental Health","description":"Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a low-prevalence diagnosis describing a cluster of symptoms reflecting hyper-conscientiousness and perfectionism. Although OCPD is infrequently diagnosed, data on organisational culture and wellbeing across workplaces suggests that perfectionism is a major driver of burnout and life dissatisfaction when combined with unrealistic employer expectations. The proposed project seeks to examine the degree to which personality traits associated with OCPD pervade modern working life and are associated with workplace burnout, whilst also identifying helpful attitudes and self-care behaviours that protect against the negative impact of perfectionist standards. As few non-clinical means of measuring OCPD traits have been published to date, a secondary aim of the project is to develop a questionnaire measure of OCPD vulnerability suitable for large-scale data collection.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, School collaborator: Nursing","title":"Exploring the Effectiveness of transcendental and mindfulness meditation on Metabolic Syndrome: A randomized controlled trial","description":"Comparative study of effectiveness of transcendental and mindfulness meditation on Metabolic Syndrome: A randomized controlled trial \r\nBackground: Metabolic syndrome is one of the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which is the leading cause of premature death globally [1]. Currently available evidence supports that mental relaxation techniques such as meditations have been shown to improve blood pressure, insulin resistance and blood lipid profiles [2-6] .  \r\nResearch proves that meditation has positive effects on brain, autonomic nervous system and inflammatory cells. It has been found that meditation can increase the gamma-band activities, which is related to various cerebral functions[7]. Meditation increases the cortical thickness, more profound in elderly people [8]. Additionally, practicing meditation for a long time can increase the gray matter density of  the lower brain stem region [9]. This area of the brain stem regulates the cardiorespiratory control. These two findings suggest that meditation has cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects [9] along with cognitive, emotional and immunoreactive impacts on regular practitioners. Another study suggests that meditation reduces sympathoadrenal system activation, altering blood pressure and insulin resistance [4, 10]. Apart from that, meditation and relaxation techniques enhance expression of genes [11] associated with energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, insulin secretion and telomere maintenance, and reduced expression of genes [11] linked to inflammatory response and stress-related pathways-mechanism that trigger the metabolic syndrome [12] . Meditation can reduce the subclinical atherosclerosis. Studies found that meditation can reduce carotid artery atherosclerosis [13] and cause brachial artery vasodilatation [14].  \r\nHowever, there is no comparative study between different kinds of meditations on  metabolic syndrome on wider population [15]. Therefore, we aim to compare the effects of transcendental meditations and mindfulness meditation on various components of metabolic syndrome. \r\nMethod: This will be a randomized controlled trial. We will recruit adults 30-60 years old with moderate to higher risk of CVD, stratified by established WHO\/ISH CVD risk prediction tool. Participants will be randomized to one of the three groups. One group will learn and practice the transcendental meditation, the second group will learn and practice mindfulness meditation and the third group will be of a control group and will obtain a health education session about metabolic syndrome and CVD. \r\nExpected outcomes: The primary outcome of the study is blood pressure, secondary outcomes are fasting blood glucose level, insulin resistance, HbA1c, serum lipid profile, heart rate variability,ankle brachial index, depression and anxiety level (STAI-X3 and QD-R), and quality of life (SF36).  \r\nConclusion: The study aims to generate evidence for the best meditation techniques to be recommended to patients with an increased risk of developing CVD. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5203"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robin Laycock","title":"Development of face perception and social cognition in preterm infants \u2013 a study using Functional Near Infra-red Spectroscopy","description":"Globally, preterm birth affects around 10% of deliveries and is a leading cause of neurocognitive impairment and educational underperformance. The preterm neurocognitive profile includes global and specific learning difficulties, executive dysfunction, inattentiveness, social difficulties and increased likelihood of autism. \r\n\r\nPreterm children are already vulnerable to difficulties in face perception. Such difficulties can have significant flow-on effects to broader aspects of cognition. Indeed, proficient skills in understanding and interpreting faces are critical for successful language and social development, due to their role in conveying non-verbal social cues. In addition, early face-deprivation (due to mask-wearing) during the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate the face processing difficulties in preterm children, leading to long-term significant effects, not only on brain development relevant to face perception, but also in downstream social and emotional difficulties in later years. \r\n\r\nThis project, a collaboration with Monash Newborn and the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, will address the problem with early and timely studies of these preterm children during infancy and early childhood, using cognitive neuroscience testing including functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and eye-tracking to assess face processing and social cognition, and correlate the results to neurodevelopmental assessment at 2 years of age. Early identification in infancy of atypical neurodevelopment would enable targeting of early interventions to improve outcomes for these children.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520203\r\n520207\r\n520101"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robin Laycock, Clare Smith","title":"Using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess the long term neurocognitive effects of concussion","description":"Brain injuries due to traffic accidents and falls are expected to be the 7th and 17th major cause of death, respectively, by 2030. Only severe cases of head injury receive close medical investigation, and many are assessed only by rudimentary behavioural observation or the subject\u2019s self-reporting.\r\nThis is of concern given that there is currently limited understanding of how the brain is affected by head trauma that occurs in contact sports such as AFL football. Hence there is an urgent need to be able to rapidly and accurately assess the effects of head impact on the brain. One promising approach to quickly and non-invasively examine brain function is through assessment of visual processing.This project will utilise behavioural psychophysics, eye-tracking and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) which is a non-invasive brain imaging methodology, in people with and without history of brain injury. Increasingly, neurocognitive testing is being utilised by professional athletes, though refinement of the best measures to accurately identify those with a concussion is needed. In addition, this research can help to uncover the neural and cognitive mechanisms associated with concussion, including the longer term effects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation;","forcodes":"320903\r\n520203\r\n520301"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mervyn Jackson, Patricia Melzer, Mark Lee, Noel Lythgo","title":"Research in cultural clinical psychology","description":"Cultural-Clinical Psychology exists at the intersection of two academic traditions: cultural psychology and clinical psychology. This represents the evolution of a new field whereby by psychologists seek to understand the ways in which culture shapes mental and physical health and well-being. The overall objective of this research program is to develop a university-wide research team to investigate cultural clinical psychology with a view toward providing a meaningful integration of the fields of clinical psychology and cross-cultural psychology in the next five years. There continues to be a pressing concern on the part of various cultural groups for the availability of culturally appropriate services from clinical psychologists. Further, clinical psychologists have the responsibility to advance sound research on the role of culture in psychopathology and to promote culturally appropriate clinical training and ethical practice. The ultimate aims of this research program are the advancement of scientific knowledge, the development of sound professional practice, the amelioration of human suffering, and the promotion of quality of life to a global world","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"5203"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Rehabilitation Sciences","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dein Vindigni, Danielle Baxter, Noel Lythgo, Azharuddin Fazalbhoy","title":"Force-time characteristics of spinal manipulation by pre-professional and professional manual therapists","description":"Force-time characteristics of spinal manipulation by pre-professional and professional manual therapists\r\nOverview\r\nAim: This study will investigate whether pre-professional students and professional manual therapists employ safe and effective techniques during spinal manipulation. This work will extend work currently being completed in an Honours research project. Methodology: This PhD program will extend the Honours work by significantly increasing the number of participants and including professional therapists. In addition, a force-sensing glove, in combination with the force sensing table will be used. Data will be collected through the use these systems which are currently available. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420109 Rehabilitation\r\n320299 Clinical Sciences not elsewhere covered\r\n42080 Chiropractic"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Rehabilitation Sciences","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Pranata","title":"Delivering high-value occupational low back pain care using novel technology","description":"This project aims to assess the potential and feasibility of a novel strategy to address an intractable health issue: low back pain, the leading cause of disability worldwide that costs the Australian community $9 billion annually - many of those affect manual workers whose work involve lifting. This research aims to investigate the feasibility of novel machine learning and biomechanical computational modelling to assess lifting techniques and spinal forces during lifting in people with low back pain. This information can assist in daily load monitoring and modulation that could decrease low back pain recurrence at work.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (50%)\r\n420106 Physiotherapy (25%)\r\n420109 Rehabilitation (25%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Rehabilitation Sciences","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amanda Kimpton, Leanne Sheeran","title":"Exploring the lived experiences of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic","description":"Chronically ill individuals' perspectives on the effectiveness\u2014or lack thereof\u2014of healthcare programs during the COVID-19 pandemic will be explored. The study will provide an \r\ninsight into the events lived by people suffering from chronic illness through weeks of lockdowns when accessing uninterrupted care was impacted. Extended experiences of people with chronic illness living in Western Melbourne will be investigated with the purpose of evaluating the current healthcare system from the perspective of the patient. The study will provide an opportunity to discover potential solutions to enhance the efficiency of community services supporting a vulnerable population of individuals with chronic illness at times of limitations.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420503 and 80% allocation\r\n420505 and 10% allocation\r\n420502 and 10% allocation\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski","title":"\u200bUnderstanding COVID-19 and improving our immune response to the vaccines.","description":"The Cancer, Ageing and Vaccines Laboratory is currently working to better understand the effects and long-term complications of COVID-19 on the immune system. We are also investigating the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in different populations, such as pregnant people and older individuals. We currently have four PhD project topics available, all of which will utilise clinical samples and working with clinical collaborators across Australia. Healthcare workers and Long COVID-19: This project compares the immune systems of healthcare workers that did, or did not, contract COVID-19, and how changes in their immunity may underlie long-term complications such as long COVID-19. Co-supervised by Prof. Katie Flanagan (Launceston General Hospital). COVID-19 and the development of autoimmunity: This project compares acute and mild COVID-19 patients over a time course to understand how the virus may be breaking tolerance and causing new autoimmune pathologies. Co-supervised by Dr. Kirsty Wilson (T cells). Improving vaccine immunity to COVID-19: This project investigates boosting immunity to COVID-19 with different vaccines to promote broad immune responses that recognize viral escape variants. It involves a multi-institutional large scale human trial to address these vital questions. Co-supervised by Prof. Katie Flanagan and Dr. Jennifer Boer (bioinformatics analysis). The impact of PEG on vaccine efficacy and adverse reactivity: This project investigates reactivity to PEG in mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, as well as other medical products and the implications on vaccine efficacy and potential to induce allergic reactions. Co-supervised by Dr. David Yu (antibodies and PEG) and Dr. Jennifer Boer (bioinformatics analysis). [1] Moody R et al., Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 8965; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijms22168965\n[2] Hatmal et al., Cells 2020, 9(12), 2638; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/cells9122638\n[3] Hensen et al., PNAS 2021, 118(41) e2109388118; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.2109388118","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"BHI 1 Chronic disease ; BHI 2 Bioinformatics; BHI 4 Drug discovery","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Clare Scott, Andrew Stephens","title":"\u200bUsing biobanks to study cancer targets and develop cancer vaccines.","description":"The Cancer, Ageing and Vaccines Laboratory seeks to understand cancer biology and immune responses and to translate these findings into real-world clinical benefits. As part of this research, the lab runs several clinical trials, such as SOLACE2, which is testing combination chemotherapies for ovarian cancer treatment [1, 2] and IOCT, which recently identified a key biomarker for diagnosis of ovarian cancer [3]. Most recently, is our collaboration with Professor Scott (WEHI) on the Stafford Fox Rare Cancers trial. This trial seeks to understand why people diagnosed with three or more cancers have a much better survival rate than those diagnosed with one or two cancers. The project will study biobanked samples from these \"super survivor\" individuals to test if they have specific health characteristics, set at just the right level to control or knock out their cancer. One key goal of these trials is to identify the key functional targets for the immune response and leverage this to initiate development of personalised cancer vaccines. As part of this goal, the PhD candidate could choose to become involved in any number of aspects and Is welcome to discuss ideas and options with Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski. Across all projects, the PhD Candidate will use techniques such as germline\/tumour sequencing data, plasma analysis and work with patients\u2019 immune cells work to identify key functional targets. They may perform epigenetic techniques, DNA sequencing (HLA-typing and WES), transcriptomics and immunoassays such as ELISpots. [1] Scott et al., 2019, Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2019; 15 (S9) (104-212). doi.org\/10.1111\/ajco.13263\n[2] Madondo et al., Cancer Treatment Reviews. 2016; 42(3-9). doi: 10.1016\/j.ctrv.2015.11.005\n[3] Kampan et al., Scientific Reports. 2020; 10 (2213). doi: 10.1038\/s41598-020-59009-z","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"3\/1\/2025","ecp":"BHI 2 Bioinformatics;BHI 1 Chronic disease;BHI 3 Biomedical engineering;BHI 4 Drug discovery;","forcodes":"110709 Tumour immunology (50%) 111204 Cancer Therapy (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR234","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski","title":"Age-related immune dysfunction, inflammation, and nutritional status: implications to infections, cancers and vaccine response","description":"Previously, we and others have observed reduced vaccine efficacy in the elderly as well as increased susceptibility to infections and cancers [1]. Age-related immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and inadequate nutritional status may reduce our capacity to resolve infections and cancers, as well as to promote sufficient vaccine response. This project has been designed to pinpoint cellular and molecular epigenetic mechanisms that drive age-related immune-senescence and inflammation, critical to the decline in immune function and ability to respond to vaccines, infections and cancers in the elderly. Additionally, nutritional status measured by the dietary inflammation indexes and\/or plasma nutritional biomarkers will be measured to understand the influence of nutrition on the immune response. Here, we will use various cohorts from human trials, to unravel the role of immune dysfunction, inflammation, and nutritional status on modulation of infections-, cancers- and vaccine-generated immune responses in older individuals, and the epigenetic mechanisms that underlie such modulation. Underpinning the molecular epigenetic changes that drive the age-related immune dysfunction and inflammation, or are formed by the inadequate nutritional status will point towards molecular mechanisms that may be involved in suboptimal responses to vaccination in the elderly, as well as provide leads for novel therapeutic strategies. [1] Flanagan KL, Fink AL, Plebanski M, Klein SL. Sex and Gender Differences in the Outcomes of Vaccination over the Life Course.Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2017 Oct 6;33:577-599. doi: 10.1146\/annurev-cellbio-100616-060718.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321108 Molecular targets (25%) 320404 Cellular immunology (25%) 321099 Nutrition and dietetics not elsewhere classified (25%) 321109 Predictive and prognostic markers (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Ruchika Ojha","title":"Gold-based drugs for the effective treatment of ovarian cancer","description":"Current treatments for ovarian cancer are largely toxic, and ultimately, ineffective for many patients. A current collaboration between Distinguished Professor Plebanski (Health & Biomedical Sciences) and Distinguished Professor Bhargava (Science) seeks to enable clinical progression for their novel class of gold-based drugs that show superior selectivity and activity for otherwise drug-resistant cancer cells, for the treatment of ovarian cancer (Mirzadeh et al., 2021, DOI: 10.1093\/mtomcs\/mfab039).\nAs part of Professor Plebanski\u2019s team, the PhD candidate will contribute to determining the in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety, off-target effects (peripheral and immunity) and biodistribution of lead gold-drug candidate(s) and pharmaceutical formulation development. As part of working towards a Phase I clinical trial, the gold-compounds will need to be tested for efficacy in ovarian cancer cell lines, organoids as well as immune cells from mice and humans. Techniques for this part of the project will include proliferation assays, ELISAs, qPCR, Western blots, ICP-MS, flow-cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The lead drug candidates will be tested in a novel immunocompetent ovarian cancer animal model; a mouse model created by Professor Plebanski and Dr Andrew Stephens (Hudson Institute) whereby fluorescent labelling of cancer cells allows for real-time study of cancer growth and treatment (Wilson et al., 2018, DOI: 10.3390\/cancers11010032). Efficacy of the gold-compounds will be analysed by advanced live in-vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry. Testing in cancer organoids may further involve international collaborators at Bristol University, United Kingdom and\/or the Hudson Institute, who are leaders in the development of innovate organoids for cancer research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation; Advanced Materials;","forcodes":"340407 Proteins and Peptides (40%)\n321002 Food Properties (40%)\n300607 Food Technology (10%)\n320211 Infectious diseases (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Kirsty Wilson","title":"Enhancing the immune response using nanoparticles and assessing their vaccine potential in animal models of cancer and malaria","description":"Vaccines remain one of the most cost-effective medical interventions for the prevention of disease and are readily available for many diseases, however there is a need for vaccines to complex diseases such as malaria and cancer. Vaccines to complex diseases are more difficult to design and manufacture due to the complicated lifecycle of the pathogens that cause the disease, or the multifactor series of events that occur in not only the pathology of the disease but also the resulting immune response. Designing vaccines for complex diseases requires careful consideration of the candidate antigen and generally requires and adjuvant or alternative delivery system to enhance the immune response to the vaccine, particularly regarding inducing a T cell response. Our lab focuses on viral sized nanoparticles as adjuvanting vaccine delivery systems to improve both the antibody mediated and cellular immune response. These nanoparticles can either have the vaccine antigen attached to their surface, or be simply mixed with the antigen with a combination of other adjuvants to increase the vaccine response. We are interested in nanoparticles of different materials and compositions to compare to our standard biocompatible and non-inflammatory polystyrene nanoparticles in animal vaccine models, as well as their mechanism of action and how they interact with different cells of the immune system (i.e. with antigen presenting cells). Aims: This study aims to examine the immune response to vaccines using various nanoparticle formulations and adjuvant combinations and ex, aiming how they interact with cells of the immune system to generate a strong immune response, capable of protecting against severe diseases such as ovarian cancer or malaria. Hypotheses: Nanoparticles in the viral size range will target antigen presenting cells in the local lymph nodes to elicit a strong vaccine induced immune response dependent on the size and composition of the nanoparticle. We will be able to develop vaccines that effectively prevent an treat severe diseases for which currently there are no effective vaccines.\nMethods: Our laboratory uses new and standard cell biology\/immunology techniques to assess the phenotype and function of immune cells from animal models, including; multicolour flowcytometry (up to 20 simultaneous markers on cells), cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis (Luminex), IVIS imaging, as well as ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology\/immunofluorescence, proliferation and functional T cell assays. There is also potential scope to use RNAseq and epigenetic analysis of immune cell populations, and animal models of cancer and malaria..\nThe PhD candidate:\nThe PhD candidate will have Honours or Masters in either immunology, vaccines, microbiology, parasitology, biochemistry, or nanoengineering. Animal handling experience preferable. References: [1]. Wilson KL et al. Front Immunol. 15 (2019):331\n[2]. Wilson KL et al. Front Microbiol. 6 (2015):29\n[4]. Xiang SD et al. Vaccines. 29 (2015):875","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, April Kartikasari","title":"Epigenetics in immunosenescence: implications to cancer and infections","description":"Previously, we and others have observed reduced vaccine efficacy in the elderly as well as increased susceptibility to infections and cancers [1]. While age-related immune dysfunction has been extensively studied, underpinning the molecular changes that drive the age-related functional decline of immune cells has proven difficult. Many studies including ours have shown that epigenetic marks including DNA methylation and histone modifications play a fundamental role in determining cell function and identity. These marks are actively modulated by different conditions including stress, lifestyle, sex and age or vaccination [2-3]. This project will systematically map epigenetic changes that promote age-related immune dysfunction, in the context of human vaccination trials, as well as cancer human clinical trials. Specifically, as part of human clinical trial projects, this study will underpin molecular epigenetic mechanisms of immunosenescence that involved in cancer and suboptimal responses to vaccination in the edlerly, and may provide leads for novel therapeutic strategies. Aims This project is designed to understand cellular and molecular epigenetic mechanisms involved in both innate and adaptive immunosenescence that cause the decline of immune function. Specifically, this study will uncover age-dependent alterations in epigenetic marks that cause increased incidence of cancer and infections as a consequence of age, utilizing in vitro models, animal models and human clinical trials available in the lab. Hypotheses:\n\u2022 Epigenetic mark alterations due to aging promote dysregulation of immune cell function and may contribute to the increased incidence of cancer and infections in old people\n\u2022 Identification of the changes of epigenetic marks that contribute to the decline of immune function will provide new means of disease prevention and treatment.\nMethods:\nThe laboratory uses world-class big-data omics analysis of immune cells, including RNAseq, genome-wide epigenetics, multicolour flowcytometry, cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis, as well as classical immunological techniques, e.g. ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology, proliferation and functional immune-cell assays. The PhD candidate:\nThe preferred PhD candidate will have done an Honours or Masters in immunology, vaccines, microbiology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, molecular biology or a related discipline. References: [1]. Flanagan KL et al. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. (2017) 33:577\n[2]. Noho-Konteh F et al. Clin Infect Dis. 63 (2016):1213\n[3]. Kartikasari et al., EMBO J. 32 (2013): 1393","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Katie Flanagan, Jennifer Boer","title":"Metagenetic Approach To Analyze Vaccine Immunomodulation in The Elderly","description":"The human gut is a vast reservoir of genetic potential and we are learning more and more how it relates to human health and disease. The new generation of deep metagenomic sequencing, consists in simultaneous sequencing of multiple microbial genomes at once and has provided us with a wealth of information on the composition of complex communities in our gut. As different microbial genomes can result in vastly different phenotypes and functions in our gut, it is critical to understand the genomic variations that characterize the different strains that are present. We are currently working on a large-scale vaccine (DTP and influenza) human trial (n=600) in Tasmania in which we will map, as a world first, how innate immunity and innate training differs in humans based on age and sex, and how this affects responses to vaccines. We will be studying these aspects with a systems biology approach in which we will investigate weather the immunological changes in young and elderly are characterized with changes in the gut microbial composition. Currently big data provided by metagenomics next generation sequening (mNGS) is becoming a key driver for the advancement of precision medicine to personalize patient care. Therefore, to take full advantage of these complex datasets we will use bioinformatics to enable quicker and more comprehensive analysis.\nAims: By using a bioinformatics analysis pipeline we will investigate whether vaccination responses are affected by the microbiome profile, and whether it changes according to the vaccination sequence, or the age (young adults or elderly) or sex (male\/female) of the vaccinees.\nHypotheses:\n\u2022 DTaP vaccination modulates the microbiome, such as the influenza vaccine.\n\u2022 Baseline non pathogenic microbiome profile effects will differ between younger adults and the elderly, and females compared to males.\nMethods:\nBioinformatics pipelines to analyse big volumes of metagenetic data. The analysis pipeline will roughly use packages such as trimomatic, FastQ screen, centrifuge\/kraken and many more.\nThe PhD candidate:\nThe preferred PhD candidate will have done an Honours or Masters in either immunology, or vaccines, microbiology, bioinformatics, biostatistics or a related discipline. References: [1]. Chiu CY et al. Nat Rev Gen. 20 (2019):341\n[2]. Noho-Konteh F et al. Clin Infect Dis. 63 (2016):1213\n[3]. Fish E et al., Lancet. 387 (2016):1054","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Kirsty Wilson, Katie Flanagan, Stephen Robinson","title":"Mood and the Immune System In the Elderly\nBig Data and Systems Biology","description":"Vaccination is an ideal tool to protect against infections in vulnerable populations such as the elderly; however, vaccine efficacy declines with advancing age. Recent studies, including our on [1-3], show \u2018trained innate immunity\u2019, changes the way the immune system as a whole responds to subsequent environmental challenges, but how this changes with age has not been mapped. On the basis of our large-scale vaccine (DTP and influenza) human trial (n=600) in Tasmania we will map, as a world first, how innate immunity and innate training differs in humans based on age and sex, and how does this affect responses to vaccines. Importantly, DTP and influenza vaccine, given to the elderly together or sequentially, may prevent each other form working optimally. This study has thus policy implications for vaccine use in the elderly. Understanding the immune system of the elderly, will also underpin in-house development of more effective new generation synthetic vaccines based on nanoparticles. Aims The innovative human clinical trial in this project will define the innate immunological imprint following DTP vaccination, and its effect on the induction of subsequent innate and adaptive responses to the seasonal human influenza vaccine. It is designed to specifically study innate trained immunity and its modulation in the context of an aging immune system, and the effect sex on vaccination outcomes. Hypotheses:\n\u2022 DTaP vaccination modulates immunity to other stimuli, such as the influenza vaccine.\n\u2022 Baseline immunity and immune imprinting effects will differ between younger adults and the elderly, and females compared to males.\nMethods:\nThe laboratory uses world-class big-data omics analysis of blood immune cells, including RNAseq, epigenetics, multicolour flowcytometry (up to 27 simultaneous markers on cells), cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis (Luminex) as well as classical immunological techniques, e.g. ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology, proliferation and functional T cell assays. The PhD candidate:\nThe preferred PhD candidate will have done an Honours or Masters in either immunology, or vaccines, microbiology, bioinformatics, biostatistics or a related discipline. References: [1]. Flanagan KL et al. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2017 33 (2017):577\n[2]. Noho-Konteh F et al. Clin Infect Dis. 63 (2016):1213\n[3]. Fish E et al., Lancet. 387 (2016):1054","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Sara Baratchi, Elena Pirogova, Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Studying mechanobiology of cells using microfluidics","description":"This project aims to develop bio-microfluidic systems for studying the response of mechano-sensitive cells under customised physiological and pathological conditions [1-2]. The microfluidic system consists of a network of semi-circular channels coated with layers of endothelial cells to mimic the vascular systems. It also utilises self-sufficient pumps, valves and heaters to facilitate the release of chemicals (therapeutic peptides) at desired temperatures without the use of bulky, expensive external equipment [3]. The soft structure of the system allows for stretching of endothelial cells in repeated cycles. The cellular responses under the different external stimuli will be monitored and evaluated in real-time using inverted microscopy [4]. The project will be conducted in collaboration with biomedical and microfluidic experts at RMIT\u2019s School of Engineering. References: [1] Baratchi S et al., Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 21; 7(1):15942. doi: 10.1038\/s41598-017-16276-7\n[2] Baratchi S., et al., Trends Mol Med. 2017 Sep; 23(9):850-868. doi: 10.1016\n[3] Boyd-Moss et al., Lab Chip. 2016 Aug 16; 16(17):3177-92. doi: 10.1039\/c6lc00712k\n[4] Baratchi S et al., Cell Mol Life Sci. 2016 Feb; 73(3):649-66. doi: 10.1007\/s00018-015-2018-8. Epub 2015 Aug 20.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Afreen Huq, Ashenafi Biru, Alemayehu Molla","title":"Gendered Pathways in Digital Entrepreneurship: Exploring the Experiences of Women Founders in STEM Fields","description":"Project Description:\nWhile the gender gap in entrepreneurship remains a global concern (Tonoyan et al., 2020), women continue to be significantly underrepresented in STEM and technology-intensive entrepreneurial sectors (Agarwal et al., 2022). This underrepresentation is not merely numerical; it reflects entrenched institutional, structural, and cultural barriers that limit women's participation and contributions to innovation-driven economies (Brush et al., 2019).\nEnhancing women's participation in STEM entrepreneurship is critical for addressing persistent gender inequalities and fostering inclusive economic growth and innovation (Blackburn, 2023; Sharma, 2022). Women-led ventures in STEM not only challenge established gender norms but also contribute to employment, diversify innovation outcomes, and promote inclusive values within the entrepreneurial ecosystem (Armu\u00f1a et al., 2020).\nThis PhD project explores the experiences of women entrepreneurs in STEM, with a focus on, but not limited to:\n\u2022\tHow gender influences access to STEM innovation ecosystems and how women navigate structural, social, and institutional boundaries in the field. \n\u2022\tThe role of formal institutions and informal norms in constraining or facilitating women\u2019s entrepreneurial success in STEM, identifying pathways for institutional reform.\n\u2022\tThe adaptive and innovative strategies women entrepreneurs in STEM employ to succeed in male-dominated sectors.\nThis project is ideal for HDR candidates passionate about gender and entrepreneurship, STEM entrepreneurship, and innovation, and offers opportunities for qualitative and\/or mixed-methods research in global or local contexts. The supervision team includes specialists in gender and entrepreneurship, strategy and innovation, and information systems. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform\u2019s Innovative Impact Pathways & Championing priority area. ","sdg":"[\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-14","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350704"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Darryn Snell, Victor Gekara, Alemayehu Molla","title":"COVID-19 and the Impact of Automation and Digital Transformation on Workforce Development","description":"This PhD examines the impact of COVID-19 on the uptake of digital and automation technologies and the implications for workforce development. It has been suggested that COVID-19 would accelerate the uptake of automation and AI technologies as companies introduced physical distancing solutions and cost cutting measures (Seric and Winkler, 2020; Farshchi, 2020). These claims were speculative at the time but require closer examination, post event, given the impacts such rapid technological implementations would have for employees and skills demand. Using a range of qualitative social science methodologies, the project will develop an in-depth examination of the COVID-19 event, including the nature and extent of industry and government response in order to understand how specific organisations respond to changing skill and workforce requirements as they embrace digital transformation. The project will be guided by the following overarching research question:\nHow did the COVID-19 crisis influence firm-level technological uptake and what were the responses to changing workforce skills requirements and the overall implications for the workforce development strategies of these organisations?\nSuccessful PhD candidates will be expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of qualitative research methods and reasonable understanding of human resource management principles and practices as well as information systems. The project will be based in the School of Management but supervised by a highly experienced interdisciplinary team within the Skills, Training and Industry Research Network, which is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention, Justyna Dabrowska","title":"Digital Transformation across (Open) Innovation Ecosystems","description":"Digital transformation (DT) refers to a process where organisational actors engage in digital innovation and transform their organisations to respond to change in their business and technology environment(Rogers,2016). It was estimated that in 2018 companies world-wide spent $1.2 trillion on their DT with only 1% achieving or slightly exceeding the expectations (WEF,2018). Thus, mastering DT shows to be extremely challenging. Part of the challenge is that DT is not only about the implementation and understanding of the technology per se but about changing strategy, organisational structures and management concepts and exploring new value creation and capture logic with various players. It also requires not only intensive intra-organisational renewal, but also collaboration between heterogeneous partners from different disciplines throughout the value chain(Warner&Wager,2019). This type of collaborative environment is well described and supported by the Open Innovation paradigm (Chesbrough,2003;2019). The purpose of this HDR project is to explore how DT changes business logic in multiple and diverse industries and enables emergence and further development of innovation ecosystems. Through qualitative or potentially mixed method research approach the project will also explore organisational approaches to successfully coordinate digital initiatives as well as embed digital tools and methods to support complex strategic decision-making process and to explore and identify novel approaches of innovation ecosystem orchestration.\nThe project is particularly suitable for candidates with prior knowledge and\/or background in (open)innovation and technology management, strategic management. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers who have industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention, Justyna Dabrowska, Massimo Menichinelli, Olga Kokshagina","title":"Sustainable Innovations through Design and Behavioural Change for Ageing Population","description":"Influenced by technological shifts and industry transformation, challenges of Healthy Ageing are rooted in how humanistic principles (fairness and wellness) are integrated into conceptualisation, development and commercialisation of sustainable innovations for older people. The purpose of this HDR project is to explore the role of sustainable innovations for healthy ageing in the context of HealthTech, Smartcare, Assisted Living Technologies (ALT) and EdTech for the elderly. The project will focus on the elderly at the centre of the humanistic design process, and will aim to integrate behavioural frameworks as well as open innovation principles.\nThe project is particularly suitable for (but not limited to) candidates with prior knowledge and\/or background in (open)innovation and technology management, strategic management, psychology. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers who have industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention, Justyna Dabrowska","title":"Towards new value creation logic from university-industry collaboration","description":"In today\u2019s knowledge economy innovation does not occur in isolation. It is increasingly the result of an open process of collaboration involving multiple actors throughout the value chain. This phenomenon has been captured with the introduction of the Open Innovation paradigm (Chesbrough, 2003). Open innovation is a multi-faceted platform that includes the adoption of complex practices and the establishment of equally complex cooperation networks\u2019 configurations, involving multiple stakeholders and requiring sophisticated orchestration mechanisms. One such practice is represented by University-Industry Cooperation (UIC). Despite being challenging undertakings they are capable of generating strong channels for knowledge sharing including a very high potential to produce innovation outcomes. A high potential that is acknowledged to be still largely untapped (Mention & Torkkeli, 2016).\nThe purpose of this HDR project is to explore university industry collaboration from complex multi-stakeholder value creation logic. Through qualitative or potentially mixed method research approach the project will explore the role of stakeholders across the (non) linear innovation process, e.g. the role of competitors in shaping novelties. The project will also seek to understand the role of individuals and their behaviours (willingness to cooperate; behaviour-intention-action-attitude). The project is particularly suitable for candidates with prior knowledge and\/or background in (open)innovation and technology management, strategic management, IP. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers who have industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"MR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tim Bartram","title":"From brain waste to brain gain: Movement of self-initiated expatriate from emerging to advanced economies, an exploratory study","description":"The aim of this research is enhancing knowledge on the movement of self-initiated expatriates (SIE) from emerging to advanced economies, to understand their rationale for leaving their host countries, seeking permanent residency in the host country, or repatriating to their countries of origin. Advanced economies experience insufficiency of high qualified talent and the phenomenon of brain waste persist, still governments and international organisations have limited influence to incentivise drain gain from the evolving diaspora of skilled SIE talent from emerging economies. Drawing on participants from Colombia, Czech Republic and Malaysia who have moved to Australia, this article reports on the differences and similarities between the three countries. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350503 Human Resources Management (50%)\r\n350702 Corporate Social Responsibility (40%)\r\n350507 Workplace wellbeing and quality of working life (10%)\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Grosser","title":"Gender, business and human rights","description":"A unique opportunity to join a vibrant research community developing guidance for states and businesses on how to integrate gender issues in their implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The scholarship aims to bring feminist perspectives to the debate on gender, business and human rights, developing guidance for states and business on integrating gender issues in their implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This scholarship is an opportunity to contribute to an emerging research agenda at the intersection of gender research on organizations, and particularly business organizations, human rights, and feminist scholarship on corporate responsibility and accountability. The latter is a rapidly expanding field, which has yet to take a strong human rights perspective. Meanwhile, the launch of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011) has stimulated a new and expanding stream of research on business and human rights, however, this literature rarely discusses gender issues. Finally a further body of research investigates women\u2019s human rights globally, and related policy initiatives, but the role of business is not a central theme therein. Noting the rising prominence of gender equality as a human rights issue internationally, and growing interest in the role of business with respect to human rights, this scholarship enables you to contribute to the development of a new interdisciplinary research agenda on gender, business and human rights. It also facilitates contributions to women\u2019s human rights in a global context. You will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research team that contributes to policy development and practice with regard to integrating a gender perspective in the implementation of the three pillars of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: (a) The State Duty to Protect Human Rights; (b) The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights; (c) Access to Remedy.\nWe welcome applications from a variety of geographical and cultural contexts, and disciplinary and methodological perspectives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204 & MR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention","title":"Opening up for Open Innovation: Unveiling the cognitive characteristics of individuals","description":"Open innovation (OI) starts with mental representations of \u2018being open\u2019. The tendency towards being open is rooted in how and why individual processes external information \u2013this information in OI is beset with uncertainties \u2013 be laden with situations characterising emotional and psychological stress. Psychological stress is costly \u2013 economically and socially with implications for individual and organisational well-being.\nCurrent research on coping strategies in OI argues that interactions and exchanges in OI are socially constructed, however limited knowledge exists on how and why the social influences affect individual\u2019s cognitive processes in this context. To this end, research is needed to explore the cognitive characteristics of individuals in OI. Such an understanding can inform recruitment, engagement and environmental conditions conducive to OI objectives.\nMore specifically, research aimed at addressing the following questions remains providential:\nDoes being open to external knowledge hurt? \u2013 a neurocognitive approach could shed light on the effects of openness on brain functions related to psychological stress.\nDoes self-presentation tendency affect external information search and acceptance? \u2013 an experimentation approach could unveil how and why individuals engage in socially motivated cognitive renewal processes.\nHow do false memories affect the \u2018being open\u2019 psychological state of individuals in OI? \u2013 a mixed method approach could investigate the relationship between false memories and subsequent choices in OI.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention","title":"Regulatory sandboxes and innovation capabilities: An exploratory study","description":"FinTech as \u201ca new financial industry that applies technology to improve financial activities\u201d (Schueffel, 2016, p.45) is built upon a distributed model in terms of bringing technology closer and allowing the development of new services, encouraging customer value and centricity. FinTech brings an entire different logic that is causing fundamental changes in the structure and purpose of business, changes that the majority of incumbents are not ready to face (Nicoletti, 2017).\nNotably, 83% of financial institutions are expecting to increase partnerships over the next three to five years, 64% are currently engaging in partnerships with FinTech companies while 89% are expecting drastic changes in internal innovation efforts over the next three to five years (PwC, 2017). These developments have already signalled to regulators and policymakers that the current regulatory frameworks are not anymore compatible with this emerging financial technologies entrepreneurial environment (He et al., 2017). Extant literature is beginning to pay attention to the emergence and developments of regulatory sandboxes to provide flexibility and accessibility across the financial services industry (Lee, 2017), along with, providing foundations for sound competition within the financial industry (Noh, 2017). Anchored in this ongoing discussion around the relationship between FinTech and Regulation for Financial Innovation, this proposal by bringing multiple insights from key informants in financial services, aims at exploring how regulatory sandboxes can help in building long-term experimentation capabilities that are essential to innovation?\nThe outcomes from the project have implications for science and practice of innovation management. For science, it extends the state-of-the-art in by integrating governance theories with innovation practice. In doing so, the project will pave new paths for research on regulatory and ethical considerations in financial innovations (i.e. responsible innovation). For practice, the project is expected to deliver understanding of characteristics of FinTech entrepreneurs and start-ups when it comes to embracing openness during experimentation. In turn, it provides insights into the necessary conditions for improving effectiveness of regulatory sandboxes in driving financial innovations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management; Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Business Information Systems; Management","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alemayehu Molla, Ashenafi Biru","title":"Dynamics of FinTech Entrepreneurship Eco-systems","description":"The digital economy provides ample opportunities for organisations to innovate. These opportunities are particularly prevalent in the financial sector, where FinTech entrepreneurs continue to enter the market with innovative, efficient and more customer-oriented financial services and products than incumbents. FinTech entrepreneurs take advantage of the growing digital society, changes in consumer trends, deregulation and the proliferation of digital artifacts, infrastructure and platforms to enter into the financial services market with offerings that can disrupt, improve or enhance financial service types and delivery models. As FinTech entrepreneurship is a relatively recent phenomenon, the theoretical foundations to explain the processes through which entrepreneurial ecosystems emerge, change, and influence and be influenced by the activities of FinTech entrepreneurs remain underdeveloped. This PhD project investigates the formation and dynamics of FinTech entrepreneurial clusters in different regions of the world. The project draws insights from digital entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial eco-system theories to provide a more nuanced and rigorous understanding of FinTech entrepreneurship to strengthen existing and develop successful ecosystems in regions with limited successful FinTech start-ups. The project will apply both qualitative and quantitative methods. Successful candidates will be expected to have management, entrepreneurship and information systems background and a good foundation in mixed methods research. The supervision team includes specialists in entrepreneurship and information systems. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform\u2019s designing innovation ecosystems and platforms focus area.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bruno Schivinski, Vasileios Stavropoulos, Nalin Arachchilage","title":"Serious games and wellbeing","description":"Serious games are transforming mental health care by offering innovative, engaging ways to enhance well-being. By blending therapeutic techniques into game formats, these games provide accessible, effective mental health interventions. Beyond individual benefits, they build community resilience and reduce mental health stigma. Collaboration between academics, industry experts, and gamers is key to creating scientifically grounded, user-friendly games that drive positive change.\nThis project will delve into the mechanics that make serious games effective, spotlight opportunities for assessment and intervention, and discuss how to measure their impact on mental health. We\u2019ll also highlight the powerful social impact of these games and call for a unified vision between the Victorian game industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sally Storey, Julian Thomas","title":"Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in ADM: Australia in the Asia Pacific","description":"The PhD research project will be located in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S Centre) at RMIT Australia. The candidate will be part of the research team on \u201cCultural and Linguistic Diversity in ADM: Australia in the Asia Pacific\u201d. The project aims to better understand the landscapes of ADM (automated decision-making) across the region, including the role of NGOs, industry, government and other stakeholders; empower community members to participate in dialogues concerning diversity in ADM; and build capacity for community organisations in collective bargaining with public policymakers for inclusive and equitable ADM policies. \n\nThe PhD scholarship will fund a project that (1) focuses on national, regional, and local communities and actors in Asia Pacific, or culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia; (2) engages with \u201cdiversity\u201d and other key concepts in ADM concerning the impacts, politics and geopolitics of ADM development, such as language-specific models, applications, infrastructure in digital network and services, and their terms of reference in governance.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"470107 media studies (40%)\n470102 Communication technology and digital media studies (60%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alexandra Wake","title":"Listening to trauma: a journalistic exploration via podcast.","description":"This project is part of a larger ARC Discovery \"Australian Journalism, Trauma and Community\" which involves researchers across RMIT and Monash Universities. Working through RMIT's professional research symposium program, this opportunity invites experienced journalists to use their practice as the research to create original knowledge through a PhD. We expect that a podcast produced for this PhD will become a public outcome for the wider research project focussed on investigating the professional and personal costs of reporting on trauma for Australian journalists and the communities they engage with. The groundbreaking historical study of journalists exposure to trauma in Australia will generate new knowledge about the relationship between journalism and trauma.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"430302 Australian history & 470107 Media studies "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"T.J. Thomson","title":"Evaluating and bolstering the quality of local visual news","description":"Journalism is vital to the public good, but regional and remote communities lack the same access to local news as their urban counterparts. This is especially true for local visual news, which is often an afterthought despite its importance in creating high-quality news content, engaging audiences, and shaping public perceptions.\r\n\r\nThis project observes local journalists at work and evaluates their output against the needs expressed by their communities, thus facilitating a much-needed conversation between local journalists and audiences. In doing so, it defines what quality local visual news is, and through local newsroom briefings and events co-hosted with industry provides guidance on how journalists can best produce it. This project evaluates local visual news in key communities across the country, including several with higher-than-average Indigenous populations.\r\n\r\nAs a PhD researcher on this project, you should have experience in areas such as:\r\n\r\n\u2022 journalism studies and\/or experience as a journalist or media professional; and\/or\r\n\u2022 qualitative research methods (observations, interviews, focus groups; textual analysis); and\/or\r\n\u2022 visual communication\r\n\r\nThose from or with experience in regional\/rural areas of Australia are especially encouraged to apply.","sdg":"10 - Reduced Inequalities, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"470105 Journalism Studies (80%)\r\n470101 - Communication studies (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Professor Anna Hickey-Moody, Professor Katherine Johnson, Global Urban and Social Studies","title":"A study of the experiences of LGBTIQ religious high-school-aged youth","description":"A study of the experiences of LGBTIQ religious high-school-aged youth will be a significant part of an ARC \r\nDiscovery project\u2019s contribution to knowledge and will be carried out by the successful PhD candidate. This PhD exploring LGBTIQ religious youth is part of a larger study into the knowledges and practices about sexuality and religion that form the everyday worlds of young people who are religious. This is significant because of its nationwide, deep yet comparative approach to a key time in the development of a young person\u2019s identity. Expected outcomes include strategic health policy and curriculum development advice that responds to current debates around religious exemptions to anti-discrimination law and creates better education and health care for religious and LGBTIQ youth. Benefits resulting from better health care and education will include increased well being for religious LGBTIQ youth, conservatively religious and newly arrived youth communities in Australia. A fee waiver for international students will ensure the recruitment of the best candidate. The PhD student will focus on data from the state school research sites and will take responsibility for the analysis and dissemination of data relating to LGBTIQ religious youth. The student will be based at RMIT and co-supervised by CIs Johnson and Hickey-Moody.","sdg":"5 - Gender Equality, 4 - Quality Education, 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"200203 - Consumption and Everyday Life"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Larissa Hjorth, Ingrid Richardson (RMIT), Seb Chan (ACMI)","title":"Museum Digital Social Futures: Audience Living Lab as incubator for socially-engaged and situated media innovation","description":"This project is guided by the following question: How can we learn from the pandemic by connecting digital innovation to social practices that extend beyond the physical site of the museum to imagine new forms of socially-engaged situated media practice as part of the user experience journey? Working in collaboration with ACMI, RMIT and AMAGA, this project will explore how the museum can engage in resilient and creative ways that address digital social inclusion. Mapping museum experiences as they move across digital, social and material spaces and places\u2014especially when experience moves outside the physical site of museum into the home\u2014remains under researched. The project will further develop this pilot study to design and facilitate digital innovation in post-COVID museum audience experiences\u2014within both museums and domestic, household spaces. It will explore how the digital is experienced as social encounters across various sites, spaces and contexts. It is in this \u2018social\u2019 space that innovation, inclusion and impact lie.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 2 Playful and Material Encounters; DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable; DCP 4 Design and Creative Practice Industries","forcodes":"470102 - Communication technology and digital media studies (50%)\n470203 - Consumption and everyday life (50%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingrid Richardson, Marsha Berry, Rachel Wilson, Rebecca Young, Daniel Binns, Jay Daniel Thompson, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi, Natalie Hendry, Seth Keen","title":"Creativity, Learning, Digital Arts, and Design","description":"Creativity, Learning, Digital Arts, and Design positions research participants as \u2018creative agents\u2019 and authors of their own experience. This programme takes the question of research translation as a point of departure and creates experiences, artefacts, resources and texts through which participant\u2019s stories, perspectives, desires and subjectivities are presented in affective and accessible ways. Creativity, Learning, Digital Arts, and Design explores the potential of social practice and co-designed arts across a range of disciplinary spaces. Researchers explore issues relating to visibility, agency, voice, care, educational experience, screen and performance-based methods for progressive and transformational ethnographic research. This program places a strong emphasis on accessibility and social inclusion. Methods employed are designed to be inclusive, relevant in inter-cultural and cross-cultural contexts and ensure to facilitate distributed agency in ways that support and encourage participants. Research is both a vehicle for social change and a means of collaborative knowledge production.","sdg":"38445","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingrid Richardson, Haiqing Yu, Annette Markham, Leah Li, Tania Lewis, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Digital Domesticity, Sustainability, and the Everyday","description":"Digital Domesticity, Sustainability, and the Everyday examines the role of everyday life practices and homes as increasingly central hubs of digital engagement and smart infrastructure, and the implications of this for post-human experience and climate change. This research will centre on and in people\u2019s homes, lives and communities, using a range of possible approaches\u2014from digital methods to ethnography and beyond\u2014to foreground the rich and shifting relationships between practices, beliefs, technology and environments. Projects tend to focus on particular domains or interrelations, such as environmental activism online, e-waste and digital sustainability; the politics of smart homes and domestic robotics; the characteristics and complexities of relationships between humans and their digital personal assistants; the digitisation of food, and games, YouTube, post-television cultures and streaming services.","sdg":"44906","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Brunt, Catherine Strong, Patrick Kelly, Alexia Kannas, Steve Gaunson, Tami Gadir, Ramon Lobato, Huck Ying Ch'ng, Glen Donnar, Smiljana Glisovic, Maria Stratford, Shweta Kishore, Stayci Taylor, Adrian Danks, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi","title":"Performance and Identity in Screen, Sound, Music","description":"The theme aims to understand the importance of identity in screen, and\/or sound and\/or music. This includes how identity affects performance, production, dissemination and reception of cultural products. Aspects of identity that could be considered include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, age, dis\/ability and gender. This can incorporate the aspects of identity formation enabled through these cultural forms that are essential to community formation and positive self-reflections, as well as those that are exclusionary or that contribute to the maintenance of inequality in wider society. Projects within this theme aim to generate creative and inventive solutions to real-world problems which have the capacity to change social expectations about identity and increase representations of cultural diversity.","sdg":"44839","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 2001, 2003"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Meese, Haiqing Yu, Lisa Dethridge, Cathy Greenfield, Annette Markham, Ramon Lobato, Ellie Rennie, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi, Lucy Morieson, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca, Tania Lewis","title":"Automation and Social Futures","description":"Automation and Social Futures engages with the ethical, political, social, organisational, cultural and governance implications of machine learning, algorithmic decision-making and digital infrastructures. The research will investigate the intersection of technology and the human experience, using methods ranging from data analytics to close level ethnographic approaches. Possible areas of investigation include the complex interrelations between technology design and technologies in use; social media platforms; ethics and future automation of memory and heritage practices; impact of algorithms on identity; deep fakes and disinformation campaigns; autonomous vehicles; smart city infrastructures; blockchain as infrastructure; supply chain systems. This program places strong focus on building better potential futures for our communities by critically examining the politics and ethics behind both norms and governance around automated decision-making systems, especially important in times of continuous and rapid change.","sdg":"8","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingrid Richardson, Mark Gibson, Emsie Arnoldi, Rob Cover, Bruno Schivinski, Alex Wake, Scott Brook, Catherine Gomes, Michaela Jackson, Haiqing Yu, Lisa Dethridge, Cathy Greenfield, Marianne Sison, Annette Markham, Lukas Parker, Linda Brennan, Ramon Lobato, Michelle Aung Thin, Ella Chorazy, Huck Ying Ch'ng, Daniel Binns, Leah Li, Maria Stratford, Tania Lewis, Jay Daniel Thompson, David Fouvy, Chengju Huang, John Postill, Julie Bilby, Lucy Morieson, Annette Markham","title":"Digital media and the social","description":"This theme focuses on the ways in which digital media is an intrinsic part of the social. From the new forms of articulating and experiencing identity and community through social media and mobile devices, to the role of analytics and big data in the management of organisations and populations, research in this theme focuses on the emergent issues of trust, ethics, publics, planning, technology, and power. It is concerned with the role of digital media and communications technologies in articulating publics and communities, as well as the actions of agencies that would seek to manage, inform, influence, and listen to such groups. It has a further interest in critical methodologies across a range of interdisciplinary fields that have been used to explore the ways in which the social is reproduced and transformed by digital communications, including digital ethnography, sociology of the internet, science and technology studies, governmentality studies, and mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) network analysis.","sdg":"42684","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1505, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Brunt, James Meese, Catherine Strong, Mark Gibson, Kim Munro, Patrick Kelly, Alan Nguyen, Alex Wake, Scott Brook, Steve Gaunson, Tami Gadir, Ramon Lobato, Glen Donnar, Smiljana Glisovic, Djoymi Baker, Daniel Binns, Leah Li, Maria Stratford, Tania Lewis, Adrian Danks, Lucy Morieson, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Transforming Screen and Sound Industries in a Digital Age","description":"This theme investigates social, economic and industrial dynamics of screen, and\/or sound and\/or music culture. Research topics may include audiences, policy, labour, access, digital inclusion, participation, cultural diversity, sustainability and other issues related to the social contexts of cultural production, distribution and consumption. We invite proposals that consider one or more of these issues in relation to a specific media industry (or industries), in contemporary or historical contexts.","sdg":"9, 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1902, 2001, 2004"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Brunt, Catherine Strong, Lisa French, Kim Munro, Polly Stanton, Marsha Berry, Patrick Kelly, Alexia Kannas, Alan Nguyen, Steve Gaunson, Tami Gadir, Ramon Lobato, Rachel Wilson, Glen Donnar, Smiljana Glisovic, Rebecca Young, Djoymi Baker, Daniel Binns, Maria Stratford, Shweta Kishore, Stayci Taylor, Seth Keen, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Thinking Critically about Screen, Sound and Music as Creative Practices","description":"This theme investigates contexts, epistemologies, theories, methods, and methodologies to enrich understandings of the cultures of screen, and\/or sound and\/or music. This can be approached through a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to screen studies, popular music, filmmaking, screenwriting, history, curatorial practice, sound design, online media and other related fields, including through community, social justice or environmental lenses. Interdisciplinary approaches are also encouraged. These approaches can be applied to a range of genres, modes of engagement with content, theoretical perspectives or formats, including the digital and virtual.","sdg":"44776","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change \/ Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rob Cover, Catherine Gomes, Emsie Arnoldi, Olivia Guntarik, Haiqing Yu, Lisa Dethridge, Marianne Sison, Antonio Castillo, Huck Ying Ch'ng, Leah Li, Tania Lewis, Jay Daniel Thompson","title":"Digital Inclusion, Mobility, and Activism","description":"The research program examines the challenges and potentials of digital participation as this relates to access and inclusion, connectivity, networks and political activism, gig or micro work, and mobility and migration. Possible research methods include analyses of existing data sets, digital ethnography, critical pedagogical experiments, arts-based interventions, and working with communities to understand how digital technologies are mobilised for various political and personal purposes. Research seeks to explain patterns and practices that have built up around digital communities or activist practices, and to explore the outcomes and implications of disconnections and misalignments between technology design, everyday use, policies and norms. Possible areas of investigation include experimenting with groups to adapt or hack common digital tools to preserve cultural memory; building localized rather than universal interpretations of critical data literacy; bringing together policymakers and community members to make so-called smart technology designs more usable and relevant; the politics of tech communities; the outcomes of internet use for different groups; locative technologies and place.","sdg":"3, 5, 10, 16","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rob Cover, Bruno Schivinski, Emsie Arnoldi, Michaela Jackson, Catherine Gomes, Haiqing Yu, Marianne Sison, Lukas Parker, Ella Chorazy, Linda Brennan, Lisa Waller, Leah Li, Jay Daniel Thompson David Fouvy, Seth Keen","title":"Communicating for Health, Sustainable Environments and Community Wellbeing","description":"This theme encompasses research into communication and media applications in the areas of health and sustainability, especially where societal change is creating rapid transformations for communities and environments. The theme includes health and environmental communication campaigns, affective social media, gaming, crisis communications, and community advocacy. This theme includes multiple disciplinary threads from across media and communications, including journalism, social marketing for behaviour change, advertising, corporate responsibility and organisational ethics, strategic communications, and supports research in interdisciplinary teams with industry partners. The theme supports a diverse range of methodologies, including applied design and innovation, especially co-design and user experience research. Research in this theme covers a range of social issues such as equity, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, digital wellbeing, building individual, community and societal wellbeing and social change.","sdg":"40301","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Global Business Innovation, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1505, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Mark Gibson, Lisa French, Emsie Arnoldi, Scott Brook, Rachel Wilson, Ramon Lobato, Cathy Greenfield, Ellie Rennie, Gretchen Coombs, Daniel Binns, Robert Crawford, Chengju Huang, Julie Bilby, Lucy Morieson, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Cultural and Creative Industries","description":"This research theme focuses on the industry dynamics of the Cultural and Creative Industries. It defines the CCIs broadly - including the media industries (screen, music recording, journalism, publishing), arts and design, games and advertising - and is distinguished by a focus on industry features; such as policy and regulation: the impact of new technologies and digital platforms on production, distribution and consumption; cultural and creative work, employability and careers: creative hubs and ecosystems: social network markets and fields of creative production; cultural economy and entrepreneurship; and the history of the CCIs as modern industry and policy formations and, more recently, domains of government intervention, regulation, and industry advocacy. CCI researchers in the School have an interest in gender, labour, government policy, education, locative media, and the platform economy.","sdg":"44812","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Global Business Innovation, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 1904, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"James Meese, Bruno Schivinski, Alex Wake, Michaela Jackson, Catherine Gomes, Haiqing Yu, Marianne Sison, Lukas Parker, Ella Chorazy, Linda Brennan, Lisa Waller, Leah Li, Robert Crawford David Fouvy, Chengju Huang, Julie Bilby","title":"Social, Public and Marketing Communications","description":"This theme focuses on all forms of social, public and commercial communications; from advertising campaigns through organisational communications to news media and citizen journalism. It focuses on normative and critical accounts of the effects and efficacy of media communications projects and industries subject to processes of digital disruption, including the tensions between public, community and commercial interests and values. Research in this theme is often interdisciplinary and encompasses institutions, industries, stakeholders and individuals with a focus on contributing to the creation of public value, including building citizenship and public participation with mainstream as well as diverse groups. Topics and disciplines include Indigenous media, branding, public relations and strategic communications, social marketing and public value, organisational ethics, fact-checking and misinformation, public and citizen journalism, consumer activism and community advocacy; and media and communications for community development.","sdg":"41191","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Global Business Innovation, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1505, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media and Communication","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Scott Brook, Tammy Wong-Hulbert","title":"Vital Arts: Recognising transferrable skills learnt through informal arts education.","description":"This PhD project is embedded in the Australian Research Council Linkage Grant LP200301027 'Creative industries pathways to youth employment in the COVID-19 recession'. Working in collaboration with the chief investigators, the successful candidate will develop a project that recognises informal learning in arts contexts through completing a micro-credential. There is the opportunity for the PhD to be practice based and located in learning design. Our team warmly welcomes applications from candidates with experience in youth arts, learning design and online learning.","sdg":"4 - Quality Education; 5 - Gender Equality; 1 - No Poverty; 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth; 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 4 Design and Creative Practice Industries","forcodes":"200203 - Consumption and Everyday Life"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Carlin; Francesca Rendle-Short; Michelle Aung Thin; Melody Ellis","title":"Connecting Asia-Pacific Literary Cultures: Grounds for Encounter and Exchange","description":"This project aims to analyse and develop innovative creative practices to connect writers and evolve literary cultures in the Asia-Pacific region. It will elaborate, test, evaluate and communicate an evolving model for best practice in intercultural and transnational exchange, based on principles and processes of ethical encounter and exchange through creative practice. It looks at and builds upon the work of a successful pilot program, Writers\u2019 Immersion and Cultural Exchange (WrICE), which has developed an organic network of 59 writers across 13 countries. The model, premised on situating creative writing as a way of thinking, being and learning collectively, centres on methods of curating and facilitating collaborative residencies. The project asks: how might writers be supported to develop intercultural and international relationships that augment and transform their creative practices, and produce networks of cooperation across the Asia-Pacific? The PhD project is an opportunity for a creative writer with an established or emerging track record to extend their practice through collaborative and intercultural engagement with creative peers from across the Asia-Pacific. The PhD researcher will conduct creative practice-based fieldwork as a writer\/participant in the project, extending and challenging their existing creative practice. This is an opportunity to participate in and co-design a range of innovative exercises in creative and intercultural collaboration, alongside creative peers from across the Asia-Pacific, and to theorise and apply the collaborative and intercultural creative writing methods developed and explored through the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"190402 - Creative Writing (incl. Playwriting) (80%)\n(360201 Creative and Professional Writing (Creative Writing))\n200209 - Multicultural, Intercultural and Cross-cultural Studies (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Josie Vine, Brigid Magner, Ronnie Scott, Kim Munro, Jessica Wilkinson. Marsha Berry, Rebecca Hill, Bonny Cassidy, Antonio Castillo, David Carlin, Gretchen Coombs, Stayci Taylor, Linda Daley, Rose Michael, Peta Murray,  Stefanie Markidis ","title":"Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetics: Creative Ecologies and Imaginative Futures","description":"This theme looks at how writing and publishing can engage with other disciplines and knowledges to create new imaginings of histories, ecologies and futures. It invites a range of approaches, deploying fiction, nonfiction, poetry and\/or performance writing, along with hybrid forms such as the audio essay or poetic biography that complicate generic boundaries. It explores and interrogates how devices of speculation, imagination, poetry and fabulation can generate new perspectives and approaches to critical issues. These include questions of work and care, ecological and ethical futures, and the politics and poetics of fact and fiction as they relate to the way stories are told, policies devised, and worlds imagined.","sdg":"11, 13","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1904, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Brigid Magner, Ronnie Scott, Jessica Wilkinson, Olivia Guntarik, Rose Michael, Peta Murray, Zoe Dzunko, Antonio Castillo, David Carlin, Gretchen Coombs, Stayci Taylor, Stefanie Markidis","title":"Playful and Experimental Approaches to Creative Writing Methods","description":"How can creative writing methods including play, immersive practice, observation and deep listening reshape creative reinterpretations of the material world? Alternatively, how might formal methodological experimentation in creative writing contribute to new ways of knowing, doing or understanding contemporary realities? This theme encourages engagement with interdisciplinary ways of knowing, including play scholarship from ludology, psychology, literary studies or biology. By foregrounding playful and experimental research practices with poetry, fiction, nonfiction, digital literatures and performance writing, this research will enable innovative investigations of pressing material, social, ecological and cultural issues, as well as offer new insight into innovative methods and applications of creative writing and\/or literary studies.","sdg":"44868","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1904"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Josie Vine, Ronnie Scott, Rebecca Hill, Michelle Aung Thin, Bonny Cassidy, Antonio Castillo, David Carlin, Gretchen Coombs, Leah Li, Linda Daley, Rose Michael, Peta Murray, Stefanie Markidis","title":"Voice, Ethics and Power in Writing and Publishing","description":"This theme looks at how dynamics of power play out across bodies, time, narratives and institutions. Its focus is on ethical relations and how these may form the basis for socially grounded creative practices. Through practice-based and allied creative methods, it asks how stories come to matter: whose stories, what stories, how stories are shaped, framed and circulated. It invites critical engagement with theories of difference and relationality, including Indigenous, feminist, queer, critical race, decolonial theory and posthumanist theory. Equally, it is open to the bending of genres to explore transgressive and performative contours and cartographies. The theme invites and implicates diverse modes of creative practice, including the essayistic, poetic, performative and fictional","sdg":"5, 16","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1904, 2005"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Brigid Magner, Polly Stanton, Olivia Guntarik, Rebecca Hill, Rachel Wilson, Bonny Cassidy, Leah Li, Adrian Danks, Linda Daley, Rose Michael, Peta Murray","title":"Place, Location, Sovereignties and the Transnational","description":"This theme aims to explore the possibilities of place, belonging, language and the transnational, including Indigenous language revival and maintenance, through literary, screen and other creative works. Questions include: how can creative writing, screen and sound, and allied literary and creative practices, be used explore the complex relationships between place and sovereignty? How do place-stories and mediations contribute to a shared sense of identity, and how might they work to recalibrate settler-Indigenous relations? How do creative works authored by Indigenous writers and media-makers articulate and perform sovereignty? And how can literary\/screen\/sound practice transform how geographic places are experienced and defined?","sdg":"11, 15","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 1904, 2005"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard, Michelle Turner, Rita Peihua Zhang, Chenjunyan Sun, Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Mental health and wellbeing in construction","description":"There is a well-established and compelling evidence base showing that job-related characteristics in construction impact on the short- and long-term mental health of the workforce. The industry has high levels of burnout and construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than as the result of a work-related accident.\n\nThe RMIT Construction Work Health and Safety @ RMIT team has a strong track record in undertaking research into ways to protect and improve construction workers\u2019 mental health.\n\nThis work involves looking at ways to \n\u2022\tdesign work to reduce psychosocial risk, and well as\n\u2022\tcreate good quality jobs that enable workers to flourish\n\nGiven the implementation of psychological health regulations in many Australian jurisdictions and the growing interest in this topic, we welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area.\n","sdg":"[\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330205\tBuilding organisational studies"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rajagopala, Mary Myla Andamon, Andrew Carre","title":"Urban microclimate","description":"Climate change is significantly impacting cities and those who live and work within them. Hot temperatures are experienced more often and the risk of more frequent heatwaves and longer periods of extreme conditions are predicted to increase significantly over the next few decades. The impacts of heatwaves and extreme hot days are on public health, mortality rates, productivity, energy demand, economy and infrastructure. \n\nResearch topics under this area of focus include: Urban heat island and mitigation studies, outdoor thermal comfort, cooling interventions such as use of urban greenery, cool materials, shading etc. Research methods range from field measurements, surveys, micro-scale and meso-scale climate modelling and simulations, statistical analyses of collected data.\n\nProspective research candidates are expected to have experience and basic or intermediate level of proficiency in one or more of the research methods.\n","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mary Myla Andamon, Priya Rajagopalan, Jin Woo, Andrew Carre, Nigel Goodman, Matthew Francis","title":"Building Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)","description":"Buildings are major investments, not only during the design and construction stage but across their service lives with on-going operation and maintenance. Building owners and occupants are increasingly invested in maintaining adequate building indoor environmental quality that is acceptable and appropriate for intended occupants. IEQ issues have particularly risen on the agenda for governments and broadly, civil society due to concerns that changes to building design to adapt to the expected effects of climate change will have adverse implications on indoor environmental conditions. Achieving occupant comfort have consequent benefits to health, wellbeing, and consequently occupant performance and productivity.\n\nIEQ topics for research include thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation, lighting comfort\/visual quality and acoustic comfort across residential, commercial and institutional occupancies. Research methods range from on-site measurements, occupant survey, post-occupancy evaluation (POE), IEQ modelling and simulations, statistical analyses of collected data.\n\nProspective research candidates are expected to have experience and basic or intermediate level of proficiency in one or more of the IEQ research methods.","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330206 Building science, technologies and systems\n330203 Building industry studies\n330299 Building not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Won, Sarah Holdsworth, Ron Wakefield, Eric Too, Bambang Trigunarsyah, David Oswald, Pauline Teo, Sajani Jayasuriya, Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige, Vijay Rangrej, Tayyab Maqsood, Alireza Ahankoob, Behzad Abbasnejad","title":"Construction operational and dispute managements","description":"This area of focus addresses a wide range of challenges towards achieving automation in construction and the associated new wave of procurement and contract management reform. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), Modulation in Construction (MiC), offsite manufacturing, machine learning for automation in different forms of construction projects, contract administration reforms and new approaches for related disputes avoidance and resolution.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201 Automation and technology in building and construction\n330202 Building construction management and project planning\n330203 Building industry studies\n330205 Building organisational studies\n330207 Quantity surveying"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Holdsworth, Michelle Turner, Orana Sandri, Rita Zhang, Mary Myla Andamon","title":"Women in construction","description":"This team helps devise policies that aim to increase training and employment opportunities for women. They established an evidence base informed by the voices of women in trade and semi-skilled roles to inform targeted interventions aimed at improving gender equality in construction. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in enhancing the apprenticeship and traineeship programs for women in construction and building equality through the social procurement framework","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"5 - Gender Equality\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"330203 Building industry studies\n330299 Building not elsewhere classified\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Pauline Te, Sajani Jayasuriya, Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige, Peter SP Wong, Akvan Gajanayake","title":"Life cycle assessment for construction developments","description":"With the global trend of including Life cycle assessment has part of the mandatory requirements for every construction development, we courage students to contribute to this area of focus through developing carbon accounting solutions, supply and value chain management, evaluating the employment impacts and establishing business cases for social housing and infrastructure.","sdg":"[\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330202 Building construction management and project planning\n330203 Building industry studies\n330207 Quantity surveying"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Won, Ron Wakefield, Guillermo Aranda-Mena, Alireza Ahankoob, Behzad Abbasnejad, Tayyab Maqsood","title":"Immersive (AR\/VR\/MR) technology and Building Information Modelling (BIM)","description":"Build on the direction of Industry 4.0, connectivity technologies for real-time decision-making are no longer the vision but mission that must be accomplished. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in virtual\/augmented\/mixed reality and their integration to Building Information Modelling. Studies focused on the use of immersive technology and multi-dimensional applications of BIM for data analysis in construction operations, project management and professional trainings.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201 Automation and technology in building and construction\n330204 Building information modelling and management"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ron Wakefield, Guillermo Aranda-Mena, Sajani Jayasuriya, Matthew Francis,  Gavin Liu, Tom Simko","title":"Solar Energy Enabled Building\/ Community\/Urban Decarbonization","description":"Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in both building scale and urban scale of solar energy studies. Potential research topics include Building integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and its product performance (for e.g. fire safety and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient), Solar application design modelling, simulation and optimization, Technical feasibility and economic viability, virtual power plant, geospatial mapping and deep learning.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201 Automation and technology in building\n330206 Building science, technologies and systems"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Frank Boukamp, Ali Zolghadr, Guinevere Gilbert, Tayyab Maqsood, Salman Shooshtarian, Omid Haass, Tiendung Le","title":"AI applications in Project Management","description":"As the focus on and adoption of AI continues to grow, projects will increasingly depend on AI applications to ensure timely completion, meet accepted quality standards, and stay within budget. Prospective students are encouraged to propose PhD projects investigating the use of AI across various facets of project management, including planning, scheduling, monitoring, quality control, risk management, communication, and procurement. The supervisory team is highly capable and has an excellent reputation for supervising doctoral students to completion.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330202 Building construction management and project planning\n330203 Building industry studies\n330299 Building not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azizur Rahman","title":"Tools and techniques for reducing ergonomic risks through biopsychosocial evaluation","description":"Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary field that integrates knowledge from various disciplines such as biomechanics, psychology, and sociology to optimize human well-being and system performance. In recent years, the focus on reducing ergonomic risks has expanded beyond the physical aspects to include psychological and social factors, giving rise to the biopsychosocial model. This model emphasizes the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in assessing and mitigating ergonomic risks, particularly in the workplace. Effective risk evaluation tools and techniques are crucial for identifying potential hazards and implementing appropriate interventions that contribute to the overall well-being of individuals and the sustainability of work systems.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"330307 Ergonomics (60%) 420701 Biomechanics (40%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azizur Rahman","title":"Ergonomic Design and Development of Orthoses: A Pathway to Enhancing Mobility","description":"This PhD research project aims to develop orthoses by focusing on the ergonomic design and development. Through the application of cutting-edge technologies in industry 4.0 and 5.0 alongside comprehensive biomechanical assessments, this project seeks to create an orthosis that not only addresses the physical demands of the condition but also prioritizes the comfort and mobility of the users. By emphasizing ergonomics, the project endeavours to produce orthoses that are highly adaptable, allowing for custom adjustments to accommodate various degrees of freedom and ensuring a snug, comfortable fit for purpose. This project's main goal is to make a special kind of orthoses that's more comfortable and works better for the users who have a hard time moving their lower limbs the right way because of a specific condition.\r\n\r\nThe project will address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, including Good Health and Well-being, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequalities.\r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will work with industry partners (subject to availability) to identify specific use cases and requirements for the development of the ergonomic orthosis. The project will involve the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the prototype in real-world settings. The PhD candidate will also be expected to conduct research on relevant theories and models related to Industry 4.0 technologies, ergonomics, and human factors.\r\n\r\nThe expected outcome of the project is orthoses that are effective, efficient, and user-friendly, with the potential to improve safety, and inclusivity of people from different ages.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"330307    Ergonomics design (40%)\n420701        Biomechanics (40%) \n350507        Workplace wellbeing and quality of working life (20%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Oswald, Helen Lingard, Rita Zhang, Payam Pirzadeh","title":"A Framework for Improving Safety Performance of Construction Projects based on the Interaction of Lean Construction and BIM","description":"The construction industry's safety performance continues to be a problem across the world. There is a need for more innovative ways to reduce accidents and injury. This research explores the integration of Lean construction principles and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve safety performance in construction. While Lean construction and BIM can affect safety performance independently, it is hypothesized that to reach maximum safety potential, the application of Lean construction and BIM should be considered in an integrated way. There is a lack of research evidence on the interaction and integration of Lean construction and BIM for improving construction safety performance. Further research is required to bridge this knowledge gap, which is the focus of this study. This research aims to investigate the feasibility of integrating Lean construction and BIM to improve construction safety in Australia and to develop a framework featuring the interaction of lean construction and BIM from the perspective of improving construction safety. This research uses a mixed methods approach, including systematic literature review, case studies, survey, and framework development and validation. The results of this study can increase the understanding of construction practitioners about the significance of integrating lean construction and BIM for safety improvement. This innovative approach could identify a novel approach for improving construction safety practice and advancing theoretical understanding into reducing accidents in the construction industry.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Wong, Guillermo Aranda Mena, Rebecca Yang, Ron Wakefield","title":"Automation in Construction","description":"The vision of Industry 5.0 has prompted the construction sector to rethink how their practice can better align with the advanced technology to reduce the reliance on labour and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of project delivery. This project aims to devise pragmatic solutions to foster automation in construction designs and operations. It covers the implementation of technologies and concepts including Building Information Modelling (BIM), robotics, immersive technology, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), and digital twins. This involves a review of the current practice, an exploration the new approaches, and the development of the best practice guides to foster a sector-wide reform.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330201"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Pauline Teo, Helen Lingard, Rita Zhang, Peter Wong","title":"Mitigating Safety and Rework Incidents in Construction","description":"For several decades, rework and safety incidents are pervasive and recurring problems in construction projects (e.g., Love et al., 2016). Recent research undertaken revealed a significant positive relationship exists between quality and safety performance (Teo and Love, 2017).\nThe adverse consequences of rework have been widely reported, including damage to reputation, loss of productivity, and reduced profitability. Quality failure costs have been reported ranging from less than 1 to over 20% of a project\u2019s original contract value (e.g., Love et al., 2018).\nThe pursuit of an incident- and injury-free workplace remains an ongoing challenge even though considerable effort has been made to ensure the safety of workers. Several issues consistently contribute to this scenario including an organization\u2019s ineffective safety climate and culture, its poor absorptive capacity and an inability to subsequently learn, and the adverse behaviour of individuals.\nAnecdotally, it has been observed that the underlying conditions that contribute to the occurrence of rework in construction projects have been recognized as the main contributors to safety incidents (Love et al., 2016). However, many contracting organizations treat rework as part of normal operations and not does focus on this symbiotic relationship or are simply ignored. Love and Teo (2017) have found that workplace injuries and accidents are more likely to occur while rectification works are being performed. If rework can be reduced, then significant improvements in safety performance can be achieved.\nThis research will provide construction organizations with the understanding, knowledge and context that is needed to mitigate rework and develop safety performance indicators to ensure projects are delivered in accordance with pre-determined objectives.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Oswald, Trivess Moore","title":"The construction cladding crisis","description":"The Australian construction boom in high density residential building has put significant pressure on the industry to deliver high-quality products on time and safely. The acceleration in construction has led to new building techniques, higher resourcing requirements and policy changes to keep up with demand. This has led to a culture of significant building defects estimated to have affected most new residential buildings. Inappropriate cladding is a major defect that can detected in new medium and high-density buildings. In 2017, combustible cladding fueled the Grenfell tower fire in the UK that killed 72 people. The combustible cladding has also led to fires in Australia and overseas; with Australian authorities acting to ban such cladding. Years on from the Grenfell disaster, there is ongoing tension between policymakers, the building industry and owners about how to resolve the problem of combustible cladding. This PhD project would explore the manifestation of how defects have occurred within new residential buildings, with a focus on combustible cladding. It is envisioned a qualitative approach to the problem will be undertaken with use of interviews, observations and relevant documentation as data. The project will provide a contribution to knowledge by providing insights into the construction cladding crisis in Australia. This could help inform future construction policy and practice in order to avoid this issue recurring and to potentially save lives of the general public who are at risk living within unsafe buildings.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Christina Scott-young, Ken Farnes, Guinevere Gilbert, Tayyab Maqsood","title":"Resilient Transformation of Eary Career Project Management professionals","description":"Project management is an exciting and rewarding career, but projects can be demanding. Unexpected challenges and stresses can leave project managers and their teams feeling overburdened, overworked, or even burnt out. Burnout is a state of physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion caused by chronic stress. The COVID pandemic has brought additional stresses, disrupting conventional ways of working, adversely impacting physical and mental health, and causing social disconnection in teams. In this volatile environment, burnout is a real risk for project practitioners. Project managers and their teams need transformative ways to manage their stress. One effective strategy is to focus on building both personal and team resilience that allow them to withstand and bounce back from workplace stresses and to overcome the threat of burnout. This research project will explore i.) the major stressors that project managers and their teams experience individually and collectively, and ii.) identify the effective strategies that leaders, teams and individuals use to build their resilience, transforming them both individually and as a team. This project can be adapted to the research candidate\u2019s particular interests, and can be conducted using mixed methods, or by adopting either a quantitative or a qualitative research approach.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation, Social change","forcodes":"330205"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Omid Haass, Frank Boukamp, Tiendung Le, Tayyab Maqsood","title":"Application of IOTs within Australian Construction Industry","description":"IoT, or The internet of Things, describes a series of interrelated devices with unique identifiers, which can interconnect, interact and exchange data. These devices operate autonomously - without a requirement for human intervention - and therefore project the appearance of being self-aware, and able to make decisions. The Australian Construction Industry may potentially realise significant cost savings and improved safety levels if it were to utilise and leverage some of the benefits which this technology offers. The focus of this project will be primarily to evaluate the existing body of research, with a view to bring together varying approaches and findings. These will in turn inform findings, which will aim to provide quantitative data to make a compelling case for the adoption of these technologies into the Australian Construction Industry. The Project will include analyses of recent findings and data, to ensure applicability to the Australian context. This will be evaluated against any relevant data sets from international sources, to compare and contrast divergent trends to argue the case for, or against, the adoption of this relatively recent technology.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tayyab Maqsood, Tiendung Le, Farshid Rahmani, Salman Shooshtarian","title":"Framework and business case for developing a market place for selling and buying Construction and Demolition waste","description":"Construction and demolition waste is an ever growing problem in Australia. Landfill sites across Australia are at capacity. The Australian Government has been discouraging dumping waste in landfills by increasing levies on waste going to landfill and encouraging reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste.\nHowever, the definitions pertaining to classes of waste and the levies are not consistent across different states in Australia. There are different economic factors pertinent to a certain state that are at play which determines this levy in that state. The type of construction and demolition waste also depends on the nature of the industry. The project would focus on the waste generated by residential, commercial, rail and road infrastructure. With advances in technology, it is now possible to develop a platform that could encourage buying and selling of construction and demolition waste across different industries and across different states.\nThis project seeks to develop a framework and a business case underpinning the development of this trading platform. Using JIT (Just in Time) principles, buyers and sellers would be able engage in on-line transactions and be able to buy or sell the construction and demolition waste at various locations in a timely manner.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; 12-Responsible consumption and production","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures\/Social Change","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Effective measurement and management of health and safety performance on major construction projects","description":"Measurement of health and safety performance provides necessary information for proactive management of health and safety. Successful performance measurement requires developing and deploying valid and reliable indicators that provide useful information about the effectiveness and efficiency of health and safety management activities. \n\nThis work takes a holistic view on measurement and management of health and safety performance in construction. It will involve understanding and mapping the processes of health and safety performance measurement on multi-organisational major construction projects, identifying what combinations of indicators provide useful information for the management of health and safety performance at different project stages, and how this information is utilised during organisational decision-making","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"4 - Quality Education\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh, Rita Peihua Zhang","title":"Simplifying occupational\/work health and safety management systems","description":"Workplace safety management systems have been described as being overly bureaucratic, paper-based systems in which there is a great deal of duplication and inefficiency. Activities or paperwork that take time and resources but that are perceived to have no benefits in terms of safety risk reduction have been termed 'safety clutter' (Rae et al. 2018). This research will explore the perceptions of key stakeholders in the Australian construction industry about what activities are safety clutter, why and how safety clutter comes about, and whether they think that processes or documents could be eliminated, simplified or modified to reduce safety clutter. \n\nThe work will involve an experimental stage in which activities agreed to be clutter (by all stakeholders) will be simplified.\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"4 - Quality Education\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Robotics and work health and safety in construction","description":"Distinguished Professor Helen Lingard and Dr Payam Pirzadeh are part of a new ARC Research Hub for Human-Robot Teaming for Sustainable and Resilient Construction\u2019. \n\nThis new research hub and will improve resilience and sustainability by providing fundamental science, technology and socio-technical frameworks for intelligent robots and humans to work synergistically and safely toward shared goals in construction.\n\nThe work of the Hub will fall within 4 themes, each with its own research questions to answer: Technology, People, Business and Quality.\n \nRMIT will co-lead the \u2018People\u2019 research theme, which will explore:\n1. how the productivity and performance of the construction industry can be improved while considering the needs of the workforce, such as human preferences, human safety, and wellbeing \n2. how human-robot teaming (HRT) can improve work design for reduced risk of injuries and mental health impacts, and\n3. how HRT can improve diversity in the construction workforce, e.g. increasing the attraction of women and retention of older workers.\n\nWe welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area.\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201\tAutomation and technology in building and construction \n330203\tBuilding industry studies\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Climate change and construction workers\u2019 health and safety","description":"The Lancet Climate Change Countdown estimated that extreme heat exposure led to 295 billion hours of work lost globally, equal to approximately 88 working hours lost per employee per year. In Australia, outdoor workers (including construction workers) are at increased risk of work-related injuries during hot weather. In the context of climate change the health and safety of outdoor workers is an important emerging issue requiring research.\n\nWe welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard, Michelle Turner, Rita Peihua Zhang","title":"Work health and safety of women in construction","description":"Government policies in Australian jurisdictions seek to encourage more women into construction industry roles \u2013 and even require construction companies to meet targets for women\u2019s participation as a condition of tendering for government-funded construction work.\n\nHowever, women in construction report experiencing significant work health and safety risks when working in construction-based roles, for example, exposure to gender-based violence (including sexual harassment) and exposure to chemicals and hazardous substances that can affect reproductive health. Women are often impacted by work tools and personal protective equipment that are designed for men and not suitable for women\u2019s biometric characteristics. \n\nIf more women are to be recruited into construction industry jobs it is important workplaces, systems of work and equipment are safe and healthy for women.\n\nWe welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area.\n","sdg":"[\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"4 - Quality Education\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Property","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rebecca Leshinsky and Bambang Trigunarsyah","title":"Restitution for missing property - art, objects and land - consequent of genocide, war, natural disasters","description":"PhD and Masters by thesis opportunities for students interested in examining the socio-legal and economic ramifications for when property goes missing during war, genocide or man-made\/natural disasters. After these events, there may be a misalignment of ownership and possession of art, objects (chattels) or even land. It may be contentious as to whether such property was sold, abandoned, stolen and so on. These are uncomfortable conversations at the national and international levels. There are international treaties to be considered, sometimes local laws, as well as many lessons to be learnt from the horrific experiences from the Shoah (Holocaust), Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as earthquakes, tsunamis and other impactful man-made\/natural disaster events. These terrible experiences have advanced this area of enquiry but there is still much more knowledge to be acquired on the socio-legal and economic issues as they relate to genocide, war, man-made\/natural disasters. ","sdg":"17 - Partnerships for the Goals, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions, 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"3302"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard","title":"Exploring the role of AI technology in creating safe systems of work in relation to people and mobile plant in construction projects","description":"Managing the interface between people and moving plant\/machinery is a serious safety issue in the construction industry. Collisions between people and plant can result in fatalities or life-changing injuries. Despite the implementation of a range of control measures, e.g. physical barriers, measures for safe vehicle movement etc, incidents involving people and plant interactions still occur. McConnell Dowell is sponsoring a Masters by Research project to examine the potential for AI technology to be used in the development of safe systems of work in relation to the use of mobile plant in the construction industry. AI collision avoidance systems are being used in some construction workplaces. These systems can prevent incidents in real-time by detecting people close to moving plant and providing warnings, or triggering autonomous braking systems. AI systems also support the collection data regarding people and plant movements that can be mined and used for future planning and prevention actions. The project will involve working with construction companies, including McConnell Dowell, to understand how effective these systems are in preventing people and plant interaction incidents in construction projects.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"330202 (50%) \n350505 (50%)."},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard, Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Analysis of multi-level causes of high potential safety incidents in the Australian construction industry","description":"The project will apply complex systems theory-based models to understand the factors contributing to high potential safety incidents in the construction industry to inform effective risk control and prevention. \nHigh potential incidents (such as objects falling from height) are those that, in other circumstances, could have resulted in one or more fatality or someone sustaining life-changing injuries Though infrequent, when these incidents occur, it is critically important to understand what caused them in order to develop more effective risk controls and prevention strategies. The project will analyse data (made available through Multiplex Australasia) and apply systems theory-based models to map the factors contributing to high potential incidents at multiple levels (e.g. immediate incident circumstances, project factors and broader industry factors). The analysis will produce critical evidence to inform prevention of work-related death and serious injury in the construction industry. The student will be supervised by RMIT Distinguished Professor Helen Lingard and Dr Payam Pirzadeh and expert advice will be provided by industry construction health and safety experts, Mr Paul Breslin (OHS&E Manager, Construction & Development, Multiplex Australasia) and Dr Dennis Else (ESG Chair, Multiplex Global).","sdg":"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"330203 Building industry studies (50%) ; 420604 Injury prevention (50%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Property","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rebecca Leshinski, Judith Callanan, Chris Eves, Kwabena Mintah","title":"Technology innovations and their impact and disruption in the property and Built Environment sectors","description":"This project aims to explore the extent, value, cost and disruptive impact of new and future technological innovations in the various sectors of the property industry. The project will also investigate a range of operational aspects within the property sector that are now or in the future will be influenced by Big Data, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. It is intended that the research project will contribute to the advancement of knowledge to answer the how\u2019s and why\u2019s behind adoption and failure of adoption of technical innovations and digital transformation in the property sector","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies, Informations and systems","forcodes":"330299"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Property","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Karien Dekker, Judith Callanan, Andrea Sharam","title":"Social and Affordable housing in Australia","description":"Melbourne and Sydney are among the least affordable cities in the world when it comes to housing. A large majority of low income households in the private rental sector are experiencing housing stress \u2013meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. This is occurring at a time of historical under-investment in social and affordable housing. Housing price inflation has also contributed to declining home ownership rates, particularly among first home buyers. There is broad agreement that that low-income households require assistance, but no coherent, sustained policy strategy to address this need. Declining housing affordability is of intense public interest, but its causes and the preferred solutions are highly contested. To increase access to, and quality of social and affordable housing, many obstacles are to be overcome. A few examples: \u2022 Land values have been inflated by competition for centrally located sites and permissive planning schemes \u2022 Most public funding goes to existing home owners \u2022 Existing residents protest the development of housing in their neighbourhood \u2022 The taxation system encourages property speculation \u2022 And multi-residential construction costs are high. We invite HDR proposals that investigate one or more of the following topics: \u2022 Underlying causes of the lack of affordable housing (planning processes; financial, economic, policy and political issues) \u2022 Underlying causes of inadequate housing supply for low to middle income households (financial, economic, policy and political issues) \u2022 Effectiveness of measures to improve the quality and cost of housing (design, environmental sustainability, materials, construction processes \u2022 Innovative approaches to solving Australia\u2019s affordable housing problem","sdg":"10- Reduced inequalities; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures\/Social Change","forcodes":"330299"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rajagopalan, Mary Myla Andamon, Jin Woo, Nicola Willand","title":"Strategies for energy efficient housing in Australia under changing climates","description":"This project will explore the impacts of climate change on energy consumption and thermal comfort of residential buildings in Australia under a various climate change scenarios. The candidate will work with leading sustainability scientists at RMIT and CSIRO, using cutting edge numerical simulation tools and experimental data to help deliver the next generation of efficient and healthy residential building designs for Australia. The key objectives of the research project are as follows: \u2022Using simulation tools, determine the impacts of climate change on the energy consumption and potential for summer overheating of typical residential buildings under various Australian climate conditions;\n\u2022Identify the potential measures for reducing overheating of highly energy efficient Australian residential buildings under current and future climates; and\n\u2022Use these findings to develop strategies to help governments and industry deliver the next generation of efficient, healthy new and retro-fitted buildings to improve performance under current and future warming climates.","sdg":"7-Affordable and clean energy; 9-Industry, Innovation and Infratsructure; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies, Informations and systems","forcodes":"330206"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicola Willand, Nigel Goodman, Priya Rajagopalan, Jin Woo","title":"Indoor air quality in apartment buildings","description":"In the context of the trajectory to highly energy efficient dwellings and the trend towards higher density urban living in Australia, this Area of Focus addresses the nexus of lack of understanding of exposure to chemical pollutants in higher density housing.\nExposure to chemical pollution in housing is a function of material qualities of the dwelling, householder practices and the outdoor environment. Chemical air pollutants have indoor and outdoor origins. Indoor exposure may come from building materials, smoking, cooking or cleaning. Outdoor exposure may be linked to traffic fumes, industrial sites or bush fires. Exposure to indoor air pollutants can be minimised by source control, removal at point of release (e.g. exhaust over stove), natural and mechanical ventilation and air purification. Although exposure to indoor pollutants is ubiquitous, there is concern that exposure may be increased in 1. highly energy efficient housing, because of its increased air tightness, and 2. In higher density housing, as apartments tend to have fewer opportunities for natural ventilation, exposure may happen in common areas and there may be involuntary air exchange between dwelling units or across balconies.\nIn the context of National Construction Code moving towards higher energy efficiency and more stringent mechanical ventilation requirements, more knowledge is needed on the following topics to ensure householder health and wellbeing:\n\u2022 Interaction between dwelling quality, householder practices, indoor air quality and health outcomes;\n\u2022 Perspectives and practices of building professionals around building materials, air tightness and ventilation.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing; 7-Affordable and clean energy; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330206"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dorian Notman, Jose Silva, Chrystal Zhang","title":"Investigating the implementation opportunities of Advanced\/Alternative Air Mobility for delivering logistics support to remote and regional communities","description":"Logistics distribution in urban and densely populated areas can be optimised to enhance efficiencies while giving customers high levels of product availability at low overall transportation costs. However, as the distribution network moves away from these areas of high demand, the traditional models start to struggle with the extra operations costs and delivery lead times, issues that are passed on to the consumers in these areas. In areas classed as regional and remote (approximately 90% of Australia), these extra costs and limitations of product availability can lead to food scarcity and to economic disadvantage, factors that can significantly increase social disadvantage. Similarly, such regional and remote areas are particularly vulnerable to the negative impact of extreme weather, bushfires and the effects of global warming on traditional road-based operations. \n\nThis project seeks to identify the role that Advanced\/Alternative Air Mobility could play in increasing the security and resilience of consumer product supply to remote and regional communities. As part of this, the air systems, air operations, and ground infrastructure aspects of these implementations will be modelled to better understand the specific configuration of systems needed to meet the supply needs to these disadvantaged communities.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350901 air transportation and freight services (50%)\n400199 aerospace engineering not elsewhere classified (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dorian Notman, Jose Silva, Chrystal Zhang","title":"Investigating operations safety in emerging Advanced Air Mobility ground infrastructure environments","description":"Advanced Air Mobility is a developing field of aerospace engineering research, most of which has focussed on the development of the air systems and air traffic management technologies. However, as these systems mature to the point of certification and introduction, there is a need to evaluate and develop flexible ground infrastructures that support these systems in operation. Traditional airport ground operations safety has been identified as a topic requiring further research and the design and management of ground operations in the AAM field is even less developed and understood. \n\nThis project seeks to identify how these new systems can be safely supported by integrated infrastructure on the ground and whether traditional methods of ground operations safety management can be applied in the distributed AAM Vertiport environment of the near future. Without such research there is the significant risk that AAM ground operations may evolve in a manner that focusses on efficiency at the expense of safety. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350901 Air Transportation and freight services (50%)\n400199 Aerospace engineering not elsewhere classified (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation (Engineering)","programcode":"DR215","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Michael Jones, Simon Barter","title":"Durability of Hybrid Airframe Structures","description":"Modern combat aircraft typically employ composite skins over metallic sub-structures where the mehanical performance of this hybrid structure has not been fully characterised. This project will investigate durability and damage tolerance problems that can develop with the adoption of composite\/metallic hybrid structures for defence applications. Tasks will include the design and manufacture of a test rig capable of testing large hybrid structures as well as develop analytical models that can predict durability short falls in such structures. Correlation of experimental results, analytical methods and fleet findings will enhance the capability of the Royal Australian Air Force and other fleet operators to safely and efficiently ensure continued airworthiness of combat aircraft.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"\"400101 Aerospace materials (50%)\n400102 Aerospace structures (50%)\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation (Engineering)","programcode":"DR215","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Alberto Bernabeo, Lin Tian, Nhan Nguyen, Associate Lecturer\u2022 Undergraduate & Postgraduate, SBM\/ RMIT Vietnam","title":"Air Quality pollution monitoring, including landfills","description":"The ability to remotely detect and map chemical pollution in open air environments is a topic of significant interest to both defence and civilian communities with regard to environment, health and safety aspects of everyday life. \r\nIn this project we propose:\r\nObjective n.1: a multitasking experimental approach based on the integrated use of remote sensing, aerosol sampling and chemical speciation together with the use of drones\/tethered balloons equipped with aerosol sensors aimed at providing all the information which so far have been collected partially. \r\nObjective n.2: The study will also collect information about the 3D distribution of all the aerosol properties described before with the aim of determining and helping the vertical resolution of data from remote sensing.\r\nObjective n.3: The project will include the testing of aerosol probes aimed at producing aerosol size distribution useful firstly for the research purposes and secondly, but not secondarily, in an attempt of devising the potential for an application as a new on-board instrumentation to integrate flight safety equipment on commercial aviation airplanes.\r\nThe consequences of climate change (UNSDG 13. Climate Action) and weather conditions associated with industrial\/fossile fuels emissions for the transport sector have received relatively little attention. Still, it is widely known that transport systems on the whole perform worse under adverse and extreme weather conditions. This is especially true in densely populated regions, such as many coastal areas around the globe such as in Vietnam, where one single event may lead to a chain of reactions that influence large parts of the transport system. In terms of Sustainable Development, SBM will contribute collecting and sharing the data of the 18 Air Visual Air Quality Monitors installed around Ho Chi Minh City.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"330413\tUrban planning and health\r\n379901\tEarth system sciences\r\n410599\tPollution and contamination not elsewhere classified \r\n059999\tEnvironmental Sciences not elsewhere classified\r\n370199\tAtmospheric sciences not elsewhere classified\r\n401101\tAir pollution modelling and control\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ryan Kelly","title":"Designing Digital Technology to Enhance Human Wellbeing","description":"This PhD project explores the intersection of technology and human experience, focusing on innovative approaches to designing digital technologies that promote psychological, social, and physical wellness across different life stages and contexts.\n\nResearch Focus Areas\n- Human-Centred AI for Supporting Relationships and Social Connection\n- Technology Design for and with Older Adults\n- Immersive Technology for Digital Health\n\nMethodology\nProjects will employ methods including:\n- Critical analysis of existing academic literature, potentially including a systematic literature review\n- Interviews, questionnaires and participatory design workshops\n- Design and development of novel technology prototypes\n- Evaluation of prototypes through qualitative and quantitative methods\n\nExpected Outcomes\n- Innovative technological prototypes addressing wellbeing challenges\n- Theoretical frameworks for designing empathetic, human-centred technologies\n- Evidence-based guidelines for developing digital technologies\n\nCandidate Requirements\n- Strong Bachelors \/ Honours degree or Masters in Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Media, Psychology, Design, Computer Science, or a related discipline\n- Demonstrated interest in technology's potential to support human wellbeing\n- Strong human-centred thinking and research skills\n- Excellent communication skills, including in written work\n- Creativity and passion for designing transformative technological solutions\n\nThis project will be based in the School of Computing Technologies, offering opportunities for cutting-edge research and potential industry collaborations.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/3\/2028","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%) \n460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science ","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang","title":"Building an Aussie Information Recommendation System You Can Trust","description":"This project aims to address the escalating public distrust in online media platforms arising from misinformation, compromised user privacy, echo chambers, and community bias. Collaborating with a well-established Australian online media platform, the project expects to build Australia's inaugural trustworthy information recommender system by spearheading the design and development of cutting-edge misinformation filters, user-controlled privacy protection mechanisms, diversity-aware information recall algorithms, and community fairness-enhanced ranking algorithms. These technology advancements will seamlessly integrate into online media platforms to create a more reliable information dissemination environment and foster public trust.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 - Recommender systems (40%)\n460501 - Data engineering and data science (30%)\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ronny Andrade Parra","title":"How do mixed-ability gamers (gamers with and without disabilities) interact?","description":"With an estimate 3.24 billion gamers worldwide, videogames have become a cultural phenomenon. However, barriers to accessing video games still exist for people with disability. With about 15% of Australians aged 15-64 having a disability, it is crucial to understand how they engage with videogames, especially as games have been found to foster social connectedness [2].\n\nWhile existing literature has explored the experience of gamers who are blind, are neurodivergent, or have physical disabilities in isolation, less is known about the social aspects of gaming, especially in relation to mixed-ability gaming [1]. In this project, you will design, implement and study novel interaction approaches to foster social connectedness and encourage mixed ability gaming across gamers with and without disability, with a focus on how technology impacts in-game socialisation.\n\nReferences:\n[1] Gon\u00e7alves, D., Rodrigues, A., Richardson, M. L., De Sousa, A. A., Proulx, M. J., & Guerreiro, T. (2021, May). Exploring asymmetric roles in mixed-ability gaming. In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-14). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3411764.3445494 \n\n[2] Vella, K., Klarkowski, M., Turkay, S., & Johnson, D. (2019). Making friends in online games: gender differences and designing for greater social connectedness. Behaviour & Information Technology, 39(8), 917\u2013934. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/0144929X.2019.1625442 ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/9\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460801\tAccessible computing (40%)\n460703\tEntertainment and gaming (30%)\n460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos, Bruno Schivinski","title":"Unravelling the Impact of Privacy Violations and Digital Media Use on Teen Mental Health","description":"Background: The pervasive use of digital media among teenagers has led to a surge in privacy breaches, including online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft, all of which are taking a toll on their mental health. This project aims to delve into how these violations contribute to mental health challenges in teens who are heavily engaged with digital media, drawing on rich data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.\r\nAims: This study seeks to uncover the specific mental health impacts of privacy violations on teenagers immersed in digital media. By tapping into the extensive ABCD dataset, the research will pinpoint the critical factors that intensify these mental health issues, offering a nuanced understanding of this growing concern.\r\nMethods: Utilizing cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, this research will analyze the ABCD data to detect patterns and relationships between privacy breaches in digital media and negative mental health outcomes in adolescents. The focus will be on identifying the influence of online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft.\r\nSignificance: The insights gained from this study will pave the way for the creation of targeted interventions designed to foster safer digital media practices and enhance mental health support for teenagers. By addressing a pressing issue in today\u2019s digital landscape, this research has the potential to drive significant change. Additionally, a 90-day internship secured through CatholicCare Victoria will allow these findings to be implemented in real-world settings, ensuring that the research translates into tangible community benefits.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"\u2022\t450410 and 60% allocation\r\n\u2022\t450714 and 30% allocation\r\n\u2022\t460206 and 10% allocation\r\n\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nalin Arachchilage, Vasileios Stavropoulos SHBS,\r\nBruno Schivinski DSC","title":"Research Project Proposal: Online Privacy, Mental Health, and Gaming Addiction Among Australian Teenagers","description":"Objective: This research project aims to investigate the intersection of online privacy risks and the mental health impacts of online gaming disorders or addictions among Australian teenagers. Specifically, it will explore how privacy vulnerabilities in online gaming environments contribute to the development or exacerbation of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors.\r\n\r\nBackground: With the increasing popularity of online gaming among teenagers, concerns have grown regarding the potential risks associated with excessive gaming and the lack of privacy protections on gaming platforms. The interplay between these factors is not well understood, particularly in the context of Australian youth.\r\n\r\nData Sources: The study will utilize data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) and the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC). These datasets provide rich, longitudinal data on the health, development, and social experiences of Australian children and teenagers, offering a valuable resource for examining the long-term effects of online gaming and privacy risks.\r\n\r\nMethodology: The project will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of survey data from LSAC and LSIC with qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights into teenagers' experiences. The study will focus on identifying patterns of gaming behavior, privacy concerns, and mental health outcomes, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations.\r\n\r\nSignificance: Findings from this research will contribute to a better understanding of how online privacy risks intersect with mental health issues in the context of online gaming. The results will inform policy recommendations and the development of interventions aimed at promoting safer online gaming environments for Australian teenagers and the work of CatholicCare Victoria via a 90 days Internhsip.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"\u2022\t450410 and 60% allocation\r\n\u2022\t450714 and 30% allocation\r\n\u2022\t460206 and 10% allocation\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Novel Immersive Approaches to Information Seeking","description":"People search through digital information more than ever before. However, current search systems present information through a 2D search engine results page. In addition, opportunities to interact with the search results to understand underlying relationships in the retrieved data, are limited. The proposed approach will allow users to navigate information naturally and immersively, following users\u2019 interests and curiosity rather than being constrained by a search box and a ranked search results list.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to explore this unique interaction paradigm for effective and efficient interactive information retrieval through virtual or augmented reality, enabling a novel approach to defining user information needs, presenting results, and facilitating search reformulations.\r\n\r\nThe project can answer research questions, including:\r\n-What is the most effective way to visualise 3D information units (in virtual or augmented reality) to facilitate enhanced search interactions?\r\n-How do users formulate information needs, manipulate results, and navigate immersive information spaces?\r\n-How does immersive search versus traditional ranked lists impact users' navigation behaviours within an information space?\r\n-How do users with different levels of familiarity with immersive applications experience information?\r\n-How does the proposed approach compare to current search methods for exploring complex information needs?\r\n\r\nThe project will contribute to the field of interactive information retrieval by providing a novel approach to exploring information needs. Using virtual or augmented reality together with current advances in conversational interactions for information seeking will allow for more intuitive and natural navigation of information, which could lead to unexplored insights into how people interact with information.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460708 Virtual and mixed reality (40%) ; 460806 Human-computer interaction (30%) ; 461003 Human information interaction and retrieval (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Towards Intelligent Data-driven Software Engineering","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown outstanding progress with impressive performance over the last decade. AI techniques have been applied to solve numerous problems such as weather forecasting, movie recommending, autonomous driving, health applications, question answering, etc. The main ingredient of an AI algorithm is the data that is mined from problems that are same or similar to the problem to be solved.\nSoftware Engineering (SE) is a highly impact area with many interesting and important challenges. Besides, the amount of data generated by SE is generally large and cheap to collect (e.g., source code, software system logs, software reports). Therefore, SE is an ideal area where AI techniques can be applied.\nIn this project, we thus aim to develop novel AI-based techniques to solve various challenging problems in SE:\n+ configurable software performance prediction with a minimal number of measured data [1]\n+ intelligent incident management for software-intensive system including incident detection, incident identification, incident triage [2]\n+ software defect and vulnerability detection [3]\n+ etc.\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the chosen topic.\nReferences:\n[1] H. Ha, H. Zhang. \u201cDeepPerf: Performance Prediction for Configurable Software with Deep Sparse Neural Network\u201d, in Proceedings of the 41st ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 1095-1106, Montr\u00e9al, Canada, 2019.\n[2] Z. Chen, Y. Kang, L. Li, X. Zhang, H. Zhang, et al., \u201cTowards intelligent incident management: why we need it and how we make it\u201d, in Proceedings of the ACM Joint European Software Engineering Conference and Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (ESEC\/FSE), pages 1487-1497, 2020.\n[3] S. Omri, C. Sinz, \u201cDeep Learning for Software Defect Prediction: A Survey\u201d, in the Workshops of the 42nd ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 209-214, 2020.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461201 Automated software engineering (60%) ; 461103 Deep learning (20%) ; 461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221 ","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Further Advance Bayesian Optimization","description":"Bayesian Optimization (BO) is a powerful sample-efficient strategy for finding the global optimum of an expensive black-box functions [1]. The main idea is to fit a surrogate model on the previous function evaluations, construct an acquisition function based on the surrogate model, and then use the acquisition function to select the next data point to be evaluated. Its applications include but not limited to automated machine learning, experimental design, environmental monitoring, and robotics. Whilst being effective and efficient in solving many optimization problems, BO is still a relatively new research field and suffers various limitations [1]. For example,\n+ Existing BO algorithms do not work well with high-dimensional optimization problems\n+ Limited BO methods can be applied to solve optimization problems with discrete, categorical, and mixed variables.\n+ Limited BO methods can solve the multi-objective optimization problems.\n+ etc.\nThis project aims to advance the efficacy of BO algorithms by various techniques such as evolutionary methods (e.g., covariance matrix adaptation, particle swarm, multi-objective decomposition) [2], deep surrogate models (e.g., deep kernel, Bayesian deep learning) [3]. Apart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\nReferences:\n[1] B. Shahriari, K. Swersky, Z. Wang, R.P. Adams, N. de Freitas (2016). Taking the Human Out of the Loop: A Review of Bayesian Optimization. Proceedings of IEEE 104(1): 148-175.\n[2] A. E. Eiben, James E. Smith (2015). Introduction to Evolutionary Computing. Natural Computing Series, Springer.\n[3] Y. Gal (2016). Uncertainty in Deep Learning. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%), 460209 Planning and Decision Making (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Data Science (CT)","programcode":"DR221\/DR220","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Son Dao (son.daovutruong@rmit.edu.vn), Hung Pham (hung.phamviet2@rmit.edu.vn)","title":"Surrogate modeling and Machine Learning for science and engineering applications","description":"The research will focus on data-efficient machine learning (or surrogate modeling) techniques to solve complex problems in science and engineering. Potential research areas including extension and uses of machine learning algorithms such as generative models, neural networks, Gaussian Processes, Bayesian optimization, and more to solve challenging problems in science and engineering. The benefits of the research are as follows: (1) Fast design space exploration: compact scalable regression models for design automation, parametric studies, design space exploration, optimization, yield improvement, visualization, prototyping, and sensitivity analysis; (2) Quickly gain insight: knowledge discovery in sparse data sets, and knowledge extraction from large data sets; (3) Reduced computational time, thus, shorten time to market.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460207\r\n460501\r\n461199\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hiep Tran","title":"Gallium Oxide UV-C Detectors for Early Fire Detection","description":"Early wildfire detection remains a critical global challenge, especially in extreme environments where conventional sensors fail due to high temperatures or intense UV exposure. Gallium Oxide (Ga\u2082O\u2083), with its ultra-wide bandgap and exceptional thermal and chemical stability, offers a promising solution for next-generation sensors capable of detecting fire signatures\u2014such as UV-C emissions \u2014before flames escalate.\nThis project focuses on designing and fabricating highly sensitive Ga\u2082O\u2083-based photodetectors for early fire detection. You will explore Ga\u2082O\u2083 to enhance sensitivity and spectral selectivity, optimizing device architectures for rapid and reliable signal detection. The research will involve advanced material synthesis, precise device engineering, and performance testing under simulated extreme conditions. Leveraging state-of-the-art facilities such as RMIT\u2019s Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility and the Micro Nano Research Facility, you will work alongside internationally recognized experts in semiconductor device fabrication, electronic materials engineering, and advanced characterization techniques. Your contributions will help advance fire detection systems, with direct applications in environmental monitoring, disaster prevention, and climate change mitigation.\n","sdg":"[\"13 - Climate Action\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2027","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400909 Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (50%)\n401605 Functional materials (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Partridge","title":"Materials and Device Architectures for Neuromorphic Computing Advancements","description":"The rise of data-intensive technologies requires computing solutions that are energy-efficient and highly adaptable. Neuromorphic computing, drawing inspiration from the human brain\u2019s efficiency and parallelism, provides a promising approach to address the shortcomings of traditional systems. This project aims to advance neuromorphic technologies by strategically employing materials and developing device architectures, establishing a foundation for future intelligent systems.\nIn this research, you will concentrate on growing materials suited for neuromorphic applications, designing innovative device structures, and characterizing their properties to enhance performance. You will explore synthesis techniques such as thin-film deposition or nanostructure fabrication, and study how material composition and structural design affect functionality. Based at RMIT, you\u2019ll leverage state-of-the-art resources like the Micro Nano Research Facility and Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility, while collaborating with experts in materials science, device engineering, and computational modelling to drive progress in this field. This work holds potential to influence a wide range of emerging areas, from efficient computing platforms to adaptive technologies, giving you the opportunity to contribute to the next era of brain-inspired innovation.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2027","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400908 Microelectronics (35%)\n401605 Functional materials (35%)\n461104 Neural networks (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Stanley Luong","title":"Navigational assisted device for the blind","description":"This project will investigate methods which derived from a multi-discipline input from Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering to formulate solutions in term of hardware, software, algorithm to realise a practical device to assist blind people in daily navigation.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400999 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware not elsewhere classified (50%) ; 460304 Computer vision (25%) ; 460308 Pattern recognition (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora, Melbourne City","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development of novel dry particulate protein\/enzyme complexes (Protein Complex Engineering)","description":"Project Overview:\n The research integrates biochemistry, material science, and nanotechnology to develop particulate complexes that maintain protein\/enzyme functionality under diverse (e.g., heat stress) conditions. The project will investigate novel materials, formulations and procedures to create particles, for outputs aligned with both academic advancement and industry partners. Materials will be evaluated for size, morphology and structure-function (functionality) aspects using RMIT's state-of-the-art facilities. Experiments and analyses will include but not limited to spray drying systems (that use aqueous- and\/or organic solvent-based feeds), protein denaturation measuring systems (e.g., CD, FTIR), surface\/interface measuring systems, microscopy and microanalysis.\n Applicants should have a background in either chemistry, polymer science, materials science\/engineering or food technology (with strength in chemistry and engineering). We seek motivated candidates with a strong academic record and desire to excel in research and innovation ecosystem.\n Funding and Support:\n The studentship includes tuition waiver, a competitive stipend, and access to advanced facilities. Training in research methodologies, industry placement opportunities, and conference participation are provided.\n \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-07-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (34%)\n401609 Polymers and Plastics (33%)\n400406 Powder and Particulate technology (33%)\n\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Extending the shelf life of UHT plant protein beverages","description":"This Project is based at RMIT, Bundoora campus and will make use of world class food processing and research facilities. The project will be conducted with input and regular contact with supervisors from CSIRO and Sanitarium Health co. and  aims to improve understanding and overcome the negative effects of the secondary lipid oxidation products and Maillard reaction in UHT plant protein beverages. The expected outcome is a methodology to impede the negative impact of malodorous\/browning reactions in high protein UHT beverages. This may lead to the extension of shelf life of these products furthering export opportunities. The project also includes a 60 day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner in (Cooranbong, NSW) and a structured professional development and training program to develop your applied research skills.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300601        Beverage chemistry and beverage sensory science (50%)\n300602        Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mahsa Majzoobi, Raj Eri, Benu Adhikari ","title":"Dietary fibre: Enhancing the functional properties and health benefits ","description":"Fibre is the indigestible part of edible carbohydrates and plays a crucial role in maintaining human health. Examples of fibre include cellulose, pectin, beta-glucan, and resistant starch. Health professionals recommend a daily intake of 25-30 grams of fibre to stay healthy. Unfortunately, fibre consumption, particularly in Western diets, falls well below the recommended levels. This shortfall has led to an increase in diet-related health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.\nTo boost fibre intake, many food products, especially staple foods, are now being enriched with fibre. However, adding fibre to foods can be challenging, as it often negatively impacts the quality and sensory properties of the final products. Additionally, food industry is highly interested in cost-effective strategies to produce and utilise fibre such as fibre from food waste streams. \nThis project aims to address the following questions regarding fibres and their application in foods:\n1)        What is the difference between the fibre obtained from natural sources and those obtained from food waste streams? \n2)        How can we improve the functional properties of common fibres to create novel food ingredients?\n3)        What food processing strategies can enhance the health benefits of fibres?\nIn this project you will gain skills relevant to important areas of processing of biological materials into high-value ingredients for use in functional and healthy products, packaging and other applications. It will help you establish a track record relevant to the circular economy, sustainability and waste minimisation.\nThis project would suit people from a wide variety of backgrounds, including food technologists, food scientists, nutrition and chemical and process engineers.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology (20%) 300606 Food Sustainability (20%) 400405 Food Engineering (30%) 300602 Food Chemistry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Peter Torley, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Valorization of Food Processing Waste via 3D Printing Technology for Sustainable Food Systems","description":"Food wastage is a critical global challenge that threatens food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability, leading to resource depletion and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Agri-food processing wastes, which are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, present a valuable opportunity for reintegration into the value chain, aligning with the principles of a zero-waste circular economy. This research aims to explore the application of 3D food-printing (3DFP) technology for the valorization of low-value food processing waste from various streams, transforming them into high-value applications. The study will focus on optimizing ink formulations by incorporating hydrocolloids (e.g., alginate, carrageenan, pectin) and binding agents to enhance printability and stability. Additionally, it will assess the effects of ultrasound treatment and high-pressure homogenization on the physicochemical properties of the ink formulations. The research will also investigate the potential applications of the developed 3D-printed food products, including functional foods, novel food textures, and innovative food packaging solutions. By addressing these aspects, this research aims to contribute to sustainable food production systems, reduce food waste, and create novel, high-value food products through the integration of 3D food printing technology and food waste valorization strategies.\n\nReferences:\n1. Jagadiswaran, B.; Alagarasan, V.; Anandharamakrishnan, C. Valorization of Food Industry Waste and By-Products Using 3D Printing: A Study on the Development of Value-Added Functional Cookies. Future Foods 2021, 4, 100036. \n2. Muthurajan, M.; Veeramani, A.; Rahul, T.; Kumar, R.; Anukiruthika, G.T. Valorization of Food Industry Waste Streams Using 3D Food Printing: A Study on Noodles Prepared from Potato Peel Waste. Food Bioprocess. Technol. 2021, 14, 1817\u20131834. \n3. Feng, C.; Zhang, M.; Bhandari, B.; Ye, Y. Use of Potato Processing By-Product: Effects on the 3D Printing Characteristics of the Yam and the Texture of Air-Fried Yam Snacks. LWT 2020, 125, 109265. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"25% 300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing 50% 300606 Food sustainability 25% 300607 Food technology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Penny Brotja","title":"Extraction and Characterisation of Fiber from Unutilized Stems of Asparagus Grown in Australia and Its Application in Low-Calorie Food Products\n","description":"\"Extraction and Characterisation of Fiber from Unutilized Stems of Asparagus Grown in Australia and Its Application in Low-Calorie Food Products\nSupervisors: Professor Benu Adhikari, Dr Penny Brotja\nIntroduction\/Background\nIn the quest for sustainable food production and waste minimization, the unutilized stems of asparagus present a significant opportunity for valorisation. In Australia, where asparagus cultivation is prevalent, a considerable amount of stem waste is generated, especially the bottom part of the stem that is often discarded due to its fibrous nature. This research focuses on harnessing these discarded stems, aiming to extract valuable dietary fibers and explore their application in creating healthier, low-calorie food products such as candies, biscuits, and soft foods like custard. By focusing on this underutilized by-product, the project aims to contribute to the reduction of agricultural waste, enhance food nutritional value, and promote the development of innovative food solutions.\nResearch Questions\n1.        What is the most effective method for extracting dietary fiber from the unutilized stems of asparagus grown in Australia?\n2.        What are the key physicochemical and functional characteristics of the extracted asparagus stem fibers?\n3.        How can these fibers be incorporated into candies, biscuits, and soft foods like custard to produce low-calorie, high-fiber content products?\n4.        What is the impact of adding asparagus stem fibers on the taste, texture, and consumer acceptance of the developed low-calorie food products?\nObjectives\n1.        To establish an efficient extraction process tailored for the fibrous stems of asparagus, optimizing yield and quality of dietary fiber.\n2.        To thoroughly characterize the extracted fibers, focusing on their dietary value, functional properties, and suitability for food formulation.\n3.        To formulate and evaluate the sensory qualities of low-calorie candies, biscuits, and custards enriched with asparagus stem fibers.\n4.        To assess consumer acceptability and the potential health benefits of consuming these fiber-enriched, low-calorie food products.\nKey Steps\nExtraction\n\u2022        Develop and optimize a sustainable extraction protocol specifically for the fibrous stems of asparagus, possibly incorporating mechanical (e.g. wet milling) and enzymatic methods to maximize fiber yield and quality.\nCharacterisation\n\u2022        Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the extracted fibers to assess their physicochemical properties, including solubility, water-holding capacity, and dietary fiber content.\nFormulation\n\u2022        Create innovative recipes for low-calorie food products, including  hard foods (candies, biscuits) and soft foods, incorporating the extracted asparagus stem fibers.\n\u2022        Optimize formulations to ensure palatability, desirable texture, and nutritional enhancement without compromising taste.\nCharacterisation of Food Products\n\u2022        Analyse the nutritional profile, specifically focusing on dietary fiber content and reduced caloric value of the developed food products.\n\u2022        Perform texture and rheological tests and sensory evaluation and consumer acceptability tests to gauge the consumer preference of the fiber-enriched, low-calorie foods.\n\u2022        Conclusion\nThis proposal outlines a targeted approach to valorise the unutilized stems of asparagus grown in Australia, turning agricultural waste into a valuable resource for the food industry. Through this research, we aim to explore sustainable extraction methods, characterize the nutritional benefits of asparagus fibers, and integrate them into low-calorie food products, thereby contributing to waste reduction, nutritional enhancement, and the development of innovative food solutions that meet the needs of health-conscious consumers.\n\"\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"\"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (34%)\n300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (33%)\n300606 Food sustainability (33%)\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Julia Low","title":"Innovating Natural Food Colours: Exploring Protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexation for colour formation\n","description":"\"Innovating Natural Food Colours: Exploring Protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexation for colour formation\nSupervisors: Professor Benu Adhikari, Dr Julia Low\nBackground\nThere is an increasing demand for natural, safe, and visually appealing food colorants. Food colours of various types can be generated through interactions between food proteins and small molecular weight phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds, polyphenols, and naturally occurring dyes like gennipin and phycocyanin. These compounds offer not only vibrant hues but also potential health benefits, making them prime candidates for food colouring. The complexation of these phytochemicals with food proteins presents an innovative strategy to enhance their solubility, stability, and colour intensity. Furthermore, a novel area of research involves the complexation of proteins with phenolic-metal complexes, potentially opening new avenues for creating stable and unique food colorants. This research aims to explore these two pathways: forming complexes between proteins and small molecular weight phytochemicals to create food safe colours and investigating protein-phenolic-metal complexes for their unique colouring potential.\nResearch Questions:\n1.        How do specific food proteins interact with small molecular phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds, polyphenols, gennipin, phycocyanin to form stable, vibrant colour complexes suitable for food applications?\n2.        How can protein-phenolic-metal complexes be engineered to produce unique and stable colours, and what are the mechanistic foundations of these interactions?\n3.        What is the solubility, concentration-dependant colour intensity of protein-phytochemical complexes and protein-phenolic-metal complexes colourants in water and oil media?\n4.        What is the stability of these colourants during thermal treatment (pasteurisation, sterilisation and boiling)?\nObjectives:\n1.        To characterise the complexation process of above-mentioned small molecular weight phytochemicals with food proteins to identify combinations that yield stable and vibrant colours.\n2.        To develop and characterize protein-phenolic-metal complexes, assessing their potential as innovative natural colorants for food applications.\n3.        To determine the solubility of protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexes in water and oil, contributing to a broader application range in various food products.\n4.        To evaluate the colour intensity of the complexes as a function of phytochemical concentration, optimizing the conditions for maximum colour payoff.\nMethods and Characterisation:\nKey Steps:\n\u2022        Phytochemical and Protein Selection: Choose small molecular weight phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds, polyphenols, and gennipin, along with compatible food proteins based on their coloration potential.\n\u2022        Complexation Experiments: Conduct experiments to complex selected phytochemicals with proteins, optimizing conditions for colour stability and intensity. Additionally, synthesize phenolic-metal complexes before protein complexation.\n\u2022        Phenolic-Metal Complex Formation: Create stable phenolic-metal complexes as precursors for protein complexation, selecting metal ions that enhance colour properties without compromising safety.\n\u2022        Solubility Testing: Assess the solubility of both protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexes in water and oil, determining their applicability across different food matrices.\n\u2022        Colour Intensity Analysis: Measure the colour intensity of the complexes as a function of phytochemical concentration, using spectrophotometry to determine the optimal conditions for vibrant coloration.\nKey Characterisation Properties:\n\u2022        Spectrophotometry: To determine the colour intensity and stability of the complexes.\n\u2022        High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): To analyse the composition and monitor changes in the phytochemicals during the complexation process.\n\u2022        Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): To identify \"\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"\"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science 34 (34%)\n300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (33%)\n300606 Food sustainability (33%)\n\n\n\n\n\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Peter Torley, Arianna Dick Zambrano, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Plant-protein-based 3D printing","description":"Three-dimensional (3D) printing processing is an innovative technology that offers the convenience of on-demand and tailor-made food production by adjusting to consumers' sensory, nutritional, and physiological requirements. Among a range of food materials, plant proteins are a promising avenue for developing personalised plant-based meals, with soy protein being extensively studied due to its water absorption, emulsification, and gelling properties facilitating printability [1]. However, other protein sources, such as peas, fava beans and lentils, are gaining attention due to their low allergenicity and high nutritional value [2]. Yet, their printability presents significant challenges regarding ink development to ensure printing fidelity and stability. Hence, this study will explore the 3D printability of plant-protein pastes from varying sources, such as pea, fava beans, and lentils, compared to soybean protein. Plant proteins will be physiochemically characterised to understand their native printability potential. Then, the role of ultrasound on the protein techno-functionality and the addition of hydrocolloids\/crosslinkers on the rheological, mechanical, and microstructural properties of the ink will be assessed to enhance extrusion, deposition, and post-processing feasibility. Furthermore, this study will explore the potential applications of plant-protein pastes for value-added product development, potentially leading to new, innovative food products, such as regular-textured and texture-modified meat and fish analogues.\n\n[1] Yu et al. Effects of preheating-induced denaturation treatments on the printability and instant curing property of soy protein during microwave 3D printing. Food Chem. 2022; 397:133682. doi: 10.1016\/j.foodchem.2022.133682\n[2] Mittal et al. Challenges and Prospects of Plant-Protein-Based 3D Printing. Foods. 12(24):4490. doi: 10.3390\/foods12244490\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"25% 300604        Food packaging, preservation and processing\n50% 300606        Food sustainability\n25% 300607        Food technology\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Harsharn Gill","title":"Blending plant and dairy proteins for sustainable beverages ","description":"Plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs) have experienced significant growth in recent years due to various factors, including health benefits, heightened food security awareness, and the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly food sources. Products such as oat, almond, soy, coconut, pea, and others have gained popularity, with plant-based drink sales in the U.S. increasing by 61% between 2012 and 2018, while dairy milk sales have declined by 15% since 2012. However, despite this growth, plant-based drinks face challenges in replicating the unique flavor and texture of dairy products. Issues such as beany or nutty flavors and bitterness, especially in coffee, tea, or cooking applications, limit their acceptance. Additionally, while plant sources offer good quantity of protein, they lack the functionality and quality of dairy-based milk protein. Therefore, blending plant and dairy proteins to create hybrid products may offer opportunities to develop beverages with desirable textural and functional properties that appeal to consumers. This study aims to develop a hybrid ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage by blending dairy milk with plant-based alternatives such as soy, lupin, chickpea, and pigeon pea milk. The research will explore how varying levels of plant-based milk incorporation alongside cow milk affect probiotic survivability, functionality, and flavor compounds within the hybrid product. Additionally, changes in oral and gut microbiota post-consumption will be analyzed. Ultimately, this research aims to provide valuable insights into developing hybrid beverage formulations that promote sustainability and health in the dairy industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science (50%) 300607 Food Technology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Asgar Farahnaky, Mehran Ghasemlou","title":"Controlled self-assembly of plant proteins for sustainable food applications","description":"In response to the growing demand for sustainable protein sources for humans, this project aims to explore the technological landscape of plant-based alternative proteins as feasible replacement for animal-based proteins. Today, there is an increased interest among consumers in adopting plant-based diets given their additional advantages such as environmental sustainability, and high nutritional values.\nProteins which are well-known for their ability to modify their own macromolecular structures, play a crucial role in developing stabilized emulsions, foams, gels, thickeners, and food packaging. This PhD project particularly focuses on the complex mechanisms underlying the self-assembly of proteins, either alone or in conjunction with other bioactive compounds. Proteins can self-assemble in aqueous solutions into various forms such as films, hydrogels, micelles\/vesicles, and particles. The extraordinary adaptability of protein-based systems can be precisely fine-tuned to facilitate the delivery of a specific food ingredient. However, efforts to generate functional food formulations from plant-based proteins have been hindered by the absence of efficient methodologies to induce and control their micro and\/or nano structures. A deeper understanding of binding capability of plant-based proteins to food ingredients is urgently required to achieve efficient and stable delivery systems with tailorable functionality. This project seeks to comprehensively elucidate the self-assembly behaviour of plant-based proteins and their utilization in food industry for encapsulation, protection, and delivery of food-based bioactive compounds. To achieve this main objective, this project will attempt to engineer a protein-based system loaded with bioactive compounds and understand to what extent its self-assembly can be manipulated to control the release rate of a bioactive compound under different environmental conditions (pH, temperature, etc.). The insights gained from this project not only complement the molecular understanding of protein\u2019s self-assembly but also pave the way for the development of sustainable and functional food solutions with low environmental impacts.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300604 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Ravi Shukla","title":"Development and characterization of protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes for application in delivery systems and active packaging","description":"Introduction\/Background\n\nThe growing demand for sustainable and efficient delivery systems and active packaging requires innovations in materials. Binary complexes, such as phenol-metal and protein-phenol complexes, have been extensively studied intending to use them as bioactive delivery vehicles and components of active packaging. These complexes have shown promising properties including higher stability and bioavailability of encapsulated compounds. These binary complexes are also used to impact active function such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and also indicating compounds. A logical extension of this concept is to develop protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes. Such complexes can potentially offer synergistic advantages, combining the benefits of binary complexes through improved structural integrity, functionality, and interaction specificity. This project aims to develop and characterise ternary complexes, and thus advance the knowledge in the metal-organic framework or network area.\n\nHypothesis\nProtein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes can be synthesized which will possess finetuned structural properties and superior performance as encapsulating and delivery vehicles. They can be used as component of active and intelligent packaging.\n\nResearch Questions\nWhat is the optimum pathway to synthesise protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes of tailored properties?\nWhat are the structural characteristics of these complexes at molecular level?\nHow do these complexes behave when used as delivery vehicles?\nHow do these complexes behave when used as part of active packaging?\n\nObjectives\nTo synthesize protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes with targeted molecular and structural properties.\nTo characterize the structure and physicochemical properties of these ternary complexes \nTo evaluate the encapsulation efficiency, stability, and release kinetics of bioactive compounds encapsulated in these complexes.\nTo assess the applicability of these ternary complexes in active packaging to increase shelf-life a targeted produce.\n\nKey steps in methodologies:\nSynthesis of ternary complexes: Use representative and well-characterised proteins, polyphenols (e.g., catechin, quercetin, curcumin, gallic acid) and metals (e.g., cu, Fe, Zn, Ti, Se) as models to create ternary complexed and optimise the process of their creation.\nCharacterization: Use characterisation methods such as spectroscopy (NMR, FTIR), chromatography, and microscopy (SEM, TEM) to elucidate the molecular level structure of the complexes.\nEncapsulation and release studies: Determine the encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics of a selected bioactive compounds encapsulated using the ternary complexes as shell material.\nTesting active packaging function: Evaluating the stability of the complexes to be embedded in representative packaging (to create active packaging) and evaluate the physico-mechanical properties and efficacy of the resulting active packaging to extend shelf life of representative produce.\n\nReferences\nBaranwal, A., Polash, S.A., Aralappanavar, V.K., Bansal, V., Shukla, R.  (2024). Recent Progress and Prospect of Metal\u2013Organic Framework-Based Nanozymes in Biomedical Application. Nanomaterials, 14(3), 244.\nFurukawa, H., Cordova, K.E., O'Keeffe, M.,Yaghi, O.M. (2013).         The chemistry and applications of metal-organic frameworks. Science, 341(6149), 1230444.\nNkhili, E., Loonis, M., Mihai, S., El Hajji, H. (2014). Reactivity of food phenols with iron and copper ions: Binding, dioxygen activation and oxidation mechanisms. Food and Function, 5(6), pp. 1186\u20131202.\nLi, W., Han, S., Huang, H., Liu, X., Liu, F. (2024). Fabrication, characterization, and application of pea protein isolate-polyphenol-iron complexes with antioxidant and antibacterial activity.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (40); \r\n321002 Food properties (incl. characteristics and health benefits) (30)\r\n310699 Industrial biotechnology not elsewhere classified (30)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Benu Adhikari, Mehran Ghasemlou","title":"Advancing Food safety by Leveraging Metallic Nanoparticles for Controlled Delivery of Bioactive Compounds","description":"As the global population continues to grow, and the food resources become increasingly scarce, there is an urgent need for innovative technologies that can protect our limited food supplies without negatively impacting the environment. Nanotechnology offers a viable solution for the food industry by enhancing the safety, quality, and functionality of food products. One promising approach is the nanoencapsulation of bioactive food components, which can regulate the delivery of nutrients and nutraceuticals while helping to reduce the risk of foodborne microbial diseases. Metallic nanoparticles are among the most widely used nanocarriers in the medical field, due to their non-toxicity and biocompatibility. These nanoparticles possess large surface areas, customizable pore sizes, and excellent adsorption capabilities, making them ideal for the controlled and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds. Despite the growing interest in using metallic nanoparticles for encapsulation, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of how to use them to encapsulate, protect, and deliver food-based polyphenolic bioactives. This project seeks to bridge this gap by engineering a nanocapsule loaded with bioactive compounds and investigating their ability to regulate the release of these substances under varying environmental conditions, such as pH and temperature. This helps assess how well the nanoparticles control the release of the bioactive compounds over time. The chosen bioactives will be encapsulated within the porous structure of metallic nanoparticles. Additionally, this project aims to develop innovative packaging solutions designed to inhibit bacterial growth and prolong the shelf life of selected food items. This research has the potential to impact a wide range of fields, including food technology, packaging, and materials science, offering valuable insights and advancements for food technologists, packaging experts, and chemical and material engineers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300604 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Benu Adhikari, Mehran Ghasemlou","title":"Exploring Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Controlled Delivery and Preservation of Bioactive Compounds","description":"With the continuous rise in human population, depletion of food resources and emergence of new bacterial and viral infections, there is a global search for effective technologies to protect the limited food supplies without increased environmental pollution. Nanotechnology has provided unparalleled opportunities to the food industry, boosting the safety, quality, and functionality of food formulations. Nanoencapsulation of food bioactive components can control the delivery of the nutrients and nutraceuticals, helping to mitigate the risks of food-borne microbial diseases. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are one of the commonly used nanocarriers in the medical industry. MSNPs are deemed safe and biocompatible as a drug-delivery platform. Using MSNPs as a nanoplatform could have a great impact in the food industry due to their unique properties, such as large surface areas, adjustable pores, and superior adsorption capacity. These features make them an ideal candidate for developing controlled targeted delivery of bioactive substances. Using MSNPs for encapsulation purposes is a flourishing research area; however, there is a general lack of knowledge regarding their usage to encapsulate, protect, and deliver food-based polyphenolic bioactive compounds. This project aims to address this gap of knowledge by engineering an MSNP-loaded bioactive compound and understanding to what extent they can be tuned to control the release rate of a desired bioactive under different environmental conditions (pH, temperature, etc.). Given the scarcity of data on using MSNP-loaded bioactive compounds to protect highly perishable food products, this project also aims to design a new packaging system that can delay the bacterial growth and extend the shelf life of a selected food product. This project would be interesting for a broad variety of disciplines, including food technologists, packaging technologists, and chemical and material engineers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation, and processing (%100)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei, Zhiyu Wang","title":"Advanced 2D Nanochannel Membranes for Efficient Energy Harvesting ","description":"The development of renewable, clean, and sustainable energy remains a critical global challenge, driven by the increasing impacts of climate change and the finite nature of fossil fuel reserves.1 New nanomaterials (e.g. two-dimensional nanomaterials (2D): BN nanosheets, MXene, and graphene) have displayed considerable promise in enabling new energy harvesting due to their unique nanochannels and surface charges.2,3 Despite these promising attributes, the practical application of nanomaterials in energy harvesting is hindered by challenges such as poor nanochannel structure, low chemical stability, and high internal resistance. In addition, the dense pore structures of nanomaterial membranes that restrict ion transport and reduce energy conversion efficiency.\nThis project aims to address these challenges by creating advanced nanofiber membranes with 2D nanochannels. These nanochannels will exhibit strong mechanical and chemical stability, low internal resistance, and high selectivity for specific ions, enabling efficient ion transport and energy harvesting. ","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-01","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 40% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 30% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Selvakannan, Suresh Bhargava","title":"Development of Efficient Metal Catalysts for Ammonia Synthesis and Decomposition ","description":"Ammonia (NH\u2083) is a promising alternative for energy storage and transport, given its high hydrogen density, ease of liquefaction, and well-established handling infrastructure. While NH\u2083 is primarily synthesized via the Haber\u2013Bosch (HB) process, this energy-intensive method accounts for significant carbon emissions. A more sustainable approach integrates water electrolysis-driven H\u2082 production with an electrolysis-driven Haber\u2013Bosch (eHB) process. However, a major challenge remains\u2014current NH\u2083 synthesis catalysts require high pressures (15\u201330 MPa), which are incompatible with low-pressure (1.0\u20133.2 MPa) hydrogen electrolysis systems.\n\nThis project focuses on designing and developing advanced NH\u2083 synthesis catalysts that operate efficiently under mild conditions, enabling compatibility with renewable-powered electrolysis systems. By optimizing catalyst composition and reaction conditions, the project aims to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while enhancing NH\u2083 production efficiency. The outcome will accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy by facilitating large-scale, sustainable ammonia-based hydrogen storage and distribution.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-31","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601-Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)\n401607-Metals and alloy materials(20%)\n340305-Physical properties of materials(30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dawei Su","title":"Room Temperature High Energy Density Sodium-Sulfur Batteries","description":"The project aims to boost room temperature sodium sulfur batteries (RT-NaSBs) with low cost and high energy density based on the insight understanding of \u201cstructure (atomic and electronic levels) - performance\u201d relationship between sodium polysulfides, electrolytes, and electrocatalysts, which is a critical but rarely understood in developing a broader family of sulfur redox reaction electrocatalysts. The mechanisms discovered and electrocatalytic materials rationally designed in this project will advance knowledge in fundamental science and engineering to strengthen national research capacity. The anticipated goal of the project is bringing RT-NaSBs from lab to fab.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2027-03-31","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials (70%)\n401807 - Nanomaterials (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brendan Dyet, Kate Fox","title":"Engineering Lipid Nanoparticle Structures for Intracellular Delivery","description":"Lipid nanoparticles have been used for various biomedical applications, including delivery vehicles for drugs, genes, and contrast agents. A recent development can be seen in COVID-19 vaccines from both Pfizer and Moderna. Both vaccines utilise lipid nanoparticles containing a mixture of lipids and mRNA encoding virus\u2019 spike protein. Various mesophase structures formed by lipid self-assembly have been explored to further improve the performance of these nanoparticles. Several studies have demonstrated that mesoporous structures within the lipid nanoparticles can influence the drug release rate, the mechanical properties, and the interaction with cells. There are two key challenges that, if overcome, will significantly advance the applications of lipid nanoparticles. The first involves the generation of nanoparticles with customised mechanical and surface properties, and the second is related to the interaction between the nanoparticles and the cell membrane under physiologic conditions\noccurring in human vessels. \nThis ARC funded project will involve studying the structural properties of lipid nanoparticles, modifying particle stiffness by changing their composition and the self-assembly process. The relationship between nanoparticle structure and stiffness will be determined both through experimental and modelling approaches. Finally, interaction of nanoparticles with various mammalian cells will be studied to determine the ability to deliver bioactive agents into cells. The interaction between nanoparticles and cells will be studied under various flow conditions.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-04-01","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603\tColloid and surface chemistry (50%)\n510501\tBiological physics (30%)\n320604\tNanomedicine (20%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Liu","title":"Functionalized nanofiltration membranes for organic solvent separation and recovery","description":"The high capital and operating costs of the separation, recovery, and disposal of organic solvents in chemical and pharmaceutical industries account for 40-70% of the total process cost due to reactions and high-value products in organic solvents at the end of the process. (Chem. Rev. 2014, 114, 10735). Therefore, higher separation and energy efficiencies are needed to significantly reduce the cost of processing organic solvents mixtures for purification. Compared to conventional membrane technology, the organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) membrane, has been realized for more efficient solvent operations because of its excellent stability and high separation in organic solvents and good solvent permeance to improve the production process speed (Chemical reviews 2014, 114, 10735). Meanwhile, several reports have highlighted that limited ultrahigh permeance membranes will not improve the separation process (Science 2017, 356). Therefore, OSN membranes with a high solvent permeance and good separation performance have attracted interest from researchers for industrial applications. \n \nThis project will design a novel bio-inspired robust nanocomposite membranes with hierarchical architecture assembly of 1D nanofiber and 2D nanomaterials which display high stiffness and tensile strength sufficient for high efficient organic solvents separation and recycling. In addition, the separation mechanism will be deeply studied and the synthesis of 2D nanomaterials-based membranes will be optimized toward large-scale production for a wide range of industrial applications.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; \n400409 - Separation Technologies and 40% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samantha Grover","title":"Quantifying methane emissions from wastewater treatment to identify mitigation opportunities","description":"This project aims to quantify methane emissions from wastewater treatment plants. The expected outcomes are improved understanding of methane emissions from within the plant, their spatial and temporal variability, and how they contribute to the total emissions. This may reduce emissions of methane. The opportunity\n\u2022Admission to RMIT University PhD program\n\u2022A four-year scholarship valued at $47,000 per annum (2025 rate)\n\u2022A project expense and development package of up to $13,000 per annum\n\u2022Supervision by CSIRO, an industry partner and the host university\n\u2022A 60-day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner\n\u2022A structured professional development and training package\nThe CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a research training program, focusing on applied research that benefits industry by solving real-world challenges. It aims to produce the next generation of innovation leaders with the skills to work at the interface of research and industry in Australia.\n\nEligibility requirements\nThe student must:\n\u2022Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, or a New Zealand citizen.\n\u2022Not have previously completed a PhD.\n\u2022Enrol as a full-time PhD student.\n\u2022Be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that RMIT University has approved and, if required, comply with the host institutions' procedures.\n\nThe Ideal Student Skillset: \n\u2022Completed Honours or Master\u2019s degree in environmental science, applied maths, physics, chemistry, computer science, computational modelling,  earth science or similar.\n\u2022Strong programming skills.\n\u2022Experience in making gas flux measurements\n\u2022Excellent project management skills and attention to detail.\n\u2022Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.\n\u2022Strong communication skills and an ability to write high-quality technical reports and contribute to peer-reviewed academic publications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2026-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"370203 Greenhouse gas inventories and fluxes 80%\n400410 Wastewater treatment processes 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229\/MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Advanced Materials for Redox Flow Batteries","title":"Advanced Materials for Redox Flow Batteries","description":"As society transitions towards Net Zero, many industries, processes and products will need to be improved to reduce the waste produced and energy consumed. Circular economies, sustainable materials and green technologies are attracting greater interest when investing in renewable technologies. Renewable energy generation and storage will play a significant role globally towards this effort. Photovoltaics and wind provide an intermittent source that will need to be coupled with large scale energy storage to deliver base load energy supply.\n\nAs battery systems are developed and commercialised, there will be a specialisation of where these systems are used, which will be dominated by cost and availability\/sustainability of materials (i.e. critical metals), product lifetime, safety and waste management at end-of -life (i.e. recycling). In addition to the deployment of lithium-ion batteries (1 ), redox flow batteries (2) offer one of the cheapest costs for large scale energy storage which is also extremely safe and environmentally robust. Australia first vanadium redox flow battery was launched in South Australia in 2023.(ref 3 and 4)\n\nRedox mediators, compounds that are capable of accepting or releasing electrons, are desperately needed that are sustainable and easily recycled for commercial RFBs. The project will involve working with a multi-disciplinary team screening, designing, and testing new materials that are of interest progressing the fundamental science and of commercial relevance. We are looking for a student with Chemical Synthesis, Characterisation and Electrochemistry skills to be involved in this growth area working in a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers at the CSIRO\u2019s Clayton site in Melbourne.\n\nReferences:\n\n1. Zhao, Y; Pohl, O; Bhatt, A; Collis, G; Mahon, P; Ruether, T.; Hollenkamp, A. F. A Review on Battery Market Trends, Second-Life Reuse and Recycling. Sustainable Chemistry. 2021; 2(1):167-205.\n\n2. Zachary Deller, Z. Jones, L. A. and Maniam, S. Aqueous redox flow batteries: How \u2018green\u2019 are the redox active materials? Green Chem., 2021, (23), 4955-4979.\n\n3. Australia's first commercial vanadium-flow battery storage completed in South Australia - ABC News (https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2023-06-23\/vandium-flow-battery-south-australia\/102515616)\n\n4. Flow batteries, the forgotten energy storage device, July 31, 2023, C&EN Digital Magazine","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2027-12-30","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340503\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Organic chemical synthesis (20%) \n340103\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electroanalytical chemistry (40%) \n400804\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electrical energy storage (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood, Ravichandar Babarao, Babar Shabir, Muhammad Waqas Khan","title":"Designing Electrocatalyst for Direct Seawater Splitting for Hydrogen Production","description":"6 months working with a partner industry to test the catalysts in prototype electrolysers and may have an industry supervisor.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials 50% \n340305 - Physical properties of materials 30% \n400404 - Electrochemical energy storage and conversion 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam ","title":"Self-assembled, peptide-based new functional materials ","description":"The self-assembly of natural and synthetic peptides at the supramolecular level holds great potential for applications in material science, biology and engineering. Such peptides have become a focal point in molecular self-assembly research, capable of forming a range of nanostructures beyond traditional \u03b1-helixes, \u03b2-sheets, and random coils. These processes are largely governed by the amphiphilic characteristics of peptides and reinforced by non-covalent interactions, giving rise to complex nanoarchitectures that can adapt to changes in their environment.\n\nIn this project, we aim to synthesize beta-peptides, which we, along with others, have shown to self-assemble in unique ways forming remarkably robust, 3-dimensional architectures. By integrating additional small organic or inorganic molecules, we will explore new functionality and potential applications. We are seeking candidates with expertise in organic synthesis.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340503 Organic chemical synthesis (40%)\n340407 Proteins and peptides (30%)\n340308 Supramolecular chemistry (30%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Li Gao","title":"Ammonium-selective membranes to shift water industry into circular economy","description":"The project aims to develop ammonium-selective membranes which are urgently needed in Australian key industries for sustainable ammonia recovery. The project expects to construct the membranes to achieve desirable pore size and surface functionality for fast and selective ammonia transport. The developed membranes should make ammonia recovery from wastewater more effective and sustainable, leading to the healthy waterway and reduced energy for both ammonia production and removal. Recovered ammonia expects to produce valuable products, supporting agriculture industry and hydrogen economy. The developed membranes should enable water industry's shift into circular economy, providing significant economic and environmental benefits to Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials (40%)\n401807 - Nanomaterials (30%)\n400409 - Separation technologies (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haoxin Mai, Rachel Caruso","title":"Data-Driven Design of Perovskites for Photocatalytic Applications","description":"The growing demand for energy and the accompanying environmental pollution are two critical challenges we face in the 21st century. To address the energy crisis while protecting the planet, solar energy offers a compelling solution due to its abundance, renewability, and sustainability. One promising approach to harness solar energy is through photocatalytic reactions, which convert sunlight into chemical energy for various applications, such as producing hydrogen or carbon monoxide as clean fuels, purifying water through photodegradation of pollutants, inactivating bacteria, and enabling green synthesis of critical industrial precursors. Perovskites, with their versatile compositions and structural diversity, have shown great potential in photocatalysis. However, their industrial application is often hindered by low quantum efficiency and instability. To overcome these challenges, the development and optimization of highly efficient and stable perovskite-based photocatalysts tailored for industrial applications are urgently needed.\n\nThis PhD project aims to develop novel perovskite-based photocatalysts by integrating machine learning and experimental techniques. The student will carry out experiments to tune the chemical composition and morphology of perovskite materials to enhance specific photocatalytic activities, assisted by computational chemistry and machine learning models. This approach will deepen our understanding of how structural and elemental modifications influence photocatalytic performance, providing valuable insights for advancing perovskite-based catalysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 030308 Theory and Design of Materials (40%) Functional Materials (30%)  340601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei, Milad Laghaei ","title":"Advanced protective coatings for thermal energy management devices","description":"This project aims to develop new nanomaterial coatings and advanced plasma coating technology to address the\nglobal issue of e-waste caused by short lifespan thermal energy management devices (TEMDs) used in energy\n(solar, wind, oil), transport (aerospace, automotive, marine) and industrial (manufacturing, mining) sectors. The\nproject expects to overcome issues of erosion and corrosion of TEMDs and toxic coating methods by developing\nnew nanomaterial coatings and innovative plasma coating technology. This should provide significant benefits\nsuch as improved sustainability of TEMDs with improved corrosion resistance and durability, as well as new\nmanufacturing products and processes that have far reaching economic benefits for Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401807 Nanomaterials (45%)\n401605 Functional materials (35%)\n401805 Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood","title":"Fabrication of advanced catalytic electrodes for direct seawater splitting","description":"This Project will create effective catalyst materials and construct electrodes to generate hydrogen directly from seawater, suitable for industrial use. The expected outcomes include developing methodologies for the suitable ink formulation of active catalyst materials, optimisation of coating technique and implementation in an electrolyser prototype. This may result in a reduced reliance on freshwater for hydrogen production improving sustainability and decreasing resource costs","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials\n340305 - Physical properties of materials\n400404 - Electrochemical energy storage and conversion"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xavier Mulet, Rachel Caruso","title":"PhD Scholarship in Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide with Porous Materials and Systems","description":"Carbon dioxide is one of the key challenges of the coming generation. With emissions annually at more than 25GTons and rising, all options to reduce the concentration of Carbon Dioxide should be considered: this includes direct air capture of carbon dioxide. This PhD project is focussed on the development of carbon dioxide capture systems from the advanced material to the prototype demonstration. \n\nThe candidate is expected to have strong materials or chemistry background and demonstrated skillset as well as an interest in the elements required for scaling up into prototype systems that demonstrate real world performance. \n\nAim\n\nTo develop and validate new porous materials and materials composites that are able to capture carbon dioxide at atmospheric concentrations in real world conditions. The student will be expected to develop new materials and\/or composite systems that can capture carbon dioxide at low concentrations. The project aims to translate these materials into prototype systems and test applicability\n\n\nMethodology\n\nTo create new materials or material composites into functional form factors. Working in collaboration with the supervisory research teams, the student will test structure-property relationships to understand material performance and scale-up to develop laboratory scale prototypes to test the materials. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340207        Metal organic frameworks\n400401        Carbon capture engineering (excl. sequestration)\n340305        Physical properties of materials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Nhiem Tran, Calum Drummond","title":"Ionisable lipid complexation with mRNAs and polyelectrolytes for gene delivery","description":"Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have had a tremendous clinical success compared to all other nanoparticle drug delivery systems. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated LNP research and translation, especially in the delivery of genetic materials such as mRNAs, which hold more biomedical potential for the treatment of various diseases beyond the pandemic control for infectious diseases. However, fundamental understanding of the lipid-mRNA complexation mechanism is lacking, limiting future development of gene therapy. In particular, large size mRNAs are polyelectrolytes and their complexation and encapsulation into the current lipid nanoparticle formulations are complex and challenging. With the huge potential of CRISPR technology in gene editing and disease cure, study focusing on large size mRNAs is very much needed for the delivery of CRISPR Cas mRNA coupled with single guide RNAs.   \n\nThis project aims to investigate the complexation of large size mRNAs and polyelectrolytes as a model candidate with ionisable lipids and obtain mechanistic insights for the development of more stable and effective lipid nanoparticles for future gene therapy. It will include investigation of property \u2013 function relationship by following a work flow of lipid nanoparticle-mRNA formulation, characterisation of physicochemical and structure properties, and investigation of mRNA delivery in vitro. \n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 - Colloid and Surface Chemistry (50%)\n310607 - Nanobiotechnology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dawei Su, Baohua Jia, Tianyi Ma, Hamid Arandiyan, Xiaoming Wen, Rachel Caruso, Gao Li","title":"Solar-Energy-Driven Modular Floatable Device for Scalable Green Hydrogen Production from Wastewater","description":"The project will design and manufacture catalytic membranes that combine photocatalysis and photothermal effects to maximise solar energy utilisation. By using only natural sunlight and without relying on potable water, the project will produce floatable devices based on the designed catalytic membranes for simultaneous cost-effective green hydrogen generation from wastewater (targeted price of $2.5\/kg H2) and organic species degradation to purify the source wastewater (to add additional credit to the process). Expected outcomes are the new knowledge of temperature-dependence and in-built charge generation in promoting photocatalytic reactions, the insight into the synergy between photothermal and photocatalytic processes, as well as the development, scaled-up manufacturing, deployment and commercialisation exploration of composite catalysts and membranes incorporated floatable devices that are suitable for real-world application. The technology will develop new markets associated with efficient stand-alone hydrogen production directly from sunlight and remove the need for extra infrastructure associated with photovoltaics and water source purification. The technology will provide significant benefits to Australia's capability in wastewater treatment, clean energy generation, and hydrogen supply chains.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials\n401807 - Nanomaterials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yichao Wang, Vipul Bansal, Li Gao","title":"Real-time plant health monitoring sensor","description":"Agriculture and forestry experience significant annual economic losses, estimated at about $100 billion, due to the impact of both biotic and abiotic stresses. These challenges are intensified by global phenomena like climate change, global warming, and the greenhouse effect. To mitigate these impacts, it is essential to effectively monitor plant physiological conditions, which can help preserve vital resources such as soil, water, and nutrients while also reducing pesticide usage and boosting crop yields.\n\nThe objective of this project is to create advanced nanobionic sensors that can detect and monitor plant stress in real time. These sensors will offer immediate insights into the health and condition of plants, allowing for timely interventions to prevent damage caused by stress. Plants naturally release signalling molecules, facilitating internal communication that helps them identify and react to various stressors both within and outside their systems. These molecules include chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By embedding nanosensors within plant tissues or applying them externally as tattoo or wearable devices, these sensors will capture plant stress signals and transmit the data to portable devices like handheld thermal imaging cameras or Raman spectrometers.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects)        \n310607 - Nanobiotechnology        \n401605 - Functional Materials\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xavier Mulet, Ravichandar Barbarao, Gary Rosengarten","title":"Thermal Modelling and Testing of Porous Materials and Systems across length scales.","description":"Investigating the Thermal Properties of Porous Materials, including Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), \u2013 Integrating simulation, system modelling and experiments\n\nPorous materials including Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials with a range of applications, including gas storage and catalysis. Their unique structure\u2014comprising metal ions or clusters connected by organic ligands\u2014endows them with remarkable properties, including high surface area and tunable porosity. Understanding their thermal properties is crucial for optimizing their performance in all applications. This project aimed at investigating the thermal properties of MOFs through advanced simulation and system modelling techniques validating with experimental data.\n\nAim \n\nTo develop and validate computational models that accurately predict the thermal behavior of porous materials including MOFs and their composites To analyze the impact of different structural parameters and environmental conditions on the thermal stability and thermal conductivity of MOFs. To provide insights into how these thermal properties influence the performance of MOFs in specific applications.\n\nMethodology \n\nTo construct detailed atomic-scale models of selected MOFs and porous materials and to study thermal behaviour including thermal conductivity and thermal stability at various temperatures using classical molecular dynamics simulations.  Further density functional theory will be employed to calculate vibrational properties and heat capacities. \nThis understanding of the thermal behaviours of porous materials can then be integrated in thermal system models that are represent a real-world application application, with a focus on direct air capture of carbon dioxide and atmospheric water generation. There will be an opportunity to translate the model into a prototype system. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305        Physical properties of materials\n401204        Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) \n401602        Composite and hybrid materials\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nhiem Tran, Ewan Blanch","title":"Study cell-nanoparticle interaction using multiple techniques","description":"Lipid nanoparticles are promising candidates for a wide range of biomedical applications from drug delivery to gene therapies. In order to design more effective lipid nanoparticles, it is important to understand the interaction between the nanoparticles and cells. For example, lipid nanoparticles can be taken into cells via processes such as endocytosis. However, they can also fuse with cellular membranes and deliver a therapeutic cargo directly into the cell. The relationship between nanoparticles' structure and their uptake pathways is not well understood. Furthermore, different cells will likely interact with the nanoparticle through a different mechanism, making the relationship more complex. In this project, techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, and cryogenic electron microscopy and tomography will be used to study the interaction between lipid nanoparticles and various types of mammalian cells. Our goal is to use the obtained information to design more efficient delivery vehicles for nucleic acids such as siRNA and mRNA.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (40%)\n310105 Cellular interactions (incl. adhesion, matrix, cell wall) (20%)\n340101 Analytical spectrometry (20%)\n340605 Molecular imaging (incl. electron microscopy and neutron diffraction) (20%)\n\n\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Liu","title":"Bio-inspired functional nanofibers\/nanosheets membrane for wearable Zn-ion batteries ","description":"Currently, the issue of energy shortages has become a serious global challenge. Commercial lithium-ion batteries have been a promising next generation battery for energy storage. Yet there are several problems to be settled including the limit of lithium reserves in the earth, the safety risks (flammability) of separators piercing resulted from lithium dendrites, and environmental impact. To development of renewable energy with low environmental impact and to meet the increasing demand for flexible and wearable electronics, advanced flexible zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are a promising way to provide an alternative to apply in these aspects owing to their low-cost, high-energy density, inherent safety, and low environmental impact. Nevertheless, several challenges remain that need to be prioritized before realizing the widespread application of ZIBs, such as inevitable zinc dendrites, weak interfacial stability between Zn anode and electrolytes corrosion passivation. Therefore, this project will develop a new strategy to improve the stability of Zn anode for high performance of Zn-ion batteries with low-cost, safety, and low environmental impact to guarantee the sustainable development of human being.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; \n401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 40% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung, Vipul Bansal","title":"Molecular Simulations and Deep-Learning Predictions of Biomolecular Interactions ","description":"Biomolecular interactions in eukaryotic and bacterial membrane environments are vital for cellular function, survival, and pathogenicity. Understanding these interactions provides insights into cellular mechanisms and can inform therapeutic strategies. This project will employ state-of-the-art computational molecular modelling and biophysical simulations techniques to predict and identify specific interactions between biomolecules in the presence of lipid membranes. AI-driven deep learning methods will be used to predict the conformations of biomacromolecules, while complex cellular membrane environments such as bacterial cell walls will be constructed using a combination of mesoscale (coarse-grained) and all-atom models. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations will be used to quantify the binding affinity between molecular species within realistic cellular environments. Data acquired from structural modelling and simulations will be mined to identify optimal predictive descriptors for development of machine learning models, which will enable rapid in silico screening and identification of binding partners in biomolecular systems, with numerous potential applications in biosensing, antibody design, nanomedicine, and other fields. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340401 Biologically active molecules (50%)\n340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (50%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lily van Eeden, Lukas Parker","title":"Changing human behaviour to benefit nature (and people)","description":"This project is funded by a 2024 ARC Industry Fellowship titled \"Behaviour change science for nature conservation\". The two main partners are the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBG).\n\nAustralia has some of the highest rates of species extinction in the world. Human actions are driving much of the biodiversity crisis, and yet human action can also help solve it. This project seeks to harness an understanding of human behaviour to achieve nature conservation objectives.\n\nThe project will employ and build skills in behavioural psychology and systems-thinking, seeking to develop and test theories of change for achieving conservation through behaviour change interventions, working in partnership with government.\n\nThe project is likely to encompass some or all of the themes and approaches below, with some flexibility to accommodate the successful candidate(s) interests and skills:\n\n- Testing how models and theories of pro-environmental behaviour apply to target nature-friendly behaviours\n- Exploring relationships between target behaviours to develop behavioural \"spillover\" mechanisms\n- Identifying relationships between nature-friendly behaviour and human wellbeing\n- Interviews and qualitative data analysis\n- Development of surveys and quantitative analysis of survey data\n- Workshops with partner agencies to identify potential system leverage points\n- Evaluation of behaviour change interventions, delivered through DEECA, RBG, and other partner programs","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"410401 Conservation and biodiversity 60%\n520505 Social psychology 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babar Shabbir, Nasir Mahmood","title":"X-ray Sensing and Imaging Devices","description":"X-rays have revolutionized various fields. Today, they address challenging detection problems, including diagnosing illnesses, detecting high-density metal explosives, and identifying physical food contaminants. The predominant method, Single Energy X-ray technology, operates within the hard X-ray photon region of ~10 to 200 keV. This range is ideal for detecting hard materials such as high-density bones, metals, and stones, which effectively absorb hard X-rays. However, soft materials with low X-ray attenuation coefficients within this spectral region (10 to 200 keV) yield limited information. This limitation hinders the detection of soft materials in heterogeneous substances, such as soft human tissues, low-density metals, or low-density physical contaminants in food.\n\nTo address this challenge, this project aims to develop dual energy X-ray detectors capable of simultaneously detecting soft and hard X-rays with high sensitivity. By incorporating an additional spectral dimension, this approach promises to enhance the detection of both soft and hard materials. These detectors will be based on advanced materials, which will be predicted using deep learning techniques. These new sensors will improve the accuracy and efficacy of X-ray detection in medical diagnostics, security screening, and food safety.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"030702        Radiation and Matter (50%)\n020504        Photonics, Optoelectronics and Optical Communications (25%)\n029904        Synchrotrons; Accelerators; Instruments and Techniques (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babar Shabbir, Nasir Mahmood","title":"Accelerating Materials Discovery and Optimization Using Machine Learning","description":"The development of advanced materials is critical for numerous industries, including aerospace, automotive, and energy. Traditional material discovery methods are time-consuming and expensive, often involving extensive trial-and-error experimentation. Machine Learning (ML) offers a promising solution to accelerate this process by predicting material properties and suggesting new compositions with desired characteristics. The objective of this project is to create ML models that predict advanced materials with superior performance in areas such as strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"030307        Theory and Design of Materials (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Steven Bozinovski, Calum Drummond","title":"Deciphering lipid-RNA nanocarrier structure upon RNA complexation","description":"This project is an ARC Discovery project aiming to eludicate mRNA-lipid nanoparticle formulation and complexation mechanisms for developing next-generation mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines. \nThis project will systematically investigate the formulation-structure-functional relationship of mRNA-lipid nanoparticles by high-throughput screening of lipid nanoparticle composition and physiochemical properties, formulation optimsation with various model mRNAs, and comprehensive in vitro studies on nanoparticle-cell interactions. \n\nThis project would suit a HDR candidate with an interest in mRNA technology, nanobiotechnology and chemistry. The candidate would have an opportunity to learn skills in nanoparticle design and formulation, as well as a range of biophysical instruments including synchrotron based small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering, microscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and will the opportunity to visit Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO neutron facility, and synchrotron facilities overseas. The candidate will be supported in a multi-disciplinary research group that has a strong track record in the proposed research area and HDR completion. Our laboratory in School of Science at the city campus, together with the renowned RMIT facilities and centres, ensure essential resources required for the project.   \n\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603  Colloid and Surface Chemistry (50%)\n310607 Nanobiotechnology (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Stephen Headey, Natalie Borg SHBS","title":"Developing antagonists of MIF","description":"MIF is a cytokine involved in inflammation, cancer and host responses to viral infection. Inhibiting MIF could lead to novel treatments for these diseases. We are developing novel MIF inhibitors using computational docking and design along with medicinal chemistry. Potential inhibitors are tested in biophysical, enzymatic and cell-based assays that we have established in our labs. During this project you will learn medicinal chemistry synthesis techniques, computation docking and drug design and biophysical techniques such as SPR and protein NMR. The project would suit students with a background in organic chemistry.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"030304 -  Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry    75%\n111101 -  Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics  25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen, James Tardio","title":"Fundamental characterisation of high-phosphorus iron ores","description":"The main objective of this PhD project is to characterize various Australian and Indian iron ores to reveal the associations between P, Al and Si. The project will provide numerous research and development opportunities including cutting-edge chemical analytical and mineral characterisation techniques, as well as solution chemistry analysis, mineralogy analysis, electron microscopy, and synchrotron technology. The candidate should have experience in one or more of the following research areas: Minerology, Mineral Processing, Hydrometallurgy, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Geochemistry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Low-grade iron ore upgrade","description":"The objective of this PhD project is to understand the various types of matrix gangue minerals present in Australian and Indian iron ores, and to study the transformation mechanisms of their structure, their ionic conductivity, and their ion exchange properties during an upgrade process involving leaching of impurities. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baohua Jia, Han Lin","title":"Photothermal management with graphene metamaterials","description":"Environmental and industrial thermal management represents major global energy consumption and CO2 emission. This project aims to investigate a game-changing passive thermal management solution to tackle both heating and cooling problems without using any electricity. This is made possible by designing a nanostructured graphene metamaterial to either totally reject or totally absorb electromagnetic waves in certain spectral ranges. Expected outcomes include new design and fabrication strategies for novel photothermal films with high performance and cost-effectiveness. This is expected to lead to the development of novel energy efficient technologies for Australian industries, producing direct economic, social and environmental benefits.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605  Functional materials (50%) , 401809  Nanophotonics (30%), 401703  Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical) (20%), "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rachel Caruso, Tu Le, School of Engineering","title":"Designing electrocatalysts using material informatics","description":"The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to value-added fuels and chemicals requires active catalysts that have good selectivity. When considering long term industrial application of the catalyst it is important that they are stable and not expensive. In this project the synthesis of electrocatalysts will be guided by theoretical computations and modelling methods (e.g. DFT, machine learning), in which structure-property and composition-property relations will be revealed, and new electrocatalysts and optimised synthesis conditions will be identified. The predictions will then be tested through the synthesis and testing of the materials.\r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate should have a strong interest in materials chemistry, good understanding of crystal structure, as well as wet-laboratory skills. Candidates having knowledge about theoretical computations and modelling will be highly preferred. \r\n\r\nThe project sits within the ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 Theory and design of materials (40%)\r\n340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (40%)\r\n340604 Electrochemistry (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam, Andrew Hung ","title":"Developing lead small organic molecules with selective anti-cancer properties","description":"Inhibition of apoptotic proteins involved in cancer is a desirable approach. Small molecules from natural products are developed in addressing this strategy. Applying computational analysis, further derivatisation and optimisation of the small molecules can be achieved. Synthetically, microwave-assisted or traditional organic synthesis can be utilised to synthesise rapidly and in large quantities of the small molecules. In this project, small molecules will be used to screen apoptotic proteins and the potential compounds will be further derivatised and fully characterised using NMR analytical techniques. Thus, this project will result in compounds with promising activities as anti-cancer agents and potentially as therapeutic agents for cancer.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340504 Organic green chemistry (50%)\n340701 Computational chemistry (20%)\n340401 Biologically active molecules (30%)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Tardio, Hamid Arandiyan, Suresh Bhargava","title":"Research and development on waste water treatment processes","description":"The main focus of this project is to develop a novel process for treating industrial wastewater. Different processes will be explored including advanced oxidation based processes (including catalytic processes) and sorption based processes. Processes for upgrading waste that is recovered will also be explored.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400410 Water treatment processes"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Aaron Elbourne,  Paul Ramsland (paul.ramsland@rmit.edu.au) - Biology.","title":"Single-Molecular Sensing of Bacterial \u2013 Antibody Interactions","description":"Motivation\r\n\r\nUnderstanding the intricacies of antibody-bacteria interactions is paramount in deciphering the mechanisms employed by pathogens to be recognized by and evade the immune system. The dynamic interplay between antibodies and bacteria plays a pivotal role in the pathogen's ability to subvert immune responses, making it a critical area for investigation. This PhD project aims to gain new, nanoscale insights into the molecular tactics employed by antibodies to bind bacteria and how these bacteria can evade immune responses at the single-molecule level. Moreover, it will inform the development of targeted interventions, ultimately enhancing our understanding and capacity to combat infectious diseases with precision and efficacy.\r\n\r\nScope\r\n\r\nEmploying cutting-edge single-molecule techniques, including atomic force microscopy, magnetic tweezers, and optical tweezers, we aim to unravel the subtle forces and dynamics governing the interactions of antibodies with bacterial cell surfaces at the nanoscale. By delving into the realm of single-molecule studies, we aim to unveil new insights into the molecular tactics employed by bacteria to evade antibodies, offering a unique perspective that can inform the development of targeted interventions and strategies to bolster the immune system's defense against infectious agents. This research not only addresses fundamental questions in immunology but also opens avenues for the design of innovative therapeutics to counteract pathogen evasion and enhance our ability to combat infectious diseases effectively.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry 50%\r\n310607 Nanobiotechnology 40%\r\n401810 Nanoscale Characterisation 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tianyi Ma","title":"Catalytic Hydrogen Production: From Lab to Real World","description":"With the falling cost of renewable energy and the abundant availability of solar and wind resources, Australia is an ideal place to scale up green hydrogen production. The global hydrogen industry is expected to increase 40% by 2030, with Australia aiming to become a leading exporter of hydrogen, with potential export values of $5.7b by 2040. To accelerate the development of a hydrogen economy and transition to a decarbonised future, we need to produce \u201cclean\u201d hydrogen at under AU$2.00 per kilogram. Nanostructured materials have attracted considerable attention for photocatalytic H2 production due to their unique physical and chemical properties in comparison to their bulk counterparts. These diverse nanostructures such as nanocrystals, nanopores, nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, and other more complex hierarchical architectures with large surface areas, high surface to volume ratios, and numerous accessible catalytic active sites as well as efficient mass transport have been demonstrated to show extraordinary H2 production activity. Therefore, we will be working on the engineering of polarisation, chemical composition and morphology in promoting the specific photocatalytic activity of nanomaterials, which will enrich our knowledge on enhancing the nanophotocatalysis in structural and elemental aspects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 Functional Materials (40%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (30%)\r\n340601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Christofferson, Aaron Elbourne","title":"Biomolecular Interactions with Nanoparticles \u2013 Investigating the Protein Corona and beyond","description":"Motivation\nNanotechnology, particularly nanoparticles and nanosheets with nanoscale dimensions, has become a powerful tool for manipulating matter at the cellular level. These materials find applications in drug delivery, advanced diagnostics, cellular imaging, and cancer treatment, among other areas. Despite their wide-ranging use, there is still limited understanding of how nanomaterials like particles, sheets, and soft vesicles interact with cellular material, especially regarding protein corona formation\u2014a process where proteins adsorb onto the surface of nanoparticles, influencing their behavior and interactions within biological systems.\n\nScope\nThis research project aims to advance our understanding of protein corona formation and its effect on cellular interactions by developing new experimental and molecular dynamics methodologies. Specifically, we will investigate the intricate interactions between nanoparticles and biomolecules, such as proteins, and focus on how these structures alter interactions with the cell membrane.\n\nExpected Outcomes\nIn this work, we will focus on understanding protein coronas formed on nanoparticles of varying chemistries. To investigate these interactions, we will develop novel multiscale simulation methods and validate theoretical findings with tailored experimental studies. This will involve a variety of computational techniques, including ab initio calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and coarse-grain modelling, as well as advanced microscopic techniques, such as atomic force microscopy, confocal microscopy, and electron microscopy, to thoroughly characterize these systems. This comprehensive analysis will allow us to gain insights into how nanomaterials interact with proteins and other important biomolecules.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340701 Computational chemistry (80%)\r\n340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (10%)\r\n510405 Soft condensed matter (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xavier Mulet, Peter Sherrell, Joseph Olorunyomi, Gary Rosengarten; School of Engineering","title":"Creation of New Thermoelectric Porous Materials and Systems","description":"Waste Heat is a huge challenge in the global energy transition. We are developing new materials and system to enhance the conversion of heat to electricity. Using Advanced Materials we are developing new composites to address the Waste Heat problem. \r\n\r\nThermoelectric materials can convert waste heat into electricity. Materials and devices that have high efficiency, low cost, and are environmentally friendly are desirable to revolutionise energy generation. Functional composite materials based on porous structures including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), hypercrosslinked polymers, inorganic oxides and conducting materials are promising to deliver thermoelectric performance. Synthetic approaches but not limited to solvothermal approach, in-situ polymerizations, solid state synthesis, biomimetic encapsulation, and thin film fabrication are desirable in developing thermoelectric structures. Experience in materials synthesis and characterisation such as electrical conductivity, thermal characterisation, crystallographic techniques and electron microscopy are desirable.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305\tPhysical properties of materials (33%)\r\n401602\tComposite and hybrid materials (34%)\r\n401703\tEnergy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical) (33%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"Reactive small molecule sensing using 2D nanomaterials","description":"Reactive small molecules such as phosphine are commonly used industrially as fumigants to eliminate pests and microorganisms from bulk commodities and cash crops alike. Many of these fumigants are highly toxic and can only be reliably tested at >1ppm levels. To overcome this limitation, new sensing materials such as 2D materials and their heterostructures will be investigated to enable ppb level sensing, to improve worker\/operator safety. This project will focus on using density functional theory calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The project is a collaboration with Dr Michael Breedon at CSIRO and will involve working on the RMIT city campus and the CSIRO Clayton site. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510403\tCondensed matter modelling and density functional theory (70%)\r\n340108\tSensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (20%)\r\n300804\tHorticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kathryn Hassell, AQUEST Research Group (BFT)","title":"Ecological indicators for monitoring sewage pollution in streams and estuaries around Melbourne","description":"Untreated sewage inputs, in the form of sewer and septic leaks, and Emergency Relief Structure (ERS) spills may cause water quality impacts in waterways, however the extent to which such spills may cause ecological and human health impacts is less certain.  An evidence-based understanding of sewage discharge characteristics and how these impact ecological and social values will enable a more structured and strategic process for prioritising the investigation and management of sewage inputs. \n\nThis project will use an experimental approach to identify if a causal relationship can be established between sewage spill characteristics (duration\/volume\/frequency) and water quality, with potential ecological impacts.  Considerations such as temporal monitoring of some streams at risk of impacts from untreated sewage spills (hotspots), and assessments of dry weather (chronic) spill sites and wet weather spill sites will be included.  This design will enable differences in the ecological impacts from sewer\/septic leaks (chronic) and ERS (acute) spills to be assessed, and to establish if there is a way to differentiate spills impacts of short temporary and recoverable ecological effect and more permanent risk to the ecological population.  Multiple field sampling trips will be done to capture both wet weather and dry weather conditions at sewer spill sites. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"310304 Freshwater ecology (50%)\n410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring (25%)\n410201 Bioavailability and ecotoxicology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ewan Blanch, Saffron Bryant","title":"Cellulose aerogels as molecular nanosensors","description":"Cellulose is a polysaccharide formed from hundreds or thousands of beta(1\u21924) linked D-glucose subunits. A major component of plant and algal cell walls as well as the biofilms extruded by some bacteria, the physical and mechanical properties of cellulose have made it an important resource for thousands of years. More recently, cellulose has attracted interest as a nanomaterial due to its ability to form both crystalline and amorphous fibrils, cholesteric liquid crystals, hydrogels and aerogels. In this project we will develop cellulose-based nanomaterials and characterise their properties using a wide range of biophysical techniques, with the aim of investigating their potential as a new class of nanosensors. \n\nRequirements: A Bachelors (Honours) or Masters degree in Chemistry, Physics or a related scientific or engineering subject. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340302\r\n340603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aaron Elbourne, Saffron J. Bryant, Andrew J. Christofferson, Gary Bryant","title":"Nanomaterial Interactions with Model Cell Membranes","description":"Motivation: Nanotechnology, specifically nanoparticles and\/or nanosheets with nanoscale dimensions, has emerged as means of manipulating matter at the cellular level. Specifically, such materials have been used for drug delivery, advanced diagnostics, cellular-imaging, and tumour (cancer) treatment, amongst many other applications. However, the precise mechanism by which nanomaterials such as particles, sheets, and soft vesicles interact with cellular material remains poorly understood.\r\n\r\nScope: This research project will develop a fundamental and molecular understanding of how nanoparticles, and nanomaterials in general, interact with cellular materials, via the cell membrane.\r\nNanomaterials will be synthesised through various chemical and exfoliation techniques and introduced to model cellular membranes (lipid bilayers) in a systematic fashion.\r\n\r\nExpected Outcomes: In this work, model lipid bilayers will be self-assembled to explore surfaces and colloids in solutions. These bilayers act as representations of biological materials, such as cells, viral particles, and extracellular vesicles. The resulting bilayers will then be characterised using a suite of high-resolution microscopic techniques - Atomic Force Microscopy, Confocal, and Electron Microscopy, etc. - and molecular dynamics simulations. This will elucidate and assess the interactions of nanomaterials with lipid bilayers. Importantly, the specific interactions of nanomaterials with lipid bilayers influences a plethora of phenomena at the cellular interface. The experiments performed, and models constructed here will give a more accurate description of the effects of curvature of biological cells, providing fundamental insight into the interactions of nanomaterials with model lipid bilayers.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry 50%\r\n310607 Nanobiotechnology 40%\r\n401810 Nanoscale Characterisation 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood, Ravichandar Babaro, Ravi Shukla, Nicky Eshtiaghi","title":"Biocompatible materials for early disease detection and environmental application","description":"The fast evolution, higher demands, quick progression in science and technology, impacting our lives in several ways, increase the susceptibility of humans for disease, pollute the environment and increased toxic waste to freshwater.\r\nTherefore, protective measure need to be taken like 1) it is imperative to design effective and non-invasive probes that can detect the diseases at an early stage by detecting monomers, oligomers and protofibrils involved in these process, 2) introduced better and efficient targeted treatment methods like targeted drug delivery for the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer disease (AD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), etc. and 3) effective treatment of industrial wastewater to protect freshwater reserves for the survival of life especially.\r\nSeveral macroscopic methods based on conventional medical imaging techniques such as MRI, or NIR, imaging and microscopic systems based on two-photon excited or electron microscopy are developed for early disease detection. But designing a reliable and cost-effective strategy is a big challenge in the current scenario, however, utilizing nanodiagnostic tools and nanocarriers would solve this problem to some extent. Currently, available nanodiagnostic tool can detect amyloids biomarker either in vitro or in vivo depending upon physicochemical interaction with amyloid protein but extraction of information about their propagation is still a challenge. On the other side, nanocarriers have enhanced the targeted drug delivery to specifically improve the AD treatment, however, controlled release and behavior of a carrier in the cells is not explored well. Thus, along with developing new detection biomarkers and drug carriers, their toxicity should also be addressed.\r\nThis project aims to develop biocompatible multimodal probes based on carbon and inorganic materials for timely diagnosis of disease (like AD and T2D) and delivery of drug for their early treatment. Further, it will also assess the level of toxicity and impact of these carriers on cell metabolism proteomic analysis.\r\nThis project will also develop porous materials to examine how they affect the microbial distributions, biofilm compositions, and mutualism (among anammox bacteria, AOB, and denitrifying bacterial communities) for efficient operation of nitritation-anammox process for wastewater treatment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials 40%\r\n030306 Synthesis of Materials 30%\r\n0903 Biomedical Engineering  20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Aaron Elbourne, Applied Chemistry & Environmental Science\r\nBlanca del Rosal Rabes, Physics","title":"Unlocking Electrostatic Energy Harvesters: Towards Distributed, Wearable, and Implantable Electronics","description":"Mechanical-to-electrical energy harvesters are emerging as critical technologies to power small-scale electronic, electrochemical, bionic, and distributed systems. In particular, polymer-based devices have attracted great interest due to their high chemical stability and high efficiency in converting motion to electricity. \r\n\r\nThere are two ways by which polymers harvest energy; 1) piezoelectricity, which converts bulk deformation to electricity,[1] and 2) contact electrification (triboelectricity) [2] which converts interfacial friction to electricity. When these phenomena are combined, nearly 1000 V and uA current can be harvested from simple human movements.\r\n\r\nHowever, the mechanisms by which polymers generate interfacial charge are still the subject of vigorous debate in the literature.[3] \r\n\r\nWe have, for the first time, linked fundamental physical properties of polymers, including cohesive energy [4] and topography [5], to triboelectric charging phenomena.  While the elucidation of these macroscopic charging phenomena are powerful, nanoscale measurements have shown that the local surface charge can be over 1000x higher than the macroscale. \r\n\r\nThis project will explore how to we understand charging phenomena at the nanoscale, and how this can be expanded into the macroscale. The student will gain key skills in materials processing, nanoscale, optical, and vibrational characterisation techniques, polymer processing, electronic devices, and data analysis \u2013 providing key skills highly valued by employers.\r\n\r\nThis project involves team members across Applied Chemistry & Environmental Science and Physics as well as collaboration into the School of Engineering along with National and International Collaborative Partners.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/C9EE03059J\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/admi.202300323\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41570-019-0115-1\r\n[4] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsami.1c13100\r\n[5] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.nanoen.2022.107914 \r\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305\tPhysical properties of materials (25%)\r\n401810\tNanoscale characterisation (25%)\r\n401609\tPolymers and plastics (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Aaron Elbourne","title":"Advanced BioAFM for tissue engineering","description":"Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a highly versatile tool for characterizing biological systems, enabling live cell measurements with no requirement for fixatives or labels. Measuring and observing living stem cells in situ is highly important to understand how cells react and respond to their environment, and the knowledge gained can be used to design and control this environment for targeted outcomes. [1]\r\n\r\nAt RMIT we have a world-class bioAFM which is capable of biomechanical and biomolecular analyses of living cells, including the only FluidFM system installed in Australia. This project will primarily involve applying various bioAFM techniques to study living stem cells (quantitative imaging, functionalized probe scanning, viscoelastic probing), in addition to using the FluidFM for single cell biopsies and injection. Complementary biological techniques such as cell culture, biomolecular analyses (PCR, western blot, targeted assays), and fluorescent microscopy will be required, in addition to basic chemistry skills in preparing substrates or materials as required. \r\n\r\nThe supervisory team has extensive experience in AFM for a variety of applications,[2-4] and the HDR candidate will gain experience in a cross-disciplinary field of research using cutting-edge techniques. \r\n\r\n[1] A. Gelmi, C. Ibsen. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10 (1), 2021\r\n[2] S. Maynard*, A. Gelmi, et al. ACS Nano, 14 (12), , 2020\r\n[3] A. Elbourne et al. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 546, 2019\r\n[4] S. Collett, et al. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 592, 2021\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400302 Biomaterials 30%\r\n320606 Regenerative medicine (incl stem cells) 30%\r\n401810 Nanoscale characterisation 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Mahdokht Shaibani, School of Engineering\r\nXavier Mulet, Research & Innovation Portfolio","title":"FastCharge: Enabling High Rate Capacity Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices","description":"Electrochemical devices will underpin societal shifts away from fossil fuel use. In particular batteries and supercapacitors enable modulation of energy provided by fluxional renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. The key challenge in this area is mitigating energy lost during charging and discharging processes within these electrochemical devices. This project looks to develop new ways to improve the speed at which batteries and supercapacitors can store and release electricity, through the integration of mechanical and thermal energy harvesting systems. \r\n\r\nThe project will focus on integration of ferroelectric and thermoelectric materials into carbon-based electrodes and explore the recently discovered piezoelectric-like response of ionic liquids. \r\n\r\nThe student will gain skills in electrochemistry, energy storage devices, materials engineering, and energy harvesting systems \u2013 with skills of direct interest to a wide range of employers across the electric vehicle, electronics, and energy storage sectors.\r\n\r\nEmbedded in the city campus of RMIT University, students will have access to a range of world leading materials synthesis, characterisation, and testing facilities in a vibrant city environment. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303\tNanochemistry (25%)\r\n401605\tFunctional materials (25%)\r\n340604\tElectrochemistry (50%)\r\n\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"2D Materials for Low Energy Electronics","description":"Current electronic devices, such as laptops and computers, consume considerable amounts of energy, with the amount growing each year. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop low energy electronics that can contribute towards a sustainable future.  \r\n\r\nThe unique properties of nanomaterials and their inherent low dimensions make then suitable for components in electronic devices that operate using less energy. Two dimensional nanomaterials and their van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures are promising platforms for future nano-, opto- and piezo- electronic devices. Being able to combine the properties of individual layers can lead to enhanced features suitable for reducing energy consumption, allowing memory storage and facilitating catalytic reactions. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this project is to discover new 1D and 2D multiferroic materials that are formed either from monolayers or multilayer materials. As the number of possibilities for suitable candidate materials is enormous, a computational approach (based on density functional theory) will be used to accelerate the search for possible materials by theoretical prototyping of potential candidates before starting materials synthesis. The project will use several high-performance supercomputing facilities as well as AWS cloud supercomputing facilities.   \r\n\r\nSome relevant papers include: \r\n1)\tJavaid, Paylor, Tawfik, Spencer, \u201cTuning the Schottky barrier height in a multiferroic In2Se3\/Fe3GeTe2 van der Waals heterojunction\u201d Nanoscale 14 (2022) 4114\r\n2)\tTaylor, Tawfik, Spencer, \u201cFerroelectric van der Waals heterostructures of CuInP2S6 for non-volatile memory device applications\u201d Nanotechnology 34 (2023) 065701\r\n3)\tYaokawa, Ohsuna, Morishita, Hayasaka, Spencer, Nakano, \u201cMonolayer-to-bilayer transformation of silicenes and their structural analysis\u201d Nature Communications 7 (2016) 10657","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340701\tComputational chemistry (40%)\r\n510403\tCondensed matter modelling and density functional theory (40%)\r\n340305\tPhysical properties of materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"A new universal standard to assess the efficacy of sunscreens for human-free testing","description":"Sunscreens play an important role in protecting humans from the harmful effects of solar UV radiation. You would have seen an SPF (sunscreen protection factor) value listed on sunscreen bottles, which indicates its protective efficacy. But do you know that the current sunscreen testing standards require exposing humans to harmful UV radiation to get SPF values? This raises ethical concerns and results in an expensive and time-consuming test. \n\nThe project aims to develop a cost-effective human-free method to reliably test the performance of sunscreens in collaboration with the Australian regulatory bodies. This scientifically validated in vitro method could potentially become a new sunscreen testing standard and may influence government policies around sun safety. This could result in improved consumer products through regulatory surveillance of sunscreen products.\n\nThe research involves interdisciplinary fields of chemistry, nanotechnology, biology, and engineering to (i) develop a nanostructured skin-mimicking surface that can replace human skin, (ii) a robotic sunscreen spreading technique that increases reproducibility of tests, and (iii) a portable UV sensor that can determine the UV blocking effects of sunscreens. If you have an interest in one or more of these areas, this could be the project for you. \n\nThe project offers internship and collaboration opportunities with the Commonwealth Agency responsible for radiation safety (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency \u2013 ARPANSA) and Australia\u2019s leading organisation for skin cancer prevention (Cancer Council Victoria \u2013 CCV). \n\nRefer to our publication (https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.trac.2022.116724) for further information about this project. Publications of Chief Investigator are accessible through https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/04\/2030","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"Instrumental methods (excl. immunological and bioassay methods) 340105 (50%) ; Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) 340108 (25%) ; Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) 340301 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Selvakannan Periasamy, Suresh K Bhargava, Maciej Mazur,\r\nPetros Lappas","title":"Methane to hydrogen conversion with compact 3D printed catalytic reactors","description":"Hydrogen powered fuel cells and combustion engines hold the opportunity to decarbonise the energy, transport sectors and advance the hydrogen economy. Producing hydrogen on demand from natural gas alleviates the hazards associated the transportation and storage of hydrogen, two major technical challenges that delays the transition towards clean hydrogen for energy and mobility. The \u201con-demand\u201d hydrogen generation from natural gas using catalytic cracking of methane can be a potential option and the endothermic process can be driven by solar energy or waste\/induction heat.  The major promise of this process lies in the potential for simple process design and production of highly desirable fuel cell grade hydrogen  and valuable carbon nano materials as by-products. However, However, catalytic cracking of methane into hydrogen on-demand requires a stable coke-resistant catalyst, which can extend the lifetime of the catalyst without compromising the activity of methane cracking into hydrogen. \r\nThe aim of this PhD project is to develop a catalyst functionalized 3D printed open framework metal structures as new generation coke-resistant catalysts for the catalytic cracking of methane into hydrogen.  This PhD project will address the key research challenges in functionalizing the 3D printed metal structures using the nanostructured intermetallic catalysts, their characterization, coking behaviour, extensive catalyst screening and analysis. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601        Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (40%)\n340303        Nanochemistry (35%)\n401401        Additive manufacturing (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi","title":"Electrically conductive biomaterials for tissue engineering","description":"In the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering, stem cell fate is often controlled through physical or mechanical cues provided by passive biomaterial properties. Electrical stimulation has been demonstrated to direct stem cell differentiation in the absence of exogenous biochemical triggers down several phenotype pathways (osteogenic, neurogenic, smooth muscle, and chondrogenic).[1] \r\nConductive biomaterials, including organic conductive polymers, carbon allotropes, and hydrogels, have all been used to deliver an electrical signal to interfacing stem cells.[2] However, to date there has been no systematic study into how the electrical properties of conductive biomaterials may influence stem cell response.\r\n\r\nThis project will explore three classes of conductive, non-cytotoxic materials to stimulate stem cells; a metallic conductor, a semi-conductor, and pseudo-capacitive semi-conductor. The electronic properties of these materials and how they interface with biological systems will be explored using both electrochemical and biological techniques. This investigation will help improve the design of biomaterials for bioelectronic applications, and identify effective biomaterial properties.  \r\n\r\nThe HDR candidate will gain experience in a cross-disciplinary field, exploring at the interface of chemistry and stem cell biology. Skills in materials chemistry and electrochemistry will be required, including characterisation techniques such as electronic microscopy, AFM, Raman, impedance, and cyclic voltammetry, in addition to complementary biological techniques such as cell culture, biomolecular analyses, and fluorescent microscopy.\r\n\r\n[1] A. Gelmi, C. Ibsen. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10 (1), 2001125, 2021\r\n[2] Sherrell, P. C. et al. Advanced Functional Materials 2014, 24 (6), 769-776\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400302 Biomaterials (50%)\r\n320606 Regenerative medicine (incl. stem cells) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"Development of components for next generation rechargeable batteries","description":"Storage of clean energy is a key step in providing renewable energy solutions. Rechargeable batteries are vital tools to help this transition, however, the capacity of current Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is not sufficient for high energy density applications. Research is needed to enhance the performance of batteries by modifying their key components. Replacing the anode in LIBs with Li metal provides a theoretical ten-fold increase in capacity, but the electrolytes currently used are not compatible with Li-metal.\r\n\r\nThis project will examine alternative electrolytes for use in Li-metal batteries (LMBs). Quantum mechanical calculations will be used together with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to determine how the electrolyte reacts and decomposes on the electrode surface during the initial stages of formation of the solid electrolyte interphase layer. The relationship between the electrolyte structure and its function will also be determined. The project will use high-performance supercomputing facilities and AWS cloud supercomputing facilities. \r\n\r\nSome relevant publications include:\r\n1)\tDO Osborne, M Breedon, T Ruther, MJS Spencer, \u201cTowards Higher Electrochemical Electrolyte Stability: Lithium Salt Design Through in silico Screening\u201d J. Mater. Chem. A 10 (2022) 13254\r\n2)\tJ Clarke\u2010Hannaford, M Breedon, T R\u00fcther, P Johansson, MJS Spencer, \u201cSpectroscopic and Computational Study of Boronium Ionic Liquids and Electrolytes\u201d Chem. Eur. J. 27 (2021) p12826\r\n3)\tJ Clarke-Hannaford, M Breedon, T R\u00fcther, MJS Spencer \u201cStability of Boronium Cation-Based Ionic Liquid Electrolytes on the Li Metal Anode Surface\u201d, ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 3 (2020) 5497","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340701\tComputational chemistry (50%)\r\n510403\tCondensed matter modelling and density functional theory (30%)\r\n340305\tPhysical properties of materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravichandar Babarao, Nasir Mahmood, Xavier Mulet, Tu Le (School of Engineering)","title":"Metal Organic Frameworks: Highly Porous Materials for Co2 Capture and Hydrogen Storage","description":"The past decade has seen the emergence of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) or porous coordination polymers (PCPs) as potential candidate materials across a plethora of applications [1, 2]. MOFs are crystalline materials built from metal ions or clusters bridged by organic linkers to form one-, two- or three-dimensional structures. MOFs are porous materials that hold the world record for specific surface area and storage of gases. MOF research has become one of the fastest growing fields in materials science. More than 100,000 different MOFs have been reported and studied within the past decade and nearly 130,000 hypothetical MOFs have been designed based on different metal clusters and ligands [2]. However, their uptake by industry is hamstrung by a lack of knowledge of their in situ performance under realistic conditions and the stability of MOFs in different thermal, chemical and mechanical environments [3]. Understanding these issues is critical for MOF manufacturing, processing and performance. This project will focus on fundamental understanding of what makes MOFs stable in realistic conditions using state of the art computational techniques [4] and to exploit this new understanding to guide development of robust porous materials for capturing Co2 from different point sources and for hydrogen storage. \r\n\r\nWe seek chemistry\/physics\/engineering graduates who have some background in any of the following: atomistic modelling, in silico design of materials, programming, high-throughput screening, Monte Carlo methods and first principles calculations. The project involves close collaboration with experimentalist in the field of nanomaterials and device fabrication. Specifically, the project involves: (i) Develop in silico screening tool for pre-screening thousands of materials. (ii) Develop new descriptors based on the structure\u2013property relationship to identify materials that merit experimental characterisation. (iii) Use a combinatorial approach integrating modelling and chemical experiments to speed up the design cycle from laboratory testing to industrial use. (iv) Develop understanding of the stability of MOF materials in realistic conditions to find the best, robust materials for large-scale synthesis.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1]. J. Jiang et al. Chemical Society Reviews 40 (2011) 3599.\r\n[2] M. Rubio-Martinez et al. Chemical Society Reviews 46 (2017) 3453.\r\n[2]. C. E. Wilmer et al. Nature Chemistry 4 (2012) 83.\r\n[3]. A. J. Howarth et al. Nature Reviews, Materials 1 (2016).\r\n[4]. J. D. Evans et al. Chemistry of Materials 29 (2017) 199.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340207 Metal Organic Frameworks (40%)\r\n340703 Statistical Mechanics in Chemistry (40%)\r\n510403 Condensed Matter Modeling and Density Functional Theory (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei","title":"Construction of Two-dimensional porous hybrid Nanostructures","description":"Two-dimensional hybrid nanostructures play a pivotal role in advanced energy generation and storage technologies, offering significant advantages in enhancing the efficiency, capacity, and stability of energy storage devices such as supercapacitors. Their unique properties enable greater charge storage, while the presence of interconnected porous networks facilitates efficient ion transport, thereby reducing internal resistance. Furthermore, the tunable nature of these porous structures allows for the optimization of mechanical properties, making them particularly suitable for flexible and wearable energy storage applications.\nThis project aims to address these challenges by developing advanced porous hybrid nanostructures with precise control over morphology, thickness uniformity, and surface chemistry through an innovative  method. This novel fabrication technique eliminates the need for physical templates, drastically reduces processing times, and offers a simple, rapid, and scalable solution for producing high-performance porous nanostructures. By leveraging this cutting-edge approach, we aim to unlock new possibilities for next-generation energy systems, where improved charge capacity, faster ion transport, and enhanced mechanical flexibility are paramount.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-03-23","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 40% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 30% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kathryn Hassell, Mariela Soto-Berelov","title":"Detection of microplastics in urban waterways using spectroscopy and remote sensing","description":"Microplastics enter urban waterways through surface runoff, stormwater flows and wastewater spills. The breakdown of litter may also contribute to microplastics generation in aquatic environments. In this project we will characterise microplastics abundance and composition in different waterways throughout Melbourne by field sampling and analysis using spectroscopy methods.  We will also work with researchers from Geospatial Sciences using remote sensing methods for understanding sources of plastic to the environment and aspects of plastic movement, deposition and breakdown in freshwater and marine ecosystems.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Macreadie, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett","title":"Feasibility of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement for Climate Change Mitigation","description":"Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is a process aimed at combating climate change by increasing the ocean's ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO\u2082) from the atmosphere. This is achieved by adding alkaline substances, such as crushed minerals, to seawater. These substances react with CO\u2082, forming bicarbonate and carbonate ions, which are then stored in the ocean for long periods. OAE not only helps reduce atmospheric CO\u2082 levels but also can counteract ocean acidification, benefiting marine ecosystems. OAE is estimated to have potential to remove >1 billion tonnes of CO\u2082 per annum. This PhD will join our team who are studying OAE's feasibility, environmental impact, and the best methods for monitoring and verifying its effectiveness.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410101 Carbon sequestration science (70%)\n370203 Greenhouse gas inventories and fluxes (20%)\n370299 Climate change science not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hamid Arandiyan","title":"Silver and Metals Recovery from End-of-life Solar Panel Waste for Energy Applications","description":"This project aims to achieve the near-pure recovery of valuable metals, with a specific emphasis on silver, from rear contacts of solar panel types processed. Research project will employ innovative methods involving caustic\/peroxide (NaOH\/H2O2) or caustic\/formaldehyde (NaOH\/HCOH) to extract metallic silver from the acid leachate. The research will systematically explore different operating conditions, including temperatures and ratios, utilizing AI-integrated experimental design to identify the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective recovery route. \r\n\r\nConducting comprehensive investigations through diverse techniques, both physical and chemical approaches, will provide the candidate with extensive training. This exploration aims to pave the way for future enhancements in environmentally sustainable processes, specifically focusing on obtaining silver and recovering metals from end-of-life solar panel waste for energy applications.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy (50%)\r\n340604 Electrochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Enrico Della Gaspera, Amgad Rezk","title":"Piezo-Photonics - Using Sound to Enhance Photocatalyic Water Splitting","description":"Coupling motion and catalysis can enable huge enhancements in catalysis. [1,2] This comes from changes in mass transport, but also alteration in the electronic structure of catalysts. \r\n\r\nIf we can harness these effects, we can produce clean fuels with minimal emissions\/waste to help address the critical challenges as we transition away from fossil fuel energy technologies. \r\n\r\nThis work is enabled by our breakthrough work on piezoelectric polymers [3] and surface acoustic waves [2]. \r\n\r\nThe student will learn skills in electrochemistry, materials science, photonics, catalysis, and device engineering, providing key capabilities for the emerging national and international electrochemical industry.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/adma.202203849\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/aenm.202203164\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-021-23341-3","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"304601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (30%)\r\n401810 Nanoscale characterisation (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Joel van Embden, Daniel Gomez","title":"Metal Oxide Thin Films for Solar Water Splitting","description":"Solar water splitting is the direct conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases at room temperature using sunlight as the driving force for the reaction. Solar radiation is harvested by semiconducting materials acting as catalysts, and converted into chemical energy through the formation of valuable fuels, in this case hydrogen gas.\r\nThe aim of this project is to develop novel oxide nanomaterials in the form of thin coatings and to study their water splitting performances under simulated sunlight illumination. The candidate will explore innovative synthesis conditions for oxide catalysts including iron oxide, tungsten oxide, transition metal ferrites and bismuth vanadate, and study the role of crystallinity, morphology, nanostructure, and doping on the water splitting ability of these materials. \r\nThis multidisciplinary project is part of a broader research initiative partially funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), and involves collaborations with both local (CSIRO) and international institutions (University of Padova, Italy). The candidate will develop a deep understanding in the chemistry and physics of nano-semiconductors and related devices, learn advanced characterisation techniques and gain invaluable skills for their future career.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (50%)\r\n340606 Photochemistry (25%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Daniel Gomez, Joel van Embden","title":"Photo-activity of Atomically Engineered Semiconductor Nanostructures","description":"The interaction between materials and light is at the core of many technological applications such as solar cells, clean fuel generation (water splitting), photocatalysis, and optical gas sensors. In order for a material to successfully absorb and utilize the energy provided by light, its physical, chemical and electronic properties have to be carefully designed and optimised. \r\nThe aim of this project is to fabricate light-absorbing coatings for a variety of applications such as catalysis, energy generation and sensing. The candidate will explore the parameter space of specific techniques including Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD), Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR), and Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP). These techniques will be used to deposit nanomaterials including zinc oxide, bismuth sulfide, and ternary compounds such as vanadates and oxynitrides. These materials are of great technological and industrial interest for use in optoelectronics, catalysis and energy generation, thanks to their selective light absorption properties. Importantly, these techniques are scalable, enabling the translation of small scale devices into proof-of-concept, large area devices, validating the potential use of these materials within a broader industrial\/commercial landscape.\r\nThis highly multidisciplinary project is embedded within a broader research initiative partially funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), and involves collaborations with both local (CSIRO) and international institutions (University of Padova, Italy). The candidate will develop a deep understanding in the chemistry and physics of nanomaterials and related devices, learn advanced characterisation techniques and gain invaluable skills for their future career.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303 Nanochemistry (60%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Daniel Gomez, Joel van Embden","title":"Plasmonic Semiconducting Nanocrystals: Bridging the Gap Between Metals and Semiconductors","description":"Plasmonic semiconductors have recently emerged as attractive materials for several applications including transparent electrodes, chemical probes, infrared light concentrators and smart windows. They have the potential to bridge the optoelectronic gap between traditional semiconductors and metals, combining visible transparency, distinctive absorptions in the near infrared and high electrical conductivity. This project aims to develop recipes for doped metal oxide nanocrystals with enhanced optical and electrical properties which are also highly tunable. This will be achieved by combining cation doping, codoping with halides and hydrogen, promoting the formation of oxygen vacancies and tailoring the distribution of dopants within the nanocrystals. The main challenge is to find balance between the amount of charge carriers provided by doping that triggers the insulator-to-metal transition, and the structural\/electronic defects that are generated. The ability to achieve atomically designed nanoparticles, and to process them into nanocrystalline coatings will enable vital advancements in the fields of optics and electronics. \r\nThis highly multidisciplinary project is partially funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and will involve skills in nanomaterials synthesis, advanced characterisation and device fabrication. The candidate will gain expertise in high resolution TEM and related techniques (EDS, EELS), several spectroscopies (visible, infrared, Raman, and x-ray\/UV photoemission spectroscopies) and various electrical measurements. The skills developed during the PhD will be highly valuable for several career opportunities both within and outside academic research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (60%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lathe Jones, James Tardio, Suresh Bhargava and an Industry partner.","title":"Recovery of Nickel and Cobalt from Laterite Ores for Lithium Batteries","description":"Using nitric acid as a leaching agent, the direct nickel process can treat all types of nickel ore and produces a single flow sheet for a number of final saleable products. As an atmospheric hydrometallurgical process, the direct nickel process has an impressive recycle and return statistic meaning 95%+ of the nitric acid is re-used, therefore providing a good environmental incentive.\r\nThere are two types of nickel ore deposits; nickel sulphides and oxidic nickel laterites. Three primary processes are used to extract nickel from laterite ore. This research is an atmospheric hydrometallurgical processing route designed to treat all types of nickel laterite ores in a single flow sheet to produce a number of final saleable products.\r\nFundamental studies using a range of techniques (physical and chemical ) will give broad training to the candidate and allow future improvements to environmentally benign processes to obtain Ni and Co for the lithium battery market.\r\nThis project also allows close collaboration with the industry.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy (50%) and 340604 Electrochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Philipp Reineck","title":"Designing Electrostatic Polymers: From Mechanisms to Energy Harvesting","description":"Mechanical-to-electrical energy harvesters are emerging as critical technologies to power small-scale electronic, electrochemical, bionic, and distributed systems. In particular, polymer-based devices have attracted great interest due to their high chemical stability and high efficiency in converting motion to electricity. \r\n\r\nTthe mechanisms by which polymers generate interfacial charge are still the subject of vigorous debate in the literature.[1-3] \r\n\r\nWe have, for the first time, linked fundamental physical properties of polymers, including cohesive energy [4] and topography [5], to triboelectric charging phenomena.  While the elucidation of these macroscopic charging phenomena are powerful, nanoscale measurements have shown that the local surface charge can be over 1000x higher than the macroscale. \r\n\r\nThis project will focus on \r\n1) how we can process and design polymer interfaces at the nanoscale;\r\n2) how to engineer devices from these interfaces; and\r\n3) how we can use generated surface charge for sensing and chemical reactions\r\n\r\nThis project involves team members across Applied Chemistry & Environmental Science and Physics as well as collaboration into the School of Engineering along with National and International Collaborative Partners.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/C9EE03059J\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/admi.202300323\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41570-019-0115-1\r\n[4] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsami.1c13100\r\n[5] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.nanoen.2022.107914 \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305\tPhysical properties of materials (25%)\r\n401810\tNanoscale characterisation (25%)\r\n401609\tPolymers and plastics (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Joel van Embden,  Daniel Gomez, and others.","title":"RMIT CSIRO Masters: Development of robust methodologies for the reliable processing of transition metal XPS data and their application to the study of O defects","description":"Demand for high-end X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis has increased significantly in recent years and will continue to do so into the future. A main driving force is the development of more advanced materials and the optimisation of desirable material properties in many industrial applications and areas (biomedical, photovoltaics, catalysis, MOFs, carbon nanomaterials and fibres, sensors, batteries, corrosion protection, etc). As the complexity of these novel materials increases, so does the need to characterise a wide range of bulk and surface properties. Additionally, high-end instrumentation has become more widely available with more researchers given the opportunity to observe and study materials and features previously beyond their reach.  Consequently, methods of data processing need to be improved and made accessible to the growing, non-expert international community. The need is highlighted by the amount of poor quality XPS data and interpretation making it through the peer review process to publication [1]. Part of our research focus in recent years has been developing tools for non-expert users to avoid such pitfalls [2,3].\r\nXPS relies heavily on the development of sophisticated peak fitting protocols to help analyse complex spectral peak shapes and correctly assign relevant chemical states such as different oxidation states. Peak fitting of XP spectra is not trivial and examining the complex spectra of transition metals throws up a multitude of additional challenges. Attempts have been made in the past to develop methodologies to examine transition metals and account for a variety of processes that influence resultant XP spectra, including multiplet splitting, initial and final state effects. None of the resulting algorithms and protocols are perfect and so further work is necessary. One important application is the emerging interest in engineering and exploiting oxygen defects in metal oxide systems, for example in catalysis. XPS analysis of such systems is poorly understood, and we have identified a strong need for further development of the protocols for these materials. \r\nThis project will employ a Master student to investigate a variety of metal oxide (nano)materials, starting from simple binary compounds and then extending towards more complex compositions (ternary and\/or doped oxides). The project will leverage the extensive expertise in XPS of the CSIRO Surface Science team, as well as the capabilities in synthesis and testing of metal oxides of Enrico Della Gaspera at RMIT, providing a perfect supervisory team for this impactful project.\r\n\r\nReferences \r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1116\/6.0000685\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1116\/6.0000873\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.elspec.2021.147094\r\n\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340301 - Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (60%)\r\n401605 - Functional materials (40%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood","title":"Chemical design and development of functional catalysts for water-splitting","description":"Hydrogen has been referred as fuel of future with water as an oxidation product, no carbon and higher enthalpy of combustion than any other chemical fuel. Where, water-splitting is considered as the green source to produce hydrogen at large scale, which governed by the two main reactions oxygen evolution (OER) and hydrogen evolution (HER) reactions. Both of these reactions have their own limitations which hindered the large scale hydrogen production from water-splitting and required high cost rare earth metals to govern the reaction. Therefore, it is dire need of present time to develop highly efficient and functional catalysts that have the ability to catalyse OER and HER in same electrolyte\/seawater.\nThe composition and electronic structure defined the capability of a catalyst to catalyse the water-splitting, thus a good control over these features can bring higher surface area with more exposed active centres and higher ionic and electronic conductivities for better catalysis. To achieve these parameters several catalysts have been designed and develop through various methods but till today there is very limited catalysts that can perform seawater splitting. \nThus, this project aims to design the right compositions of various metallic and non-metallic components and develop advanced catalyst that can perform full water-splitting with minimum overpotentials in alkaline electrolytes. The catalysts will be developed on flexible and self-healing matrixes by facile chemical methods. Their individual catalytic properties will be explored prior to applying for full device development and quantitative measures will be used to determine the evolution of hydrogen. The candidate working on this project will have the opportunity to work for some time with partner industries to get more applied experience.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials 50% ; 340305 - Physical properties of materials 30%  ; 400404 - Electrochemical energy storage and conversion 20%  "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Charlotte Conn,  Nhiem Tran, Calum Drummond","title":"Oral delivery of mRNA","description":"This project will investigate lipid-based formulations for oral delivery of mRNA.  Oral delivery of mRNA has the potential to revolutionise mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines, removing the need for invasive injection-based delivery methods and reducing global inequities in access to lifesaving drugs.  This PhD project aims to investigate and develop innovative lipid-based delivery systems that enhance the stability and bioavailability of mRNA when administered orally. Building on recent advancements in nanotechnology, this research will explore novel formulations to protect mRNA from degradation within the gastrointestinal tract.  Both nanoparticle- and non-nanoparticle-based formulations will be assessed and optimised for mRNA encapsulation.  The stability of these formulations will be assessed and preclinical trials will be conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of oral mRNA formulations.  \nThe successful completion of this project will provide crucial insights into the challenges and strategies for oral mRNA delivery. It will pave the way for developing new therapies that are easier to administer and potentially increase patient compliance. Furthermore, the project will contribute to the growing field of RNA therapeutics, broadening their application in treating a variety of conditions.\nAn internship opportunity with a pharmaceutical partner may be available during this PhD project.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"14\/09\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"100709 - Nanomedicine (50%)\n340603 - Colloid and surface science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Liu","title":"Novel Hybrid Nanomaterial","description":"Advanced two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials and their nanohybrid are attracting interest for their novel physical, chemical and electrochemical properties. These properties may benefit important areas such as energy storage and thermal management. However, progress with existing 2D nanomaterials has been limited by their simple surface and structural properties, poor thermal conductivity, and fire retardancy, and mechanical instability. Without further advances, the great opportunity for 2D nanomaterials to assist in managing some of the world\u2019s pressing technical challenges, like provision of sustainable water and energy, will be hampered.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2028","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 50% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 50% allocation; \n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Low Temperature Co-\ufb01red Ceramic (LTCC) based Dissolved Oxygen Sensors","description":"Dissolved oxygen (DO) is an important index to evaluate water quality, and its concentration is of great significance in industrial process, environmental monitoring, and aquaculture. As DO change is a continuous dynamic process, the dissolved oxygen concentration needs to be accurately measured in real time. Low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology enables the fabrication of three-dimensional ceramic structures with embedded circuits, microchannel bends, and cavities This project will design and develop of a LTCC based micro\ufb02uidic electrochemical oxygen sensor for the real-time assessment of localized dissolved oxygen.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/06\/2022","ecp":"AM 2 Materials for Devices;","forcodes":"340103 Electroanalytical Chemistry (40%)\n340108 Sensor Technology (incl. chemical aspects) (40%)\n401605 Functional materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"In situ monitoring of the leaching of low-grade copper sulfide ores","description":"Column leaching experiments have been widely accepted and used to develop optimised heap leaching conditions for plant operations and to develop predictive leaching models. A systematic study of the impact of clays and fine particles on copper sulfide mineral leaching in laboratory and pilot scale columns will be conducted in this project. In situ, real-time and continuous monitoring of the leach process\/parameters, combined with thermodynamic simulation of leaching reactions, will provide a comprehensive approach to fully define the bulk, surface, and solution species involved in the leaching process. This data will enable an improved understanding of the leaching mechanism and kinetics.\rOverall this project will increase the fundamental understanding of the leachability and activity of low grade copper sulfide minerals, enabling (a) the development and optimization of innovative processing protocols for copper sulfide ores, especially those which have previously been considered too difficult to process, and (b) the development of new approaches\/protocols for acid prevention and mine waste management.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/09\/2026","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living;","forcodes":"091403 60%\r050299 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"2Machine Learning-Enabled Processing and Visualization of Dissolved Metal Ion Sensing Data","description":"In situ, real-time and continuous monitoring of leaching parameters, combined with thermodynamic simulation of leaching reactions, provides a comprehensive approach to fully define the bulk, surface, and solution species involved in mineral leaching and extraction processes. This data enables an improved understanding of the leaching mechanisms and kinetics. Electrochemical sensors represent an important subclass of chemical sensors in which an electrode is used as the transduction element. They must be targeted for meeting the size, cost, and power requirements of on-site real-time monitoring. CSIRO Mineral Resources has developed a chronoamperometric method for the determination of Cu2+, Fe3+ and Fe2+ concentrations in leaching\/bioleaching solutions for use with electrochemical sensors. The system needs further development and optimisation. This PhD Project will focus on providing a better understanding of the dissolved metal ion species present during the leaching of low-grade copper ores, and developing a real time data acquisition and self-recalibrating system for a long-life dissolved metal ion sensing technology using Machine Learning\r(ML) or Deep Learning (DL).","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"22\/10\/2022","ecp":"AMF 2 Advanced automation research and sensor and sensor network research;","forcodes":"401903, Hydrometallurgy, 60%\r401102, Environmentally sustainable engineering, 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Simulation of low-grade copper ore heap leaching performance to enable accurate copper recovery forecasting","description":"Heap, dump or dam leaching involves stacking of low-grade metal-bearing ore into a heap on an impermeable pad, irrigating the heap for an extended period of time (from months to years) with a chemical solution suitable for dissolving the valuable metals, and collecting the leachate as it percolates out from the base of the heap for further processing. This technique has been widely applied in processing of low-grade gold, silver, copper, uranium, and nickel laterite ores. However, in many operations the rate of metal extraction is slow - for low-grade copper ores it often takes two years or more to recover 80% of the copper. This PhD Project will focus on better understanding the chemical and hydrological processes of low grade copper ore leaching and developing simulation models to predict the column leaching performance of low grade copper ore.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"26\/10\/2022","ecp":"AMF 3 The development of industry 4.0 in the Australian context;","forcodes":"401903, Hydrometallurgy, 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava, Distinguished Professor Magdelina Plebanski","title":"Gold-based drugs for the effective treatment of ovarian cancer","description":"Current treatments for ovarian cancer are largely toxic, and ultimately, ineffective for many patients. The current collaboration between Professor Bhargava (Science) and Professor Plebanski (Health & Biomedical Sciences, SHBS) seeks to enable clinical progression for their novel class of gold-based drugs that show superior selectivity and activity for otherwise drug-resistant cancer cells for the treatment of ovarian cancer (Mirzadeh et al., 2021, DOI: 10.1093\/mtomcs\/mfab039).\rAs part of Distinguished Professor Bhargava\u2019s team, the PhD candidate will contribute to synthesizing organometallic gold and other metal complexes and building structure-activity relationships (SARs) based around targeted modifications of their patented gold-based drug candidate using innovative in vitro protocols to refine lead drug candidate(s). This will involve a novel comprehensive approach, including analyses of cellular fate such as reduction\/oxidation of gold-based drugs in diverse biological fluids, tumour cells, and tissues, the transport into and within cells, the main leaving ligands, and the major site of action. The candidate will be co-supervised by Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski on specific aspects of the project related to interaction with biological materials at the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences (SHBS).","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/01\/2025","ecp":"BHI 4 Drug discovery;BHI 3 Biomedical engineering;DCP 1 Resilience, Health & Care;","forcodes":"30% 111502 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics\r50% 039904 Organometallic Chemistry\r20% 030604 Electrochemistry"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sylvia Urban, Adjunct Colin Rix (RMIT), External collaborator Robert Brkljaca (Monash University)","title":"Chemical and Bioactivity evaluation of natural products derived from Australian\r\nPlants and\/or Marine organisms and an assessment of their suitability as potential\r\nlead therapeutic compounds.\r","description":"Natural products continue to represent an important source for the search of therapeutic drugs with about 50% of all new drugs having been either sourced directly or derived from natural product pharmacophores (1). With Australia being classified as one of seventeen megadiverse countries on Earth and having one of the largest marine exclusion zones in the world, the biodiversity, and the potential for discovering promising unknown pharmacophores is high. \r\n\r\nThe proposed research will involve the extraction of selected marine and\/or terrestrial organisms with the aim of isolating bioactive secondary metabolites. Any natural product isolated will be subjected to a complete structure characterisation as well as to biological activity evaluation. Column chromatography and HPLC will be the primary means of isolation and purification whilst NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry will be the two principle techniques used for structure characterisation and confirmation. All isolated compounds, once characterised, will have their antimicrobial and antiparasitic testing activity assessed through collaborative partners and evaluated for their therapeutic potential.\r\n\r\n(1). Natural Products as Sources of New Drugs over the Nearly Four Decades from 01\/1981 to 09\/2019. Newman D. J. and Cragg G. M. Journal of Natural Products (2020), 83, 770-803.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340502\r\n340109"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung, Sylvia Urban (sylvia.urban@rmit.edu.au), David Adams (djadams@uow.edu.au, University of Wollongong)","title":"Cone Snail Toxins and Marine Natural Products for Pain Treatment","description":"Neuropathic pain is characterized by the chronic sensation of physical pain in the absence of noxious external stimuli, and is a multifaceted disease involving dysfunction of a number of neuronal proteins, including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), voltage-gated sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) ion channels. Peptides derived from marine animals, such as the conotoxins extracted from the venom of cone snails, are useful research tools and promising drug leads for diseases related to these targets. A growing library of natural and synthetic conotoxins have been identified which exhibit selective potency. The main aim of this collaborative project is to use computational molecular modelling and simulation methods to identify the binding modes and specific inter-residue interactions between a range of conotoxin families and their known receptor targets, with especial focus on interactions between \u03b1conotoxins with nAChRs and the \u00b5-conotoxins with Na+ and Ca2+ ion channels. Simulations will also be used to examine the detailed mechanisms of their functional effects on their targets, while binding free energy calculations will be used to aid in the design of novel conotoxin analogues with enhanced selective potency against specific subtypes of target neuronal proteins. This project will ultimately aid in the production of novel conotoxin- based therapeutics with enhanced selectivity, potency, and efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain. Furthermore, the computational methodologies employed will also be used to investigate the potential bioactivity of other marine natural products on membrane protein targets of interest in pathophysiological conditions and infectious diseases.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (50%) \r\n340407 Proteins and peptides (20%)\r\n340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds (20%)\r\n340109 Separation science (10%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sylvia Urban, Donald Wlodkowic ","title":"Discovery of bioactive compounds from Australian marine organisms and plants using high-content in situ biotests","description":"The Indigenous people of Australia are one of the oldest existent societies on the planet and their experience with the native flora of Australia spans tens of thousands of years. So far only a small fraction of the traditional medicinal repertoire has been screened. With Australia being classified as one of seventeen megadiverse countries on Earth, the biodiversity, and the potential for discovering promising unknown pharmacophores is high. Added to this is the fact that Australia has one of the largest marine exclusion zones in the world. The potential for new bioactive compound discovery is significant.\r\nIn this project you will undertake the chemical investigation of either selected Australian plants and\/or southern marine organisms such as marine sponges, algae, or tunicates to discover potential bioactive compounds. The project will involve fundamental chromatographic techniques for compound isolation and spectroscopy such as NMR and mass spectrometry for structure confirmation. Extracts as well as isolated compounds will then be subjected to a battery of biotests using small model organisms such as zebrafish (Danio rerio). Biotests will include among others toxicity screening and high-content neuro-behavioural phenotyping.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340502\r\n340109\r\n310901\r\n310906"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung, Angela Yang (angela.yang@rmit.edu.au, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences)\r\nTom Karagiannis (karat@unimelb.edu.au, University of Melbourne)","title":"Epigenetic control mechanisms of dietary antioxidants and chromatin modifying compounds","description":"The medicinal properties of the leaves and fruit of Olea europaea (olive tree) have been known since antiquity, and consumption of olive oil has been associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Increasingly, there is interest in the biological properties of the molecular constituents of olives. For example, hydroxytyrosol has been shown to be a potent antioxidant and has anti-atherogenic and anti-cancer properties. However, the specific constituents responsible for various beneficial effects of olives, as well as their molecular targets, are not well known. Equilibrium between histone acetylation and deacetylation is essential for normal cell growth, and perturbations from this epigenetic control mechanism have been associated with various diseases. This project will focus on identifying the mechanisms of action of dietary olive on epigenetic control using molecular computational modelling and biophysical simulation methods to identify key molecular targets of specific bioactive components of olives, and to produce molecular-level characterisation of their mechanisms of action. The outcomes of this project will aid development of novel therapies derived from dietary compounds, which may have substantial advantages over synthetic drugs, including lower dosage requirements and reduced risk of adverse side effects. Furthermore, phytochemicals derived from other nutritional and herbal sources will be examined for their potential bioactivity. This project will also involve experimental validation of targets using in vitro binding and enzyme activity assays, identifying potential epigenetic effects in a clinical context. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (70%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (30%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung (Senior Supervisor)\rTom Karagiannis (external, University of Melbourne, karat@unimelb.edu.au)","title":"Investigation into SARS-CoV-2 proteins as targets for antiviral therapy","description":"Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 and since then, various public health measures have been implemented to reduce transmission. Several vaccines have now been made available and although they provide protection against severe illness from COVID-19, emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are of concern. In addition to vaccines, there is a clinical need to identify and develop effective antiviral therapeutics. In this project, computational in silico analysis will be used to investigate the binding characteristics of small molecules to various non-structural and structural proteins that are involved in viral entry and replication. This includes compounds from the EpiMed Coronabank Chemical Collection (~750 compounds), which has been developed by our lab and will be published. Computational molecular docking methods will be employed to screen compounds against target proteins and produce a list of potential lead compounds for further study. Traditional molecular docking is useful for the screening of libraries of compounds and for the identification of lead compounds however, the results reflect a static system. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can be performed to model molecular movements by taking into account temperature, solvent, and other cellular conditions. This allows for more accurate predictions of the binding properties of protein-ligand complexes in a dynamic system. Moreover, the potential inhibitory activity of candidate compounds can be validated in vitro and in vivo.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (70%) \r\n340407 Proteins and peptides (20%) \r\n310706 Virology (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung and Tom Karagiannis (karat@unimelb.edu.au, University of Melbourne)","title":"Investigation of DNA-targeted nanoformulations for diagnostic imaging and therapy","description":"The basis of this project revolves around the development and investigation of nanoparticles incorporating DNA minor groove binding bibenzimidazole such as, Hoechst 33258 and 33342. The versatility of DNA minor groove binding bibenzimidazoles extends to applications in oncology and for other diagnostic applications, beyond their typical use as DNA stains. For example, in the context of UVA phototherapy, a series of halogenated analogues designated ortho-, meta-, and para-iodoHoechst have been investigated. Phototoxicity involves dehalogenation of the ligands following exposure to UVA light, resulting in the formation of a carbon-centred radical. Another approach involves applications in nuclear medicine using analogs radiolabelled with I-123, I-124 and I-125, which would allow for therapeutic and diagnostic uses. Targeting to specific cells involves the incorporation of the ligands into nanoparticles decorated with peptides or antibodies, to deliver the halogenated DNA minor groove binding bibenzimidazoles. This project will involve both molecular modelling and wet lab studies. The aims will be to model peptide and receptor pairs for specific targeting via receptor-mediated endocytosis, to model the composition and stability of the nanoparticle formulations and to characterize the layer-by-layer composition of the nanoparticles. Molecular modelling will involve the use of freely and commercially available software such as Autodock Vina (molecular docking), Gromacs\/NAMD (molecular dynamics simulations) and Schroedinger Suite (visualisation, preparation and analyses). Characterization of nanoparticle formulations will be performed by infrared microspectroscopy at the Australian Synchrotron, confocal microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (50%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (25%) \r\n401807 Nanomaterials (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sylvia Urban, Adjunct A\/Prof. Colin Rix\n","title":"Natural Product Studies and an assessment of potential lead therapeutic compounds.\r","description":"The proposed research will involve the extraction of selection of marine and\/or terrestrial organisms with a focus on isolating biologically active compounds.The study will focus on the chemical diversity of marine organisms and the ethnopharmacology of Australian terrestrial organisms. Selected organisms will be targeted for extraction. Crude extracts of these organisms will be further fractionated using organic solvents and then further analysed via analytical HPLC to assess viability for further isolation. Often the fractions will be investigated further using hyphenated spectroscopic techniques such as HPLC-MS to quickly ascertain the nature of the secondary metabolites or natural products present. This is a rapid chemical screening method. Initially crude extracts of all marine and terrestrial samples will be subjected to a variety of chromatographic techniques followed by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for further purification. All isolated compounds are identified via a series of analytical techniques. Initially UV\/Visible spectra obtained via Photo Diode Array (PDA) detection from analytical HPLC will be utilised. This provides valuable information on whether the compound possesses a characteristic UV chromophore and can be an aid to quickly deducing a compound\u2019s structure class. A large array of NMR experiments and mass spectrometry are employed in the structure characterisation process. Through an existing collaboration with The University of Melbourne compounds that provide stable crystal structures can be analysed via X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to obtain a complete structure whilst those that show poor diffraction using XRD can be analysed at the Australian Synchrotron. All compounds isolated with be evaluated for their potential therapeutic activity against a series of assays including an assessment of their antimicrobial activity via existing collaborators.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340502"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen, Kim Dowling ","title":"Biotransformation mechanisms of uranium species and stability in mining site environment","description":"Environmental contamination with uranium has posed a significant problem owing to its radiological and chemical toxicity. Bioremediation is a promising technology in uranium contamination removal, because it is lowers in cost and environmentally friendly.\r\nIn this process, Uranium species are impacted by the bacteria type and the environmental conditions such as redox potential, pH and temperature, which in turn determine the solubility and stability of uranium precipitate\r\nIn this project, the PhD candidate will conduct research into uranium species transformation and modelling and gain intensive knowledge in uranium bioremediation mechanisms in mining site environment and mining site environmental science through spectroscopic and modelling approaches as well as collaborations with RMIT experts.\r\nThe PhD candidate will be provided with numerous research and development opportunities with the support of a panel of expert supervision team:\r\n\r\n1.\tRevealing the mechanisms of uranium species transformation and immobilisation in the mining site environment.\r\n2.\tThe development of new uranium (bio)remediation strategies and protocols to achieve long-term stability of immobilised uranium.\r\n3.\tCutting-edge chemical analytical and characterisation techniques: surface and spectroscopic analysis, electrochemical study, mineralogy analysis, and synchrotron technology. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"340603        Colloid and surface chemistry (25%)\n410303        Bioremediation (50%)\n401903    Hydrometallurgy (25%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samantha Grover, Karin Reinke, Akane Uesagi, Ewan Blanch, Jeff Shimeta","title":"High Carbon Soils: peatland restoration, organic recycling and regenerative agriculture","description":"Soils and climate change are connected. The Soil-Atmosphere-Anthroposphere Lab explores these connections to solve environmental problems in urban, rural and international settings. Techniques from soil chemistry, physics and biology as well micrometeorological approaches are applied in field and laboratory experiments in Australia and overseas. Peatland restoration in Australia and Indonesia, recycling and upcycling of urban organic waste, urban greenhouse gas fluxes and agricultural practises that enhance soil health and increase carbon storage are current foci of the Lab. Highly motivated and talented students are welcome to apply for postgraduate research positions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410604\r\n410605\r\n410405\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen, Kim Dowling ","title":"Uranium bioremediation in mining site environment towards uranium long-term stability","description":"Environmental contamination with uranium has posed a significant problem owing to its radiological and chemical toxicity. Bioremediation is a promising technology in uranium contamination removal because it is lower in cost and environmentally friendly.\r\nThe efficiency of U bioremediation is impacted by various conditions such as the bacteria type, redox potential, pH and temperature, etc. The traditional way of U bioremediation is to reduce it into UO2, which faces challenges in the mining site environment which is often aerobic and acidic. \r\nIn this project, the PhD candidate will conduct research into uranium bioremediation and process optimization. The PhD candidate will gain intensive knowledge in innovative processing protocols for uranium remediation in mine site conditions, column remediation, and mining site environmental science through hands-on experiments as well as collaborations with RMIT experts.\r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will be provided with numerous research and development opportunities with the support of a panel of expert supervision team:\r\n\r\n1.\tThe establishment of uranium uptake kinetics and stability in bioimmobilisation in response to environmental conditions of the mining site. \r\n2.\tThe development of new uranium (bio)remediation strategies and protocols to achieve long-term stability of immobilized uranium.\r\n3.\tCutting-edge chemical analytical and characterisation techniques: microbiology analysis, solution chemical analysis, mineralogy analysis and synchrotron technology.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (25%)\n410303 Bioremediation (50%)\n401903 Hydrometallurgy (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell","title":"Ambient Energy Harvesting towards Sustainable Chemistry","description":"Catalysis lets us create new chemicals, materials, and fuels. However, most catalysts use external energy to drive a given reaction from reactants to products. This energy is often either direct electrical energy (electro-catalysis) or light (photo-catalysis). However, we need more ways to reduce the energy consumption of catalysis. We\u2019ve started making strides in achieving this using advances in harvesting motion,[1,2] like that from bubble formation or water flow, using cheap, recyclable,[3] polymers, or using multifunctional energy harvesting materials. [4] \nThis project will develop integrated catalytic technologies with reduced energy consumption by capturing ambient energy such as motion and\/or heat. The candidate will work on developing new multifunctional materials and to fundamental understanding in interfacial science, electrochemistry, and materials engineering towards energy harvesting and catalysis.\nReferences\n[1] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. N. Skountzos, E. Goudeli, J. Zhang, V. C. Lussini, B. Imtiaz, K. A. S. Usman, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, J. M. Razal, A. V. Ellis, Nature Communications 2021, 12, 3171.\n[2] A. Linarts, P. C. Sherrell, K. M\u0101lnieks, A. V. Ellis, A. \u0160utka, Small 2023, 2205563\n[3] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. Goudeli, E. N. Skountzos, V. C. Lussini, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, A. V. Ellis, Energy & Environmental Science 2020, 13, 868.\n[4] A. Corletto, A. V. Ellis, N. A. Shepelin, M. Fronzi, D. A. Winkler, J. G. Shapter, P. C. Sherrell, Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2203849.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"304601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%) ; 401605 Functional materials (30%); 510303 Electrostatics and electrodynamics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Arsenic mobility mechanism in Bangladesh ground water","description":"Arsenic, a notorious bio-accumulating poisonous element, has been adversely affecting the health of millions of people in the Bengal Basin (Bangladesh and the West Bengal State, India) for the last thirty years. Bangladesh is an agricultural country with distinct seasonal variation and a young alluvial basin. The main objective of this PhD project is to understand the arsenic mobility mechanism in Bangladesh ground water and as a result to draw a new baseline of the overall recent arsenic scenario in the Bangel Basin. The key question of this research is: why and how arsenic is mobilized and becomes severe in the Bengal basin? Detailed case studies, hypothetical models and possible recommendation based on the experimental studies will be developed. Ultimately this project targets to find the safe aquifer level for arsenic free drinking water because arsenic-bearing water treatment technology is more expensive than finding the safe arsenic free zones.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":"039901 Environmental Chemistry (25%)\n040202 Inorganic Geochemistry (50%)\n030603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood","title":"Development of two-dimensional heterostructures as electrode materials for metal ion batteries","description":"Electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems are playing major roles in transforming our life style as being integrated in the components of electronics, electric vehicles (EVs) as well helpful in improving the intermittency of renewable energy production systems including fuel cells, solar cells, wind and tide by providing the platform for large scale energy storage. Among various EES systems, batteries and supercapacitors (SCs) are the main systems that can store energy at large scale, however, facing challenges regarding poor power and energy densities, respectively, which are mostly originated from the electrodes. In addition, problems with the long-term stability of electrode materials, degrade storage cells quickly, thus leading to the need of replacement after limited cycles. A restricted insertion of ions in bulk electrode materials due to intrinsically available limited lattice space causes slow charge-discharge, poor power density and failure of electrodes. While the energy density can be increased by maximizing ionic storage, bulk materials only offer finite number of intercalation sites and substantially their surface is not fully available for charge storage. Further, reversible intercalation of these ions results in the expansion and contraction of electrode materials. Such volume changes result in mechanical stresses enforced on electrodes that untimely produce cracks in electrodes or delaminate them from the current collectors. While on other side, some materials need to go through phase transformation that produces the redox inactive phases, and ultimately reduces the capacity. Thus, mechanical stresses and phase changes severely affect the efficiency and life cycle of these EES. So, in order to improve the stability and cycle life of any electrode material, their phase transformation reaction should follow a perfect reversibility as well as there should be enough space to accommodate the resulted stress that is the only case of atomic level reactions on planner surfaces.\n2D materials offer a rich platform to design new electrode materials to overcome the limitations of various energy storage devices, especially SCs and batteries. The current project will develop the heterostructures of these 2D materials with perfect face-to-face heterointerface at individual flacks. Both wet-chemical and physical methods will be used to develop materials to explore their performance for different battery chemistries like sodium, potassium, zinc etc.\nReferences:\n1. Jian, X.; Wang, H.; Rao, G.; Jiang, L.; Wang, H.; Subramaniyam, C-M.; Mahmood, A.; Zhang, W.; Xiang, Y.; Dou, S-X.; Zhou, Z.; Hui, D.; Kalantar-Zadeh, K.; Mahmood, N., Self-tunable Ultrathin Carbon Nanocups as the Electrode Materials of Sodium-ion Batteries with Unprecedented Capacity and Stability, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 364, 578-588. 2. Yousaf, M.; Wang, Y.; Chen, Y.; Wang, Z.; Firdous, A.; Ali, Z.; Mahmood, N.; Zou, R.; Guo, S.; Han, P. S. R., A 3D Trilayered CNT\/MoSe2\/C Heterostructure with an Expanded MoSe2 Interlayer Spacing for an Efficient Sodium Storage, Advanced Energy Materials, 2019, doi:10.1002\/aenm.201900567.\n3. Mahmood, N.; Alves de Castro, I.; Pramoda, K.; Khoshmanesh, Suresh, K.B.; K.; Kalantar-Zadeh, K., Atomically Thin Two-dimensional Metal Oxide Nanosheets for Energy Storage, Energy Storage Materials, 2019, 16, 455-480.\n4. Mahmood, N.; Hou, Y, Nanostructured Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries: Challenges and their Prospective Solutions, Advanced Energy Materials, 2016, 6, 1600374.\n5. Rehman, S.; Gu, X.; Khan, K.; Mahmood, N.; Yang, W.; Huang, X.; Guo, S; Hou, Y., 3D Vertically Aligned and Interconnected Porous Carbon Nanosheets as Sulphur Immobilizers for High Performance Lithium-Sulphur Batteries, Advanced Energy Materials, 2016, 6, 1502518.\n6. Mahmood, N.; Zhang, C.; Liu, F.; Zhu, J.; Hou, Y., Hybrid of Co3Sn2@ Co Nanoparticles and Nitrogen-Doped Graphene as a Lithium Ion Battery Anode, ACS Nano, 2013, 7, 10307-10318.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Gomez","title":"A photo-rechargeable quantum battery","description":"This project aims to develop the world\u2019s first quantum battery. Quantum batteries use unusual phenomena that arise from the behaviour of light and molecules to achieve superior performance when compared with conventional batteries. This project expects to generate new knowledge in quantum technologies and new patentable device prototypes. Expected outcomes of this project include development and optimisation of quantum batteries that can be charged with light for storing energy and powering small devices, such as LEDs. This should provide significant national benefits, such as creating novel quantum technologies and training the future Australian workforce.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805 - Quantum technologies\r\n401807 - Nanomaterials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Gomez","title":"Design of Soft 2D Plasmonic Photocatalysts for Artificial Leaves\r","description":"The project aims to fabricate soft 2D plasmonic photocatalysts with leaf-like structures and functions for solar-to-chemical energy conversion. The proposed 2D photocatalysts are expect to change the traditional way of design artificial photocatalysts. Expected outcomes of this project include fabrication of soft 2D plasmonic photocatalyst with large-area, ultrathin thickness, and high flexibility, understanding their plasmonic enhancement mechanisms, and construction of artificial leaves to perform the solar-to-chemical conversion, which can provide significant benefits, such as creating new-generation of soft energy devices and advance Australian expertise in photochemistry, self-assembly, and functional nanomaterials. A successful applicant has a Bachelors Degree in Science (or equivalent) in either  Chemistry or Physics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401805 - Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly\r\n401807 - Nanomaterials\r\n401605 - Functional materials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam, Ewan Blanch & Charlotte Conn","title":"Optimisation of small organic molecules for Alzheimer\u2019s disease","description":"Inhibition of amyloid misfolding is a promising strategy in the treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Small molecules and natural products are underdeveloped in addressing this strategy. Using microwave-assisted, one-pot, three-component, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, we have synthesised highly regioselective and stereoselective bis-spirooxindoles. Upon computational analysis, further derivatisation and optimisation of these structures are necessary. In this project, apart from synthesis and full characterisation using common analytical techniques, Raman spectroscopy and TEM imaging will also be included. These studies will lead to compounds which has the potential to be incapsulated in nanoparticles for targeting delivery. Thus, this project will result in compounds which have promising activities as anti-amyloidogenic agents and potentially as therapeutic agents for Alzheimer\u2019s disease","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340503\tOrganic chemical synthesis (50%)\r\n340401\tBiologically active molecules (20%)\r\n340101\tAnalytical spectrometry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam","title":"Organic molecules for redox flow batteries (RFBs)","description":"\"The recent advancement in charge storage with novel battery systems will finally make renewable energy a more viable alternative in generating power. [1] The concept of \u2018redox flow batteries\u2019 (RFB) was initially proposed by L. H Thaller in 1974. Since then, tremendous progress has been achieved with several types of RFBs such as all vanadium-, zinc\/bromine- and chromium\/iron-based batteries. A typical RFB system has two separate electrolyte tanks,[2] one for the anolyte and another for the catholyte. This configuration offers important advantages over stationary batteries as power and energy outputs are independent variables since power is determined by the reactor size and the amount of energy stored depends on the reactants chosen, their concentration and the size of the reactant tanks. [3] Additionally, RFB systems ensures the potentials at each electrode are close to the reversible potential for each of the half-cell reactions and side reactions or competition from the other half-cells are minimised. The penetration of RFBs into the commercial market is small primarily due to the cost: operation, maintenance, up-front capital and life-cycle costs. In addition to costs, system lifetimes of more than 15 years, high efficiency and cyclic durability are important for grid-level storage. These sorts of systems are dependent on expensive redox-active metals and precious metals electrocatalysts and are operated in caustic conditions.[4,5] A promising alternative is organic-based aqueous RFBs using redox-active organic reactants which are cheaper and can be structurally functionalised to improve voltage, rate capacity and energy density. This research proposal focuses on exploring organic electrode materials in the form of micelles to increase aqueous solubility, energy density, voltage and efficiency for aqueous flow batteries. The specific aims are to: 1. Design and synthesise aromatic conjugated organic compounds as small molecules and polymers that are highly soluble\/micelles in aqueous solvent. 2. Cyclic voltammetry analysis to determine the redox potential of the organic materials. 3. Measure the diffusion and electron transfer properties of the organic materials. 4. Measure the stability and efficiency of the organic compounds with prolonged charging\/discharging cycles using electrochemical methods in a flow battery.\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] J. Wu, Z. Lan, J. Lin, M. Huang, Y. Huang, L. Fan and G. Luo: Electrolytes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Chem. Rev. 115, 2136 (2015).\r\n[2] A. Z Weber, M. M Mench, J. P Meyers, P. N Ross, J. T Gostick, Liu Q. Redox flow batteries: a review. J. App. Electrochem., 41, 1137 (2011).\r\n[3] Q. Zhao, Z.Q. Zhu, and J. Chen, Molecular Engineering with Organic Carbonyl Electrode Materials for Advanced Stationary and Redox Flow Rechargeable Batteries. Adv. Mater. 29, 1607007 (2017).\r\n[4] K. Likit-anurak, K. Uthaichana, K. Punyawudho, Y. Khunatorn. The performance and efficiency of organic electrolyte redox flow battery prototype. Energy Procedia, 118, 54 (2017).\r\n[5] P. Leung, A.A. Shah, L. Sanz, C. Flox, J.R. Morante, Q. Xu, M.R. Mohamed, C.P. de Le\u00f3n, F.C. Walsh Recent developments in organic redox flow batteries: a critical review. J. Power Sources, 360, 243 (2017).\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340503\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Organic chemical synthesis (40%)\r\n\r\n340103\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electroanalytical chemistry (30%)\r\n\r\n400804\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electrical energy storage (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jampaiah Deshetti, Suresh Bhargava (School of Science), Ylias M Sabri (School of Engineering)","title":"Developing advanced materials for mercury capture in natural gas reservoirs","description":"The objective of this project is to develop polymer fluids that can be injected into a natural gas reservoir to capture mercury contaminants and prevent them being produced with the gas. The motivation for this is that trace levels of mercury (Hg) are present in many natural gas reservoirs which is an environmental hazard and it can also damage gas processing infrastructure. Existing methods for dealing with unwanted mercury production occur at topside facilities so the mercury is still produced. Therefore, methods that can retain the mercury in the reservoir offer great value so the aim of this project is to develop polymers that bind mercury in a reservoir environment. The assessment of the materials will be carried out with RMIT who are world leading experts in mercury analysis and CSIRO will provide expertise in material development and reservoir testing.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601 catalysis and mechanism of reactions (40%)\r\n401609 Polymers and Plastics (30%)\r\n340305 Physical properties of materials (30%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Enrico Della Gaspera, Rachel Caruso, Amgad Rezk (Engineering)","title":"Moving Catalysts: From Pollution Degradation to Hydrogen Production","description":"Catalysis will underpin the societies transition to a sustainable future over the mid-21st and 22nd centuries. From electrolysis of water or CO2, degradation of pollutants and microplastics in waterwaways. As Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Chemistry students \u2013 you\u2019re just as likely to end up working in an electrochemical or catalytic processing plant as a traditional fossil fuel powered plant. This project, is working to develop platform technologies to enable efficient electrochemistry applicable to the whole catalysis industry.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019re looking to integrate high performance catalysts (metals, semiconductors) with precision engineered energy harvesting materials (ceramics, polymers) that enable recycling of energy losses due to motion or heat \u2013 achieving this would lead to an improvement in baseline efficiency on the order of 33% for any catalytic device.\r\n\r\nThis project will focus on;\r\n1) Polymer engineering to create high efficient energy harvesting materials;\r\n2) Catalytic testing of semiconducting (2D and Metal Oxides) nanomaterials;\r\n3) Development of coupled energy harvesting-catalytic materials systems;\r\n4) Device testing in real world applications\r\n\r\nWe\u2019re actively recruiting students with a background in any of catalysis, polymer chemistry, interface science, ferroelectricity, triboelectricity, thermoelectricity, materials science, electrochemistry, and chemical engineering to build a team that works across different aspects of these challenges.\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n[1] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. N. Skountzos, E. Goudeli, J. Zhang, V. C. Lussini, B. Imtiaz, K. A. S. Usman, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, J. M. Razal, A. V. Ellis, Nature Communications 2021, 12, 3171.\r\n[2] A. Linarts, P. C. Sherrell, K. M\u0101lnieks, A. V. Ellis, A. \u0160utka, Small 2023, 2205563\r\n[3] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. Goudeli, E. N. Skountzos, V. C. Lussini, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, A. V. Ellis, Energy & Environmental Science 2020, 13, 868.\r\n[4] A. Corletto, A. V. Ellis, N. A. Shepelin, M. Fronzi, D. A. Winkler, J. G. Shapter, P. C. Sherrell, Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2203849.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"304601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (30%)\r\n510303 Electrostatics and electrodynamics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Tardio, Hamid Arandiyan and Suresh Bhargava","title":"Hydrothermal ferric nitrate hydrolysis \u2013 a key process for producing Electric Car Batteries","description":"The main aim of this project is to gain knowledge on the chemistry \/ chemical engineering occurring in a key stage of a relatively new process for producing Ni and Co from laterite ore. The aforementioned new process is of significant interest as it has the potential to be an economically viable process for the recovery of high purity nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate, alumina and iron oxide from laterite ores (ores that have not been commercially viable for the production of nickel or cobalt to date). The new process utilises an atmospheric pressure nitric acid leaching process, contrasting to previously attempted implementation of high-pressure leaching using sulphuric acid, allowing almost complete extraction of Ni and Co from the ore. An enhanced understanding of the underpinning chemistry of one of the key stages of the process \u2013 the separation of the iron containing compounds from the nickel and cobalt containing ore (laterite ore) - will contribute towards the development of a closed loop, environmentally friendly process to supply the Lithium Battery (LiB) market and high-tech markets with locally produced, value-added products.\r\n\r\nThe specific aims of this project will be to study hydrothermal ferric nitrate hydrolysis to hematite. This is a key stage in the process where iron containing compounds are separated from the ore. The main aims of this project are to\r\n\u2022\tDevelop a basic chemical understanding of ferric nitrate hydrolysis to Fe2O3 in nitric acid\r\n\u2022\tUnderstand role and deportment of solution impurities into the product Fe2O3\r\n\r\nResearch tasks\r\nThe main tasks for this project include:\r\nUnderstand the influence of key reaction conditions on the rate and extent of Fe2O3 produced \u2013 conditions to be investigated include temperature, stirring speed and composition solution\r\n\r\nDetermine if formation of insoluble silicate based compounds occurs as a side reaction \r\n\r\nCharacterise Fe2O3 produced \r\n\r\nUnderstand what factors influence type and level of impurities in Fe2O3 produced \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401904 30%\r\n340607 35%\r\n340211 35%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jang Mee Lee, Lathe Jones","title":"Cobalt leaching electrochemistry from Asbolane for secondary batteries","description":"Along with the proliferation of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) in commercial market to pursue net-zero society, huge research interest also has been paid to securing the high-quality Co element, which are critical in maintaining superior longevity of LIB system.  Australia has large Co-bearing nickel laterite deposits in Western Australia and New South Wales. Exploiting the efficient hydrometallurgical process to extract highly pure Co from the ore with minimized loss would create significant Economic Value Added (EVA).  Through this project, direct nickel process (DNi process) will be utilized to extract cobalt metal that uses nitric acid as a leaching agent.  As an atmospheric hydrometallurgical process, the DNi process has an impressive recycle and return statistic meaning 95%+ of the nitric acid is re-used, therefore providing a good environmental incentive. \r\nThis project aims to systemically leaching the cobalt metal from cobalt-rich ores such as Asbolane through sustainable DNi process. Along with this, it is aimed as well to investigate the leaching mechanism of the cobalt metal through in-depth fundamental studies.  These fundamental studies using a range of techniques (physical and chemical) will give broad training to the candidate and allow future improvements to environmentally benign processes to obtain cobalt for the lithium battery market.\r\nThis project also allows close collaboration with the industry.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"340211 Transition metal chemistry 30%\r\n401903 Hydrometallurgy 45%\r\n340604 Electrochemistry 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brendan Dyett, Charlotte Conn, Calum Drummond","title":"Crossing restrictive biobarriers with self-assembled lipid nanocarriers.","description":"The self-assembly of lipids into membranes provides the compartmentalization necessary for life. These layers act as gate keepers for transporting material into and out of cells. Understanding how nanoparticles\/nanocarriers may interact and traverse these layers is the key to unlocking advances in drug delivery technology. It is thought that self-assembled lipid nanocarriers may have potential advantages in their mode of action with biological membranes. Owing to their intrinsic curvature and biomimetic composition, this class of material may uniquely subvert typical cellular uptake mechanisms. These findings have future relevance to applications such as crossing the blood-brain barrier and gram-negative bacterial membranes, where typical uptake mechanisms are heavily restricted. This project will examine multiple aspects around the dynamic behaviour of nanomaterial at cell and cell-mimic surfaces. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nhiem Tran, Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Microfluidic generation of self-assembled lipid nanoparticles and their biological interactions","description":"The project aims to generate lipid nanoparticles using microfluidic technologies. It harnesses various passive and active mixing mechanisms to enable the self-assembly process between lipid molecules and water-soluble surface stabiliser under highly controlled conditions. This approach enables us to modulate the size, stiffness, and internal structure of lipid nanoparticles using microfluidic systems. The generated nanoparticles will be examined using small angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy techniques to quantify their properties. The project will also study the uptake of the generated nanoparticles by endothelial cells under tailored operating conditions. The project is multidisciplinary and links the fields of microfluidics, nanomaterials, and cellular biology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (40%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (20%)\r\n401210 Microfluidics and nanofluidics (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Steven Bozinovski, School of Health and Biomedical Science","title":"Developing organ-targeted lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery","description":"The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are a type of vaccines utilising advanced nanotechnology, i.e. lipid nanoparticles (LNP), for the packaging and delivery of the therapeutic mRNA molecules, which correspond to the spike protein on the virus. Since the launch of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccine products, lipid nanoparticle-mRNA technology has attracted tremendous research and industrial interests for developing new medical products not just for fight infections, but also for the treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer and genetic disorders. However, one of the main challenges for the current product is most of them will go to liver and spleen after intravenous injection. \r\n\r\nRMIT has world-class capabilities and facilities for high throughput and microfluidic lipid nanoparticle formulation, nanoparticle-biology interactions, and drug delivery including mRNA delivery. \r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop new LNP formulations enabling the organ-specific and cell-specific targeting and delivery of mRNA.  The project will systematically investigate the effect of lipid composition, composition ratio, and the physicochemical properties of the LNPs on the biological function and targeting of therapeutic mRNA. \r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will be trained in cutting-edge nanotechnology and exposed to world-class research facilities and environment. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Charlotte Conn","title":"Enhancing the Delivery of Natural Products to the Brain Using Lipid Nanocarriers","description":"Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects 44 million people globally.  While anti-inflammatory natural products such as resveratrol from red grapes and EGCG from green tea have been shown to be effective in delaying the progress of this disease, the inability of these and other drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a significant obstacle to the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.  The enhancement of drug delivery across the BBB has been explored with the introduction of nanocarriers based on lipids, polymers and metals.  The project will specifically investigate the efficacy of lipid-based nanocarriers to enhance the delivery of natural products across the BBB.  The encapsulation of the selected natural products within lipid nanocarriers such as cubosomes will be assessed, including using synchrotron-based techniques.  Spectroscopic and analytical techniques will be used to analyse the effect of encapsulation on the natural product.  An in vitro BBB PAMPA model will be used to determine the efficacy of these self-assemblies to across the BBB and release the drug content.  \n\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"06\/06\/2025","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"320604 Nanomedicine (50%) ; 340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Charlotte Conn","title":"Lyotropic liquid crystalline nanomaterials for encapsulation and delivery of siRNA","description":"RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics is a fast growing field with the potential to revolutionize current treatments for significant diseases including cancer, autoimmune dysfunction, and various genetic disorders. This technology relies on the repression of disease proteins using small interfering RNAs (siRNA), which can be designed for a specific disease. In the cell cytoplasm, siRNA are incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which identifies and degrades the complementary messenger RNA that is responsible for protein production. However, siRNA are large polyanionic molecules which are easily degraded by nuclease. In order to effect changes to the cell, they must be transported across the cell membrane and released into the cell cytoplasm. Lyotropic lipid nanoparticles consisting of cationic lipids are highly prospective delivery vehicles for siRNA. In excess water, lipid molecules self-assemble into nanoparticles with unique internal nanostructures. These materials have been studied as drug delivery vehicles due to their ability to incorporate both hydrophilic and lipophilic molecules. This project aims to study the influence of physicochemical factors such as surface charge, critical packing parameter of lipid molecules, and membrane curvature on the internal structure of the nanoparticles, and their ability to encapsulate and release siRNA. Extensive nanoparticle characterisation will be performed using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), and dynamic light scattering techniques (DLS). In vitro cytotoxicity and gene knockdown experiments will be carried out. This is a highly interdisciplinary project which would suit a student with an understanding of colloid and surface chemistry and\/or biomaterials.  ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"320604 Nanomedicine (50%) ; 340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rachel Caruso","title":"Machine Learning Discovery of Perovskite Materials for Optoelectronics","description":"Optoelectronic materials, including photoluminescent materials and photovoltaics, have substantial impacts on industry and our daily life. As outstanding optoelectronic materials, perovskites have been extensively studied, and have wide application in the fields of energy storage and conversion, luminescence and catalysis. Despite the development of the perovskites reported, none of these materials can simultaneously fulfil the major requirements for commercial application: 1) high efficiency, 2) low toxicity, and 3) high stability. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore non-toxic and stable perovskites with high performance. Due to the structural diversity, however, the number of the possible perovskites is almost infinite, and thus using the traditional laboratory-based trial-and-error strategy to screen the desired perovskites is inefficient and costly. Machine learning is a powerful tool to tackle these problems. Given a big material dataset with reliable data, machine learning techniques can bypass the sophisticated first principle electronic structure calculations, and predict a myriad of electronic, physical and mechanical properties. This PhD project will focus on exploration, synthesis and optimization of photoluminescent and photovoltaic materials, assisted by machine learning methods. The student will apply the advanced machine learning algorithms to build the model for the perovskites with various structures, and deploy synthesis and characterization including electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and light absorption, and fabrication of simple optoelectronic devices.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/04\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310607 - Nanobiotechnology (40%) ; 340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (30%) ; 310101 - Analytical biochemistry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajesh Ramanathan","title":"Sensors for fingerprinting of mammalian and microbial cells","description":"The collection of proteins and biomolecules at the cell surface, referred to as the surfaceome, plays an important role in identifying different cell types and cell states. This provides us with a unique opportunity to identify unique markers on the cell surface and can serve as critical starting point to identify disease markers. This ability to perform surfaceome analysis will complement our ability to perform genome and proteomic analysis. \n\nThis project will focus on developing a new colour\/fluorescence-based sensor for generating unique fingerprints of different mammalian and microbial cells. The project will employ catalytic nanoparticles that will be functionalised with different molecular recognition elements such as DNA aptamers, carbohydrate binding lectins, and antibodies. A sensor array will then be created to obtain a fingerprint for each type of cell. The sensor response will then be analysed using a suite of machine learning tools to identify markers of diseases such as cancer or the type of pathogenic microbe causing infection. This information will allow early interventions by creating effective treatment strategies. \n\nAn ideal candidate will have interest in nanotechnology, sensors and biomedical technologies. The candidate will work in the NanoBiotechnology Research Lab (NRBL) group and will be exposed to state-of-the-art materials characterisation tools, microbiology, and molecular biology techniques and develop skills for working in biomedical and nanotechnology sector.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310607 - Nanobiotechnology (50%) ; 401605 - Functional materials (30%) ; 320799 - Medical microbiology not elsewhere classified (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajesh Ramanathan","title":"Stimuli responsive dressings for antimicrobial and antibiofilm applications","description":"Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered a significant threat to the public health systems not just in developing countries but throughout the world. Infection with AMR leads to serious illnesses and prolonged hospital admissions, increases in healthcare costs, higher costs in second-line drugs, and treatment failures. WHO estimated that drug-resistant infections contributed to nearly 5 million deaths in 2019. The forecast for the future if no action is taken seems even worse. It is estimated that by 2050, AMR would claim 10 million lives per year globally and put at risk a cumulative US$100 trillion of economic output. In Australia, the estimated annual impact of AMR on the economy by 2050 will be between A$142 billion and A$283 billion.\n\nThis project will focus on developing stimuli responsive nanomaterials that incorporated into wound dressings. These nanomaterials will offer dual functionality of killing pathogenic organisms and actively enhance wound healing. These abilities would be controlled using external stimuli such as light illumination, magnetic stimulation etc. The project will also focus on understanding the mechanism of bacterial killing and provide fundamental knowledge about how such materials interact with biological systems. The overarching goal of this project will be to develop new strategies to control AMR pathogens. \n\nThe project will have opportunities to work with international collaborators on using such nanomaterials for controlling pathogens in dental implants. \n\nAn ideal candidate will have interest in nanotechnology and biomedical technologies. The candidate will work in the NanoBiotechnology Research Lab (NRBL) group and will be exposed to state-of-the-art materials characterisation tools, microbiology, and molecular biology techniques and develop skills for working in biomedical and nanotechnology sector. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/6\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340301 Inorganic materials - 40% ; 401807 Nanomaterials - 30% ; 310601 Biocatalysis and enzyme technology - 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajesh Ramanathan","title":"Stimuli responsive nanozymes as a viable alternative to natural enzymes for industrial applications","description":"Natural enzymes promote several catalytic chemical reactions in the body. Enzymes are used in the food, agricultural, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries to control and speed up reactions in order to quickly and accurately obtain a valuable final product. Enzymes are crucial to making cheese, brewing beer, baking bread, production of biofuels, biopolymers, and much more. One critical shortcoming of natural enzymes is their stability, especially in harsh reaction conditions. Additionally, the high cost of production, storage and transportation further exasperates the problem. Nanozymes are nanomaterials that mimic the catalytic activity of natural enzymes. Nanozymes are stable in harsh conditions, have low cost of production, storage and are easier to transport. Therefore, nanozymes hold promise to serve as direct surrogates of traditional enzymes. \n\nThe project will focus on developing new nanoparticles and assess their ability to mimic the catalytic activity of natural enzymes. A key aspect is the ability to control the catalytic activity of these nanoparticles using external stimuli such as light illumination, magnetic stimulation etc, which will allow on-demand tuning of the activity. The use of such stimuli will also enable a degree of selectivity of which product is produced during a catalytic reaction. \n\nAn ideal candidate will have interest in materials chemistry, nanotechnology and catalysis. The candidate will work in the NanoBiotechnology Research Lab (NRBL) group and will be exposed to state-of-the-art materials characterisation tools and catalysis reactions relevant to industrial sector. The project will allow the candidate to develop key skills to work in industrial catalysis and nanotechnology sector.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/12\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340301 Inorganic Materials (incl. Nanomaterials) (40%) ; 340309 Theory and Design of Materials (30%) ; 340305 Physical Properties of Materials (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Dr. Aaron Elbourne, Dr. Saffron Bryant, Dr. Andrew Christofferson, A\/Prof. Paul Ramsland","title":"Developing Biomimetic Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Vehicles","description":"Motivation\nNanomaterials have emerged as an effective means of drug transportation to living cells. Currently, Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field offering a range of applications in the fields of drug delivery, advanced medical diagnostics, cellular imaging, and cancer therapeutics. Lipid based vesicles have recently gained popularity due to their high biodegradability and biocompatibility. Their capacity to safely encapsulate and deliver antimicrobial drugs can be utilized to combat the global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Despite this potential, research concerning cell derived lipid vesicles remains at its infancy. This project can significantly contribute to the development of novel strategies of cellular drug delivery using microbial lipid-coated nanoparticles.\nScope\nThis research project will investigate the selective adhesion or uptake potential of lipid-coated nanoparticles derived from microbial cells. Nanoparticles will be synthesised by introducing chemically extracted microbial lipids to inorganic particles. The similarities in lipid composition allows for the diffusion of the coating against the cell membrane upon exposure, leading to effective drug release. The excellent tunability of the nanoparticles allows for both lipid coating and inner core modifications.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry 50% ; 310607 Nanobiotechnology 40% ; 401810 Nanoscale Characterisation 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"Synthesis, chemistry, and biology of unique 2-Dimensional (2D) nanomaterials","description":"2-Dimensional (or flat) nanomaterials have started to excite nanotechnology researchers as extremely thin flakes of nanoparticles show exotic properties that are absent in other shapes. A commonly known 2D material is graphene. But do you know that while graphene is considered useful due to its high conductivity, it also has many limitations? For example, an electronic device also needs semiconducting and insulating components that graphene cannot offer. Similarly, for different biological and chemical applications, 2D materials of different compositions will be required.\n \n Our team at RMIT is at the forefront of the revolution in 2D materials and seeking motivated candidates who are interested in the chemical synthesis of nanomaterials, accompanied by either their chemical or biological applications. Chemical applications include (i) photo-electrochemical water splitting to produce green energy, (ii) photocatalysis for environmental remediation, and (iii) optical sensors. Biological applications include (i) next-generation antimicrobial technologies, (ii) gene and drug delivery, and (iii) diagnostics of important targets in medicine, agriculture, food, and the environment. \n \n The project will be undertaken under a highly vibrant cross-disciplinary environment offered at the RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility. It is expected to involve local, national, and international collaborations depending upon the project's needs, including measurements at the Australian synchrotron. This project is geared towards making new fundamental discoveries in a topical research area. A suitable candidate should have a high motivation for research and any other relevant prior experience in nanomaterial synthesis and\/or biology will be a bonus.\n \n Refer to our publication to get some idea about our research activities in this area: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303 Nanochemistry (50%)\n 340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (25%)\n 340603 Colloids and surface chemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"Nanosensors for point-of-care detection of environmental, food, agriculture, and clinical analytes ","description":"The emergence of COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of efficient sensor technologies that can rapidly detect the source of the problem on-site. Unless a problem is timely detected, it cannot be effectively managed. The analytes of high importance include environmental pollutants; food contaminants and toxins; microbes that cause plant, animal, and human diseases; and metabolic, genomic, and proteomic markers of various human diseases. \n \n Our team at RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility is at the forefront of the development of advanced sensor technologies to detect these analytes using nanosensors. Our sensing platforms range from colorimetric and fluorometric detection systems to electrochemical detection. Depending upon your prior experience, a suitable project can be tailored in this area to match your interest. \n \n You will work with a highly cross-disciplinary team and develop expertise in (i) chemical synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials, (ii) synthesis of DNA aptamers for important target analytes, (iii) understanding nano-bio interactions, (iv) development of an appropriate nanosensor technology, and (v) application of machine learning and AI algorithms for analysis of complex sensory data. This comprehensive training is expected to prepare you for a successful pathway in the field of nanobiotechnology.\n \n The project is likely to involve industry partners, such as the Australian Biosecurity agencies who are interested in this research. A suitable candidate should have a high motivation for research and any other relevant prior experience will be a bonus.\n \n Refer to our publications to get some idea about our research activities in this area: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) 340108 (50%), \n Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) 340301 (25%), \n 340303 Nanochemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Colloidal lithography based nanostructures for numerous applications.","description":"To date there is a technological demand for the fabrication of structures where both the feature size and separation can be controlled at the nanoscale. Typically such structures are obtained by direct writing using electron beam lithography, but the method is sequential and thus slow and not cost-effective. An alternative\n \n strategy exploits the deposition of colloidal particles as masks for lithography. Colloidal lithography is a large-area, robust, parallel and cheap method, but conventional approaches have little control on the interparticle separation, typically yielding close-packed particle arrays. For instance, in biosensing applications, large separations compared to the feature size are necessary to avoid cross-talk between neighboring sensing spots. As another example, nanofabricated arrays of silicon nanowires have significant potential as platforms for cell transfection or as materials for optics and energy applications, but their diameter, height and lateral separation need to be finely tuned to achieve the desired final properties. In our group we harness and exploit the self-assembly of colloidal particles at a water\/oil interface to meet these challenges. After self-assembly at the liquid interface, the colloidal particle arrays can be deposited on a solid substrate for lithography. The technique allows in a single step to produce 2D patterns where the size of the features and their separation can be controlled independently and has been used to produce nanopore arrays, biosensing structures, nanopatterned hydrogels, porous polymer membranes and nanowire arrays out of different materials. This is an emerging field and the student will be able to produce a range of novel structures for applications ranging from gas sensing to solar energy harvestation, electrochemistry, catalysis and the like.\n \n References:\n [1] YM Sabri, AE Kandjani, SJ Ippolito, SK Bhargava, Scientific reports 6, 24625\n [2] YM Sabri, AE Kandjani, SJ Ippolito, SK Bhargava ACS applied materials & interfaces 7 (3), 1491-1499","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401807 - Nanomaterials (50%)\n 410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (25%)\n 340601 - Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nhiem Tran, Jiali (Maggie) Zhai and Calum Drummond","title":"Self-assembled lipid nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapeutics","description":"Cancer is a leading cause of the death and a major health problem in Australia. Currently, chemotherapeutics are widely used and still provide the best survival chance for cancer patients. Chemotherapy drugs, however, also damage normal cells in the body, leading to many side effects that have been limiting their effectiveness. To address these problems, nanomedicines, a drug delivery strategy based on nanoparticles encapsulating toxic chemotherapeutics, have emerged and held great promises for the next generation of targeted cancer treatment to reduce systemic side effects. Such drug delivery systems also offer other advantages including: (1) enhanced solubility of newly discovered, poorly soluble drugs, (2) controlled release of the drugs for enhanced bioavailability (3) protection of the drugs from degradation in the body to overcome biological barriers. Among the drug delivery systems that are being developed, self-assembled lipid nanoparticles stand out due to their customizable nanostructures and extensive porous networks. These features allow them to encapsulate and slowly release non-water-soluble chemotherapeutics.[1] We have also successfully attached antibodies to the surfaces of lipid nanoparticles to help them recognise cancer cells for targeted drug delivery.[2] This project aims to formulate multifunctional lipid nanoparticles that can provide sustained release and targeted delivery of anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, including paclitaxel, temozolomide, and dasatinib. Extensive investigation of structure \u2013 function relationship between lipid nanostructures and solubility and release of drugs will be performed in vitro and in vivo. First, advanced biophysical techniques such as small angle X-ray scattering, cryogenic transmission electron miscroscopy, HPLC will be employed. Second, biochemical assays such as bioconjugation, gel electrophoresis, ligand binding assays, in vitro cell viability and cell uptake assays will also be performed to confirm the recognition of cancer cells by nanoparticles. Last but not least, biological functions and therapeutic efficacy of the developed nanoparticles will be evaluated in vivo using ovarian cancer and\/or brain cancer xenograft models.\r\nThis project is a collaborative interdisciplinary project that offers training on lipid nanoparticle formulation, colloid and surface chemistry characterisation, and the evaluation of bio-nanomaterials in vitro and in vivo. References:\r\n[1]. X. Mulet, B. J. Boyd, C. J. Drummond, Journal of colloid and interface science 2013, 393.\r\n[2]. J. Zhai: Nanoscale, 2015, 7, pp. 2905-2913","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (50%)\n 320604 Nanomedicine (30%)\n 400302 Biomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences; Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Christofferson","title":"Modelling the stability of biomolecules in ionic liquids","description":"Most proteins and biomolecules have limited solubility and stability outside their native environment. This is a critical issue in many fields, exemplified by the Covid-19 vaccine, insulin and antibody needing to be stored at low temperature due to rapid degradation at higher temperatures. For researchers to be able to tackle these problems, we need solvents that increase protein stability and solubility. Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts which melt below 100 \u00b0C, and are thus liquid at room temperature. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are closely related, and formed by a eutectic of an IL and a molecular solvent. Certain IL solutions can be highly beneficial solvents for biomolecules, stabilizing enzymes and peptides, selectively extracting\/separating biomolecules, preventing insulin aggregation, suppressing and solubilising amyloid aggregates, enhancing protein crystal growth and control of crystal shape. However, an atomistic description of the effect of IL and DES constituents on the dynamic behaviour of the protein is required to bridge the gap between these experimental techniques to reach a deep understanding that will allow us to tailor designer solvents to the protein of interest. Molecular dynamics simulations have the potential to provide this information. Recent developments in polarisable and non-polarisable models of ILs and DESs allow for a greater degree of accuracy in the modelling of these solvents, although their compatibility in water mixtures and in combination with protein force fields must be verified. Likewise, protein models have improved dramatically in recent years and now can better account for partial disorder and polarisation.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340701 Computational chemistry (80%) ;  340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (10%) ; 510405 Soft condensed matter (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oliver Jones","title":"CSIRO-RMIT Masters Measuring aerosols and reactive gases in the atmosphere ","description":"The project is in collaboration with the CSIRO. It will include components of designing, constructing, calibrating and maintaining instrumentation for the observations of aerosols and reactive gases in ambient and indoor air.  These instruments will be applied in field measurement studies focused on understanding the impact of air pollution on human health and climate change. \r\n\r\nThe team conduct air quality monitoring to support research and long-term observations. Data are collected using a wide range of instrumentation, some of which are deployed continuously whilst others are utilised to respond to specific research questions or emergency incidents. CSIRO does not conduct regulatory air quality monitoring, instead focusses on novel technology, emerging challenges and new methodologies.\r\n\r\nExamples of the research projects that the student could work on:\r\n\u2022\tEngaging in field work to conduct air quality monitoring for the evaluation of interventions designed to protect the health of vulnerable populations.\r\n\u2022\tAssisting with deployment and data management of low-cost sensors to measure local-scale emissions and fine scale resolution of air pollutants.\r\n\u2022\tConducting laboratory-based calibrations of instrumentation, data management and quality control.\r\n\u2022\tConstructing a sampling inlet for a state-of-the- art on-line time-of-flight mass spectrometer to measure volatile organic compounds in seawater.\r\n\r\nThe project will involve:\r\n-\tLiterature search and familiarization with aerosol and reactive gases measurement systems\r\n-\tLearn how to service and problem solve issues with high grade instruments. \r\n-\tCoding for instrument communication and data acquisitions\r\n-\tApply the findings to real-world samples of ambient air\r\n-\tTraining visit to Kennaook Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Monitoring Station in Tasmania\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340105 - Instrumental methods (excl. immunological and bioassay methods) (50%)\r\n340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"MR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jessica Holien","title":"Protein-protein interactions to find novel therapeutics","description":"There are over 300,000 protein-protein interaction pairs so far identified in the human proteome, and it is unclear how many of these play a role in diseases. This project aims to develop and utilise network-based bioinformatic methods to understand how single protein-protein interactions cooperate in the cell to form complex protein-protein networks. These protein-protein interactions will form novel drug targets for a drug discovery pipeline, in order to find new therapeutics for diseases of unmet need.\r\nInterested candidates will be required have a minimum of basic coding\/computational techniques and some understanding of protein structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (60%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (20%)\r\n310201 Bioinformatic methods development (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231 \/ MR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic","title":"Persistence and Stability of Memories During Massive Brain Remodelling","description":"Project Overview\nMemory enables animals to store experiences crucial for survival, yet how memories persist through dramatic brain restructuring\u2014such as regeneration, metamorphosis, or neurogenesis\u2014is poorly understood. This project offers opportunities to investigate memory stability across major neural transformations in:\n\u2022\tPlanarians (complete brain regeneration after decapitation)\n\u2022\tHolometabolous insects (e.g., beetles, butterflies undergoing metamorphosis)\n\u2022\tCrustaceans (neural remodeling during growth and molting)\nCombining behavioural assays, advanced AI-driven analysis, and neuroactive drug screening, this research explores memory retention and potential storage mechanisms beyond traditional neural models.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop robust learning protocols using ecologically-relevant stimuli.\n\u2022\tExamine memory retention in different anatomical fragments and regions post-regeneration.\n\u2022\tAssess how neuroactive compounds (drugs, pollutants) influence memory stability during brain remodeling.\n\u2022\tImplement AI-powered analytics to classify and quantify decision-making, learned behaviors, and memory persistence.\n\nResearch Impact:\nThis project will challenge conventional neuroscience by exploring if and to what extend memories can survive massive brain remodelling. Findings will significantly advance neurobiology, cognitive science and animal behaviour research, providing new insights into the evolution of cognition.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates have backgrounds in biology, neuroscience or cognitive science interested in exploring memory persistence during extreme neural transformations. If you are passionate about unconventional memory models and interdisciplinary cognitive research, this PhD places you at the forefront of animal behaviour and neuroplasticity.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org ","sdg":"[\"15 - Life on the Land\",\"14 - Life Below Water\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n310906 Animal neurobiology (25%)\n310301 Behavioural ecology (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231 \/ MR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"Plastic pollution and climate feedback: A study through the lens of blue carbon ecosystems","description":"Plastic pollution and climate change are deeply interconnected global challenges. The generation of greenhouse gases at linear plastic production and use remains a critical barrier to achieving sustainable development goals and maintaining global climate targets. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes, are well-known for their capacity as nature-based climate mitigation. At the land-ocean interface, these fragile ecosystems act as burial places for plastics. However, it is yet to understand underpinning enough evidence of the consequence of accumulated plastic and microplastic on the overall climate benefits of these coastal blue carbon ecosystems. This project will assess the climate feedback on blue carbon ecosystems under different plastic pollution exposure scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"MR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri, Alexis Marshall","title":"Better Understanding of Papaya Phytophthora Rot","description":"Master by Research student opportunity\n\nOur group at RMIT School of Science along with Skybury Farms and other Australian papaya growers are starting R&D project on 'Better understanding of papaya phytophthora rot'\n\nPapaya Phytophthora rot leads to significant economic losses, impacting growers and consumers alike. Traditional management methods, including cultural practices and fungicide use, often fall short in curbing the disease's spread and its subsequent damage.\n\nIn the proposed project, we will build onto the existing partnership between RMIT and Skybury Farms to develop an integrated solution for effective management of phytophthora. To enable development of a sustainable phytophthora management strategy, we will consult with key stakeholders from Australian and global papaya industry including researchers from previous Hort Innovation funded projects. A comprehensive gap analysis of papaya phytophthora management will be followed by development of high-throughput method to quantify soil fungal load and genomic analysis to identify potential targets for effective disease management.\n\nYou will work alongside industry experts and leading papaya growers in Australia to develop solutions that will directly benefit Australian papaya industry.\n\nWe are inviting Expression of Interest from potential Master by Research candidates with experience and interest in molecular plant pathology. Interested candidates please email your detailed CV with relevant research experience and publications to nitin.mantri@rmit.edu.au. Applications will close by 15th November 2024.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300804        Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (75%)\n300803        Horticultural crop improvement (incl. selection and breeding) (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"BITS025F001452: Smart Marine Vessels for AI-Driven Plastic Clean-up","description":"Plastic pollution is a planetary problem. The Smart Surface Ships for AI-Powered Plastic Cleanup project aims to develop and deploy autonomous surface vessels equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) for efficient plastic waste detection and collection in water bodies. This initiative addresses the growing environmental crisis of plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and lakes by leveraging advanced robotics, machine learning, and sensor technologies. The primary objectives of this project are: 1. Autonomous Navigation & Operation: Develop AI-driven surface vessels capable of autonomously navigating through water bodies while avoiding obstacles and adapting to environmental conditions. 2. Plastic Waste Detection: Implement computer vision and deep learning algorithms to detect, classify, and differentiate plastic debris from other floating objects. 3. Efficient Collection Mechanism: Design and integrate a smart retrieval system that captures floating plastics without harming aquatic life. 4. Data Collection & Monitoring: Utilize onboard sensors to collect real-time data on plastic waste distribution, contributing to environmental research and clean-up planning. 5. Scalability & Deployment: Ensure modular and cost-effective designs for large-scale implementation across various water bodies. Methodology The project will follow a structured approach: \u2022 AI & Machine Learning Integration: Train deep learning models using datasets of floating plastics to improve detection accuracy. \u2022 Autonomous Vessel Development: Design and fabricate an energy-efficient, solar-powered surface vehicle with adaptive control algorithms. \u2022 Sensor & Computer Vision Systems: Employ LiDAR, cameras, and hyperspectral imaging for real-time waste identification. \u2022 Mechanical Collection System: Engineer an optimized robotic arm\/manipulator for efficient plastic retrieval. \u2022 Field Testing & Optimization: Conduct trials in controlled and real-world environments to refine AI models and operational efficiency. This innovative approach will significantly enhance plastic cleanup efforts, reducing marine pollution and contributing to global sustainability goals.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\",\"17 - Partnerships for the Goals\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"460205\tIntelligent robotics (50%)\n460306\tImage processing (30%)\n400904\tElectronic device and system performance evaluation (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"BITS025F001402: Modulation of soil microbiome by microplastics: implication for food security","description":"Background and aim: The pervasive presence of microplastics (plastic particles with <5mm in size) in soil from anthropogenic practises (such as modern agriculture) is a global sustainability issue. Microplastics and their associated additives can alter\/stress soil microbiome, potentially impacting the beneficial interactions between plants and plant-associated beneficial rhizobacteria, which are crucial for stress tolerance and nutrient uptake by plants\/crops. This research aims to investigate the interplay between microplastics, soil microbiomes, and plants, focusing on the modulation of beneficial plant-rhizobacterial interactions under microplastics-induced stress scenarios. The overall objectives of this PhD are to: 1) analyse the effects of microplastics on the diversity and composition of soil microbiomes; 2) assess how changes in soil microbiomes influence beneficial plant-rhizobacterial interactions; and 3) evaluate the role of these interactions in enhancing plant stress tolerance in the presence of microplastics. Methodology: This study will involve both controlled laboratory experiments and field studies and leverage multi-omics and advance molecular techniques. Soil samples will be collected from various agricultural sites with environmentally realistic microplastics contamination. A set of controlled experiments will be initiated in a greenhouse, where plants will be grown in soils with varying concentrations of microplastics. Soil microbiome composition will be assessed using high-throughput sequencing techniques, such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics. This analysis will provide insights of impact of microplastics on composition and functional potential of soil microbial communities. Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics study will be conducted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of the biological responses of soil microbiomes and plants to microplastics. A known model crop such as rice will be used for the plant-based studies. Inter-relation between microbial community composition and the fingerprint of dissolved organic matter in the rhizosphere will be performed to estimate whether the \u201cbelow-ground changes\u201d have far-stretching consequences on \u201cabove-ground\u201d plant performance, under the exposure of microplastics. Specific attention will be given to rhizobacteria known for their beneficial interactions with plants, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium spp.).","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"13 - Climate Action\",\"15 - Life on the Land\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"300207    Agricultural systems analysis and modelling (40%)\n310803\tPlant cell and molecular biology (30%)\n410501\tEnvironmental biogeochemistry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"BITS025F001436: Wetland plastisphere as a novel biotope","description":"Ubiquitous plastic pollution is a planetary problem. Wetlands (natural or constructed) can act sink of these problem. However, plastic within wetlands can generate a novel biotope called \"wetland plastisphere\". Wetland plastisphere that refers to the community of organisms that colonise plastic debris, represents a new biotic layer that warrants investigation. This new biotope is creating dynamic habitats that differ significantly from their natural counterparts. Certain microbes may break down plastics, while others may contribute to wetland nutrient cycling. Research into the wetland plastisphere is crucial for understanding the broader implications of plastic pollution on wetland biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling, microbial activity, and overall ecosystem functioning. It also raises important questions about how these biotope function and how they will respond to ongoing environmental changes. As plastic waste continues to accumulate in wetland areas, studying these unique biotopes may offer insights into potential remediation strategies and the resilience of ecosystems in the face of pollution. Overall, the project will investigate the composition and diversity of microbial communities in the wetland plastisphere and their role in nutrient cycling; evaluate how the presence of plastics in wetlands affects biogeochemical processes such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling; and provide recommendations for managing plastic pollution and enhancing biogeochemical functions in wetland ecosystems. Apart from regular protocols of wetland research, this project will leverage a wide range of microbial and molecular techniques\/approaches including multi-omics (i.e. Genomics, Transcriptomics, Metabolomics, etc) to gain insights of wetland plastisphere and their functions.","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"14 - Life Below Water\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (50%)\n410501 - Environmental biogeochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Alexis Marshall, Andy Ball","title":"Innovative sequencing methods for monitoring microbial consortia in engineered environments, such as wastewater treatment facilities.","description":"Significance: Biological wastewater treatment systems comprise a diverse range of naturally occurring microbes, which play a central role for the operation of treatment plants. Understanding these microbial consortia is crucial for improving the management and resource recoveries of biological wastewater treatment systems. \n\nOverview: Biological treatment systems such as the activated sludge process (ASP), anaerobic digestion (AD), granular sludge reactors and biofilters, all rely on complex microbial interactions. These biological systems perform functions, such as organic matter and nutrient removal, production of renewable biogas and pathogen reduction. However, due to the complexity of biological systems and technological limitations, some important microbes remain unidentified, or their roles unclear, despite decades of research. Furthermore, changes of microbial diversity over time are currently not routinely profiled and monitored. This limits our ability to troubleshoot and optimise these economically important processes. \n\nObjective: Together with the industry partner Melbourne Water, this PhD project will develop a new amplicon sequencing workflow for mixed microbial communities using long-read sequencing technologies (e.g. Oxford Nanopore). The candidate will design a novel primer pair targeting the 16S-ITS-23S ribosomal RNA operon region, offering enhanced taxonomic specificity and sensitivity for the detection and monitoring of bacteria and archaea in wastewater sludge. Furthermore, the candidate will develop bioinformatic workflows that enable routine processing of sequencing data and visualise the outputs of thousands of different microbes and their abundances over time. \n\nA top-up scholarship is available to the successful candidate (from WaterRA, https:\/\/www.waterra.com.au\/phd-scholarships). \n\nFurthermore, there are opportunities for internships at Melbourne Water. ","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-06-30","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310201 Bioinformatics methods development\n310203 Computational ecology and phylogenetics\n310606 Industrial biotechnology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic","title":"Decoding Minimal Minds: Proto-Cognition in Simple Lifeforms","description":"Project Overview:\nProto-cognition describes cognitive-like behaviors observed in organisms with rudimentary or no nervous systems, challenging traditional views that intelligence requires complex brains. Recent research reveals that simple invertebrates and even aneural organisms exhibit surprising abilities in learning, memory, and adaptive decision-making. Yet, these fundamental cognitive mechanisms remain underexplored.\nThis PhD project seeks to redefine cognition by characterizing proto-cognitive processes across diverse aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Using behavioral assays, AI-driven bioanalytics, and neuropharmacological methods, you will investigate how minimally cognitive organisms process information, learn, and adapt to environmental cues.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop innovative behavioral conditioning paradigms (habituation, associative, instrumental learning).\n\u2022\tInvestigate spatial memory, decision-making, and adaptive strategies in simple organisms.\n\u2022\tExamine how neuroactive chemicals, pollutants, and environmental stressors influence learning and memory.\n\u2022\tApply advanced AI analytics (behavioral clustering, unsupervised pattern recognition) to quantify proto-cognition and detect previously undiscovered behavioral motifs.\n\nInnovation & Impact:\nThis research offers groundbreaking insights into the origins of intelligence, informing neurobiology, evolutionary biology, behavioral ecotoxicology and drug discovery. It will establish new models for automated cognitive assessment and contribute significantly to animal behaviour research.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates are from biology, neuroscience, or cognitive science backgrounds, interested in exploring evolutionary principles of cognition and animal behavior. This PhD provides an exciting interdisciplinary opportunity for redefining the boundaries of cognition research.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org","sdg":"[\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"15 - Life on the Land\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n310906 Animal neurobiology (25%)\n310301 Behavioural ecology (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic","title":"Investigating Perturbations of Emerging Pollutants on Animal Behaviour","description":"Project Overview:\nPollution significantly threatens wildlife, yet its impact on animal behavior and cognition remains poorly understood. This PhD project explores how neuro-modulating contaminants disrupt multi-sensory processing, decision-making strategies, and proto-cognitive functions in aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Leveraging advanced AI-powered tracking and deep-learning-based behavioral analytics, you will investigate how pollutants influence sensory integration (e.g., thermotaxis, phototaxis, shelter-seeking), behavioral plasticity, and adaptive cognitive responses.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop behavioral assays using multi-sensory cues to detect early indicators of pollutant exposure.\n\u2022\tExamine individual and population-level behavioral plasticity across short-term, chronic, and multi-generational pollutant exposures.\n\u2022\tAssess how pollutants disrupt basal cognitive functions, affecting learned behaviors and decision-making.\n\u2022\tUse AI-driven analytical tools to detect behavioral anomalies and automatically quantify pollutant impacts.\n\nResearch Impact:\nThis research will provide crucial insights into neurotoxic effects on animal cognition, informing ecotoxicological assessments and conservation strategies. Findings will advance our understanding of pollutant-driven behavioral disruptions and their ecological consequences, benefiting behavioral ecology, cognitive neurobiology, and environmental monitoring.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates have backgrounds in ecotoxicology, animal behavior, ecology, neuroscience, or cognitive science. If you are passionate about exploring the ecological impacts of pollutants on animal cognition and behavior, this PhD project offers an exciting opportunity at the intersection of environmental and behavioral sciences.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org ","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"15 - Life on the Land\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n060201 Behavioral Ecology (25%)\n410201 Bioavailability and ecotoxicology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic, Jeffrey Chan","title":"Decoding Hidden Intelligence: AI-Driven Insights into Animal Behaviour and Cognition","description":"Project Overview:\nUnderstanding how lifeforms acquire knowledge, adapt, and solve problems is pivotal for advancements in neurobiology, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. Current animal tracking methods in behavioral studies are limited to simplistic approaches that struggle to capture nuanced behaviors like decision-making, spatial exploration, and problem-solving.\nThis project will develop innovative, fully automated AI-powered video-based tracking methods to accurately analyze complex behavioral traits across diverse species and experimental settings. Leveraging deep learning, high-performance computing (e.g., Apple M-series silicon), and integrative bioinformatics (Python and R), you will enable high-throughput, unbiased behavioral analysis using ultra-high definition, infrared machine vision systems.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop robust, non-invasive AI-based video tracking to annotate complex behaviors.\n\u2022\tTrain neural networks to classify behaviors (decision-making, learning, problem-solving).\n\u2022\tDeploy advanced models (RNNs, LSTMs, Bayesian inference, HMMs) for predicting behavioral shifts and detecting learning patterns.\n\u2022\tImplement unsupervised clustering for rapid analysis of diverse cognitive behaviours in non-standard animal models.\n\nInnovation & Impact:\nThis project will deliver next-generation capabilities for scalable, unbiased behavioral analysis with broad implications for neurobiology, neuroactive drug discovery, cognitive biology, and environmental studies such as behavioral ecology and ecotoxicology.\n\nCollaboration & Skills Development\nAs a PhD candidate you will work in close collaboration between the Department of Biology and Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. You will gain invaluable, hands-on experience across several cutting-edge domains.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates possess strong backgrounds in engineering, computer science, or AI, with proficiency in Python and a passion for interdisciplinary research at the interface of computational and biological sciences.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"15 - Life on the Land\",\"14 - Life Below Water\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (25%)\n461103 Deep learning (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"Fate of coastal wetland carbon under microplastic pollution","description":"Microplastic can release carbon-based substrates and contributes to carbon pools within coastal wetlands or Blue carbon Ecosystems (BCEs), like mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes. It is yet to explore how and to what extend microplastics impact blue carbon in BCEs, ultimately the capacity of BCEs of climate mitigation.  This PhD project will assess the bioavailability of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) in BCE's sediment and its contribution to the soil mineral-associated carbon pool. The release of any greenhouse gases from BCEs under microplastics will be assessed. The change of microbial community and their function along the way will also be checked. \nThis multi-disciplinary project can take advantage of a wide range of tools\/approaches, i.e., molecular fingerprinting of wetland carbon and plastic using FT-ICR-MS, MicroProfiling System, 2D planer optode, metagenomics, etc. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Martino Malerba, Peter Macreadie, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, Paul Carnell, Maria del Mar Palacios","title":"PhD Opportunity in Freshwater Systems and Climate Change Mitigation","description":"Freshwater systems are essential for food production, urban development, global cycles, and natural ecosystems. However, they face significant threats from urbanisation, pollution, and land use changes. There is vast potential to develop low-cost strategies to improve the management of freshwater systems, enhancing their productivity, sustainability, and capacity to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.\n\nIn line with Australia\u2019s commitment to tackling climate change and enhancing natural capital, this PhD project aims to generate new knowledge on Australia\u2019s freshwater systems \u2013 both natural and artificial. We are seeking motivated applicants to collaborate across diverse research fields. \n\nExample projects include:\n\u2022        Developing innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance wetland carbon sequestration.\n\u2022        Improving restoration monitoring outcomes using a range of metrics (e.g., vegetation\/seaweed, soil, greenhouse gas flux, spatial analyses, biodiversity, social impact\/benefits).\n\u2022        Quantifying the improvements in ecosystem services provided by wetland management.\n\u2022        Utilising AI with satellites, drones, and IoT sensors to automatically measure wetland benefits (e.g., carbon, biodiversity, water quality, and farm productivity).\n\u2022        Establishing citizen-science projects to promote sustainable wetland management.\n\u2022        Enhancing restoration methods to scale up wetland restoration efforts.\n\nWe welcome applicants from various backgrounds, including plant\/seaweed or animal ecology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, spatial analysis, engineering, environmental economics, social sciences, and information technology.\n\nJoin us in making a significant impact on the future of Australia\u2019s freshwater systems and their role in combating climate change.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"410405 (40%)\n410101 (30%)\n410303 (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Macreadie, Anirban Akhand, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, Maria Palacios, Gary Rosengarten, Xavier Mulet, Nasir Mahmood, Tianyi Ma","title":"Investigating the Feasibility of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement","description":"This PhD project will investigate the feasibility and implementation potential of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), an innovative strategy aimed at mitigating climate change by enhancing the ocean\u2019s capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide. The research will address one or more of the following five key dimensions:\n\n1) Access to Alkaline Materials: This involves assessing the availability and sustainability of alkaline substances, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, required for OAE at scale, with a focus on environmental and logistical considerations.\n\n2) Environmental Risks and Considerations: The project will explore the ecological implications of OAE on marine ecosystems. This includes understanding the impacts on biodiversity and marine life, and evaluating potential risks and benefits to ocean health.\n\n3) Financial Feasibility: A critical aspect of this research will be an economic analysis of the costs and benefits associated with OAE, including infrastructure, deployment, logistics, and long-term maintenance.\n\n4) Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Feasibility: The project will develop and test methods to accurately monitor the effectiveness of OAE, ensuring robust reporting and verification systems for carbon sequestration.\n\n5) Carbon Rights and Benefit Sharing: This dimension will explore the legal, ethical, and governance frameworks surrounding carbon rights, as well as equitable benefit distribution in the context of OAE initiatives.\n\nThis interdisciplinary project aims to contribute significantly to the global efforts of climate change mitigation through ocean-based carbon capture solutions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410101 Carbon sequestration science (70%); 370203 Greenhouse gas inventories and fluxes (20%); 090703 Environmental Technologies (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Maria Palacios, Paul Carnell, Lily Van Eeden - Applied Chemistry & Enviro Science","title":"Farmers and Freshwater Systems: Exploring Social Attitudes for Climate and Biodiversity Gains","description":"There is an untapped potential to develop low-cost strategies for managing freshwater systems to maximise their carbon and biodiversity benefits. In the future, governments could provide financial incentives (such as carbon or biodiversity credits) to encourage management actions that improve carbon drawdown, minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increase native wildlife. \n\nHowever, Australian landholders\u2019 views on managing freshwater systems remained largely unstudied. With most wetlands in Australia being on private properties, a critical gap exists in understanding what motivates landholders to restore these ecosystems. Understanding these motivations is important for developing effective conservation strategies and helping Australia meet critical climate and biodiversity targets.\n\nThis PhD project will generate new knowledge on Australia\u2019s natural and artificial freshwater systems. The project will engage with farmers to run surveys and citizen-science projects to understand attitudes toward sustainable management of freshwater systems.\nWe are seeking motivated applicants with experience in social sciences and who are willing to collaborate across diverse research fields.\n\nDesired qualifications:\n\u2022        Background in Psychology\/Sociology\/Anthropology\/ Human Geography or cognate discipline\n\u2022        A first-author publication\n\u2022        Proficient in academic writing\n\u2022        Experience in running social surveys\n\u2022        Experience in conducting in-depth interviews \n\u2022        Knowledge of Qualitative data analysis\n\u2022        Honours or Masters\n\u2022        Able to work independently\n\nJoin us in making a significant impact on the future of Australia's freshwater systems and their role in combating climate change.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410405 Enviro rehabilitation(40%)\n410101 Carbon sequestration (30%)\n441002 Enviro sociology (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Sara Long","title":"Using novel analytical tools to understand the fate and effects of emerging contaminants","description":"There is a vast array of emerging contaminants (including pesticides and pharmaceuticals and personal care products) that are discharged into freshwater ecosystems through a variety of ways including run off, accidental release, spills and stormwater. Not all chemicals are routinely measured in water and sediment in analytical laboratories, which limits our understanding of the presence of these chemicals in our waterways. Consequently, there is little information about the risk these chemicals pose to biota present in these systems, which restricts our ability to effectively manage and protect waterways for ecological and human health. \nTo gain a better understanding of the fate and effects of emerging contaminants, this project will first, identify high priority pesticides that are not currently measured in analytical screens; secondly, develop and optimise analytical methods to quantify these contaminants and then investigate the effects of these contaminants to local aquatic biota using traditional and novel ecotoxicological techniques.  Traditional techniques include acute and chronic toxicity tests with endpoints such as survival, growth and reproduction and novel techniques will include using metabolomics to identify small metabolite biomarkers of exposure and effect. Metabolomics endpoints are known to be more sensitive than traditional endpoints with effects being detected at lower chemical concentrations than responses such as survival and growth.  \nUnderstanding the fate and effects of emerging contaminants in waterways and developing suitable biomarkers of effect will enable better management and result in improved waterway health assessments.  ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2024-09-13","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410504 (50%)\n410402 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Thilini Thrimawithana, Health and Biomedical Sciences,\nJonathan Tran, Engineering","title":"Development of novel fungal biomaterials","description":"There are over 5 million fungal species but we have only described 5% and use even less. Fungal composites are emerging as a safer and more sustainable alternative to industrial materials such as polystyrene foam, wood and concrete. Our research group developed fungal composites using  agricultural plant waste for building and construction industries. This project will be focused on developing the fungal composites for novel applications including fire retardancy, sound absorbance, enzymatic degradation and medicine. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400302\tBiomaterials \n401106\tWaste management, reduction, reuse and recycling\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel, Peter Macreadie","title":"Microplastics-mediated dissolved organic matter on blue carbon mineralisation ","description":"Coastal wetlands consisting of tidal marshes, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows sequester and store \"blue\" carbon from the atmosphere and oceans and act as nature-based solutions to global climate change. The location of coastal wetlands at the land-water interface makes them an important sink of plastic and microplastics. Microplastics generate dissolved organic matter (DOM) called herein microplastics-mediated DOM (MP-DOM) via leaching and weathering. MP-DOM contain different carbon backbones (e.g., oligomers and\/or monomers) and labile and bioavailable plastic additives. However, the environmental reactivity of MP-DOM in coastal wetland sediment is yet to be assessed, limiting our understanding of how MP-DOM impacts coastal blue carbon cycling. This project will investigate the role of relatively bioavailable and labile MP-DOM in stimulating microbial respiration, mineralising blue carbon and subsequently releasing CO2. This study will consider both conventional fossil fuel-based and biodegradable plastics to seek their relative contribution to releasing MP-DOM on coastal wetland microcosms. The project will use the advance tools and techniques to assess the molecular fingerprint of MP-DOM and temporal behaviour of dissolved O2 heterogeneity caused by microplastics. Microbial network complexity and ecological stochasticity at different MP-DOM and associated CO2 emissions from wetland sediments will be assessed. Overall, understanding how microbial processes respond and adapt to MP-DOM will be necessary to predict the consequences of plastic pollution on carbon cycling within coastal wetlands.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (50%) \n410501 - Environmental biogeochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stacey Foong Yong, Ravi Shukla, Vipul Bansal","title":"Developing real-time monitoring tools to detect microbial pathogens in seafood","description":"The purpose of this research is to develop an effective and sensitive, real-time monitoring tool for detecting microbial contaminants in seafood, from farming to processing and supply chain process. Male specific coliphages (MSC) has been used as a surrogate viral indicator of fecal contamination that may provide microbial-source information for impacted environmental water. In this project, a real-time monitoring tool using MSCs as an indicator will be developed to monitor the contamination of bacterial pathogens (Vibrio and Listeria) and viral-foodborne pathogens (e.g. noroviruses, hepatitis A) in fish and seafood primary production (farm), processing and in the supply chain system. The importance of real-time monitoring is to provide fast detection of microbial contamination and indicating the source of contamination so that rapid response can be provided to ensure seafood safety. This project will involve establishing and validating the method to cultivate coliphage viral indicators and real-time PCR to study the correlation relationship between coliphages and microbial pathogens. The ultimate objective is to use the data obtained to develop an electrochemical biosensor for viral indicator for real-time monitoring foodborne pathogens and source of contamination to improve food safety management and prevent food recall due to foodborne pathogen contamination.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310604 Industrial Biotechnology Diagnostics (incl. biosensor) 30%\r\n340102 Bioassays 40%\r\n300605 Food safety 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri,  Vipul Bansal ","title":"Early detection of citrus graft-transmissible diseases to improve management","description":"The Australian and global citrus industries are under threat from graft-transmissible diseases of \r\ncitrus that can cause reduced yield, fruit quality or tree death. There are no cures and management strategies rely on prevention. The disease-causing agents may be present in plants without symptoms or symptoms may be delayed, but these plants are a source of future infections. Early detection of exotic diseases soon after they breach our borders is critical because delays in diagnostic results can impact the success of eradication. It is also important to detect diseases in propagation material before its use to ensure the planting of healthy orchards, the basis for a sustainable industry. This project aims to strengthen Australia\u2019s ability to combat graft-transmissible citrus diseases through improved knowledge of citrus pathogens and how to diagnose them. \r\n\r\nDetecting graft-transmissible pathogens can be difficult because field symptoms may be confused with other disorders and the pathogen may be present below detectable levels or unevenly distributed within the tree. It is important that diagnostic tests are specific to the target organism, sensitive, and efficient in terms of time and cost. It is important to ensure government and industry are armed with appropriate tools and knowledge to protect Australian citrus from diseases that threaten industry sustainability.\r\n\r\nThis project will be conducted in collaboration with leading citrus researchers from DPI NSW with the aim of developing deployable technology by end of the PhD. Ideally the PhD candidate would have background in plant biology, chemistry, biotechnology and\/or nanotechnology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300101 Agricultural biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) (50%)\r\n300409 Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Akane Uesugi","title":"Rapid adaptation to local aridity in invasive capeweed","description":"Understanding the mechanisms that allow populations to adapt and persist in the face of rapid environmental change is one of the most pressing topics of our time, as it is critical for the management and control of invasive species experiencing climate change. This project explores ecological and evolutionary hypotheses of local adaptation in invasive capeweed (Arctotheca calendula) in Australia. The invasive Australian capeweed is broadly distributed from wet southern coast to dry inland, and they have genetically diverged in several morphological, phenological, physiological and chemical traits that mediate drought resistance. This capeweed system provides an ideal opportunity to explore a range of questions related to adaptation in novel environments, including: 1) Does aridity drive parallel patterns of clinal divergence between native and invasive populations? 2) Does local adaptation drive niche shifts in the invasive range? The PhD project may involve: 1) field common garden experiments, 3) plant physiology and chemical analyses, and 5) molecular analyses. A strong background in evolutionary biology and ability to work independently in the field setting is desirable. \r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"310403\tBiological adaptation\r\n310406\tEvolutionary impacts of climate change\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Akane Uesugi, Mark Osborn","title":"Fire and weed invasion","description":"Fire plays a significant role in shaping plant communities. In Australian grasslands, fire has been used by Indigenous peoples to manage land for millennia and many native plant species are adapted to frequent fire management. A suppression of fire in the past two centuries has caused severe declines in native plant diversity, but recent efforts to reintroduce controlled fire has faced challenges due to a prevalence of exotic weeds that invade post-fire community. In collaboration with the City of Whittlesea, we have set up a long-term field experiment to understand the effect of frequent burning on native plant restoration. We aim to 1) monitor the impacts of fire on native flora recovery, and 2) investigate the mechanisms of invasive spread, particularly through alteration of soil quality and changes in soil microbial communities. The Ph.D. student involved in this project will conduct field surveys and experiments, and molecular characterization of soil microbial communities in combination with multivariate data analysis. The student should have a strong background in ecology, including fieldwork. \r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"050103 (0.8), 050101(0.2)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sampa Sarkar, Charlotte Conn, Sarvesh Soni","title":"Tailoring combinatorial lipid nanoparticles for intracellular delivery","description":"Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based bioactive delivery systems have become the most clinically advanced non-viral therapeutics delivery technology. LNPs can encapsulate and deliver a wide variety of bioactive agents, including the small molecule drugs, proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. However, as the physicochemical properties of small- and macromolecular cargos can vary drastically, every LNPs carrier system needs to be carefully tailored in order to deliver the cargo molecules in a safe and efficient manner. Recent advances in innovative lipid nanotechnologies for drug delivery have demonstrated promising outcomes for chronic infectious diseases. However, LNPs have not yet been tested broadly as potential delivery systems for intracellular infections such as world\u2019s deadliest tuberculosis (TB) infection.\r\nThe overall aim of this project is to advance and translate the fundamental knowledge in lipid nanomaterial science to develop a next generation tailor made \u2018Lipid Nano-Particle\u2019s platform\u2019 for an end-user-driven technology.\r\nThe specific objectives of the project are to:\r\no Design and develop a combinatorial and high throughput approach for the identification of biomimetic lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).\r\no Investigate the structural aspects of LNPs in encapsulating the bioactives and physicochemical interactions.\r\no Characterise the encapsulated bioactives in LNPs to establish structure-activity relationships.\r\no Evaluate the embedment and efficacy of the bioactives in in vitro models.\r\nThe outcomes will help the development of platform technologies enabling lipid nanocarriers to be customised for optimal performance of bioactives in therapeutic products.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"31 Biological sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jessica Holien","title":"Utilizing protein-protein interactions for drug discovery","description":"There are over 300,000 protein-protein interaction pairs so far identified in the human proteome, and it is unclear how many of these play a role in diseases. This project aims to develop and utilise network-based bioinformatic methods to understand how single protein-protein interactions cooperate in the cell to form complex protein-protein networks. These protein-protein interactions will form novel drug targets for a drug discovery pipeline, in order to find new therapeutics for diseases of unmet need.\r\n\r\nInterested candidates will be required have a minimum of basic coding\/computational techniques and some understanding of protein structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (60%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (20%)\r\n310201 Bioinformatic methods development (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Graham Dorrington, School of Engineering","title":"Plant resilience and adaptability for extreme environments","description":"This project aims to better elucidate and optimise plant growth for near-term space exploration. During future Moon\/Mars missions, the plants carried, will face extreme conditions that require resilience and adaptability mechanisms that are not well understood. For lunar missions, temperatures can fluctuate from -180 to 80 deg. C., posing biological and engineering challenges that need to be addressed. To grow plants on the Moon's surface, plants will also likely need germinate (or be resurrected) quickly, due to mission constraints. This project will require histological and genomic analysis of optimal adaptive plant mechanisms to support optimal species selection and preparation for a planned lunar mission. The outputs of this research will also help to inform best horticulture practice in severe conditions also encountered on Earth, e.g., in arid desert regions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310403\tBiological adaptation 80%\r\n330206\tBuilding science, technologies and systems 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Thilini Thrimawithana, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences","title":"Development of herbal medicines from Momordica cochinchinensis ","description":"Ethnopharmacology is the scientific study of traditional medicines. There are abundant opportunities to highlight and support efficacy of Asian medicinal plants used by locals including Cucurbits (gourds and cucumbers) which are one of the most economically important plant families for food consumption globally. One representative, Momordica cochinchinensis (gac), has high nutrition and health benefits, as well as bioactivity against diabetes and cancer. The plant is restricted to south-east Asia with vast genetic diversity and currently only the aril of the fruit is used despite all parts of the plant containing nutritional and medicinal benefits. This project will focus on upcycling opportunities of other parts of the plant including the seed, pulp and peel. The aim will be to develop innovations for medical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320604\tNanomedicine (40%)\r\n401106\tWaste management, reduction, reuse and recycling (40%)\r\n401611\tWearable materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravi Shukla, Vipul Bansal, Foong (Stacy) Yong","title":"Developing Molecular Nano-Biosensing Probes for Microbial Detection","description":"This cell and molecular biology centred project will develop new molecular recognition elements (MREs) to tag with Nanozyme biosensors for microbial detection. Project will delve with (1.) developing in house MREs for industrially important microbes, and (2). Evaluating their potential as tags for Nanozyme biosensors probes for generation of colorimetric response.\r\nThe PhD scholar will (i) develop MREs based on phage display libraries against microbes, (ii) combine the Nanomaterials (developed in group) with molecular recognition elements to build NanoZyme sensor probes, (iii) employ NanoZyme sensor probes to evaluate its applicability for microbial detection, and (iv) use advanced statistical tools to identify microbes in complex biological fluids.\r\n\r\nThe project will be carried out at the RMIT city campus in a highly cross disciplinary environment at the Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Facility. The project will involve collaborations with Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and research institutions across EU and India. The PhD scholar will use specialized techniques including molecular biology; spectroscopy (absorbance, fluorescence, FTIR, EDX, XPS); crystallography (XRD); cell biology (confocal, FACS, ELISA) and statistical analysis (cluster tools, discriminant tools, regression analysis). Overall, this project will provide a highly cross-disciplinary training across materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, cell & molecular biology along with high quality publications.\r\nReferences\r\n[1] Weerathunge, P., Ramanathan, R., Shukla, R., Sharma, TK., & Bansal, V. Anal. Chem. 86, 11937-11941 (2014).\r\n[2] Sharma, TK., Ramanathan R., Weerathunge, P., Mohammadtaheri, M., Daima, HK., Shukla, R., & Bansal, V. Chem. Commun. 50, 15856-15859 (2014).\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310607 Nanobiotechnoogy (40%); \r\n321108 Molecular targets; (30%)\r\n340102 Bioassays (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Paul Ramsland","title":"Development and Application of Nanoparticle Sensors for Carbohydrate Recognition by Lectins and Antibodies","description":"This PhD project aims to develop a sensitive and specific technique for detecting protein-carbohydrate interactions to better understand binding mechanisms. The technique is based on surface-enhanced Raman optical activity (SEROA), which uses nanoprobes to enhance the Raman scattering signal of target molecules, allowing for sensitive detection and structural identification.\n\nThe project will focus on two types of protein-nanoparticle (NP) systems: lectin-NP conjugates and antibody-NP conjugates. Lectins and antibodies are carbohydrate-binding proteins that have specificities towards different carbohydrate targets of relevance to health and disease. By linking lectins and antibodies to NPs, the objective is to create glycan probes for SEROA that can detect monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and glycoprotein targets.\n\nAdditionally, the project will involve determining X-ray crystallographic structures of antibody-carbohydrate complexes and computational simulations of these systems, which will facilitate the structure-function analysis of SEROA data obtained in this project.\n\nOverall, the development of a sensitive and specific technique for detecting protein-carbohydrate interactions has important applications in health and disease. By understanding the binding mechanisms of proteins and carbohydrates, we can gain insights into disease processes and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (50%) ; 310107 - Glycobiology (25%) ; 310112 - Structural biology (incl. macromolecular modelling) (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravi Shukla, Vipul Bansal","title":"Hybrid Metal-Organic-Frameworks for non-viral gene\/ drug delivery and enhanced cellular-uptake in cancer ","description":"Cancer remains a pressing health care challenge in Australia. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising platforms for cellular delivery and have been used for efficient delivery of therapeutic genes and drugs [1, 2]. This project will involve Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), MOF nanocarriers being developed in our group for gene therapy and drug delivery [2]. ZIFs will be used as non-viral vectors to encapsulate and deliver nucleic acids (NAs) and\/or drugs which will target the aberrant expression of the cancer biomarkers and immune check points in cancer cells. The project will focus evaluating their therapeutic potential. Following successful encapsulation, MOF@NA conjugates will be surface modified with cancer targeting probes being developed in group for specific and enhanced cancer cell uptake.\r\nA prospective PhD student with strong background knowledge of Analytical Chemistry and\/or Biology with some credible experience in nanomaterial characterisations and nucleic acid bio- conjugations techniques are encouraged to apply. Student will have ample opportunities to learn state-of-the-art cross disciplinary tools and techniques. In addition, student will be nurtured for research ethics, critical thinking, time & project management, and problem-solving skills.\r\n \r\nReferences\r\n[1]. Poddar et al. 2019, Small 15, 1970193 \r\n[2]. He, C., et al., J Am Chem Soc, 2014. 136(14): p. 5181-4.\r\n[3]. Poddar, et al. 2020, Chemical Communications 56, 15406\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310607 Nanobiotechnology (50%)\r\n310902 Animal cell and Molecular Biology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oliver Jones","title":"RMIT-CSIRO Masters Development of Pulsed Discharge Detector Gas Chromatography Systems","description":"The aim of the project is to develop a robust method to allow CSIRO to phase out all electron capture detector (ECD) methods, which have inherent HSE risks (radioactive sources). Currently, ECD methods are integral to CSIRO\u2019s globally important trace gas monitoring programs which serve to support Australia\u2019s reporting under the Montreal Protocol and through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The project will also contribute to the upgrade of the analytical instrumentation and capability that is currently underway in CSIRO GASLAB.\r\n\r\nThe ECD is one of the most sensitive and selective detectors available for gas chromatography. It is widely used in the trace gas analysis of halogenated compounds, many of which are ozone depleting substances, banned under the Montreal Protocol. \r\n\r\nA Discharge Helium Ionization Detector (PDHID, or simply PDD), uses a high voltage, low current discharge in helium to achieve ionization. The pulsed discharge excites helium atoms, when they relax to their ground energy level, they emit photons with enough energy (13 eV -17 eV) to directly ionize all molecules from the chromatographic column. A simple electrometer measures the produced current from the ionization process.\r\n\r\nThe project will involve:\r\n-\tLiterature search and familiarization with the PDD operation;\r\n-\tOptimization of the PDD-ECD for best signal to noise of selected halogenated compounds;\r\n-\tDesign and configure of a method for parallel detection of selected species on both detectors: PDDECD and 63Ni ECD;\r\n-\tApplying findings to real-world samples.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340101 Analytical spectrometry (50%)\r\n340109 Separation science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravi Shukla","title":"A non-coding RNA delivery system to modulate human gut cell transcriptome","description":"Mature microRNAs (miRNAs\/miRs) are 18-22 nucleotide protein-non-coding small RNA molecules that target messenger RNAs, mostly inhibiting protein expression. Several studies have demonstrated the regulatory role of microRNAs in obesity and diabetes. It is well known that microRNAs are packaged in exosomes and there is now sufficient evidence in the literature to demonstrate that obesity-associated exosomal miRNAs can modulate glucose and lipid metabolism when transferred to lean mice.  \r\nThis project, therefore, will employ multidisciplinary nanotechnology-based approaches to characterize, optimize and test a metal-organic-framework (MOF)-based smallRNA delivery system to target gene expression in human gut cells. This study highly leverages on existing data generated by us at RMIT and our collaborators at Western Sydney University. The PhD scholar will be engaged in developing knowledge building within the Sir Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Laboratory (RMIT University) and Diabetes & Islet Biology Group at the Western Sydney University School of Medicine. The PhD scholar will (i) assess different MOFs for smallRNA delivery, (ii) learn several high-end techniques to characterise the properties of MOFs, (iii) assess the delivery of smallRNAs (miRNAs) to human colonic epithelial cells using established in vitro systems, (iv) study the interactions of microRNA with gut gene expression, (v) create and test systems for oral delivery of microRNAs and (vi) test the system in a small animal or trans-intestinal model.\r\nA prospective PhD student with strong background knowledge of Analytical Chemistry and\/or Biology with some credible experience in nanomaterial characterisations and nucleic acid bio-encapsulation techniques are encouraged to apply. Student will have ample opportunities to learn state-of-the-art cross disciplinary tools and techniques available in RMIT and Western Sydney University through this collaborative project. In addition, the prospective student will be nurtured for research ethics, critical thinking, time and project management, and problem-solving skill","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310607 Nanbiotechnology (40%);\r\n321108 Molecular targets (30%);\r\n340102 Bioassays (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri, Rajaraman Eri, Sylvia Urban","title":"Development and characterization of honey-based products for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities","description":"Efforts to develop new antimicrobials have over the past two decades been woefully behind the rapid evolution of resistance genes developing among both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. As the pharmaceutical industry focused on discovering new agents for use against MRSA, hospitals in many parts of the world have seen the emergence of gram-negative pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae that are clinically resistant to almost all available antimicrobials. Although bioactive honeys are becoming significantly important to treat bacterial infections, we still lack knowledge of the entire spectrum of plant bioactive compounds transferred to the honey and there is potential to develop novel honeys with added properties. This project aims to develop and test bioactive honeys with enhanced antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties from selected herbal plants. Concurrently, the bioactive compounds from plants that are transferred to the honey will be comprehensively evaluated by testing leaves, flowers, nectars and honeys. Further, honey-based cosmetic products like creams, gels and foams will be developed. The project will provide Australians natural antibacterial cosmetic products with added antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and benefit farmers, beekeepers and dermatological companies.\r\nReferences\r\n[1]. Nguyen HTL, Kasapis S, Mantri N (2021) Physicochemical Properties and Effects of Honeys on Key Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Cholesterol Homeostasis in HepG2 Cells. Nutrients 13 (1), 151 \r\n[2]. Anand S, Deighton M, Livanos G, Morrison P, Pang E, Mantri N (2019) Antimicrobial activity of Agastache honey and characterization of its bioactive compounds in comparison with important commercial honeys, Frontiers in Microbiology 10, 263. \r\n[3]. Anand S, Deighton M, Livanos G, Pang E, Mantri N (2019) Agastache honey has superior antifungal activity in comparison with important commercial honeys. Scientific Reports 9: 181197. \r\n[4]. Nguyen HTL, Katopo L, Pang E, Mantri N, Kasapis S (2019) Structural variation in gelatin networks from low to high-solid systems effected by honey addition. Food Research International, 121: 319-325.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320203 Clinical microbiology. 420899 Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine not elsewhere classified. 340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri, Rajaraman Eri, Sylvia Urban","title":"Identification and Characterization of Medical Cannabis strains for cancer treatment","description":"Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Lately, there has been a lot of focus on plant-based medicine for cancer treatment to reduce side effects. Cannabis plant contains active components, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and others, more commonly called as cannabinoids. Recent evidence demonstrates that cannabinoids can powerfully regulate cell growth and differentiation. They have widespread actions and pharmacological activities in the brain as well as in the periphery, and therefore, cannabinoids have gained significant attention during the past few years highlighting their therapeutic potential. They were shown to possess anti-tumoral activity by decreasing viability, proliferation, adhesion, and migration of various cancer cells, thereby suggesting the potential use of cannabinoids in the treatment of gliomas, prostate and breast cancers, and malignancies of immune origin. There are many in vitro studies that provide evidence of anti-cancer properties of cannabinoids, but there are few in vivo studies and clinical trials. We are working with leading pharmaceutical companies to identify and characterise cannabis strains for treatment of various cancers. The project involves cultivation, breeding, comprehensive chemical profiling, and biochemical, histological, and genetic analysis. Students will work on one or more aspects of this project and receive training in using state-of-art technologies to characterise anti-cancer strains. The project has commercial focus with the view of translating the knowledge into a commercial product.\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tSchanknecht, E., Bachari, A., Nassar, N., Piva, T., & Mantri, N. (2023). Phytochemical Constituents and Derivatives of Cannabis sativa; Bridging the Gap in Melanoma Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(1), 859.\r\n2.\tMahmoudinoodezh, H., Telukutla, S. R., Bhangu, S. K., Bachari, A., Cavalieri, F., & Mantri, N. (2022). The transdermal delivery of therapeutic cannabinoids. Pharmaceutics, 14(2), 438.\r\n3.\tSingh, K., Nassar, N., Bachari, A., Schanknecht, E., Telukutla, S., Zomer, R., ... & Mantri, N. (2021). The pathophysiology and the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in prostate cancer. Cancers, 13(16), 4107.\r\n4.\tSingh, K., Jamshidi, N., Zomer, R., Piva, T. J., & Mantri, N. (2020). Cannabinoids and prostate cancer: a systematic review of animal studies. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(17), 6265.\r\n5.\tBachari, A., Piva, T. J., Salami, S. A., Jamshidi, N., & Mantri, N. (2020). Roles of cannabinoids in melanoma: Evidence from in vivo studies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(17), 6040.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321104 Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy). 420899 Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine not elsewhere classified. 340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Samantha J. Richardson, Jessica Holien, Bobbi Fleiss; SHBS\n","title":"Myelin development and repair - elucidating the role of transthyretin","description":"Transthyretin (TTR) is a protein that distributes thyroid hormones (THs) in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of vertebrates. THs regulate the growth and development of vertebrates, particularly in the central nervous system. In humans, insufficient THs during gestation can result in mental retardation, which is why TH levels are tested soon after birth. One process regulated by THs from gestation until adulthood is the myelination of nerve axons in the brain. Myelination is required for protection and for efficient signal transduction. Multiple sclerosis is a disease where myelin is damaged and does not repair properly. We have recently shown that mice lacking TTR have thicker myelin than normal (Alshehri et al., Sci Reps 2020). This project will elucidate the molecular mechanism by which TTR regulates myelination.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310102 30%\r\n320208 15%\r\n320903 55%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jeff Shimeta, Nathan Bott, Martin Leary","title":"Marine biofouling: fouling growth and anti-fouling technology","description":"Marine biofouling is the accumulation of living organisms on artificial surfaces in the ocean that has undesired ecological and\/or economic consequences, such as fouling of ship hulls and underwater infrastructure, and transfer or establishment of invasive species. Biofouling is composed of numerous species of bacteria, protists, invertebrates, and exudates. The nature and development of fouling vary greatly among types of surfaces, locations, and seasons. Studies of the settlement mechanisms and species assemblages are needed to better understand the fundamental ecology of marine epifaunal dynamics and to guide research on antifouling technologies. This project will investigate factor influencing the development of biofouling communities (microbes and invertebrates) and technologies to inhibit fouling. The student for this project should have a strong background in marine ecology and ideally molecular ecology (such as environmental DNA analysis). Students interested in researching antifouling technology should have engineering background in areas such as computing, design, and\/or micro-manufacturing, or at least a strong potential and motivation to learn in those areas.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"STS 4 Water","forcodes":"310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) (50%) 410299 Ecological applications not elsewhere classified (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Andy Ball, Ivan Cole, School of Engineering","title":"Application of nanomaterials for the remediation of environmental contaminants","description":"As the global population expands along with urbanisation, terrestrial and aquatic environments are increasingly being exposed to tens of thousands of chemical contaminants (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals, endocrine disruptors), many of which are deleterious to ecosystem and human health. Currently, detection and quantification of these contaminants is technically challenging involving extensive sample processing as well as trained personnel and expensive laboratory equipment. Consequently, in addition to environmental monitoring often being infrequent, there is usually a significant delay in terms of determining contaminant concentrations and therefore the implementation of any environmental management plan. In the past five years, nanotechnology has been playing an increasingly important role in addressing innovative and effective solutions to a vast range of environmental challenges. Through the application of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI), carbon nanotubes and nanofibers have been applied for the remediation of a variety of contaminants including chlorinated compounds, hydrocarbons, organic compounds and heavy metals. The use and development of nanomaterials (NMs) are understandably heralded as an environmentally beneficial technology.\nThis project will continue our work on developing nanomaterials for application in the environment for the detection and remediation of pollutants. The focus of the project will be on the detection of emerging environmental pollutants such as polyfluorinated and polybrominated compounds. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310607 (55%)\r\n410303 (45%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Andy Ball, Leadin Khudur","title":"Biotransformation of organic waste","description":"In this project the biotransformation of waste organic materials will be investigated. Among the wastes to be studied are industry wastes (e.g. grapemarc, mushroom waste) contaminated environments (oil polluted soils and waters). The project will develop innovation technologies leading to the utilisation of these waste streams currently going to landfill or polluting the natural environment, converting the waste to either bioenergy (e.g. biohydrogen) or to another value added product (e.g. bioplastics) , ensuring that the environmental contamination is reduced. The technology will be based around increased understanding of the activity and diversity of natural communities. Industry partners will be involved in the project to ensure translation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 (60%)\r\n410414 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Andy Ball, Kalpit Shah School of Engineering","title":"Developing tools for risk assessment and remediation of soil contamination","description":"This project will develop innovative tools for the remediation of soils contaminated with a range of traditional (e.g. crude oil, metals) and emerging (e.g. nanomaterials, poly-halogenated compounds). The project will utilise existing contaminated Australian soils and will evolve through the use of laboratory-scale mesocosm studies through to larger scale pilot studies along with the Laboratory of Microbial Life's extensive suite of advanced microbiological, analytical and molecular biology tools. Further the implications of any new remediation technology on the ecotoxicology of the remediated soils will be examined. This applied project will link closely with industry requirements.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410303 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri","title":"Management of plant pathogens using next generation nano-sensors","description":"Plant pathogens are a major limiting factor for sustainable vegetable production. Early detection of plant pathogens in nurseries and fields is crucial to effectively manage their spread or design strategy to eradicate them. Several molecular methods are currently used of detection of these plant pathogens. Although some of these methods show outstanding specificity and sensitivity, the major limitations of molecular methods are the requirement of specialised equipment, trained personnel, and laborious nature of the test that makes them non-feasible for in-field testing by farmers. In this project, the PhD student will be involved in developing a new specific, sensitive, easy to use, and portable detection platform based on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). For this, the PhD scholar will be involved in (i) glass house assays for pathogen infections, (ii) bioinformatics analysis to design molecular probes, (iii) developing new chemical synthesis strategies to fabricate nanomaterials with a control over their size and shape, (iv) functionalising the nanoparticles with recognition probes developed based on bioinformatics, (v) developing SERS substrates and (vi) optimising sensor performance for detection of pathogens in plants. On a need basis, the PhD scholar will be jointly based at RMIT Bundoora and City campuses to work across The Pangenomics Group and the Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility in a highly cross-disciplinary environment. The PhD scholar will use specialised techniques such as microscopy (SEM, TEM, HRTEM); spectroscopy (absorbance, fluorescence, FTIR, EDX, XPS); crystallography (XRD); statistical analysis (cluster tools, discriminant tools, regression analysis) and Raman spectroscopy. Overall, this project will provide a highly cross-disciplinary training across materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, plant pathology and microbiology, leading to several high-quality publications.\r\nReferences\r\n1. Rani A, Donovan N, Mantri N (2019) The future of plant pathogen diagnostics in a nursery production system. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 145:111631.\r\n2. Nejat N, Rookes J, Mantri N, Cahill D (2016) Plant\u2013pathogen interactions: toward development of next-generation disease-resistant plants. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, DOI: 10.3109\/07388551.2015.1134437.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"300101 Agricultural biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors). 300409 Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Nathan Bott, Paul Ramsland, Cecilia Power","title":"Development of in situ detection methods for myxosporean parasites","description":"Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) can experience loss of flesh quality when cooked due to infection with myxosporean parasites belonging to the genera Kudoa and Unicapsula. Whilst infection alone is generally not associated with fish mortalities, enzymes produced by these parasites can cause accelerated degradation of fish musculature 24-56h post-mortem (commonly referred to as \u2018soft flesh\u2019), negatively impacting product quality and the consumer experience. \r\n\r\nDue to a higher infection risk, commercial fishers receive lower prices for Kingfish and Mahi Mahi caught in northern NSW waters in comparison to those from cooler southern waters \u2013 impacting the economic return for commercial fishers.\r\n\r\nInfected fish show no external signs of disease, so infection cannot be identified visually. Current detection methods involve microscopy or polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which are time consuming, require expensive equipment\/trained personnel, and often result in the destruction of the fish, making them impractical for use by commercial fishers. There is a need for reliable, rapid, and cost-effective methods to identify fish infected with myxosporeans in situ and\/or when harvested.\r\n\r\nThis project will develop specific pathogen detection techniques using an isothermal reaction called recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and a lateral flow device (similar to a COVID-19 rapid test). This approach is transferrable to detection of pathogens in other aquaculture and fishing industries. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300503 Fish pests and diseases (30%)\r\n310407 Host-parasite interactions (30%)\r\n410304 Environmental biotechnology diagnostics (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri, Jessica Danaher, Lisa Dalton, Charles Brennen, Catherine Iposthopoulous","title":"A comprehensive clinical study of effect of dietary fibres in influencing general human wellness including gut health, energy metabolism, satiety and blood parameters","description":"It is well known that gut health governs a great deal of immune health and ultimately the sense of wellness, however treating a symptom with a medication alone may deny the opportunity to influence the root cause. A dysfunctional digestive system can lead to deficiencies of nutrient & mineral uptake or absorption, and the utilisation of complex fibres. Complex prebiotic fibres and insoluble fibres may provide avenues to functional products that contribute to delay a need for medicinal intervention or may provide support of the conventional medicine approaches. \r\nObjective  \r\nTo determine the impacts of a low dose (4 g \/day \u2013 2g twice daily) of virgin sugarcane based complex cell wall fibre supplement on wellness markers and microbiome for a general population.  \r\nApproach \r\n\u2022\tThis pilot study will investigate the effects of 12 weeks supplementation with fibre (2 g\/twice daily). Healthy adults (n = 40) will be recruited through a local medical practice with an attached nutrition clinic.  \r\n\u2022\tAssessment and sample collection to be carried out at T= -6 weeks, T = 0 weeks, T = 6 weeks, T = 12 weeks.\r\nMethods: \r\nParticipants will be assessed for all physiological. microbiome parameters alomg with health and wellbeing questionnaires\r\nTranslational value:\r\nThis study will provide much needed information about the health effects of dietary fibres which can be translated to products in additional to nutritional policy guidelines.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"90803"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Dayanthi Nugegoda, Vincent Pettigrove, Sara Long","title":"Developing novel toxicity tests and biomarkers for environmental pollutants","description":"Most chemicals approved for use in Australia are evaluated for their toxicity in the country of manufacture using Northern Hemisphere species. Many of these pesticides and industrial chemicals run off into local waterways affecting our native species. This project will evaluate the effects of environmental toxicants of concern on selected native freshwater, estuarine, and marine biota. Tests will be developed in the laboratory using OECD guidelines with Australian biota and results will contribute to the further revision of the Australian Water Quality Guideline. In addition, bioassays using biochemical and molecular techniques, including metabolomics and proteomics with native aquatic species will be developed and tested as biomarkers for evaluating the sublethal effects of these pollutants. Research will be conducted within the Aquatic Environmental Stress Research Group (AQUEST) laboratories on the Bundoora West Campus. School of Science at RMIT and\/or at the CSIRO Research Labs in Adelaide by arrangement with research collaborators of Professor Nugegoda. Local applicants should indicate which location is their preference.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410404\r\n410402\r\n410399"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Thilini Thrimawithana, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences","title":"The medicinal potentials of marine algae for health benefits","description":"The proposed research project is on the medicinal potentials of marine algae. Algae are simple chlorophyll-containing organisms that are ubiquitous and abundant in oceanic waters. Algae in general have numerous uses in multiple aspects such as biofuel, animal feed, food supplement, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is a sustainable resource with abundant availability, faster growth than terrestrial plants, require less land and nutrients. In Australia, there is an abundance of macroalgae on marine shores that are underutilised, which are often left to rot by the coastal shores. Marine macroalgae are generally safe and non-toxic to humans with bioactive compounds that promote health, including skin benefits. This project will be a development of previous research projects for critical analysis and upcycling of local macroalgae specifically health benefits including epidermal scarring, wound healing, anti-inflammation and anti-aging applications with value-added cosmeceutical end-products for commercialisation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300102 Agricultural Marine Biotechnology (50%)\r\n321405 Pharmaceutical Sciences (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri and Francesca Cavalieri","title":"DNA-free editing of plants: towards generation of stress-resistant plants","description":"Plants are sessile and face multiple biotic and abiotic stresses. These stresses severely affect crop yield and quality, thereby threatening global food security. Genetic improvement of plant stress resistance is essential for sustainable agriculture. Genome editing has been revolutionizing plant biology and biotechnology by enabling precise, targeted genome modifications. In this project CRISPR\/Cas9 mediated genome editing will be utilised to functionally validate and confer stress tolerance to commercially important agricultural crops. The main advantage of CRISPR\/Cas9 technology is its ease of use and low cost. Unlike ZFN and TALEN, which are dependent on protein engineering, synthesis and validation, here only the guide RNA needs to be designed. This single guide RNA (sgRNA) provides target-site specificity in CRISPR\/Cas9 system. Another advantage of CRISPR\/Cas9 system compared to the first-generation genome editing techniques is the ability of multiplex genome editing, i.e., targeting multiple genes using a single construct. Additionally, using the CRISPR\/Cas9 system transgene-free genome edited plants can be obtained in very few generations. Novel methods for delivery of the CRISPR\/Cas9 construct will be developed to enable accelerated generation of stress tolerant plants. The students will receive training in micropropagation, designing and delivery of CRISPR constructs as well as biochemical, molecular and physiological assays to characterise the edited plants.\nReferences\n1.        Nejat N, Rookes J, Mantri N, Cahill D (2016) Plant\u2013pathogen interactions: toward development of next-generation disease-resistant plants. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, DOI: 10.3109\/07388551.2015.1134437.\n2.        Badhan S, Ball AS, Mantri N (2021) First Report of CRISPR\/Cas9 Mediated DNA-Free Editing of 4CL and RVE7 Genes in Chickpea Protoplasts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22 (1), 396\n3.        Karmakar, S., Das, P., Panda, D., Xie, K., Baig, M. J., & Molla, K. A. (2022). A detailed landscape of CRISPR-Cas-mediated plant disease and pest management. Plant Science, 323, 111376.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"300105 Genetically modified field crops and pasture. 300409 Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"CRISPR-based field-deployable nano-diagnostics of biosecurity threats to Australia","description":"To retain Australia\u2019s unique biodiversity and geographical advantage, it is critical that our borders are protected from exotic pests and pathogens that may cause enormous losses to our agriculture industry and biodiversity. Accurate identification of such exotic species is an operational challenge due to the lack of highly sensitive and field-deployable methods for the rapid detection of such threats. \n\nOur team at RMIT\u2019s Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility is at the forefront of developing advanced nanosensor technologies to detect important target analytes. In collaboration with the Biosecurity Division of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), we are developing CRISPR-based diagnostics tools to accurately detect multiple plant viruses. Recent developments in nano-diagnostics and CRISPR technologies can enable accurate testing in the field.\nThis project will combine the strengths of CRISPR and nanotechnologies to develop a highly sensitive, field-deployable nano-biosensor diagnostic tool for the rapid, simple, low-cost, and accurate detection of multiple plant pathogens. \n\nThe PhD candidate will work at the interface of chemistry, molecular biology, agricultural sciences, and nanotechnology under the co-supervision of academic and industry partners to assist Australia in strengthening its sovereign capabilities. While most of the research will be performed at RMIT University, there will be internship opportunities to work at DAFF\u2019s Plant Innovation Centre (PIC) at its Quarantine facility.\nA suitable candidate should have a high motivation for research and any other relevant prior experience will be a bonus.\n\nRefer to our publications to get some idea about our research activities in this area: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2030","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (50%) ; 340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (25%) ; 340303 Nanochemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van","title":"Development of postbiotics for human health benefits","description":"Postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced by microorganisms during a fermentation process, such as microbial cells, cell constituents and metabolites. They can provide some advantage over probiotics such as avoiding the need of maintaining the microorganisms viable and stable in the products. Postbiotics is a new term in the \u2018-biotics\u2019 field therefore further study is needed to explore their application. In this project, a wide range of bacterial species, including strict anaerobic bacteria, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Bifidobacteria spp, will be isolated. Their fermentation components will be tested for their properties such as short chain fatty acid production, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, and their impact on Alzheimer\u2019s disease using tissue culture and then in a mouse model system. The use of postbiotics together with prebiotics to maximize health benefits will also be investigated. Within this project the candidate will learn various skills, including microbiology, immunology, tissue culture, animal work, next generation sequencing and bioinformatics. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/03\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310701 Bacteriology (50%) ; 420301 Aged heath care (40%) ; 310206 Sequence analysis (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van","title":"The effects of ingestion of eggshell membrane on healthy aging","description":"Eggs are an affordable source of high-quality protein and there is a rapidly growing domestic demand. Data from Australian Eggs shows that more than six billion eggs are produced in Australia every year. In addition to egg white and egg yolk, eggshell and eggshell membrane (ESM) have health benefits, but they are normally discarded as industrial waste, causing burdens on the environment and wasting a potentially valuable food source. ESM is rich in low digestible protein and might induce physiological responses similar to those induced by dietary fiber. However, its benefit has not been fully investigated. This project aims to evaluate the physiological impact of the ingestion of eggshell membrane on human health, especially in healthy aging. In vitro tissue culture assays and an in vivo mouse old age model will be used to assess the effect of ESM on the modulation of microbiota, metabolic health and immunomodulation. Within this project the candidate will learn various skills, including next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, microbiology, immunology, tissue culture, and animal work.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321002 Food properties (Food properties (incl. characteristics and health benefits)) (50%); 420301 Aged health care (30%); 310701 Bacteriology (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van","title":"Manipulating the gut microbiota for healthy aging","description":"Changes in gut microbiota during aging may result in health problems, but research on interventions to improve the elderly\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gut microbiota is scarce. The project aims to enhance our knowledge of the structure and function of the gut microbiota of long-lived people. The long term goal is to develop next generation probiotics that may promote healthy aging. In this project, the microbiota composition of the elderly will be investigated, and bacterial signatures of longevity will be identified. Bacteria with probiotic potential will then be isolated and their properties of persistence, immunomodulation, short chain fatty acids production, and their impact on Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disease will be assessed in a mouse model system. Within this project the candidate will learn various skills, including next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, microbiology, immunology, tissue culture, and animal work.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310701 Bacteriology (50%); 420301 Aged health care (30%); 310206 Sequence analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Akane Uesugi, Mark Osborn","title":"Bushfire and plant invasion: patters and mechanisms","description":"Bushfire is a major disturbance in Australian landscape, driving significant changes in the community structure of native vegetation and impacting native fauna. Although many native plant species relies on fire for regeneration, extensive bushfire could cause substantial loss of native biodiversity. Recovery of native vegetation may be further hindered by the invasion of alien plant species that outcompete native species. Since climate change is expected to increase fire frequency and intensity, understanding the patterns and mechanisms of post-fire weed invasion is imperative. This project aims to 1) quantify the level of post-fire weed invasions across Victorian woodlands and riparian forests3 that were impacted by 2019 bushfire, 2) identify environmental predictors that promote weed invasions, 3) monitor the impacts of invasion on native flora recovery, and 4) investigate the mechanisms of invasive spread, particularly through alteration of soil quality and changes in soil microbial communities. The Ph.D. student involved in this project will conduct field surveys and experiments, and molecular characterization of soil microbial communities in combination with multivariate data analysis. The student should have a strong background in ecology, including fieldwork.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"310302 Community Ecology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van, Rob Moore, Anna Walduck","title":"Investigation of the pathogenicity mechanisms of newly discovered Campylobacter pathogens","description":"Spotty Liver Disease (SLD) is a serious condition in poultry that can cause up to 15% mortality and a 20% reduction in egg production. The newly identified species Campylobacter hepaticus and Campylobacter bilis have been confirmed as the causes of SLD. Limited research has been done to understand the basis of virulence in these newly discovered pathogens.  This project will undertake fundamental research to understand the mechanisms of pathogenesis. Knowledge of key virulence factors may provide useful information for vaccine development.\r\n\r\nIn this project, bioinformatic analysis of the genomes of C. hepaticus, C. bilis, and their related species, C. jejuni, will be conducted to identify putative virulence factors. The role of these factors will be investigated by producing a panel of mutant strains and testing their virulence in organoid and tissue culture assays of bacterial invasion, as well as in the disease induction model for SLD in chickens. Site-directed mutagenesis for C. hepaticus and C. bilis will be developed using homologous recombination and\/or CRISPR approaches.\r\n\r\nWithin this project, the candidate will acquire skills in microbiology, bacterial genome editing, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, organoid and tissue culture, and animal work. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300304 - Animal protection (incl. pests and pathogens) (50%)\n310702 - Infectious agents (25%)\n300903 - Veterinary bacteriology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van, Mina Dokouhaki, Mahsa Majzoobi","title":"Valorisation of fermented food waste for sustainable bioproducts","description":"The global food industry generates a substantial amount of waste, which, if managed effectively, could become a rich source of bioactive compounds and valuable materials for sustainable product development. Fermented food waste, in particular, holds great potential for the recovery of bioactive peptides, polyphenols, fermentable sugars, and other high-value compounds. These residuals can be transformed into ingredients for functional foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other bioproducts, supporting both environmental sustainability and economic growth. \nThis project seeks to explore the valorisation of various types of fermented food waste, including vegetables, dairy products, bread. After the fermentation process, bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, will be isolated and characterised using advanced extraction techniques such as enzymatic hydrolysis, membrane filtration, and ultrasonication. In addition to bioactive recovery, the project will evaluate the potential of these food wastes for bioproduct synthesis, such as bioethanol and organic acids, using fermentation and biorefinery processes. The extracted compounds will be integrated into functional food formulations, contributing to the development of new products aimed at improving public health. \nThe project will utilise world-class analytical techniques, including HPLC, NMR, and UV spectrophotometry, to identify and characterise the extracted compounds. The candidate will have the opportunity to work with advanced technologies in both the food and biotechnology fields.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310603 Fermentation (20%); 310602 Bioprocessing (%20);  300602 Food Chemistry (30%);  300606 Food Sustainability (30%).\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Peter Torley, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Production of novel functional ingredients from low-value food processing waste stream","description":"Food wastage is a critical global challenge that threatens food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability, leading to resource depletion and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Agri-food processing wastes, which are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, present a valuable opportunity for reintegration into the value chain, aligning with the principles of a zero-waste circular economy. This research aims to explore the application of novel technologies for the valorization of low-value food processing waste from various streams, transforming them into high-value applications. The study will focus on optimizing ingredient formulations by incorporating various processing variables such as pH and temperature. Additionally, it will assess the effects of these techniques on the physicochemical, structural and functional properties. The research will also investigate the potential applications of the developed novel functional ingredients that can be utilised in food formulation. By addressing these aspects, this research aims to contribute to sustainable food production systems, reduce food waste, and create novel, high-value food ingredients through the novel energy efficient technologies and food waste valorization strategies.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 - Food Chemistry (30%) 300606 - Food Sustainability (30%) 300607 Food Technology (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Harsharn Gill","title":"Enhancing Hybrid Yoghurt: Dairy and Plant-Based Blend Impacts on Physicochemical Characteristics, Probiotic Viability and Functionality, and Microbiota Composition","description":"This study aims to investigate the impact of blending dairy milk with plant-based alternatives such as soy, lupin, potato, chickpea, and pigeon pea milk on yoghurt's nutritional and functional properties. Additionally, the potential impact of microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) on the physicochemical, textural, and sensory properties of hybrid yoghurt will be explored. Specifically, the study will examine how varying levels of plant-based milk incorporation alongside cow milk influence probiotic survivability, functionality, and flavor compounds within the hybrid yoghurt. Furthermore, changes in oral and gut microbiota post-consumption will be analyzed. Through comprehensive analysis and experimentation, this research seeks to provide valuable insights into developing hybrid yoghurt formulations that promote sustainability and health in the dairy industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science (50%)\r\n300607 Food Technology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stacey Foong Yong, Peter Torley, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Developing nutritional and quality shelf-stable ready-to-eat meals using retort pouch system","description":"Sustainable safe food supply and the demand for ready-to-eat meal has been growing strong in Australia and world-wide over the past few years. In Australia, the ready-eat-meal is expected an annual increase 0.1% over the next 5 years from 2024-2029, to $1.6 billion (https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\/au\/industry\/prepared-meals-production\/5478\/). The hectic work schedules and busy lifestyles, people nowadays prefer time efficiency in food preparation and sustainable food preparation. The demand has created research into developing new food technologies, new food ingredients, new food formulations, new agricultural techniques, and coupling with effective food safety quality management system to produce sustainable supply of safe ready-to-eat meals. In this project, the retort pouch technology and efficiency in food ingredients will be studied to produce nutritional, safe and quality ready-to-eat meals for sustainable food supply. The retort system, which is also described as commercial sterility, operates at high temperature and high pressure to inactivate microorganisms inclusive of spore formers that preserve food products for an average of 2 years of stability of shelf-life. Food product is packed in a retort pouch which is thermal stable and forming an excellent protection barrier from exposing food to air, light and moisture that accelerate food spoilage, and hence food waste reduction. Furthermore, retort pouch provides flexibility in portion control also assist in food waste reduction. The convenience of storage at room temperature, transportation and no food preparation requirement have gained its popularity among consumers and food supply chain system. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology\/food processing (40%)\r\n300606 Food sustainability\/Food packaging, Preservation, Safety(30%)\r\n300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science (30%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jayani Chandrapala, Tuyen Truong, Benu Adhikari","title":"Functionality Modification of Milk and Milk Products from Various Mammal Species","description":"Milk from various sources, including cows, camels, goats, sheep, and buffaloes, undergoes processing to mitigate potential risks associated with harmful microbial contaminants and enzymes. This processing is crucial for extending the shelf-life of milk while ensuring its safety and stability. Additionally, milk processing serves to produce secondary dairy products with a pleasing taste.\r\nAmong the prominent techniques used in dairy processing, heat treatment plays a central role. This method involves several unit operations, including the use of flow-through pumps and piping, heat exchange in heat exchangers, and homogenization. The application of these techniques induces various physicochemical alterations in milk. Interestingly, the impact of mechanical forces associated with heat treatment, particularly shear forces, is not extensively understood, even though milk is subjected to such forces during significant unit operations in commercial milk processing, like pumping, stirring, and homogenization. These shear forces exerted on protein molecules can disrupt their native structure, leading to unfolding, denaturation, and subsequent aggregation.\r\nThis research project aims to investigate the behaviour and structural modifications of native milk proteins in raw milk under various temperature and shear conditions that mimic common industrial applications. Shear forces will be generated using methods like Ultra-Turrax, Micro-Fluidization, High-Pressure Homogenization, and Ultrasound. The treated samples will be meticulously analysed through techniques such as Zeta sizer, Master sizer, Reverse Phase HPLC, Rheometer, FTIR, and Native and SDS PAGE.\r\nFurthermore, this study will assess the suitability of these treated samples under varying shear and temperature conditions for the production of secondary dairy products, including yoghurts, cheese, and dairy beverages with\/without the addition of functional ingredients.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 - Food Chemistry (30%)\r\n300606 - Food Sustainability (30%)\r\n300607 Food Technology (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri, Mahsa Mazjoobi, Asgar Farhanaky, Rohan Shah (SHBS)","title":"Dietary Fibres and their role in targeted human health applications","description":"Dietary fibres are complex carbohydrates that are found in plant-based foods and are not digested by enzymes in the human gut. They reach the colon where they are fermented by the gut microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. The fermentation of dietary fibres by the gut microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are important for maintaining the health of the colon in addition to Regulating the immune system, Helping to prevent inflammation and chronic diseases such as colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, Controlling appetite and metabolism, Improving gut barrier function, Supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is important to note that not all fibres have the same effects. For example, soluble fibres are more likely to be fermented by the gut microbiome, while insoluble fibres tend to pass through the gut unchanged. Additionally, different fibres may have different effects on the gut microbiome and its metabolites. In this PhD project, we propose to analyse different types of dietary fibres in terms of their solubility, chemical structures, physiological, enzymological differences, microbiome changes and relate to how each of these characteristics affect human health. This study will employ methods such as human tissue and organoid cultures, animal models, with a potential aim to conduct human clinical trial to investigate the effect of dietary fibres on human health. The proposal will result in exclusive dietary fibres targeted at specific human health conditions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300699: Food sciences not elsewhere classified\r\n321002: Food properties (incl. characteristics and health benefits)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Sylvia Urban, Ravi Shukla","title":"Extraction, identification and application of the major phytochemicals from the native Australian Quandong (Santalum acuminatum)","description":"The aim of this PhD research is to investigate the health promoting benefits and applications of the native Australian Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) fruit and seeds. The Quandong fruit and seeds have been traditionally used by Indigenous communities in Australia for various medicinal (Sakulnarmrat et al., 2014) and nutritional (Richmond et al., 2019) purposes. Quandong is a rich source of phenolic antioxidants which boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and protect against a number of diseases. The kernel contains a range of complex oils, which are recognised for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. This PhD study will adopt a multidisciplinary approach to determine the nature of the phytochemicals present within various parts (fruit and kernel) of the Quandong. This will include developing and optimising protocols for their extraction and assessing their health promoting potential. The major compounds will be evaluated for their bioactivity including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anticancer and\/or anti-aging (cytoprotective) assays. The storage stability of the most potent bioactive compounds be assessed and technologies for improving their stability will be developed. \r\n2.\tObjectives\r\nThe research proposal aims to achieve the following objectives:\r\n\u2022 Conduct a comprehensive review of the literature relevant to the topic (including chemistry and uses of the plant components)\r\n\u2022 Determine the phytochemical composition of both the fruit and seeds via application of extraction and fractionation methodologies followed by characterization using HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS and (NMR) spectroscopy to deduce structures.\r\n\u2022 Identify and assess the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, cytoprotective) properties of the (fruit and seeds) extracts through in vitro and in cell-line experiments.\r\n\u2022 Optimise the process of extraction of the most potent compounds and assess the storage activity; undertake stabilization\/microencapsulation if required.\r\n3. Methodology\r\nThe research will employ a combination of experimental and analytical techniques:\r\n\u2022 Collect representative quandong fruit and seed samples.\r\n\u2022 Determine the nature of the phytochemicals and their concentration using various analytical techniques (HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, and NMR).\r\n\u2022 Evaluate antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of the major and most potent phytochemicals identified including in crude extracts and enriched fractions.\r\n\u2022 Elucidate molecular mechanisms of action explaining for above-mentioned activities.\r\n\u2022 Develop\/optimise protocol to extract the identified (major) phytochemicals determine their storage stability and if there is a need to stabilise these. Develop stabilisation (e.g., microencapsulation technologies) if needed.\r\n4.Expected Outcomes\r\nThis research is anticipates generating several outcomes:\r\n\u2022  A comprehensive understanding of the phytochemical composition of the native Australian Quandong including the identification of key bioactive compounds.\r\n\u2022 Gain insights into health-promoting activities of major constituents of the Quandong fruit\/kernel.\r\n\u2022 Gain insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of identified (major) bioactive compounds.\r\n 5. Significance and impact\r\nThe outcomes of this research will contribute to the scientific knowledge surrounding the unique Australian native plant Quandong, including their fruit and seeds. The findings may lead to identification and utilisation of new heath promoting phytochemicals which could be used in functional foods, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.\r\nReferences\r\nSakulnarmrat, K., Srzednicki, G., Konczak, I. (2014). Composition and inhibitory activities towards digestive enzymes of polyphenolic-rich fractions of Davidson's plum and quandong. LWT, 57(1): 366\u201337.\r\nRichmond, R., Bowyer, M., and Vuong, Q. (2019). Australian native fruits: Potential uses as functional food ingredients. Journal of Functional Foods, 62, Article number 103547.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"450602\tAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander biological sciences (30)\r\n300606\tFood sustainability (30%)\r\n310101\tAnalytical biochemistry (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Protein interactions in UHT\/HPP processed plant protein systems","description":"Protein interactions in UHT\/HPP processed plant protein systems in relation to glass\ntransition temperature and effects on functionality the student will treat select high\nprotein grain and legume protein systems with temperature and high pressure to\nunderstand the protein interactions at the molecular level. Fundamental\nphysicochemical properties describing functional consequence of such interactions\n(e.g. glass transition temperatures) will be linked with structural and chemical\nchanges at molecular level and implications at larger time and distance scale will be\npredicted. Outcome: The science based models predicting attainable food quality\nattributes will lead to new plant based foods with desired taste and texture attributes","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication; Biomedical and Health Innovation;Advanced Materials","forcodes":"090801 Food Chemistry and Molecular Gastronomy (excl. Wine) (60%)\n090805 Food Processing (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Aroma development in plant protein based vegetarian foods","description":"Ultra-high temperature (UHT) processed liquid breakfast beverages represent a growth area in the convenience product category, which is an expanding market for plant protein based formulations. Plant proteins contain significant amounts of anti-oxidative vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fats assisting in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. They also have a relatively low environmental impact and cost when compared to more commonly used dairy proteins. However, consumer acceptance has been one of the biggest challenges for plant protein formulations, as they are linked with producing undesirable flavours. \r\nIt is unlikely that the off flavour that is observed in plant based food systems is an issue that is intrinsic to the proteins themselves. But rather, commercially available plant protein isolates  may have polar lipids bound to the proteins that are not removed by traditional solvent defatting. These lipids may then be oxidised during processing and subsequent storage of the foods, leading to the development of malodorous compounds, including; aldehydes, alkenes, and furan derivatives. Volatile development in plant based beverages will be monitored using headspace SPME fibre extraction in combination with GC\/MS and correlated with sensory analysis. The removal of bound polar lipids will be attempted via novel filtration and complexation techniques, with the effectiveness of the treatment evaluated immediately following production as well as over the shelf life of the beverage. Innovation along these lines will provide the Australian food industry valuable tools to extend the acceptable shelf life of their long-life UHT beverages.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%)\r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Binding of non-catalytic dietary fibre substrates to digestive enzymes","description":"This project aims to characterise potential interactions between dietary fibres and digestive enzymes with a view to understanding how interactions of non-catalytic dietary fibre substrates with digestive enzymes can slow down the digestion of energy-dense carbohydrates and other macro-nutrients. The project expects to generate new knowledge to select the type and quality of dietary fibre needed to achieve predetermined digestive characteristics in foods. This would provide significant nutritional benefits to general consumers and technological solutions to the Australian food processing industry.\r\nThe inhibition of enzymes with pharmaceutical drugs is a common approach for retarding the digestion of foods, however, this is not a preventive or holistic approach. It is well known that diet-based strategies to control intestinal enzymes' activity, such as the consumption of adequate levels of dietary fibre are effective at reducing the speed at which digestion occurs. The commonly held view is that the mechanism behind this is the increased viscosity of digestive fluid caused by soluble dietary fibre, which then impedes the kinetics of enzymatic transport and digestion. However, there is also evidence to suggest that interactions between dietary fibres and digestive enzymes also play a role in reducing their catalytic activity. \r\nAs such, dietary fibres dual effect of increasing digestive fluid viscosity and enzymatic inhibition via non-catalytic binding will be deconvoluted to give the Australian food industry enhanced formulation strategies to attenuate the rate of digestion of healthful and nutritious foods.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%)\r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low,  Charles Brennan, Gail Iles, James Collett (Health and Biomedical Sciences) ","title":"GRAVITASTE: Ecologically Valid Microgravity Analog for Food in Space ","description":"The current project seeks to advance sensory science by adopting an interdisciplinary, biopsychosocial approach to explore and address the unique challenges of human food consumption and perception in microgravity environments, such as those experienced during space exploration. By incorporating knowledge from biology, psychology, and social sciences, this project aims to improve astronaut well-being and facilitate the success of long-duration space missions.\r\n\r\nA primary objective is to develop a versatile and ecologically valid microgravity analogue that simulates the sensory experiences and environmental conditions related to eating in space. This analogue will serve as a platform for examining the impact of microgravity on taste, smell, texture perception, and overall food experience, as well as the interplay between these factors and various biometric indicators.\r\n\r\nThe project will utilise cutting-edge technologies, including virtual reality (VR)\/immersive screens and advanced sensory methods, to establish a highly immersive and realistic simulation of microgravity environments. We are seeking students with an interest in sensory science methodologies, perception sciences, and the application of understanding needs in microgravity environments.\r\n\r\nThe research team (up to 3 supervisors) will be assembled based on individual project requirements and discussions. This interdisciplinary team will bring together diverse perspectives and expertise, fostering innovation and contributing to the project's overall success.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"399602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science  50%\n510999 Space sciences not elsewhere classified 25%\n520108 Testing, assessement and psychometrics 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232 \/ MR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mahsa Majzoobi","title":"Microgreens processing for the production of emerging future foods","description":"Due to the shortcomings of animal products as a source of protein and bioactive compounds, there is a growing demand for novel, economical, environmentally-friendly, and easy to grow plant alternatives. Microgreens are exotic genre of edible plants which have gained popularity over the last decade. They are immature plants from herbs, vegetables, grains and flowers which contain substantially higher nutritional value than their mature plants with unique capacity to expand sustainable food production systems, help manage global climate changes and great potential to offer a viable and practical solution to fulfill the requirements of a healthy diet. However, their major technical issues including short shelf-life, low yield, high market price, and lack of large-scale food applications are yet to be solved. The main aim of this project is to reveal the nutritional value, bioactive compounds and food applications of microgreens as a new source of premium quality food to support public health, increase commercialisation and add-value to Australian plant products. Innovative and industrially-friendly food processing techniques such as ultrasonic treatments, high-pressure homogenization, pulsed electric field and their combination will be applied to obtain stabilised forms of bioactive compounds which will further be used in the development of new functional foods via various encapsulation routes. A wide range of world-class laboratory techniques including HPLC, UV spectrophotometry, FTIR, CD and NMR will be used to identify and characterise proteins and bioactive compounds of microgreens. This project will be done in collaboration with famous food and microgreen manufacturers in Victoria.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology (30%)\r\n300606 Food Sustainability (20%) \r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (20%) \r\n340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds (30%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Stimuli responsive on-off switching in bioactive-compound release from natural polymers","description":"The rate of bioactive compound diffusion, including vitamins, essential fatty acids and pharmacotherapeutics like peptides in glassy biomaterials is of considerable interest in the food and nutraceutical manufacture, and several theoretical models have been employed in relation to a predictive approach. Literature shows that the structure of biopolymer matrices (mainly protein or polysaccharide) is critical in the diffusion of bioactive components. Therefore, this PhD project would aim to characterise the thermomechanical behaviour of polymeric matrices in relation to their glass transition temperature (Tg). Among the predictive models of structural relaxation, the free volume theory of diffusion will be considered to treat transport phenomena within glassy polymers. Natural polymer matrices employed in the sustained release of bioactivity are water swellable in response to the changing physicochemical environment of the human gastrointestinal tract and swelling phenomena will be evaluated in relation to the molecular transport of bioactive compounds. Naturally occurring proteins or polysaccharides are nutritionally advantageous over the laboratory synthesized counterparts and offer avenues of sustained\/targeted release in response to changing acidity or saline environment. Their desirable and extensive swelling index for formulation design is accompanied by biocompatibility and biodegradability due to the ability to hold extremely high levels of water unlike their synthetic analogues. The aim of this PhD project, therefore, is to understand the diffusion mechanism controlling bioactive compound release from natural formulations of industrial interest in stationary and swellable boundaries that simulate gastrointestinal fluids for immediate application to formulations of industrial interest.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%)\r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development and characterisation of dairy mimetic products using algal protein","description":"This project will first determine the digestibility protein obtained from australian algal biomass implementing DIAAS method. In vitro method will be preferably followed. The project will formulate dairy mimetic products using algal protein as the sole protein source and using other common ingredients that are likely used in future food products.\nThe formulation protocol will consider both physicochemical stability, and sensory appeal.\nThe characterisation of sensory properties will involve standard hedonic sensory test. The descriptive tests will be carried out at Bega\u2019s sensory facility using trained panel. Commercially available plant-protein based dairy mimetic products will be used for comparison.\nThe technofunctional properties such as texture, consistency (viscosity), acid and temperature-induced gelling, water holding capacities will be determined and used to optimise the formulation as mentioned above. These parameters will also be used to optimise the process parameters involved including homogenisation, pasteurisation.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/12\/2022","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (40%) ; 300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (40%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Extraction and characterisation of protein from Australian algal biomass","description":"This PhD project will focus on optimisation of algal protein extraction process followed by characterisation of the extracted protein, specifically for Australian algal biomass. It will involve optimisation of extraction protocol to produce protein mass with protein content of >80%, w\/w target using three protein-rich algal species readily available in Australia. Dried algal biomass will be obtained through the funding company. Achieving >80 % (w\/w) protein content in extracted protein mass is challenging as currently reported protein content extracted from algal biomass, on average, is <70% (w\/w). Low protein content in algal proteins reported in literature is due to covalent conjugation of other non-protein compounds and pigments. Removing algal oil to a lowest possible level will be considred to minimse th fishy flavour. Removal of pigment from algal biomass will also receive important consideration. Once the proteins are extracted, the protein mass will be converted into powder. This dried protein mass will be used to determine the most important functional properties such as solubility in water, dispersibility (ability to rehydrate), gelling, emulsification, foaming and thermal stability. These properties are the most important for using these proteins as ingredients. Commercially available whey protein isolate (WPI) and soy protein isolate (SPI) will be used compare algal protein\u2019s technofuctional properties.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"04\/07\/2022","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (40%) ; 300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (40%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"MR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Functional Native Australian Fruit-based Food Ingredients via Fermentation","description":"The global demand for high quality functional natural ingredients opens great opportunities to use Australian native fruits as a rich source of nutrients and functional ingredients. At present, most of the Australian native fruits such as bush tomato,\u202fDavidson's plum, desert lime, finger lime, Kakadu plum, lemon aspen,\u202fmuntries,\u202fquandong, Tasmanian pepper berry, and Illawarra plum are traditionally eaten raw or are commonly processed into jams or preserves. They are a rich source of antioxidants with a mixture of lipophilic and hydrophilic molecules and phenolic compounds such as phenolic secondary metabolites, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and pro-anthocyanidins. At present, there are limited applications of powders obtained from these native fruits within the food and cosmetic products. However, the native food industry is still challenged in delivering native foods to the wider market. Incorporating fruit products into formulations presents significant challenges and may result in undesired rheological or physical effects in the end products. Isolating and extracting the nutritive and bioactive ingredients from native fruits could prevent these undesirable qualities by eliminating unnecessary components. Processing technologies that enable conversion to microbially safe and stable functional food and beverage ingredients whilst enhancing their unique flavours will greatly add value to these produces allowing increased distribution. A promising technology in this regard is fermentation, which enables stabilisation and conversion of horticultural produce into value added products with differentiated functional, nutritional and organoleptic attributes. This project is aimed at developing suitable fermentation processes for the stabilisation and conversion of selected native fruits into functional beverages and beverage ingredients enriched with antioxidant metabolites.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/03\/2022","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living;","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry - 60%\r300607 Food Technology - 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low, Marcel Takac (Health and Biomedical Sciences) The project will include external collaborators from Deakin University. ","title":"COSMIC-CUISINE: Supporting Astronaut Wellbeing with Multisensory XR in Isolated Environments","description":"This project aims to develop digital solutions that support the wellbeing of astronauts during long-duration space missions and in Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments on Earth. By creating meaningful, heritage-based, multisensory Extended Reality (XR) experiences, the project seeks to enhance quality of life during social isolation. It will focus on understanding sensory perception, emotional responses, and appetite responses in these environments.\r\n\r\nThe interdisciplinary approach, involving museums, heritage, and engineers, forms the core innovation of the project. The project will explore what is meaningful for Australian and different cultural communities as part of the \"Space is for Everyone\" initiative, emphasising the importance of diversity in the space sector. As the space industry grows, it is crucial to develop multifunctional wellbeing solutions to reduce health risks and aid crew members during long-duration missions.\r\n\r\nThe project's potential benefits include a better understanding of how immersive heritage experiences can support astronaut health and wellbeing, with potential applications for Earth-based isolated environments. This research aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 \u2013 Good Health and Well-being, and may benefit hospitals, asylums, retirement villages, prisons, and remote workplaces. By focusing on diverse cultural backgrounds, the project also promotes inclusivity and accessibility in the space industry. The project will include external collaboration and an interdisciplinary team. The research team (up to 3 supervisors) will be formed based on discussion of individual projects based on needs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science 25%\r\n299592 Food Nutritional Balance 20%\r\n520406 Sensory processes, perception and performance 25%\r\n430208 Intangible heritage 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri, Prof Charles Brennan, Prof Benu Adhikari, Dr Thi Thu Hao Van, Prof Catherine Ipothopolous","title":"They are what we eat: Dietary Fibres, Gut Health and the Microbiome","description":"Dietary fibres are complex carbohydrates that are found in plant-based foods and are not digested by enzymes in the human gut. They reach the colon where they are fermented by the gut microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. The fermentation of dietary fibres by the gut microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are important for maintaining the health of the colon in addition to Regulating the immune system, Helping to prevent inflammation and chronic diseases such as colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, Controlling appetite and metabolism, Improving gut barrier function, Supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is important to note that not all fibres have the same effects. For example, soluble fibres are more likely to be fermented by the gut microbiome, while insoluble fibres tend to pass through the gut unchanged. Additionally, different fibres may have different effects on the gut microbiome and its metabolites. In this PhD project, we propose to analyse different types of dietary fibres in terms of their solubility, chemical structures, physiological, enzymological differences, microbiome changes and relate to how each of these characteristics affect human health. This study will employ methods such as human tissue and organoid cultures, animal models, with a potential aim to conduct human clinical trial to investigate the effect of dietary fibres on human health. The proposal will result in exclusive dietary fibres targeted at specific human health conditions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300603\n300607\n320803\n321001\n321002\n321004"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development of responsive food structures through 3D\/4D printing of edible materials","description":"Three-dimensional (3D) printing of food has gained a considerable interest over the last decade. It is an additive manufacturing technique based on layer-by-layer deposition of edible materials to create unique geometry shapes [1]. The main printing techniques applied in food include extrusion-based, inkjet, binder jetting and selective sintering. In fact, 3D food printing is not a substitute for the conventional manufacturing of food in the current state of this technology. Currently, 3D food printing can find broad applications in the area of customised foods such as the production of food for military purpose, customised meals for people suffered from allergies, dysphagia, and nutrition intolerances. Three main aspects, e.g. properties of edible materials, printing process parameters and post-processing techniques, need to be considered when designing a 3D food structure [2]. Four-dimensional (4D) printing is a novel concept in which the 3D printing objects can change either shape, functionality or property if they are induced by external stimuli over time after printing. The main application of 4D can be the production of smart materials and biomaterials [3]. From the food perspective, there are many external stimuli that food undergoes during processing and storage, such as pH, temperature, time, and humidity. Food can also come into contact with ultraviolet light, electric current, magnetic field in the form of non-thermal food processing and preservation methods. Therefore, it is essential to understand the influence of process parameters and external stimuli on the properties of food materials that can be a choice of \u201cedible ink\u201d for 3D food printing. This project aims to develop a formulation of responsive 3D food structure that can be triggered by common stimuli in food such as pH variation and heat. The outcome of this project can lead to a pathway for 4D printing of food, which has great potential in the delivery of nutraceuticals and active drug compounds. References\n[1] Godoi, F.C., Prakash, S. & Bhandari, B. (2016) 3D printing technologies applied for food design: Status and prospects. Journal of Food Engineering, 179, 44-54\n[2] Le-Bail, A., Maniglia, B. C. & Le-Bail, P. (2020) Recent advances and future perspective in additive manufacturing of foods based on 3D printing. Current Opinion in Food Science, 35, 54-54\n[3] Momeni, F., Hassani, M., Liu, X., & Ni, J. (2017) Materials & Design, 122, 42-79","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400405 Food engineering (50%)\n300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Asgar Farahnaky, Benu Adhikari, Raj Eri ","title":"Reactive extrusion: preparation of nanocellulose using green technologies for food applications","description":"Cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on earth, and its derivatives, are being used in various fields including food formulation for a wide range of functionalities such as suspending, viscosifying, gelling, adhesiveness and film formation.\r\nIn all these applications, the particles size distribution of cellulose is critical aspect that determines its functionality. Hence, preparation of well-defined cellulose particles and powders using resource efficient processes is of prime importance. \r\nDue to consumer trends, food processors are moving towards using foods ingredients manufactured with greener technologies and less hazardous chemicals. This project aims to investigate the use of GRAS (generally recognised as safe) food ingredients for modifying and creating nano cellulose. This project will examine the use of reactive extrusion processing in combination with GRAS materials for preparation of nano cellulose streams. Process condition-structure-function relationships will be studied to develop an experimental model to guide produce nano cellulose of known particle size. Extrusion conditions such as temperature, screw speed, cellulose source, and the reactive materials (type and concentration) will be investigated. \r\nFor structure-function relationships, advanced analytical techniques such FTIR, X-Ray, DSC, Rheometery, NMR relaxation and electron and atomic force microscopy will be used.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%) Food Processing (50%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri","title":"Processing of carrot waste into wet functional fibre and nutrient concentrates for addition to foods and beverages","description":"Carrot processing waste problem\r\nAround 25-30%  of carrots or >27,000 tonnes p.a. are wasted as whole vegetable primarily because they do not meet supermarket appearance specifications (Pablo et al 2019).  However, carrot (Daucus carota) is also extensively processed into juice as it is recognised health drink containing a good source of beta carotene (Vitamin A), several Vit B\u2019s, fibre, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants as well as being a source of lutein (eye health), lycophene (heart health).  While drying produces excellent powder it adds cost, it can damage fibre hydration\/water holding capacity, and still has a sedimentation problem limiting its application back into juice. Carrot juice has high export value to Asian countries like Japan. Processing either the whole carrot to a juice, or capturing better value from the pulp fibre fraction, will add to the profitability of the industry and enhance sustainability. \r\nResearch needs\r\nThe unique chemical-free, wet extraction method, developed by Perth-based Whole Green Foods with its proprietary WINXTM  (Whole Ingredient Nutrient Extraction) technology \u2013 can make whole juice products where the insoluble fibre component does not sediment in the juice. \r\nOur Proposal \r\n\u2022\tCharacterise the physical, and food functional changes of carrot pulp fibre as a result of the WINXTM Process and subsequent wet and dry storage. \r\n\u2022\tCharacterise changes in the WINXTM fibre properties from sterilisation process options (e.g. heat v   dimethyl dicarbonate cold sterilisation)  to identify options that avoid the necessity to dry the product to a powder.\r\n\u2022\tMeasure the impact of the WINXTM process on digestibility using in vitro and fermentation\/gut health in a mouse model, leading to later human health studies. \r\n\u2022\tMeasure the sensory impacts of WINXTM product processing and storage. \r\n\u2022\tAssess functional application benefits of WINXTM carrot fibre wet concentrate as a food additive such as in meat or plant based meat products","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"090803\r\n090801"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Asgar Farahnaky, Peter Torley ","title":"Innovative functional\/health promoting food ingredients from plant protein manufacturing and food processing by-products","description":"Over the last few years due to industry and consumer demands, global plant protein production has increased rapidly, and it is projected to grow even further over the next decade. Plant protein production has a strong focus on pulses that contain large quantities of non-protein components such as starch and fibre and only about a third of their mass is pure protein. Therefore, large quantities of non-protein waste containing high value functional compounds is generated during plant protein manufacturing. Due to high global demand for plant proteins, it is expected that Australia will be aiming for transforming most of its locally produced pulses and the generated waste needs to be managed to stop food waste and minimise other negative environmental impacts.\r\nThis industry focus and applied project aims to investigate transformation of waste streams of plant protein production and other food processing by products using innovative approaches\/techniques in particular emerging green and chemical free technologies. It employs advanced processes along with latest analytical techniques to create and investigate novel food ingredients. \r\nThis project will have a strong focus on structure-function relationships of biopolymers and other functional compounds and create high value functional ingredients from by-products of plant manufacturing processes.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%) Food Processing (20%) Food Sustainability (30%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low, Jayani Chandrapala, Lisa Newman, Tuyen Truong, Arianna Dick\nand Charles Brennan\n","title":"SPACEBITES: Sensory Nutrition and Food Technology for Space Exploration","description":"As humanity ventures into the realm of space exploration, the importance of sustainable and nutritious food sources that cater to astronauts' sensory preferences becomes paramount. This interdisciplinary PhD project offers the opportunity for candidates to focus on either sensory nutrition or sensory food technology within the broader context of space exploration. \n\nFor sensory nutrition, the project will begin by examining sensory taste sensitivity and nutritional intake in different microgravity analog environments. The PhD will focus on comprehensive research on the human taste\/smell system and sensory dysfunctionality and adaptations in different eating environments. The understanding of nutritional intake such as appetite measures will aim to help develop nutritionally balanced and sensorially satisfying food products. \n\nAlternatively, candidates choosing to focus on sensory food technology will explore innovative methods for food production suitable for space requirements, including but not limited to developing technologies in food 3D\/4D printing. The research will involve understanding the physicochemical properties of different food ingredients, as well as the constraints and opportunities associated with different food technologies. \n\nUpon identifying their chosen focus, candidates will be supported by a research team of up to three supervisors, assembled based on individual project requirements and discussions. The outcomes of this project will contribute significantly to the advancement of food technology for space exploration, enhancing the health and wellbeing of astronauts on extended missions. The outcomes can also be applied for broader implications of other sensory dysfunctionality requirements such as addressing food development needs for smell dysfunctionality, older adults, etc.  \n","sdg":"2 - Zero Hunger, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing , 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology 35%\n300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science 35%\n321004 Nutritional Science 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low, Peter Torley, Tuyen Truong (RMIT Vietnam)\nand Yunis Khatri (RMIT Vietnam) \n","title":"Understanding sensory and consumer preferences for Australian and Vietnamese consumers ","description":"gained popularity in Australia in recent years, creating a demand for understanding Australian consumer preferences. To address this need, this research project aims to investigate and ","sdg":"2 - Zero Hunger, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300601 Beverage chemistry and beverage sensory science 35%\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science 35%\n350601 Consumer behaviour 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Lisa Newman, Julia Low and Jessica Danaher \n","title":"Enhancing Acceptance of Sustainable Foods in Preschoolers Through Sensory Play","description":"This PhD proposal explores the potential of sensory play (nutrition education), sensory science, and elements of food technology, such as 3D food printing, in enhancing the acceptance of novel sustainable foods among preschool-aged children. With the growing global population and the need for sustainable diets to reduce environmental impact, introducing sustainable foods to children is crucial. However, children are often unwilling to try new foods, and their food choices are influenced by their likes\/dislikes, knowledge, and skills, as well as their parents, caregivers, and preschool educators.\n\nThe project aims to develop and implement a multi-level intervention inspired by the socio-ecological model, targeting children, parents, and educators to improve the acceptance of sustainable foods. Sensory play, an approach that stimulates children's senses, will be used to familiarise children with sustainable foods and assess its influence on their willingness to try these foods. Parents and educators will receive education on the importance of sustainable diets and its potential impact on their acceptance of novel sustainable foods.\n\nBy incorporating sensory science and food technology, the project seeks to identify innovative ways to make sustainable foods more appealing and engaging for children, potentially increasing their willingness to accept and consume such foods. Ultimately, this research may contribute to developing scalable interventions that promote healthier and more sustainable eating habits in children, benefiting both individual health and the environment.\n","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 2 - Zero Hunger, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 4 - Quality Education","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300602  Food chemistry and food sensory science 35%\n300606  Food sustainability 30%\n321004 Nutritional science 35%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Comparative study of low temperature spray drying of plant and dairy proteins, and their hybrids ","description":"Milk proteins (caseins, whey proteins) are industrially produced and exported ingredients of Australian dairy industry. They are used in vast array of dairy products such as re-constituted milk, yoghurt, ice creams, biscuits, and other confectionary products.\n\nHowever, consumers are increasingly seeking proteins from plant and even algal sources primarily driven from the sustainability angle. Despite high nutritional value and high digestibility (DIAAS > 100) of diary proteins, their resource hungry nature and high cost associated with their production is increasingly coming into question. Currently, Proteins from a vast array of plants are also extracted and converted into powder form. Currently, high temperature spray drying (inlet temperature of 180-200 Celsius and outlet temperature of 80-90 Celsius) is commonly used to convert both dairy and plant proteins into powder form. Such temperatures are expected to negatively impact the native structure and ultimate function (e.g., solubility, emulsifying and encapsulating) of proteins.\n\nIn principle, freeze drying can be readily used to produce dairy and plant protein powders. However, freeze drying is a batch process, even in industrial scale, and has much higher operational and production time related cost. This is the reason, freeze drying is rarely used in food industry to produce protein powders.\n\nLow temperature spray drying, whereby higher-end temperature is confined to 50-60 Celsius, is emerging as an important alternative of producing high-quality protein powders. This technology can avoid the disadvantages of high temperature spray drying and freeze-drying processes mentioned above. It can be hypothesized that the protein powders produced from this technology will have desirable functional properties.\n\nIn the above context, this project aims to use PolarDryingTM technology that is now commercially available to be applied in to produce high value proteins to test its effectiveness in producing milk, plant and their hybrid proteins. It also aims to use commercially available low temperature spray dryer which combines the capabilities of dehumidifier and an interloop. The idea of drying hybrid proteins stems from the fact that it would be possible to produce hybrid proteins in the future. These hybrid proteins are expected to inherit the nutritionally wholesomeness of milk proteins and sustainability and low cost of plant proteins.\nThis project will have the following specific objectives\n1. Produce milk protein, plant protein and their hybrids using low temperature spray drying. This will also involve optimization of low temperature spray drying parameters\n2. Characterize the proteins obtained from objective 1 in terms of powder characteristics, solubility, emulsifying, foaming, and gelling properties\n3. Characterize the proteins obtained in objective 1 in terms of potential impact on their native structure (denaturation)\n4. Use the proteins obtained from objective 1 to produce either model milk, model yogurt or model ice cream to assess their applicability.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"27\/12\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"400405 Food engineering (40) ; 400406 Powder and particle technology (40) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Developing Biodegradable Packaging Materials using Fibers and lignocellulosic components of hemp ","description":"Synthetic polymers, especially those derived from polyolefins are ubiquitously used as packaging materials. However, their non-biodegradable nature and prevailing low rate of recycling means that development of fully biodegradable packaging alternative is a scientific urgency. Packaging materials derived and developed from renewable, yet inadequately utilised natural resources are true remedies to mitigate problem posed by non-biodegradable plastics. Plant resources can be used to develop biodegradable biopolymers which can then be used to manufacture packaging materials. The processing line used for producing conventional packaging materials (e.g. extrusion compounding, blow molding and injection moulding etc) can be readily used to produce hemp-based packaging. This avoids cost associated with the design of new equipment and entirely new processing line.\n\nIndustrial hemp is cultivated in many parts of the world, and it is also increasingly grown in Australia [1,2]. The fibers from plants such as hemp and jute traditionally are used to produce bags, ropes, clothes etc. There is a substantial body of knowledge in extracting and purifying cellulosic fibers from hemp [1,2,4]. However, flexible packaging such as shopping bags, pouches etc are not developed incorporating these fibers. Most importantly, sensitivity of hemp-derived components with environmental moisture are not adequately addressed. The non-cellulosic components of hemp fiber such as lignin has also immense potential to be used as active packaging material. This aspect is missing in current scientific literature. Most importantly, the mechanical, gas permeation and water repelling properties of flexible packaging containing hemp-based materials are not adequately studied to ascertain their performance.\n\nFor industrial scale production and application, it is essential that the hemp fiber (cellulose and pectin component) should be incorporated in synthetic yet biodegradable packaging materials to improve performance and to address sustainability. Some attempts are made to incorporate hemp nanofibers in polyethylene and polypropylene and the results are encouraging [3]. However, this type of hybrid is neither biodegradable nor recyclable.\nThis project is aimed at using the cellulosic (especially nanofibers) and lignocellulosic materials (lignin or its complex with cellulose from hemp stem) to develop biodegradable packaging materials and comparing their performance. It is hypothesized that the incorporation of cellulosic nanofibers and lignin from hemp with synthetic yet biodegradable polymer such as PBAT will produce flexible packaging materials with improved strength, flexibility and water vapour barrier properties. The outcome will broaden the application of poorly used part of hemp stem and value-add hemp farming business. The specific objectives of this project are as follows.\n\n1. Extract and characterize nanocellulose fibers and lignocellulosic materials (especially lignin) from different hemp cultivars grown using different nutrients (including silica or biostimulants such as complexes containing kelp and fish emulsion) with special focus on using them as packaging materials.\n2. Develop flexible packaging using whole of the hemp stem components (nanofibers and lignocellulosic materials and whole stem) and by hybridizing with synthetic yet biodegradable plastics (e.g. PBAT) and determine their physico-mechanical properties including water vapour and oxygen permeability and water repellence. \n3. Measure and quantify the biodegradability of packaging materials produced under objective 2.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (50%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development and characterisation of (dairy-plant) hybrid milks using Australian protein-rich crops","description":"Introduction\/Background Plant-based milk alternatives (mylks) have appeared in the market since the last decade and they are becoming increasingly popular. Their increased popularity can be attributed to plant-like fresh and unique flavour, healthy perception. These milk alternatives are also popularised by increasing vegan and vegetarian population and wider public worried about the perceived environmental impact and higher cost of production of cow\u2019s milk.\nAmong the plant-based alternative milks that are available in the market today, only soymilk has the equivalent protein content to cow\u2019s milk. However, the biological value of soymilk is nowhere close to that of cow\u2019s milk. Also, most soymilks contain added sugar which is not a healthy supplement. The protein, non-sugar solids, and micronutrient (calcium, zinc, iodine, vitamins B2, B12, D, A) contents in hitherto marketed plant-based alternative milks such as coconut, oat, flax, almond, hemp are unacceptably low. The digestibility (DIAAS value) of most of the plant-based protein and their milk is also unacceptably low. They don\u2019t meet the nutritional requirement of infant, elderly and even adult population if they are not judiciously fortified.\nDue to the lack of essential amino acids and low digestability (low DIAAS value) of plant proteins, it is essential that they are fortified with milk proteins and other micronutrients. There is also a need to ensure a suitable balance of polyunsaturated-saturated fatty acids in plant-based milk alternatives.\n\nDue to the above-mentioned reasons, this project proposes to develop hybrid or blended milks in which components of cow\u2019s milk and plant-based alternative milks will be blended by arriving at an optimum ratio. This approach brings in the best of both bovine and plant-based milks in terms of protein, (saturated-unsaturated) fat, micronutrients and would require minimum additional fortification. Such hybrid milk will also combine desirable flavour from bovine and plant proteins. \nThere is no hybrid milk in Australia, and it will be a first such attempt to create one. For this purpose, it is imperative to undertake a fundamental research on (a) thermal processability (b) stability and shelf-life (c) flowability, rheology, and flavour profile of the blended milks\nMaterials: Freshly produced cow\u2019s milk (from local manufacturer), plant-based alternative milk produced at the laboratory (using e.g. soy, peanut, hemp or other Australia-grown suitable protein-rich plants). \n\nObjectives\nIn the above context, this project has 4 main objectives. \n1.        Produce and characterise plant-based alternative milk using Australian grown protein-rich crops\n2.        Optimise the blending of cow\u2019s milk with plant-based alternative milk (objective 1) to produce best blended milk\n3.        Determine the thermal processability (LTLT and UHT pasteurisation) and flowability, stability (uniformity, absence of phase separation and precipitation) flavour, rheological property, sensory appeal of the blended milk. These parameters will be used for optimisation.\n4.        Determine the shelf-life of the blended milk using the shelf-life of cow\u2019s milk and plant-based milk alternatives as benchmark.\n\nCharacterisation\nThis project will use industrially relevant homogenisation system for blending and UHT unit for thermal treatment. It will used advanced rheometer and viscometer for flow characterisation. It will use sensory evaluation for taste, flavour and texture. It will use accelerated shelf-life testing to determine shelf-life.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (40) ; 300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (40) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Preparation, characterisation and application of functional peptides from Australian oilseeds","description":"Australia is producer and exporter of many oilseeds including canola, cotton seed, sunflower and flaxseed and others. The canola and cotton seed production comprised 90% of all oilseeds produced (2022). The monetary value of canola seeds alone was $6.1 billion in 2022-23. These facts indicate that, oilseeds significantly contribute to Australian economy.\nThese oilseeds are primarily used to extract oil. The remaining non-oil component (meal or cake) is considered as by-products and are primarily used as animal feed. These meals, contain up to 50% of protein (on dry basis) in the case of most of the oilseeds. Proteins from the meal of these oilseeds can be readily extracted to very high purity or an isolate (90% protein) level. Given these meals themselves are considered as by-product, extracting, and utilising the protein component will address the sustainability issue. Given the ever-increasing consumer interest in sustainably sourced alternative proteins, oilseed proteins will be valued and used as an ingredient of diverse range of food products.\n\nOilseed proteins are known to have deficient in a number of essential amino acids. Also, their digestibility is low as indicated by digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS). However, they can be utilised as ingredients, especially as emulsifiers, encapsulating shell materials, part of blended proteins with a degree of modification and removing allergenicity.\nThe applicability and value of the protein of the above-mentioned oilseeds can be greatly increased by systematically and consciously splitting their structure into peptides through enzymatic hydrolysis. The resulting peptides can then be used as ingredients of health foods as they will have increased digestibility, antioxidant and other health-promoting properties. The application of these peptides can be further broadened as emulsifiers, encapsulating shell materials and also part of edible films complexing, as required, with some other functional polysaccharides.\nObjectives\n\nIn the above context, this PhD project aims to undertake a controlled ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins of Australian oilseeds (canola, cotton seed and sunflower) to produce peptides. The structure of these peptides will be such that they will have retained some of the properties of the original protein at the same time avoided the undesirable taste. Comparative evaluation of the performance of these peptides will also form a core part of this study.\n\nApproach\/Methodology\nThe approach\/methodology will be developed as part of this PhD project and will involve accomplishing the following tasks.\n1. Extraction of protein: Proteins from freshly acquired oil seeds (canola, cotton, sunflower) will be extracted in house to achieve at least 70% protein content.\n2. Characterisation of protein: The molecular weight, amino acid profile and sequence of the extracted proteins will be determined to inform (to feed in) the enzymatic hydrolysis process\n3. Enzymatic hydrolysis: Single and\/or combination of proteolytic enzymes will be used to produce peptides of desired molecular characteristics. Nano (membrane) filtration will be used to recover and fractionate the peptides. The membrane size cut off and membrane processing parameters will be optimised\n4. Characterisation of peptides: Digestibility and other functional properties of these peptides will be assessed using standard in vitro method\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Peter Torley","title":"Designing safe food textures: compliance with the IDDSI protocol requirements","description":"Food and beverage textures are important to the enjoyment of eating and drinking, however some people need foods and beverages specifically designed to have textures that are safe for them to consume. For example, people with problems with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), need foods that have safe textures for their level of dysphagia. People with chewing difficulties may need foods that can be easily formed into a bolus for swallowing.\n This project will have multiple facets, so the student researcher will develop a variety of skills including:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Solid and liquid food texture analysis using laboratory testing equipment\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Development and validation of a force \/ distance \/ time instrumental testing procedure based on human practices\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Operator interpretation of testing protocols \u00e2\u20ac\u201c interpretation of supplied information and test result reliability\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Inter-relationship between food service operator physical attributes and testing outcome\n Following on from a highly successful research project in this area, this project will suit people from a variety of backgrounds including food technology, nutrition, physiology and psychology.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300607\n 300605"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou, James Baglin","title":"New criterion for efficient experimental designs","description":"The Design of Experiments (DOE) involves the systematic planning of tasks to explain variations in information, linking experimentation and modelling. Historically, DOE has been instrumental in improving product quality and reliability and is now widely adopted in various industries such as engineering, energy, pharmaceuticals, and architecture. It plays a crucial role in activities like new product development, manufacturing optimization, and process improvement. An effective DOE is essential for accurate data extraction, as it minimizes variance and eliminates bias, allowing for multiple factors and cost reduction, even in limited design spaces. Given the numerous optimality criteria and their distinct advantages, combining several into a new optimality criterion would be beneficial. This project aims to achieve this and compare different designs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490501        Applied statistics (20%)\n490503        Computational statistics (30%)\n490509        Statistical theory (50%)\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gang-Jun Liu, Benno Engels, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies","title":"GIS-based Modelling and Mapping of Terrain-influenced Urban Liveability","description":"Urban liveability can be influenced by many factors, including local residents' spatial accessibility to essential services and facilities. This research project aims at the development of a GIS-based approach for modelling and mapping the terrain-influenced spatial variation in spatial accessibility and urban liveability, especially across undulating urban areas. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330410 Urban Analysis and Development\r\n401302 Geographical Information System and Geospatial Data Modelling\r\n440601 Urban Geography"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gang-Jun Liu, Benno Engels, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies","title":"Monitoring and Modelling Urban Flooding Risks with Digital Geospatial Technologies","description":"Urbanisation and Climate change have increased urban flooding disasters globally.  Ability to identify key factors of increasing urban flooding risks and capacity for monitoring and predicting the variations of these factors, both spatially and temporally, are crucial for mitigating urban flooding risks, reducing flooding damages to urban infrastructures, and enhencing urban communities' liveability. Hence, this project aims to leverage the power of digital geospatial technologies to minimise the impacts of future flooding events on urban infrastructures and human activities across urban areas.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"370903 Natural Hazards (30%)\r\n401301 Geographical Information System and Geospatial Data Modelling (40%)\r\n440612 Urban Geography (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Suelynn Choy, Tam Dao, Brett Carter","title":"Improved ionospheric modelling for high precision GNSS","description":"Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have revolutionised various industries from agriculture to surveying and autonomous vehicles. Radio signals transmitted by GNSS satellites to receivers on the ground is significantly affected by the Earth\u2019s ionosphere. Within this layer of the atmosphere, charged particles alter the trajectory of the GNSS signals, introducing additional delays. Notably, the ionospheric delay is a major error source in GNSS particularly for high precision GNSS such as the Precise Point Positioning with Real-Time Kinematics (PPP-RTK).\n\nThe aim of this research is to develop an enhanced ionospheric model that can accurately account for the the ionospheric delay in real-time especially during ionospheric disturbed conditions. For high precision GNSS applications, cm-level accurate ionospheric corrections would be required. The Ginan GNSS processing software developed by Geoscience Australia is a potential tool for use in the research project. The project outcomes will contribute towards the improvement of high precision GNSS positioning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401305\tSatellite-based positioning (75%)\r\n510903\tMesospheric, thermospheric, ionospheric and magnetospheric physics (25%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Debaditya Acharya, Monica Wachowicz, Chayn Sun, Amy Griffin, Ruwan Tennakoon (Computer Science)","title":"Exploring long-term Visual Positioning Systems using machine learning","description":"The widespread availability of smartphones with high-quality cameras made indoor visual localisation (or positioning) accessible for critical applications, such as pedestrian wayfinding, emergency response, service robotics, and location-based services. One of the key challenges of the designed visual localisation systems is the lack of long-term localisation, where the arrangement of indoor spaces can undergo significant structural changes such as new construction, renovation or demolition. While the existing approaches can handle the changed appearance of a scene due to changes in illumination, objects (e.g. pedestrians) and occlusions, they fail to perform long-term localisation under structural changes. This project aims to utilise 3D models for detecting the structural changes in a building and for simultaneous updates of the 3D models. The 3D models can be derived from Digital Twins or Building Information Modelling (BIM). Subsequently, these updated 3D models will be used for performing uncertainty-based long-term visual localisation with improved precision. The challenges of long-term visual localisation approaches, such as domain adaptation, change detection and the need for extensive labelled data to train machine learning models will be addressed in the project. The experiments will contribute towards the knowledge of domain adaptation in computer vision and deep learning algorithms, in addition to improving the quality of life of the international community.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"460304: Computer Vision (50%)\r\n330201: Automation and technology in building and construction (20%)\r\n370403: Geoscience data visualization (20%)\r\n460205: Intelligent robotics (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Simon Jones, Karin Reinke, Mariela Soto-Berelov","title":"Fire detection and attribution using satellite earth observation","description":"Early detection of wildfires is vital for managing the risk and impact of fire upon human lives and infrastructure. The introduction of new geostationary sensors in the mid 2010's has created new opportunities for wildfire surveillance. Addressing this issue, geospatial researchers at RMIT University developed two new wildfire detection algorithms, utilising the \u201cbig data\u201d capabilities of the Himawari-8\/9 (H8\/9) satellites which capture images of the full disk every 10 minutes at key spectral wavelengths and other polar orbiting sensors. This PhD proposal will extend these techniques to investigate fire surveillance using such platforms and explore how these temporally rich data streams may be used to inform our descriptions of fire severity, particularly when coupled with more traditional satellite products such as NBR. Issues of smoke, scale (multi-resolution imaging and comparing in situ to image observations), fire radiative power, remaining fuel, tracking and canopy obscuration make for many and varied potential research questions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"401304 (50%)\n370402 (25%)\n300706 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Simon Jones, Karin Reinke, Mariela Soto-Berelov","title":"Future forests","description":"Forest resources and the services they provide play a vital role in the economy and across society in general. We live in an unprecedented era of environmental change. Wide reaching land use and land cover (LULC) modification and conversion affects land, water, and air resources on a global scale. Knowledge of LULC change is needed for a range of forest related activities including forest management, biodiversity monitoring, biomass estimation, carbon accounting, and climate change modelling. Change estimates are also used for mandatory and statutory forest reporting requirements at the state, national and international level. Methods used for change detection have evolved from mapping and identifying change between image pairs to sophisticated techniques based on dense time series image datasets. This research aims to map disturbance and recovery across Australian forests using multi-source satellite imagery incl.  spectral time-series, structural (LiDAR and SAR) and in situ information. It will help support state and federal land management agencies with spatial and a- spatial change maps and statistics. Currently, there is no national level forest cover change dataset for Australia. Instead, national estimates are produced by aggregating state level estimates, which are obtained using different sources of imagery and following different methods.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"401304 (50%)\r\n370402 (25%)\r\n300707 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Professor Simon Jones","title":"Using remote sensing to help unearth ancient cultural landscapes","description":"Using aerial photography, LiDAR, RADAR and\/or satellite imagery can aide in identifying archaeological and cultural sites. Traditional methods to find and identify these cultural sites are heavily reliant on excavation (Vilbig et al., 2020). This known as field walking, where archaeologists record visible surface material and analyse evidence of human presence and landscape use (Orengo and Garcia-Molsosa, 2019). This method is slow and risks damaging the site and archaeological data and findings (Vilbig et al., 2020). Due to the fast urbanisation of peri-urban regains in Melbourne, identifying cultural landscapes may not be identified by field walking as the y have the potential to be destroyed before cultural heritage management and archaeologists have a chance to survey the area use (Orengo and Garcia-Molsosa, 2019). This study aims to use data obtained from aerial imagery, LiDAR, RADAR and satellite imagery to help detect the location and size cultural landscape features. By integrating historical aerial and satellite imagery, this has the potential to help detect cultural landscapes that have been destroyed, partially destroyed or concealed due to urbanisation. RS technologies allow hyperspectral or infrared images to be analysed revealing findings that are unable to be seen by the human eye.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2034","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering) ; Urban Futures","forcodes":"090905 50% ; 210102 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"MR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham, Estrid He \/ SCT","title":"CSIRO-Masters: Knowledge discovery of scientific workflows","description":"The reproducibility of scientific workflows is critical in ensuring trust, confidence and transparency of results of experiments and modelling. The capture of provenance information for scientific workflows is foundational in achieving transparency and reproducibility. There has been an increased adoption of tools such as electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling that allow automated capture of these records. However, solutions and approaches which harmonise this provenance information across systems in a scalable and general way are lacking. Knowledge graph technology has proven to enable capture of concepts and relationships through mature tools and implementations. Provenance ontologies are well established in the community. While some prior architectures exist for implementing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows, robust implementations are not yet widespread in scientific practice. Thus, the opportunity is to leverage these technologies and ontologies to implement scalable knowledge graphs for discovery of scientific workflows harmonising provenance information across systems in real-world science projects. Specifically, this project will involve:\r\n-\tConstructing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows\r\n-\tDeveloping adapters and client libraries to allow easy recording of provenance of scientific workflows, e.g. electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling.\r\n-\tDeveloping relevant and effective queries and visualisations for knowledge discovery of scientific workflows \r\n-\tTesting and benchmarking the performance of different knowledge graph implementations, e.g. neo4j, GraphDB\r\nAn exciting prospect will be the application of this implementation to several CSIRO projects in different impact areas including Modelling national bushfire risk and resilience and Modelling interventions on the Great Barrier Reef and Hydrological modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\r\n460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\r\n401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Griffin","title":"Designing Predictive Bushfire Maps for Dissemination to the Public ","description":"The 2019-2020 bushfire season was the first time that fire spread prediction maps were disseminated to the public by emergency management authorities. These maps, developed from the outputs of bushfire simulation models, may help to inform individuals' protective action decision making. Currently there is a lack of empirical evidence about how these maps should be best designed to encourage appropriate protective action among residents of areas at risk, and to discourage maladaptive actions. This project will assess levels of comprehension of several potential designs and to understand how comprehended information informs intentions to take protective action through empirical user studies with end users.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"401301 Cartography and Digital Mapping (40%)\n 370903 Natural Hazards (40%)\n 330308 Fire Safety Design (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"MR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham","title":"Knowledge discovery of scientific workflows","description":"The reproducibility of scientific workflows is critical in ensuring trust, confidence and transparency of results of experiments and modelling. The capture of provenance information for scientific workflows is foundational in achieving transparency and reproducibility. There has been an increased adoption of tools such as electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling that allow automated capture of these records. However, solutions and approaches which harmonise this provenance information across systems in a scalable and general way are lacking. Knowledge graph technology has proven to enable capture of concepts and relationships through mature tools and implementations. Provenance ontologies are well established in the community. While some prior architectures exist for implementing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows, robust implementations are not yet widespread in scientific practice. Thus, the opportunity is to leverage these technologies and ontologies to implement scalable knowledge graphs for discovery of scientific workflows harmonising provenance information across systems in real-world science projects. Specifically, this project will involve:\n - Constructing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows\n - Developing adapters and client libraries to allow easy recording of provenance of scientific workflows, e.g. electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling.\n - Developing relevant and effective queries and visualisations for knowledge discovery of scientific workflows \n - Testing and benchmarking the performance of different knowledge graph implementations, e.g. neo4j, GraphDB\n An exciting prospect will be the application of this implementation to several CSIRO projects in different impact areas including Modelling national bushfire risk and resilience and Modelling interventions on the Great Barrier Reef and Hydrological modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\n 460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\n 401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Asha Rao,  Amy Corman","title":"Privacy Preserving Technologies for Securing Healthcare Data","description":"Sharing of health data for secondary uses such as research and public policy development has many benefits, but also risks if information about an individual's health record can be inferred. Ensuring healthcare data privacy preservation technology is designed to work as per requirements is essential. The requirements for correct functioning of these techniques includes training of both researchers and the individuals. Data is now gathered and possibly used to train AI models from various sources including clinical trials, participatory health-enabling technologies and other health\/medical-related records. These are in addition linked, for research, population disease surveillance, risk prediction etc. The increasing use of participatory health enabling technologies and integration of person-generated data with formal healthcare provider data, adds another layer of complexity. Thus, the design of healthcare privacy preserving techniques needs to be considered from all perspectives. The aims of this project are: Design of a process for testing of techniques used for privacy preservation of Healthcare systems. Design process for verification of functionality with ML based systems. Design and implement customized ML scenarios which providing protection with bounds on information leakage. The project will explore various mechanisms to evaluate suitability of the existing techniques and their vulnerabilities given a set of constraints. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-04-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4604 (30%)\n4611 (30%)\n461203 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Asha Rao,  James Baglin,","title":"Model based Design for ML based Devices for Healthcare","description":"Ensuring healthcare devices are designed to work as per requirements is essential. The requirements for correct functioning include latency bounds, measurement and analysis within constraints, data storage etc. The design of healthcare systems using Machine Learning (ML) based models is now gaining momentum. These ML models can be part of autonomously functioning devices. Even though functionality offered by ML models is desired, it is typically used as a black box. This makes it difficult to incorporate it in healthcare related applications as testing and verification of its functioning is time consuming. The aims of this project are: 1) Design process for testing of ML models within the constraints of Healthcare systems. 2) Design process for verification of functionality within constraints for ML based systems. 3) Design and implement customized ML model testing. Model based development of systems using ML. The project will explore various mechanisms to evaluate suitability of a given ML model given a set of constraints. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-04-30","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460102 Applications in Health (35%)\n460403 Data Security and Protection (35%)\n460503 Data models, storage and indexing  (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Yan Wang, Pavel Krupskiy","title":"Vine copula modeling of multidimensional ecological niche data","description":"Copulas provides a powerful mathematical framework for modeling complex dependence structures between variables. While widely applied in economics, finance, and neuroscience, their potential in ecology remains largely unexplored. Many ecological datasets exhibit tail dependencies, asymmetries, and non-monotonic relationships, which copula models can effectively capture. This research aims to expand the use of copulas in ecological niche modeling, an essential concept in ecology that describes species distributions in multivariate space.\nPrevious studies have applied elliptical, Archimedean, and simplified vine copulas to niche modeling. Yet, limitations persist, including reliance on simulation-based algorithms that fail to preserve the statistical properties of ecological data. Additionally, emerging factor copula models and structured factor copula models, which have demonstrated superior performance in other fields, have not been explored in ecology. These models offer a more parsimonious and interpretable approach to capturing complex ecological dependencies.\nThis research aims to develop advanced copula models for high-dimensional ecological data, refine copula-based ecological models with fewer assumptions, and extend the niche overlap concept to a multi-species framework. These advancements will improve species distribution modeling and ecological analysis.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2029-12-29","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490501  Applied statistics  (40%)\n490509  Statistical theory  (30%)\n410401 Conservation and biodiversity (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arathi Arakala, Mahshid Sadeghpour","title":"Echo Chamber Investigation and Identification Utilising Sentiment Analysis","description":"This project aims to to develop novel techniques that combine sentiment analysis approaches, network science measures of community and measures of user behaviour over period of time to predict user behaviour with regards to echo chamber engagement. By measuring sentiment analysis against other widely used techniques the hope is to see if sentiment analysis can be an effective tool. We are looking to understand:\n1. To what degree can sentiment analysis alone be a good predictor of the presence of an echo chamber?\n2. Can sentiment analysis be used as a predictor for user engagement in echo chambers? Can this prediction be enhanced by network community metrics?\n3.How does the sentiment of a user in an echo chamber vary over time? What trends are observed before and after engaging in an echo chamber?\n\nProject Outcome and Impact\nThis project will give insights into how users engage on social media to create echo chambers, how their behaviours are influenced on engaging with an echo chamber and if sentiment analysis coupled with traditional network-based metrics could help predict user involvement in an echo chamber. Such analysis will allow regulators and social media companies to design interventions that will promote balanced discourse and social interactions. This work contributes to ensuring that social media users have every opportunity to hear diverse perspectives on polarising socio-political events.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning\n490104 Complex systems\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stella Stylianou","title":"Exploring Machine Learning Techniques for Forecasting Trends in the Vietnamese Music Industry","description":"Time series forecasting is vital for predicting music trends, such as song popularity and genre shifts. Time series data, decomposed into trend, seasonality, and residuals, reveals underlying patterns. The Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model, with its autoregressive and moving average components, is a traditional choice. The Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model extends ARIMA to handle multivariate time series data.\nMachine learning techniques offer robust alternatives. Decision trees provide a clear, interpretable path for predictions, while Random Forest aggregates multiple decision trees to enhance accuracy and prevent overfitting. Additionally, newer methods such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM) offer advanced forecasting capabilities. LSTM networks are particularly effective for capturing long-term dependencies in time series data, while GBM models improve prediction accuracy by combining the outputs of several weaker models.\nThe goal of this project is to identify and evaluate the most effective machine learning techniques for predicting trends in the Vietnamese music industry. By exploring traditional models like ARIMA and VAR alongside newer techniques such as LSTM and GBM, the project aims to determine the best approach for accurate and actionable trend forecasting.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 Statistical theory (50%), 490501 Applied statistics (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stella Stylianou","title":"Ensemble framework for anomaly detection in high dimensional data ","description":"Outliers, or anomalies, are identified when their behavior deviates from the rest of the data or normal patterns. Outlier detection is the process of identifying these observations, and it has become a significant issue in data mining, decision-making, clustering, and pattern classification. \nIt becomes particularly challenging in such high-dimensional data. Most existing algorithms and traditional statistical methods fail to adequately address issues arising from a large number of features. The \"curse of dimensionality,\" complicates anomaly detection, as distance-based methods struggle to differentiate between normal and anomalous points when all data points appear similarly spaced.\nTo tackle the challenges of outlier detection in high-dimensional data, numerous researchers have proposed a variety of algorithms such as, neighborhood-based methods, subspace-based methods, and ensemble-based methods.\nThe main objective of this project is to identify the best approach for detecting outliers in high-dimensional datasets. In this study, ensemble methods will be developed for outlier detection, and these methods will be evaluated and compared with current methodologies using publicly available real-world and synthetic datasets. Furthermore, the researchers will refine the developed outlier detection technique and apply it in a case study.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490509 Statistical theory (50%) 490501 Applied statistics (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Parham Moradi","title":"Self-Supervised Anomaly Detection for Tabular Data","description":"Anomaly detection plays a crucial role in various applications, including transportation, healthcare diagnostics, environmental and industrial monitoring. Traditional anomaly detection methods often struggle with high-dimensional tabular data due to the curse of dimensionality, requiring manual feature engineering and predefined rules, which limit scalability and accuracy. In contrast, self-supervised learning (SSL) methods have shown promise by automatically learning complex features from unlabeled data. However, the unique structure and complexity of tabular data, combined with the need for interpretability, present significant challenges for existing SSL methods. This research proposal aims to develop innovative self-supervised models tailored for anomaly detection in tabular data, addressing challenges related to scalability, interpretability, and adaptability to diverse and multimodal datasets. By conducting a comprehensive study of various self-supervised approaches and optimizing them for the specific characteristics of tabular data, this project seeks to create models that not only improve detection accuracy but also offer transparent explanations for anomaly predictions. The outcomes of this research will contribute to more robust, scalable, and interpretable anomaly detection solutions, fostering greater trust and adoption in real-world applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490508 Statistical Data science (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Serdar Boztas","title":"Evaluating the Security of Significant Cryptographic Functions","description":"Systems of algebraic equations with randomly chosen variables are at the heart of cryptographic security ranging from hash functions to block ciphers to blockchain. The deterministic and randomized complexity of solving such systems of equations will be evaluated during this project. \n\nOne specific problem for investigation is the k-XORSUM problem:\n\nGiven k lists \n   L_1, . . . , L_k \n\neach containing binary vectors of length d, the goal is to efficiently find \n\none vector x_i from each L_i such that x_1+..+x_k = 0. \n\nEfficient means much faster than brute force while trading off time and memory. \n\nHow large should the lists be as a function of k and d? How small can we make the time complexity of the algorithm we develop?\n\nWagner [1] made the first algorithmic breakthrough in 2002 for k=4 or a larger power of 2. There has been significant additional work but progress has been slow. The notorious case is k=3, the 3-XORSUM problem where no substantial progress has been made over the last 20+ years and any progress would have a large impact. The best known complexity is O(n^2\/log n)\n\na tiny improvement over the obvious n^2 complexity of form all pairs of sums from the first 2 lists and look it up in the (sorted) third list.\n\nNew techniques which show great promise need to be  refined, implemented and tested at realistic cryptographic scales as part of this project. An application to the EQUIHASH proof of stake algorithm will be a direct result of improvements obtained in this project.\n\nThe methods used will be generic and will have applications to k-SUM problems in other groups and fields. In fact the problem is also related to computational geometry, such as finding triangles in graphs with few triangles.\n\n[1] D. Wagner, A Generalized Birthday Problem, Proceedings of CRYPTO 2002.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 machine learning (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haydar Demirhan","title":"Bayesian and Machine Learning Approaches to the Classification Problem","description":"Classification problem involves assigning subjects to two or more classes in a supervised setting. In this project, Bayesian and machine learning approaches will be developed to tackle the challenges of the binary or multi-class classification problem in large datasets. The main challenge is the imbalance in the proportions of true labels in the population.\n\nBayesian approaches have the advantage of interpretability and hypothesis testing, while machine learning methods can be more efficient than Bayesian approaches, depending on the size of the model and the dataset. Bayesian models offer a solution to the imbalance problem in the dependent feature. In this project, Bayesian and machine learning methods will be explored to tackle the classification problem, their advantages, disadvantages and performances will be assessed, and the development of new classification approaches will be considered. The applications will include large datasets with a large number of parameters. Therefore, the efficiency of the developed models will be a crucial consideration.\n\nSince this project requires intense coding to implement the methods considered, the candidate needs to have strong programming skills. Therefore, strong knowledge of R, MATLAB and\/or Python is required. Also, a strong knowledge of Bayesian modelling, statistical methods and machine learning methods is essential.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460308 - Pattern recognition (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arathi Ara, Sona Taheri ","title":"Supervised learning and network science analysis of bystander behaviour in gender-based online abuse  ","description":"The widespread use of social networks and the internet has made gender-based online abuse a significant threat to society, causing severe psychological, social, and physical impacts, including suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Bystanders, who witness online abuse without being directly involved, can either:\n-- Intensify the abuse through passive observation and engagement;\n-- Reduce the spread by interfering, reporting abuse, and supporting victims.\n\nThus, there is an urgent need for automated algorithms to label and analyse bystander behaviour, enabling early detection of abuse and developing interventions to encourage bystanders to support victims. To address research gaps and highlight the crucial role of bystanders in online gender-based abuse, this project aims to:\n-- Define online behaviour features that characterize a bystander\u2019s motivation for action or inaction;\n-- Develop novel techniques to label bystander roles in gender-abuse datasets automatically.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Discrete choice experiments with focus on applications","description":"Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are a research technique used to understand preferences by having individuals select from sets of alternatives, each characterized by different attributes. This method is based on random utility theory, which assumes that people choose options that maximize their satisfaction. DCEs are commonly used in areas such as health economics, marketing, and transportation to gauge consumer preferences, predict demand, and shape policy decisions. In health economics, for example, DCEs reveal patient preferences for various treatments or interventions, informing the development of more patient-focused healthcare models. In marketing, businesses utilize DCEs to pinpoint the most valued features of a product, helping in its development and market positioning. The versatility and strength of DCEs make them effective for understanding complex decision-making processes and converting them into practical insights. This project will not only investigate applications of DCEs across different fields but also contribute to the development of underlying theory, enhancing their utility and application.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509        Statistical theory  (50%)\n490501        Applied statistics  (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Definitive Screening Designs with Added Observation: Constructions, Properties, and Analysis","description":"Definitive Screening Designs (DSDs) are a class of experimental designs that efficiently explore multiple factors with minimal runs. They are widely used in engineering, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing for optimizing processes and identifying key variables. DSDs uniquely estimate main effects without confounding them with two-factor interactions or quadratic effects, making them valuable in early-stage experimentation.\r\nThis research investigates how augmenting DSDs with specific additional observations can enhance their resolution, aliasing structure, and overall efficiency. Rather than addressing missing data, the focus is on systematically modifying DSDs to improve their statistical properties and practical performance.\r\nBy incorporating targeted observations, the study aims to refine parameter estimation, increase robustness, and optimize design efficiency. It will compare standard DSDs with augmented versions to assess improvements in aliasing, estimation accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.\r\nThis research contributes to experimental design by advancing theoretical understanding, offering practical implementation strategies, and guiding practitioners in selecting optimal designs for high-dimensional screening experiments.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 Statistical theory  (80%)\r\n490501 Applied statistics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sona Taheri","title":"Clusterwise Linear Regression: Prediction Methods and Applications","description":"Clusterwise Linear Regression (CLR) is a widely recognized method for approximating data using multiple linear functions. It combines clustering and multiple linear regression techniques, making it useful for both approximation and prediction tasks across various applications. Utilizing homogeneous clusters in the input space can enhance the efficiency of CLR models, leading to improved prediction performance. Weighted CLR models, in particular, hold promise for developing accurate prediction algorithms. By employing nonsmooth optimization approaches, novel cluster-weighted CLR models can be formulated, potentially advancing the accuracy of CLR-based prediction algorithms.\n\nThis project aims to delve deeper into CLR techniques for prediction and introduce novel CLR models and methodologies. Specifically, the objectives include developing new models and efficient algorithms tailored to solve CLR problems for datasets with large numbers of data points and\/or numerous input variables. Additionally, the project seeks to introduce precise prediction methods based on CLR, generalize CLR models and algorithms by incorporating alternative elementary functions in place of linear functions, and explore new applications of CLR where it can serve as both an approximation and prediction tool.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning 35%\n490108 Operation research 35% \n490304 Optimization 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Melih Ozlen","title":"Modified BFGS Methods for Large-Scale Optimisation Problems","description":"The Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) method is renowned for tackling unconstrained optimisation problems by approximating the inverse Hessian matrix without second-order derivatives. However, its applicability to large-scale optimization remains limited due to memory and computational constraints. This proposed research aims to address these limitations by introducing novel modifications to the BFGS method tailored specifically for large-scale optimisation problems. The proposed methods will utilise techniques such as limited-memory strategies and adaptive updating schemes to enhance scalability while maintaining convergence properties and computational efficiency. The research involves theoretical analysis, algorithm development, and numerical experiments across diverse domains. The outcomes are expected to offer practical and efficient solutions for tackling large-scale optimisation problems, facilitating advancements in various fields.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\n490108 Operations research (20%)\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Stella Stylianou, Devindri Perera","title":"Multiple Imputation in Multivariate Analysis of Variance","description":"Missing data, also known as missing values, occur when data for specific variables or participants is not stored. Data can go missing for a variety of reasons, including incorrect data entry, equipment malfunctions, lost files, and many others. There is always some missing data in any data set. Researchers are frequently faced with the problem of missing data.\r\nThe reason for the missing data is important to consider because it helps you determine the type of missing data and what you need to do about it. Missing data can be classified into three types: Missing completely at random (MCAR)-Missing data are randomly distributed across the variable and unrelated to other variables, Missing at random (MAR)-Missing data are not randomly distributed but they are accounted for by other observed variables and Missing not at random (MNAR)-Missing data systematically differ from the observed values.\r\nThe methods for handling missing data in this study included listwise deletion, pairwise deletion, and multiple imputation. Listwise deletion was selected because it is the default approach used by most software packages, and absent a better method, is often the only viable technique for researchers using MANOVA with missing data. Multiple imputation is the process of estimating missing data several times in order to construct several complete versions of an incomplete data set. Multiple imputation consists of two stages: 1) generating replacement values, which are called imputations, for missing data and repeating this technique multiple times, resulting in multiple data sets with replaced missing information, and 2) analyzing and combining the many imputed data sets.\r\nMany studies in education and in health involve comparing group means using techniques such as analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).\r\nThe main objective of this project is to find the best approach to impute missing values to MANOVA. Moreover, researchers will study more about multiple imputation technique, apply imputation technique for a case study in the field of biostatistics, investigate a different mechanism for MAR data and develop algorithms to handle missing data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"FOR Code 1: 490509        Percentage: 40%\n                    FOR Code 2: 490501        Percentage: 40%\n                    FOR Code 3: 490508        Percentage: 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Optimizing Industrial Processes through Advanced Experimental Designs and\r\nMathematical Modeling","description":"Modern manufacturing depends a lot on industrial processes. These processes affect important things like product quality, production efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By using advanced experimental designs and mathematical modeling, we can make these processes better. This project is all about studying and applying advanced experimental designs in industries. We're looking at how they can improve processes, control quality, and make things more efficient. The research will focus on creating effective experimental designs, making mathematical models from the data we get, and checking how well these designs meet different theoretical criteria. The goal is to gain practical insights into using experimental designs in industries and how they can make things more competitive and sustainable.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"FoR code 1: 490509 (75%) \r\nFoR code 2: 490501 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Mahshid Sadeghpour, Arathi Arakala","title":"Self-Supervised Representation Learning for Privacy-Preserving Retinal Biometric Recognition","description":"Retinal image recognition is renowned for its high accuracy within the realm of biometric systems. There is good evidence that retinal biometric recognition is a highly accurate, but these results are based on datasets of the order of hundreds. The comprehensive investigation of retinal recognition systems has been impeded due to the scarcity of available data, in contrast to other biometric modes such as fingerprint, facial or iris recognition.\r\n\r\nTo facilitate the establishment of a resilient retinal recognition system, the imperative lies in the access to high-quality datasets containing retinal images on a large scale. The existing retinal image datasets are primarily gathered for medical applications and typically consist of a maximum of several thousand retinal samples. while these data can be considered a great asset for advancing medical purpose applications, they do not fulfil the biometric application requirements.\r\nThe objective of this project is to exploit the benefits of Self-supervised Learning approaches to train a deep neural network based retinal biometric recognition system using the existing retinal image datasets.\r\n\r\nknowledge extracted using these techniques needs to be evaluated based on ISO\/IEC 24745 standards for biometric template protection schemes to evaluate irreversibility and unlinkability of the extracted retinal biometric templates by the self-supervised feature extractor.\r\n\r\nThe candidate should have a strong mathematics and computing background including competence in linear algebra, calculus, engineering mathematics, and statistics. They should be capable of programming in Python and working with supercomputing platforms. There are no ethical issues associated with this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461106 semi- and unsupervised learning (25%), 461101 adversarial machine learning (25%), 460304 computer vision (25%), 460403 data security and protection (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Huong Ha, School of Computing Technologies ","title":"Some Foundations and Applications of Optimisation and Control Theory","description":"This project delves into the fundamental principles and diverse applications of optimisation and control theory which constitute the cornerstone of modern engineering and research.\r\n\r\nThe foundational aspect of this project revolves around a comprehensive exploration of optimisation theory, encompassing convex and non-convex optimisation, linear and nonlinear programming, as well as the mathematical underpinnings of optimisation algorithms. The study will also delve into control theory, examining its various branches, including classical, robust, and adaptive control, and their applications in system dynamics and stability analysis.\r\n\r\nIn the realm of applications, this project seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice, demonstrating the utility of optimisation and control theory across a diverse array of domains. Key application areas include engineering systems, healthcare, machine learning and data science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Andrew Eberhard","title":"Interior-Point Methods and Applications","description":"Interior-point methods (IPMs) have emerged as powerful tools for solving optimisation problems, ranging from linear and quadratic programming to semidefinite and nonlinear programming. This research aims to advance the understanding of IPMs by investigating their underlying mathematical foundations, algorithmic intricacies, and computational efficiency.\r\n\r\nThe project comprises two main thrusts: theoretical developments and real-world applications. The theoretical aspect involves a rigorous examination of convergence properties, complexity analysis, and sensitivity analysis of IPMs. By refining the theoretical framework, this research seeks to provide deeper insights into the inner workings of IPMs and contribute to their robustness and versatility.\r\n\r\nIn parallel, the project explores the practical aspect of IPMs across diverse fields such as engineering and data science. Real-world applications include portfolio optimisation, image reconstruction and power system optimisation. By tailoring and adapting IPMs to suit specific problem domains, this research aims to demonstrate their effectiveness and efficiency in solving large-scale optimisation challenges.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Andrew Eberhard","title":"Develop and Analyse Splitting Algorithms for Structured Inclusions and Optimisation Problems","description":"Methods for complex optimisation problems are mostly developed based on gradient descent steps, which are simple for implementation and scalability. Yet they often require a good starting point and correcting issues that appear along the optimisation process. An increasingly popular approach is the class of splitting methods which split complex problems into a series of simpler subproblems in order to exploit both visible and hidden structures. This project aims to develop and analyse splitting algorithms for structured inclusions and optimisation problems with applications to machine learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Andrew Eberhard","title":"Optimisation methods for machine learning","description":"Since conceptualised, mathematical optimisation has always been an effective tool in problem-solving and decision-making processes. Many real-life problems can be treated as optimisation problems, requiring the best solution among a set of possible ones. In the current era of big data, the explosion in size and complexity of datasets has greatly influenced the focus of optimisation research. However, existing methods and theories for large-scale problems have not yet taken full advantages of specific structures and hence, faced major difficulties in handling increasingly massive and distributed datasets. This work provides a deep understanding of structures of optimisation problems and complexity analysis of numerical algorithms in order to explore the frontier of research in big data optimisation and machine learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Stephen Davis, Simon Johnstone-Robertson","title":"Extreme Seasonal Spatio-Temporal Variation and the Ecology of Wildlife Disease","description":"Many human infections are zoonoses and the ecology of infectious disease in wildlife is often poorly understood. This is particularly true for host populations that exhibit extreme spatio-temporal variation triggered by seasonal events connected with breeding or the sudden appearance of attractive food sources. Two important examples of this in Australia are Common Carp potentially carrying Cyprinid herpes virus 3 and Little Red Flying Foxes potentially carrying Hendra virus. In both cases there are dramatic aggregation events that coincide with seasonal events. This project will explore the interaction between pathogen characteristics and extreme variability in the abundance and distribution of the host population with the broad purpose to improve the scientific basis for managing wildlife disease.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490102 Biological Mathematics (50%)\r\n420205 Epidemiological Modelling (30%)\r\n300503 Fish pests and diseases (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Andrew Eberhard, Alex Kruger, Geetika Verma, Thao Nguyen Hieu","title":"Regularity structures for first-order optimization methods and applications in imaging problems in industry 4.0. ","description":"Qualitative and quantitative understanding of complicated physical systems is at the core of every development of modern technology. Mathematical foundations of computational optimization tools play the key role in the analysis. The last few decades have witnessed an explosion of first-order methods for solving nonconvex optimization problems arising from various practical fields. Recent literature has indicated a huge potential of the metric regularity property and its siblings in analysing convergence and complexity of first-order methods. Meticulous investigation of regularity structures with the target of improving understanding of convergence behavior of expansive fixed-point algorithms will be the first research avenue. The expected findings would include sharper analysis tools for extending the convergence theory beyond the traditional framework of convexity and monotonicity. The project also targets more delicate characterizations of regularity notions which will allow researchers to challenge open problems in optimization theory. Further applications and improvement of the convergence analysis will be another research avenue of the project. The prospective outcomes of this research direction would further bridge the gap between what can be explained by the convergence theory and what is often observed in practice. The research is driven by practical problems arising in imaging, including machine learning algorithms for computer vision systems in autonomous production lines. The new research findings in Variational analysis and optimization methods will be applied to a wide range of real-world problems in imaging science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"010303 Optimisation\r\n0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing\r\n010203 Calculus of Variations, Systems Theory and Control Theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Associate Prof. Mali Abdollahian, Dr Sona Taheri, Dr Laleh Tavakoli","title":"Reducing Newborn mortality rate by identifying and modeling its Key Performance Indicators","description":"The World Health Organisation WHO has estimated that 4 million newborns die before reaching 4 weeks old, of which more than 95% of these deaths occur in developing countries. Birth weight is one of the most important indicators of neonatal survival. Birth weight is associated with several maternal and neonatal characteristics. A reliable estimate of fetal weight at different stages of pregnancy and identifying the most significant variables associated with it would facilitate intervention plans for medical practitioners to prevent the risk of low-birth-weight delivery.   The outcome of the proposed research would provide a useful administrative and scientific guideline for the expansion of the health services programs and for the effective distribution of limited government resources in rural areas, including an analysis of where further aid investments should be allocated to reduce the newborn mortality rate. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490501 Applied statistics (50%) ; 490503 Computational statistics (25%) ; 460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Minh Dao","title":"Distributed Optimisation with Applications to Federated Learning","description":"The rise of widely available and on-demand cloud computing platforms has provided an easily accessible and cost-effective model for distributed computation. However, most existing distributed optimisation algorithms essentially rely on adapting classical non-distributed algorithms into the realm of distributed optimisation. This project aims to develop, analyse and deploy new algorithms for distributed asynchronous optimisation that do not require a central coordinator to aggregate information from individual devices. The theoretical foundations for these algorithms will be base on an abstract framework provided by monotone operator theory. This approach allows for a unified treatment of algorithms across a wide range of problems including minimisation problems, saddle-point problems and variational inequalities. The newly developed algorithms will be applied to large-scale optimisation problems arising in federated learning.\r\n\r\nThe PhD student will work under the supervision of Dr Minh N. Dao (RMIT) and Dr Matthew K. Tam (UniMelb) within the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project \"Distributed Optimisation without Central Coordination\". The candidate will preferably have experience with at least one of the following areas: continuous optimisation, distributed optimisation, monotone operator splitting, non-smooth and variational analysis, or federated learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490108 Operations Research (60%)\r\n490304 Optimisation (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Hudson, Laleh Takakori, Marie Keatley","title":"Modelling complex time series using machine learning and time series probabilistic models: applications to surveillance and tracking. ","description":"Hybrid machine learning and time series methods will be developed to estimate and forecast the effects of climate change, for example droughts, and likewise for assessment of efficacy of health interventions, whether clinical, or public health such as pandemic surveillance. The methods will be applied to surveillance and large data with respect to (i) phenology (mapping natural species) or (ii) health state systems and time to events of disease etc. Comparison will be made to Bayesian methods for complex time series analysis and aggregation of effects.\r\n \r\nRecently initial work using Hidden Markov models (HMMs) have shown promise in relationship to modelling first flowering day (FFD) with respect to climate for species in Australia (PhenoArc, Climate Watch, Hudson & Keatley (2018, 2010), Keatley, Richards, Hudson (2022) @Phenology 2022). The focus of this project will be initially on developing hybrid Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) and creating and testing a phenological index.\r\n \r\nHMMs have had wide application to date in life sciences, finance, clinical science and in speech recognition.  We intend to align our approach with machine learning and Gaussian processes, to accommodate missing and often irregular time intervals and trajectories. The approach of this work is linking a probabilistic model and hybrid systems for feature selection to identify subgroups of species or individuals particularly at risk for exposure to climate and or infection.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n \r\nGerst KL, Crimmins TM, Posthumus EE, Rosemartin AH, Schwartz MD. How well do the spring indices predict phenological activity across plant species? Int J Biometeorol. 2020 May; 64(5):889-901.\r\n\r\nHudson IL, Keatley MR (eds) (2010) Phenological research: methods for environmental and climate change analysis. Springer, Dordrecht\r\n \r\nSaxena, K.G., Rao, K.S. (2020). Climate Change and Vegetation Phenology. In: Tandon, R., Shivanna, K., Koul, M. (eds) Reproductive Ecology of Flowering Plants: Patterns and Processes. Pp 25-39 Springer, Singapore.\r\n\r\nVotsi I, Limnios N, Tsaklidis G, Papadimitriou E (2014) Hidden semi-Markov modeling for the estimation of earthquake occurrence rates. Commun Stat Theory Methods 43(7):1484\u20131502\r\n \r\nYip CF, Ng WL, Yau CY (2018) A hidden Markov model for earthquake prediction. Stoch Environ Res Risk Assess 32(5):1415\u20131434\r\n \r\nZhang M, Jiang X, Fang Z, Zeng Y, Xu K (2019) High-order Hidden Markov Model for trend prediction in financial time series. Physica A Stat Mech Appl 517:1\u201312 ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 Statistical Theory\r\n490508 Statistical Data  Science\r\n490501  Applied Statistics"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Hudson","title":"Machine Learning (ML) and Deep learning (DL)  Augmented Causal Inference  (CI) - applications to image analysis, disease processes, data  linkage and  electronic health  records","description":"Causal inference (CI) [1] has been an attractive research topic for over 2 decades allowing an effective way to uncover causal relationships in real-world problems. There is a worldwide explosion in the volume and types of data available to support outcomes research, health economics, and epidemiology. Machine learning now brings renewed vitality to CI, also new ideas in CI area promise to promote new advancements in ML. \r\n\r\nML methods have traditionally been used for classification and prediction, not causal inference, even though prediction capabilities of ML are hugely accepted. It is noteworthy that machine learning for causal inference is still evolving [2]. For example, in natural language processing recently, researchers have paid increasing attention to enhance natural language processing tasks with causal inference. De-confounded lexical feature learning [3] aims at learning the lexical features that are predictive to a set of target variables yet uncorrelated to a set of confounding variables.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nPredictive analytics are rapidly being upgraded using machine learning methods to take advantage of this opportunity. But we are still left with the question of drawing causal inference from observational data. Can machine learning help? Minimally ML would be an effective for hypothesis generation, as ML core strength of identifying correlational structures in observational data. Whilst once identified, these structures can be tested with usual causal modelling approaches [4]. The current frontier remaining however is using machine learning (deep learning) to estimate causal models directly [5].\r\n\r\nThis project aims to find novel frameworks by which to strengthen use of DL with CI and vice versa i.e., strengthen use of Dl with CI and vice versa with applications to stochastic processes (COVID-19, diseases) and big data such as  electronic health records (ehRs) [6] and data linkage frameworks.\r\n\r\n\r\n[1] Guido Imbens and Donald Rubin. 2015. Causal Inference for Statistics, Social and Biomedical Sciences: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom\r\n\r\n[2] Pearl J, (2019) The seven tools of causal inference, with reflections on machine learning. Communications of the Association Computing Machinery, 62(30) pp 54\u201360 https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3241036\r\n\r\n[3] Reid Pryzant, Kelly Shen, Dan Jurafsky, and Stefan Wagner. 2018. Deconfounded lexicon induction for interpretable social science. In 2018 Conf of the North American Chapter of the Assocn for Computational Linguistics: Human Language Technologies, Volume 1 (Long Papers). 1615\u20131625.\r\n\r\n[4] M. Petersen, M. van der Laan Causal models and learning from data: integrating causal modeling and statistical estimation Epidemiology, 25 (3) (2014), pp. 418-426\r\n\r\n[5] M. Schuler, S. Rose Targeted maximum likelihood estimation for causal inference in observational studies Am J Epidemiol, 185 (1) (2017), pp. 65-73.\r\n\r\n[6] Sarwar, T, ... Hudson IL... Cavedon L.  (2022) The Secondary Use of Electronic Health Records for Data Mining: Data Characteristics and Challenges. ACM Computing Surveys Volume 55 Issue 2 March 2023 Article No.: 33pp 1\u201340 https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3490234.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning\n490508 Statistical Data science \n490501 Applied  Statistics"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Davis, Nitin Mantri","title":"Analysis of gene co-expression networks using local measures of dissimilarity","description":"Sequencing genetic material is one thing, interpreting it and understanding the role that each gene plays is quite another. A gene co-expression network is a simple, undirected graph, where each node corresponds to a gene and edges between pairs of nodes indicate a significant co-expression relationship [1]. Such networks are constructed from gene expression profiles generated from samples of biological material collected over time or under different experimental conditions. Edges in a gene co-expression network are formed by looking for pairs of genes which show a similar expression pattern across samples, i.e. the transcript levels of two co-expressed genes rise and fall together across samples.\rThis project will explore the use of local graph dissimilarity measures as a technique to identify where in the genome of a plant species two different strains of the plant diverge. Areas of high dissimilarity in the co-expression networks of strains of plant with different properties may provide biological insight because differences in co-expression networks translate into differences in sets of genes controlled by the same transcriptional regulatory program, or that are functionally related, or that are members of the same pathway or protein complex [1].\rThe project will use RNA-sequencing data from the laboratory of Associate Professor Nitin Mantri and will aim to assist in the understanding of (i) drought-resistance in chick-pea plants, and (ii) efficacy of medical marijuana for pain management in cancer patients [2]. In the case of chick-pea plants, the possible impact of the project is that it will allow researchers to compare the genetics of drought-resistant strains of chick-pea with sensitive strains to nail down the genetic differences and eventually improve food security in India. In the case of medical marijuana, the possible impact would be an improved understanding of how cannabis plants help cancer patients manage their pain and hence improve their treatment. References:\r[1] Weirauch, M.T., 2011. Gene coexpression networks for the analysis of DNA microarray data. Applied statistics for network biology: methods in systems biology, 1, pp.215-250.\r[2] Kramer, J.L., 2015. Medical marijuana for cancer. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 65(2), pp.109-122.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"010202 - Biological Mathematics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alice Johnstone, Bobbi Fleiss, HBS","title":"Bioinformatics analyses of tertiary phase glial in preterm brain injury","description":"Permanent brain injury in babies can result from exposure to an inflammatory insult combined with being born preterm (<37 of 40 weeks\u2019 gestation). Over their lifetime, these infants\u202ffrequently\u202fstruggle in academic and social settings due to cognitive and social deficits linked to their brain injuries. It is known that the cellular reactivity, termed the\u202ftertiary phase of injury\u202fpersists into childhood and adolescence after early brain injury and is also\u202fobserved\u202fafter multiple other forms of brain injury. These changes involve dysfunction of astrocytes and microglia and they sensitise the brain to further injury. By\u202fidentifying\u202fthese changes creates opportunities for novel therapeutic development.\u202fThis project will add to this field of research by\u202fidentifying\u202fthe signature of injury in a mouse model of preterm inflammatory brain injury. The student will be involved in isolation of glia from our mouse model of inflammatory preterm brain injury for the bioinformatic analyses of novel RNA-seq data for cell-specific, temporal and spatial transcriptomic changes. The integration of existing data and network exploration for pathway involvement in known pathways of cell function regulation will be key in\u202fidentifying\u202fthe nature of the changes. The identified glial signature will be validated at gene and protein levels in the lab to confirm and\u202fvalidate\u202ffindings.\u202f The preferred PhD candidate will have completed an Honours or\u202fMasters in bioinformatics, biostatistics, molecular biology, computer science, or a related discipline, and have a keen interest in neurobiology and development.\u202fThey will work closely with Dr Alice Johnstone, supported by Dr Fleiss and the laboratory technician.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310208: Translational & Applied Bioinformatics (60%) ; \r\n111403 Paediatrics (20%) ; \r\n110903 Central Nervous System (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Parham Moradi and Mahdi Jalili","title":"Temporal Attributed Network Clustering","description":"Despite the temporal-attributed nature of many real-world systems\r\nlike social and biological, and thus the applicability of temporal communities,\r\nvery few methods have been suggested for the Temporal Attributed Network\r\nClustering (TANC) problem due to its difficulty in extracting the vital information from temporal heterogeneous information, including structural connectivity,\r\nattribute similarities, evolution, and co-evolution processes. Therefore, in\r\nthis research, our goals are to develop and adapt popular machine learning techniques like Spectral, NMF, and deep learning to overcome the shortcoming of\r\nexisting methods and also open new paths for researchers in the TANC problem\r\nby introducing and solving new concepts and challenges like interdependency\r\nof heterogeneous information, interpretability of temporal communities in different\r\napplications, and space complexity in TANC problem. We will perform several experiments by suggesting appropriate evaluation metrics and gathering data sets from real-world systems to show the superiority of our models.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490508 Statistical Data science (40%)\r\n461199 machine learning (30%)\r\n400604 Network engineering (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori","title":"Systemic risk analysis in financial sectors using machine learning algorithms and statistical methods","description":"Recommender systems are designed to offer users a personalized set of recommendations or items based on their historical behavior on a given service. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship between the customer and the service, with the service's goal being to maximize user satisfaction and, in turn, revenue and customer retention. To enhance the predictive capabilities of marketing campaigns, we can employ machine learning, deep learning algorithms, and statistical models that are trained using historical customer data. Additionally, we may incorporate credit risk variables and employ more sophisticated product recognition strategies tailored to each customer, enabling us to identify the ideal customers for loan prospecting.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"490508 Statistical data science\r\n490501 Applied statistics\r\n490509 Statistical theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alice Johnstone","title":"Classification and Feature Selection for High Dimensional Biological Data","description":"The improvement of technology used in molecular biology creates an increasing amount of data. The purpose of which is to identify biomarkers, or features, related to the tissue, disease, or comparison of interest. However, classical methods were constructed for experiments where the number of observations (n) exceeds the number of features (p) under investigation. In molecular biology either due to the cost of methodology or ethical considerations in animal studies, typical experiments have a small number of n as biological replicates, where p can extend from tens of thousands through to millions of features under investigation. This project aims to explore and contrast different approaches for efficiency and accuracy of both classification and feature selection. Ensemble approaches will be created through a variety of combinations of multivariate statistics, machine learning and optimisation methods. Through the use of publicly available data, these approaches will be compared to current methodologies by evaluating models for accuracy and efficiency to determine appropriate recommendations for classification and feature selection. The preferred PhD candidate will have completed an Honours or Masters in statistics, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related discipline, and have a keen interest in molecular biology.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"310201 Bioinformatics method development (40%); 461199 Machine Learning (not otherwise specified) (30%) ; 490304 Optimisation (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori","title":"Evaluating the impacts of weather extremes on agricultural production","description":"The evaluation of the impacts of weather extremes on agricultural production, particularly with regard to wheat yield, is a significant concern for ensuring food security. However, given the complex multivariate structure within and between rare events, the identification of an accurate model for the risk associated with spatio-temporal structures of extreme atmospheric variables such as heavy rainfall, floods, and bushfires, poses a statistical challenge. One approach to addressing such extremes and dependence in space and time involves the use of multivariate regular variation processes. This project employs advanced statistical models to analyze the dependency structure of systemic weather risk, which can aid agricultural policymakers and financial managers in assessing potential risks. Furthermore, this study utilizes recent copula-based statistical models in the literature to forecast wheat yields for the upcoming years under various climate change scenarios. The findings of this research could be utilized to develop policies aimed at mitigating the impact of extreme weather events on the agricultural industry and to provide agricultural policymakers and financial managers with the information necessary to understand the potential risks.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490508 Statistical data science\r\n490501 Applied statistics\r\n490509 Statistical theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haydar Demirhan","title":"Fuzzy Approaches to the Regression Problem","description":"Regression tasks aim to explain the system that generates a dataset of interest through a dependent and a set of independent features or variables. The outputs of regression models are used for estimation and prediction tasks in a wide range of applied fields. However, the regression models depend on multiple assumptions that need to be satisfied to get reliable predictions. In that sense, they are always open to advancement to deal with the violations of regression assumptions. \r\n\r\nFuzzy approaches are based on transforming crisp numbers into fuzzy numbers, processing the fuzzy numbers using their membership values and defuzzifying the outputs into crisp numbers. Fuzzy regression approaches are based on the fuzzification of inputs, fitting models on fuzzy numbers and then producing crips numbers for predictions. Fuzzy regression models are applied in many fields such as solar and wind energy generation, wildfire event probability prediction, valuation of real estates, etc. \r\n\r\nIn this project, fuzzy regression methods will be explored, their advantages, disadvantages and performances will be assessed, and the development of robust fuzzy regression models will be considered. Opportunities for the development of fuzzy Bayesian regression approaches will be explored. The developed methodologies will be deployed for applications to renewable energy generation and climate change datasets.\r\n\r\nSince this project requires intense coding to implement considered methods, the candidate needs to have strong programming skills. In this sense, strong knowledge of R, MATLAB and\/or Python is required. Also, knowledge of machine learning methods and statistical methods is essential.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490501\tApplied statistics \r\n460204\tFuzzy computation\r\n461199\tMachine learning not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Baglin, Minyi Li, School of Computing Technologies","title":"Graphical Perception of a Dynamic Layered Grammar of Graphics","description":"Wickham\u2019s (2010) layered grammar of graphics, which built upon the original grammar of graphics by Wilkinson (2005), helped to reveal the underlying structure and connectedness among common statistical graphs. However, this original work did not extend to the use of interactive graphics, which Wickham identified as an important area of research. Interactive data visualisation allows users to select, explore, reconfigure, encode, abstract\/elaborate, filter and connect statistical graphics (Yi et al., 2007). Satyanarayan et al.\u2019s (2017) development of Vega-Lite was one of the first attempts to deal with extending the grammar to interactive graphs. Nonetheless, this work was \u201cheavily influenced\u201d by but not a true extension of the layered grammar for graphics. This research will aim to develop a \u201cdynamic layered grammar of graphics\u201d and evaluate how well it can explain mainstream interactive data visualisation. Furthermore, empirical research focused on the graphical perception of dynamic graphs has lagged behind the rapid development of technology used to implement it. As Cleveland (1994) reminds, \u201ca graphical method is successful only if the decoding process is effective\u201d (p. 20). Accordingly, this research will also develop and implement an experimental framework for testing graphical perception of dynamic graphics. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490599\tStatistics not elsewhere classified (50%)\r\n490501\tApplied statistics (25%)\r\n460807\tInformation visualisation (25%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri","title":"Optimisation models for home care","description":"Since the wide outbreaks of COVID-19, home care became critical for patients in need of health professionals, for elderly people and people living with disabilities to receive the services and help they need in a timely and safe manner. This project focuses on optimisation approaches to better plan home care arrangements including the routing of carers and scheduling of visits. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. The outcome of this project will enable providers of home care services to help more people with their limited resources and improve the quality of life who depend on these services.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108\tOperations research (80%)\r\n490304\tOptimisation (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri","title":"Optimisation models for the building industry","description":"Globally the building industry is having a challenging time due to the limited availability of resources and talent to build new housing, repair and service existing housing stock. This project focuses on optimisation approaches to better manage repair and service of existing housing stock using the very limited availability of tradespeople. This is a very complex problem including the project management of such activities taking precedence relationships, together with routing of the tradespeople and scheduling of visits. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. As a result of this project, the repair and service providers will be able to help more people in a timely manner with their limited resources and improve the lifetime of housing stock.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108        Operations research (80%)\n490304        Optimisation (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri, Karin Reinke","title":"Optimisation models for wildfire preparation","description":"Wildfires are becoming more frequent with climate change, and we need to be better prepared to minimise their impact on our lives and the environment. This project focuses on using optimisation approaches to prepare the landscape by minimising fuel, and its connectedness to contain or at least slow down the progress of wildfires. While doing so we have to be mindful of the environmental requirements as wildfires are an important part of the natural vegetation cycle. Prescribed burns also impact habitats that are critical for many threatened species, and these has to be planned very carefully taking biodiversity considerations into account. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. The results of this project will allow decision makers to make informed decisions to better utilise their limited resources to prepare for wildfires and achieve better outcomes for us and the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108\tOperations research (80%)\r\n490304\tOptimisation (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri","title":"Optimisation models for wildfire response","description":"Wildfires are becoming more frequent with climate change, and we need to be better prepared to minimise their impact on our lives. This project focuses on optimisation approaches to respond to an out-of-control wildfire to minimise its impact on human lives and infrastructure. An example of this is the Asset Protection Problem (APP), where the assets identified as critical are serviced right before the impact of fire to minimise the potential damage of the fire front going through. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. As a result of this project, decision makers will be able to respond in a more efficient manner to minimise the impact of wildfires.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108\tOperations research (80%)\r\n490304\tOptimisation (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"MR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joanne Hall, Kerri Morgan, Matt Skerritt","title":"Radio Mean Labelling of connected graphs for modelling telecommunication interference","description":"Telecommunication networks can be modelled as weighted graphs with nodes representing transmission channels and edges representing signals.  The Radio Mean Labelling of a graph represents the minimum signal strength that is needed in the telecommunication network to enable communication without interference \r\n\r\nThe radio mean labelling has applications in channel assignment for radio transmission and is used as a means of reducing interference between signals of transmitters that are geographically close.  This proposed research investigates the radio mean labelling of families of graphs that model telecommunication networks.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490404, Combinatorics and discrete mathematics (excl. physical combinatorics) 80%\r\n400608 Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave) 20%\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alice Johnstone","title":"Enhancing the biological signal from high dimensional single-cell transcriptomic data","description":"Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as an innovative method, with the potential to investigate biological heterogeneity at the cellular level, enhancing our understanding of immunity and disease. Due to technological limitations and biological variability, scRNA-seq data can be more complicated to identify biological signal from noise. As a result, despite the abundance of bioinformatics tools, robust methods for pre-processing and batch corrections are needed to ensure accuracy and reproducibility. To enable this the development of comprehensive benchmarking procedures to compare and evaluate methodologies and algorithms for data analyses pipelines is essential to make informed recommendations. This project will add to the field of bioinformatics by exploring batch-effect correction through both optimization and statistical approaches. This will include optimization of the objective function for batch effect using weighted K-means clustering with a particular focus on weights modification. Other algorithms including Fuzzy C-means clustering, regression approaches and machine learning will also be evaluated. In addition, this study will develop novel approaches to dimensionality reduction, through modification and adaptation of existing methods such as Principal Component Analyses, UMAP and t-SNE to develop more appropriate clustering mechanisms for scRNA-seq data. Finally, to improve the ability to make accurate comparisons of different methodological approaches, a benchmarking system for scRNA-seq data will also be established. Through the development and enhancement of computational models for scRNA-seq data this project aims to improve the ability to elucidate meaningful biological signals from high-dimensional data to enhance our understanding of disease and provide capability for personalized medicine.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"310201 Bioinformatic methods development (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Griffin","title":"Trustworthy Spatial Information (Multiple candidates)","description":"Spatial data is now mainstream. From public media to public policy, increasing availability of open source data and a plethora of platforms like Google, has made it (too) easy for everyone to\nharness spatial data to communicate and analyse the siting and distribution of almost any phenomena. This PhD topic is broadly interested in the use \u2013 and abuse \u2013 of spatial data, and how we might enable the production and presentation of more trustworthy spatial\ninformation. This topic can be applied in range of domains to enable and enhance science communication, e.g. land and property, environmental data, public health, gender, etc., and is expected to constitute a socio-technical investigation. The focus of the\nresearch can include investigating trustworthiness of the information itself and\/or representations of that information (i.e., visual tools like maps and other information graphics). Potential PhD students are expected to have relevant experience in the domains\nthey intend to work in and have some experience of both qualitative and quantitative research methods and an interest in pursuing research that integrates social and technical epistemologies.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (30%) ; 401301 Cartography and digital mapping (30%) ; 460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Composite Designs for Response Surface Methodology and Multiple Responses","description":"Efficient designs for response surface methodology have a broad application area from food science [1] to chromatography [2] and robotics [3]. A lot of these practical applications requires the modelling of processes with multiple inputs and outputs. The traditional design matrices are no longer the best option as their application in such cases would be either infeasible or extremely costly. The aim of this project is to investigate such situations, to develop new statistical methodology and to generate efficient design matrices for experiments qualified to collect useful data in a feasible and inexpensive way. This new approach will consider prior knowledge on the relationships between the input controllable factors and the output response variables. The mathematical and statistical properties on the resulting new designs matrices are to be investigated and their optimality under the given prior information is to be proved. The project also aims to design and develop the needed algorithms and implement them using the R language. All the mathematical and statistical tools that will be established in this project, as well as any new algorithms and any derived software, will be available to the research community. References:\r[1] https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/312317410_Applications_of_Respons_Surface_Methodology_in_the_Food_Industry_Processes\r[2] https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/24083458_A_Bayesian_Approach_for_Multiple_Response_Surface_Optimization_in_the_Presence_of_Noise_Variables\r[3] https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/226123694_Optimal_robot_placement_using_response_surface_method","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/02\/2022","ecp":"ISE 1 Data and Sensors;","forcodes":"490509 Statistical Theory (60%)\r490599 Experimental Designs and Bayesian Statistics (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arathi Arakala, Amy Corman, Asha Rao","title":"Enhancing Zero-Knowledge Server Functionality","description":"A zero knowledge server is one where data can be stored, operated on and processed without the need for decryption. Algorithms to build efficient zero knowledge servers for all the computational capabilities necessary for stored data, remain an open problem.\rMethods exist for searching both symmetrically [1,3], asymmetrically [2], and fully homomorphically encrypted [4] data without needing to decrypt the data first. Each of these methods has its own limitations in terms of efficiency, types of search query possible and levels of information leakage not consistent with a zero-knowledge server. This project aims to develop novel mathematical techniques to build zero knowledge search, update and computation capabilities for servers. The candidate should have a strong mathematics and computing background including competence in abstract algebra, number theory, cryptography and computational mathematics. They should be capable of programming in R or Python and working with supercomputing platforms. There are no ethical issues associated with this project.\rReferences:\r[1] D. X. Song, et al, \"Practical techniques for searches on encrypted data,\" Proceeding ISSP 2000, pp. 44-55.\r[2] Boneh, D., et al, Public Key Encryption with Keyword Search. EUROCRYPT 2004. LNCS, vol. 3027, pp. 506\u2013522. Springer, Heidelberg (2004)\r[3] Kamara S.,et al Structured Encryption and Leakage Suppression. Advances in Cryptology, LNCS, vol 10991. Springer, Cham. (2018)\r[4] Yousuf H., et al Systematic Review on Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme and Its Application. Recent Advances in Intelligent Systems and Smart Applications. vol 295. Springer, Cham. (2021)","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2022","ecp":"ISE 4 Cyber Security;SC 3 Transformations in digital society and economy;","forcodes":"460401 Cryptography (60%)\n460403 Data Security and Protection (20%)\n490401 Algebra and Number Theory (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haydar Demirhan","title":"Fuzzy Approaches to the Classification Problem","description":"Classification is one of the crucial topics in both machine learning and statistical modelling. In this project, the focus will be on unsupervised learning for clustering. Practical application areas of clustering range from health management to detection of spam emails or fraud transactions. Fuzzy approaches are based on transforming crisp numbers into fuzzy numbers, processing the fuzzy numbers using their membership values and defuzzifying the outputs into crisp numbers. In fuzzy clustering, the clustering is being done over fuzzy sets. The most basic fuzzy clustering method is fuzzy c-means clustering, proposed by Bezdek (1984). Other probabilistic and possibilistic clustering methods have also been proposed in the literature. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of implementation and clustering performance. In this project, fuzzy clustering methods will be explored, their advantages, disadvantages and performances will be assessed, and the development of robust fuzzy clustering approaches will be considered. Since this project requires intense coding to implement considered methods, the candidate needs to have strong programming skills. In this sense, strong knowledge of R, MATLAB and Python is required. Also, some knowledge of machine learning methods is required.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"490501 Applied Statistics (50%)\n490508 Statistical Data Science (25%)\n490503 Computational Statistics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Mali Abdollahian","title":"Analysis of extreme precipitation events using machine learning approach and time series techniques","description":"In recent years, extreme precipitation events have increased in frequency, resulting in significant economic and societal costs. Utilizing accurate precipitation data with high spatial-temporal resolution is advantageous for monitoring, analyzing, and identifying extreme precipitation events accurately. The advent of satellite precipitation products has provided researchers with unprecedented opportunities to estimate precipitation globally and with near real-time temporal resolution. However, satellite precipitation estimates may contain considerable systematic and random errors when compared to high-accuracy gauge precipitation observations. Consequently, this study aims to develop novel models of satellite-based estimates using machine learning algorithms to investigate the spatiotemporal changes in the magnitude and frequency of extreme precipitation events. Ultimately, this research will provide valuable insights to decision-makers and researchers in climate and hydrology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490508 Statistical data science (45%)\r\n380205 Time series analysis (30%)\r\n490501 Applied statistics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh tafakori and Mali Abdollahain","title":"Improving Software Reliability Predictions by Incorporating Learning Effects ","description":"In recent decades, the reliance on computer systems has significantly increased in our daily lives, and their presence has become pervasive. The failure of software systems, whether in routine applications or in critical ones, may result in significant consequences such as financial loss or even loss of human life. To ensure reliable software for real-world applications, the testing process is an essential step to detect and correct errors in the software product, thereby enhancing its reliability. In the case of safety-critical systems, high-reliability requirements are necessary, and specialized approaches have been developed to achieve this objective.\r\nSoftware reliability is a quantitative measure of software quality, and software reliability growth models (SRGMs) are commonly used to assess the reliability of software based on data obtained from the testing phase. These models are widely applied in various fields, including banking, telecommunications, military, embedded systems, and industrial systems. To enhance the accuracy of software reliability models, researchers have proposed several modifications to the assumptions underlying SRGMs. By including realistic assumptions or factors, these models can better describe the software behavior and failure process under different testing conditions.\r\nOne such modification is the incorporation of the learning effect, which arises from the testing staff's experience in identifying prior faults in the software during the testing phase. In this project, we aim to leverage the learning effect perspective to develop a more accurate model of software failure behavior. Specifically, we will use the two-parameter Lindley distribution to better model the learning effect and improve the accuracy of the software reliability model.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"  490501 Applied Statistics\r\n 490509 Statistical theory\r\n 490508 Statistical data science\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingeborg Koch, Sona Taheri","title":"Black-box Optimization for Hyperparameter Tuning and Feature Selection ","description":"Hyperparameter optimization is the problem of selecting a set of optimal hyperparameters for a learning algorithm. Hyperparameter optimization poses a substantial challenge in machine learning and finding the right combination of hyperparameter values is a key task in the learning process. Feature selection is the process of selecting a small subset of relevant features while still constructing learning models with sufficient or even optimal performance. Combining hyperparameter optimization and feature selection tasks is beneficial in learning process as optimizing over the combined spaces of hyperparameters and feature subsets allows exploring the joint spaces simultaneously, consequently computationally efficient. In addition, the optimal choice of hyperparameter configuration can depend on the specific features that are included and vice-versa. Thus, joint optimization can maximize the performance of a learning approach in a reasonable amount of time. \nThis project aims to combine the hyperparameter optimization and feature selection tasks. The joint tasks will be considered as a higher-level optimization problem, where tuning the hyperparameters and selection of the features are the decision variables, and the objective is optimizing the performance of the learning approach. Since an explicit analytical model of this problem is not easy to define due to not having enough information about a functional relationship between input and output values, we propose to formulate and solve this as a black-box optimization problem. The evaluation and comparison of the proposed approach with other similar methods will be performed using some real-world data sets. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning (50%) ; 490304 Optimisation (30%) ; 490108 Operations research (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andy Eberhard, Sona Taheri","title":"Divide and conquer approaches in (mixed) integer programming","description":"There are several places in discrete optimisation where there have been developed heuristics that are motivated by the ideas from feasibility methods such as \"Feasibility Pump\" (FP). The FP splits feasibility and integrality and seek consensus and is used for finding good feasible solutions of a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MIP). This project intends to investigate the problem classes and models formulated in MIP context. Novel MIP algorithms will be introduced by incorporating the divide-and-conquer approach and the heuristics motivated by the feasibility methods. The algorithms will be applied to real-world applications such as vehicle routing problems.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (50%) ; 490108 Operations research (50%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Experimental Designs and Applications","description":"Experimental designs plays an important role in industrial applications, process and quality control. The aim of this project is to generate experimental designs that are efficient and provide solutions to study industrial applications. The mathematical models will be develop based on the constructed design matrices. These experimental designs will be compared and evaluated under a number of theoretical criteria. Such designs may include the classical fractional factorial designs or more advance designs for response surface methodologies, Latin hypercube designs and Definitive alternative designs.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 (75%) ; 490508 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Davis","title":"Global Sensitivity Analysis of Stochastic Models","description":"There is an increasing expectation that mathematical models published in the fields of ecology, population biology and epidemiology will be accompanied by global sensitivity analyses that attribute a share of the variation in model outcomes to uncertainty in individual model parameters. Indeed, a suite of modern methods to perform global sensitivity analyses has emerged over the last two decades. Global sensitivity analysis differs from local sensitivity analysis by considering how model outputs vary across a well-defined parameter space where all model parameters are varying at the same time, rather than considering how model outputs depend on variation in a single parameter while all other parameters are fixed. Global sensitivity analysis techniques typically assume that the model is deterministic such that model outputs are wholly determined by the parameter values given to the model, and if the same parameter values are used to run the model again it will give identical results. Many mathematical models though are stochastic in nature such that the model will predict a range of outcomes due to an inherent random process that has been included in the structural design of the model, and considered to be an important feature. This is a different source of variation in model outcomes, distinct from the uncertainty arising from estimating parameter values. The project will first consider using the default Sobols\u2019 indices for stochastic models and then consider other, more efficient, approaches that make use of Fourier series to improve convergence. It is unclear whether the more efficient techniques can incorporate stochasticity. The methods developed will be applied to scenarios where stochastic models are most useful, e.g. minimum viable populations for conservation, incursions of non-native species, the early stages of an epidemic, epidemic elimination (e.g. rabies, polio).","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/01\/2030","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"010202 - Biological Mathematics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"MR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Asha Rao,  Sona Taheri","title":"Enabling cybersecurity solutions via optimization-based artificial intelligence and machine learning","description":"Increased use of public cloud services, the growing number of users, the huge uptake of Internet of Things (IoT), etc. all create new threats for cyber security, leading to enormous losses both in terms of monetary as well as manpower and time. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two of the most disruptive technologies with the potential of addressing these problems. However, the majority of traditional network security tools using these technologies, are inefficient and inaccurate as they are unable to deal with the large-scale nature of the rapidly evolving, diverse attacks on cyber security. This is called the curse of high-dimensionality (of the data) \u2013 basically, the number of features that need to be accounted for quickly becomes impossible to address. One way of addressing the high dimensionality is via optimization. Nonsmooth optimization (NSO) formulation of AI and ML problems, leads to a significant reduction of the dimensions, allowing better and more efficient extraction of the essential knowledge from the huge volume of data and information received.  This project aims to use NSO to strengthen AI and ML approaches to cyber defence and cyber security by detecting and predicting the threats and anomalies accurately and efficiently.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"461199 Machine Learning (20%) ; 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%) ; 490304 Optimisation (25%) ; 460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yan Wang","title":"Dynamics Point Processes in Ecological Modelling","description":"The world is undergoing rapid environmental change, including global warming, shifting climates, eutrophication, habitat loss and fragmentation, and shifting disturbance regimes.\n \n Both the distribution and abundance of organisms, which are fundamental components of ecology, are being severely disrupted by the rapid acceleration of these changes. Understanding variation and change in where individuals of given species occur is crucial for making predictions about future states of species populations and ecological communities.\n \n The project will explore the application of dynamical point process models from probability theory to ecology so as to determine their applicability to problems of explaining and predicting variation and change in distribution and abundance of organisms. In order to achieve this goal, the project will adapt, improve and advance the established theory, and apply the theory to a series of datasets consisting of configurations of individuals in space and time. The project will also develop and disseminate software to fit models and evaluate their performance.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490510 Stochastic Analysis and Modelling (40%);\n 490509 - Statistical Theory (30%)\n 410401 Conservation and Biodiversity (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Davis","title":"The economic impact of ehrlichiosis in Australia and related interventions","description":"An emerging infectious disease called Ehrlichiosis has recently been detected in Australia (Commonwealth of Australia n.d.). The disease occurs in dogs after having been bitten by a brown dog tick infected with the bacteria Ehrlichiosis canis. An infected dog may experience a range of symptoms including, but not limited to, fever, weight loss, anaemia, and nosebleeds that require veterinary treatment. If left untreated infection can result in death (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2020). First detected in May 2020, the disease is now known to be established in the north of Western Australia and Northern Territory. It has also been detected in northern South Australia. The national Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases recently concluded that elimination is infeasible and so appropriate strategies for disease management need to be considered. This project will involve constructing mathematical models for the spread of Ehrlichiosis and the economic costs associated with its management. This will contribute to the preparedness of Australia to successfully manage the disease in areas it is already established, and to prevent or estimate the cost of it spreading into new areas.\n References\n Commonwealth of Australia n.d., Ehrlichiosis in dogs, Commonwealth of Australia, viewed 14 September 2021, < https:\/\/www.outbreak.gov.au\/current-responses-to-outbreaks\/ehrlichiosis-dogs>\n Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2020, Ehrlichiosis in dogs (Ehrlichia canis), Government of Western Australia, viewed 14 September 2021, <https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/ehrlichiosis>","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"010202 - Biological Mathematics (50%)\n 111706 - Epidemiology (25%)\n 140208 - Health Economics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Andrew Eberhard, Alex Kruger, Geetika Verma, Thao Nguyen Hieu","title":"Regularity structures for first-order optimization methods and applications in imaging problems in industry 4.0. ","description":"Qualitative and quantitative understanding of complicated physical systems is at the core of every development of modern technology. Mathematical foundations of computational optimization tools play the key role in the analysis. The last few decades have witnessed an explosion of first-order methods for solving nonconvex optimization problems arising from various practical fields. Recent literature has indicated a huge potential of the metric regularity property and its siblings in analysing convergence and complexity of first-order methods. Meticulous investigation of regularity structures with the target of improving understanding of convergence behavior of expansive fixed-point algorithms will be the first research avenue. The expected findings would include sharper analysis tools for extending the convergence theory beyond the traditional framework of convexity and monotonicity. The project also targets more delicate characterizations of regularity notions which will allow researchers to challenge open problems in optimization theory. Further applications and improvement of the convergence analysis will be another research avenue of the project. The prospective outcomes of this research direction would further bridge the gap between what can be explained by the convergence theory and what is often observed in practice. The research is driven by practical problems arising in imaging, including machine learning algorithms for computer vision systems in autonomous production lines. The new research findings in Variational analysis and optimization methods will be applied to a wide range of real-world problems in imaging science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"010303 Optimisation\r\n0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing\r\n010203 Calculus of Variations, Systems Theory and Control Theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dawei Su, ","title":"2D materials designed for understanding and developing photocatalytic hydron evolution reaction","description":"Photocatalysis for water splitting is an essential green way of generating pure hydrogen. The photocatalytic processes are pivotal for advancing clean energy solutions due to hydrogen's high energy density, abundance, and zero carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels.\nThis project will explore 2D materials (such as the g-C3N4) as the water photocatalysis fundamentals, focusing on the HER and current technologies. It then investigates 2D materials decorated with transition metal single atoms for their potential tunable photocatalytic performances, aiming to leverage their unique structures to develop efficient and sustainable energy solutions.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"091205 - Functional Materials 70%\n 401807 - Nanomaterials 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yichao Wang, Vipul Bansal","title":"Plant sensor for real-time monitoring plant health","description":"Each year, agriculture and forestry suffer significant economic losses of approximately $100 billion due to combined biotic and abiotic stresses. Climate change, global warming and the greenhouse effect exacerbate the adverse effects of these stresses. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately monitor and assess plant physiological status to conserve soil, water and nutrients, reduce the use of pesticides and increase crop yield.\n\nThe project aims to develop nanobionic sensors capable of detecting and monitoring plant stresses in a timely manner. These sensors will provide real-time insights into plant health and conditions, enabling early intervention to prevent stress-induced damage. Plants release signaling molecules for cell-to-cell communication, allowing them to recognize and respond to different stressors both inside and outside the plant body. These signaling molecules include chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The embedded nanosensors, either within plant tissues or on the surface in the form of tattoo sensors or wearable sensors, will detect plant stress by intercepting these signaling molecules and communicating with portable devices such as handheld thermal imaging cameras or Raman spectrometers.\n\nThe project will be conducted within RMIT\u2019s Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Facility, directed by Prof. Vipul Bansal. This facility specializes in functional nanomaterials and point-of-care nano-devices for biomedical and agricultural applications. The devices developed in the facility are inexpensive, simple to use, extremely sensitive and capable of providing accurate and instant diagnoses.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (40%)\n310607 - Nanobiotechnology        (30%)\n401605 - Functional Materials (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yichao Wang, Vipul Bansal","title":"Boosting plant photosynthesis using nano-bio interactions","description":"Plants form the primary biomass on the planet, however, their photosynthetic efficiencies and potential biomass yield are compromised because they utilise only a portion of incident solar radiation and also have relatively low electron transport rates (ETRs). For improving these efficiencies, the discovery of chlorophyll f, a new type of chlorophyll that absorbs light in the far IR range of the light spectrum has been groundbreaking. Inspired by this finding, many researchers have used genetic manipulation to overcome the challenge of light absorption deficiency. Nonetheless, this technique is complex and specific to certain species and not universally applicable to all plants.\n\nThis project will explore a novel plant nanobionics approach to enhance photosynthesis by improving light capture and ETRs using plasmonic intercalation compounds of selected low-dimensional transition metal oxides (TMOs). These TMOs are non-cytotoxic and biocompatible, making them environmentally friendly. The study will develop oxide compounds as artificial antennas to capture extended optical wavelengths unavailable to natural plants. Additionally, the energetic hot electrons excited by plasmonic materials and injected into the plant system will be investigated to achieve unprecedented energy conversion from solar to chemical. The expected outcomes will provide a strong foundation for developing new plant systems with enhanced photosynthetic efficiency.\n\nThe project will be conducted within RMIT\u2019s Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Facility, directed by Prof. Vipul Bansal. This facility specializes in functional nanomaterials and point-of-care nano-devices for biomedical and agricultural applications. The devices developed in the facility are inexpensive, simple to use, extremely sensitive and capable of providing accurate and instant diagnoses.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional Materials (40%)\n310607 - Nanobiotechnology        (30%)\n340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei, Peter C. Sherrell","title":"Development of Novel Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Novel Batteries and Supercapacitors","description":"Batteries (e.g. Lithium-ion batteries) with high energy and power density have been widely used in portable electric vehicles and electric power storage devices. However, there is a serious concern about the availability of lithium for large-scale applications due to the limit of lithium reserves in the earth. On this occasion, the eco-friendly batteries and supercapacitors such as sodium- or zinc-ion batteries operable at room temperature have become the focus in the field of energy and environment, owing to the low cost and natural abundance of sodium and zinc. Consequently, new nanomaterials for batteries and supercapacitors need to be developed urgently. One of the main issues is to increase the energy density, which can be achieved via tuning the reversible capacity and operating voltages.\n\nThis project will develop novel nanomaterials with the extremely high thermal stability and favourable electrical insulativity to improve the specific capacity and cycling stability as well as other properties of batteries and supercapacitors. The know-how developed for Li-ion homologues will be transferred to new batteries\u2019 systems to optimize the selection of compositions. Different synthesis routes will be used to enhance solid solution domains and master the microstructure. The electrochemical behavior of new materials will be evaluated, and the mechanisms will be investigated through several techniques in the labs and in cooperation with the characterization platforms.\n ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 50% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 20% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei","title":"Novel Nanomaterials for water purification","description":"Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO), have successfully aroused much research enthusiasm and exhibited extensive prospect in separation fields due to its unique physiochemical properties, such as one-atom-thickness structure and enriched oxygenated functionalities. The laminated structure formed by stacking of GO nanosheets enables to create a lot of nanochannels for efficient mass transport. Meanwhile, the oxygenated functional groups not only endow GO with surface negativity and stable dispersibility, but also supply enriched favourable chemical reactant sites for a variety of further modification. Benefited from these properties, GO can be the preferential candidate in membrane fabrication for water treatment.\n \nHowever, a big challenge still exists to directly apply GO membrane in seawater desalination due to its poor ion rejection of small ions. In addition, it is still a great challenge to achieve high selectivity and low permeance of water desalination through precise d-spacing control of 2D membranes within sub-nanometer. In this project, we will develop functionalised 2D nanomaterial and their membranes with various functional groups to enhance metal ions and molecular sieving for water purification.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 50% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 20% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan liu","title":"The structure design and property investigation of 2D nanomaterials","description":"The development of renewable, clean and sustainable energy is becoming a major priority worldwide. Australia urgently needs to develop a sustainable green economy based on renewable energy resources (e.g., solar, wind and ocean energy) that will greatly contribute to national economic growth and environmental sustainability. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional (2D) hybrid nanostructures with new physical and chemical properties to address the critical challenges of controlling the functionalization of these nanostructures. Such control is essential for unlocking the potential of nanomaterials in key energy generation applications. The research will delve deeply into exploring and achieving breakthroughs in the range of properties that can be attained at the atomic level, a process that is complex and multidimensional. Therefore, the focus will be on designing sustainable materials, understanding their fundamental properties, and investigating the synthesis processes at the atomistic level, with the goal of targeting their practical application in energy harvesting.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; \n401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 40% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Haitao Yu","title":"Investigating physicochemical and toxic properties of lipid nanoparticles as prospective drug carriers","description":"Oral drug delivery is the most preferred administration route for the treatment of many diseases including chronic gut diseases for its ease of use, lower cost of administration, and better patient compliance. However, the challenge faced in oral drug delivery is poor bioavailability of conventional drug formulations due to a series of formidable biological barriers present in the gastrointestinal tract. The effectiveness of traditional drugs as well as emerging biomolecule drugs such as monoclonal antibodies is therefore often compromised. Nanoparticle drug delivery is a promising system for enhanced drug delivery. This project aims to engineer a library of lipid nanoparticles using newly developed ionisable lipids and cholesterol and PEG derivatives and assess the nanoparticle's physicochemical, structural and toxic properties. This project would suit a HDR candidate with an interest in nanotechnology and chemistry. The candidate would have an opportunity to learn skills in nanoparticle formulation, bio-nanomaterial proof of concept studies in vitro and in vivo, and a range of biophysical instruments including small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering, microscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and synchrotron-based techniques. The candidate will be supported in a multi-disciplinary research group that has a strong track record in the proposed research area and HDR completion. Our laboratory in School of Science at the city campus, together with the renowned RMIT facilities and centres, ensure essential resources required for the project.   \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saffron Bryant, Gary Bryant","title":"Cryopreservation of Reproductive Cells","description":"Cryopreservation of cells involves storage at very cold temperatures to minimise biochemical activity and prevent damage to the cells. However, the freezing process is damaging and requires cryoprotectants and tailored freezing protocols to enable cell survival.\nCryopreservation is particularly vital to assisted reproductive technologies for both humans and livestock. Unfortunately, post-cryopreservation success remains low which has time, financial, and emotional costs.\nThis project will involve developing novel cryopreservation protocols for reproductive cells and testing the outcomes of these on embryos, sperm, and oocytes. Techniques will include in-vitro fertilisation, toxicity assays, microscopy and embryonic manipulation and observation.\nThe key aim of this project is to optimise cryopreservation protocols for specific reproductive cells by tailoring a number of variables.\nThis project is ideal for candidates with a background in embryology or reproductive biology but would also suit broader biology graduates.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 Soft Condensed Matter (25%) 321599 Reproductive medicine not elsewhere classified (35%) 310199 Biochemistry and Cell Biology not Elsewhere classified (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Philipp Reineck, Jared Cole, Blanca del Rosal Rabes","title":"Near-infrared quantum emitters in diamond","description":"Fluorescent defects in diamonds \u2013 so called quantum emitters -  are at the heart of many emerging quantum sensing technologies, which are used in applications ranging from biomedicine to defence.\n\nThis project aims to develop near-infrared quantum emitters in diamond as a platform technology that may ultimately enable long-distance quantum networks, integrated photonics, and deep tissue biosensors based on diamond. The project is expected to generate the fundamental science required to discover new emitters and explore the potential of recently discovered emitters as near-infrared single photon sources and quantum sensors. The expected outcome is ultra-stable nanoscale light sources in the telecom range that bridge the gap between emerging diamond-based quantum technologies and mature near-infrared photonics and that may one day enable new biosensors for better health outcomes and quantum-assured communication for improved security.\n\nThe project will involve incorporating various elements into the diamond lattice via ion implantation, high-energy irradiation, and high-temperature processing of diamond samples. The optical and quantum properties of the fabricated samples will be investigated using state-of-the-art research facilities available at RMIT. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510203 - Nonlinear optics and spectroscopy 50%\n510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter 30%\n510805 - Quantum technologies 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 \/ MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne, David Broadway, Philipp Reineck","title":"Spin defects in 2D materials for nanoscale quantum sensing","description":"This project aims to study the optical and spin properties of atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride, a layered van der Waals materials made of atomically thin 2D sheets. These properties will then be leveraged to realise nanoscale quantum sensors that can measure magnetic fields with unparalleled sensitivity and spatial resolution. Specific project goals include the characterisation of new defects and their optical and spin properties in a range of samples, the development of methods to create the defects on demand with optimised properties, and the demonstration of sensing applications for chemical detection or for the characterisation of nanomaterials. Skills you will learn include constructing\/conducting optical microscopy experiments, programming a software interface to control an experiment, preparing\/characterising samples using state-of-the-art tools, and modelling of spin-photophysical systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805 Quantum technologies (40%)\n340304 Optical properties of materials (30%)\n401807 Nanomaterials (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hank Han, Maggie Zhai, Tamar Greaves, Calum Drummond ","title":"Developing bile salt and ionic liquid-lipid nanocomplex for oral delivery of nucleic acid","description":"Oral delivery of nucleic acids is a promising therapeutic strategy due to its higher patient compliance and convenience compared to injections. However, this approach faces significant challenges, including the degradation of nucleic acids in the stomach and their entrapment in the mucus layer and epithelial barriers. Additionally, low transfection efficiency in target cells hinders the effectiveness of this method. Lipid-based drug delivery systems have shown potential to address these issues, as lipids can be digested by gastrointestinal lipases and absorbed through the GI tract. Their efficiency, however, depends on factors such as lipase activity, pH, and bile secretion. To improve oral bioavailability, bile acids, ionic liquids, and their derivatives have been explored as absorption enhancers. They can form micelles, incorporate into liposomes or nanocomplexes, and promote transcytosis via intestinal transporters, enhancing nucleic acid uptake.\n\nWhile peptide-based gene therapies have been explored, poor permeability and low bioavailability highlight the need for better delivery systems. Nucleic acid gene therapy offers advantages like stability during formulation and sustained therapeutic effects through gene expression. This PhD project aims to develop salt-lipid-based nanocomplexes to improve the oral delivery of nucleic acids, enhancing their stability, permeability, and transfection efficiency. Key areas of the project include nanoparticle design and synthesis, stability and characterization, oral permeability testing, toxicity and safety assessment, and transfection studies. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)\n340699 Physical chemistry not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321404 Pharmaceutical delivery technologies (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alastair Stacey, Brant Gibson","title":"Scalable Fabrication of Diamond Quantum Microprocessors","description":"The foremost challenge confronting quantum computing at present lies in scalability, or the ability to extend quantum systems to the level needed to tackle the complex problems that are impossible with classical computers. Diamond has served as a leading material platform for quantum sensor, communication, and computer development for nearly two decades, with diamond quantum computers based on the nitrogen vacancy centre (NV) standing out as the sole solid-state devices showcasing non-trivial quantum algorithms and simulations at room temperature (RT).\n \nThe key challenge to realising scalable multi-qubit architecture is the precise fabrication of NV centres. Deterministic placement of NV centres at such high precision cannot be achieved using conventional \u2018top-down\u2019 nitrogen (N) ion-implantation techniques. We have recently shown NVs can be placed in a single atomic layer by (1) terminating the diamond surface with N, and (2) incorporating the N as NV into the diamond via epitaxial overgrowth.\n \nIn this multi-institutional industry-partnered project, the HDR student will work together in close collaboration with partners from LaTrobe University and Quantum Brilliance Pty Ltd (QB), to push the precision of this NV placement technique into the lateral dimensions on the diamond surface. They will develop methods that enable deterministic NV placement by placement of N-species on the single crystal diamond surface, followed by overgrowth. The HDR will characterise the adsorption of N-species to the diamond surface, develop overgrowth techniques using microwave assisted chemical vapour deposition, and characterise nitrogen retention and NV formation resulting from the overgrowth process.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805 Quantum technologies (50%)\n510407 Surface properties of condensed matter (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jared Cole, Jackson Smith","title":"Superconducting quantum circuit design","description":"Superconducting circuits are key to a range of quantum technologies, as they can be controlled electrically while also having low dissipation and long coherence times. A significant limitation of current circuit designs is the stability and movement of quasi-particles generated externally and within the chip, which reduce circuit performance. \nUsing advanced theoretical and computational modelling techniques, this project will study the dynamics of quasi-particles in superconducting circuits. The aim will be to characterise and understand existing designs, and then propose and analyse new designs which will control quasi-particle dynamics. Improved materials and designs will then be tested both at the University of Adelaide and Analog Quantum Circuits to calibrate and validate the theoretical models.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510404 (50%)\n510805 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tamar Greaves, Hank Han","title":"Controlling Protein Aggregation for Nanoparticle Development in Oral Drug Delivery","description":"This PhD project aims to develop innovative methods for using ionic liquids or salts to dissolve and desolvate food-based proteins, producing biocompatible protein nanoparticles. Advanced scattering techniques will be employed to fabricate these nanoparticles and develop formulations with enhanced permeability. The primary focus is on the oral delivery of insulin and bioactive compounds, with the ultimate goal of transforming oral therapeutic delivery systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603        Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)\n340699        Physical chemistry not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321404        Pharmaceutical delivery technologies (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Philipp Reineck","title":"Nanodiamonds for intracellular sensing","description":"The project aims to explore the innovative use of nanodiamonds as a versatile platform for intracellular sensing in stem cells. Stem cells possess remarkable regenerative potential, making them invaluable for tissue engineering and regenerating damaged tissues. However, understanding their intracellular processes and responses to external stimuli remains a challenge due to limited tools for precise monitoring.\n\nNanodiamonds offer a unique combination of properties that make them ideal candidates for intracellular sensing. Their small size allows for cellular uptake without causing significant cytotoxicity, and their chemistry can be tailored for specific sensing applications (i.e. magnetic fields, temperature, voltage). Moreover, their stable fluorescent and magnetic properties enable real-time, non-invasive monitoring of cellular processes at the nanoscale level.\n\nThe project will focus on optimizing nanodiamond-based sensing platforms, leveraging nanodiamonds' inherent sensitivity to intracellular changes, such as temperature or redox potential. This will allow for real-time monitoring of stem cell responses to environmental changes and stimulation protocols, thus enhancing our understanding of their regenerative potential and enabling improved control over their fate.\n\nThis is an interdisciplinary project at the intersection of nanotechnology, stem cell biology, and biomedical engineering, aiming to establish nanodiamonds as powerful tools for intracellular sensing. As such this project would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"401809 Nanophotonics (Nanotechnology) (50%)\n320606 Regenerative medicine (incl stem cells) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Bryant","title":"Improved sperm motility following cryopreservation: a multi-species study","description":"Sperm motility is vital for reproductive success of many species, and assisted reproduction using cryopreservation of sperm is vital not only for humans, but for livestock production, and preservation of endangered species.\n\nThis project we will use the technique of Differential Dynamic Microscopy (DDM) to assess motility in semen from a range of species. DDM was first used to study motility by the Soft Matter group at Edinburgh University, in collaboration with Bryant at RMIT. That group went on to show the utility of the technique in bacteria and other organisms as well as bull semen, and we have recently reviewed the applications to biological systems.\n\nThis project will focus on applying DDM to the measurement of motility in sperm before and after cryopreservation. There are two key aims to the research:\n1)\tDevelop better cryopreservation methods for sperm from species where recovery rates are low (these include native species, pest species and non-mammalian species).\n2)\tBetter understand changes to motility following cryopreservation: Questions include: how does the degree of circularity of spermatozoa trajectories affect fertility; how does sample dilution affect circularity and speed; Is there a time dependence for motility following cryopreservation?\n\nThis is an experimental project, but for those with strong physics and programming skills, there is the opportunity to develop more refined analysis techniques.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/03\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 (50%)\n510501 (25%)\n321599 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne, David Broadway, Brant Gibson, Andrew Greentree","title":"Solid-state radiofrequency-optical quantum transducers","description":"The project is a close collaboration with two companies, Diamond Defence and Phasor Innovation, with internship opportunities available. It aims to develop radiofrequency (RF) receivers and spectrum analysers based on quantum materials acting as RF-optical transducers. These transducers rely on optically active quantum spins housed in a wide bandgap material to convert an input RF signal into an optical signal, thereby electromagnetically decoupling the RF input from the detection electronics. The quantum-based technology developed in this project has thus the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional semiconductor-based RF detection technology which suffers degraded performance and even damage when subjected to high power signals during jamming events. Two specific quantum materials will be explored in the project: diamond containing nitrogen-vacancy spins, and hexagonal boron nitride containing isotropic spins. The project will involve realising lab demonstrators and prototypes of the proposed quantum RF receivers and spectrum analysers, including designing the RF delivery, optical readout, signal processing, and software interface, and evaluating and optimising their performance. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805        Quantum technologies (50%)\n400909        Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (30%)\n400913        Radio frequency engineering (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Greentree, Brant Gibson","title":"Quantum tensor gradiometry for navigation and anomaly detection with diamond","description":"Quantum tensor gradiometric navigation is an emerging technique for advanced navigation.  The core idea is that the use of particular tensor identities from a small network of vector magnetometers can mitigate the effects of platform rotation and vibration noise.  At the same time, advances in quantum diamond magnetometry have made diamond a promising platform to realise tensor gradiometry with the advantages of low SWAP and precise vector alignment due to the crystallographic properties of diamond.  With our partners, Phasor, we seek to create the world\u2019s first diamond-based quantum tensor gradiometer.\nThis project will explore and benchmark diamond-based quantum tensor gradiometers against other magnetic navigation solutions.  This will involve rigorous modelling of measured and expected noise signatures include sensor and platform noise.  Also important will be to develop suitable methods for map matching and sensor fusion with expected classical sensors, such as inertial measurement units.\nWe will also consider the properties of a quantum tensor gradiometer in magnetically dynamic environments.  This is important when considering the effects of realistic noise signatures, such as atmospheric and oceanographic noise, and also the presence of unmapped magnetic anomalies.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805        Quantum technologies 50%\n401303        Navigation and position fixing 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Philipp Reineck, Brant Gibson","title":"Hybrid quantum sensing materials based on fluorescent nanodiamonds","description":"Fluorescent colour centres in diamonds are at the heart of many emerging quantum sensing technologies, which are used in applications ranging from biomedicine to defence. \nThis project aims to incorporate diamond quantum sensors into other materials like glasses and polymers to add sensing functionality to optical fibres and polymer-based bioscaffolds. The project involves the processing and characterisation of fluorescent diamond particles, their integration into glasses and polymers, the fabrication of hybrid functional materials like glass and polymer fibres, the characterisation of the created hybrid materials, and the development of these materials towards quantum sensing applications. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510203 - Nonlinear optics and spectroscopy (20%)\n510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter (30%)\n510805 - Quantum technologies (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Partridge","title":"Reservoir computing at the edge for next generation sensing and diagnostics","description":"Neuromorphic systems mimic behavioral and functional aspects of biological neural systems, such as those found in the brain. They offer greatly increased efficiency and adaptability when compared with our current von Neumann computers. They also present the opportunity to perform computational tasks near or within sensing devices for \u201cedge computing\u201d, with applications as diverse as personal health monitoring and space-based measurement systems.\n\nIn this project you will develop and use experimental and theoretical skills to build, test and optimize neuromorphic systems known as reservoir computers. These will be used to explore high efficiency edge computing with inputs from nearby or integrated mechanical, optical or biological sensors. You will work within, and be supported by, a team of internationally recognized experts in device technology, surface science, chemistry, and theoretical modelling. During the project, you will develop advanced functional materials and neuromorphic devices, making use of the world leading electronic and materials characterization tools available at the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility and the Micro Nano Research Facility.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"490206 Statistical mechanics, physical combinatorics and mathematical aspects of condensed matter (50%), 461104 Neural networks (25%), 519901 Complex physical systems (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dougal McCulloch","title":"Synthesising novel phases of carbon by shear-induced phase transformations","description":"The record hardness and high refractive index of diamond-like carbons make them critical in a diverse range of applications from automated machining to quantum optoelectronics. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials  (40%), 401605 - Functional materials  (30%), 510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brant Gibson, Andrew Greentree","title":"Diamond RF spectrum monitoring","description":"An opportunity exists for a PhD student to work on a theory project, relating to the use of diamond for RF spectrum monitoring. Diamond containing the nitrogen-vacancy colour centre has emerged as one of the most important solid-state quantum materials. Working closely with experimental physicists and our industry partners, you will explore the use of nitrogen-vacancy colour centres as material for monitoring weak radio-frequency signals. This work sits at the intersection of quantum science, photonics, materials science, and RF engineering. You will participate in regular team meetings and benefit from the supportive, interdisciplinary environment at RMIT University. You will have a degree including research experience (e.g. Honours, Masters, or equivalent experience) in a discipline related to the project, with preference given to graduates from Physics or Engineering backgrounds. You will be encouraged to present your work at conferences and team meetings, as well as to publish and\/or patent your results.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"020404 - Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Condensed Matter; Superconductivity (40%)\r\n020504 - Photonics, Optoelectronics and Optical Communications (35%)\r\n100505 - Microwave and Millimetrewave Theory and Technology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova","title":"Laser-synthesized nanomaterials for new biological applications","description":"This project is part of Australia-France Network of Doctoral Excellence (AUFRANDE) aufrande.eu in a PhD program at both Aix-Marseille and RMIT Universities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401805 Advanced Materials Manufacturing and Fabrication (50%)\r\n400305 Biomedical and Health Innovation (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicolas Menicucci","title":"Theoretical Quantum Information and Quantum Computing","description":"Quantum technology harnesses the surprising features of quantum mechanics for practical applications like advanced computing and secure communication. This challenging PhD experience in theoretical quantum physics will put you at the forefront of an exciting field. As a PhD student with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T), you will have connections with the flagship organisation for Australian research in quantum computing, comprising 8 Australian unis and more than 30 international partner organisations. For more information, please contact Prof Nicolas Menicucci.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"510805 Quantum Technologies (50%)\r\n510803 Quantum information, computation and communication (30%)\r\n510804 Quantum optics and quantum optomechanics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Bryant, Philipp Reineck","title":"Advanced characterisation of complex nanoparticles using scattering techniques","description":"Nanoparticles are of growing importance for a range of applications including drug delivery, Lubricants and Biosensors. While traditional research has focussed on homogeneous spherical nanoparticles there is growing interest in the possible applications for complex nanoparticles, including a range of shapes (rods, disks, plates, prisms etc) and a range of complex morphologies (core-shell particles, multi-layered particles, clusters etc).\n\nWhile imaging methods can be used to characterise some of these particles, generally they rely on sample preparation which can change the shape and\/or size, especially for soft particles. Moreover, many of the applications are for particles suspended in water or other solvents, so the characterisation of their properties in suspension is critical.\n\nWhile characterising of spherical particles is standard, methods for the characterisation of complex particles are much more limited. Recently we have developed techniques for improved characterisation of a range of particle morphologies using scattering techniques (light, X-ray and neutron). However, the experiments and analysis required are very specialised, and not yet suitable for use outside of research settings.\n\nThis project will advance this research by developing improved and simplified experimental and analysis methods for the characterisation of complex nanoparticles in suspension. Experiments will use advanced scattering techniques at RMIT, as well as international X-ray and Neutron scattering facilities. In addition, the project will involve experiments at the National Measurement Institute (NMI) in Sydney to apply complementary techniques. There may also be the opportunity for an extended internship at NMI.\n\nThis project would be suitable for a physicist, physical chemist or engineer with an interest in optics and scattering. The research will require an understanding of scattering theory and solid programming skills.\n\nTo discuss this project further please contact: \nProf Gary Bryant (gary.bryant@rmit.edu.au)\nPhilipp Reineck (philipp.reineck@rmit.edu.au)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510405 (50%)\r\n340603 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tamar Greaves, Andrew Christofferson & Calum Drummond","title":"Protein solubility and stability in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents","description":"Most proteins have limited solubility and stability outside their native environment. This project will aim to develop new solvents to improve and control the solubility and stability of proteins. These solvents will be aqueous and neat solutions of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents. This project will involve characterisation of protein solubility and stability using a broad range of techniques including spectroscopic and scattering. This will be done in conjunction with designing, developing and characterising new solvents, including their physicochemical and solvation properties.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Blanca del Rosal, Philipp Reineck, Brant Gibson, Sarah Spencer, SHBS","title":"Lifetime imaging for non-invasively tracking brain inflammation and injury","description":"Microglia are immune cells in the central nervous system that respond to changes in brain health when inflammation or injury occurs. Microglia display a bright autofluorescence (AFL) that offers unique potential as a biomarker of changes in brain health, since autofluorescence is extremely susceptible to changes in cell metabolism and function. Microglia are also present in the retina, so they may be visualised non-invasively through a retinal scan. In this project, we use advanced optical microscopy and coherent vibrational spectroscopy techniques to characterise the AFL of microglia in the brain and retina of healthy and diseased animal models. These techniques include advanced time-resolved microscopy, both under single- and multiphoton excitation, nonlinear Raman spectroscopies (Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) and Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy, SRS) and short-wave infrared imaging and photoluminescence spectroscopy. We will develop analytical methods, including two-dimensional phasor plotting of lifetimes, to quantify the effect of disease in microglial AFL and the correlation between changes in the brain and the retina. These will serve to establish a set of imaging parameters that can provide information on brain health through retinal imaging. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400304\r\n320903\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova, Denver Linklater, Phuc Le","title":"Design and characterisation of surface topography and architecture of advanced biomimetic functional coatings ","description":"It is well known that surface topography can imbue material surfaces with remarkable properties, but the ability to control surface structure on large surface areas remains a challenge and requires new approaches. The overall goal of this project is therefore to provide further understanding of the mechanistic processes that allow assembly of substantially durable films. Key skills in this area are application of surface analytical techniques to probe the nanostructure and architecture of surfaces. The knowledge generated in this project will assist in the development of advanced coating.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401807"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova, Zoltan Vilagosh, Denver Linklater, Elena Pirogova, SoE","title":"Study of the mechanism\/s of biological effects of low-power radiofrequency emissions","description":"This project is part of RMIT University node under the Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR), which is a Centre of Excellence funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia since 2005. ACEBR\u2019s remit is, among other things, to conduct cutting-edge research into potential health effects associated with exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by telecommunications devices, such as 5G. The ACEBR board is comprised of senior Australian academics with expertise ranging from mechanisms (e.g., how does RF-EMF affect the body), to experimental animal research (e.g., does RF-EMF cause pathology in mice) and experimental human research (e.g., does RF-EMF cause symptoms in those who report being \u2018electro-hypersensitive\u2019). Importantly, the ACEBR board has substantial experience addressing this issue in terms of both national and international science evaluation, including roles within the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). \r\nThis project aims to explore the mechanisms by which radiofrequency emissions could affect basic biological structures and processes, through both theoretical modelling and in vitro research and determine whether the effect of low-power radiofrequency emissions on the human electroencephalogram is thermally mediated.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"511003 (50%)\r\n510501 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova, Zoltan Vilagosh, Denver Linklater, Phuc Le","title":"Design and fabrication of specific nanostructure geometries with enhanced bactericidal performance","description":"Design and fabrication of specific nanostructure geometries with enhanced bactericidal performance","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401801(40%)\r\n401805 (30%)\r\n401810 (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Philipp Reineck, Amy Gelmi","title":"Nanodiamonds for intracellular sensing","description":"The project aims to explore the innovative use of nanodiamonds as a versatile platform for intracellular sensing in stem cells. Stem cells possess remarkable regenerative potential, making them invaluable for tissue engineering and regenerating damaged tissues. However, understanding their intracellular processes and responses to external stimuli remains a challenge due to limited tools for precise monitoring.\r\n\r\nNanodiamonds offer a unique combination of properties that make them ideal candidates for intracellular sensing. Their small size allows for cellular uptake without causing significant cytotoxicity, and their chemistry can be tailored for specific sensing applications (i.e. magnetic fields, temperature, voltage). Moreover, their stable fluorescent and magnetic properties enable real-time, non-invasive monitoring of cellular processes at the nanoscale level.\r\n\r\nThe project will focus on optimizing nanodiamond-based sensing platforms, leveraging nanodiamonds' inherent sensitivity to factors like pH, temperature, and redox potential. This will allow for real-time monitoring of stem cell responses to environmental changes and stimulation protocols, thus enhancing our understanding of their regenerative potential and enabling improved control over their fate.\r\n\r\nThis is an interdisciplinary project at the intersection of nanotechnology, stem cell biology, and biomedical engineering, aiming to establish nanodiamonds as powerful tools for intracellular sensing. As such this project would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510204 (3-%)\r\n401809 (40%)\r\n310607 (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gail Iles, Brett Carter, Julie Currie","title":"Shielding materials and technologies for the protection of astronauts against space radiation","description":"Since 2020, humanity has maintained a constant human presence in space. This time has been spent in Low Earth Orbit (<450 km altitude) where there is still much protection from space radiation by the Earth\u2019s magnetic field. With humanity\u2019s quest to continue exploring the solar system, the Artemis program [1] will see the next humans land at the South Pole of the Moon as a precursor to permanent bases on the Moon and Mars via the Lunar Orbital Gateway. Without the protection of the Earth\u2019s magnetic field the radiation environment is significantly different in these new locations [2].\r\n\r\nSuitable materials for space transportation vehicles and planetary habitats to shield humans against solar energetic particles and Galactic Cosmic Rays will need to be developed. Shielding can either be passive [3] or active [4], however, any effective solution will need to remain lightweight and therefore affordable for launch. \r\n\r\nThis project will involve modelling the response to radiation by novel materials using GEANT-4 and the OLTARIS database [5] and constructing active shielding prototypes for radiation testing in the laboratory.  There will be opportunities to use space radiation analogues [6] at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Sydney & Melbourne).  Interested students should have a strong interest in experimental physics, space science and instrumentation.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510906 Space Instrumentation (50%)\r\n510904 Solar system energetic particles (25%)\r\n510404 Electronic and magnetic properties of condensed matter; superconductivity"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saffron Bryant, Gary Bryant, Tamar Greaves, Aaron Elbourne","title":"Improved cryopreservation of cells and tissues","description":"Cryopreservation of cells involves storage at very cold temperatures to minimise biochemical activity and prevent damage to the cells. However, the freezing process is very risky for cells, and requires cryoprotectants and tailored freezing protocols to enable cells to survive and not dehydrate or burst. There are currently few successful cryoprotectants, and few cells which can be successfully frozen, so there is a strong need for a wider variety of cryoprotectants [1].\r\nThis project will involve developing novel molecules as potential cryoprotectants, including ionic liquids [2], deep eutectic solvents and sugar based synthetic molecules [3] and then testing these on mammalian cells. Techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, toxicity assays and confocal microscopy will be used to optimise cryopreservation procedures.\r\nThe key aim of this project is to optimise the cryopreservation of specific cell types by tailoring numerous variables including cryoprotectant type, concentration, addition method, and cooling and warming rate.\r\nThe project would suit candidates with Biophysics, Physical Chemistry or Biology backgrounds.\r\n[1] Raju et al., BBA \u2013 General Subjects 2021, 1865, 129749. DOI: 10.1016\/j.bbagen.2020.129749\r\n[2] Bryant et al., J. Coll. Interf. Sci. 603 (2021) 491\u2013500. DOI: 10.1016\/j.jcis.2021.06.096\r\n[3] Raju et al., Chem. Phys. Lip. 2020, 231 104949. DOI: 10.1016\/j.chemphyslip.2020.104949\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 Soft Condensed Matter (25%)\r\n310199 Biochemistry and Cell Biology not Elsewhere classified (75%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Broadway","title":"Quantum sensing of 2D magnetic materials","description":"This project aims to develop and apply quantum microscope techniques to image magnetism in 2D materials. Initially, the student will be involved in the experimental realisation of these quantum microscopes, learning or applying knowledge and skills in optics, quantum physics, and condensed matter physics. Secondly, the student will use this platform to interrogate magnetism in novel 2D magnetic materials.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510402 - Condensed matter imaging (50%)\r\n510404 - Electronic and magnetic properties of condensed matter; superconductivity (30%)\r\n510401 - Condensed matter characterisation technique development (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tamar Greaves,  Andrew Martin, Qi(Hank) Han","title":"Rheological properties of ionic liquids gels","description":"Ionic liquids are designer solvents which are also salts. They are showing potential as use as solvents for biological applications, where there is a large need for new solvents to address current limitations. In particular, ionic liquids can be used to modify the stability and solubility of proteins, and provide new options for protein crystallisation, and delivery of protein crystals for serial crystallography.\r\nThis project will focus on the rheological properties of ionic liquids, including their mixtures with water and with additives to form low to high viscosity media.  This will provide fundamental knowledge currently lacking in the literature. This project will also try select solvents for use with stabilising protein crystals for use in injector systems for characterising proteins at the Australian Synchrotron. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 Soft Condensed Matter (75%)\r\n510501 Biological Physics (25%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Valentina Baccetti, Jared Cole","title":"Computational thermodynamics of neuromorphic systems","description":"Neuromorphic systems are computational systems that are designed to mimic the behaviour and functionality of biological neural systems, such as those found in the brain. Differently to traditional platforms, based on the Von Neumann architecture, neuromorphic systems manipulate information (that is perform computations) and store it using artificial neurons. For this reason, neuromorphic systems are designed to be more flexible and more adaptable, and are particularly efficient in performing machine learning tasks such as image recognition, pattern detection, and decision making. While several implementations of neuromorphic already exist, a comprehensive general model has not yet been formulated that would allow for a precise analytical (or semi-analytical) description of their dynamics. In this project you will use computational thermodynamics and field theory tools to models and forecast the dynamics of neuromorphic systems composed of memristive devices. During this project, you will work with a team of experts in classical and quantum thermodynamics, and will learn the ropes of statistical mechanics, stochastic thermodynamics and classical field theory. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"490206\tStatistical mechanics, physical combinatorics and mathematical aspects of condensed matter (50%)\r\n461104\tNeural networks (25%)\r\n519901\tComplex physical systems (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jared Cole, Jackson Smith, Valentina Baccetti, Salvy Russo","title":"The quantum mechanics of computers and electronic devices: designing the technology of the 21st century.","description":"In the 20th century, quantum mechanics was a theory that was hard to understand but seemed to work unreasonably well. In the 21st century we are harnessing quantum physics and nanotechnology to build new types of computers, high efficiency solar cells and electronics with ultra-low power consumption. To do so requires developing new mathematical models and advanced computational approaches. This project will involve working with leading researchers and quantum technology companies to develop these tools, and use them to design cutting edge new technology. You will join a dedicated and talented team of scientists working on a range of problems in this area, and collaborating with many groups nationally and internationally. During your PhD you will develop high level mathematical and coding skills, as well taking your presentation and writing skills to the next level. Former members of this group go on to work in a range of mathematical and computational modelling fields. These include working in research (both academic and government) on topics as diverse as climate modelling or advanced laser development, as well as working in the growing quantum technology industry. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510404, 510805, 400912"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne, Brant Gibson, Andrew Greentree, Philipp Reineck","title":"Spin defects in 2D materials for quantum technologies","description":"This project aims to study the optical and spin properties of atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride, a layered van der Waals materials made of atomically thin 2D sheets, and to realise nanoscale quantum sensors based on these systems. One of these defects is the boron vacancy, which corresponds to a missing boron atom in the boron nitride lattice. The boron vacancy defect has an electronic spin that can be optically initialised and read out, and as such it forms an ideal system for quantum technologies in particular to realise quantum sensors, i.e. sensors that can detect magnetic and electric fields with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. Specific project goals include the creation of boron vacancy defects optimised for sensing applications, the characterisation of new defects and their optical and spin properties, and the demonstration of sensing applications for chemical detection or for the characterisation of nanomaterials. Skills you will learn include constructing\/conducting optical microscopy experiments, programming a software interface to control an experiment, preparing\/characterising samples using state-of-the-art tools.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340304 Optical properties of materials (30%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (30%)\r\n510805 Quantum technologies (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toby Allen","title":"Computational Biophysics - Ion Channel Mechanisms","description":"This PhD project, to be carried out within the Computational Biophysics Group headed by Prof. Toby Allen, provides an opportunity for a talented student to undertake their Ph.D. on a project funded by the Australian Research Council and the National Institutes of Health (USA). The Computational Biophysics Group employs and develops advanced physical and chemical simulation approaches to explore problems associated with membrane charge transport. Ion channels are proteins that control the movements of ions across cell membranes, enabling electrical activity in the body, such as heartbeat and brain activity. These studies require the development and application of advanced computer simulation methods to explore the mechanisms underlying the activation and ion conduction of ion channels, based on newly-solved protein structures from X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. We are seeking to understand the physical mechanisms explaining the actions of different potassium- and sodium-conducting ion channels in the body. This project has established experimental collaborators in the USA, Denmark and Australia, and uses state of the art supercomputing resources, including NCI, IVEC, Melbourne Bioinformatics and local CPU and GPU clusters. This project will develop methodologies to solve for the fundamental physical mechanisms of these important biological devices using statistical mechanical methods on supercomputers. This project is most suitable for students with:\n\u2022 an Honours degree (or equivalent Masters by Research) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, biology, biomolecular engineering or related discipline.\n\u2022 research experience involving theory and\/or computation in condensed matter\nphysics, physical chemistry, computational biology or related techniques.\n\u2022 a strong desire to study biological problems using physical and chemical\nmethods, and passion for molecular science and modern supercomputing.\nSample references:\n* C. Fan, N. Sukomon, E. Flood, J. Rheinberger, T.W. Allen, C.M. Nimigean. 2020. Calcium gating uncovers ball-and-chain inactivation in a potassium channel. Nature. 580:288-293. * E. Flood, C. Boiteux, B. Lev, I. Vorobyov and T.W. Allen. 2019. Atomistic simulations of membrane ion channel conduction, gating and modulation. Chemical Reviews. 119 (13), 7737-7832 (with journal cover).\n* See also: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=gsyU9coAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"029901, 020405, 030699, 060112"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toby Allen","title":"Computational Biophysics of Membranes, Ion Pumps and Cholesterol","description":"This PhD project, to be carried out within the Computational Biophysics Group headed by Prof. Toby Allen, provides an opportunity for a talented student to undertake their Ph.D. in ARC-funded molecular biophysics research. The Computational Biophysics Group develops advanced physical and chemical simulation approaches to explore problems associated with membrane charge transport. Ion pumps and channels are proteins that drive electrochemical gradients and regulate the movement of ions, enabling electrical activity in the body. Our studies require the development and application of computer simulation methods to explore the mechanisms of ion pump and channel function. This project has established experimental collaborators in Australia and Denmark, and uses state of the art supercomputing resources at NCI, IVEC, Melbourne Bioinformatics and local CPU and GPU clusters. Cholesterol may have evolved in animals to optimise the function of proteins in their cell membranes. A prime candidate is the Na+ ,K+ -ATPase (the sodium pump) that provides the driving force for basic functions such as nerve and muscle activity. Without the sodium pump, multicellular animal life would be viable. Data shows that pump activity is massively enhanced by physiological levels of cholesterol. One aim of the project is to determine how cholesterol and cholesterol-altered membrane properties affect pump activity. We are developing computational methodologies to solve for the mechanisms of pump function using statistical mechanics and supercomputers. This project is most suitable for students with:\n\u2022 an Honours degree (or equivalent Masters by Research) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, biology, biomolecular engineering or related discipline.\n\u2022 research experience involving theory and\/or computation in condensed matter\nphysics, physical chemistry, computational biology or related techniques.\n\u2022 a strong desire to study biological problems using physical and chemical\nmethods, and passion for molecular science and modern supercomputing.\nSample references:\n* L.J Mares et al, TW Allen & R Clarke 2014. Identification of Electric-Field-Dependent Steps in the Na+,K+-Pump Cycle. Biophysical Journal. 107:1352\u201363. With cover and editorial.\n* C. Fan, N. Sukomon, E. Flood, J. Rheinberger, T.W. Allen, C.M. Nimigean. 2020. Calcium gating uncovers ball-and-chain inactivation in a potassium channel. Nature. 580:288-293. * E. Flood, C. Boiteux, B. Lev, I. Vorobyov and T.W. Allen. 2019. Atomistic simulations of membrane ion channel conduction, gating and modulation. Chemical Reviews. 119 (13), 7737-7832 (with journal cover).\n* See also: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=gsyU9coAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"FOR 029901, 020405, 030699, 060112"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toby Allen","title":"Computational Molecular Neuroscience and Pharmacology","description":"This PhD project, to be carried out within the Computational Biophysics Group headed by Prof. Toby Allen, provides an opportunity for a talented student to undertake their Ph.D. on an ARC-funded molecular biophysics project of medical significance. The Computational Biophysics Group employs and develops advanced physical and chemical simulation approaches to explore problems associated with membrane charge transport. Ion channels are proteins that control the movements of ions across cell membranes, enabling critical electrical activity such as heartbeat and brain activity, and are chief targets for drugs and anaesthetics. Our studies require the development and application of computer simulation methods to explore the mechanisms of ion channel function and modulation by drugs for a range of neurological and cardiac diseases. This project has established experimental collaborators in Australia, USA and France, and uses state of the art supercomputing resources at NCI, IVEC, Melbourne Bioinformatics and local CPU and GPU clusters. It includes studies of the effects of different families of compounds on different ion channels, including potassium and sodium channels, as well as ligand-gated ion channels in the brain. e.g. Understanding the actions of general anaesthetics has been the goal of over 150 years of scientific and medical studies. We would like to understand how protein switches (ligand-gated ion channels) are activated by binding molecules to generate electrical signals in the brain and then how anaesthetics block or enhance these switches, leading to loss of sensation and the ability to feel pain. This project will develop computational methodologies to solve for the pathways and energetics underlying ion channel activation and modulation using statistical mechanical methods on supercomputers. This project is most suitable for students with:\n\u2022 an Honours degree (or equivalent Masters by Research) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, biology, biomolecular engineering or related discipline.\n\u2022 research experience involving theory and\/or computation in condensed matter\nphysics, physical chemistry, computational biology or related techniques.\n\u2022 a strong desire to study biological problems using physical and chemical\nmethods, and passion for molecular science and modern supercomputing.\nSample references:\n* B Lev et al & TW Allen. 2017. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). 114:E4158\u201367. (News story: www.rmit.edu.au\/news\/all-news\/2017\/may\/supercomputer-study-unlocks-secrets-of-brain-and-saferanaesthetics ).\n* C Boiteux, et al & TW Allen. 2014. Local anesthetic and antiepileptic drug access and binding to a bacterial voltage-gated sodium channel. PNAS. 111:13057-62. With editorial.\n* C. Fan, N. Sukomon, E. Flood, J. Rheinberger, T.W. Allen, C.M. Nimigean. 2020. Calcium gating uncovers ball-and-chain inactivation in a potassium channel. Nature. 580:288-293. * E. Flood, et al & T.W. Allen. 2019. Atomistic simulations of membrane ion channel conduction, gating and modulation. Chemical Reviews. 119 (13), 7737-7832 (with journal cover).\n* See also: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=gsyU9coAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"FOR 029901, 020405, 030699, 060112"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicolas Menicucci","title":"Gravity and quantum-limited measurements with a fundamental minimum length","description":"Do you have outstanding skills in advanced mathematics? Are you interested in quantum physics, general relativity and fundamental physics? If so, you may be right for this project. RMIT Physics, in conjunction with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T), is looking for an exceptionally high-performing student to perform advanced theoretical work in relativistic quantum information (RQI). This highly challenging PhD experience will offer you the chance to work on world-class research combining quantum information theory with key aspects of quantum field theory and general relativity.\rThis project aims to investigate the effects of a fundamental minimum length on the nature of gravity and on how accurately we can make measurements in our world. The key challenge is to combine our best theories of fundamental physics to model what happens at ultra-short distances. This project will generate new knowledge at this interface by using a novel approach inspired by information theory. The expected outcomes are new connections between fundamental limitations on measurements, the nature of gravitation, and ultra-small-scale quantum physics. The benefit of this work is breaking the logjam in answering the most important open question in all of physics: how to unite quantum theory and gravitation.\rNote: This PhD project is open to candidates who demonstrate an exceptionally high aptitude for advanced mathematics.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"3\/1\/2023","ecp":"No ECP alignment","forcodes":"020603 - Quantum Information, Computation and Communication 40\n010505 - Mathematical Aspects of Quantum and Conformal Field Theory, Quantum Gravity and\nString Theory 30\n020602 - Field Theory and String Theory 30"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rick Franich","title":"Motion Management in Radiotherapy using Surface Mapping and AI Image Generation","description":"This project will apply machine learning (ML) techniques to the generation of 3-D image models of moving internal anatomy for patients undergoing radiation therapy for tumours with high mobility. The aim is to combine pre-treatment 4-D CT imaging and skin\/surface mapping into a predictive model that can locate the tumour target during radiation treatment delivery, and enable avoidance of nearby organs at risk, using surface imaging alone. This will improve upon current practice that requires repeated radiological imaging during the course of treatment, along with the associated radiation exposure.\n\nPre-treatment planning of radiotherapy to moving tumours affected by respiratory and cardiac motion is informed by 4-D CT imaging of internal anatomy. Contemporary radiation therapy increasingly uses surface imaging to supplement or reduce the use of radiation for imaging, particularly for patient positioning and setup. The goal is to answer the Research Question:\n\n\"Can real-time optical surface imaging be used via machine learning to infer intrafractional motion in therapies where surface motion is a good surrogate for tumour motion without changes to the radiotherapy process?\"\n\nThis project will be conducted in close collaboration with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and co-Supervised by a leading PMCC Medical Physics researcher.\n\nThe project will use a combination of (i) actual clinical data from radiation therapy patient treatments including X-ray projections and Cone Beam CT imaging acquired at each treatment fraction, and (ii) digital twin XCAT 'phantoms' to simulate 4D CT, Surface Guidance mapping and X-ray projection data where the ground-truth anatomy and motion is known, for a variety of patient morphologies and applied breathing patterns.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 \/ MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gail Iles","title":"Lightweight Ground Penetrating Radar devices for operation in space","description":"The Artemis program is an international human spaceflight program with the primary goal of returning humans to the Moon at the lunar South pole. Launch vehicles, lunar landers, human habitats and a crewed lunar orbiter spacecraft are all planned for launch and operation during the 2020\u2019s. Australia is a member of the Artemis program after signing the Artemis Accords in 2020.\nEstablishing a permanent human habitat on the Moon will require a number of scientific investigations and technological advances. One option is to utilise old, underground lava tubes as locations for crew to live and work. Although some mapping of the Moon has been undertaken from orbit using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), precise detail and location of lava tubes and their entrances remains unknown. Better maps could be obtained by conducting GPR surveys directly on the lunar surface. GPR equipment which utilises magnetic antennae is perfect for space missions which require lightweight, size-limited components, however, technology is still in the prototype phase. This project will involve development of a lightweight, lunar GPR device capable of operating in the harsh conditions of space and on the lunar surface. A proven ability in electromagnetism, signals processing and device construction is essential. An interest in space hardware is preferred. Students will design, fabricate and test GPR devices, simulate GPR responses and conduct GPR field tests in space analogue locations.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"AM 3 Materials for Extreme Conditions;AMF 2 Advanced automation research and sensor and sensor network research;","forcodes":"510906 Space Sciences; Space instrumentation (50%)\r510905 Space Sciences; Solar system planetary science (30%)\r370602 Geophysics; Electrical and electromagnetic methods in geophysics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dougal McCulloch","title":"Synthesising novel phases of carbon by shear-induced phase transformations","description":"The record hardness and high refractive index of diamond-like carbons make them critical in a diverse range of applications from automated machining to quantum optoelectronics. \n\nThis project seeks to develop new super-hard and tough carbon materials leading to more efficient cutting tools for industry and for the extraction and processing of minerals. The new diamond-like carbon materials are expected to have excellent barrier properties that could benefit the Australian medical device industry by extending the service life of implants, leading to better quality of life for Australians.\n\nThe results of our research into phase changes in carbon is also likely to be of interest in extra-terrestrial studies. By exploring carbon solids under the extreme conditions found elsewhere in our solar system, including on the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn and their moons, we aim to promote Australia\u2019s culture as a scientific nation and help prepare humanity for future space exploration.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials  (40%), 401605 - Functional materials  (30%), 510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jim Partridge","title":"Laser ablation of super abrasive grinding wheels","description":"Grinding is utilised in advanced manufacturing when there is a requirement for high material removal rates, tight geometrical and surface finish tolerances and\/or difficult-to-machine materials are involved. High performance gears, bearings and tooling for the automotive industry are all examples of ground components.\rPreparation of the grinding wheel is vital to the performance of the final engineered component and the last step in preparation is known as dressing. Current wheel dressing methods typically fail to produce complex profiles, have long cycle times and are limited to features with radii exceeding 0.200 mm. A further limitation is that only wheels with conductive binders can be processed. For these reasons, laser ablation is increasingly being exploited in the fabrication of advanced grinding wheels. This project aims to develop a laser ablation-based machine tool for the dressing of super-abrasive grinding wheels. These grinding wheels will then be used in various advanced manufacturing settings. Project aims include (i) optimising laser and optic designs (ii) determining process parameters and ablation strategies which enable the preparation of super-abrasive diamond and cubic boron nitride grinding wheels. To achieve these aims, knowledge will be gained in the areas of ultra-short pulse lasers, laser optics, precision control systems, CNC programming, materials science and advanced microscopy and metrology.\rThe MSc student will be involved in achieving these aims. With the lead project investigators, they will acquire skills in advanced manufacturing, modelling and materials science\/engineering. The project is industry-linked and supported by experienced academics with world-class facilities for advanced manufacturing and materials research. The project is likely to lead to the offer of an ongoing position upon completion.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/04\/2022","ecp":"AM 3 Materials for Extreme Conditions;AMF 1 Manufacturing across scales and functions;","forcodes":"401602, 401605, 401699"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne","title":"Quantum microscopy for advanced material characterisation","description":"The project aims to develop and apply new microscopy techniques that exploit quantum sensors based on spin defects in solids. Firstly, the student will be involved in the experimental realisation of these quantum microscopes, learning or applying knowledge and skills in optics, quantum physics, and condensed matter physics. Secondly, the student will apply these instruments to image and characterise the properties of new nanomaterials, in particular two-dimensional magnetic materials, acquiring\/applying skills in nanofabrication and materials science.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/10\/2022","ecp":"Advanced Materials","forcodes":"020401 Condensed Matter Characterisation Technique Development (50%) 020402 Condensed Matter Imaging (25%) 020404 Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Condensed Matter; Superconductivity (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 \/ MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Bryant, Tamar Greaves, Saffron Bryant","title":"Interactions between lipid membranes and cryoprotectants","description":"Cryopreservation of cells involves storage at very cold temperatures to minimise biochemical activity and prevent damage to the cells. However, the freezing process is very risky for cells, and requires cryoprotectants and tailored freezing protocols to enable cells to survive and not dehydrate or burst. There are currently few successful cryoprotectants, and few cells which can be successfully frozen, so there is a strong need for a wider variety of cryoprotectants [1].\nThis project will involve developing novel molecules as potential cryoprotectants, including ionic liquids [2], deep eutectic solvents and sugar based synthetic molecules [3]. The interactions between these molecules and synthetic cell membranes will be studied by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray and neutron scattering techniques [4], and related techniques. Experiments will also be conducted with cell cultures. Some of these experiments will be conducted using national or international Synchrotron or Neutron scattering research facilities. The key aim of this project is to develop a fundamental understanding of how cryoprotectants interact with membranes, including their permeability, toxicity, and location within the membrane, and to develop new, novel cryoprotectants.\nThe project could be at either Masters or PhD level and would suit candidates with Physics, Biophysics or Physical Chemistry backgrounds.\n[1] Raju et al., BBA \u2013 General Subjects 2021, 1865, 129749. DOI: 10.1016\/j.bbagen.2020.129749\n[2] Bryant et al., J. Coll. Interf. Sci. 603 (2021) 491\u2013500. DOI: 10.1016\/j.jcis.2021.06.096\n[3] Raju et al., Chem. Phys. Lip. 2020, 231 104949. DOI: 10.1016\/j.chemphyslip.2020.104949\n[4] Kent et al., Langmuir 2015, 31 (33), 9134-9141. DOI: 10.1021\/acs.langmuir.5b02127","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"BHI 4 Drug discovery; AM 3 Materials for Extreme Conditions","forcodes":"510405 (40%)\n340603 (40%)\n319999 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Greentree","title":"Measuring consciousness ","description":"Consciousness is one of the defining characteristics of the human experience. As artificial intelligences become increasingly sophisticated, it may soon become integral to the experience of artificial life also. Yet despite this, we still do not understand consciousness in human and non-human animals and have no way of measuring consciousness without reliance on subjective lived experiences. This thesis will attempt to define a scale for consciousness that can be applied to human and non-human animals, as well as emerging artificial intelligences. We will explore the existing human-based tests for consciousness and extrapolate these to non-human animals. By using this basis, we will devise psycho-physical measurements for consciousness and explore the biological and evolutionary basis for consciousness. While we are attempting to understanding consciousness, we will also ask whether proxy observations for consciousness inform our understanding of consciousness, or if instead they imply that consciousness is an illusion.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"500311 Philosophical psychology (incl. moral psychology and philosophy of action)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"Reactive small molecule sensing using 2D nanomaterials","description":"Reactive small molecules such as phosphine are commonly used industrially as fumigants to eliminate pests and microorganisms from bulk commodities and cash crops alike. Many of these fumigants are highly toxic and can only be reliably tested at >1ppm levels. To overcome this limitation, new sensing materials such as 2D materials and their heterostructures will be investigated to enable ppb level sensing, to improve worker\/operator safety. This project will focus on using density functional theory calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The project is a collaboration with Dr Michael Breedon at CSIRO and will involve working on the RMIT city campus and the CSIRO Clayton site. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510403        Condensed matter modelling and density functional theory (70%)\n340108        Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (20%)\n300804        Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (10%)"}],"college":{"1":"Business and Law","35":"Design and Social Context","53":"STEM"},"school":{"1":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","35":"Architecture & Urban Design","40":"Art","44":"Business and Law","53":"Computing Technologies","168":"Design","181":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","218":"Education","227":"Engineering","689":"Fashion & Textiles","700":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","719":"Graduate School of Business and Law","736":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","903":"Management","912":"Management; Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","913":"Media & Communication","936":"Property, Construction and Project Management","968":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","982":"Science"},"discipline":{"1":"Accounting","3":"Information Systems","4":"Business Information Systems","6":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT)","7":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Information Management","8":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Logistics and Supply Chain Management","19":"Supply Chain & Logistics","33":"Supply Chain Management","35":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","40":"Art","43":"Photography","44":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","52":"Finance","53":"Computing Technologies","54":"Interaction, Technology and Information","56":"Data Science","58":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","61":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","62":"Software Engineering","65":"Computer Science","67":"Information Technology","78":"Artificial Intelligence","83":"Cloud, Systems & Security","138":"Data Science and Artificial Intelligence","168":"Digital Design","169":"Communication Design","172":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","180":"Digital Design; Industrial Design","182":"Economics","218":"Education","219":"STEM\/STEAM","220":"Sociology of Education","227":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","258":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","338":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","403":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","418":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","552":"Environmental Engineering","557":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","559":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","688":"Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering","689":"Fashion & Textiles Design","690":"Fashion Enterprise","691":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation; Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering; Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","692":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise","693":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology","694":"Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology; Fashion & Textiles Design","695":"Textiles Technology","700":"Global and Language Studies","701":"Social Work and Human Services","704":"Criminology and Justice Studies; Global and Language Studies","708":"Digital Design; Social Work and Human Services","714":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","719":"Business","726":"Law","736":"Nursing","738":"Health Science","752":"Pharmacy","756":"Chinese Medicine","762":"Medical Sciences","764":"Medical Science","766":"Medical Radiations","782":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","785":"Digital Health","803":"Health and Biomedical Sciences","838":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","854":"PIH - Preventative and Integrative Health","856":"Psychology","891":"Rehabilitation Sciences","894":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","903":"Management","912":"Business Information Systems; Management","913":"Media","916":"Communication","918":"Communication, Media","930":"Media and Communication","931":"Writing & Publishing","935":"Writing & Publishing, Media","936":"Construction Management","951":"Project management","959":"Property","968":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation (Engineering)","971":"Data Science ","978":"Data Science (CT)","982":"Food Technology","994":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","1098":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences; Physics","1099":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","1180":"Geospatial Sciences","1191":"Mathematical Sciences","1253":"Physics"}}); showSheetData({"status":1,"result":[{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Accounting","programcode":"DR200","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Abdullahi Ahmed, Nirav Parikh, Daniel Richards","title":"Financial Literacy amongst Migrant Small Business Entrepreneurs","description":"Small businesses are significant contributors to the economic development of the country as they provide affordable goods and services to the population and jobs to citizens. More importantly, employees who get experiences in these businesses have an opportunity for self-employment sometime in the future. However, due to the low or inadequate financial skill of business entrepreneurs, the failure rate amongst small business is quite high. Hence, entrepreneurs require thorough financial knowledge for long term survival of their business enterprise. Prior research has found that small businesses started by owners who are migrants have lower failure rates and higher growth rates (Lever-Tracy et al., 1991) 1. In Australia, findings suggest that a significant number of successful small businesses are established by entrepreneurs who have immigrated from a non-English speaking background (Stanger, 1992). Furthermore, it has been found that financial literacy amongst males is higher than females, which can impact business successes (Al Tamimi and Kalli, 2009).\nThe primary aim of this project is to develop a better understanding of the reasons why migrant entrepreneurs have a higher success rate than locals with a focus on the financial literacy of entrepreneurs. Moreover, the research will address the question of gender inequality in the business environment by focusing on whether limited financial literacy amongst women affects their entrepreneurial skills. Research outcomes will provide insights into critical factors affecting business failures and assist policymakers in formulating policies that support programmes for businesses that are struggling to succeed.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Accounting","programcode":"DR200","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Yapa, Nava Subramaniam, Sarath Ukwatte","title":"Public sector accounting","description":"Although public sector accounting is positioned as a well-developed field of research, it has witnessed radical reforms in many developed countries (Broadbent and Guthrie, 1998, Goddard, 2010, Modell, 2013). In addition, the Asia-Pacific region (including Australia and New Zealand) has also witnessed significant public sector reform initiatives in terms of reforming the role of the state and its impact on public sector management; state\/private sector relationship; resource use and efficiency (UN, 2003). This study examines how public sector accounting standards can provide up to date information using accrual accounting for informed strategic decisions. Innovations in the public sector is critical for improving service quality and efficiency. While, the use of international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS) has largely evolved in the developed nations, their impact in emerging economies is still largely in the intermediate level. The IPSAS aim to support innovative governance practices.This project examines the public sector accounting in emerging economies including South and South East Asia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Theoretical Cybersecurity Risk Assessment for Large Language Models Advancing Towards AGI","description":"As large language models (LLMs) rapidly evolve towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), they present both immense potential and significant cybersecurity risks. This theoretical project aims to develop a comprehensive risk assessment framework for the evolving landscape of advanced LLMs, focusing on their progression towards potential AGI capabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-24","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Business Information Systems","programcode":"460499 - Cybersecurity and privacy not elsewhere classified (60%), 460406 - Software and application security (20%), 490199 - Applied mathematics not elsewhere classified (10%).","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alemayehu Molla","title":"Investigating the digital transformation of mobility services","description":"Mobility of people, goods and materials is a vital driver of economic activities globally. However, it is also accounting for nearly one-fourth of energy related global CO2 emissions. There is a need for solutions to transform mobility systems and reduce congestion in view of an increasing acceleration of urbanization and in order to achieve one of the sustainable development goals, i.e., access to safe, a\ufb00ordable and sustainable transport systems for all. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a digital innovation that aims to transform mobility. It represents a new idea for conceiving mobility and a new transport solution which merges different available transport modes and mobility services. This PhD project investigates how users faced with a mobility decision, account for a given set of features about a MaaS platform and then subsequently decide which mobility service to select. In particular, the focus will be on users\u2019 decision-making processes, on their rationality and adaptiveness. The project will draw insights from rational choice, transaction cost and inclusion model of environmental concern theories and quantitative data analysis. Successful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, and statistical analysis. The supervision team includes specialists in transport and information systems. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform\u2019s Organisational transformation and innovation capabilities enhancements priority area","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Business Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hepu Deng, Joan Richardson","title":"Intelligent Utilisation of Digital Resources in Higher Education","description":"Teaching and learning is increasingly becoming a more flexible, anywhere-anytime-based, digital resource-oriented personalized learning process leveraging the convenience and omnipresence characteristics of emerging technologies. This leads to the production and accumulation of a huge amount of digital learning resources in various repositions. With the growing demand on academics and the increasing expectation from students, how to effectively produce and utilize digital resources in an intelligent manner for providing students with personalised learning experience is becoming critical in higher education. This project investigates the perception and expectation of learners and academics on the intelligent production and utilization of digital resources for improving the delivery of teaching and learning in higher education. Drawing the insight from the technology adoption theory and the learning pedagogical model, the project will develop a systematic framework for facilitating the intelligent production and utilization of digital resources for improving the learning experience of students.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods and statistical analysis techniques. The supervision team includes specialists in information systems and e-learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT)","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kok-Leong Ong, Yee Ling Boo, Chao Chen","title":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven data synthesis \u2013 overcoming business challenges in data scarce environment","description":"Getting good data is a challenge for many businesses, especially when costs, time and resources are considered. As such, to implement effective AI driven solution remains a desirable goal but is out of reach for many businesses on a smaller scale. To effectively achieve scale in AI and machine learning deployment, data synthesis is needed to augment the lack of, or small amount of data samples available for machine learning (ML). In fact, it is estimated by Gartner that more than half of the data for future AI\/ML solutions will depend on synthetically generated data. This research will develop ways to intelligently generate synthetic data reflective of the real-world scenario using generative modelling frameworks. Approaches, such as VAE and GAN techniques will be considered as starting points to developing suitable methods for data synthesis under multimodal data types to fit common business use-cases. It is expected that the PhD student will identify the existing gap in current data synthesis methods, map out ways in which data synthesis can be evaluated and then develop solutions that can be operationalised within an organisation like Eliiza.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence; ISE 1 Data and Sensors","forcodes":"350301 - 100%"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Information Management","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Leveraging cutting-edge technologies to boost cybersecurity","description":"Due to the widespread use of small personal devices (like smartphones) and giant computer machines or services, the globe is now extremely network connected (e.g., cloud computing). Millions of data bytes are generated, processed, transferred, shared, and used every minute to produce results in certain applications. Therefore, protecting data, machines (devices), and users' privacy online has become of the highest importance to everyone, from private citizens to corporate entities to national governments [1].\rThe identification of zero-day malware, the classification of threats, and the execution of automated corrective measures can all be aided by artificial intelligence (AI) systems [2]. Given the increased number of tools available to developers who seek to construct AI scripts and software, hackers can use this technology to launch devastating cyberattacks. Cybersecurity organisations employ machine learning (ML) and AI to stop malware. However, these same technologies may also be widely utilised to break into networks and other devices. This project intends to create new attack detection architectures and algorithms through creative strategies combining AI, ML, federated learning, digital twins, and distributed optimisation. It is essential to have programming knowledge (e.g., Python, Matlab, or R).\rReferences\r[1] D. Dasgupta et al.\"Machine learning in cybersecurity: a comprehensive survey\" The Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation 19.1(2022):57-106.\r[2] F. Alhaidari et al. \"ZeVigilante: Detecting Zero-Day Malware Using Machine Learning and Sandboxing Analysis Techniques\" Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience 2022.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 4 Cyber Security; ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (50%), 460603 Cyberphysical systems and internet of things (20%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%), 490304 Optimisation (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Logistics and Supply Chain Management","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Enhancing supply-chain security using emerging technologies","description":"Numerous supply chain issues, such as the current COVID-19 outbreak, demonstrate the importance of more robust, collaborative, and networked supply chain management (SCM) for the world economy. Thus, a research framework for supply chain cybersecurity is essential for the business environment [1]. Manufacturing was the top industry targeted in 2021's SCM cyberattacks, according to the recently released IBM Security X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2022 [2]. A digital supply chain twin is a digital representation of the physical supply chain that includes lifecycle stakeholders, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and maintainers in the context of SCM.\rIn order to replicate SCMs (i.e., processes involved in the production and distribution of a product) in various industries, this project aims to design a blockchain-based Artificial Intelligence-enabled digital-twins framework with an integrated cybersecurity architecture. This framework will enable secure decentralised data sharing and management of DT components and their associated data to mitigate cyberattacks.\rIt is essential to have programming knowledge (e.g., Python, Matlab, or R).\r[1] S. Melnyk et al. \"New challenges in supply chain management: cybersecurity across the supply chain\" International Journal of Production Research 60.1(2022):162-183. [2] IBM, \"Combating new threats in a time of constant change\" 2022 [Online].","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 4 Cyber Security; ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (35%), 350909 Supply chains (30%), 460603 Cyberphysical systems and internet of things (15%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (10%), 490304 Optimisation (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Safeguarding Solar Power Renewable Energy from Cyber Threats","description":"The world undergoes numerous challenges as energy demand overflows from commercial enterprises, businesses, and households. The ongoing global energy crisis highlights the pivotal role of renewable energy, boosting the urgency to transition to cleaner energy solutions [1]. By championing and investing in its advancement, we can reduce carbon emissions, lessen our dependency on fossil fuels, and pave the way for a more sustainable, secure, and eco-friendly energy landscape. \r\n\r\nThe increasing reliance on solar power renewable energy systems (SPRES) has produced scholarly attention focusing on its cybersecurity aspects. Historically, energy systems have been analog and isolated, whereas, with the integration of digital technologies, there is a paradigm shift toward connected and smarter grids, boosting the cyber threat landscape. While these systems hold significant potential for future energy consumption patterns, their complex security vulnerabilities remain under-explored [2, 3]. Integrating machine learning, deep learning, federated learning, AI, and blockchain technologies individually aims to address certain aspects of these vulnerabilities. However, a comprehensive and cohesive understanding of how these technologies can be synergised to create a holistic security framework still needs to be developed. Additionally, the trade-offs between blockchain integration and overall system performance and the real-time effectiveness of AI-powered intrusion detection in the unique context of solar power systems remain ambiguous and demand a rigorous investigation. \r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop a comprehensive security framework that integrates the cutting-edge technologies of blockchain, AI, machine learning, and federated deep learning, each offering unique benefits in enhancing SPRES security. These technologies are integrated to address the existing security gaps and anticipate and mitigate emerging threats essential to the rapid expansion of SPRES.\r\n\r\n[1]  COP26 Goals. [Online] https:\/\/ukcop26.org\/cop26-goals\/, 2021. \r\n[2]  J. Ruan et al., \u201cAn inertia-based data recovery scheme for false data injection attack\u201d, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 18(11):1\u20131, 2022. \r\n[3]  W. Qiu et al., \u201cCyber-attack detection: Modeling and roof-PV generation system defending\u201d, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 59(1):160\u2013168, 2023. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (40%)\r\n090608 Renewable Power and Energy Systems Engineering (30%)\r\n460603 Cyberphysical systems and Internet of Things (20%)\r\n460299 Artificial intelligence (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babak Abbasi","title":"Blockchain-based operations research for a fairer kidney exchange program.","description":"This project analyses the challenges in the existing kidney exchange program within Australia and across the Pacific. It will identify critical weaknesses and establish a blockchain-based platform that matches incompatible kidney donor and recipient pairs with other incompatible pairs across Australia and the Pacific.\nThe current kidney organ donation and transplantation systems present various obstacles and prerequisites regarding enrolment, matching donors with recipients, organ removal and delivery, and transplantation that are subject to legal, clinical, ethical, and technical limitations. Healthcare administrators use operations research techniques to optimize resource allocation and solve scheduling problems for allocating donors\u2019 kidneys. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of existing literature to examine the use of operations research for allocating donors\u2019 kidneys. It mainly includes three stages: provider-facing decision aids, system-level planning, and patient-facilitated wait times estimation. The most commonly used operational research techniques included Markov models, decision analysis models, optimization, and queuing models. The literature suggests that the current techniques lack in assessing the validity of model inferences and highlights the usefulness of more advanced operations research techniques in supporting decision-making for efficient kidney allocation, with the ultimate goal of reducing the gap between kidney supply and demand and improving population health. Consequently, a comprehensive organ donation and transplantation system is necessary to ensure an equitable and effective process that improves patient satisfaction and builds confidence. Blockchain technology has several potential applications in this area, including:\n\n1. Donor and Recipient Matching: Blockchain can improve the matching process between donors and recipients by creating a decentralized network that can accurately match donors and recipients based on medical and biological factors.\n\n2. Tracking and Traceability: Blockchain can provide a secure and tamper-proof method of tracking the movement of organs from donor to recipient.\n\n3. Data Management and Security: Blockchain can provide a secure and efficient way to manage patient data, including medical records and organ transplant information.\n\n4. Smart Contracts: Blockchain can facilitate the creation of smart contracts that can automate and simplify the organ donation and transplantation process, including the allocation of organs and financial transactions.\n\nIt should be noted that the use of blockchain in organ donation and transplantation is still in its early stages, and further research is needed to fully explore its potential. In this project, we will focus on evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of blockchain-based solutions in real-world settings. Based on findings from this analysis, a blockchain-based operational research platform for a fairer and more efficient kidney exchange program between Australia and the pacific for information and knowledge exchange will be established as part of the project\u2019s outcomes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"420308: Health informatics and information systems\n460499: Cybersecurity and privacy not elsewhere classified\n460908: Information Systems organisation and management\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"MR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shahriar Kaisar and Abebe Diro","title":"Unlocking the keys to equality and inclusion Opportunities and challenges for women in Australia\u2019s information security sector","description":"Currently, relatively little is about women\u2019s positions in the Australian security workforce. It has been widely observed, however, that women are strikingly underrepresented in this industry. In the wake of a growing global security staff and digital skills shortage, this equation is particularly unsettling. Thus, the expanding importance of the security sector across the economy, combined with an increasing awareness of the value of diversity and inclusive representation in professional contexts, points towards the need to examine the gender composition of the security industry in Australia","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350307 Technology Management\r\n350503 Human Resource Management\r\n350502 Employment Equality and Diversity"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka Halgamuge","title":"Utilizing Big-Data Analytics and AI for Cyber-Physical System Security Enhancement","description":"Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are complex, interconnected systems that integrate the physical world (smart objects) and the digital world to create a seamless environment and are considered an integral part of the Industry 4.0 revolution. Industrial control systems (ICS), smart healthcare, smart grids, and smart agriculture are some examples of CPS. Although CPS provides an excellent opportunity for remote controlling and monitoring, the interconnected nature of these systems also makes them vulnerable to an increasing number of cyberattacks, and the traditional security measures are inadequate to protect them. \r\n\r\nBig Data Analytics (BDA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have the potential to enhance CPS security by providing predictive and proactive measures to safeguard these systems against potential threats. The proposed research aims to investigate how BDA and AI can enhance CPS security through a comprehensive framework. As part of this PhD project, the student will investigate current state-of-the-art cybersecurity approaches for CPS protection and investigate how BDA and AI can further contribute to CPS security. \r\n\r\nThis project carries the potential for an internship opportunity.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"Impact of Digital Trust on Cybersecurity Governance, Value, and Compliance","description":"The rising number of cyberattacks worldwide highlights the importance of cybersecurity governance [1].  There is a need for more investigation into the influence of digital trust on an organization's value, governance, and compliance [2]. Also, it is essential to explore the impact of corporate governance elements on digital trust. In addition, significant research is required to determine the effectiveness of developing cybersecurity technologies and methodologies and identify the risks and ethical implications of their use.\n\nThis PhD project aims to develop cutting-edge methods for analysing the effect of digital trust on organisation value, governance, and compliance in cybersecurity, approaches to utilise new cybersecurity technologies that may enhance organisational security, a culture of cybersecurity, risk-based approaches towards creating a cyber-resilient environment, and address ethical considerations associated with their use.\n\nThis project carries the potential for an internship opportunity.\n\n[1] C. Dunn et al., \"Regulatory cybersecurity governance in the making: the formation of ENISA and its struggle for epistemic authority\", Journal of European Public Policy, 1\u201323, 2023.\n\n[2] L. Kluiters et al., \"The impact of digital trust on firm value and governance: an empirical investigation of US firms\", Society and Business Review, 18(1), 71\u2013103, 2023.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"26\/12\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (60%) ; 460908 Information systems organisation and management (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chao Chen","title":"Evaluating and Mitigating Security and Privacy Risks of real-world AI Systems","description":"This project aims to develop new practical risk assessment and mitigation methods for real-world Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems from security and privacy attacks whereby an attacker can steal sensitive information from AI models adopted by critical systems. This project expects to examine various attack models, create comprehensive and fine-grained privacy risk assessment framework, and develop utility-preserving mitigation mechanisms. Expected outcomes of this project include new tools to assess and mitigate security and privacy risks of real-world AI systems. This project hopes to provide significant benefits to Australia by improving the trustworthiness of AI models in national critical infrastructure, such as banking, health, etc.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460299 (60%) ; 460402 (20%) ; 460403 (20%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chao Chen","title":"Towards Responsible Enterprise AI","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the business world by enabling organizations to automate processes, enhance customer experiences, and improve productivity. However, the rapid adoption of AI has also raised concerns about its potential impact on our society. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it can unintentionally perpetuate biases, perpetuate discrimination, and threaten privacy rights.\n\nThe goal of this project is to advance the development and adoption of Responsible Enterprise AI (REAI). REAI refers to AI that is designed and used in an ethical, transparent, and sustainable manner in an enterprise setting. This project will focus on three key pillars of REAI:\n\nEthical AI: AI should be designed and deployed in a way that aligns with ethical principles, including fairness, accountability, and transparency.\nHuman-centered AI: AI should be designed to augment human capabilities and enable human decision-making, not replace it.\nTrusted AI: AI should be transparent, secure, and reliable, with built-in mechanisms for detecting and addressing errors and biases.\n\nThe project will aim to develop a framework for REAI. The framework will be informed by research on the ethical, social, and environmental implications of AI, as well as best practices for responsible AI development and deployment. The project will also involve the development the guidelines for AI governance in organisations.\n\nOverall, this project aims to promote the responsible use of AI in enterprise settings, ensuring that the benefits of AI are realised without compromising on ethical and social values. This project will sit within the Enterprise AI and Data Analytics Hub.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460299 (60%) ;  460911 (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201 \/ MR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Abebe Diro","title":"Ethical Frameworks for Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity","description":"This project aims to develop ethical frameworks for leveraging artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, addressing privacy, bias, transparency, and accountability concerns. The expected outcomes include increased awareness and understanding of ethics, the development of actionable frameworks, improved cybersecurity practices and policy recommendations for ethical use of AI in cybersecurity. The project has the potential to enhance business trust and reputation by promoting responsible AI use in the cybersecurity industry, and potentially reduce the financial impact of data breaches and cyberattacks. The project can also promote trust in technology and support broader social values such as privacy and fairness by protecting the privacy of individuals and prevent the misuse of AI systems. By ensuring that AI systems are transparent, unbiased, and accountable, the project can contribute to social values such as fairness and equity. The translation and adoption pathway for the research may involve collaboration with industry partners and policymakers to integrate the frameworks and guidelines into industry practices and regulations. By working with relevant stakeholders, the project aims to ensure that its outcomes are widely disseminated, adopted and become part of the broader AI ecosystem in cybersecurity. The project's ultimate goal is to create a more ethical and secure cyberspace for all. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"4604 Cybersecurity and privacy ; 4611 Machine learning "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yee Ling Boo","title":"Explainable AI and autonomous decision making ","description":"The increasing pervasiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is increasing in all facets of lives. Particularly in the contemporary business world, AI is being extensively used to support business managers in decision-making either in a primary or secondary role. The autonomy of AI systems ranges from semi-autonomous to fully autonomous. As the pace of AI autonomy advances using vast amounts of data and feature engineering, their appearance is getting opaquer and more incomprehensible for humans. This phenomenon generates an imminent need to develop mechanisms for enhancing the explainability of AI systems, especially for end users and those likely to get affected by such decisions. The PhD studentships will develop a framework to identify the analytical rationale behind AI systems. Through an extant review of academic and practitioners\u2019 literature, the first deliverable of the PhD will be a holistic summary of the current issues regarding the explainability of AI and its implications in autonomous decision-making. The second deliverable is expected to be a transdisciplinary experiment-based investigation where guidance from various disciplines such as computer science, data science, social science and organisational behaviour will be synergised to explore explainability of AI and its impact on autonomous decision-making in an organisational setting. The second deliverable is expected to develop the framework for autonomous decision-making through explainable AI. Lastly, the developed framework will be tested through various case studies. This PhD position will have internship opportunities with the AI hub\u2019s industry contacts. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/04\/2026","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"460902 Decision support and group support system (40%) ; 350301 Business analytics code (20%) ; 350303 Business Information Systems (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201 \/ MR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sophia Duan","title":"Navigating the future of artificial intelligence in small and medium-sized enterprises","description":"Artificial intelligence (AI) is a ground-breaking technology that disrupts businesses, markets, and competition. It has the potential to increase global GDP by up to 14% by 2030, an equivalent of an additional $14 to 15 trillion in contributions to the world economy. AI has been increasingly used in organizations for improving decision making, streamlining business process, and enhancing customer experience, leading to improved business performance. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the Australian economy. They have yet to fully embrace AI due to their unique characteristics in technology adoption such as lack of technical expertise, inadequate capital, strong influence of the owner on decision making, and extreme dependence on business partners. Understanding the AI readiness of SMEs with the consideration of their unique characteristics is therefore critical for enhancing the capabilities of SMEs in the adoption of AI for achieving competitive advantages. This PhD project will develop a framework to assess the AI readiness of SMEs and help SMEs develop strategies to stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven world.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"29\/12\/2028","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350303 (50%) ; 460908 (50%)\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Charles La","title":"Application of Artificial Intelligence in Sustainable Procurement Reporting","description":"This project aims to develop an AI system using open-source large language models to automate and enhance the compilation of the Sustainable Procurement Disclosure Index (SPDI), launched by RMIT University in 2024. Currently, the index relies on manual extraction and analysis of sustainability-related information from corporate sustainability reports and company websites. It is built using commonly adopted Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicators relevant to procurement practices, mapped to specific GRI standards and disclosure activities. A five-star rating and a disclosure score are generated for each company to enable benchmarking.\nManual assessment is time-consuming, subjective, and prone to inconsistency. By applying artificial intelligence, particularly natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML), this project will streamline and standardise the information retrieval and scoring process. The AI-enabled SPDI will provide rapid, scalable, and objective evaluations of procurement disclosure across a wide range of listed companies.\nCrucially, the system will support the generation of sector-specific indices guided by the principle of materiality, enhancing relevance and comparability. It will also incorporate multiple validation layers, including cross-verification with third-party audits, public databases, and technology-driven checks such as anomaly detection to flag inconsistencies or potential misreporting.\nThis innovative, data-driven approach will improve transparency, accountability, and consistency in corporate reporting. It will support investors, policymakers, and stakeholders in monitoring sustainable procurement practices and promote responsible sourcing. The project contributes to advancing sustainability performance tracking and supports the case for mandatory disclosure aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production.","sdg":"[\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply chains\n461105 Reinforcement learning"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vinh Thai","title":"Data analytics-enabled innovation and port performance improvement in Australia ","description":"Australia is heavily dependent on international trade, and more than 99% of the country's import and export in terms of volume are going through her ports. The effectiveness and efficiency of the Australian port system is, therefore, essential to the country's import and export competitiveness. According to recent reports of the Productivity Commission, however, the performance of the Australian ports has be come a concern. Meanwhile, similar to other countries, there is a fast on-going digital transformation in Australia especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project therefore investigates how data analytics-enabled innovation can contribute to enhance performance in the context of Australia, and whether this may lead to long-term competitiveness.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350904"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Masih Fadaki","title":"Deep Artificial Intelligence and Its Applications in Supply Chain Optimisation under Uncertainty ","description":"Over the past decade, faced with escalating uncertainties on both global and national levels, numerous firms have embarked on initiatives to restructure and revitalise their supply chains, with the aim of enhancing their adaptability to fluctuations within the supply chain network. To achieve this, it is imperative to expand our comprehension of modern supply chain management practices and digital transformation strategies, fostering the necessary skills to design a robust and responsive supply chain. Mathematical modelling and supply chain optimisation methods boast an extensive history of aiding organizations in making well-informed, data-driven decisions amidst uncertainty. However, these techniques encounter limitations when the scale of the problem becomes overwhelmingly large, decision drivers fluctuate in non-stationary and unpredictable ways, and companies begin adopting big data frameworks. Additionally, conventional AI approaches such as supervised learning are constrained by the need for costly expert datasets, which are generally difficult to procure.\n\nThe heightened volatility and uncertainty in today's supply chains, coupled with the limitations of conventional optimisation and AI methods, underscore the importance of the present PhD project, which aims to design and implement deep AI solutions for various supply chains. Deep AI empowers supply chain practitioners to devise solutions for situations where expert knowledge is unavailable, and the fundamental assumptions of standard optimisation models are breached. Another notable aspect of this project is the versatility offered by deep AI, as the developed solutions can be effortlessly transferred to different supply chain domains without being restricted by a specific network configuration. Throughout the PhD journey, the candidate will delve into contemporary AI frameworks and subsequently create a customised solution to enhance key performance indicators in supply chain and logistics management.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/03\/2026","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamrul Ahsan","title":"Electric vehicles supply chain","description":"The high level of concern about environmental pollution and the energy crisis is accelerating the pace of development and acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs) in the transport sector. This transformation of the automotive industry towards electrification by means of EVs will disrupt the entire automotive supply chain and lead to a significant shift in the supply chain of EV components. It is estimated that by 2035, half of global car sales will be EVs. Governments around the world are providing various incentives, including tax exemptions, to encourage people to replace their existing internal combustion vehicles (ICVs) with EVs. \nEV production involves the supply chain of several critical parts and materials. Among the critical parts, battery technology (lithium-ion batteries or LIBs) is one of the key areas for gaining a competitive advantage in the EV sector. The production of LIBs also involves the supply chain of various raw materials, some of which are critical and subject to supply risks. While EVs appear to be a suitable option to improve sustainability, the processing of LIBs is a complicated task for the recycling industry and remains a key concern due to environmental risks. Building local capacity to manufacture and recycle these batteries is essential. Therefore, collaboration between government, academia, manufacturers, OEMs and the battery recycling industry is needed to implement successful circular economy strategies. Furthermore, servicing of EVs in a local market also requires skills and capabilities that are yet to be explored extensively.\nWe consider EV supply chain issues to be an emerging area of research to address a variety of challenges across the technology, sustainability, and supply chain domains.  We, therefore, encourage potential PhD candidates to consider the following research projects:\nResearch Project 1- Closed-loop supply chain management of Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in EVs\nThis research project will explore the various issues such as challenges and mechanisms of closed-loop supply chain management of LIBs, including disposal, recycling and reuse, and the role of different stakeholders in this regard.\nResearch Project 2- Supply chain challenges of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) production for EVs\nThis project aims at investigating the potential challenges that manufacturing supply chains of LIBs face in Australia and other countries. \nResearch project 3 \u2013 Aftermarket service supply chain challenges of EVs adoption\nEVs are vastly different from ICVs and will require different skill sets, know-how, and capabilities from that of ICVs to effectively handle the aftermarket service of EVs. This project aims to investigate the skills\/competencies and capabilities required for the transition to EVs aftermarket service in Australia and other countries. \nConsidering the nature of the problem, the study will be conducted using a mixed method: case study, survey, and content analysis. We are interested in an HDR candidate with a solid background in any of the above research methods and supply chain management discipline. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"20\/11\/2024","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply chains (80%) ; 350999 Transportation, logistics and supply chains not elsewhere classified (10%) ; 401105 Life cycle assessment and industrial ecology (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sharon Maleki Far","title":"FMCG Supply Chain Optimisation via Integrating AI and Supply Chain Technologies","description":"The Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry is seeking supply chain solutions to optimise its operations to fulfil customers\u2019 demands effectively and efficiently. The emerging supply chain trends in the FMCG industry consist of agility, technology, and sustainability. Real-time end-to-end visibility and cloud-based solutions can facilitate data-driven supply chain optimisation and decision-making processes. Advanced supply chain technologies can help the FMCG industry to transform from a traditional to a digital supply chain and enhance the efficiency of its operations.\nThis proposed PhD project aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technologies to optimise the FMCG supply chain operations. The objective is to determine the most appropriate approach and design to implement and integrate AI and supply chain technologies to optimise the efficiency and responsiveness of the supply chain in the FMCG industry while remaining sustainable. Successful candidates should have a solid background in quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistical analysis techniques. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected from FMCG companies to understand the current practices and challenges faced by the industry, identify the gaps, and determine the best supply chain solutions.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2027","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply Chain (40%) ; 460299 AI not elsewhere classified (30%) ; 490304 Optimisation (20%) 350702 Corporate Social Responsibility (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri","title":"Lean Supply Chain Designs to Reduce Food Waste for Business and Environmental Sustainability","description":"This project aims to develop sustainable supply chain designs to reduce food waste in agro-product supply chains. In order to design a lean supply chain design to enhance operational efficiency, the project will focus on these specific objectives: \u2022 Develop the process view to visualize and critically analyse the supply chain of selected agriculture produces and value-added products in both countries. \u2022 Develop the Value Stream Mapping and Optimization Models for analysing and comparing the supply chain configurations for streamlined configurations to reduce wastage. \u2022 Identify and analyse the technology adoption in different domain of supply chain such as harvesting, post-harvesting, transportation, and storage. \u2022 Prioritise the action plans for business and environmental sustainability using predictive analytics using Artificial Intelligence and optimisation models. \u2022 Design the supply chain configuration for banana and wheat for business sustainability using supply chain surplus and environmental sustainability analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350903 Logistics (60%)\n350909 Supply Chain (30%)\n330409 Transport Planning (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202 \/MR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shahrooz Shahparvari","title":"Supply Chain\u2019s Technological Transformation to Mitigate Disruptive Risks","description":"Supply chain management under emergency situations is becoming increasingly important as the world faces various types of disasters and disruptions including natural disasters, and pandemics, infrastructure failures, and political conflicts. The application of technologies integrated with optimization analytics in emergency supply chain management can help organizations quickly and effectively respond to these disruptions. This PhD research topic aims to explore the use of optimization techniques in emergency supply chain management to improve decision-making and response times during crises. The significance of this research topic lies in its potential to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency supply chain management. By utilizing optimization analytics, organizations can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency supply chain management by optimal planning of the use of limited resources and minimising the negative impact of disruptions on their operations and communities. This PhD research will provide valuable insights into the use of optimization techniques in emergency supply chain management and will contribute to the development of new and improved approaches to managing disruptions. The methods used in this research will include a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative methods, such as case studies and expert interviews, will be used. Quantitative methods, such as statistical analysis and simulation, will be used to test the effectiveness of various optimization techniques in various scenarios. Data collection will involve a review of existing literature on the use of optimization analytics, as well as the collection of primary data through case studies and expert interviews.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"28\/03\/2028","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply chains ; 350999 Transportation, logistics and supply chains not elsewhere classified ; 460209 Planning and decision making"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ahmad Abareshi","title":"Drivers and Barriers to Localisation of Humanitarian Operations","description":"Every year, disasters result in an average economic loss of US$211 billion and claim 76,000 lives.         Climate change, population growth, patterns of economic development and political conflicts are among the critical reasons for the upward trend of disasters. Such challenges and the need for sustainable development motivated the United Nations (UN) to formulate a set of Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), including no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, clean energy, responsible production and consumption, and action against climate change. Humanitarian operations can play a vital role in achieving these 17 SDGs. International Humanitarian Organizations (IHOs) play an important role in saving lives and reducing human suffering among different players in humanitarian operations. However, there is always competition among IHOs for donations, and as a result, they may not be willing to cooperate and build a partnership that is not in line with one of the UNSDGs goals (SDG17). \nWhile IHOs are the largest recipients of donor funds, their capacities are limited. Hence, the role of local and national actors in increasing the global response capacity becomes more prominent. \nIn humanitarian aid, localisation (or localisation) gives more decision-making power and funding to organisations and people in countries affected by humanitarian emergencies. IHOs support localisation strategy for developing such capacity through which the local actors in humanitarian operations are empowered. In the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, IHOs and donors committed to enabling more locally-led disaster response. Although both IHOs and donors acknowledge the critical role of local actors, there is little progress in practice for several reasons at local and international levels. \nThis project aims to investigate the drivers and barriers faced by IHOs to localise their operations on preparedness and response stages of disaster cycle management. The project will also investigate how the strength of the identified drivers and barriers might change depending on the nature of the disaster, the type of organisation and geographical location. The project employs qualitative (interview) and quantitative approaches (questionnaire survey) and requires the involvement of donors, local and international humanitarian organisations, and government and non-government organisations.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"26\/12\/2025","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"350999 (100%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri","title":"Multi Criteria Decision Support Systems for Smart Logistics Cities","description":"This project aims to develop Multi Criteria Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) for Smart logistics Cities in Australia. The focus will be on the generation of a range of spatial indicators of city logistics performance, development of AI-driven decision support tools and the design of a spatial decision support system to improve the logistics efficiency and performance of smart cities. The project is driven by SDGs to help achieve socio-spatial inequality, facilitate greater accessibility to freight service nodes for businesses, and support carbon-neutral future. This comparative study will help benchmarking Australian cities against a set of sustainable development indicators. It will develop a novel integrated spatial multi-criteria hybrid decision support model that combines different multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods (e.g. Delphi, FARE, VIKOR and DEA) in the fuzzy environment with spatial data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"350903 Logistics (60%)\n350909 Supply Chain (30%)\n330409 Transport Planning (10%)\n\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"MR202 \/ DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Victor Gekara, Prem Chhetri, Darryn Snell, Babak Abbasi","title":"Changes, Challenges and Implications of Digital and Technological Transformation on the Organisation and Operations of Transport and Logistics Business","description":"The organisation and operations of business is undergoing significant transformation with the introduction of new and advanced technologies such as robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), advanced Information Communication and Technology (ICT) systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, while the transformations and impact have largely been studied through large-scale \u2018global\u2019 quantitative surveys, revealing overall trends, geo-contextualised, firm-level, in-depth studies have been few and rare. Utilising qualitative social science methodologies, the proposed PhD project will examine the nature of technological transformation in any, or combination of, industries within the transport and logistics sector from various perspectives, including:\n\u2022The kinds of technologies being adopted, the socio-technical influences on successful adoption and the associated organisational and operational implications,\n\u2022The impact on the nature and texture of work and workforce skills requirement, and\n\u2022The performance and productivity implications. Proposals may be developed with reference to any country or regional context.\nThe successful candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of qualitative social science research methods, including the use of different tools and programs to collect, analyse and present data. They will also demonstrate a strong command of English, both written and spoken.\nThe PhD will be supervised by a highly experienced multidisciplinary team of researchers in the Global Transport and Logistics Research Group, which is affiliated with the Global Business Innovation (GBI) Enabling Capability Platform (ECP).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shams Rahman, Muhammad Abdul Rahman, Kamrul Ahsan","title":"Circular economy and supply chain sustainability","description":"The current and traditional linear extract-produce-use-dump material and energy flow model of the modern economic system is unsustainable. Circular economy (CE) provides the economic system with an alternative flow model, one that is cyclical. CE is an approach aimed at transforming waste from a given process into a valuable input for another process, and where end-of-life products could be repaired, reused or remanufacturing instead of being discarded. CE is putting sustainability and closed-loop thinking at the heart of business models. The concept is currently being promoted by several nations including Australia. A recent study by the European Commission estimated that CE-type economic transitions can create 600 billion euros annual economic gains for the EU manufacturing sector alone. However, the scientific research content of CE remains largely unexplored. Under the CE platform, we will embark on the following two projects:\nProject 1: Waste-to-wealth\nThis project aims are to investigate critical barriers and drivers of potential value creation through waste management, recycle and remanufacturing, stakeholders in the waste management, resource recovery and circularity. The project will also look at the importance of organisational strategy and relevant government policy reforms for waste disposal and recycle towards positioning Australia towards achieving global competitiveness through utilising circularity (CE) concepts. Project 2: Recapturing value through returns management\nTraditionally, product returns and disposals were considered as cost centres. However, studies suggested that if managed properly they can be a source of competitive advantage or basis of value addition. Worldwide consumers product returns volume accounts for an estimated $642.6 billion annually which is around 8% of gross sales. Due to increased volume of product returns the management of product returns has become one of the major challenges for businesses today. Given the importance of product returns this study will conduct research on managing product returns for recapturing values though returns management knowledge areas such as returns and recall policy, returns process, customer service in returns, management of safety and risk. Our main interest is on returns related to the customer to business (C2B), or e-tail, multi-channel and omnichannel retail. We are interested in HDR candidate(s) who has the background in supply chain (Industrial engineering) discipline with good knowledge in research methodology and having working knowledge either in quantitative or qualitative research methods.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202\/ MR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Masih Fadaki","title":"Equitable Capacity Allocation Decisions in Supply Chain Design and Analysis","description":"Capacity allocation focuses on allocation of limited resources among competing activities with the intent of optimising an objective function. It is hard to imagine a product or service supply chain with no necessity for some sort of allocation mechanism: e.g., allocating airport gates to airlines, cranes to shipping companies in ports, available RAM to multiple programs, machines to scheduled jobs, rare blood type (O-negative) to patients, data packets to connected devices to a router, etc. From supply chain contract perspective, product\/service provider usually aims to either maximise the fairness in allocating capacities based on predefined criteria, or to minimise\/maximise the penalty\/reward of deviating from the agreed service level as per the terms of a service level agreement (SLA). In the wake of a disaster, the effective design of an equitable capacity allocation mechanism becomes even more complex as the level of supply chain uncertainties goes beyond the standard concepts of supply chain risks and disruptions. This project aims to cover a vast range of research initiatives to investigate the design of allocation mechanisms and policies for distributing limited capacity among competing activities in various models of product or service supply chains. This project is in line with the Global Business Innovation ECP as it aims to develop innovate governance mechanisms that efficiently and effectively contribute to the local and\/or global distribution of products and services, in particular under extreme level of uncertainty.\nCandidate attributes: Masters or Honours degree in Analytics, Supply Chain (Logistics) Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or Applied Mathematics with strong Analytical components.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Charles Lau, Shahrooz Shahparvari, Priyabrata Chowdhury","title":"Optimising last mile delivery through machine learning: Opportunities and challenges","description":"Last-mile delivery, which involves delivering goods from the warehouse to the customer, is a crucial aspect of modern-day e-commerce. This logistics function can be the make-or-break factor of many online retail businesses. It is one of the most challenging and costly parts of the supply chain due to various complexities, including traffic congestion, delivery time window, distance, and real-time tracking of goods. Machine learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that involves the use of algorithms to learn from data and make predictions. ML algorithms can be used to optimise last-mile delivery by predicting demand, improving route planning and scheduling, and enhancing customer experience. However, the use of ML in last mile delivery is still relatively new, and there is a need for further research in this area. This proposed PhD project aims to investigate the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of ML in optimising last mile delivery. A mixed methodology, including both qualitative and quantitative research methods will be adopted. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with logistics companies providing last-mile delivery service for clients to understand the current practices and challenges faced by the industry. The qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns. With the agreement of those logistics companies participating in the research, quantitative data of their actual operations will be collected from the databases of the companies for use in machine learning. The objective is to determine the most appropriate approach and design to implement machine learning algorithms in last mile delivery to optimise efficiency and responsiveness. The research will contribute to knowledge of AI application in logistics and supply chain management as well as practice in optimised urban logistics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350903 Logistics\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri","title":"Spatially Integrated Models to Improve Urban Freight Transport Systems","description":"The project aims to develop a \u201csustainable urban freight distribution,\u201d model which maximises the distribution efficiency, while minimising the environmental and social impacts, of the distribution of goods in urban areas. It aims to optimise the complete door-to-door logistics chain to enhance liveability of urban areas as places to live and work.\nResearch Problem\nUrban Freight Transport (UTF) is indispensable to the functioning of urban systems as it is required to replenish stocks of food and other retail goods in shops, to deliver documents, parcels and other supplies to offices and to remove household waste from urban areas. Although UFT has these important roles in the economic welfare of cities and therefore supports urban economies, it has a number of negative effects including road congestion, air quality, Greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution and public safety. Inefficiency in freight distribution in urban areas contributes to these negative effects. The logistics inefficiency in UFT can be improve by managing low load factors and empty running, reduced number of deliveries or unconsolidated distribution, and long dwell times at loading and unloading points. Technology-driven solutions to these challenges are required to reduce this inefficiency, which leads to additional costs for transport operators or users.\nProposed Output\nThis project will generate innovative spatially integrated solutions to improve urban freight transport by enabling economies of scale to be achieved through urban consolidation, to promote efficiency, and to enhance performance.\nThis project is aligned to the research priority of the Urban Future ECP to generate innovative spatially integrated big- data driven optimisation models\/tools to \u201cinform urban decision-making and to promote and advance the efficient design, planning and delivery of sustainable urban environments and services\u201d using Smart Cities Analytics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain Management","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babak Abbasi, Anne-Laure Mention","title":"Improving Blood Supply Chain Management","description":"Blood is limited resource collected from donors. Matching supply and demand of blood units is a challenge for healthcare systems due to several reasons including stochastic donation behaviour and demand uncertainty. In this project, innovative approaches are developed to consider uncertainty in decision making seen in blood management.\nResearch Question\nHow considering several sources of uncertainty in blood supply chain decision making can be considered to improve the resilient of the supply chain?\nProposed Output\nThis project will generate innovative solutions to promote efficiency and suitability of the blood supply chain. The decision support tools are developed that can be calibrated by real data and used by practitioners.\nThis project is aligned to the research priority of the Global Business Innovation ECP that will generate innovative supply chain and optimisation models\/tools to enhance organisational transformation and innovation capabilities","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"460603 Cyberphysical systems and internet of things (40%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence (20%)\n460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (20%)  \n4609 Information systems (20%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain Management","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri, Babak Abbasi, Ahmad Abarisi, Shahrooz Shahparvari","title":"Enhancing Emergency Response to Supply Chain Disruptions","description":"Research Question\nThis project aims to develop new optimisation service models to design and build adaptive emergency service networks, in terms of the optimal number, locations and capacity of emergency service facilities, to reduce operational costs and improve response time to emergency calls.\nHow can the delivery of public services be enhanced using logistics solutions and supply chain strategies to improve cost efficiency?\nWhat would the new optimal service delivery arrangements to help restructure and reorganise emergency service networks?\nResearch Problem\nAn effective and efficient response to emergency calls is a key challenge for emergency agencies such as fire, police and ambulance. Emergency response services are essential public agencies, which ensure the safety of people and properties. Prompt and timely response to calls for emergency services is critical as delays in the departure from the fire station and arrival at the scene can have significant consequences in terms of death, injury and damage to properties. In recent decades, fire Services Agencies are under considerable pressure to enhance public service delivery to achieve economies of scale, to promote efficiency, and to secure equity.\nProposed Output\nThis project will generate innovative market solutions to public services delivery to achieve economies of scale, to promote efficiency, and to secure equity. The geographic locations and social groups most at fire risk will be identified through innovative, spatially-integrated optimisation models to improve timely response to emergency calls, thereby helping reduce deaths and injuries, and property losses.\nThis project is aligned to the research priority of the Global Business Innovation ECP that will generate innovative supply chain and optimisation models\/tools to enhance Organisational transformation and innovation capabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"A\/Prof Roland Snooks, Prof Alisa Andrasek, Prof Tom Kovac, A\/Prof Paul Minifie, Dr Jan van Schaik, A\/Prof Adam Nash, Prof Nicholas Boyarsky, Dr Leslie Eastman, A\/Prof Charles Anderson, A\/Prof Katrina Simon, Dr Heike Rahmann, Dr Yazid Ninsalem, Dr Philip Belesky, Dr Ata Tara, Alice Lewis","title":"Advanced Technologies","description":"Research in Advanced Technologies explores what potential lies in emerging technologies for imagining, designing and developing new approaches to built forms and environments, new on-site operations, and for integrating data\/digital constructions with the physical and virtual. Investigating what the opportunities and barriers are to the wider application of these technologies, design research projects in this field engage with a range of advanced technologies and explore their development and operational deployment across the disciplines of Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, as well as material sciences, fabrication and manufacturing.\rResearch in this area includes (but is not limited to) exploration of computational design, robotics, robotic fabrication and manufacturing techniques, processes, and associated vision systems and real-time robotic control systems, machine learning, structural optimisation, Information systems, XR (extended reality), AR, VR and immersive environments, and Smart technology. Research can also engage with a range of tools within the broader field of generative practice to explore new design techniques that operate between modes of observation and spatial formation. These may take the form of explorations around parametric modelling, simulated environments, terrestrial scanning, material modelling and experimentation, software development, digital prototyping, and the fabrication of large-scale demonstrator projects.\rWithin this scope projects can be developed within the candidate\u2019s specific area of expertise and relevant sites, and can be in partnership with appropriate stakeholders and in collaboration with other related Schools within RMIT. Projects can also be pursued via the Applied Practice mode which can include collaborative work undertaken within specialised research groups led key research leaders. The generative design research conducted in Advanced Technologies will be developed through design projects where the \u2018real world\u2019 implications of this research can be tested and explored.","sdg":"9, 11, 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, Social Change, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102; Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411, Structural Engineering 400510"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Architecture Supervisors: Martyn Hook, Vivian Mitsogianni, Carey Lyon, Alisa Andrasek, Tom Kovac, Tom Holbrook, Nicholas Boyarsky, Eva Prats, Sand Helsel, Roland Snooks, Richard Black, Graham Crist, Paul Minifie, Anna Johnson, Jan van Schaik, Christine Phillips, Michael Spooner, Leanne Zilka, John Doyle, Emma Jackson, Ben Milbourne, Peter Brew\nInterior Design Supervisors: Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash\nLandscape Supervisors: Charles Anderson, Katrina Simon, Quentin Stevens, Anton James, Heike Rahmann, Kate Church, Bridget Keane, Heike Rahmann, Yazid Ninsalem, Philip Belesky, Ata Tara, Alice Lewis","title":"Generative Design Practice Research","description":"The Generative Design Practice Research mode of creative research crosses boundaries between professional and academic\/university-based research practices, and often between disciplines. This practice research approach enables practitioners to generate new kinds of practices - within a discipline, or through establishing new fields of practice - in response to challenges and concerns emerging in a changing world. Candidates might be early career, seeking to enter into a period of deep enquiry that transforms a set of practice-based interests into a more developed practice with a well-articulated emphasis, set of agendas and approaches. They might equally be mid- or later-career practitioners seeking to generate a new practice trajectory through a transformation of their established mastery. They demonstrate their findings publicly in ways most appropriate to the particularities of their practice research, usually through an exhibit, a written dissertation, and a presentation to examiners. This mode offers new knowledge in the form of previously unarticulated approaches to practice, informed by specific issues and challenges that direct their generative action.","sdg":"2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Architecture Supervisors: Martyn Hook, Vivian Mitsogianni, Carey Lyon, Alisa Andrasek, Tom Kovac, Tom Holbrook, Nicholas Boyarsky, Eva Prats, Sand Helsel, Roland Snooks, Richard Black, Graham Crist, Paul Minifie, Anna Johnson, Jan van Schaik, Christine Phillips, Michael Spooner, Leanne Zilka, John Doyle, Emma Jackson, Ben Milbourne, Peter Brew\rInterior Design Supervisors:Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash\rLandscape Supervisors: Charles Anderson, Katrina Simon, Quentin Stevens, Heike Rahmann, Kate Church, Bridget Keane, Heike Rahmann, Yazid Ninsalem, Philip Belesky, Ata Tara, Alice Lewis","title":"Reflective Industry Design Practice Research","description":"Reflective Industry Design Practice Research involves practitioners operating largely in a professional environment, generally with a peer-reviewed and award-winning body of work developed over 10 years or more. These practitioners have already developed recognised mastery in their field. They are invited to reflect upon the nature of that mastery within a critical framework, engaging them in reviewing the nature of their mastery, defining its enabling structures, its knowledge bases, and the implications of the nexus between these for emerging forms of research-led practice. They conclude by speculating through design on the nature of their future practice. They demonstrate their finding publicly, through an exhibit, a presentation to the examiners, and a written dissertation. Two kinds of knowledge are created by the research. One concerns the ways in which designers marshal their intelligence, to construct the mental space within which they practice design. The other reveals how public behaviours are invented and used to support design practice. This mode of research extends and develops the knowledge base of their profession, and thus its ability to serve society.","sdg":"2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Architecture Supervisors: Martyn Hook, Vivian Mitsogianni, Carey Lyon, Alisa Andrasek, Tom Kovac, Tom Holbrook, Nicholas Boyarsky, Eva Prats, Sand Helsel, Roland Snooks, Richard Black, Graham Crist, Paul Minifie, Anna Johnson, Jan van Schaik, Christine Phillips, Michael Spooner, Jan van Schaik, Leanne Zilka, John Doyle, Emma Jackson, Ben Milbourne, Peter Brew; Landscape Supervisors: Katrina Simon, Charles Anderson, Quentin Stevens, Kate Church, Bridget Keane, Heike Rahmann, Alice Lewis, Yazid Ninsalem, Philip Belesky, Ata Tara, John Fien, Esther Charlesworth, Leila Irajifar; Interior Design Supervisors: Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Olivia Hamilton, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash","title":"Cities and Environments","description":"Design research in this field can incorporate both generative and applied research modes to propose and produce designed propositions for cities and environments. Such design research investigates how existing environments can be reimagined to offer sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban futures, explores the ways and means of understanding and designing alternative solutions to configuring the urban\/biosphere fabric, and considers how these alternative configurations might benefit a multi-species ecology of inhabitants.\nIn this domain, design research projects can also consider how designers can collaborate with other development and built environment professionals to contribute to improved well-being and resilience in marginalized and displaced communities and in what ways and under what conditions the design of habitation and settlement infrastructure can contribute to wider education, health and livelihood goals for such communities.\nIn addition, research can include the exploration of the intersection between the economic, environmental and cultural dynamics of spatial production and engage with the politics of urban and rural transformation through design practice and modes of advocacy. This may include (but is not limited to): Transitional Economies - collaborations with community and stakeholders; Disrupted Landscapes - temporal \/ dynamic master planning; Landscape driven development models; and the development of evidence-based practice in shelter, infrastructure and settlement design for communities marginalized by the increasing frequency and severity of conflict, poverty, disasters and climate change. This field of enquiry also encompasses an engagement with and the exploration of Indigenous Knowledges and associated vernacular \/ ethno-architectures and place-making practices, as well as the development of sovereign relationships and alternative governance models","sdg":"2,3,6,7,9,11,12,13,14,15, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Urban Futures, Social Change, Information Systems","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"John Fien, Esther Charlesworth, Leila Irajifar, Harriet Edquist, Christine Phillips, Charles Anderson, Nicholas Boyarsky, Alice Lewis, Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Olivia Hamilton, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash","title":"Cultural and Social Spatial Practices","description":"Research within this field engages with practices from the Arts, Ethnography, Design History and Theory, with a particular exploration of design for social change and cultural production. Major projects can be identified in the areas of design diplomacy, design for democracy, design for diversity and inclusion, design for affordable housing, ecological design, design for community development and cultural production. Design for social change encompasses working with social enterprises, NGOs, foundations, corporations and governments and includes concepts and processes such as social innovation, collaborative systems, co-design, co-production, curatorial practice and systemic change. A range of questions for research can underpin this field. In what ways and under what conditions can design and design thinking contribute to social change most effectively? How can collaboration across the spectrum of design methodologies and genres generate deeper and longer-lasting transformations? How could such collaborations be organized, funded, and implemented? How can the effectiveness of such collaborations be measured? What are the range of quantitative and qualitative metrics available for gauging sustained impact and value? How can programs and solutions be designed at a scale commensurate with the scale of the actual problems being confronted? What discourses within the design professions facilitate and\/or constrain the practice of design for social change? In what ways can design education contribute to positive discourses and discursive practices in design for social change? Research in this area may be undertaken through both thesis and\/or practice-based approaches, with lead supervision offered by staff with expertise in design for post-conflict and post\u2013disaster settings, design with remote and Indigenous communities, sustainability and resliency policy and practices, social transformation processes, public participation and cultural production.","sdg":"1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Urban Futures, Design & Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411, Architectural History, Theory and criticism 330104, Sustainable Architecture 330110"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Art","programcode":"MR208 \/ DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Keely Macarow, Mark Edgoose, Irene Barberis-Page, Nicholas Bastin, Jazmina Cininas, Martine Corompt, Greg Creek, Vittoria di Steffano, Mikala Dwyer, Peter Ellis, Carolyn Eskdale, David Forrest, Ian Haig, Kirsten Haydon, Michael Graeve, Shane Hulbert, Nikos Pantazopoulos, Simon Perry, Dominic Redfern, Steven Rendall, Philip Samartzis, Kristen Sharp, Ben Sheppard, Sarah Tomasetti, Louise Weaver, Peter Westwood, Kit Wise, Sally Mannall. ","title":"Material Experiments","description":"Material Experiments encompasses studio-led research where the creative exploration is through contemporary art and craft practice research, with an emphasis on experimentation in and through material, visual, spatial, sonic, and temporal processes. Engaging the agency, methodologies and encounters of contemporary art and craft, our focus extends to the investigation of the properties of art objects, matter, and images and the politics and sustainability of materials in the transmission of ideas in contemporary culture. \r\n\r\nThe area supports critical, sensory, and speculative practices engaged in specialised and interdisciplinary research examining how transformative acts under domains of materiality and cultural production advance new manifestations of form and experience and interrelationships between meaning and making. We support projects that materialise critical dialogues mediating the social and the aesthetic, knowledge, and imagination. Researchers provide innovation within a rapidly changing and expansive field of contemporary art and craft practices, emerging technologies, and contemporary culture. \r\n\r\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\r","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"360301 Crafts\r\n360602 Fine Arts \r\n360604 Photography, video and lens-based Practice\r\n360104 Visual Cultures\r"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Art","programcode":"DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Pauline Anastasiou, Marnie Badham, Alison Bennett, Jazmina Cininas, Ray Cook, Martine Corompt, Peter Ellis, Kirsten Haydon, Alan Hill, Fiona Hillary, Tammy Wong Hulbert, Kelly Hussey-Smith, Pia Johnson, Laresa Kosloff, Keely Macarow, Clare McCracken, Grace McQuilten, Rebecca Najdowski, Daniel Palmer, Nikos Pantazopoulos, Simon Perry, Drew Pettifer, Dominic Redfern, Philip Samartzis, Kristen Sharp, Amy Spiers, Fleur Summers, Kit Wise, Sally Mannall.","title":"CONTEMPORARY ART AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION (CAST)","description":"Researchers in Contemporary Art and Social Transformation (CAST) critically engage with environmental, social, and public spheres with a particular interest in how artistic practices intersect with issues of equity, access, and democracy. Key themes include social practice and public art, creative care, ecology, and environment education, migration, and mobility, queer(y)ng practice, and fashion, art, and sustainability.\n\nCAST is a research group and hub for critical thinking, collaboration and the exchange of ideas, knowledge dissemination, practice-led artistic research and socially engaged art practice. CAST engages on local and international levels by collaborating with practitioners, communities, industry, and government partners. \n\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\n\nCAST: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/contemporary-art-and-social-transformation\n\n","sdg":"1 - No Poverty, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing,5 - Gender Equality, 4 - Quality Education,\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10 - Reduced Inequalities, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 - Climate Action, 14 - Life Below Water, 15 - Life on the Land, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions, 17 - Partnerships for the Goals","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"360602, 360103, 360603, 360104, 360604"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Art","programcode":"DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Keely Macarow, Marnie Badham, Alison Bennett, David Forrest, Shane Hulbert, Tammy Wong Hulbert, Kelly Hussey-Smith, Pia Johnson, Daniel Palmer, Drew Pettifer, Philip Samartzis, Kristen Sharp, Amy Spiers, Naomi Stead, Peter Westwood, Kit Wise, Naomi Stead, School of Media and Communications","title":"Curatorial and Cultural Production","description":"Research in Curatorial and Cultural Production spans cultural production, arts management, curatorial practice, public pedagogies, and arts education. The area considers key directions and links in relation to art institutions, government, community, pedagogies, and cultural transformation. The research explores new and emerging methodologies and theoretical approaches with a focus on Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. \n\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\n","sdg":"4 - Quality Education, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 17 - Partnerships for the Goals","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n  390101 Creative Arts, Media and Communication Curriculum and Pedagogy\n 350704 Entrepreneurship\n 420207 Cultural Theory\n 430205 Heritage and Cultural Conservation 210299 Curatorial and Related Studies not elsewhere classified\n 360499 Performing Arts and Creative Writing not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Photography","programcode":"DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Keely Macarow, Alison Bennett, Martine Corompt, Vittoria di Steffano, Ian Haig, Alan Hill, Shane Hulbert, Pia Johnson, Kelly Hussey-Smith, Daniel Palmer, Nikos Pantazopolous, Rebecca Najdowski, Ray Cook","title":"Imaging Futures","description":"Research in Imaging Futures focuses on how photography and expanded imaging is integrated into emerging technologies that are changing how we see and experience the world. In work, leisure, health and art, photography and images are implicated in new ways of visualising and interacting with our bodies, environments, and cities. The ubiquitous nature of 21st century photography \u2013 together with new developments such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and extended reality is bound up with complex processes of social change. Imaging Futures supports studio-based, multi-disciplinary and theoretical research engaged in the social, cultural, and political impact of photography and new imaging technologies and processes.\n\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\n\nImaging Futures: https:\/\/sites.rmit.edu.au\/if-lab\/\n","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth,7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, 5 - Gender Equality, 4 - Quality Education , 10 - Reduced Inequalities, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13 - Climate Action, 14 - Life Below Water, 15 - Life on the Land, 17 - Partnerships for the Goals, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"360604 \n 360603 \n  360502 \n 360503 \n 360504 \n 360103 \n 470207"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peyman Khezr ","title":"Artificial Intelligence for Market Design","description":"This project investigates how artificial intelligence\u2014particularly reinforcement learning and deep learning\u2014can be used to design, simulate, and evaluate complex market mechanisms. The research will explore applications in auction theory, matching markets, and broader mechanism design problems, aiming to uncover optimal strategies in environments where strategic behavior and uncertainty are present. A key component of the project involves running experiments with human participants to study how people interact with AI agents in these markets, providing insights into the dynamics between human decision-making and machine learning-based strategies. This interdisciplinary work requires a strong foundation in game theory and microeconomics, proficiency in Python programming, and an interest in machine learning. Experience with AI frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch), experimental design, and human-subjects research is highly desirable but not essential.","sdg":"[\"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth\",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2029-12-31","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"380102\tBehavioural economics (30%)\n380304\tMicroeconomic theory (30%)\n389999\tOther economics not elsewhere classified (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Rayne, Kieran Tierney","title":"Exploring AI's Light and Dark Sides to Enhance Service Experiences","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed service experiences, offering unprecedented personalisation and efficiency. Yet, it also presents challenges, with unintended consequences often overlooked. This PhD opportunity delves into the dual nature of AI in services, inviting exploration of both its promise and potential pitfalls to reshape customer interactions.\r\n \r\nThe project is structured around three interconnected studies:\r\n1. Conceptual Foundations: Develop a theoretical framework examining the light and dark sides of AI in service settings, addressing the psychological, ethical, and practical implications of AI integration.\r\n2. Anthropomorphisation of Chatbots: Investigate how anthropomorphic design choices from cartoon-like avatars to logos to real-person representations influence user perceptions and behaviours. How might these designs, while engaging, lead to darker outcomes like overdependence or emotional manipulation?\r\n3. Reflective Service Experiences: Examine the impact of end-of-year service recaps (e.g., Spotify Wrapped) on customer satisfaction, loyalty, and data privacy concerns. Can such offerings enhance the customer experience while respecting ethical boundaries?\r\n\r\nThis project invites a motivated PhD applicant to employ experimental designs and advanced analytics to empirically explore these questions. Applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to both theory and practice, uncovering actionable insights to optimize AI-driven service experiences. Your work will be pivotal in navigating the delicate balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility, shaping the future of customer engagement.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350601\n350602\n350611\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Janet Roitman","title":"Value Production on Digital Financial Technologies: Achievements and Challenges","description":"This research project inquires into the role of financial technology platforms (fintech) in in Sub-Saharan Africa with the potential for comparative case studies in the Asia-Pacific. Specifically, the research focuses on key drivers of the extension of financial technology platforms in these contexts: cross-border remittances, mobile money, and new payments platforms. The research entails qualitative analysis and field research to provide an empirical account of this process. Fintech platforms facilitate intra-African and international cross-border transfers and lowers transaction costs. Following from that observation, the research will: 1) establish whether fintech platforms engender new financial products and debt instruments; 2) establish how fintech platforms are potential sources of actionable data for the development of credit scoring, new asset classes and investment-grade financial products. The research does not focus on financial inclusion. The research programme is focused on the potential development of assets denominated in local currencies as a crucial basis for local economic and financial empowerment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440404 Political Economy and Social Change (50%)\n441007 Sociology and Social Studies of Science and Technology (50%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bernardo Figueiredo","title":"Empowering older citizen scientists: codesigning more inclusive citizen science models for age-friendly environments.","description":"The overall aim of this project is to improve older adult\u2019s participation as co-researchers in citizen-science projects for age-friendly environments through the creation of a codesigned framework including guidelines, strategies, skills, processes, and illustrative cases that facilitate the inclusion of older adults in extreme citizen-science research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"Global Business Innovation"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bernardo Figueiredo","title":"A Methodology and a Program to Enhance Volunteer Engagement in Networks of Older Adults","description":"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350612 Social Marketing"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bernardo Figueiredo, Torgeir Aleti, Mike Reid\n","title":"Meaningful Play and Fun for ICT Use by Older Adults: A Strength-Based Approach\n\n","description":"Citizen science provides a direct avenue for involving older adults in co-research. Traditionally, it has focused on involving the public in different methods of data acquisition for the purposes of scientific inquiry (e.g., registering the quality of the air in a neighbourhood or counting species of plants in one\u2019s backyard). However, newer forms of citizen science, often called extreme citizen science, have expanded the public\u2019s participation from crowdsourcing data at all stages of the research process, including problem definition, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, study dissemination, and public action (English et al 2018, Figure 1). Extreme citizen science empowers participants to become co-researchers and decision-makers in scientific investigations (Rosas et al 2022). While there are a few projects involving older adults in traditional citizen science, the number of projects using older citizen-scientists in extreme citizen science are still limited. Issues of inclusion, exploitation, and lack of knowledge by professional scientists on how to engage with citizen scientists effectively and systematically have been pointed as barriers to the growth of citizen science (Lowry and Stepenuck 2021). There is scarcity in frameworks with guidelines, strategies, skills, processes, and illustrative examples that might make citizen science for older adults more scalable, helping researchers and older adults to work together more effectively (Serrat et al., 2020).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"350612 Social marketing"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sinclair Davidson","title":"Topics in Institutional Cryptoeconomics","description":"The project will specifically focus on the role of technology as a mediator of the relationship between older adults and their environment. Technology has been discussed as both an enabler and disruptor in ageing well. On the one hand, it is deemed as the most important factor in improving the quality of life in ageing societies (Hjorth 2021), on the other hand, technology is a divider: worsening differences in wealth, skills, access and equity (Fleming et al, 2018). Consequently, codesigning a framework that facilitates older citizen\u2019s increased participation in citizen science will need to take into account how these citizens relate to technology in their environments and how this engagement makes these tech-mediated environments more or less age-friendly.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/02\/2024","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"380109 Industry Economics and Industrial Organisation (33.3%) ; 380199 Applied Economics not Elsewhere Listed (33.3%) ; 389901 Comparative Economic Systems (33.3%) "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jingjing Zhang and Qin Wu","title":"The effects of multi-value prize uncertainty on contestant behaviour: an experimental study","description":"We will use a game-theoretical approach to model the behaviour of contestants in multi-value prize contests. This contest is characterised by an uncertain prize value that can take on multiple values with predetermined probabilities. This model can be applied in various contexts. For example, in blind auctions, which are commonly used for items like abandoned storage units, artworks and timbers, bidders bid with a range of values for the item. In sports competitions, athletes can earn money from both competition prizes and sponsorships. Sponsorship deals can be very lucrative, and the value of these deals can vary widely depending on the athlete\u2019s level of fame, the size and reach of the sponsor, leading to different final prize values. Other examples include a job offer with a range of possible salaries and benefits and a lottery prize where there are several different prize levels with varying probabilities of winning each prize. The model will incorporate uncertainty about prize values and asymmetry in contestants\u2019 valuations. We will theoretically analyse the effect of multi-value prize uncertainty on effort provision. Furthermore, we will investigate the cheating behaviour that often arises in contest settings including the multi-value prize setting. Additionally, we will conduct experiments to test our model predictions. This topic can be further extended to the multi-value prize contest with unknown probabilities as a follow-up study.  \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"380106   Experimental economics\n380102  Behavioural economics\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong; Xiaolu Hu and Gaoping Zheng","title":"Green sentiment and corporate financial policy","description":"There has been tremendous growth in sustainable investment in global financial markets in the recent decade. Existing research in finance largely focuses on corporate decision making without considering investors' sentiment towards social good. Recently, the burgeoning literature on sustainable finance underscores investor sentiment towards an optimal balance between risk-return tradeoff and societal wellbeing. Firms adjust policies accordingly to cater to investors' green sentiment, which is a promising area of future research.\u00a0This PhD project will apply theory and principles in corporate financial policy to sustainable investment. This project aims to investigate impact of green sentiment on corporate financial policies. The focus will be on whether and how increasing green sentiment influences corporate managers' decision-making process and the associated impact on corporate outcomes.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods, principles of corporate finance, and a passion for sustainable finance. The supervision team consists of experts in corporate finance, sustainable finance and asset pricing.\u00a0","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350201"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computing Technologies","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ruwan Tennakoon, John Thangarajah, Steven Korevaar","title":"Machine learning and AI to Improve Targeted Radionuclide Therapy\n","description":"The project aims to enhance targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) by integrating PET imaging data with advanced AI-based dosimetry models. TRT leverages radiopharmaceuticals that home in on cancer cells, delivering a therapeutic radiation dose while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. By combining vast datasets on radionuclide energy deposition, PET-captured spatio-temporal distribution, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) data, the project seeks to refine the accuracy of internal dosimetry. This integration addresses challenges such as heterogeneous radiopharmaceutical distribution within tumours and the spatial resolution limitations of current imaging methods.\n\nKey scientific objectives include mapping IHC data onto Monte Carlo simulation models to reflect true cellular-level distribution and creating transparent, explainable AI frameworks. These models are designed to incorporate a human-in-the-loop strategy, allowing clinicians to adjust parameters based on patient-specific anatomy and physiology. Validation studies will be conducted to ensure that AI-derived dosimetry aligns with actual patient outcomes, thereby enhancing clinical trust.\n\nIndustry collaboration is a vital aspect of the project. In partnership with Cyclotek, one of the largest suppliers of PET radiopharmaceuticals in Australia and New Zealand, students will have the opportunity to engage in a six-month internship. This internship offers practical experience in understanding real-world applications of AI in PET imaging.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-07-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400304\tBiomedical imaging (40%)\n461103\tDeep learning (30%)\n460304\tComputer vision (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dana McKay","title":"How effective are online content creators at debunking mis\/disinformation?","description":"Recent surveys suggest that 45% of Australian adults seek information from YouTube when they need to make a decision, with the proportion rising to 60% among adults under 35. However, numerous studies have found that YouTube is rife with low quality information\u2014including conspiracy theories, misinformation, and outright falsehoods. Many independent content creators have positioned themselves as debunkers working to counter mis\/disinformation, but this phenomenon has not yet been widely studied. \n\nThis project is positioned as an exploratory examination of the people and communities involved in online debunking to understand the types of approaches being used and their effectiveness. The successful candidate will design and implement mixed-method studies to investigate online debunking cultures and practices with the aim of identifying and testing potentially effective strategies to counter mis\/disinformation.","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-31","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461002 - Human information behaviour (40%)\n461003 - Human information interaction and retrieval (40%)\n470102 - Communication technology and digital media studies (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michael A. Cowling","title":"Optimizing AI-Driven Personalized Learning and Teacher Professional Development for Foreign Language Education in China","description":"In the rapidly advancing field of educational technology, personalized learning is becoming essential for enhancing student outcomes. It significantly boosts motivation and academic performance (Li & Wang, 2020). In China, recent higher education reforms focus on aligning educational programs with individual student abilities, levels of knowledge, and interests. However, foreign language education still struggles with traditional teaching models that often fail to meet diverse student needs, resulting in less effective learning outcomes (Bhutoria, 2022). \n\nThis research will explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can optimize personalized learning in Foreign Language Education in China with a focus on Teacher Professional Development. The study intends to investigate how AI can adapt educational content to enhance both student motivation and cultural understanding, creating a more holistic learning experience. \n\nKey research questions include: \n- Identifying Effective AI systems:  \n        What AI systems are currently used for personalized learning in Chinese higher education, and how do they address diverse learning needs?\n        How can these applications be evaluated for their effectiveness, feasibility, and alignment with educational goals?\n- AI and Educator Development:  \n        How can AI help educators design personalized learning experiences that improve language proficiency and cultural understanding?\n        What strategies can enable educators to effectively use AI to enhance language learning and cultural appreciation?\n         \n     ","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-06-02","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460105 Applications in social sciences and education (80%)\n460906 Information systems education (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang","title":"Building an Aussie Information Recommendation System You Can Trust","description":"This project aims to address the escalating public distrust in online media platforms arising from misinformation, compromised user privacy, echo chambers, and community bias. Collaborating with a well-established Australian online media platform, the project expects to build Australia's inaugural trustworthy information recommender system by spearheading the design and development of cutting-edge misinformation filters, user-controlled privacy protection mechanisms, diversity-aware information recall algorithms, and community fairness-enhanced ranking algorithms. These technology advancements will seamlessly integrate into online media platforms to create a more reliable information dissemination environment and foster public trust.","sdg":"[\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2026-12-31","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 - Recommender systems (40%)\n460501 - Data engineering and data science (30%)\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ronny Andrade Parra","title":"How do mixed-ability gamers (gamers with and without disabilities) interact?","description":"With an estimate 3.24 billion gamers worldwide, videogames have become a cultural phenomenon. However, barriers to accessing video games still exist for people with disability. With about 15% of Australians aged 15-64 having a disability, it is crucial to understand how they engage with videogames, especially as games have been found to foster social connectedness [2].\n\nWhile existing literature has explored the experience of gamers who are blind, are neurodivergent, or have physical disabilities in isolation, less is known about the social aspects of gaming, especially in relation to mixed-ability gaming [1]. In this project, you will design, implement and study novel interaction approaches to foster social connectedness and encourage mixed ability gaming across gamers with and without disability, with a focus on how technology impacts in-game socialisation.\n\nReferences:\n[1] Gon\u00e7alves, D., Rodrigues, A., Richardson, M. L., De Sousa, A. A., Proulx, M. J., & Guerreiro, T. (2021, May). Exploring asymmetric roles in mixed-ability gaming. In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-14). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3411764.3445494 \n\n[2] Vella, K., Klarkowski, M., Turkay, S., & Johnson, D. (2019). Making friends in online games: gender differences and designing for greater social connectedness. Behaviour & Information Technology, 39(8), 917\u2013934. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/0144929X.2019.1625442 ","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-09-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460801\tAccessible computing (40%)\n460703\tEntertainment and gaming (30%)\n460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Automated Security Testing for Early Vulnerability Detection in AI-Driven Systems","description":"As AI-driven systems grow in complexity, they become increasingly susceptible to sophisticated cyberattacks. Traditional software testing methods often neglect security aspects during the early stages of development. To address this gap, there is a pressing need for automated approaches that seamlessly integrate security testing into the software development lifecycle, enabling early vulnerability detection. This project aims to develop automated test generation techniques to identify vulnerabilities in AI-based systems using techniques such as fuzzing and combinatorial testing to generate diverse security test cases. The proposed approach will be validated on real-world applications, such as autonomous vehicles. ","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2026-03-14","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (40%), 461208 Software testing (40%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Senuri Wijenayake","title":"Designing Inclusive Safety Features for Social Media","description":"Social media platforms often fail to adequately protect vulnerable users with their current safety features (reporting, blocking, filtering, content warnings, privacy controls). This project will develop innovative, inclusive safety features through participatory design methodologies to ensure digital spaces are accessible and secure for all users, particularly those disproportionately affected by online harassment and abuse.\nThe project aims to:\n\n- Critically analyse existing safety mechanisms and identify inclusivity gaps across major platforms\n- Investigate how diverse users (women, gender-diverse individuals, CALD populations, people with disabilities, older adults, youth) experience and navigate safety challenges\n- Employ co-design approaches with diverse stakeholders to develop solutions grounded in lived experience\n- Create and iteratively test prototypes accommodating different user needs, abilities, and contexts\n- Develop evidence-based policy recommendations that complement design interventions\n\nUsing mixed methods (co-design workshops, qualitative interviews, usability testing, prototype evaluation), the project will deliver:\n\n- Comprehensive frameworks for understanding inclusivity gaps in current safety features\n- Design patterns and guidelines for implementing inclusive safety mechanisms\n- Functional prototypes demonstrating novel approaches to social media safety\n- Policy recommendations for industry standards and regulatory frameworks\n- Implementation roadmaps for participatory safety design in digital environments\n\nCandidate Requirements:\n\n- Strong Bachelors\/Honours or Masters in Computer Science, Information Technology, HCI, Digital Media or related discipline\n- Experience with design\/prototyping tools (e.g., Figma)\n- Experience with participatory design research and qualitative analysis \n- Background in technology policy advantageous\n- Excellent communication skills for engaging diverse stakeholder groups\n\nThis project will be based in the School of Computing Technologies, with industry and policy collaboration opportunities.","sdg":"[\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%) 460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Neelofar Neelofar","title":"Automated Security Testing for Early Vulnerability Detection in AI-Driven Systems","description":"As AI-driven systems grow in complexity, they become increasingly susceptible to sophisticated cyberattacks. Traditional software testing methods often neglect security aspects during the early stages of development. To address this gap, there is a pressing need for automated approaches that seamlessly integrate security testing into the software development lifecycle, enabling early vulnerability detection. This project aims to develop automated test generation techniques to identify vulnerabilities in AI-based systems using techniques such as fuzzing and combinatorial testing to generate diverse security test cases. The proposed approach will be validated on real-world applications, such as autonomous vehicles. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2026-03-14","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (40%), 461208 Software testing (40%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiangmin Zhou,","title":"Multimodal Data Analytics for Disaster Management","description":"Natural Disasters have caused many fatalities in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and rural areas around the world. As the climate changes, global temperatures are increasing, natural hazard such as bushfires and flood are likely to occur more frequently and intensely. It is vital to analyse disaster situations for smart evacuation planning and decision making in disasters. When security officers receive hazard warnings, evacuation situation analytics helps predict human behaviour on response to warnings, predict evacuation behaviours of fire departments and user evacuation travel behaviour. However, the traditional sensor-based systems may be affected by weather conditions. This project will develop effective, efficient, and scalable techniques for disaster management using multimodal data analytics. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2029-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)\n460501 Data engineering and data science (25%)\n460510 Recommender systems (20%)\n460509 Query processing and optimisation(20%)\n460504 Data quality (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Software Engineering","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Neelofar Neelofar, Golnoush Abaei","title":"Automated Software Testing Using LLMs","description":"Software testing is a critical phase in the Software Engineering process, often consuming a significant portion of project budgets due to the effort involved in manual test generation. While Large Language Models (LLMs) have shown promising performance in various software-related tasks, including test generation, their practical effectiveness remains limited when applied to real-world scenarios.\n\nThis project aims to improve and automate the software testing process using pre-trained models of code and LLMs. Unlike existing approaches, this research focuses on assessing and enhancing LLMs' ability to understand the logic and semantics of the code under test. The goal is to generate high-quality test cases with strong assertions capable of effectively detecting bugs. Additionally, this work explores automated testing techniques to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2026-01-13","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"461208 Software testing, verification and validation (50%)\n461201 Automated Software Engineering (25%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (25%), "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiangmin Zhou, Jeffrey Chan","title":"Situation-aware Multi-sided Personalised Analytics in Spatial Crowdsourcing","description":"With the evolution of mobile communication, crowdsourcing has shown its irreplaceablity in our life. In 2021, Uber drivers completed 6.3 billion trips, a 26% increase year-on-year, 118 million users used Uber, generating $17.4 billion revenue, a 56% increase year-on-year. The Worldwide AI Spending Guide from International Data Corporation forecasts global spending on AI systems will pass $300 billion in 2026 with a 26.5% annual growth rate for 2022-2026, and the product recommendations are involved in two top AI use cases, accounting for 12% of total revenue. A large portion of online activities are for crowdsourcing services, from finance to education and health. Data-driven innovation including crowdsourcing is transforming Australia's economy and society, improving the growth and prosperity. It is timely to conduct research on advanced spatial crowdsourcing analytics for various applications.\n\nThis project aims to create a next generation recommender system that enables enhanced task allocation and route recommendation on spatial crowdsourcing platforms. The new Crowd-guided Advanced Spatial Crowdsourcing Analytics (CASCA) system will be effective, efficient, crowd-guided, and situation-aware. By enhancing the capabilities of platforms and optimising the service and route recommendation in offline-to-online digital marketing and sharing economy, significant economic and social benefits will be brought to government, society, enterprises, and users. \n\nScholarships are valued at $AUD35,886  per annum (plus increment) for three years. Tuition fees will be waived by the university. The positions are open now, and will be open until they are filled. There are up to 4 international PhD scholarships available. \n\nThis is an international collaboration project involving RMIT University (Xiangmin Zhou, Jeffrey Chan), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Lei Chen), and Athena Research & Innovation Center (Timos Sellis). ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)\n460501 Data engineering and data science (25%)\n460510 Recommender systems (20%)\n460509 Query processing and optimisation(20%)\n460504 Data quality (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Software Engineering","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Neelofar","title":"Assessing LLMs for Code-related Tasks","description":"This project investigates the reasoning capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) when performing code-related tasks, such as software testing, assertion generation and code completion. The primary objective is to assess whether LLMs understand code in a way that aligns with how programmers and testers reason about it, thereby assessing the correctness and justifiability of their decisions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2026-01-13","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461201, 461202, 461208"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ibrahim Khalil","title":"Predicting organisational cybersecurity risks with AI-driven threat intelligence and large language models ","description":"This project will explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) to predict organisational cybersecurity risks and mitigate threats in advance. The expected outcomes are an enhanced cybersecurity framework, better threat intelligence techniques and user-centric designs, and an adaptable solution. This may help businesses to identify cyber risks and prevent cyber incidents prior to happening and avoid financial losses and brand damage.   ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460402 - Data and information privacy (55%)\n460403 - Data security and protection (45%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Effective And Efficient Situation Awareness In Big Social Media Data","description":"Situation awareness helps understand the elements in the environment, the current situation, and project the future actions. Real applications like crisis management require the real time awareness of the critical situations. However, the services using traditional methods like phone calls can be easily delayed due to busy lines, transfer delays or limited communication ability in the disaster area. Social media-based situation awareness provides another feasible channel for crisis management, since critical events that cause great loss in live are commonly identified in social media.\nThis project aims to develop advanced techniques to analyse big social media data and more efficiently conduct critical situation awareness over online services. By enhancing the services and capabilities of crisis management users and reducing the loss in disasters, significant economic and social benefits will be brought to government, society, enterprises and social users.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (50%)\n460807 Information visualization (25%)\n460902 Decision support and group support systems (25%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Information Technology","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tri Dang, Ke Deng","title":"Classification for multiple data streams spatiotemporally and\/or logically associated","description":"Coming with 5G networks, it's not just going to be one stream of data but it's a flood of streams from an almost uncountable number of sensors. This enables the continuous information being collected in the finer spatiotemporal granularity such that the physical world change can be captured remarkably more smoothly. However, the scope of these stream data, the complexity of their relationship to describe a system or systems, the diversity of information collected by different sensors, the incorrect or missing readings of numerous sensors, and the higher expectation of data value and quicker responses requires new approaches. We will anticipate exploring the stronger correlation between data instances across streams if spatiotemporally and\/or logically coupled in spaces or in systems.\nThis project investigates the problem of classification on multiple data streams which are spatiotemporally and\/or logically associated in some spaces or systems, e.g., the data streams generated by social media users in a city, by the sensors deployed in different rooms of a smart home or in different stages of a production line. The multiple data streams may be homogenous or heterogenous (i.e., different streams contain different information and labels), static or dynamic (i.e., data sources are moving objects).  Each data stream has its own classification problem, e.g., emotion detection of social media users, condition detection of a room for light on\/off, and the working state detection of a system","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460511 Stream and sensor data (60%)\n460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (40%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aufeef Chauhan, Iqbal Gondal, Mojtaba Shahin","title":"Quantum-classic Hybrid Systems Integration and Quantum AI for Critical Infrastructure Security","description":"Quantum-classic hybrid system integration focuses on combining the strength of quantum computing with classic computing systems. Combining quantum components with classic components can help to solve complex problems such as optimisation and scheduling. This project will focus on the following research and development activities.\r\n\r\n(i) Explore integration of quantum computing systems with classic computing systems. This involves addressing issues such as communication latency, data transfer between classic and quantum components, and mapping of quantum algorithms to hybrid environments.\r\n(ii) Develop error correction and noise mitigation techniques to improve the reliability and efficiency of the quantum-classic hybrid systems.\r\n(iii) Explore the integration of algorithms such as quantum neural networks, quantum support vector machines and quantum reinforcement learning into classic machine learning workflows for data classification, clustering and optimisation problems.\r\n(iv) Breaking down complex problems in quantum and classic parts to split tasks between quantum and classical processors. Efficient scheduling and resource allocation techniques between the two paradigms will also be investigated.\r\n(v) Resource management and scheduling strategies for quantum-classic hybrid systems to achieve dynamic allocation of computational tasks, low latency, efficient communication and quantum-classic hybrid workflows.\r\n\r\n*This project has a scholarship available.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"4606 Distributed computing and systems software (30%)\r\n4611 Machine learning (30%)\r\n4604 Cybersecurity and privacy (20%)\r\n4612 Software engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Deng","title":"Evaluating robotic medical surgery with multimodal and responsible AI","description":"This system is jointly supported by CSIRO, RMIT University, and IMRA with the aim to revolutionize surgical training, ensuring consistent proficiency levels and improving patient outcomes. The significance lies in its potential to streamline training processes, reduce costs, and increase transparency in surgical proficiency assessments. The project deliverables include a robust AI system capable of analysing surgical videos, providing real-time feedback, and explaining evaluation criteria. This system will enhance surgical training by offering objective proficiency assessments, thereby improving the quality and safety of robotic surgeries. The project bridges the gap between academia and industry, leveraging cutting-edge technology to address critical challenges in robotic surgery training and patient care.\n\nThe project offers a unique opportunity for the PhD student to gain industry-relevant research experience while developing commercialization and innovation skills. The International Medical Robotics Association (IMRA) is a centre of excellence that embraces new technology, adapts to the changing education needs of modern surgeons, and delivers robotic surgical training. The engagement with IMRA include internship. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"080199 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing not elsewhere classified (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal, Sam Goundar","title":"Leveraging IoT, AI, and Satellites for Precision Agriculture in Vietnamese Tea Plantations","description":"This research project is at optimizing tea cultivation practices in Vietnam through the integration of IoT, AI, and Satellites. By deploying IoT devices, analysing satellite imagery, and developing AI models, the project seeks to enhance productivity and sustainability in tea plantations. Collaboration with local farmers will ensure the practical implementation of technological solutions, ultimately improving the efficiency and profitability of tea cultivation in Vietnam. The proposed IoT infrastructure will consist of a network of sensors deployed across tea fields to monitor soil moisture, nutrient levels, temperature, humidity, and pest activity. This data will be transmitted to a centralized platform where AI algorithms will analyze the information, providing actionable insights and predictive models for optimal crop management. Additionally, satellite imagery will be utilized to assess large-scale environmental conditions, detect crop health anomalies, and guide resource allocation with high spatial and temporal resolution. The contribution of this project lies in its holistic approach to precision agriculture, tailored specifically for the unique climatic and geographical conditions of Vietnamese tea plantations. By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, the research will enable farmers to make data-driven decisions, reduce resource waste, and improve crop yield and quality. Furthermore, this project will provide a scalable model that can be adapted to other regions and crops, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices on a broader scale. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, this study aspires to set a new standard for agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship in Vietnam's tea industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"100507 Smart Technologies - Internet of Things (35%)\n080602 Computational Intelligence (40%)\n090905 Agricultural Remote Sensing (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos STEM SHBS; Brunso Schivinski DSC","title":"Exploring the Intersection of Privacy Violations and Digital Media Use: Impacts on Teen Mental Health in Australia","description":"Background: The rise of digital media has led to increased privacy violations, such as online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft, significantly impacting the mental health of Australian teenagers. This project aims to explore how these privacy breaches contribute to mental health challenges among teens employing digital media, using comprehensive national datasets.\r\nAims: The primary goal is to analyze the mental health consequences of privacy violations among Australian teenagers engaged in digital media. The study will focus on identifying key factors that exacerbate mental health issues, utilizing data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) and the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC).\r\nMethods: Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques will be employed to analyze the LSAC and LSIC datasets. AI will help identify patterns and correlations between privacy violations in digital media and adverse mental health outcomes in teens. The research will specifically examine variables related to online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft.\r\nSignificance: The findings will contribute to the development of targeted interventions aimed at promoting safer digital media practices and improving mental health outcomes for teenagers. This research is particularly significant as it addresses a growing concern in the digital age. Furthermore, the project includes a 90-day internship secured through CatholicCare Victoria, allowing for the practical application of the research findings in a community setting, thereby bridging the gap between research and real-world impact.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\r\n450714 and 30% allocation\r\n460206 and 10% allocation\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Simulations to Study Responsible AI - ADMS GenAISim Project","description":"We are seeking an enthusiastic and excellent candidate to join our project GenAI Sim: Simulation in the Loop for Multi-Stakeholder Interactions with Generative Agents.   This is part of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence, Automated Decision Making and Society, which studies and proposes solutions to how automated systems affect society.   \n\nThe project aims to study multi-stakeholders situations and scenarios via generative AI and multi-agent simulations. The project team is interdisciplinary and has expertise and interests in behaviour modelling, machine learning, participatory and qualitative studies, and behavioural simulations.  The candidate will focus on the simulation and evaluation of the simulation to real life scenarios, hence we are seeking a candidate to join us that have either background in machine learning\/modelling or evaluation of such systems.  Particularly at least one of the following, but we still interested to hear from you if you have background in one but potentially interested in learning more about the others: \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest in machine learning, agent-based simulation and\/or user behaviour modelling; \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest with evaluation automated curation systems, e.g., recommender systems. \n\nDesirable, but not a limitation if you don\u2019t process the following:  \n  * Ability to do data processing and program in at least one programming language; \n  * Familiarity with running evaluations using user studies; e.g., crowd sourcing, surveys, A\/B testing. \n  * Familiarity with simulations. \n\n \nThe successful candidate will work with Associate Professor Jeffrey Chan, Dr Danula Hettiachchi and project members at the School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.  The position is funded for 3 years at AUS$34,841 per annum with possibilities to extend for another 6 months.  Please contact Associate Professor Jeffrey Chan at Jeffrey.chan@rmit.edu.au for questions or submission of application by Sept 18, 2024. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems (40%)\n461103 Deep learning (40%)\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Responsible AI - ADMS Automated Cultural Curation Project","description":"We are seeking an enthusiastic and excellent candidate to join our project Evaluating Automated Cultural Curation and Ranking Systems with Synthetic Data (https:\/\/www.admscentre.org.au\/evaluating-automated-cultural-curating-and-ranking-systems-with-synthetic-data\/).   This is part of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence, Automated Decision Making and Society, which studies and proposes solutions to how automated systems affect society.   \n\nThe project aims to study, evaluate and model human behaviour in automated systems, specifically digital cultural curation-based systems in news, media and streaming services.  The project will focus on responsible AI, particularly explaining automated curation, ranking and simulations of such systems.  The project team is interdisciplinary and has expertise and interests in behaviour modelling, machine learning, participatory and qualitative studies, and behavioural simulations.  As such, we are seeking a candidate to join us that have either background in machine learning\/modelling, evaluation of recommender, ranking or curation systems or using qualitative approaches in media studies.  Particularly at least one of the following, but we still interested to hear from you if you have background in one but potentially interested in learning more about the others: \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest in machine learning, agent based simulation and\/or user behaviour modelling; \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest in qualitative approaches to studying and evaluating media; \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest with evaluation automated curation systems, e.g., recommender systems. \n\nDesirable, but not a limitation if you don\u2019t have the following:  \n  * Ability to do data processing and program in at least one programming language; \n  * Familiarity with running evaluations using user studies; e.g., crowd sourcing, surveys, A\/B testing. \n  * Familiarity with simulations. \n\nThe successful candidate will work with Associate Professor Jeffrey Chan, Dr Danula Hettiachchi and project members at the School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.  The position is funded for 3 years with a stipend of AUS$34,841, with possibilities to extend for another 6 months.  Please contact Assoc. Prof Jeffrey Chan at Jeffrey.chan@rmit.edu.au for questions or submission of application by Sep 18, 2024. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 Recommender Systems (40%)\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (40%)\n470107 Media studies (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Danula Hettiachchi, Damiano Spina, Johanne Trippas, Falk Scholer, Lisa Given","title":"ADM+S Search Experience","description":"Evaluate how users search online using diverse queries and non-traditional interfaces and develop novel search systems. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 Information retrieval and web search (60%)\n460806 Human-computer interaction (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Senuri Wijenayake","title":"Investigating how people trust and respond to news on social media","description":"Social media has revolutionised news consumption, yet it has also amplified the dissemination of fake news. Moreover, this rapid spread of misinformation challenges the reliability of information shared on these platforms. Therefore, understanding how users perceive and react to news articles on social media is crucial for mitigating the spread of fake news and promoting informed consumption. \n\nThis project aims to investigate: \n\n1. Factors Influencing Trust: Explore how users determine the trustworthiness of news articles on social media, considering factors such as headlines, sources, comments, and popularity. \n\n2. Demographic Variances: Analyse how trust and response differ across cultural backgrounds, age groups, and other demographics. \n\n3. Psychological Influences: Investigate socio-psychological concepts like social conformity to understand their impact on perceptions of trustworthiness and response behaviors. \n\nThe project methodology can include mixed-method research approaches to collect data on user behaviours and perceptions regarding news articles, cross-cultural analysis and socio-psychological studies that incorporate psychological theories and methodologies to delve into cognitive processes influencing trust judgments. \n\nThe outcomes of the project can include insights into how users across demographics perceive and react to news on social media and design guidelines for social media platforms to enhance users\u2019 ability to discern between credible and fake news. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%)\n460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang,Haytham Fayek","title":"Efficient transfer learning across  domains and data modalities","description":"In the age of AI, transfer learning leveraging pre-trained Large Language Models (LLMs) [1] has dominated  natural language textual data processing and understanding.  LLMs for learning from multi-modal data have mostly focused on text and  image data modalities.  For many engineering applications however, temporal data and sequence data are widely used, from IoT sensor networks to healthcare physiological sensors.  There has been some research on developing foundation models for time series data [2], similar to training LLMs for textual data processing; training such foundation models requires huge volumes of data and computing resources. \n\nIn this project, we will investigate how to achieve efficient transfer learning across domains, tasks or data modalities.  We will investigate approaches to leveraging foundation models for data-efficient transfer learning [ ], as well as strategies for data-efficient and \u201csmall\u201d deep learning models, including strategies for pruning deep learning models [4]. \n\n[1] Min, B., Ross, H., Sulem, E., Veyseh, A.P.B., Nguyen, T.H., Sainz, O., Agirre, E., Heintz, I. and Roth, D., 2023. Recent advances in natural language processing via large pre-trained language models: A survey. ACM Computing Surveys, 56(2), pp.1-40.\n\n[2] Garza, A. and Mergenthaler-Canseco, M., 2023. TimeGPT-1. arXiv preprint arXiv:2310.03589.\n\n[3] Hu, E.J., Shen, Y., Wallis, P., Allen-Zhu, Z., Li, Y., Wang, S., Wang, L. and Chen, W., 2021. Lora: Low-rank adaptation of large language models. In ICLR.\n\n[4] Sun, M., Liu, Z., Bair, A. and Kolter, J.Z., 2024. A simple and effective pruning approach for large language models. In ICLR.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Beyond Query: Exploratory Subgraph Discovery and Search System","description":"This project aims to discover new relationships of users and compute their co-working performance in continuous time periods. The outcomes of the project are to design effective subgraph exploratory models, three novel types of subgraph search solutions, and devise a friendly exploratory subgraph search system for supporting the real-time network data analytics.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (60%)\n460509 Query processing and optimisation (40%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Karin Verspoor, Arthur Tang","title":"Large Language Model-Assisted Systematic Reviews of Research Evidence","description":"Systematic reviews are the gold standard in research evidence, particularly within the healthcare field. However, in the context of an ever-increasing volume of scientific literature, conducting systematic reviews has become an extremely time-consuming and arduous process. Automated tools are urgently needed to support retrieval, synthesis, quality assessment, and meta-analysis of research papers. While some progress has been made on systematic review automation and its component steps through information retrieval, natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, Large Language Models (LLMs) represent a valuable technology that may support significant advancements in this arena. This project will seek to explore how best LLMs and NLP can be deployed for systematic review automation, as well as examining the capabilities and limitations of generative AI.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"080107 Natural Language Processing (60%)\n080702 Health Informatics (20%)\n080704 Information Retrieval and Web Search (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lawrence Cavedon, Karin Verspoor","title":"Extending infection surveillance in cancer through adaptable and robust natural language processing models","description":"This project involves a collaboration with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to establish digital infection surveillance tools and portals. We have existing capabilities in the use of natural language processing (NLP) to detect invasive fungal infections in clinical data, specifically histopathology ad PET scan reports. In this project, we aim to build automated surveillance methods for other opportunistic infections, for example emerging respiratory viral infections (e.g. COVID-19, seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)), or cytomegalovirus (CMV)). The key NLP research questions relate to extending our prior work in three critical ways: (1) to incorporate non-text clinical data into the NLP model, i.e. creating a multi-modal model for infection detection (2) to evaluate and develop strategies for the robust transportability of models from one hospital setting to another, and (3) to leverage existing datasets and\/or models to rapidly pivot the NLP models to address new target infections.\n\nWe expect that the candidate will spend significant time at Peter MacCallum through an internship focused on clinical integration of the NLP tools into a clinician-facing infection surveillance portal.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"080107 Natural Language Processing (50%)\n080702 Health Informatics (30%)\n080109 Pattern Recognition and Data Mining (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Golnoush Abaei","title":"Improving Software Fault Prediction for Imbalanced Data","description":"Allocating a sufficient budget for software testing is crucial to ensure that the software is defect-free. However, as software grows in size and complexity, testing becomes more expensive, and some companies may not have enough resources to allocate toward it. To address this issue, many researchers have turned to machine learning methods to create software fault prediction models that can detect defect-prone modules, allowing for more efficient resource allocation during testing. While this is a viable solution, the effectiveness of machine learning models depends on various factors, such as data imbalance. There are several techniques in class imbalance research that can potentially enhance the performance of prediction models by processing the dataset before inputting it. However, not all methods are compatible with each other.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461208 Software testing, verification and validation (30%)\n461207 Software quality, processes and metrics (30%)\n461202 Empirical software engineering (20%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (10%)\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Software Engineering","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Golnoush Abaei, Mojtaba Shahin","title":"Automated generation of test oracles","description":"During software testing, a test oracle is commonly used to verify whether the behaviour of the system under test is correct. It enables the determination of whether the system is functioning as expected. With the increasing use of machine learning solutions in areas such as software testing, there is a possibility of developing an automated test oracle for many applications. However, machine learning-based test oracles' reliability is questionable, as software failure misclassification may occur. This could lead to inaccurate labelling of a class, which undermines the usefulness of the machine learning-based test oracle. Despite this concern, the behaviour of machine learning-based test oracles depends on the dataset and algorithms used for training. It is important to note that the challenge of identifying correct and incorrect behaviour in software testing is known as the \"Test Oracle Problem\", which exists beyond machine learning applications. This implies that machine learning methods can be used to develop a robust and reliable automated test oracle. Furthermore, the application of automated test oracles can also improve the efficiency of industry-specific workflows related to validation and verification.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461208 Software testing, verification and validation (30%)\n461207 Software quality, processes and metrics (30%)\n461202 Empirical software engineering (20%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (10%)\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Mahdi Jalili,Ali Moradiamani","title":"Electrification of Everything: Exploring the Impact on Energy Consumption, Costs, and Sustainability","description":"The urgent need to combat climate change has prompted a global shift towards electrification as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable energy practices. This research investigates the impact of electrification on energy consumption patterns and costs, leveraging explainable machine learning techniques such as decision trees, random forest and RNN to provide stakeholders with data-driven insights and decision support tools. Through the analysis of comprehensive datasets encompassing historical energy consumption data, electrification technologies, demographic variables, and policy interventions, the study aims to identify effective strategies for reducing carbon footprints and enhancing energy sustainability. Key outcomes\ninclude informed decision-making for stakeholders, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, advancements in energy efficiency, and increased community engagement and empowerment. By addressing these objectives, the research contributes to the broader goal of accelerating the transition towards a low-carbon future through electrification initiatives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460308 - Pattern recognition (40%)\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)\n461104 - Neural networks (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiangmin Zhou","title":"Securing eCommerce: Designing a Privacy-Preserving, AI-Driven Recommendation Framework","description":"The objective of this research project is to architect a secure framework capable of delivering precise machine learning-driven recommendations for both internal and external products, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding user privacy and security. The project will leverage cutting-edge privacy techniques and a hybrid recommendation engine, aiming to transform the landscape of product recommendation systems. This innovation is expected to result in a more personalized shopping experience that bolsters user trust in the eCommerce platform, aligning the project with the fields of security and artificial intelligence.\n\nThe framework employs advanced privacy-preserving techniques, including federated learning, differential privacy, and secure multi-party computation, enabling collaborative data analysis without exposing raw user data. A hybrid recommendation engine combines collaborative filtering, content-based filtering, and hybrid approaches to provide accurate and personalized product suggestions while safeguarding privacy. User-controlled privacy settings empower effective data management. The prioritization of user privacy enhances trust and loyalty, preventing unauthorized data access and breaches. The hybrid recommendation engine's precise product suggestions improve user satisfaction and drive business growth, with the framework designed for scalability and adaptability to accommodate future privacy and recommendation technology advancements.\n\nThis project collects data from the actual industry partner, New Aim, Australia's leading eCommerce company, serving nearly 50% of Australian families. The proposed framework and techniques will enable industry partners to fully leverage their proprietary data while complying with regulations and safeguarding personal privacy.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"080109 Pattern Recognition and Data Mining (50%)\n080303 Computer System Security (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Fengling Han, Huo Chong Ling (RMIT Vietnam)","title":"CSIRO Data61 Next Generation Emerging Technologies: Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning","description":"To address the increasingly striking discordance between its rapid growth and renewed awareness of privacy protection in this era of intelligence, this project focuses on the security of private and protection of sensitive information carried by the data with machine learning methods.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460403 Data security and protection\r\n330204 Building information modelling and management\r\n330206 Building science, technologies and systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li","title":"Multi-level and multi-stage optimisation in mining supply chain operations","description":"Mining typically has complex supply chains with many connected components. With increasing economic pressures and competition, mining companies started to rely on digital systems based on artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science to learn and optimise their production. However, each of these systems typically tackle only one part of the supply chain, and usually there is very little optimisation across the systems. Time frame introduced an additional layer of complexity, where these systems optimise only across certain periods, e.g. strategic, long term, medium term, short term or operational. Often there is a limited alignment across the time granularity.\n\nWe aim to research and improve multi-level and multi-stage supply chain optimisation through:\n1.        learning interaction patterns and best practices between two or more optimisation systems between supply chain silos (horizontal) as well as between time periods (vertical).\n2.        approaches to build these systems A) incrementally or B) as a layer across the existing optimisation systems. Incremental will build one system at a time, pre-planned. Second option aims to create an algorithm connecting systems that are already in production, building a master guiding layer across them.\n3.        effective methods to estimate incremental gains by building such multi-level optimisation as opposed to independent siloed optimisation.\n\nThe research is aimed at mining supply chains but can equally be applicable for other manufacturing supply chains.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490108 - Operations research\n460210 - Satisfiability and optimisation\n460203 - Evolutionary computation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Karin Verspoor, Jiayuan (Estrid) He","title":"Cross-modal information extraction of chemical knowledge","description":"Chemical knowledge is often expressed using multiple data modalities in scientific literature, each of which contributes complementary information, e.g., images for illustrating chemical structures, tables for summarizing experimental observations, and texts for describing chemical synthesis procedures. Comprehensive understanding of the described chemical knowledge requires combining all available data modalities. However, current models in NLP and machine learning tend to be limited to a single modality \u2013 focusing on e.g. either text or image processing. Where texts and images are combined, e.g. for report generation from images or for image retrieval or generation with a linguistic prompt, it is not for integration of information across the modalities, but rather to allow taking one data type as input and producing another as output. In this project, we seek to develop cross-modal IE techniques, which integrate information extracted from images, tables, and texts for accurate and comprehensive information extraction across these diverse sources of information.\n\nThe project is a collaboration with the international publisher Elsevier BV, and will involve extensive collaboration with the Elsevier teams, including the potential opportunity to spend time with them in Amsterdam or Frankfurt. It builds on a successful previous project collaboration known as ChEMU, which included running several community challenges\/shared tasks during 2020-2022.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460208 Natural language processing (40%), 460306 Image processing (40%), 340404 Cheminformatics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta, Allison Jing","title":"Using Physiological Cues to Improve Empathy in Mixed Reality Human-AI Interaction","description":"Emotion is a complex construct, and it varies from person to person. Understanding human emotion helps improve empathy between each other, which in turn builds positive social and work relationships. By combining Mixed Reality (MR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), we can address the research gaps in interpreting physiological signals with other communication modalities via AI agents and represent them through virtual MR interfaces and interactions targeting different individual needs.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to investigate how physiological signals such as eye gaze, facial expressions, GSR, and heart rate can be used as input and output to support empathy during human-AI interactions in a Mixed Reality environment. We will use VR headsets and GSR sensors as hardware combined with AI\/ML to understand how an AI agent can influence human emotion and behaviours in the XR world. An intelligent interface will be explored to create such an agent: We plan to explore both the avatarized agent (an interface associated with a human) and the ubiquitous agent (an interface that any form of visual, auditory or haptic format can represent). The signals will be used to capture the human\u2019s physiological responses, and an AI agent will provide sufficient instructions and guidance through an ML-trained algorithm. \r\n\r\n\r\nThe project attempts to answer an overarching research question (RQ): \u201cHow do psychological input and output enhance empathy during human-AI interaction in a Mixed Reality environment?\u201d In each stage, a smaller RQ will be answered as follows:\r\nHow do users usually express their emotions and feelings towards an AI agent?\r\nWhat type of MR representations, visual (avatar) or auditory (sound instruction), are preferred to play as an AI agent?\r\nHow do we adjust virtual avatars (e.g. real-human avatars, AI avatars) based on the roles (leader vs follower) they play in the task?\r\nWhat factors influence the usability of an MR-represented AI agent?\r\nHow do humans express emotion towards an AI agent compared to a real human in a virtual world (MR)?\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (50%)\r\n460802\tAffective computing (30%)\r\n460202\tAutonomous agents and multiagent systems (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham, Estrid He, School of Computing Technologies","title":"Enhanced geo-spatial data analytics with large language models","description":"Recent years have witnessed the remarkable success of large language models (LLMs), e.g., BERT and ChatGPT. Building upon deep learning architectures, these models are capable of learning effective and transferrable representations from data, exhibiting an enhanced comprehension of the semantic nuances of the input data, and ultimately, leading to exemplary performance outcomes in a wide range of benchmark linguistic tasks. This project aims to investigate the synergies between large language models and the domain of spatial-temporal data analysis, with a particular emphasis on integrating spatial, temporal, and place-based aspects into the framework of deep learning. This involves embedding spatial reasoning into language models to enhance their ability to comprehend and analyze spatial-temporal information. This project will aim to develop geo-spatial question answering systems, where users may ask spatial questions in natural language to exploit diverse geographic information resources, without a need to know how GIS tools and geodata sets interoperate. A crucial aspect of developing effective question answering systems for geo-spatial data involves endowing language models with the capability to retain positional information and comprehend spatial concepts. In addition, investigating the fusion of multi-modal data (such as texts and images) to enhance spatial question answering systems, which is particularly significant in the context of remote sensing, represents another key facet of this project. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\r\n460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\r\n401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sebastian Sardina","title":"Behavior Composition for Smart Manufacturing","description":"With computers now present in everyday devices like mobile phones, credit cards, cars and planes or places like homes, offices and factories, the trend is to build embedded complex systems from a collection of simple components. Thus a complex surveillance system for a smart house can be \u201crealised\u201d (i.e., implemented) by suitably coordinating the behaviours (i.e., the operational logic) of hundreds (or thousands) of simple devices and artifacts\u2014lights, blinds, a microwave, video cameras, robotic arms, etc.\u2014installed in the house. The Behavior Composition problem involves automatically building an embedded controller-coordinator to bring about a desired target complex system by suitably coordinating the available components.\r\n\r\nThe overarching aim of this project is to develop a behavior composition account that meets the needs of the manufacturing domain, by accommodating production of multiple items, probabilistic models of failure, smooth transitions between production recipes, true concurrent execution of devices in the plant, execution of multiple different production recipes in the same production plant, etc. The project involves both theoretical work in developing adequate representation models and practical work in devising effective computational techniques to solve the problem efficiently.\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n\r\n[1] Giuseppe De Giacomo, Fabio Patrizi, and Sebastian Sardina. Building virtual behaviors from partially controllable available behaviors in nondeterministic environments. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Automated Planning and Scheduling (ICAPS), pages 523-526,, 2014.\r\n[2] Giuseppe De Giacomo, Fabio Patrizi, and Sebastian Sardina. Automatic behavior composition synthesis.\r\nArtificial Intelligence Journal, 196:106-142, 2013.\r\n[3] Giuseppe De Giacomo, Alfonso Gerevini, Fabio Patrizi, Alessandro Saetti, and Sebastian Sardina. Agent planning programs. Artificial Intelligence, 231:64-106, 2016.\r\n[4] Paolo Felli, Brian Logan, and Sebastian Sardina. Parallel behavior composition for manufacturing. In\r\nProceedings of the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI), pages 272-278, 2016.\r\n[5] Lavindra de Silva, Paolo Felli, Jack C. Chaplin, Brian Logan, David Sanderson, Svetan M.Ratchev:\r\nSynthesising Industry-Standard Manufacturing Process Controllers. AAMAS 2017: 1811-1813\r\n[6] Paolo Felli, Lavindra de Silva, Brian Logan, Svetan M. Ratchev: Process Plan Controllers for Non- Deterministic Manufacturing Systems. IJCAI 2017: 1023-1030","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"460209 Planning and decision making (50%)\r\n460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Melih Ozlen, School of Science (Mathematics discipline)","title":"Hybridized decomposition methods for large-scale black-box optimization","description":"This research aims to develop effective and efficient techniques for solving real-world large scale black-box optimization (LSBBO) problems. Many real-world problems in decision making, engineering, and sciences can be formulated as optimization problems. With the advances of today\u2019s computing technology, we are becoming increasingly reliant on computer simulation and modeling to solve complex optimization problems. One key challenge we face today is that these problems are far more complex, very high dimensional (i.e., large scale), expensive to evaluate, highly-constrained, and difficult-to-define through mathematical formulation (i.e., black-box). One real-world example of LSBBO problems in the Australian context is the resource constrained scheduling problem of the Hunter Valley coal chain, which is the largest coal export operation in the world. Australia is the world\u2019s largest coal exporter, accounting for 29% of global coal exports [1]. Optimizing the logistics is of critical importance to the Australia coal export industry. Logistics solutions to reduce cost and increase efficiency are of the highest priority. When facing a large scale optimization problem like this, how do we decompose it into smaller and more manageable subcomponents? How do we reduce computational cost, and how do we go about learning the underlying pattern if the problems are black-box to some extent? Large scale black-box problems pose a serious challenge to existing optimization methods [2]. Though many effective optimization methods exist for solving small or medium sized problems, their performances do not scale well to large scale problems. This project will focus on examining a number of key characteristics of real-world LSBBO problems: black-box functions, highly nonlinear constraints, and expensiveness to evaluate. We will develop novel LSBBO algorithms especially competent in the following two aspects: decomposition and parallelization. This research will consider the merits of both meta-heuristics and mathematical programming [3] methods, and will advance the state-of-the-art in dealing with LSBBO. \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n\r\n[1]. G. Lim, C. Chua, E. Claus, and V. Nguyen, \u201cReview of the Australian economy 2011-12: A case of deja vu,\u201d Australian Economic Review, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 1\u201313, 2012.\r\n[2] E. Dolan, J. Mor\u00b4e, and T. Munson, \u201cBenchmarking optimization software with COPS 3.0.\u201d Mathematics and Computer Science. Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Technical Report ANL\/MCS-273, February 2004.\r\n[3] D. Bertsimas and J. Tsitsiklis, Introduction to Linear Optimization. Athena Scientific, 1997.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"080108 - Neural, Evolutionary and Fuzzy Computation 80%\r\n091599 - Interdisciplinary Engineering not elsewhere classified 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sonika Tyagi, Karin Verspoor","title":"AI Powered RNA Folding and Function Prediction","description":"A single-stranded RNA can fold over to form secondary and tertiary structures through the A-U and C-G base pairing.  The secondary structure of RNA can be highly complex as it is single-stranded and has a stronger ability to form hydrogen bonds with an extra hydroxyl group . The same sequence can fall into more than one type of structure. The structure provides binding domains for interacting biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins, which we refer to as the \u201cinteractome\u201d \r\n\r\n\r\nWe believe secondary structure is important for a ncRNA given the known mechanisms of action .  In this project we will test a hypothesise that the RNA exerts its function by interacting with RNA, DNA or protein interactomes, and we can fully understand their mechanisms in the regulation of disease genomes by solving the structural domains, and interactomes of the ncRNAs. \r\n\r\nData-driven approaches have been successfully used to resolve protein structures. In this study we will use similar Machine Learning modelling approaches will be used to resolve folding and their functional characteristics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4611 Machine learning (40%)\r\n310299 Bioinformatics and computational biology not elsewhere classified (40%)\r\n310509 Genomics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Andrew Eberhard, School of Science","title":"Prescriptive Analytics: Big Data and Machine Learning for Decision Making","description":"In the Big Data era, Data Analytics solutions have already proven to be invaluable tools in both business and scientific domains [1]. Descriptive and Predictive Analytics methods [2] are implemented in many commercial software products that are used by thousands of companies from different fields, like finance, healthcare, commerce and routing. Major firms like IBM, Google, Amazon, Oracle and Microsoft are investing billions of dollars in their analytics departments, while startups are trying to and a niche in the market with lightweight applications. The Big Data industry is transitioning from a Descriptive and Predictive approach to a Prescriptive one [2][3]. While the first is largely based on Machine Learning methods like clustering and regression, observing past data and making accurate predictions doesn't seamlessly translate into good decisions. The Prescriptive approach aims to provide optimal decisions, leveraging past and present data to build more powerful model for real world applications. There is a vast array of machine learning methods that can leverage huge quantities of data and generalize well in many different scenarios, with prediction errors that are close to zero and without making strong assumptions about the data itself.\r\n\r\nMulti-billion investments in hardware supports and distributed Data Warehousing solutions have led to the present situation in which there is a huge amount of data waiting to be leveraged for insight and preventive measures. The current challenge in Data Science is being able to process and use this information in an effective and productive way, across all application domains. The purpose of this research is to further study the interface between Machine Learning and Operations Research in the Big Data context. There is the need to understand how much data we can effectively use and if we can develop new approaches that can leverage data on a bigger scale. The same questions are even more relevant when posed with regard to heterogeneous data sources and high dimensional data. One particular scenario we plan to explore is data analytics in the age-care industry, since we have already got industry partner COTA Victoria with data made available. This research will aim to expand the current methodologies with regard to data-driven prediction and decision making with new solutions to be employed in the real world. \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n[1] N. Dedi\u0107, C. Stanier, \u201cTowards Differentiating Business Intelligence, Big Data, Data Analytics and Knowledge Discovery\u201d, Heidelberg: Springer International Publishing, 2017.\r\n[2] D. Bertsimas, N. Kallus. \u201cFrom Predictive to Prescriptive Analytics\u201d. arXiv:1402.5481. (2015).\r\n[3] D. Bertsimas, N. Kallus, A. Hussain. \u201cInventory Management in the Era of Big Data\u201d. POMS. (2016).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490108 - Operations research 50%\r\n080108 - Neural, Evolutionary and Fuzzy Computation 30%\r\n091599 - Interdisciplinary Engineering not elsewhere classified 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ruwan Tennakoon, John Thangarajah, Alireza Bab-Hadiashar - School of Engineering\n","title":"Transparent and Interpretable Deep Learning for Medical Image Analysis","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision have led to the creation of technologies that are gaining popularity as decision-support systems for medical diagnosis and intervention. These technologies have opened up innovative opportunities in areas like early detection of cancer risks. While Deep Learning has been previously used for medical image analysis, its application in real-world still remains challenging for several reasons:\r\n\r\n1) The deep learning models that have shown success in complex tasks require a large set of labeled data. While it is reasonable to expect such large datasets to be common for natural images, this is not often the case for medical images. In medical image analysis, it is challenging to get large datasets, and making detailed annotations is expensive.\r\n\r\n2) The AI (deep learning) models often act as black box models and do not provide enough rationale in how the model makes its decisions. This lack of transparency\/interpretability of the AI modes makes it difficult to gain the trust of clinicians and hence the adoption of AI systems in the medical field is slow.\r\n\r\n3) If a model trained in one setting is to be applied to another, then the common practice is to re-train the model with more labeled data from the second setting. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this project is to further the underlying technology for medical image analysis by developing capabilities in terms of data-efficient ML, model interpretability, and domain generalizability.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460304 Computer Vision (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haytham Fayek, John Thangarajah, Huong Ha, Azadeh Alvi, Jeff Chan, Juerg von Kaenel","title":"AI for Next-Generation Food & Waste Systems","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI for Next Generation Food and Waste System\u201d.   As part of this program, the School and our partners COSTA Group and AirAgri are seeking expressions of interest for PhD candidates to develop AI techniques to improve their business practice and services.  That includes but not limited to computer vision for helping mushroom grow and harvest, machine learning for production line optimisation, and vision and IoT enhanced modeling for farm management.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems\u00a0\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation\u00a0\r\n460210 Satisfiability and optimisation\r\n460304 Computer Vision\u00a0\r\n300604 Food packaging, preservation, and processing\r\n300607 Food technology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dhirendra Singh, Sebastian Rodriguez, Erica Kuligowski, SEng","title":"Community Evacuation Modelling in Fire Evacuations","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d.  As part of this program, the School and our partners GhD are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate and two Master by research candidates to work in the area wildfire evacuation, modelling and multi-modal and big data analytics.  The candidates will contribute to the enhancement of the WU-NITY community evacuation platform to enable its use in industrial applications in fire evacuations, including techniques to automatically take in multi-modal information to reconfigure the platform in real-time and compare with the evolving situation on the ground.\r\n\r\nThe candidate will be working with Dr Erica Kuligowski (lead), Dr Dhirendra Singh and Dr Sebastian Rodriguez, experts in fire evacuation and modelling. GhD is an international company and provides a range of engineering and professional services in several key sectors (Energy and Resources, Environment, Property and Buildings, Transportation and Water).  GHD is actively expanding its capacity to provide professional engineering and science services relating to community preparedness for wildfire events, evacuation planning\/design, evacuation management and post-incident recovery. GHD operates a dedicated technical service line for emergency and disaster management globally alongside our Digital and Advisory businesses.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems 50%\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haytham Fayek, Huong Ha, Azadeh Alvi","title":"Constructing 3D virtual interior design from 2D images and text","description":"The School of Computing Technologies and RMIT University has recently been awarded the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAIoT Empowering Industrial Digital Twin\u201d. As part of this program, the School and our partners Yep Innovation are seeking expressions of interest for PhD candidates to work in the area of AR, 3D reconstruction and computer vision in general. This project aims to develop advanced AI techniques to enhance the user experience of virtual inspection for the real estate industry.  The generative process needs not only to be able to produce high-quality immersive rendering but also to be low cost, without requiring intensive manual adjustment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460701 Computer aided design\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation\u00a0\r\n460304 Computer Vision\u00a0\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Harland, Ian Peake, Michelle Spencer, School of Science","title":"Designing and evaluating educational technologies","description":"Digital tools are now a fundamental aspect of education, and include a wide variety of technologies. An increasingly important such tool is immersive technologies, which enable synthetic worlds to be either explored as they are (virtual reality), or to have information superimposed on the user\u2019s view (augmented reality).  While the intuitive appeal of these technologies for education is clear, what is less clear is the most appropriate and effective way to deploy these technologies. In principle, it is possible to incorporate all learning activities, assessment and feedback into virtual worlds; in practice, analysing areas of likely success will provide much better use of resources.  The aim of this project is to investigate the design and effectiveness of immersive technologies in tertiary education, and in particular to identify disciplines, areas or activities in which immersive technologies produce significant improvements in engagement, learning outcomes or retention. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460604 Computing Education. This will also depend on the precise topic of the project. \n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Harland","title":"Goal-based reasoning in multi-agent systems","description":"Intelligent agents are gaining acceptance as a practical solution to many computing problems that require timely and goal-directed behaviour in highly dynamic domains. Such scenarios include air traffic control, onboard spacecraft diagnosis and entertainment such as games. Intelligent agents have been found suitable in such environments and scenarios due to their autonomy, which enables them to perform tasks without continual intervention by a human operator. This makes agents suitable for situations when a human may not be available to guide it (such as in a spacecraft scenario), or when a decision must be made quickly \u2013 this describes environments that are both highly dynamic and complex. Goals are one way in which agents are programmed. Common goals include perform goals, achievement goals and maintenance goals. Some of the challenges related to goals in intelligent agents are \u2013 how do we represent the different goal types, what is the appropriate behaviour of goals, how do we ensure consistency among goals, how do we resolve conflicts and support synergies, can we guarantee the success of goals, how do we measure success and partial completeness and so on. Researchers at RMIT have addressed some of these issues however there are many more challenges yet to be addressed in this project.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta, John Thamgarajah, Michael Dann","title":"Learning optimal control of games and machines in real-time","description":"Learning to control agents directly from high-dimensional sensory inputs is one of the long-standing challenges of reinforcement learning (RL) and machine learning in general. Most successful RL applications that operate on these domains have relied on hand-crafted features combined with linear value functions or policy representations. \r\n\r\nMore recently, several deep neural learning techniques have been proposed to automate feature representation at the cost of increased training times [1]. Video games represent an ideal testbed for (deep) RL techniques due to the high complexity and randomness of the environments and of the interactions presented to a player and their real-time nature. The challenge posed by video games has not been lost on the major ICT companies, such as Google and Microsoft, which have been researching and investing\r\nin games AI research [2][3]. \r\n\r\nIn addition to that, Elon Musk (founder of Paypal, Tesla and SpaceX) had invested in an OpenAI foundation [4] whose mission is to improve state-of-the-art machine learning research using several hundreds of videogames as testbeds. OpenAI has released Gym and Universe, open source software that can be used to benchmark new machine learning algorithms. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this project is to investigate novel approaches to reinforcement learning and, specifically, investigate the limitations and the advantages of combining deep learning with RL. Another important line of inquiry will concern whether specific class of games are more suited to deep\r\nreinforcement learning, and which other classes of algorithms could be combined with RL if deep learning is found to be not suitable.\r\n\r\nOur previous work in the area has included investigations of similar algorithms in a variety of different games, including classic arcades Super Mario [5], Pacman [6] and first-person shooters [7]. We intend to apply our work out on optimal control of video games to physical devices and machines including UAVs, drones, selfdriving cars and humanoid robots. In fact, preliminary results on the use of those techniques in auditory implants has led to positive results [8].\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n[1]. Human-level control through deep reinforcement learning. Mnih et al., Nature 518, 529\u2013533 (2015).\r\n[2]. Mastering the game of Go with deep neural networks and tree search. Silver et al. 529, 484\u2013489 (2016).\r\n[3]. Hybrid Reward Architecture for Reinforcement Learning. Van Seijen et al., available online at https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/1706.04208 (2017).\r\n[4]. OpenAI software systems, available online at https:\/\/openai.com\/systems\/.\r\n[5]. Integrating skills and simulation to solve complex navigation tasks in infinite Mario. Dann et al., IEEE Transactions on Computational Intelligence and AI in Games, 1-7 (2017).\r\n[6]. Learning options from demonstrations: A Pac-Man case study. Tamassia et al., IEEE Transactions on Computational Intelligence and AI in Games, 1-7 (2017).\r\n[7]. Combining Monte Carlo tree search and apprenticeship learning for capture the flag. Ivanovic et al., Proceedings of IEEE CIG (2015).\r\n[8]. Utilising reinforcement learning to develop strategies for driving auditory neural implants. Lee et al., Journal of Neural Engineering, 13, 1 \u2013 13 (2016).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461105\tReinforcement learning (70%)\r\n460703\tEntertainment and gaming (15%)\r\n460205\tIntelligent robotics (15%)\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ruwan Tennakoon, Alireza Bab-Hadiashar - School of Engineering;\r\nDebaditya Acharya - School of Science","title":"Learning Robust and Generalisable Models for Computer Vision Using Animation","description":"Artificial intelligence (AI) is critical for the expansion of intelligent services across sectors such as transport, agriculture, and medicine, to name a few. A limitation of current approaches to AI (e.g., Deep Learning) development is that they rely on the use of large, manually processed datasets which is labour intensive, especially for geometry related visual tasks such as extracting motion and 3D structure from images. One approach to minimise these costs is the use of animations; however, these tend not to map across well into the real environment. This project will look at how best to create AI solutions using animations for geometry related vision tasks, which does map well into the real world. Outcomes include an improved method for developing AI-based solutions for industry problems, with potential applications in driverless cars, manufacturing, and robot-assisted surgery. Our active engagement with Australian enterprises in automation will aid in the adoption of these new approaches to improve efficiency and reduce costs.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Chuah, W., Tennakoon, R., Hoseinnezhad, R., Bab-Hadiashar, A. and Suter, D., \u201cITSA: An Information-Theoretic Approach to Automatic Shortcut Avoidance and Domain Generalization in Stereo Matching Networks\u201d. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2022.\r\n[2] Acharya, D., Tennakoon, R., Muthu, S., Khoshelham, K., Hoseinnezhad, R. and Bab-Hadiashar, A.,. Single-image localisation using 3D models: Combining hierarchical edge maps and semantic segmentation for domain adaptation. Automation in Construction, 2022.\r\n[3] Tennakoon, R., Suter, D., Zhang, E., Chin, T.J. and Bab-Hadiashar, A., 2021. \u201cConsensus Maximisation Using Influences of Monotone Boolean Functions\u201d. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2021.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460304 Computer Vision (50%)\r\n401304 Photogrammetry and remote sensing (30%)\r\n460205 Intelligent robotics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta","title":"Next-Generation Augmented Training and Assistive Systems","description":"Computer based simulation and virtual reality systems have been used for developing training environments in areas such as emergency evacuation, military training, aircraft pilot training and others [1]. Although virtual reality provides an immersive environment, it has several limitations. The users cannot interact with the physical environment, and the training environment is not easily adapted to different physical spaces. Further, there is a significant cost in developing the physical models that the virtual reality system would require. In this project, we propose the use of augmented and mixed reality [2] to develop the next generation of training systems and present a framework for developing a fire evacuation training system that incorporates augmented reality, techniques for modelling human behaviour in such situations, intelligent virtual characters controlled by various artificial intelligence techniques, and interactive narrative generation to form the training scenarios.\r\nThe aim of this research project is developing a prototypical implementation of a next-generation training and\/or assistive system posed to solve critical problems in complex learning scenarios requiring physical interaction with the real world [3][6].\r\n\r\nThe key issues being addressed are:\r\n1. Reducing complexity in preparing and delivering real-world training sessions.\r\n2. Engaging trainees for extended periods of time, hence increasing the overall quantity of their learning experience at a reduced cognitive load [7].\r\n3. Immersing trainees deeper in their training experience, hence improving the quality and of their learning experience and\/or providing means to assist them in whichever task they might be engaging in.\r\n\r\nThe trainees will be wearing mixed reality (holographic) headsets [4], which will allow virtual reality objects not only to be superimposed to real objects, but to interact with them. This means that we would be able to model realistic physical interactions throughout existing rooms once the simulation of the scenario starts. The significance of such a next-generation training system will be enormous as it will apply to any domain or scenario where real-world training is required, but for which virtual reality is too expensive or problematic. Scenarios of interest include for instance evacuations, rescue and emergency situations; military and police operations rehearsals; exploration of dangerous or unknown locations; interplanetary missions [5]. References:\r\n\r\n[1. The VR book. J. Jerald, ACM Press (2016).\r\n[2] Augmented Reality: Principles and Practice. Schmalstieg et al., Addison-Wesley (2016).\r\n[3] Tangible Holograms: Towards Mobile Physical Augmentation of Virtual Objects. Available online at https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/1703.08288.\r\n[4] Microsoft Hololens device, see https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-au\/hololens.\r\n[5] NASA\u2019s Destination Mars. See https:\/\/blogs.windows.com\/devices\/2016\/09\/19\/hololens-experiencedestination-mars-now-open-at kennedy-space-center-visitor-complex\/#OVT4Pb4YlVwDtjVb.97.\r\n[6] Evoking empathy with visually impaired people through an augmented reality embodiment experience. Guarese, et al. Proceedings of the IEEE VR conference (2023).\r\n[7] The Evolution of Cognitive Load Theory and the Measurement of Its Intrinsic, Extraneous and Germane Loads: A Review. Orru & Longo. International Symposium on Human Mental Workload: Models and Applications (2019).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (50%)\r\n460806\tHuman-computer interaction (25%)\r\n460202\tAutonomous agents and multiagent systems (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta, Johanne Trippas","title":"Novel Immersive Approaches to Information Seeking","description":"People search through digital information more than ever before. However, current search systems present information through a 2D search engine results page. In addition, opportunities to interact with the search results to understand underlying relationships in the retrieved data, are limited. The proposed approach will allow users to navigate information naturally and immersively, following users\u2019 interests and curiosity rather than being constrained by a search box and a ranked search results list.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to explore this unique interaction paradigm for effective and efficient interactive information retrieval through virtual or augmented reality, enabling a novel approach to defining user information needs, presenting results, and facilitating search reformulations.\r\n\r\nThe project can answer research questions, including:\r\n-What is the most effective way to visualise 3D information units (in virtual or augmented reality) to facilitate enhanced search interactions?\r\n-How do users formulate information needs, manipulate results, and navigate immersive information spaces?\r\n-How does immersive search versus traditional ranked lists impact users' navigation behaviours within an information space?\r\n-How do users with different levels of familiarity with immersive applications experience information?\r\n-How does the proposed approach compare to current search methods for exploring complex information needs?\r\n\r\nThe project will contribute to the field of interactive information retrieval by providing a novel approach to exploring information needs. Using virtual or augmented reality together with current advances in conversational interactions for information seeking will allow for more intuitive and natural navigation of information, which could lead to unexplored insights into how people interact with information.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460708 Virtual and mixed reality (40%)\n460806 Human-computer interaction (30%)\n461003 Human information interaction and retrieval (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards Intelligent Data-driven Software Engineering","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown outstanding progress with impressive performance over the last decade. AI techniques have been applied to solve numerous problems such as weather forecasting, movie recommending, autonomous driving, health applications, question answering, etc. The main ingredient of an AI algorithm is the data that is mined from problems that are same or similar to the problem to be solved.\r\n\r\nSoftware Engineering (SE) is a highly impact area with many interesting and important challenges. Besides, the amount of data generated by SE is generally large and cheap to collect (e.g., source code, software system logs, software reports). Therefore, SE is an ideal area where AI techniques can be applied.\r\n\r\nIn this project, we thus aim to develop novel AI-based techniques to solve various challenging problems in SE:\r\n+ configurable software performance prediction with a minimal number of measured data [1]\r\n+ intelligent incident management for software-intensive system including incident detection, incident identification, incident triage [2]\r\n+ software defect and vulnerability detection [3]\r\n\r\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the chosen topic.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] H. Ha, H. Zhang. \u201cDeepPerf: Performance Prediction for Configurable Software with Deep Sparse Neural Network\u201d, in ICSE, 2019.\r\n[2] Z. Chen, et al., \u201cTowards intelligent incident management: why we need it and how we make it\u201d, in FSE, 2020.\r\n[3] S. Omri, C. Sinz, \u201cDeep Learning for Software Defect Prediction: A Survey\u201d, in the Workshops of ICSE, 2020.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461201 Automated software engineering (60%)\r\n461103 Deep learning (20%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards the Trustworthiness of Machine Learning Systems After Deployment","description":"Machine learning (ML) systems are employed across sectors to assist humans in making important decisions. However, it is well-known that ML systems can be unreliable. ML systems work based on the assumption that the system's training data come from the same distribution with the data encountered in the deployment. But this assumption does not always hold in real life [1]. Thus, there is no guarantee that an ML system, which had an impressive performance during the development process, still performs well after deployment. It is therefore crucial that the trustworthiness of the ML systems need to be ensured after deployment, to prevent potential failures that may have severe unintended consequences.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop various techniques to ensure the trustworthiness of ML systems after deployment. Some directions that we're aiming towards:\r\n+ active testing of ML systems so that only a minimal number of ground-truth need to be used to evaluate the correctness of ML systems [2]\r\n+ monitoring ML systems performance to detect any issues with the ML systems' performance\r\n+ automatic retraining ML systems to ensure their performance satisfying users' requirements\r\n\r\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] P.W. Koh, et al. Wilds: A benchmark of in-the-wild distribution shifts, in the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML), 2021.\r\n[2] H. Ha, et al. ALT-MAS: A Data-Efficient Framework for Active Testing of Machine Learning Algorithms\", in RobustML Workshop at ICLR, 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%)\r\n461103 Deep learning (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dhirendra Singh, Sebastian Rodriguez, Erica Kuligowski SEng","title":"Using behavioural insights for the modelling of self-evacuation from bushfire\/wildfire","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d.   As part of this program, the School and our partners Strahan are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of bushfire evacuation modelling.   Reflecting human decision-making and behaviour in response to bushfire threat is central to the development of effective agent-based traffic models to enhance the safety of evacuation. Considerable excellent work has been done in Australia and internationally, but further progress is required. This project provides an opportunity to pull together the literature and experience to focus on the modelling principles and approaches for the development of a model.\r\n\r\nThe candidate will be working with Dr Dhirendra Singh and Dr Erica Kuligowski, world-class experts in bushfire evacuation modelling.   This will be in collaboration with Strahan Research, which is headed by Dr Ken Strahan, an expert in emergency management, particularly on household decision making in bushfires.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems 50%\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation 50%\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Timothy Wiley, John Thangarajah","title":"Social Robotics: Learning to Adapt to the Human need","description":"Social Robots are autonomous artificially intelligent robots that are designed to interact collaboratively with humans. The aim is to assist humans in performing tasks, such as service robots, wait staff and interactive tour guides. Social Robots have various advanced technically capabilities, however, they are heavily limited by the quality of human-robot interactions. That is, humans must trust and believe the robot is capable of being useful before they choose to interact with the robot.\u2028This project will investigate methods in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to design autonomous software that enables Social Robots to effectively collaborate with Humans over the long-term. This project will research topics including (1) Modalities of human-robot interaction such as speech, facial expressions, gestures, body language, audio queues, and wearable devices; (2) Algorithms for Life-Long autonomous learning and adaptation; (3) Algorithms for learning satisfying generalised social robot behaviours; and (4) Algorithms for refining individualised human preferences of long-term human-robot interactions. The project will be include both research into suitable AI algorithms, and in-depth user studies to investigate the human perspective.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460810 Social robotics (35%)\r\n460202 autonomous agents (30%)\r\n460205 Intelligent robotics (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova","title":"Agile practices and artefacts","description":"Application of Agile practices and use of the Agile artefacts should depend on the project's and company's needs, to improve communication within the project and as result the overall outcome. However, in real industrial projects, the choice might be also influenced by what the developers are used to use and by the limitations of their knowledge about the artefacts and practices. Cultural aspects (including both organisational and national culture) as well as increased shift to remote\/hybrid work mode might also play a role in this choice.\n This research will focus on (1) analysis of the aspects influencing the choice of Agile artefacts, and whether the project results might be improved by an extended decision support, (2) analysis of industrial perception of what Agile artefacts are especially useful and usable in remote settings.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460207 Modelling and simulation \n 460210 Satisfiability and optimisation\n 460304 Computer Vision \n 300604 Food packaging, preservation, and processing"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azadeh Alavi","title":"Application of AI to Medical Image analysis","description":"Application of AI in medical image\\video analysis (computer vision) play an important role in the modern medicine. AI-based algorithms are employed as assistive diagnostic tools to help clinicians to diagnose diseases, screen for abnormal conditions, and assign patients to targeted therapy. It is nontrivial to note, that one of the biggest challenges face in developing such tools lay in data gathering. That is mainly due to the required professional labor to procced with sufficient and accurate data labeling. Such process is time demanding and highly costly. Our particular interest is in application of AI in image analysis\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (computer vision) techniques for developing diagnostic tools as an assistive technology for clinicians. The potential student will work with medical images to detect, segment, and\/or classify the area of interest. Their focus would be on semi-supervised, unsupervised, and self-supervised methods that would enable the use of available un-labeled data.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing (75%)\n 010102 Algebraic and Differential Geometry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azadeh Alavi","title":"Application of AI to Medical Image analysis ","description":"Application of AI in medical image\\video analysis (computer vision) play an important role in the modern medicine. AI-based algorithms are employed as assistive diagnostic tools to help clinicians to diagnose diseases, screen for abnormal conditions, and assign patients to targeted therapy. It is nontrivial to note, that one of the biggest challenges face in developing such tools lay in data gathering. That is mainly due to the required professional labor to procced with sufficient and accurate data labeling. Such process is time demanding and highly costly. Our particular interest is in application of AI in image analysis\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (computer vision) techniques for developing diagnostic tools as an assistive technology for clinicians. The potential student will work with medical images to detect, segment, and\/or classify the area of interest. Their focus would be on semi-supervised, unsupervised, and self-supervised methods that would enable the use of available un-labeled data.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460304 Computer Vision (70%)\n 461103 Deep Learning (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haytham Fayek","title":"Deep Learning from Data and Prior Knowledge","description":"Deep learning is a powerful general-purpose approach to machine learning that is able to solve numerous and various tasks with minimal modification. Deep learning extends machine learning, and especially neural networks, to learn multiple levels of distributed representations together with the required mapping function into a single composite function [1]. Most deep learning formulations are mostly designed for learning and performing a particular task from a random initialisation using data available for the task at hand. This requires large datasets, many iterations through the given dataset, and large models that require vast computational resources to learn the task.\n This project is envisaged to investigate paradigms such as transfer learning, multi-task learning, continual learning, and meta-learning that leverage the notion of hierarchical distributed representations in deep learning to share knowledge across datasets\n and tasks, thereby learning from data available for the task at hand as well as prior knowledge learned from previous tasks [2,3]. The goal of this project is to develop models that quickly adapt to datasets or tasks with better generalization performance using less amounts of data.\n [1] LeCun, Y., Bengio, Y. and Hinton, G., 2015. Deep learning. Nature, 521(7553), pp.436-444.\n [2] Fayek, H.M., Cavedon, L. and Wu, H.R., 2018. On the transferability of representations in neural networks between datasets and tasks. Continual Learning Workshop, 32nd Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS), Montr\u00c3\u00a9al, Canada.\n [3] Fayek, H.M., Cavedon, L. and Wu, H.R., 2020. Progressive learning: A deep learning framework for continual learning. Neural Networks, 128, pp.345-357.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"4611 Machine Learning (25%)\n 461103 Deep Learning (50%)\n 461104 Neural Networks (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova","title":"Impact of Organisational Culture on the Requirement Engineering Activities","description":"Requirement Engineering (RE) is a socio-technical activity and it demands intensive communication with the stake- holders to elicit and model all requirements. As both national and organisational cultures influence the behaviour of the individuals and their work practices, they might also influence RE activities deeply. This research will focus on elaboration of a formal framework for identifying and analysing cultural influences that could impact RE activities: the aim is to apply the framework not only on the national culture level, but expand it to the level of organisational culture to provide a more nuanced approach. The proposed framework will help RE practitioners to systematically analyse and determine a set of national and organisational cultural influences in several cultures and organisations.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461205 Requirements engineering (70%), 460806 Human-computer interaction (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Babak Abbassi, Department of Information and Business Analytics, Business College","title":"Machine learning and large-scale combinatorial optimization ","description":"In the era of big data, abundance of data is readily made available for business to make sense of. These data contain rich information that can be extracted and learnt by using machine learning techniques, to facilitate better decision making. In this project, you will be expected to explore and investigate the interesting interplays between machine learning and large-scale combinatorial optimization methods. We are particularly interested to study how machine learning can be employed to enhance the efficiency aspect of an optimization method (whether it is a classic math programming methods or meta-heuristics), e.g., supervised learning can be used to substantially prune the search space of a large-scale combinatorial optimization problem [1]. Graph neural networks among others are popular machine learning techniques for solving challenging combinatorial optimization problems.  We are also interested in exploring optimization techniques to improve the performance of a machine learning model. For example, a deep learning model tends to have a huge parameter space, and the question is how to carry out effective optimization considering the very large search space.  For example, Neural Architecture Search (NAS) has been shown to be an effective approach.\r\n\r\n[1] Shen, Y., Eberhard, A., Sun, Y., Li, X., Ernst A.T. (2023), \"Adaptive Solution Prediction for Combinatorial Optimization\", European Journal of Operational Research, 309(3): 1392-1408, September 2023.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108 - Operations research (40%)\r\n461103 - Deep learning (40%)\r\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Son Hoang Dau, Zahir Tari","title":"Blockchain-Based Decentralized Storage Systems","description":"Traditional distributed storage systems behind popular data storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive require the customers to trust the service providers. This implicit trust assumption turns the service provider into a single point of failure and makes the customers data vulnerable to the ever-increasing risk of data tempering, data loss, data censorship, or privacy breaches (see, for example, [1], [2], [3]). The birth of blockchain (e.g., [4], [5]) as a novel and disruptive distributed ledger technology has enabled trustless storage systems (e.g., Filecoin [6], Storj [7]), which decentralize the task of data storage & retrieval to thousands of untrusted storage nodes. These nodes work together to provide the data storage services to the customers, operating under an incentive mechanism set forth by the blockchain software, which ensures that honest nodes are recognized and rewarded, while malicious or rogue nodes are identified and penalized. There is no longer any single point of failures and no need to trust any parties in the system.\r\n\r\nIn this project, we will investigate and develop novel algorithms, protocols, and systems that allow decentralized storage systems to work securely and efficiently, including designing new proofs of retrievability, proofs of storage, proofs of replication, and proofs of space and time. All these proof-of-something protocols form the backbone of decentralized storage systems, guaranteeing data availability, integrity, and privacy despite the unavoidable presence of untrusted storage nodes or malicious parties in the system. The communication and computational costs to operate a trustless system are currently very high due to the expensive cryptographic layer imposed on top. Therefore, improving the efficiencies of existing protocols and\/or developing better ones is crucial for decentralized storage systems to compete against the traditional ones. We will also explore efficient solutions to enable standard functionalities and convenient services in decentralized storage systems as with the traditional cloud storage systems.\r\n\r\nContact: potential candidates can send their CV and university transcripts as well as any other supporting documents to Dr Son Hoang Dau (Hoang) at sonhoang.dau@rmit.edu.au. \r\n\r\nReferences \r\n[1] (The Guardian) Dropbox data breach, 2012. https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2016\/aug\/31\/dropbox-hack-passwords-68m-data-breach\r\n[2] (New York Times) Cambridge Analytica and Facebook: The Scandal and the Fallout So Far, 2018. https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/04\/04\/us\/politics\/cambridge-analytica-scandal-fallout.html \r\n[3] (Wired) A New Google+ Blunder Exposed Data From 52.5 Million Users, 2018. https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/google-plus-bug-52-million-users-data-exposed\/ \r\n[4] Satoshi Nakamoto, (Bitcoin whitepaper) Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, 2008. https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/bitcoin.pdf \r\n[5] Vitalik Buterin, (Ethereum whitepaper), A Next-Generation Smart Contract and Decentralized Application Platform, 2014. https:\/\/ethereum.org\/en\/whitepaper\/ \r\n[6] Protocol Labs, (Filecoin whitepaper) Filecoin: A Decentralized Storage Network, https:\/\/filecoin.io\/filecoin.pdf \r\n[7] Storj Labs, Inc., (Storj whitepaper) Storj: A Decentralized Cloud Storage Network Framework, https:\/\/www.storj.io\/storjv3.pdf\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"460401\tCryptography\r\n460402\tData and information privacy\r\n460403\tData security and protection"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin, Sebastian Rodriguez","title":"Architecting AI-based Systems","description":"AI-based systems such as Machine Learning (ML) based systems and Deep Learning (DL) based systems are now used in every aspect of people's life [1]. AI-based systems are different from traditional software-intensive systems as they are more complex, include new and more stakeholders (e.g., ML developers, ethics experts, data engineers) with new and different concerns (e.g., ethics, model accuracy, explainability), and have new components (e.g., components with ML\/DL capabilities) [2-3]. Furthermore, AI-based systems are prone to several data challenges, such as lack of data and noisy data, and the performance of ML models may vary in production. All this makes engineering AI-based systems more challenging. Hence, the Software Engineering community has recently started revisiting or developing new software engineering practices (including architectural practices) for AI-based systems (SE4AI).\r\nThis PhD project aims to support architecting AI-based systems by conducting empirical studies and developing practical solutions, design principles, and tools. More specifically, this project provides a deep understanding of architectural concerns and quality attributes in developing and deploying AI-based systems and develops practical architectural solutions to design, evaluate, and monitor AI-based systems.\r\n[1] Jordan, M.I. and T.M. Mitchell, Machine learning: Trends, perspectives, and prospects. Science, 2015. 349(6245): p. 255-260.\r\n[2] Lewis, G.A., S. Bellomo, and I. Ozkaya, Characterizing and Detecting Mismatch in Machine-Learning-Enabled Systems., 2021.\r\n[3] Muccini, H. and K. Vaidhyanathan, Software Architecture for ML-based Systems: What Exists and What Lies Ahead. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461206 Software architecture (40%)\r\n461202 Empirical software engineering (10%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (20%)\r\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (20%)\r\n460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova","title":"Automated analysis of Agile artefacts","description":"There are many approaches for automated marking of assessments, but they typically limited to questions that assume answers strictly fitting to a particular structure, e.g., some approached work well for checking programming code. However, when we need to provide quick feedback on artefacts like product\/sprint backlogs, Trello boards, etc., the situation is more complex. This project is focused on elaboration of a framework for analysis and assessment Requirements Engineering (RE) and Project Management artefacts, as well as providing corresponding feedback to students with the references what exactly material student has to re-watch\/re-read.    \nAnalysis of the artefacts might require application some AI approaches, e.g., ML where the model will be trained with each additional check. It might also apply some RE techniques for analysis of completeness. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460804\tComputing education (40%), 461205\tRequirements engineering (30%), Natural language processing 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin","title":"DevSecOps-driven Software Architectures","description":"The essence of the security practices proposed to implement DevSecOps (also known as the \u201cshift-security-left\u201d) is that security policies and practices should be injected into the development process of a project at the right level, at the right time and with the right automation [1]. While DevSecOps emphasizes that security should be maintained across the development lifecycle touching coding, design, deployment, and operations, a significant fraction of the research on software security conducted by the software engineering community focuses on secure coding and testing and applying security policies and measures in operations. On the other hand, security design flaws are constantly reported as one of the main reasons behind the security breaches of many software systems. In this regard, software engineers and organizations recognise the need to have \u201csecurity by design\u201d, which means software systems should be designed from the ground up to prevent or detect and respond to vulnerabilities [2]. Architecture design is critical to reaching the highest level of DevSecOps success. This PhD research project aims to provide practical guidelines and tools with empirical evidence that allow software organizations to develop, apply, manage, and evaluate security architecture solutions and mechanisms in DevSecOps environments, thereby increasing the chance of developing and delivering secure software systems in the age of DevSecOps.\r\n[1] Carter, K., Francois Raynaud on DevSecOps. IEEE Software, 2017. 34(5): p. 93-96.\r\n[2] Santos, J., et al., An empirical study of tactical vulnerabilities. J. of Sys. and Soft, 2019. 149.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461206 Software architecture (40%) \r\n460406 Software and application security (40%)\r\n461202 Empirical software engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova, James Harland","title":"Game-based learning of formal reasoning","description":"Software has an increasing impact on everyday life. Tasks such as navigation and banking heavily rely on software. A software error can lead to financial loss or even loss of human life, making correctness crucial for many safety-critical systems. This means it is increasingly important to be able to verify the correctness of software as it is developed. This is usually done by the use of formal methods (FMs), in which the behaviour of the software is modelled mathematically, allowing logical analysis of its properties. There have been some spectacular recent successes in this regard, such as the formal verification of a Linux kernel, which made heavy use of FMs.\n\nThis makes it vital for humans to understand formal models. Specifically we need to better understand how informal descriptions can be transformed into formal models, and how a software engineer can be sure that this transformation has been performed correctly. The aim of this project is to analyse possible solutions for this problem and to elaborate a game-based framework to assist in the understanding of difficulties in formalization. A potential solution is to combine real-world problems with puzzles based on famous stories and movies, or even magic tricks, thus making FMs and other aspects of STEM more appealing. This will enable uses to understand formal systems and their properties, and how solutions to formal problems can be solved automatically.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460604 Computing Education (50%), 461203 Formal methods for Software (40%), 461303 Computational logic and formal languages (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin","title":"Human Values and Human-centric Issues in Machine Learning-based Systems","description":"ML-based systems, and any other type of software-intensive systems, are expected to address, respect, and be aligned with various social and human aspects. Human values and human-centric issues are two social and human aspects that have recently gained significant attention in the software engineering community. Human values, such as transparency, inclusion, social responsibility, diversity, fairness, etc., are defined as \u201cwhat an individual or a society deems important\u201d [1]. Human-centric issues are defined as \u201cthe problems that diverse users face when using a software system, due to the lack of (proper) consideration of their specific characteristics, limitations, and abilities\u201d. Failing to address human values and human-centric issues in ML-based systems may bring problems and irreversible damages, ranging from user dissatisfaction to loss of life. Currently, there is a lack of understanding of how human values and human-centric issues are considered during the development and deployment of ML-based systems. The goals of this PhD project are:\r\n1. Develop a deep understanding of various human values and human-centric issues relevant to developing and deploying ML-based systems.\r\n2. Develop and evaluate well-established AI techniques to effectively detect, track, and classify human values and human-centric issues by mining source codes and their associated developer discussions, captured in code comments and issue tracking systems before human value violations impact society.\r\nReferences \r\n1. Schwartz, S.H., An overview of the Schwartz theory of basic values. Online readings in Psychology and Culture, 2012. 2(1): p. 2307-0919.1116.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461202 Empirical software engineering (30%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (20%)\r\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (20%)\r\n460803 Collaborative and social computing (10%)\r\n461103 Deep learning (10%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin, Shabnam Kasra Kermanshahi","title":"Socio-technical aspects of Securing Machine Learning Systems","description":"AI-based systems have drastically changed software development. While there are some common characteristics between AI-based systems and non-AI-based systems, AI-based systems have unique characteristics, such as being more complex, having new and more stakeholders (e.g., data engineers) with new and different concerns (e.g., ethics, explainability), having new components (e.g., components with ML\/DL capabilities), and being prone to several data challenges [1-2]. These unique characteristics may require revisiting or developing new software engineering practices for AI-based systems (SE4AI).\r\nThe increasing application of AI-based systems in our life and society raises several concerns about the security and vulnerability of AI-based systems. While valuable efforts have been allocated to securing AI-based systems, less systematic and focused research conducted on socio-technical aspects of securing AI-based systems. It is argued that more research is needed to explore the role of human, social, and cultural factors in securing AI-based systems. This PhD project aims to investigate security in AI-based systems from the social-technical perspective. Specifically, this project will explore how and when developers should integrate and practice security in AI-based systems. How AI developers use security tools and security-related codes recommended by AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot). What social-technical factors impact AI developers while making security decisions?\r\n1. Lewis, G.A., S. Bellomo, and I. Ozkaya, Characterizing and Detecting Mismatch in Machine-Learning-Enabled Systems.2021.\r\n2. Muccini, H. and K. Vaidhyanathan, Software Architecture for ML-based Systems: What Exists and What Lies Ahead. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461202 Empirical software engineering (30%)\r\n460406 Software and application security (30%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (10%)\r\n460803 Collaborative and social computing (10%), 461103 Deep learning (10%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fengling Han ","title":"Peer-to-Peer based sharing renewable energy","description":"Energy shortage and global warming pose a challenge for power supply. This project aims to investigate Peer-to-Peer based sharing renewable energy. It will investigate the complex network theory and artificial intelligence technologies in batteries management, interaction between overlay network and physical network and prediction of batteries\u2019 state-of-charge in various application environments such as smart-grid and electrical vehicles. The topics may include, but is not limited to:\n\u2022        Optimization of Energy Storage\n\u2022        ICT-Based Energy Information System\n\u2022        Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Energy Sharing\n","sdg":"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"80605"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Dynamic malware clustering for threat intelligence","description":"Corporations and government departments maintain their threat intelligence facilities, where they collect new malware samples and analyse to extract intelligence. Typically, yarra rules are used to identify malware variants. Yarra rules-based method use pattern of instructions in the samples to identify the samples. Multiple yarra rules can be written and used to identify same sample. But these rules are very static and inflexible and could fail if the malware variants are changed. This project will investigate dynamic clustering algorithms to use as second stage in identifying the unknown samples and new families of malware. Project will further investigate to devise techniques to develop dynamic yarra rules for malware detection.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Falk Scholer","title":"New Approaches to Interactive Sessional Search for Complex Tasks","description":"Most people in developed nations use tools like Google and Bing many times every day with questions that range from the mundane through to the complex: \"What is the weather in Los Angeles today?\", \"How do I cook a lobster?\", \"How many French overseas territories are there in the Pacific, what are their populations, and what is the fastest way to get to each of them from Melbourne?\". While routine queries are now well-handled in search engines, more complex search tasks like the third example are still poorly supported, requiring the user to make substantial investments of time and effort, and with no certainty that the task will be successfully resolved. Exploratory search tasks are often open-ended, persistent, and multifaceted, but current search engines are ill-equipped to support complex information needs. In this project, we will devise new approaches to handling complex information needs and interpreting the intentions of users. We will create a system that steps well beyond current \"web search\", and provide better-quality answers and greater certainty of successful outcomes for complex information seeking tasks.\n Specifically, the goals of the project are:\n Aim 1: Understand and quantify query formulation behaviour both across users and within search sessions, to build insights that will allow us to model the way in which users represent complex information needs when engaging in search, and formalise the notion of state in the search process.\n Aim 2: Develop scalable techniques for modelling complex, interactive information needs, and operationalising these new approaches into stateful, interactive components which can be integrated directly into large-scale search engines.\n Aim 3: Design and deploy evaluation methodologies applicable to complex search tasks that reflect the implications of user state; to develop models that allow the effectiveness of search services to be scored at a session level, rather than only at a query level; and hence to allow more precise measurement of search system effectiveness, thereby directly supporting the development of future improvements to search techniques.\n References:\n [1] P. Bailey, A. Moffat, F. Scholer, and P. Thomas: \"Retrieval consistency in the presence of query variations.\" In Proc. SIGIR, pages 395-404, 2017.\n [2] R.-C. Chen, L. Gallagher, R. Blanco, and J. S. Culpepper: \"Efficient cost-aware cascade ranking in multi-stage retrieval.\" In Proc. SIGIR, pages 445-454, 2017.\n [3] N. J. Belkin, C. Cool, W. B. Croft, and J. P. Callan: \"Effect of multiple query representations on information retrieval system performance.\" In Proc. SIGIR, pages 339-346, 1993.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 (67.5%)\n 460806 (32.5%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Privacy preserving Federated phishing filtering using NLP and deep learning","description":"Emails systems have made the communication very easier but this medium of communication is also source of major cyber-attacks. In-fact email are considered a gateway for cyber-attacks at consumers and organizations. Phishing attacks are common on banking as well as other customers. Due to online reliance for education, retails, entrainment, business, banking, and critical infrastructure services. Phishing attacks have been common occurrences. Corporations could change their business models to attract more customers by guaranteeing online safety of their customers. One method could be helping customer to ward off phishing attacks by federating the knowledge of their customers by preserving their privacy. This project will develop privacy preserving federated phishing filter with the use of machine learning. Federated learning can be done in decentralized manner with the use of machine learning models, This project will investigate fusion techniques to federate the training models from thousands of customers and will preserve their privacy. This project could use federated learning, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) for email phishing detection.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n460407 System and network security\n460402 Data and information privacy\n\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Ransomware detection in Critical infrastructure systems ","description":"Ransomware is type of malware attack, which can encrypt the data, and demand ransom to decrypt the data. called Big Game Hunting is new form of ransomware attacks which gains unauthorised access to an organisation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s network, moves laterally and performs reconnaissance to access and identify business information to demand high amount of ransom. This is done with the use of network vulnerability tools to assess the architecture of the networks. This research will focus on attribution of the ransomware attacks when these attacks conducted with the use of off the shelf\/commercial tools. This project will develop techniques to cluster ransomware attacks for attacker attributions.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Remote condition monitoring ","description":"Incipient fault detection in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions requires robust features for accurate condition-based machine health monitoring. Accurate fault classification is positively linked to the quality of features of the faults. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the quality of the features before classification. This project will develop techniques to do real time processing of vibration analysis and will also study transformation of the vibration signal to imaging representation for fault detection.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zahir Tari","title":"Preventing Exfiltration of Sensitive Data by Malicious Insiders or Malwares ","description":"Data exfiltration is the unauthorized leakage of data from computers by sophisticated malware and malicious insiders. Data exfiltration is a serious problem since it may have catastrophic effect on businesses, governments as well as individuals if such exfiltration involves sensitive data. Examples include exfiltration of data involving business inventions, national intelligence, classified research, individual\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s credit card and biometric profile. Specifically, data exfiltration has resulted in huge economic losses as well as unprecedented breaches of national security. A study by the Ponemon Institute [1] reported that the average per-incident cost of reported data leakage by businesses was $4 million in 2015\/2016, and the number of reported data breaches surpassed all previous years [2].\n \n The aim of this project is to develop solutions to detect sensitive data exfiltration attempts by malwares, as well as human users, and block those attempts without affecting legitimate users\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 normal usage of computers.The specific objectives of this project are to develop:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Existing real-time identification techniques of sensitive data are not scalable for analyzing large amount of data generated by memory resident application. This project will develop efficient data representation and summarization techniques that will enable multi-granular searching of sensitive information from memory.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Some Malware can circumvent existing exfiltration detection mechanisms by loading small parts of sensitive data from file or by accessing dynamically generated sensitive data (e.g., from Email). This project will develop a meta-searching technique that will continuously monitor memory resident data to detect exfiltration attempts of sensitive data by malwares or insiders.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 A key limitation of existing techniques is malwares can circumvent existing detection mechanisms by partially loading sensitive data over a period of time from file or by accessing dynamically generated sensitive data (e.g., from Email). This project will develop a technique that can piece together the different parts of data (dynamically generated) accessed over a period of time by by process(es), to determine if those parts constitute sensitive data.\n \n References\n [1] L. Ponemon, \u00e2\u20ac\u01532016 Ponemon Institute Cost of a Data Breach Study,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Security Intelligence Institute.\n [2] DataLossDB, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Data Loss Statistics\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Retrieved 26 February 2017, from https:\/\/blog.datalossdb.org\/","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460402 Data and information privacy (50)\n 460403 Data security and protection (50)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zahir Tari","title":"Low-Latency High-Throughput Computational Models for Heavily Data-Driven","description":"The need to process a huge volume of data during in a small amount of time is dramatically increasing especially as the size of the data moves into Exabyte in the near [1]. While use of such applications was previously confined to the finance sector, it is becoming now prevalent in almost every industry where analytical processing over massive data sets can solve business problems. To meet such low-latency requirements of data mining and machine learning applications, datacentre providers must expand the computing capacity of the underlying infrastructure by exploiting graphics processing units (GPU) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) as new hardware accelerators, the so called heterogeneous datacentres. However, there is no mechanism that can appropriately project the complex characteristics of modern applications emerging in enterprise\/scientific domains into the available computing capacity of a system with hundreds or thousands of heterogeneous computers. Additionally, using existing resources allocation solutions in heterogeneous datacentres result in significant resource wastage [2][3].\n \n The general aim of this project is to investigate innovative solutions\/methods to control and to make use of the capabilities of the new hardware accelerators in a heterogeneous computing systems to substantially enhance the resource efficiency when running data-driven applications. The specific aims of this project are:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 To explore inference algorithms for modelling the complex interaction of different components of data-driven applications with the heterogeneous resources.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 To design resource allocation controlling algorithms that not only maximize the system performance, but also detect and resolve resources' bottlenecks.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 To equip the designed algorithms with adaptive optimal control tools for online tuning of corresponding parameters to effectively deal with modelling uncertainties in a datacentre as well as the sporadic rise and fall in the incoming requests.\n \n References\n [1] P. Lotfi-Kamran, B. Grot, M. Ferdman, S. Volos, O. Kocberber, J. Picorel, A. Adileh, D. Jevdjic, S. Idgunji, E. Ozer, et al., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Scale-out processors,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in ACM SIGARCH Computer Architecture News, vol. 40, pp. 500\u00e2\u20ac\u201c511, IEEE Computer Society, 2012.\n [2] R. Hameed,W. Qadeer, M.Wachs, O. Azizi, A. Solomatnikov, B. C. Lee, S. Richardson, C. Kozyrakis, and M. Horowitz, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Understanding sources of inefficiency in general-purpose chips,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in ACM SIGARCH Computer Architecture News, vol. 38, pp. 37\u00e2\u20ac\u201c47, ACM, 2010.\n [3] L. Keys, S. Rivoire, and J. D. Davis, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The search for energy-efficient building blocks for the data center,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in International Symposium on Computer Architecture, pp. 172\u00e2\u20ac\u201c182, Springer, 2010.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460611 Performance evaluation (60)\n460511 Stream and sensor data (40)\n\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Blockchain for health Cyber Physical systems ","description":"The Internet of Things (IoT) can assist in continuous Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), although RPM architectures are complex with huge datasets and low power capacity. This project proposes a multi-tier End-to-End architecture for continuous patient monitoring with the use of Patient Agent (PA) with the use of blockchain. Intelligent PA would interact with Blockchain component to preserve privacy body area sensors for secure storage, processing and decision making. Project will investigate lightweight communication protocol for data security for continuous, real time patient monitoring architecture. The architecture will manage data entry into Blockchain to facilitate data sharing amongst healthcare professionals and electronic health records while preserving privacy. Project will investigate Blockchain architecture to select a Miner efficiently to reduce computational by minimize energy consumption. Project will investigate Blockchain based eHealth\n architecture having three layers: Sensing layer- Body Area Sensor Networks with the use of smartphone, Edge Networks devices one hop from data sensing IoT devices and Cloud or other high computing servers. Project will investigate strategies how a PA can replicate on the three layers to process medical data to ensure reliable, secure, and private communication.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Son Hoang Dau, Zahir Tari","title":"Advanced Coding Techniques for Failure Recovery in Distributed Storage Systems","description":"In modern distributed storage systems, which consists of thousands of inexpensive and unreliable storage devices, failure has become the norm rather than the exception. Replication and erasure codes guard the stored data against software and hardware failures by adding an appropriate level of redundancy. Erasure codes are a favourable choice due to their lower storage overhead, their much higher read\/write throughputs thanks to parallelism, and their higher mean-time-to-failures, compared to replication. In fact, erasure codes are currently employed by a number of prominent companies such as Google, Facebook, Baidu, Yahoo, Backblaze, Amazon, and Microsoft, to protect their storage systems. However, erasure codes, most notably, Reed-Solomon codes, incur a very high bandwidth and disk I\/O during the process of repairing one failed storage node, which is the most frequent failure event. For example, it is required to access and download 2.56 GB in order to reconstruct only one data block of size 256 MB, encoded by a Reed-Solomon code, in the Facebook\u2019s f4 storage system [1].\n \n The aim of this project is to investigate advanced coding techniques that help speed up the failure recovery process of distributed storage systems. More specifically, the project objectives are:\n -to design new repair schemes for erasure codes that reduce the repair bandwidth, i.e. the amount of data to be downloaded from the available storage nodes during the failure recovery process; reduce the repair I\/O (the disk input\/output), i.e. the amount of data to be accessed at the available storage nodes during the recovery process; note that this can be greater than the repair bandwidth;\n -to evaluate the benefit of the new repair schemes via statistic models and implementations on open-source storage platforms (e.g. the Hadoop Distributed File System);\n -to enhance data confidentiality and integrity levels of the underlying erasure codes.\n \n The project addresses fundamental theoretical questions about the structure of erasure codes, in particular, Reed-Solomon codes, with respect to their repair capability and limitation, as well as tackles the practical problem of improving the recovery performance of distributed storage systems. We focus on reducing the repair bandwidth and the disk I\/O, the two most constrained resources during the recovery process. The proposed project builds upon our recent research, e.g., [2]-[6], in one of which we obtained a noticeable 30% reduction in the repair bandwidth for the Reed-Solomon code currently employed by Facebook\u2019s f4 storage system.\n \n References \n [1] S. Muralidhar et al., \u201cf4: Facebook\u2019s warm BLOB storage system,\u201d USENIX Symposium on Operating Systems Design and Implementation (OSDI), pages 383\u2013398, 2014.\n [2] S. H. Dau, X. Dinh, H. M. Kiah, T. L. Tran, and O. Milenkovic, \u201cRepairing Reed-Solomon Codes via Subspace Polynomials,\u201d IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, volume 67, number 10, 2021.\n [3] H. Dau, I. Duursma, H. M. Kiah, and O. Milenkovic, \u201cRepairing Reed-Solomon codes with multiple erasures,\u201d IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, volume 64, number 10, pages 6567-6582, 2018. \n [4] W. Li, H. Dau, Z. Wang, H. Jafarkhani, and E. Viterbo, \u201cOn the I\/O Costs in Repairing Short-Length Reed-Solomon Codes,\u201d IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT), 2019.\n [5] H. Dau, I. Duursma, and H. Chu, \u201cOn the I\/O costs of some repair schemes for full-length Reed-Solomon codes,\u201d IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT), pages 1700-1704, 2018.\n [6] I. Duursma and H. Dau, \u201cLow bandwidth repair of the RS(10,4) Reed-Solomon code,\u201d invited by the Information Theory and Applications Workshop (ITA), San Diego, California, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platforms","forcodes":"461301 Coding, information theory and compression\n 460605 Distributed systems and algorithms"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Further Advance Bayesian Optimization","description":"Bayesian Optimization (BO) is a powerful sample-efficient strategy for finding the global optimum of an expensive black-box functions [1]. The main idea is to fit a surrogate model on the previous function evaluations, construct an acquisition function based on the surrogate model, and then use the acquisition function to select the next data point to be evaluated. Its applications include but not limited to automated machine learning, experimental design, environmental monitoring, and robotics. Whilst being effective and efficient in solving many optimization problems, BO is still a relatively new research field and suffers various limitations [1]. For example,\n+ Existing BO algorithms do not work well with high-dimensional optimization problems\n+ Limited BO methods can be applied to solve optimization problems with discrete, categorical, and mixed variables.\n+ Limited BO methods can solve the multi-objective optimization problems.\n+ etc.\nThis project aims to advance the efficacy of BO algorithms by various techniques such as evolutionary methods (e.g., covariance matrix adaptation, particle swarm, multi-objective decomposition) [2], deep surrogate models (e.g., deep kernel, Bayesian deep learning) [3]. Apart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\nReferences:\n[1] B. Shahriari, K. Swersky, Z. Wang, R.P. Adams, N. de Freitas (2016). Taking the Human Out of the Loop: A Review of Bayesian Optimization. Proceedings of IEEE 104(1): 148-175.\n[2] A. E. Eiben, James E. Smith (2015). Introduction to Evolutionary Computing. Natural Computing Series, Springer.\n[3] Y. Gal (2016). Uncertainty in Deep Learning. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%), 460209 Planning and Decision Making (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson","title":"Systems for Automated Decision-Making","description":"We seek students to develop new approaches to fairness, actionable explainability, or socially considerate evaluation of ADM in recommender, search, or other ML based systems.\nSee more details here: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/students\/student-essentials\/information-for\/research-candidates\/enriching-your-candidature\/grants-and-scholarships\/postgraduate-by-research\/phd-scholarship-systems-automated-decision-making","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"080109\n080403\n080504"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards Intelligent Data-driven Software Engineering","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown outstanding progress with impressive performance over the last decade. AI techniques have been applied to solve numerous problems such as weather forecasting, movie recommending, autonomous driving, health applications, question answering, etc. The main ingredient of an AI algorithm is the data that is mined from problems that are same or similar to the problem to be solved.\nSoftware Engineering (SE) is a highly impact area with many interesting and important challenges. Besides, the amount of data generated by SE is generally large and cheap to collect (e.g., source code, software system logs, software reports). Therefore, SE is an ideal area where AI techniques can be applied.\nIn this project, we thus aim to develop novel AI-based techniques to solve various challenging problems in SE:\n+ configurable software performance prediction with a minimal number of measured data [1]\n+ intelligent incident management for software-intensive system including incident detection, incident identification, incident triage [2]\n+ software defect and vulnerability detection [3]\n+ etc.\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the chosen topic.\nReferences:\n[1] H. Ha, H. Zhang. \u201cDeepPerf: Performance Prediction for Configurable Software with Deep Sparse Neural Network\u201d, in Proceedings of the 41st ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 1095-1106, Montr\u00e9al, Canada, 2019.\n[2] Z. Chen, Y. Kang, L. Li, X. Zhang, H. Zhang, et al., \u201cTowards intelligent incident management: why we need it and how we make it\u201d, in Proceedings of the ACM Joint European Software Engineering Conference and Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (ESEC\/FSE), pages 1487-1497, 2020.\n[3] S. Omri, C. Sinz, \u201cDeep Learning for Software Defect Prediction: A Survey\u201d, in the Workshops of the 42nd ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 209-214, 2020.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"461201 Automated software engineering (60%), 461103 Deep learning (20%), 461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards the Trustworthiness of Machine Learning Systems After Deployment","description":"Machine learning (ML) systems are employed across sectors to assist humans in making important decisions. However, it is well-known that ML systems can be unreliable. ML systems work based on the assumption that the system's training data come from the same distribution with the data encountered in the deployment. But this assumption does not always hold in real life [1]. Thus, there is no guarantee that an ML system, which had an impressive performance during the development process, still performs well after deployment. It is therefore crucial that the trustworthiness of the ML systems need to be ensured after deployment, so as to prevent potential failures that may have severe unintended consequences.\nThis project aims to develop various techniques to ensure the trustworthiness of ML systems after deployment. Some directions that we're aiming towards:\n+ active testing of ML systems so that only a minimal number of ground-truth need to be used to evaluate the correctness of ML systems [2]\n+ monitoring ML systems performance so as to detect any issues with the ML systems' performance\n+ automatic retraining ML systems so as to ensure their performance always satisfying users' requirements\n+ etc.\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\nReferences:\n[1] P.W. Koh, et al. \"Wilds: A benchmark of in-the-wild distribution shifts\", in Proceedings of the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML'21), pages 5637-5664, 2021.\n[2] H. Ha, S. Gupta, S. Rana, and S. Venkatesh. ALT-MAS: A Data-Efficient Framework for Active Testing of Machine Learning Algorithms\", in RobustML Workshop at ICLR'21, 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%), 461103 Deep learning (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Fair, Transparent and Explainable Multi-Party Recommender Systems","description":"Multi-party recommender systems are prevalent in society, e.g,, Netflix, Uber, Amazon. They involve multi-parties, e.g., rider, driver and the platform in Uber, which each have their own aims and ulities to maximise. In recent years, there is focus on making AI and automated decision making systems more fair to all parties, not only focusing on users or riders for example. In this project, we focus on fairness, transparency and explainablity, including:\n* studying and developing new algorithmic frameworks to incorporate notions of fairness in multi-party recommender systems;\n* developing mechanisms in multi-objective optimisation to better incorporate personal preferences for tradeoffs between the typically competing objectives of fairness, transparency and utility of the systems;\n* researching and developing new ways to explain recommendation results, which will likely need customisation to each of the different stakeholders.\n\n\nThe project will likely involve a combination of AI, machine learning, recommender systems, economics and FATE (Fairness, Accountability, Transparency and Ethics).","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 Recommender Systems (30%) ; 460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (50%) ; 461103 Deep Learning (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Multi-criteria Itinerary and POI Recommendation ","description":"Itinerary and trip recommendations are an important and frequent problem in real applications. It appears in multiple real applications, including tour itinerary recommendation and journey planning. In tour recommendation, an itinerary of places to visit and transportation schedules are recommended to tourists based on their interests and past travels [1]. Manually constructing these itineraries remains a challenging and time-consuming task for tourists. In journey planning [4], a trip from A to B using different transportation modes are recommended to users based on their preferences and transportation schedules. Both these applications are simultaneously a machine learning problem, e.g., recommending locations to visit, learning preferences and predicting traffic, and an optimization problem, e.g., scheduling under constraints. Solving this recommendation and scheduling problem requires a joint, integrated approach. To date, although there has been initial work done in itinerary recommendation [3] and multi-criteria journey planning [4], but minimal work in recommending itineraries that simultaneous incorporates preferences, predictions and learning, as well as schedule optimised tours that satisfies all constraints. In addition, there are little previous research that look at itinerary recommendation with multiple criteria, e.g. an itinerary that visits interesting places, but minimizes the time waiting for connecting transportation. In this project, the student will research novel approaches that recommends itineraries and journeys of multicriteria. This project focuses on multi-criteria itinerary recommendation, which will involve solving efficiency challenges (the problems are computationally hard) and researching how to effectively combine and integrate recommendation, prediction and optimization into a single framework for multi-criteria itinerary recommendation. References [1]. J. Borr\u00e0s, A. Moreno, and A. Valls. Intelligent tourism recommender systems: A survey. Expert Systems with Applications, 41, 16 (2014), 7370\u20137389. [2]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Itinerary Recommendation with Queuing Time Awareness, in Proceedings of ACM CIKM, (to appear), 2017. [3]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Tour Recommendation Based on User Interests and Points of Interest Visit Duration, in Proceedings of AAAI IJCAI, pp. 1778-1784, 2015. [4]. M. Haqqani, X. Li and X. Yu. An Evolutionary Multi-criteria Journey Planning Algorithm for Multimodal Transportation Networks, in Proceedings of ACALCI, pp.144-156, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (20%) ; 460510 Recommender systems (50%) ; 460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Solving Hybrid Prediction and Optimisation Problems","description":"Itinerary and trip recommendations are an important and frequent problem in real applications. It appears in multiple real applications, including tour itinerary recommendation and journey planning. In tour recommendation, an itinerary of places to visit and transportation schedules are recommended to tourists based on their interests and past travels [1]. Manually constructing these itineraries remains a challenging and time-consuming task for tourists. In journey planning [4], a trip from A to B using different transportation modes are recommended to users based on their preferences and transportation schedules. Both these applications are simultaneously a machine learning problem, e.g., recommending locations to visit, learning preferences and predicting traffic, and an optimization problem, e.g., scheduling under constraints. Solving this recommendation and scheduling problem requires a joint, integrated approach. To date, although there has been initial work done in itinerary recommendation [3] and multi-criteria journey planning [4], but minimal work in recommending itineraries that simultaneous incorporates preferences, predictions and learning, as well as schedule optimised tours that satisfies all constraints. In addition, there are little previous research that look at itinerary recommendation with multiple criteria, e.g. an itinerary that visits interesting places, but minimizes the time waiting for connecting transportation. In this project, the student will research novel approaches that recommends itineraries and journeys of multicriteria. This project focuses on multi-criteria itinerary recommendation, which will involve solving efficiency challenges (the problems are computationally hard) and researching how to effectively combine and integrate recommendation, prediction and optimization into a single framework for multi-criteria itinerary recommendation. References [1]. J. Borr\u00e0s, A. Moreno, and A. Valls. Intelligent tourism recommender systems: A survey. Expert Systems with Applications, 41, 16 (2014), 7370\u20137389. [2]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Itinerary Recommendation with Queuing Time Awareness, in Proceedings of ACM CIKM, (to appear), 2017. [3]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Tour Recommendation Based on User Interests and Points of Interest Visit Duration, in Proceedings of AAAI IJCAI, pp. 1778-1784, 2015. [4]. M. Haqqani, X. Li and X. Yu. An Evolutionary Multi-criteria Journey Planning Algorithm for Multimodal Transportation Networks, in Proceedings of ACALCI, pp.144-156, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (50%) ; 461103 Deep Learning (30%) ; 461105 Reinforcement Learning (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li","title":"Optimization in dynamic and uncertain environments","description":"Traditionally optimization is carried out towards a single static objective, which does not change during the course of the optimization. In recent years, there have been increasing interests in using decentralized and spatially distributed evolutionary algorithms to handle an optimization task that changes its optima over time, e.g., dynamic vehicle routing and dynamic scheduling problems. We could take advantage of the parallel and distributed structure of a parallel evolutionary algorithm to deal with this kind of tasks [1][3]. Evolutionary Algorithms and its variants (e.g., Particle Swarm and Differential Evolution), particularly those exhibiting self-adaptive behaviours can be investigated for their effectiveness for such tasks. There has been very little research done in the past in using adaptive or self-adaptive techniques for tracking multiple optima in dynamic\/uncertain environments. Nevertheless, many real-world problems require more effective optimization techniques to handle environments with such characteristics [2]. [1] J. Branke, Evolutionary optimization in dynamic environments. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012, vol. 3.\n[2] Y. Jin, K. Tang, X. Yu, B. Sendhoff, and X. Yao, \u201cA framework for finding robust optimal solutions over time,\u201d Memetic Computing, vol. 5, no. 01, pp. 3\u201318, 2013.\n[3] Blackwell, T., Branke, J. and Li, X. (2008). \"\"Particle Swarms for Dynamic Optimization Problems\"\", in Blum, C. and Merkle, D. (editors), Swarm Intelligence - Introduction and Applications, Springer, 2008, pp.193 - 217.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence; AMF 2 Advanced automation research and sensor and sensor network research; SC 3\u00a0Transformations in digital society and economy","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (40%)\n490108 Operations Research (30%)\n460203 Evolutionary Computation (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science and Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang, Fatemeh Shiri","title":"CultureAlign: Multicultural Safety Alignment for Inclusive Large Language Models","description":"Current safety research on large language models predominantly targets users from a few major technological hubs, often overlooking the rich tapestry of thousands of distinct cultures worldwide; this narrow focus can result in outputs that inadvertently violate social norms or legal rules in underrepresented communities. This 3.5-year PhD project seeks to pioneer globally inclusive LLMs capable of generating culturally appropriate, personalized content for a diverse range of demographic profiles by developing an innovative framework that combines the creation of an expansive multilingual dataset of culturally sensitive scenarios with advanced methods for detecting and mitigating violations of social norms and legal rules, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to explore cutting-edge techniques in natural language processing and machine learning while addressing critical challenges in AI safety and inclusivity and contributing to a paradigm shift in how global cultural diversity is integrated into the development of responsible AI systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460208 Natural Language Processing (80%)\r\n441007 Sociology and social studies of science and technology (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Yuan Sun","title":"Data Driven Combinatorial Optimization with Machine Learning","description":"With the rapid advancement in Machine Learning (ML) technologies, decision making is enabled to be more accurate than a human, with less time and effort. ML has been widely used in various applications, including solving combinatorial optimization (CO) problems. Since many combinatorial optimization problems in the big data era are usually not mathematically well defined, the current state-of-the-art algorithms are facing significant challenges. Applying machine learning algorithms has great potential to better solve this sort of combinatorial optimization problems. In this research, we will aim to develop a novel approach to integrating machine learning and combinatorial optimization techniques. We will investigate novel ways of applying machine learning techniques to provide better quality solutions to combinatorial optimization problems. We will attempt to take unique advantages of ML to develop a data-driven modelling approach, which has better generalization capability and is more robust and scalable across several combinatorial optimization problem domains","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Falk Scholer","title":"Finding High-Quality Answers in Community Question Answering Sites using Users\u2019 Comments","description":"One of the most popular place to ask questions and give answers is Community Question Answering (CQA) sites which give answers to many users on the Internet. The quality of an answer is an important attribute in the Community Question Answering (CQA) sites. While the benefits of CQA sites have been well-recognized, finding a best answer is still a challenge. This research aims to introduce a new model to improve the quality of answer retrieval on CQA sites.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Falk Scholer","title":"Interactive complex answer retrieval","description":"The research will focus on the task of complex answer retrieval (CAR). First of all, it will investigate a taxonomy of CAR tasks by examining questions of different complexity in community question answering (CQA) sites and user search logs. Further, it will compare the crowd-source evaluation of the CAR task with the conventional one and use the data for constructing a new evaluation testbed for CAR. Afterwards, it will compare performance of existing models and their variations on the obtained testbed. In the same manner, the project will try new approaches based on recently succeeded Deep Learning approaches in NLP and evaluate them. The project will also test a new unsupervised method to expand dataset for CAR from CQA platforms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Yongli Ren","title":"Recommender Systems: ensemble learning to mitigate user preference change over time","description":"Recommender systems underpin the way that Netflix, Amazon \u2013 and a wide range of e-commerce sites \u2013 observe the objects and activities that users like and then recommend something new. While extensive research has been conducted in recommender systems, there are still many potential projects. The focus of this project is to enable recommender systems to better react to the continual change in user\u2019s preferences. The research question of the project will be\rHow to improve the accuracy of recommender systems by mitigating the problem of time drifting inputs using ensemble learning techniques?\rThe project will examine the following aspects\r\u2022 How will ensemble learning be adapted to manage user preference change?\ro Ensemble learning requires a set of single learners to build from. These learning will need to incorporate a forgetting mechanism to discard old user preferences and be self-adaptive. This is considered a major scientific and engineering challenge. Once adapted an ensemble learner will be constructed.\r\u2022 How is user preference change detected andmonitored?\ro There are two approaches to define how the learner will adapt: informed methods that detect the drift through triggering mechanisms and blind methods that implicitly are adapted to changes without drift detection. Both approaches will be examined in this project.\r\u2022 What are the performance criteria?\ro Here, we will focus on the criteria to obtain an unfailing system that handles user preference change. The requirements for such systems are autonomy (i.e. the level of human involvement), reliability, and complexity (i.e. time and memory consumption).\rReferences\r1. B. Kumar and N. Sharma, \u201cApproaches, Issues and Challenges in Recommender Systems: A Systematic Review,\u201d Indian J. Sci. Technol., vol. 9, no. 47, 2016.\r2. M. Taghavi, J. Bentahar, K. Bakthiyari, and C. Hanachi, \u201cNew Insights Towards Developing Recommender Systems,\u201d pp. 1\u201335, 2017.\r3. J. Lu, D. Wu, M. Mao, W. Wang, and G. Zhang, \u201cRecommender system application developments: A survey,\u201d Decis. Support Syst., vol. 74, pp. 12\u201332, 2015.\r4. I. Khamassi, M. Sayed-Mouchaweh, M. Hammami, and K. Gh\u00e9dira, \u201cDiscussion and review on evolving data streams and concept drift adapting,\u201d Evol. Syst., 2016.\r5. Y. Koren, \u201cCollaborative filtering with temporal dynamics,\u201d Commun. ACM, vol. 53, no. 4, p. 89, 2010.\r6. H. Liu, X. Kong, X. Bai, W. Wang, T. M. Bekele, and F. Xia, \u201cContext-Based Collaborative Filtering for Citation Recommendation,\u201d IEEE Access, vol. 3, pp. 1695\u20131703, 2015.\r7. Y. Kabutoya, R. Sumi, T. Iwata, T. Uchiyama, and T. Uchiyama, \u201cA topic model for recommending movies via linked open data,\u201d Proc. - 2012 IEEE\/WIC\/ACM Int. Conf. Web Intell. WI 2012, pp. 625\u2013630, 2012.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fengling Han","title":"Modelling and predicting for efficient management of energy routers ","description":"The evolution of energy supply is increasingly decentralized with renewable energy is generated at disperse locations [1]. Dencentralised renewable energy generation may bring new business model. \n\nDeployment of the peer-to-peer structure for managing the supply and demand of renewable energy is considered as the most efficient method [2, 3], and efficient battery management is the key factor to optimise the renewable energy utilization [4]. \n\nThis project aims at modelling the energy routers (rechargeable batteries) and predicting their health state. This may lead to fundamental change of the power supply model: from existing centralised model to peer-to-peer model which will yield a result that our communities power demand relies on locally available renewable energy source, thus reduce the carbon emission.\n\nReferences\n\n1. T. R. Casten and B. Downes. Critical thinking about energy: The case for decentralized generation of electricity. Skeptical Inquirer, 29(1) 2005.\n2. J. Aki, New blockchain-based renewable energy pilot to power 500,000 homes, Nasdaq News, June 2018.\n3. J. Abdella, Z. Tari, A. Anwar, A. Mahmood, F. Han. An architecture and performance evaluation of Blockchain-based Peer-to-Peer energy trading, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 12(4): 3364-3378, 2021.\n4. Y. Feng, C. Xue, Q. Han, F. Han. Robust estimation for state-of-charge and state-of-health of Lithium-ion batteries using integral-type terminal sliding-mode observers, IEEE Transaction on Industrial Electronics, 67(5), 4013-4023, 2020.\n5. D. Alahakoon, X. Yu. Smart electricity meter data intelligence for future energy systems: A survey. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 12(1), 425-436, 2016.\n6. N. Liu, X. Yu, C. Wang, J. Wang. Energy sharing management for microgrids with PV prosumers: A Stackelberg game approach. IEEE Transaction on Industrial Informatics, 13(3): 1088-1098, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/04\/2026","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460903, 460605, 400907 "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaoning (Maggie) Liu","title":"Privacy-Preserving Collaborative Learning Over Medical Data","description":"Recent thriving deep learning techniques have been fueling a wide spectrum of medical endeavors, ranging from the radiotherapy, clinical trial and research, to medical imaging diagnostics. Enterprises deploy such services via the neural network (NN) inference, yet confronted with rising privacy concerns on the medical data and the NN models.\n\nIn this project, we aim to design, implement, and evaluate a lightweight and privacy-preserving learning system tailored for medical data analytical services. The overarching goal is to ensure the privacy of both parties with cryptographic guarantees, while presenting efficient and lightweight secure deep learning systems. The design methodologies are: 1) devising lightweight and fundamental protocols that resort to advanced privacy-enhancing cryptographic techniques for secure computations; and 2) building secure and practical systems that harness the insights from systems, machine learning, and digital health.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460403 - Data security and protection (50%) ; 460402 - Data and information privacy (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaoning (Maggie) Liu","title":"Privacy-Preserving Crowdsourcing with Quality Assurance","description":"Private and quality-assured crowdsourcing refers to collecting, aggregating, and utilizing data from a large group of individuals while ensuring that their privacy and data quality are protected. In this approach, special attention is given to the privacy of the data contributors, as well as the quality of the data collected. The privacy of the contributors is protected by using techniques such as secure multi-party computation and differential privacy. Meanwhile, various measures such as data validation, quality control, and reputation systems are employed to ensure the quality of the data. The goal of private and quality-assured crowdsourcing is to provide decision makers with accurate and useful information, while maintaining the privacy of the individuals whose data is being used. By combining privacy protection and quality assurance, this approach is a powerful tool for organizations looking to leverage the collective knowledge and experience of large groups of individuals.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460402 - Data and information privacy (40%) ; 460407 - System and network security (40%) ; 460601 - Cloud computing (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zahir Tari","title":"Security and Scalability in Blockchain systems ","description":"This project can involve several PhD students and looks at coming up with a new generation of blockchain systems that will deal with the current limitations of the techology such as security and performance\/security. Specifically we are looking at\n- addressing cyber attacks at different levels, including smart contracts, consensus as well as at the storage level.\n- coming up with better consensus and storage mechanisms that can scale to very complex scenarios (e.g. dealing with millions of transactions)\n- addressing other critical aspects e.g. fraud in crypto systems\n- making existing blockchain systems greener, meaning thay should consume much less energy.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"23\/03\/2027","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460611 Performance evaluation  (40%) ; 460403 Data security and protection (40%) ; 460605 Distributed systems and algorithms  (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Combating misinformation on social media: from early detection to mitigation","description":"The project aims to design novel machine learning-based solutions to detect misinformation early and to mitigate its negative impact on social media platforms. This project would focus on social media data mining and develop novel machine learning technologies of supervised learning with minimal human supervision, human-in-the-loop machine learning,  explainable machine learning models, as well reinforcement learning. Expected outcomes of this project include a suite of data mining and machine learning models for automatic misinformation detection and mitigation on social media at scale. \n\nKeywords: misinformation, natural language processing,  text mining, machine learning","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Deep learning for clustering and anomaly detection","description":"Anomaly detection, or outlier detection, novelty detection, has been a standing research challenge. \nDeep learning has enabled anomaly detection for complex data types in many advanced applications. This project would devise deep learning models for anomaly detection in episodic time series data. In addition to anomaly detection, the models also aim to discover clusters via unsupervised learning.  \n\nKeywords: deep learning, clustering, anomaly detection ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Explainable and unbiased machine mining for healthcare","description":"This project will develop technologies for analysing textual data to improve quality of healthcare. The healthcare industry generates voluminous textual data, from electronic health records (e.g. clinical notes, care notes) to user generated contents on online health discussion forums. This project would devise machine learning models to mine such textual data can be used for prediction for diagnosis and prognosis of diseases, as well as quality and safety of healthcare. Explainable and fair machine learning models for healthcare prediction is another important focus for this project. \n\nKeywords: natural language processing, machine learning, digital health","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Nalin Arachchilage, Matthew Warren","title":"Enhancing privacy awareness of individuals in social media: an internal social marketing approach","description":"Understanding the behavioural change process of social media users to adopt safe privacy practices is vital to protect them from data breaches. This research project explores how the 7Ps (product, price, promotion, place, physical evidence, process and people) marketing mix, as part of an internal social marketing approach, can be used to understand and enhance individuals' privacy awareness of social media usage. This understanding could inform the design of social media (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram) to promote and maintain online privacy compliance. This study adopted an inductive qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with social media users in Vietnam. Responses are then categorized under the 7Ps marketing mix framework. Discussions are centred on social media users' experiences, their perceptions of privacy behaviour and awareness initiatives, and the impact of initiatives on compliance behaviour. \nThe key objectives of the project are:\n1.        Background and literature study on how the 7Ps (product, price, promotion, place, physical evidence, process and people) marketing mix, as part of an internal social marketing approach, can be used to understand and enhance individuals' privacy awareness of social media usage. \n2.        Developing a framework, based on the 7Ps marketing mix, to understand and enhance individuals' privacy awareness of social media usage. \n3.        Evaluate the users' understanding and enhancement of privacy awareness of their social media usage through the developed framework. \n4.    Develop informed design guidelines for social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram) to promote and maintain online privacy compliance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460904 Information security management (50%)\n460402 Data and information privacy (25%)\n460910 Information systems user experience design and development (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Fair summarisation of opinions from user generated contents","description":"This project will develop novel technologies for generating fair summaries for user generated contents, such as online reviews, social media conversations and discussion forums. The project would explore state-of-the-art technologies for natural language processing, sentiment analysis, stance detection as well as multi-modal deep learning. The project would especially address the issue of biases in summarisation models. Expected outcomes of the project include a suite of machine learning and text mining algorithms for fair summarisation of user generated (multi-modal) contents.  \n\nKeywords: natural language processing, multi-modal machine learning, sentiment analysis","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Falk Scholer","title":"Information Access and Retrieval System Evaluation","description":"Test collections are widely used to evaluate IR system effectiveness by simulating users searching for a series of information needs [1]. Part of the simulation is a presumption that users will examine, in turn, the full text of each document retrieved. This is quite unlike an actual searcher who, after querying, scans a result page composed of summaries and selects documents to examine further. The summaries act as gate keepers to the documents behind. Summary quality and its impact on the ability of users to find relevant documents is critical to the success or failure of an IR system, yet this standard feature of retrieval interfaces has only been considered as part of the test collection approach to evaluation in a limited way.\nThis project will:\n1. Investigate and model user success at locating relevant documents when examining result summaries [2]. This work will be conducted across a range of search contexts and user groups. Variables will include: search task (task complexity, information need), collection (structured, unstructured), and user-specific (familiarity, interest, other demographic) features.\n2. Investigate the role of different measurement scales, including ordinal and magnitude-based [3], on assessing the usefulness of summaries.\n3. Develop and validate a novel evaluation methodology that incorporates the summary viewing step in the assessment of IR systems [4].\nReferences\n[1]. Ellen M. Voorhees and Donna K. Harman. TREC: experiment and evaluation in information retrieval. MIT Press, 2005.E.g. Y. Okada et al. Nature Materials 12 (2013) 707.\n[2]. Turpin, A., Scholer, F., J\u00e4rvelin, K., Wu, M., and Culpepper, J. S. (2009). Including summaries in system evaluation. In Proc. ACM SIGIR, pages 508\u2013515, Boston, MA.\n[3]. Maddalena, Eddy, Stefano Mizzaro, Falk Scholer, and Andrew Turpin. \"On Crowdsourcing Relevance Magnitudes for Information Retrieval Evaluation.\" ACM Transactions on Information Systems (TOIS) 35, no.3 (2017): 19.\n[4]. Ong, Kevin, Kalervo J\u00e4rvelin, Mark Sanderson, and Falk Scholer. \"Using Information Scent to Understand Mobile and Desktop Web Search Behavior.\" (2017).","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 (67.5%) ; 460806 (32.5%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tabinda Sarwar","title":"Using machine learning to study the human brain","description":"The human brain is one of the most complex and fascinating organs in the human body, and its study has been a major challenge for researchers. With advancements in technology and the availability of large datasets, machine learning techniques have shown great potential in helping us better understand the brain. The objective of this project is to develop machine learning models that can accurately classify brain MRI scans as normal or abnormal (in the presence of disease) and identify the regions of the brain that are affected. We will also investigate the relationship between various diseases and brain regions, and how they affect each other. We will utilize the publicly available dataset of brain MRI scans, including both healthy individuals and patients with various neurological diseases such as Autism and Depression. Different machine learning algorithms including deep neural networks will be utilized in the project. Using machine learning to study the human brain can provide valuable insights into the workings of this complex organ. By combining machine learning with brain imaging techniques such as MRI, we can develop powerful tools for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases. This study has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world suffering from neurological diseases.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/03\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4611 Machine learning (40%) ; 460102 Applications in health (30%) ; 110999 Neurosciences Not Elsewhere Classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science and Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fatemeh Shiri, Karin Verspoor","title":"Enhancing AI-Driven Clinical Decision-Making","description":"Advancements in AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) have the potential to transform clinical decision-making by improving diagnosis, prediction, and medical question-answering. However, challenges such as numerical reasoning, domain-specific knowledge gaps, and reliability concerns limit their effectiveness in real-world healthcare applications. This project aims to develop AI-driven solutions that enhance the accuracy, sensitivity, and trustworthiness of clinical decision-support systems. The research will contribute to improving AI's ability to process complex medical information, ultimately supporting more informed and reliable decision-making in healthcare.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460208 Natural language processing\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ryan Kelly, Nalin Arachchilage, Senuri Wijeyanake","title":"Enhancing Online Safety for Older Adults: Understanding and Preventing Scam Victimisation","description":"Older adults are disproportionately targeted by online scams. This PhD project will investigate the complex dynamics of how older adults engage with, respond to, and potentially fall victim to online scams, with the goal of designing safer digital environments.  \r\n\r\nThis project aims to investigate:  \r\n\r\n1) Existing Knowledge: Reviewing academic literature to understand the reasons why older adults are targeted for scams. \r\n\r\n2) Vulnerability Patterns: Understanding factors that influence older adults' susceptibility to various types of online scams.  \r\n\r\n3) Decision-Making Processes: Exploring how older adults evaluate trustworthiness and make decisions when encountering potentially fraudulent online content or interactions. \r\n\r\n4) Design Interventions: Developing and testing interventions that can effectively protect older adults without compromising their digital autonomy. \r\n\r\nThe project will employ a mixed-methods approach, potentially including interviews, experimental studies, co-design workshops and evaluation of prototype interfaces. \r\n\r\nExpected Outcomes include:  \r\n\r\n- Theoretical frameworks for understanding older adults' susceptibility to online scams.\r\n- Evidence-based design guidelines for age-appropriate online safety features\r\n- Practical interventions that can be implemented by digital platforms, service providers, and policymakers   \r\n\r\nCandidate Requirements: \r\n\r\n- Strong Bachelors \/ Honours degree or Masters in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline\r\n- Interest in technology use by older adults and\/or cybersecurity\r\n- Experience with qualitative and\/or quantitative research methods\r\n- Strong communication skills and empathy for working with diverse user groups\r\n\r\nThis project will be based in the School of Computing Technologies, with potential industry partnerships providing real-world application opportunities. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%) \r\n460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Estrid He","title":"Harnessing Large Language Models for Pragmatic Data Mining","description":"With the proliferation of digital information, extracting meaningful insights from vast amounts of textual data has become a critical challenge. This research endeavors to address this challenge by investigating how large language models, such as GPT-3.5 and other BERT-like deep learning models, can be effectively utilized to enhance data mining processes.\r\n\r\nThis project will develop innovative solutions for data mining problems, aiming to design models for extracting, categorizing, and summarizing textual information, with a special focus on pragmatic use of it -- its efficiency, scalability, and robustness. This project will also aim to investigate the application of text mining techniques for multi-modal data, combining both structured data sources and unstructured data (e.g., texts).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery\r\n461103 Deep learning"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Deng, Jenny Zhang","title":"Human-in-the-loop social media data mining to combat misinformation","description":"This project aims to address misinformation spread on social media by advancing social media data mining and machine learning technologies. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of human-in-the-loop machine learning utilizing new techniques to leverage human intelligence for human-machine collaborative systems for the detection and mitigation of misinformation on social media. Expected outcomes of the project include novel human-machine collaborative fact-checking, robust misinformation detection systems against adversarial attacks and machine learning-enabled misinformation mitigation. This should provide significant benefits in enhancing the integrity of the online information environment and the societal well-being of Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460806\tHuman-computer interaction\r\n460912\tKnowledge and information management\r\n460904\tInformation security management\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Data-driven brain network analysis","description":"The brain is a complex network of interconnected neurons, and understanding the structure and function of this network is essential for advancing our understanding of the brain and developing treatments for neurological disorders. This series of projects will develop new approaches for analysing and understanding brain network data and extracting insights into brain function. The data will be obtained from a variety of sources, including fMRI, EEG, and MEG, and will be processed using advanced data analysis and graph learning techniques. Potential research tasks include, e.g., multimodal integration of brain imaging data, computational modelling of brain networks, connectivity-based neuromodulation, network-level biomarkers of disease, developmental trajectories of brain networks, anomaly detection in brain networks, clinical applications of brain network analysis, etc.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (60%)\r\n461104 Neural networks (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia, Karin Verspoor","title":"Health data mining for predicting dementia","description":"Dementia is a debilitating neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Early detection of dementia can significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life, but the identification of at-risk individuals remains a challenge. As a process of analysing large volumes of health-related data to discover hidden patterns, relationships, and insights that can be used to improve healthcare outcomes, health data mining offers a promising approach to predicting dementia risk. The purpose of this set of projects is to develop and validate innovative machine learning models for predicting dementia risk based on health data mining. The data can come from various sources, including electronic health records, clinical trial results, insurance claims, and individual generated data. Some key challenges that will be addressed in these projects include, e.g., data quality, model efficiency, and privacy protection. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (30%)\r\n460102 Applications in health (30%)\r\n460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (40%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Knowledge-infused deep graph learning","description":"Knowledge-infused deep graph Learning combines knowledge representation and reasoning techniques with deep learning methods to learn from graph-structured data. In this approach, (domain-specific) prior knowledge, such as expert rules, ontologies, or taxonomies, is incorporated into deep graph learning models to improve their performance and interpretability. Some potential research topics in this line include, e.g., integration of multiple knowledge sources, multi-modal knowledge representation, handling noisy and incomplete knowledge, trustworthiness of knowledge graphs, knowledge-based model initialization and\/or pre-training, transfer learning across domains, explainability and interpretability of deep graph learning models. This research will explore the application (or applicability) of the proposed solutions in various domains, such as recommender systems, social computing, and disease diagnosis.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\r\n460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (30%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Neuroscience-inspired graph learning","description":"Neuroscience-inspired graph learning is a rapidly growing field of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), which is inspired by the structure and function of the human brain. This approach involves developing algorithms that can effectively learn and process graph-structured data, such as social networks, biological networks, and knowledge graphs. By drawing on insights from neuroscience, we can develop algorithms that are better suited to handling complex, structured data, and that can make more accurate predictions and classifications. The objective of this research is to develop and evaluate new algorithms for neuroscience-inspired graph learning that can effectively learn and process graph-structured data. These algorithms will be evaluated against existing machine learning algorithms over a range of data sets. This research will explore the potential applications of neuroscience-inspired graph learning in a variety of fields. ","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 10 - Reduced Inequalities , 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460201 Artificial life and complex adaptive systems (40%)\r\n460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (30%)\r\n461104 Neural networks (30%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao","title":"Pricing the Data Assets in Next-generation Data Marketplace","description":"This project aims to design 'optimal' prices for data assets to maximize the mutual benefit of both sellers and buyers. Here, we focus on two scenarios: 1) across companies where money is an appropriate incentive; 2) across organizations but using the shared data as the incentive, such as hospitals exchanging medical data. The key intellectual questions are on how to design the market rules when the asset is data, which is freely replicable and can be combined in many different ways. A requirement of a next-generation data market platform is to be resilient to strategic participants.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460501"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao, Shixun Huang, J. Shane Culpepper","title":"AI for Instance-Optimized Database Systems","description":"For over 40 years, Database Management Systems (DBMS) have been a core technology to store all data required by large applications. Given our reliance on DBMS to store, search, and analyze data, and the enormous increase in the amount of data they must manage, it is crucial that new algorithms need to be created. Unfortunately, improvements in traditional core database algorithms such as indexing have not improved signi\ufb01cantly for several years, leading to the belief that it is a \u201csolved problem\u201d. However, instance-optimized AI\/ML techniques are now showing real promise in advancing core DBMS techniques, and this active area is called AI4DB. Under the topic of AI4DB, this project aims to investigate how to design learning enhanced data structures and algorithms to solve the following fundamental problems: indexing techniques, index selection, cardinality estimation, cost estimation, and query plan optimization.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460505"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao","title":"Machine Learning Enhanced Algorithms for Big and Dynamic Graph Data Processing","description":"This project will develop machine learning enhanced algorithms for a range of fundamental problems in large scale graph data processing and analytics, such as shortest path discovery, structural graph clustering, and densest subgraph counting. It will also devise instance-optimized algorithms for these fundamental problems in different forms of graph, where dynamic graph (whose structures keep changing over time) is a main focus.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460509 (50%)\n460506 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao, J. Shane Culpepper, Hui Luo","title":"Responsible Data Preparation for Machine Learning","description":"With the increasing prevalence of online data markets, data preparation is an active topic to study how to discover relevant datasets, data cleaning and integration, datasets acquisition to either improve the accuracy of machine learning (ML) models, the efficiency of data selection, or the training efficiency of ML models. This project aims to advance the techniques in quality-aware data integration and cleaning, datasets discovery, datasets acquisition, and coreset selection.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 10 - Reduced Inequalities ","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460504"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Falk Scholer","title":"Interactive complex answer retrieval","description":"The research will focus on the task of complex answer retrieval (CAR). First of all, it will investigate a taxonomy of CAR tasks by examining questions of different complexity in community question answering (CQA) sites and user search logs. Further, it will compare the crowd-source evaluation of the CAR task with the conventional one and use the data for constructing a new evaluation testbed for CAR. Afterwards, it will compare performance of existing models and their variations on the obtained testbed. In the same manner, the project will try new approaches based on recently succeeded Deep Learning approaches in NLP and evaluate them. The project will also test a new unsupervised method to expand dataset for CAR from CQA platforms.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 (67.5%)\n 460806 (32.5%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham, Estrid He, School of Computing Technologies","title":"Enhancing discovery and use of hydrological data via knowledge graphs","description":"Access to hydrological data in Australia is currently limited in the way it is published, made available and managed. This presents friction in sourcing, use and reuse of fundamental hydrological data across applications like water availability and flood modelling. Data exists as static files and often requires GIS expertise to extract the required information for use in research projects e.g. monitoring stations, gauges, river networks, catchment boundaries, and related observations. The opportunity is to streamline access to the hydrological reference geographic features and observation data and integrate them in a way that allows inter-related information to be easily queried. This can be achieved via a knowledge graph of hydrological features, that is, a HydroKG. Knowledge graph technology has proven to enable capture of concepts, relationships and relevant data through mature tools and implementations. A HydroKG will provide the conceptual backbone for describing and relating fundamental hydrological concepts, such as, representing water bodies and their narrower types (like catchments, lakes) and river networks using readily available datasets such as the GeoFabric and HydroATLAS. This will enable hydrologists, researchers, and water managers with tools to query HydroKG to discovery and readily use hydrological information. An exciting prospect will be the application of this implementation to real-world applications in groundwater and surface water modelling. Specifically, this project will involve:\n - Constructing a knowledge graph of hydrological features and observation data in Australia and relevant APIs\n - Developing relevant and effective queries and visualisations for knowledge discovery of scientific workflows \n - Testing and benchmarking the performance of the HydroKG","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\n 460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\n 401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Digital Design","programcode":"DR235 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Teasley","title":"Neurodiversity and the museum: Enabling equitable digital access through design","description":"This PhD by practice will identify, prototype and test ways for Australia\u2019s museums, galleries, archives and libraries to improve the accessibility of their digital environments to people identifying as neurodivergent, using design methods such as UX\/UI, participatory design and co-design. The project, funded by the National Industry PhD program, will be delivered by a partnership between RMIT and the National Museum of Australia (NMA), supported by the Swayn Gallery of Australian Design, and includes 10-week placements with the NMA.\r\nDigital presence can enable organisations like the NMA to share knowledge at distance, supporting public literacy and widening audience participation. Australian galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) are increasing online content rapidly, growing regional and international audiences and creating pathways to societal and cultural impact. \r\nThe Disabilities Discrimination Act (1992) requires organisations to make all physical and digital products, services and environments \u2013 including online content \u2013 accessible to people with disabilities, including people who identify as neurodivergent. However, the GLAM sector has not systemically addressed its digital accessibility to neurodivergent-identifying audiences.\r\nResponding to this gap, this project aims are to identify and communicate global best practice, to develop and evaluate accessible digital content environments that are transferable and scalable, and to develop and share tools for co-creating accessible digital content formats. Outcomes may include a guide to best practice principles, transferable, adaptable content environments, and a design methods toolkit for use by digital teams and managers. Potential benefits include fuller access and greater participation in cultural heritage for people identifying as neurodiverse.\r","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"03\/05\/2024","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"330306\tDesign practice and methods (50%)\r\n330310\tInteraction and experience design (25%)\r\n430206\tHeritage collections and interpretations (25%)\r"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brad Haylock, Stephen Banham, Jenny Grigg, Neal Haslem, Andy Simionato, Laurene Vaughan, Noel Waite","title":"Typography and Design for Publishing","description":"The School of Design at RMIT welcomes candidates seeking to undertake research in Typography and Design for Publishing. Research in this area spans practice-based and theoretical approaches, and applied and speculative approaches. Studies broadly address matters of book typography, editorial design, type design and lettering, and commercial, independent or speculative publishing. Topics might include but are not limited to: the future of the book; book design methodology; innovations in publishing processes or modes of publishing; typography in the public sphere; and publishing as a critical practice. Researchers in this area might also take a design-led approach to questions relating to the sociology of books, publishing and reading, or to small-press and artist-book publishing. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"4,11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Banham, Marius Foley, Jenny Grigg, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, James Oliver, Toni Roberts, Andy Simionato, Nicola St John, Laurene Vaughan, Oliver Vodeb, Noel Waite","title":"Communication Design Research","description":"The School of Design at RMIT supports specialist research in the discipline of Communication Design and its subdomains or related fields, including but not limited to graphic design, interpretation design, branding, packaging and data visualisation. Research in this area might extend from a communication design standpoint into topics and domains such as design strategy, service design, design for social innovation, design for social change, design for community building, human-centred design, and inclusive design. Studies in this area may also examine discipline-specific pedagogies and practice methods. Candidates with a specialist focus in communication design research might conduct practice-based research or might deploy traditional research methods. Candidates might present practice artefacts and an exegetical dissertation for examination, or they may write a traditional thesis, subject to the particular focus of the individual research. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design), 120302 Design Innovation, 120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Auger, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Frank Feltham, Liam Fennessy, Judith Glover, Pirjo Haikola, Simon Lockrey, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Juan Sanin, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Malte Wagenfeld","title":"Industrial Design Research","description":"The School of Design at RMIT supports specialist research in the discipline of Industrial Design and its subdomains or related fields, including but not limited to product design, furniture design, ergonomics and product-service systems. Research in this area might extend from an industrial design perspective into topics and domains such as service design, design for social innovation, design for social change, safeness by design, human-centred design, sustainable design, and inclusive design. Studies in this area may also examine discipline-specific pedagogies and practice methods. Candidates with a specialist focus in industrial design research might conduct practice-based research or might deploy traditional research methods. Candidates might present practice artefacts and an exegetical dissertation for examination, or they may write a traditional thesis, subject to the particular focus of the individual research. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120305 Industrial Design, 120302 Design Innovation"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Teasley, Brad Haylock, Oliver Vodeb, Noel Waite, Jenny Grigg","title":"Critical, Historical and Theoretical Studies in Design","description":"This area of focus supports researchers undertaking studies in design history, theory and criticism. Topics might include: new modes of design criticism, new regional design histories, critical design historiography, and new theories of design. Critical design studies might take regional, feminist, decolonising, Indigenous, LGBTIQA+, or other, or variously intersectional standpoints to contribute to emergent discourses in design. New design histories may focus on people, places, themes or modes of practice that have been overlooked or under-recognised by research to date. Research in this area might also examine the modes by which design histories or theories are produced and reproduced, for example in education or publishing. Candidates in this area will typically present a thesis for examination, but may also undertake practice-based research, for example through curatorial practice. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"3,4,5,8,9,10,11,12,13,16,17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120301 Design History and Theory"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jaz Choi, Jonathan Duckworth, Troy Innocent, Rohit Khot, Gina Moore, Matthew Riley","title":"Design for Playful Interaction","description":"Play is a methodology for creative practice that traverses diverse disciplines, materials, spaces and modes of interaction. Knowledge and techniques from games and interaction design inform research on innovative cyber-physical systems that are captivating, transformative and productive. Application areas at RMIT School of Design include Human-Food Interaction (HFI), playable cities and care-full design. Contemporary concerns with food include technological, environmental, and social disruptions, ranging from food security to agricultural sustainability to rising obesity and diminishing commensality. Playable cities use creative technologies to situate citizens within experiences that allow them to re-imagine, reconnect and reinvent their world. Care-fully designing playful engagement embodies care as a matter of concern; its ethics and logic guides conceptual, methodological, and translational undertakings. We seek research candidates in this area who are passionate about exploring design for playful engagement through transdisciplinary research and practice in\/across different fields of design \u2013 including but not limited to interaction \/ experience \/ service. Interests and experience in co-creative, trans-disciplinary, practice-based methods are highly valued.","sdg":"2,3,11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Digital and Interaction Design\n190203 Electronic Media Art"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Areli Avendano Franco, Stephen Banham, Chris Barker, Joshua Batty, Ben Byrne, Jaz Choi, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Mick Douglas, Jonathan Duckworth, Frank Feltham, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Jenny Grigg, Pirjo Haikola, Jeff Hannam, Lawrence Harvey, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, Leah Heiss, Chris Henschke, Troy Innocent, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Mark Lycette, James Manning, Marcia Nancy Mauro-Flude, Christian McCrea, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, James Oliver, Thomas Penney, John Power, Matthew Riley, Toni Roberts, Juan Sanin, Andy Simionato, Nicola St John, Helen Stuckey, Li Ping Thong, Dan Torre, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Darrin Verhagen, Oliver Vodeb, Malte Wagenfeld, Noel Waite, Douglas Wilson, Shaun Wilson, Emma Witkowski, Ian de Vere","title":"Generative Practice Research in Design","description":"The Generative Practice Research mode of practice research in design crosses boundaries between professional and academic research. This practice-based research approach enables practitioner-researchers to generate new kinds of practices \u2014 within a discipline or across disciplines \u2014 in response to challenges and concerns emerging in a changing world and amidst transformations across practice domains. Candidates in this area might be early-career practitioners seeking to enter into a period of deep inquiry that transforms a set of practice-based interests into a more developed practice with well-articulated emphases, agendas and approaches. They might equally be mid- or later-career practitioners seeking to generate a new practice trajectory through a transformation of their established mastery. Research candidates in this area demonstrate their findings publicly in ways most appropriate to the particularities of their practice research, usually through an exhibit, a written dissertation and a presentation to examiners. This area of research focusses on the generation of new knowledge in the form of previously unarticulated approaches to practice, informed by specific issues and challenges that direct researchers' generative inquiries.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Stephen Banham, Chris Barker, Joshua Batty, Ben Byrne, Jaz Choi, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Jonathan Duckworth, Frank Feltham, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Jenny Grigg, Pirjo Haikola, Jeff Hannam, Lawrence Harvey, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, Leah Heiss, Chris Henschke, Troy Innocent, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Mark Lycette, James Manning, Marcia Nancy Mauro-Flude, Christian McCrea, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, James Oliver, Thomas Penney, John Power, Matthew Riley, Toni Roberts, Juan Sanin, Andy Simionato, Nicola St John, Helen Stuckey, Li Ping Thong, Dan Torre, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Darrin Verhagen, Oliver Vodeb, Malte Wagenfeld, Noel Waite, Douglas Wilson, Shaun Wilson, Emma Witkowski, Sarah Teasley, Deb Polson","title":"Reflective Industry Practice Research in Design","description":"Reflective Industry Practice Research in Design involves practitioner-researchers operating largely in a professional environment, generally with a peer-reviewed and award-winning body of work developed over 10 years or more. These practitioners-researchers have already developed recognised mastery in their field. In this area of research focus in RMIT School of Design, experienced practitioners become practitioner-ressearchers who interrogate their own practices in order to explicate and disseminate their disciplinary knowledge, defining its enabling structures, its knowledge bases, and the implications of the nexus between these for emerging forms of research-led practice. They conclude by speculating through design on the nature of their future practice. They demonstrate their findings publicly, through an exhibit, a presentation to examiners, and a written dissertation. This mode of research extends and develops the knowledge base of the design professions, and thus their ability to serve society.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Jaz Choi, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Pirjo Haikola, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, James Oliver, Toni Roberts, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Oliver Vodeb, Noel Waite, Juan Sanin, Sarah Teasley, Deb Polson","title":"Design for Social Innovation and Sustainable Futures\n","description":"Social impact relates to the capacity to create positive social change for communities, individuals and ecologies. In recent years, designers have been moving beyond engaging with consumer culture, instead exploring new forms of practice, including design for social innovation. In response to these informed narratives, designers must realise the potential of design as an agent of change to make a broader contribution to society, rather than to enhance marketability by influencing consumer behaviour. This area of research focus also responds to pressing concerns surrounding sustainability, arising from current rapid extinction of species, habitat loss and displacement of more-than-human communities, and recognises the moral and practical crises in design that have contributed to such conditions. Established research in the School of Design in this area of focus includes fighting food waste, design to support natural ecologies in the face of climate change, and designing against crime. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Jaz Choi, Simon Curlis, Jonathan Duckworth, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Pirjo Haikola, Neal Haslem, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Scott Mitchell, Toni Roberts, Juan Sanin, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Darrin Verhagen","title":"Design for Health, Wellbeing and Aging","description":"Design research has an active role to play in how society changes the ways people access and experience services and engagements, from the organisational through to the socio-political level. This area of research focus emphasises the importance of design in relation to health, wellbeing and aging. Researchers in this area explore the deployment of design to reimagine health, resilience and care. Candidates might draw on generative or applied practice research approaches in human-centred design, or upon product design, ethnographic approaches, co-creatives processes and iterative and reflective practices. Specific themes and areas of inquiry might include but are not limited to: serious games for health; interaction design for health applications; design innovation for sexual health; design for dementia treatment; and interaction design for mindful eating. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"1,2,3,4,5,8,11,16","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Auger, Olivier Cotsaftis, Liam Fennessy, Pirjo Haikola, Brad Haylock, Scott Mitchell, Andy Simionato, Laurene Vaughan, Oliver Vodeb, Jaz Choi, Toni Roberts, Sarah Teasley","title":"Speculative and Critical Design","description":"Speculative Design and Critical Design projects and practices interrogate the status quo in various ways, or propose variously unorthodox future scenarios. These modes of practice often explicitly challenge the current state of design itself: its narrowing pathways, prevailing assumptions, and corporate agendas. In this area of focus, RMIT School of Design welcomes researchers who deploy the principles, methods or ethics of critical and speculative design to interrogate received assumptions and practices in domains ranging from governance, politics, technological development, human interactions, and design practice itself. Research candidates in this area demonstrate their findings in ways most appropriate to the particularities of their research. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Digital Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ben Byrne, Jonathan Duckworth, Jeff Hannam, Lawrence Harvey, Chris Henschke, Troy Innocent, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Mark Lycette, James Manning, Marcia Nancy Mauro-Flude, Christian McCrea, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, Thomas Penney, John Power, Matthew Riley, Helen Stuckey, Li Ping Thong, Dan Torre, Laurene Vaughan, Darrin Verhagen, Douglas Wilson, Shaun Wilson, Emma Witkowski","title":"Digital Design Research","description":"The School of Design at RMIT supports specialist research in the discipline of Digital Design and its subdomains or related fields, including but not limited to games, animation, interaction design and user experience design. Specific areas of digital design research include cinematic Virtual Reality, Esports, embodied interaction, creative coding, audio essays, computational culture and performance. Studies in this area may also examine discipline-specific pedagogies and practice methods. Candidates with a specialist focus in digital design research might conduct practice-based research or might deploy traditional research methods. Candidates might present practice artefacts and an exegetical dissertation for examination, or they may write a traditional thesis, subject to the particular focus of the individual research. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120303 Digital and Interaction Design\n190202 Computer Gaming and Animation\n190203 Electronic Media Art\n190504 Performance and Installation Art\n200102 Communication Technology and Digital Media Studies\n200212 Screen and Media Culture"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lawrence Harvey, Darrin Verhagen, Ben Byrne, Jordan Lacey, Scott Mitchell, Joshua Batty, Frank Feltham, Jeffrey Hannam","title":"Sound, Music and Acoustics","description":"Developments in spatial sound technology from the mid- to late-20th century enabled the creation, delivery and research of complex acoustic environments. Whereas music and concert halls were once the privileged location of advanced human auditory experience, digital technology has greatly expanded the potential for new types of spatial sound and soundscapes. Applicants are invited to consider contributions to research areas that include: urban soundscape designs for multi-channel systems; evaluating urban soundscape designs and urban soundscape planning models; software projects for spatialised performance, installations or gesture control; spatialised performance\/electroacoustic performance practise; analysis of contemporary spatial compositions and installation practice; integrating 3D design softwares within spatial sound designs; and experimental acoustic design. Applicants must have intermediate to advanced skills in studio production to realise their research.","sdg":"3,9,11,12,13","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Urban Futures, Information and Systems","forcodes":"120104 Architectural Science and Technology\n120302 Design innovation\n190203 Electronic Media Art\n190504 Performance and Installation Art"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"The Intended and Unintended Impact of Policy for Adaptive Policy Management. ","description":"The project aims to advance knowledge about the intended and unintended consequences of policy on health and well-being. It expects to innovate through new methods and novel data to integrate policy evaluation into the policy cycle in a timely fashion to prevent harm from occurring. It also leverages technology to track policy effects in real time. Expected outcomes of this project include new knowledge and enhanced policy infrastructure using new methods and interdisciplinary approaches. Significant benefits include improvements to: (1) policy management by government departments; (2) the health and wellbeing of the Australians they serve; (3) our Partners' capacity to consult governments on how technology can assist policy management.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"380108"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bronwyn Coate","title":"Entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative industries ","description":"As a response to the perpetually challenging funding environment in the arts and cultural sector, cultural or creative entrepreneurship has been proposed as an alternative funding source allowing an independent living from creative practice. Cultural or creative entrepreneurship has been advocated by governments within the framing of cultural policy. However, the successful commercialisation of creative ideas and practice requires particular skills and competencies, distinct from creative talent, that may to an extent, be acquired. \r\n\r\nThis project will use approaches and insights from the disciplines of cultural economics and entrepreneurship to better understand creative entrepreneurship and how it is enabled (as well as barriers to its realisation) with a view  to informing policy designed to support innovation and sustainable growth in the cultural and creative industries. \r\nAs a sector in which underpayment and low income are the norm for most creative practitioners, this project is interested to explore how cultural and creative entrepreneurship can deliver benefits by both better supporting artists' livelihoods while contributing to the flourishment of the cultural and creative sector.   \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 4 Design and Creative Practice Industries","forcodes":"380199 Applied economics\r\n350704 Entrepreneurship\r\n470204 Cultural and creative Industries"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peyman Khezr, Babak Abbasi, AISSC ","title":"Auctions and bidding by demanders in last-mile delivery","description":"The aim of this project is to study appropriate auction design for a situation where individuals bid for the amount they are willing to pay for the delivery of a package with a given size. We are going to investigate the problem at three different stages. First, we use auction theory to study auctions that are suitable for the pupose of bidding in last mile delivery. Second we use operations research to study proper algorithms that optimise the last mile delivery both in terms of distance travelled and the value of the items. Finally we use lab experiments to test the methods with human subjects and provide further evidence regarding their performance. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"information in Society","forcodes":"380304 Microeconomic theory 20%\r\n380106 Experimental economics 30% \r\n350903 Logistics 20%\r\n490108 Operations research 30%"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zsuzsanna Csereklyei, Anne Kallies","title":"Energy Transitions in Electricity Markets","description":"Electricity generation landscapes are rapidly changing around the world. Advances and cost reductions in renewable electricity generation and storage technologies have fueled an unprecedented energy transition in the power generation sector. Electricity consumption is predicted to keep increasing worldwide, hand in hand with economic development, and a shift towards higher reliance on electricity in the energy mix, fueled by the electrification of ransport and industrial processes. This ongoing transition poses a major challenge to our electricity systems and markets, which were originally not designed to accommodate high levels of intermittent, low or zero marginal cost generation. Regulators are grappling to design and adjust market frameworks that can support a more sustainable, but also reliable and affordable electricity system of the future. These goals are however challenging, as the long-run economic and system stability implications of different market frameworks are not entirely understood. The proposed research projects either in the field of economics or law, will investigate the impact of different legal frameworks, regulations and incentive policies on electricity market economics and transitions. These may include but are not limited to the problems of market design and investment adequacy, placing economic value on dispatchability, flexibility, and the evaluation of capacity markets, optimal levels of horizontal and vertical integration, and examining the role of prosumers from a legal and economic perspective. The project will enrich RMIT ECPs capabilities on energy transitions and will develop interdisciplinary RMIT collaboration between economics and law. Its innovative offering addresses industry needs and provides the basis for ongoing work in this area. In particular, this research is aligned with the Information and Systems ECP, which is hosting the energy@rmit network, by 1) deepening our understanding of how regulation and market design influences the economic viability of new technologies and transitions ; 2) building collaboration with public and private sector partners (including regulators) to generate research-driven change and impact in value-driven innovation in electricity markets and create opportunities for energy@RMIT. Professor Sanderson, the ECP director is happy to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Informations and Systems","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Preety Pratima Srivastava","title":"Economic disadvantage and children\u2019s health, behavioural and educational outcomes","description":"There is significant evidence that children\u2019s developmental outcomes have long-term consequences for their educational performance and economic wellbeing in adulthood. A large body of research has shown that children growing up in poverty exhibit poorer cognitive, socio-emotional and health outcomes relative to children who are not economically deprived. Growing up in poor households or neighbourhoods and attending a disadvantaged school have been found to be associated with poorer child outcomes. Arguably, economic deprivation is a multidimensional measure of deprivation across a range of domains. Because of the importance of the early years of childhood for developmental outcomes, the timing of economic disadvantage is also important. Researchers have argued that poverty early in life has more detrimental long-term effects. This project aims to examine the relationship between family, neighbourhood and school level disadvantage and children\u2019s cognitive, socio-emotional and health outcome using a life course approach. It attempts to answer questions such as: What are the various domains of economic disadvantage and to what extent do they overlap? How and when does economic disadvantage influence children\u2019s educational, socio-emotional wellbeing and health outcomes? Is there a gender gap in the effect of economic disadvantage on children\u2019s outcomes?","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"140299"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lisa Farrell","title":"Investigating the importance of food waste and food insecurity as determinants of health and wellbeing","description":"This project will investigate the importance of food waste and food insecurity as determinants of health and wellbeing. While food waste and recycling habits at the household level has been researched the links between lowering food waste and health and wellbeing is not well researched. There are possible health benefits (i.e., from eating fresher food) and costs (i.e., from overeating to avoid wasting food) associated with lowering food waste and hence associated impacts on wellbeing. Further, understanding how food insecurity is related to food waste is important for health and wellbeing outcomes. Households suffering food insecurity may have different food consumption habits that may lead to different kinds of food waste and different health and wellbeing outcomes. Understanding food behaviours is essential for evidence based policy recommendations that promote a effective circular economy. The project will commence with an extensive review of the literature in this space. This will be followed by an econometric study of large population based household dataset within Australia and Internationally. This secondary data analysis will be complimented with a smaller detailed primary data collection focusing on survey data relating to the themes from the secondary data analysis. Clear policy recommendations will be sought for government, food poverty agencies and other stakeholders. This unique research project will see the you working alongside leading Australian organisations in the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (https:\/\/fightfoodwastecrc.com.au), a $120 million, 10 year, Australia wide, whole of value chain industry-led research collaboration","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change; Urban Futures","forcodes":"3801 (Applied Economics + 380108 (Health Economics) + 4206 (Public Health)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"MR203 \/ DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Caroline Chen, Daisy Chou and Gaoping Zheng","title":"ESG news, management behaviour and firm decision","description":"While environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information has received increasing attention in practitioner circles and among academics, the focus has been on internal ESG information quality and managerial decisions. The extent to which external ESG news matters for corporate managerial decisions needs further exploration. External ESG news may alter expectations of related corporate behaviours from investors, finance providers, customers, analysts and even regulators, which may alter managerial decisions. Besides examining the impacts of external ESG news on managerial decisions, this project also investigates the channels through which ESG news affects managers who may also display different behavioural biases. ESG consideration may affect various managerial decisions related to investments, finance, financial reporting, corporate governance, and digitalisation. These managerial decisions may also lead to different capital market reactions, which should be examined.\r\nThis PhD project will apply theory and principles in sustainable finance, behavioural finance and Fintech to corporate finance, governance and capital market. In particular, the focus will be whether and how increasing popularity in ESG information affects manager behaviours and firm decisions and further explore the related capital market consequences.\r\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in finance and economics, research methods, strong data analytic skills, and experience working with large datasets.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"MR203 \/ DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen, Thao Tran","title":"Internationalisation, Financial Integration and Bank risk","description":"The traditional portfolio theory argues that geographic expansion can lower bank risks if returns generated by additional assets are imperfectly correlated with those generated by existing assets. However, geographic expansion may hinder bank headquarters\u2019 capacity to monitor their subsidiaries and branches abroad, hence, yielding a potentially negative impact on overall bank asset quality. The recent global banking and financial crises have further reinvigorated the debate on the benefits of financial market integration. Financial integration may increase the risk of cross border contagion and thus the probability of widespread banking failures. As bank risk can have a first-order effect on financial and economic stability, mitigating bank risk has become a focus of many national and international regulations to avoid future financial crises. Much of the focus on such reforms has been on constraining banks\u2019 risk within one country. However, banks may engage in regulatory arbitrage, circumventing strict domestic regulations by taking more risk abroad. This raises the question of how bank internationalization affects the risk of individual banks, especially in the context of current financial integration. Our research project aims to address this critical research question. The study is expected to have important implications for policy makers on adjusting supervisory approaches and structures to the geographical scope of banking activities, reducing the likelihood of individual as well as widespread banking crises.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"Crisis and recovery in Australian cultural industries: measuring the impact of COVID-19","description":"This project specifically addresses an urgent crisis in contemporary Australian culture: the severe economic downturn in the cultural and creative industries caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project aims to generate vital new knowledge into the contemporary state of cultural and creative industries, giving policy makers a roadmap to recovery for Australian cultural life. The HDR scholarship being offered will contribute to a larger project being undertaken across a consortium of Universities that brings together leading researchers from a range of disciplines that share an interest in understanding the creative economy. The specific contribution that the HDR candidate will make towards the larger project offers some leeway depending upon the educational background and experience of the candidate. It is however, expected that as a scholarship provided through the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing that the candidate will have suitable qualifications from one of these areas broadly defined. The project embraces interdisciplinary methodology grounded in the study of cultural and creative industries and has both a quantitative and qualitative component. A central question that will be addressed by the project is: what has been the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian cultural production? A further related question is: how have the cultural industries, including artists and creatives, responded to the crisis? While a third aspect of the project will address: how audiences and the general public value the cultural industries in Australia? The successful candidate will be expected to contribute towards addressing one of these questions as part of their HDR studies. Note for panel: An ARC SRI application for this project has been submitted through Monash University (SR200200396). If the ARC application is funded there will be a HDR scholarship provided by the ARC that would go to Monash. This application and any resulting scholarship awarded would support a candidate based and supervised primarily here at RMIT. In the event the ARC application is not successful members of the project team still plan to undertake research (some of which has begun) on the impact and implications of COVID-19 for the cultural sector. Furthermore, within the BBL there is research underway that aligns with this project investigating the impact of external shocks on peoples economising behaviours.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice and Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Banita Bissoondoyal-Bheenick, Xiaolu Hu","title":"Firm Centrality and Credit Rating","description":"There is a nexus between the firm and the economy through the trading connections along with the supply chain. Hence, the economy can be seen as a trade network with topology characteristics, where trading entities work as nodes and trading between them act as links. Previous studies find that the position in the trading network plays an importance role that economic shocks propagate through trade links (Long and Plosser, 1983; Acemoglu et al., 2012) and firms in the centre of the trade link are exposed to more information. However, it is still unclear if these firms are associated with higher credit risk. The literature suggests that on the one hand, firms located in the centre of the trade network are exposed to higher systematic risk since they are more likely to be affected by shocks from their trading partners (Ahern, 2013) and on the other hand, central firms are more resilient to external shock through diversified trading relationship (Ramirez, 2017; Herskovic et al., 2020).\rThe PhD project will assess the relationship between a firm\u2019s position in the trading network and its credit rating as well as how the credit risk spread along the supply chain vary over time. Specifically, the candidate will use the US input-output tables (I-O table) and the topological method to identify the positions of US companies in their domestic trading network and investigate how this position affects their credit ratings. The candidate will further evaluate how a central firm\u2019s credit rating impacts the ratings of its trading partners.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods and data analysis skill. The supervision team consists of experts in asset pricing and credit risk. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 2 Organizational Transformation and Innovation Capabilities Enhancement; GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement; GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong, Di Mo","title":"The impact of digitalisation in financial markets","description":"The conversion of traditional finance to the digital era requires trading exchanges to be digitized and assets to be tokenized. The digitalization process is likely to give rise to additional risks, such as operational risks and technological risks, etc. It is crucial to understand these additional risks to adapt to fast-paced digital era in financial markets. This HDR project aims to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the digitalization process in finance around the world, and explore its implications for financial markets from regulatory, pricing, and risk management perspectives. It can be further extended to explore cross-country differences in the staggered implementation of digitalization in financial markets. This could assist policymakers in designing governance and risk management strategies to facilitate the digitalization process in finance.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods, principles of risk management, and advanced understanding of digital finance and financial technology. The supervision team consists of experts in investment, risk management and asset pricing. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance; GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement","forcodes":"350201"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong, Xiaolu Hu","title":"Behavioral shift and biases in sustainable investment","description":"There has been tremendous growth in sustainable investment in global financial markets in the recent decade. Existing research in finance largely focuses on investment decision making without considering investors' preferences for social good. Recently, the burgeoning literature on sustainable finance highlights investor preferences towards an optimal balance between risk-return tradeoff and societal wellbeing. This can have important effects on their investment making process. The related area in exploring the behavioral shift constitutes a promising area of future research.\rThis PhD project will apply theory and principles in behavioral finance to sustainable investment. This project aims to investigate the behavioral biases exhibited by investors in sustainable investment in different asset classes and the relevant price impact. The focus will be on whether and how increasing popularity in sustainable investment distorts investors' decision-making process and induces biased decisions and reactions to corporate events.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods, principles of behavioral finance, and a passion for sustainable investment. The supervision team consists of experts in investment, sustainable finance and asset pricing. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance; GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement; GBI 1 Collaborative Design Approaches for Innovation","forcodes":"350201"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen","title":"Cybercrime Law and Financial Stability Around the World","description":"Attacks on information and communication technology systems (cyberattacks) are rising globally, and financial services continue to be the most targeted industry. According to a recent estimate by the IMF, average annual losses to financial institutions from cyber-attacks could reach a few hundred billion dollars a year. Successful cyber-attacks such as Wannacry in May 2017 or NoPetya in June 2017 have shown that cyber-attack can lead to severe disruptions and major damages for the targeted industries.\rTwo ongoing trends exacerbate this risk. First, the global financial system is going through an unprecedented digital transformation, which is being accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, the pandemic has heightened demand for online financial services and made work-from-home arrangements the norm. Central banks around the globe are also considering adopting digital currencies and modernizing payment systems. In this time of transformation, malicious actors such as cyber attacks can pose a growing threat to the global financial system, financial stability, and public confidence in the integrity of the system. Cybercrime law plays an important role in strengthening the resilience of financial system against cyber-attacks. Since the 1980s, countries around the world have enacted and enforced cybercrime law. However, the empirical evidence investigating the effectiveness of cybercrime law on financial stability is lacking. Our study attempts to fill this knowledge gap in the literature by examining whether cybercrime law promotes financial stability across 165 developed and developing countries during 1980 to 2019.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance;ISE 4 Cyber Security;SC 2 Transformations in mobility, migration and security;","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen","title":"Entrepreneurship and digital finance sources","description":"Financing has always been an important and puzzling topic not only for large listed corporations but also for entrepreneurial firms. Several theories, including the pecking order theory, the trade-off theory, asymmetric information, credit rationing and the life cycle theory, have been developed to address the capital structure choice of listed corporations. The extent to which these theories explain entrepreneurial firms\u2019 choice of finance is relatively underdeveloped (Frank and Goyal 2003; Lee et al. 2015). At the same time, in the last decade, many countries around the world have developed new ways for entrepreneurs to raise finance such as accelerators, incubators, equity crowdfunding and blockchain based techniques such as ICO. The entrepreneurial finance literature so far, however, is very segmented and focus exclusively on a single source of financing (mostly focuses on the \u201ctraditional\u201d bank debt financing and venture capital funding sources (i.e., Cumming and Groh, 2018)) while neglecting the dependencies and interconnections between the different types of financing instruments. This stands contrast with the practice that entrepreneurs raise funds from new sources or from a combination of different forms of finance. Hence, we need a better understanding of how these various (new and\/or traditional) sources of financing interact and how different combinations enhance entrepreneur\u2019s successful exit.\rAccordingly, our project will investigate whether entrepreneurial firm\u2019s finance choice affect firm\u2019s successful exit and how differences in international institutional settings affect entrepreneurial firms\u2019 finance choice and their success at the exit stage.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance;SC 3 Transformations in digital society and economy;","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong","title":"Digital Finance CRC (DFCRC) Industrial PhD Scholarship - Tokenisation of Environmental Markets: Specifically looking at the tokenisation of carbon permits and derivative carbon assets","description":"Digital Finance CRC (DFCRC) Industrial PhD Scholarship - Tokenisation of Environmental Markets: Specifically looking at the tokenisation of carbon permits and derivative carbon assets","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"380105, 380107"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Emawtee(Banita) Bissoondoyal-Bheenick, Angel Zhong","title":"Investor sentiment and Australian superannuation funds","description":"Investor sentiment describes investors\u2019 misinterpretation driven by mood, emotion and attitude that can potentially cause mispricing. Research in investor sentiment in Australia is in its infancy. This project proposes to construct a publicly available Australian Investor Sentiment index to price Australian stocks and measure voltility in the stock market. Further, the project assesses if sentiment index drives the intuitional investment of Superannuation Funds in Australia. One important set of institutional investors that requires significant attention are Australian Superfunds. Th retirement nest-egg of individuals is largely dependent on the investment held by Superannuation members. While a common theme in this area is de-risking as we go to different phases of life, it is well known we are faced with the problem of longevity and Australian Superannuation Funds hold a large proportion of investment in the equity markets, Hence, as an important institutional investor in this market, the project will explore how sentiment impacts the strategic and tactical asset allocation in equity both domestic and international over time.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, strong data analytic skills, experience working with large datasets, sound knowledge in asset pricing and funds management. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform (Collaborative design approaches for innovation and Organisational transformation and innovation capabilities enhancement).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Simon Pervan, Kieran Tierney","title":"Trading off benefits to self and other for sustainable consumption","description":"Achieving sustainable consumer behaviour presents many challenges for marketers but we play a critical role in helping to achieve Australia\u2019s as well as global sustainability goals. In a recent Journal of Marketing article, White, Habib and Hardisty (2019) present several propositions to suggest paths to overcoming these hurdles. This include the self-other trade-off where consumers must forgo benefits or incur costs for themselves to achieve external benefits for others or \u201call\u201d. Also, the problem of abstractedness where the outcomes of sustainable behaviour are unclear or difficult to determine.\nThis project invites a PhD applicant to examine one or more of these propositions to empirically examine the suggested relationships through experimental design and to propose additional theory for testing to understand the mediating processes of effects that show enhanced or diminished sustainable consumption habits.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Foula Kopanidis, Mike Reid","title":"Understanding Ecosystem influence on the Health and Wellbeing practices of Midlife Women.","description":"From a health and wellbeing perspective, middle age (45 \u2013 65) is viewed as a pivotal period in one\u2019s life course in terms of engaging in proactive behaviours and practices that influence healthy aging (Lachman et al., 2015; Steptoe, 2019). It is a population group that is under researched. Importantly, the \u2018feminisation of ageing\u2019 (Esser & Ward, 2013) means that increased emphasis is required to improve women\u2019s health and lifestyles, particularly as women encounter new sets of lifestyle challenges in their middle years and retirement (Tuohy & Cooney, 2019). Measuring behaviours in the context of health and aging that move beyond measuring single psychosocial or biological predictors (Fiacco, Mernone & Ehlert, 2020) have shown to align with positive health practices and behaviours (Aspinwall, 2010). This PhD project will recognise health and well-being as a dynamic, personal ecosystem that integrates a broader biological, psychological, and social perspective to better understand this cohort and the implications for service systems (Domegan, et al., 2016).\rThe successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate flexibility and openness in addressing real world and conceptual challenges around the ecosystem that influences women\u2019s health and wellbeing. Candidates will need a solid understanding of social marketing theory and practice and an ability to undertake mixed methods research including qualitative interviews, case studies, and quantitative survey. The project aligns with the Social Change Enabling Capability Platform (ECP) at RMIT University and the challenge of how can we understand and help shape possible futures for health and social support.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bronwyn Coate","title":"Behavioural Economics of Culture and the Creative Industries","description":"Culture and the arts (including the products of the creative industries and cultural heritage) generate not only value to producers and consumers but also have non-market effects on society such as externalities and public goods. Also, much consumer and producer decision making in the cultural industries inherently goes beyond rational choice, involving intrinsic and social motivations, personality, emotions, fashions and fads, social influence, intuition and instinct and many others.\nThis PhD project will use behavioural economics and psychology to better understand individual economic activity in the cultural industries. Behavioural approaches use different empirical methods to better understand individual decision making including experiments in the lab, field or online, as well as psychometric and psychophysiological measurement. It is envisaged that the successful candidate will use one or more of these in a multi-disciplinary approach to different aspects of cultural economic decision making. Potential examples include: artist motivations and personality, audience appreciation and affect, authenticity and art fakes and price discovery in cultural markets.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, principles of psychology and\/or economics. The supervision team will include specialists from both cultural and behavioural economics. The project will be based within RMIT\u2019s Behavioural Business Lab that includes a vibrant PhD and researcher community and state-of-the art laboratory facilities in central Melbourne. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peyman Khezr","title":"Behavioural economics of the real estate market","description":"Real estate markets are a cornerstone of every economy due to their contribution to financial transactions, individual debts and assets. In the macroeconomy, house prices are often used as an economic barometer and construction industry activity is a known motor of the business cycle. While buying and selling houses are the most costly, infrequent and long-lasting decisions the average person makes in the economy, the process is rife with a plethora of irrational behaviours and psychological processes that have been much studied in other business and economic contexts. There is an urgent need to better understand real estate buyer and seller behaviour from the behavioural economic perspective because they have considerable effects on the outcome of individual financial well-being and the economic climate. This project aims to develop better theories of behavioural decision making in all aspects of real estate and to test these using empirical behavioural tools such as experiments and psychometric surveys.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bronwyn Coate, Sveta Angelopolous","title":"Creative placemaking: Understanding and measuring economic and social benefits from the arts and culture","description":"Creative placemaking to leverage the arts and culture as well as creativity more broadly, has featured in economic development policies targeted at geo-specific areas, including notably at localised community levels including Local Government Areas (LGAs), as well as broader regions and cities (e.g. cities belonging to the Creative Cities Network). Despite the prominence of creative economy strategies at various levels, evidence on the effectiveness of these policies in creating a sense of place is limited. How these policies translate to providing economic and social benefits also remains a challenge to policymakers and governments at various levels. Art and culture has often been associated with vibrant communities and its contribution to enriching wellbeing situates it in a unique category. As a public good, its value is difficult to identify and measure using traditional approaches and assumptions. Alternative ways to both conceptualise and produce evidence of benefits is needed. Furthermore, the potential of creative economy approaches to \u2018nudge\u2019 community behaviour that can improve resident well-being is largely unexplored relative to uptake in other policy areas such as health and the environment.\nSuccessful candidates will demonstrate flexibility and openness in addressing real world and conceptual challenges around creative placemaking that is informed by a range of disciplines including economics and relevant sub-fields such as cultural economics and behavioural economics, as well as cultural policy, sociology and human geography. Candidates will be expected to be have a solid background in research methods relevant to economics and\/or one or more relevant discipline areas related to the project. The project aligns with the Global Business Innovation and Urban Futures Enabling Capability Platforms (ECPs) at RMT University.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mike Reid, Kate Westberg","title":"Examining the Older Consumer\u2019s Experience of Aging and its Impact on Consumption Decisions","description":"In a survey by the Australian Human Rights Commission, 71% of Australians felt that age discrimination in Australia was common. Further, more than a third of Australians 55+ feel they have experienced age discrimination, including being overlooked by service staff and marketers more generally. Older Australians are both under-represented, and poorly portrayed in the media; there is a belief that the media has a significant influence on the negative perceptions of older Australians. This discrimination influences older Australians\u2019 self-worth and their experience of aging.\nGlobally, particularly in developed countries, Baby Boomers feel middle-aged, not old, and have cognitive identities younger than their chronological age. In Australia, 75% of older people feel 5-10 years younger than their chronological age. While it can be argued that this cohort is healthier, more active and have a younger mentality than previous generations of a similar age, the literature suggests that this younger perceived age may be a self-protection mechanism triggered by negative Western cultural attitudes towards age. This project will examine older Australians\u2019 experience of aging and the influence that aging has on their age identity and their role as consumers. It will examine how older people adapt to changing circumstances as they age, the impact of aging on their buying behaviour and consumption interactions and experiences and how these consumers confront and manage ageist stereotypes. The research will have implications for marketers and policy makers in relation to prompting social change to facilitate positive aging.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Meg Elkins","title":"Notions of value in the market for art","description":"How do we assess the value of an artwork? This seemingly simple question does not have a simple answer. Value can be related to the artist and the artwork itself. However, other notions of value exist such as social, cultural, historic and economic value. A related issue is authenticity and value since provenance plays a key role in, particularly, economic value (price). Recent developments in cultural economics have started to systemise how value may be created. Value creation is a dynamic process with multiple perspectives. Thus, untangling the relationships over time between types of value are critical to our understanding. This project will extend existing and develop new frameworks to understand value. The key research questions to be addressed include: How is value created? How can we measure it and how are different notions of value related? It is anticipated that a particular art market, such as the Australian Indigenous art market, be used as the focus of the project. The research will cut across a number of academic disciplines, literatures and approaches. The project is thus likely to be multidisciplinary and multi-method. The project aligns with research and innovation priority 4: \u201cdesign and creative industries\u201d of the Design and Creative Practice Enabling Capability Platform. This priority area seeks to move beyond creative industries and explore the role of the social impact (measuring and evaluating the often tacit and multisensorial dimensions of arts value). In particular, the project relates to the \u201carts and cultural heritage\u201d key application area.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Janneke Blijlevens, Bronwyn Coate","title":"Reconciling aesthetic value with economic value of artworks","description":"The discipline of empirical aesthetics has gained a lot of knowledge on how aesthetic principles\/dimensions (e.g., complexity, unity, variety) explain people\u2019s aesthetic appreciation or perceived beauty of artworks. For example, it is well known that people typically find artworks beautiful that are moderately complex, or with a variety in patterns while still being presented as a unified whole. These principles predict aesthetic appreciation very reliably across domains (paintings, music, product designs).\nHowever, aesthetic value does not necessarily translate to the economic value of artworks (pricing). Actually, aesthetic value and economic value are often considered irreconcilable. Most research on the economic value of arts focuses on factors external to the artworks (e.g., expert characteristics), with the exception of \u2018hedonic pricing models\u2019. In these models, next to artist factors (deceased\/famous), artwork specific factors are included such as size, and type (landscape\/portrait\/urban). However, aesthetic principles known to explain aesthetic value have been ignored in such models.\nIn this research, you will combine the disciplines of empirical aesthetics and economics to investigate how aesthetic principles are related to economic value of artworks using a combination of experiments and hedonic regression modelling. You will work with supervisors in empirical aesthetics and cultural economics from the RMIT\u2019s Behavioural Business Lab. The BBL includes a vibrant researcher community and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced researchers from the BBL, who specialise in behavioural and experimental research. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Constantino Stavros, Kate Westberg","title":"Sport\u2019s Social Impact: Exploring Opportunities to Enhance Community Health and Consumer Wellbeing","description":"There is considerable literature suggesting the ways in which sport contributes positively to society and have a significant impact upon social wellbeing. It can not only enrich the lives of fans and participants, but society at large. It is readily accepted, for example, that sport can promote and amplify equality, cohesiveness and peace within society. Sport participation is associated with positive health outcomes that promote wellbeing as well as facilitating the development of aspirational qualities such as teamwork, leadership and the pursuit of excellence. Increasingly many sport organizations have adopted a mandate to promote awareness and behaviour change around issues such as domestic violence and diversity. Initiatives that capture social impact in sport are necessary to gain social, political and financial support for sport governing bodies, especially in the form of sponsorship.\nThe successful candidate would be supported to explore opportunities for sport to promote positive social change in areas that will deliver the greatest value to society; to identify how this impact can be further cultivated; ultimately how these insights can be used to further advance community benefits; and the implications for sport management policy and practice at governing organisations, such as Football Victoria (the governing body of soccer in the state). The nature of this community impact may well be in physical or mental health, or a range of other areas. This work would feed into marketing planning to shape appropriate policy and resourcing decisions within the sporting body to enable community sport to maximise its social impact.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaolu Hu, Caroline Chen","title":"The impact of immigration policy on firm value","description":"This project aims to estimate the impact of immigration on firm value in Australia. Previous research on immigration mainly focuses on macroeconomics such as its impact on labour market, demographic changes, and GDP growth. There is sparse literature taking a microeconomics perspective and analysing how firms react to and\/or are affected by immigration, particularly immigration policies.\nThis project will fill in this gap and be the first to provide an insight into how immigration affects an economy through its impacts on the firms. It has far reaching significance for both Australian policy makers and other immigration intensive countries.\nThis project will investigate how general immigration and individual immigration categories affect Australian firm value. Additionally, to address the endogeneity issues, the impact of immigration policies \u2013 which are considered as exogenous shocks, will be tested using an event study methodology. Furthermore, this project will estimate how immigration influence Australian firm value through various channels such as: first, labour force composition which leads the change of human resources, labour productivity, management team, business relationship and innovations; second, financial activities transformation like financing sources, cost of capital, financial market size and liquidity; third, consumption\/demand that changes the product market.\nImmigration data will be collected from ABS, data.gov.au, DoHA and the state government websites. Immigration policy data will be manually collected from DoHA and stat government websites and a Python program can be coded to capture the key words. Firm level data will be collected from Thomson Reuters DataStream and SIRCA and Google Patents.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stuart Thomas, Sarah Sinclair, Ashton de Silva","title":"Using Home Equity to \u201cAge in Place\u201d","description":"Many retiree households want to age in their own homes. The ability to finance this choice through the use of housing equity is not well understood or widely used. Yet, it is likely to become an increasingly important part of retirement funding in the near future.\nThe key focus of this research is to explore how households might realise their desire to age in place using home equity. Globally, utilising equity in the home to support quality of life in latter years is not new or uncommon. Yet in Australia it is not typically regarded as being a standard option by retirees. Notably, the market for home equity products is small which may also be limiting the extent to which retirees see this as a viable option.\nUsing equity to facilitate aging in place is likely to be seen as a more viable option- especially for retirees that are asset rich but income poor. Utilising equity in this way will likely lead to service innovations (e.g., in health) that will require a careful and well-thought out regulatory approach. Scoping the likely trends and their (unintended) consequences will be important consideration of this investigation.\nThe research is intended to examine the following themes:\na)The supply-side dynamics of the aged care sector, including supported in-home care and residential care,\nb)The demand-side considerations including consumer perceptions and appetites for choice and flexibility of care to suit current, anticipated and unanticipated needs,\nc)The financing options available to support ageing in place.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Van Vu, Gaoping Zheng","title":"Social platforms and corporate activities","description":"While social platforms (e.g., social media and stock forums) have received increasing attention in practitioner circles and among academics, the extent to which information is transmitted via social platforms and how this type of information could affect firm activities is not well understood. So long as the information from social platforms influences the perception of various stakeholders (such as customers, analysts, investors, or even regulators), it could have implications for real corporate activities. \r\nThis PhD project will apply theory and principles in social media and information transmission and behavioural finance to corporate finance, governance, and capital market. Specifically, the focus will be on whether and how the information on social platforms affects firms\u2019 real activities. In addition, we also investigate the economic channels of this effect. The social platform could work as an external governance mechanism to monitor a firm\u2019s performance and affect the firm operating, investing, and financing decisions. It could also directly affect the managers to change decisions within the firm by improving the internal governance and boosting the corporate social responsibilities to improve reputation and affect the reaction in the capital market.\r\nThe successful candidate is expected to have a solid background in finance and economics or accounting research methods, strong data analytical skills using STATA, SAS or Python programming, and experience working with different datasets.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammad Safiullah, Van Vu","title":"The implications of board diversity for corporate outcomes","description":"This project investigates the effect of having a diverse board of directors on corporate outcomes. In particular, we contribute to the literature that studies the values that female directors bring to the company. Prior literature suggests that female directors provide better oversight over managers, thus improving corporate governance practices. However, there is mixed evidence regarding the impact of board gender diversity on corporate outcomes. In addition, how female directors bring about better management oversight and advisory effectiveness is still not well understood. We aim to shed further light on these issues in this research. \r\nThe successful candidate is expected to have a solid understanding of finance theories (e.g., having a bachelor's degree in a finance-related field). Some experience in programming skills (SAS or Stata) and research publications is preferable. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Di Mo and Daniel Chai","title":"Adaptive Market Hypothesis in financial markets ","description":"The Adaptive Market Hypothesis (AMH) aims to reconcile market efficiency. AMH reunites the concepts of behavioral finance with the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH). The theory states that investments pass through cycles of bad and good performance mainly because of changing market conditions such as competition in the industries, the flexibility of investors, and the number of opportunities to gain profit. Due to the instant changes in market conditions, information technologies and market regulations, it is expected that market efficiency experiences cyclical patterns which AMH predicts. \r\n\r\nMarkets are interconnected and as such both global and specific market shocks can impact different markets. AMH has been used to explain a wide range of market phenomena such as seasonal patterns in stock prices. Recently, AMH is considered a dominant theory over EMH in explaining why issues in corporate social responsibility are not in security prices. In this project, we will explore AMH in explaining investment behavior and patterns in a wide range of financial assets including equities, commodities, and exchange rates across international markets. For example, in the equity space, AMH can be used to explain patterns in stock market anomalies. In commodities, AMH can be used to evaluate the general effect of the impact of specific events\/shocks on commodity performance. The finding of this project aims to improve our understanding of patterns and investor behaviour observed in financial assets. \r\n\r\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in finance and economics, research methods, strong data analytic skills, and experience working with large datasets. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement","forcodes":"350202 Finance "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Chai and Di Mo ","title":"The effect of intangibles on firm performance  ","description":"Company financial reports provide useful information for fundamental analysis. If every asset is priced, then information from the balance sheet is useful. However, empirical studies show that most listed firms are priced much higher than their accounting values. This indicates that the value of firms has shifted from tangible assets, such as land, buildings, and machinery, and financial assets, to intangibles, such as human capital, processes, data, and innovation. This is particularly so in research and development (R&D)-intense industries such as health care and information technology and\/or in services sectors such as consultancy. \r\n\r\nThe project aims to investigate the importance of intangibles in pricing stocks in global markets. Intangibles have been looked at in a number of studies. The conclusion from the finance literature is that intangibles are important in determining firm values. However, asset-pricing implications of intangibles have received less attention and this project aims to address this limitation by investigating the impact of intangibles on firms\u2019 financial performance.  \r\n\r\nThe project will be extended to explore the relationship between intangibles and firms\u2019 actions in sustainability. This is because many intangible resources do not meet the criteria of assets and are thus not capitalized as assets, such as the social and environmental costs in sustainable development. Successful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in finance and economics, research methods, strong data analytic skills, and experience working with large datasets. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement; GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance","forcodes":"350202 Finance "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Armin pourkhanali and Peyman Khezr","title":"Analysis of large-scale dynamical network: Case study of petrol station data","description":"The main goal of this study is to enhance our understanding of the energy industry, specifically the petrol station market, and to provide insights into the pricing and competition dynamics that exist within this complex ecosystem.\nThis project is a multidisciplinary effort that focuses on analysing the pricing strategies of petrol stations and interpreting the results using various modelling techniques. The aim of this research is to investigate the existence of competition between petrol stations located in close proximity to each other and to determine the extent of brand premium associated with different petrol station brands.\n\nTo achieve these goals, we will employ dynamic spatial panel models to analyse the petrol station data. Furthermore, we will evaluate the impact of external factors such as exogenous shocks, including price jumps and COVID-19 lockdowns, on the performance of petrol station networks. This study will utilize a range of econometrics and machine learning approaches to model the data.\n\nThe successful candidate for this project should have a solid understanding of data analysis (such as        AI and Data Analytics, economics) and be proficient in programming languages such as R, Python, or MATLAB. Previous experience in research publications is preferred. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Caroline Chen, Gaoping Zheng","title":"The two sides of crypto coins in the financial sector","description":"The markets for cryptocurrencies are burgeoning, attracting capital from every corner of the world as well as concerns on different aspects.  While there is some evidence indicating good investment returns from cryptocurrencies and supporting their role as a hedge and\/or safe haven, there are many concerns on whether cryptocurrency markets are becoming an unregulated playground for market manipulation, insider trading and money laundering. \nThis research aims to examine the use of cryptocurrency in the financial sector by using a mixed-method approach. This study will perform empirical analyses to identify the main users of cryptocurrencies, e.g., hedger, speculator, or market manipulator. In addition, surveys will be conducted with the relevant financial institutions and regulators to further analyze the adoption and the application of cryptocurrencies in the finance industry. Financial institutions and regulators play a crucial role in shaping the use of cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, other factors such as technological, economic, social, and regulatory factors and their impacts on cryptocurrency adoption and application should also be considered. The findings will provide insights into the current roles played by the cryptocurrency markets as well as the factors that need to be considered by the policy makers to shape these markets to their desirable uses. \n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"27\/03\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"350299 Banking, finance and investment not elsewhere classified (50%) ; 350204 Financial institutions (incl. banking) (25%) ; 350208 Investment and risk management (25%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ankita Mishra","title":"Income inequality and mental health in low- and middle-income countries","description":"Income inequality is a phenomenon that affects both high- and low-income countries. It has increasingly been at the forefront of global economic and political debates. Reducing income inequality within and across countries has become one of the core goals of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development (United Nations, 2015). With growing focus on mental health and wellbeing both in developed and developing nations, social scientists are now increasingly showing interest in the link between income inequality and individuals\u2019 mental health. However, most studies have focused on high-income countries while for low- and middle-income countries, the bulk of the literature looks at the association of mental health with poverty and other measures of deprivation. The literature on health and income inequality posits three hypotheses: \u2018neo-materialistic\u2019 hypothesis; \u2018social capital\u2019 hypothesis; and the \u2018status anxiety\u2019 hypothesis to explain their negative association. However very little work has been done towards testing these hypotheses to elucidate the pathways. For example, potential mediators of the income inequality- mental health relationship can range from education, healthcare infrastructures, social connectedness to status-oriented good consumption. In this project, we aim to conduct a deeper analysis on such mechanisms, focussing on selected low- and middle-income countries that have experienced high income inequality in the last decade. Importantly, we aim to provide important insights into the various mechanisms through which income inequality affects mental health.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"380108        Health economics (25%) ; 440404        Political economy and social change (25%) ; 440405 Poverty, inclusivity and wellbeing (50%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen","title":"Internationalisation, Financial Integration and Bank risk","description":"The traditional portfolio theory argues that geographic expansion can lower bank risks if returns generated by additional assets are imperfectly correlated with those generated by existing assets. However, geographic expansion may hinder bank headquarters\u2019 capacity to monitor their subsidiaries and branches abroad, hence, yielding a potentially negative impact on overall bank asset quality. The recent global banking and financial crises have further reinvigorated the debate on the benefits of financial market integration. Financial integration may increase the risk of cross border contagion and thus the probability of widespread banking failures. As bank risk can have a first-order effect on financial and economic stability, mitigating bank risk has become a focus of many national and international regulations to avoid future financial crises. Much of the focus on such reforms has been on constraining banks\u2019 risk within one country. However, banks may engage in regulatory arbitrage, circumventing strict domestic regulations by taking more risk abroad. This raises the question of how bank internationalization affects the risk of individual banks, especially in the context of current financial integration. Our research project aims to address this critical research question. The study is expected to have important implications for policy makers on adjusting supervisory approaches and structures to the geographical scope of banking activities, reducing the likelihood of individual as well as widespread banking crises.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"150201; 150203; 150299"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong, Armin Pourkhanali","title":"The impact of digital finance on household consumptions in Australia","description":"As the world transitions from traditional finance to digital era (mobile payment and internet banking and shopping), it is critical to understand how digital finance affects household consumption. This project aims to better understand the challenges posed by digital transformation in financial markets. Expanding digital financial services underpins many human activities, and nowhere is it truer than in developed countries and large cities. The specific aim of this project is to examine impacts of the digital finance on household consumption and explore its mechanisms. We also aim to explore the impact of an exogenous shock (i.e. Covid pandemic) on digital financial service, and what can be learned from the exogenous variation.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, strong data analytic skills, experience working with large datasets. For the candidate, this offers a unique opportunity to gain understanding and expertise in the research area of digital financial.","sdg":"3 Good health and wellbeing","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"STS 3 Energy","forcodes":"350202 finance (40%)\r350203 financial econometrics (30%)\r350205 household finance (30%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen, Gaoping Zheng","title":"Financial Technology Development and Financial System Stability in China","description":"Modern technology has led to increased globalization and interaction of financial markets, resulting in a more complex global financial system. While this complexity provides opportunities for development, it also leads to higher synchronization and unpredictable consequences, including economic imbalances. In response to the 2008 financial crisis, the financial industry began implementing innovative digital approaches, known as financial technology (FinTech), to provide better financial services. However, the implementation of FinTech threatens the sustainability of the global financial system, as it changes the financial system's architecture and creates potentially unstable and uncertain environments. Traditional participants in the financial industry have been forced to modernize their activities to remain competitive, but regulators are not yet able to withstand these new challenges, leading to increased uncertainty and turbulence. This project investigates the impact of FinTech development on financial system stability in China, a global leader in FinTech. It further analyses the effectiveness of institutional support by the Chinese government, such as the development of prudential standards and revision of the licensing regime for financial companies in mitigating the negative consequence of Fintech development on financial stability. Such understanding is crucial for policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders in China and other countries around the world.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Robyn Barnacle, Amanda Berry, Arnan Mitchell","title":"COMBS PhD scholarship in Equality Diversity and Inclusion in STEM","description":"We are excited to announce a fully funded PhD scholarship on diversity and inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This project offers a unique opportunity to investigate the research culture of a community of researchers engaged in frontier science from the inside. You will be working with an interdisciplinary research team located within the prestigious Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS). ","sdg":"5 - Gender Equality","funded":"","closedate":"2025-11-30","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"441007        Sociology and social studies of science and technology \n440710        Research, science and technology policy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"STEM\/STEAM","programcode":"DR209 PhD (Education)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amanda Berry, Arnon Mitchell Centre of Excellence COMBS","title":"PhD scholarship in Science Education and Outreach","description":"COMBS seeks expressions of interest from eligible graduates for a funded PhD in Education. This PhD project presents an opportunity to study how frontier science, in the context of optical frequency comb (COMB) technology, can be meaningfully introduced to school aged learners. The project sits within a nationally funded interdisciplinary research centre (ARC COMBS) of collaborating universities and industry partners. This PhD project will investigate how teachers can be supported to develop the confidence and knowledge to effectively bring the applications and discoveries of this frontier science into their teaching in a way that motivates and engages learners and contributes to the advancement of science education on a national scale.\n\nThe project can be shaped by the applicant\u2019s own interests and areas of expertise in consultation with the supervisory team, provided it is consistent with COMBS\u2019 mission. For example, the project may focus on particular target groups of students (e.g., primary, secondary, regional, girls, low SES), address specific aspects of the science curriculum (e.g., light, optics), or be more broadly directed to improving connections and understanding between the worlds of scientists and school students. The candidate should be willing to work collaboratively with a team of COMBS Chief Investigators \u2013 interdisciplinary researchers \u2013 some of whom will not be based in Melbourne. Experience in science\/STEM education research and its methods is highly desirable. COMBS is making a budget available for travel and other costs needed to make this a successful and meaningful PhD project.\n","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-03-03","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390113 Science Technology and Engineering Curriculum & Pedagogy\n390307 Teacher Education and the Professional development of Educators "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Sociology of Education","programcode":"DR209","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amanda Berry","title":"Planning for effective parent-school partnerships for students with a disability","description":"Fully Funded PhD Opportunity in Educational Research \u2013 Inclusive education\r\n\r\nThis is a unique opportunity to undertake a fully funded PhD (fees + living stipend) in educational research. The successful applicant will work with academics at RMIT\u2019s School of Education and with industry partner Noah\u2019s Ark, who are the project funders. The successful applicant will work between the University and the industry partner to design, develop and carry out the research project named below. \r\n\r\nNoah\u2019s Ark in partnership with RMIT University School of Education.\r\n\r\nTitle \u2018Planning for effective parent-school partnerships for students with a disability\u2019\r\n\r\nKeywords: parent-school partnerships, inclusion, disability, schools. \r\n\r\nThis fully funded PhD scholarship will investigate what factors facilitate an effective parent-school partnerships for students with a disability. Knowledge gained is designed to help school and families plan for effective partnerships, benefitting students with a disability.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, in scope, this project will: \r\n-\tinvolve students with a disability who are in receipt of NDIS funding as well as those awaiting funding\/a diagnosis entitling them to NDIS funding\r\n-\tinvestigate this topic in a mixture of regional and metropolitan primary schools in Victoria \r\n-\tideally involve schools in the Catholic Education and public education sectors in Victoria \r\nMethodology: Mixed methods and\/or qualitative. \r\n\r\nCommencement date: 30 September 2023.\r\n\r\nCompletion: 30 September 2026.\r\n\r\nThe candidate is required to successfully complete all HDR milestones as required by RMIT Policy. Exact dates for completion are scheduled by the School of Graduate Research (SGR).\r\nThe three milestones are: \r\n\u2022\tConfirmation of Candidature\r\n\u2022\tSecond Milestone Review \r\n\u2022\tThird Milestone Review.\r\nPlease refer to policy set out here: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/students\/my-course\/research-students\/milestones.\r","sdg":"10 - Reduced Inequalities,4 - Quality Education","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390407 Inclusive Education \r\n390411\tSpecial education and disability\r\n390201\tEducation policy"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Daniel Harris","title":"Creative Agency Research Lab","description":"The Creative Agency Research Lab is a thriving hub for multi-disciplinary studies of creativity across the educational life-course. We are an open community of researchers, educators, creative practitioners, and industry professionals who share a commitment to creativity as a catalyst for social change in response to global challenges. Our members are actively developing new ways to address the most pressing issues of our times, including climate change, socio-economic inequality, the mental health crisis, and rapid advances in science and technology. We specialise in co-developing creative pedagogies and methodologies in collaboration with communities, working closely with children, young people, and diverse communities of all ages to co-create educational benefit, impact, and transformation. As a seed bed for creative research and social innovation across educational, cultural, community, industry, and governmental sectors, the Creative Agency Research Lab offers a generative and radically inclusive space for re-imagining what education can be, do, and become in the 21st century. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1300"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"David Rousell","title":"Climate Change and Sustainable Education Futures","description":"The United Nations acknowledges that education is the single most important factor in effectively mitigating and adapting to climate change and achieving more sustainable futures across local and global scales. RMIT\u2019s School of Education has a longstanding commitment to the UN\u2019s Sustainable Development Goals and produces cutting-edge research which directly addresses Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and Goal 13 (Climate Action). The school\u2019s research on climate change and sustainable education futures is world-leading in its integration of multiple disciplines, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks, in many cases bridging approaches across the social sciences, art and design, the humanities, and physical sciences. This methodological diversity is essential to addressing climate change as a planetary-scale crisis which also manifests locally in highly specific ways. The complex implications of climate change effectively demand a re-imagining of the entire field of education, including how we think, live, practice, and understand educational systems and institutions, curriculum and pedagogy, teaching and learning, research and impact, justice and community-building under 21st century conditions. Research in the School of Education research is breaking new ground in facilitating this re-imagining through critical and creative research in collaboration with diverse educational communities. Our innovations in participatory research, co-design, and social practice have led to collaborative outcomes and impacts that reflect the values of children, young people, and communities whose lives and educations will be most severely impacted by climate change. Our researchers are active within leading national and international networks of knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of climate change education, and supported by close associations with other research entities across RMIT, including the Creative Agency Research Lab; Enabling Capability Platforms (ECPS) in Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, and Urban Futures; the Mapping Future Imaginaries (MFI) network as well as the newly established Climate Change Research Network (CCR-Net). ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1300"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Naomi Wilks-Smith","title":"Languages, Literacy and Schooling","description":"The School of Education at RMIT has a strong and innovation Languages and Literacy teaching and research team with a focus on the diversity of linguistic backgrounds that students bring to the teaching and learning situation. Our work brings together strong aspects of the evidence based and the science of reading whilst recognising and catering for the language worlds that students in an urban setting bring to the classroom. Recent theorising around translanguaging and the recognition of young children\u2019s linguistic expertise in languages other than English drives the research focus of the group. A further element of our work is linked to children as readers and the books and materials that they read. A focus on children\u2019s literature which represents to myriads of worlds that children bring to school drives our research and teaching focus. One project works with Teachers as Readers with a purpose for teachers to grow their appreciation of the importance of quality reading materials. A further focus of our work is the role of emotional and social learning through books and literacy materials in the early years.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1300"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Emily Gray","title":"Inclusive education, social justice and equity","description":"The School of Education has a long history of learning, teaching and researching issues of diversity, difference and inclusion. We have a deep understanding of formal and informal educational spaces which includes engaging with public pedagogies. This works takes place in collaboration with the Social Change ECP and other spaces within and outside of RMIT that are dedicated to social justice and equity. In an increasingly fractured world, it is important to interrogate the hopes and possibilities for social justice and equity and their relationships to education.  Education plays a vital role in addressing issues of inequality for minorities across the globe, and we seek to imagine different possible futures within which education writ large works to meet the needs of individuals and communities to ameliorate intersecting inequalities, and therefore to address social justice more broadly.","sdg":"1 No Poverty; SDG 4 Quality Education; SDG 5 Gender Equality; SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390201 Education policy\r390202 history and philosophy of education\r390203 sociology of education\r390302 Early childhood education\r390303 Higher education\r390304 Primary education\r390305 Professional education and training\r390306 Secondary education\r390307 teacher education and professional development of teachers 390406 Gender, sexuality and education\r390407 Inclusive education\r390410 Multicultural Education (excl. ATSI & Maori Ed)\r390411 Special Education and disability\r390412 Teacher and student wellbeing\r450201 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Naomi Wilks-Smith","title":"Learning and Teaching Across the Lifespan","description":"The School of Education at RMIT are leaders in educational research and innovation. Learning and teaching are central to our work which covers the lifespan of learning, including early childhood, primary, secondary, and adult higher educational and life learning. Our research focuses on supporting teachers and educators at all career stages to build resilient futures for themselves and the students and communities they serve. It often involves collaborations with industry partners, including place-based and school-based research which is sensitive to unique teaching-learning contexts, including in urban, regional, rural and remote locations. Research may also focus on global, international contexts. Our educational research values praxis-based pedagogy that drives research-informed teaching and teacher-informed research and utilises a variety of research methods to explore these. In an ever changing and uncertain world, teachers and educators need to be well prepared and equipped to support diverse student needs and futures. Our research broadly aims to contribute to ongoing knowledge and positively impact the directions of future teaching-learning practice, improving the education of learners and effecting transformative change in classrooms and schools.","sdg":"4 Quality Education, 5 Gender equality, 17 Partnerships for the goals.","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390102 Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development 390114 Vocational education and training curriculum and pedagogy 390115 Work integrated learning (incl. internships) 390301 Continuing and community education 390302 Early childhood education 390303 Higher education 390304 Primary education 390305 Professional education and training 390306 Secondary education 390307 Teacher education and professional development of educators 390308 Technical, further and workplace education 390401 Comparative and cross-cultural education 390403 Educational administration, management and leadership 390412 Teacher and student wellbeing"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tasos Barkatsas","title":"STEM, Industry 4.0 and the learning sciences","description":"The School of Education at RMIT has a strong STEM teaching and research emphasis, reflective of our position as a university with a reputation for being at the forefront of technology, design and innovation. Our STEM work and understandings continue to expand as society moves closer to the higher-skilled knowledge and service-based industries that directly contribute to the transition to Industry 4.0, which is characterised by new and emerging technologies and the opening up of global markets. Our research approaches view STEM as existing on a continuum with our applied research improving practice in the singular discipline areas of mathematics, science, design engineering and technology.  We contribute to a growing body of knowledge in interdisciplinary STEM and learning sciences, incorporating diverse areas of human endeavour such as, neuroscience, cognitive science, instructional design, computer science and innovative teaching practices.  Our research is grounded in approaches that are underpinned by attributes such as curiosity, creativity, higher-order thinking, problem-solving and innovation and contributes to the key 21st century skills of critical and computational thinking, reasoning, communication and collaboration. Through our research work, we seek to contribute to a society where all individuals can both comprehend and utilise STEM skills and knowledges to navigate their daily lives in increasingly complex working and living environments.","sdg":"8 Decent work and economic growth 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"90113 Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy\r390304 Primary education 390307 Teacher education and professional development of educators\r390401 Comparative and cross-cultural education\r390115 Work integrated learning (incl. internships)\r390307 Teacher education and professional development of educators\r390199 Curriculum and pedagogy not elsewhere classified\r390402 Education assessment and evaluation\r390109 Mathematics and numeracy curriculum and pedagogy\r390306 Secondary Education\r3901 Curriculum\/Pedagogy\r3903 Education systems\r3999 Other education\r390303 Higher Education"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/ DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng) ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chrystal Zhang, Dorian Notman, Jose da Silva","title":"Balancing Economic and Environmental sustainability in air service development-case of Australia ","description":"Despite of contributing approximately 2% to 3% of the global emissions, the aviation industry has become under heavy scrutiny of the respective authorities. Airports have the dual obligations of maximizing the socioeconomic positives while minimizing the environmental negatives (Desharnais, J. 2021). Despite of airports generating substantial positive economic impacts to its serving regions, their expansion to accommodate the growing demand is often impeded between economic benefits and sustainability outcomes. While airport\u2019s sustainable reports have mentioned Sustainable Flying practices (support decarbonizing in flying), most of the research conducted in this niche has been specific to either comparing aircraft fuel burn against airline\u2019s route network models (O\u2019Kelly, M.E. 2012), (Baumeister, S. 2017), (Rosenow, J. et.al 2017) or comparing different route network models (O\u2019Kelly, M.E.; Park, Y. 2023, Eskenazi, A.G.  et. Al 2023). To address this knowledge gap, this project intends to investigate 1) the barriers for maintaining a balance in economic and environmental sustainability in developing air services strategies at Australian International Airports, and 2) Develop a framework using parameters supporting a balanced economic and environmentally sustainable air services development. The proposed research will facilitate the key aviation stakeholders such as airports to develop concrete measures to contribute to the net zero commitment in response to Australia government\u2019s call in its Aviation Green paper. The project proposes to adopt qualitative approach with data to be collected in major airport across Australia. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350901        Air transportation and freight services, 40%\n410404        Environmental management, 40%\n330408        Strategic, metropolitan and regional planning, 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/ DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng) ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chrystal Zhang","title":"Promoting gender equality in global airline industry","description":"Gender imbalance in workforce has been documented in many industries including airline industry, where women take 5% of airline CEOs and 3% of the board members (IATA). Women are also underrepresented in technical professions such as pilots and aviation engineers, who takes 5% and 13% respectively (IATA 2021). The pandemic had an advert effect on gender disparities in global aviation industry, as women have borne the brunt of the pandemic's economic consequences, with a higher risk of being laid off or having their hours and salaries decreased (McKinsey Global Institute 2020). An increasing interest in examining gender equality issues helped shed light on our understanding of the gender matters, however, there is little investigation in global airline industry. To this effect, this project intends to examine the enablers and barriers that affect female\u2019s pursuit for a professional career and senior management role in global airline industry. Mixed research methods will be adopted. Qualitative data will come from semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions while quantitative data will come from a couple rounds of surveys with both industry professionals and public. Industry databases such as that of ICAO, IATA, ACI and aviation organisation\u2019s websites and various reports will be reviewed for secondary data collection. Content analysis and statistical analyses will be applied to the synthesized data. The prospective findings will be used to establish best practices in promoting gender equality across the industry. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350901, Air transportation and freight services\r\n350502, employment equity and diversity"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das, Raj Ladani","title":"Damage Tolerant 3D Printed Composite Materials for Engineering Applications","description":"Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing is emerging to be a promising and feasible method for manufacturing of continuous fibre reinforced polymer composites. The versatility in fabricating complex shapes along with desired multifunctional properties have led to increased application of 3D printing in a variety of engineering products in aerospace, automotive, biomedical and architecture areas. However, fibre-reinforced polymer composites manufactured by 3D printing processes often have lower mechanical properties, including damage tolerance and fatigue life, compared to those manufactured by conventional processes, such as the resin transfer moulding and injection moulding. This is usually caused by manufacturing induced deficiencies in the composite quality (e.g., fibre waviness) and defects (e.g, voids, fibre breakage, cracks, etc.) produced during the 3D printing process. A lack of sufficient knowledge and design tools in the failure and life time prediction implies that the composite structures are often over designed with a large factor of safety, and numerous tests are to be performed on prototypes for prediction of performance over the required life time.\n\nThe aims of the research are to develop efficient and accurate computational and experimental methodologies for characterising hybrid, multifunctional 3D printed fibre-polymer composites and explore novel techniques for enhancing the fracture toughness and damage tolerance properties in order to develop next generation 3D printed composites with high strength and toughness. \nThe project provides opportunities to collaborate with aircraft industries and research institutes in the UK and Germany. Knowledge and background in Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n\nThe key outcomes of the project will be new understanding of damage tolerance characteristics in 3D-printed continuous fibre polymer composites, and development and characterisation of novel concepts to enhance damage tolerance. The expected outcomes of this research will also incorporate well-validated computational analysis methods to predict failure modes, and quantify defect and damage produced in 3D printed fibre polymer composites. The models can be used to predict mechanical behaviour and residual strength and estimate fatigue life of 3D printed composite structures under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The modelling and optimisation tools will then be used in developing high strength composites with high durability and longer service life for critical engineering components.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 Solid Mechanics (25%)\n400101 Aerospace Materials (25%)        \n401602 Composite and Hybrid Materials (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Defect Analysis and Fatigue Life Prediction in Additively Manufactured Alloys using Machine Learning","description":"Additive manufacturing (AM) is widely utilized to create intricate and custom-shaped components. However, the process can introduce internal defects, such as lack of fusion, porosities, and unmelted particles, which significantly reduce the fatigue performance of the materials. The current fatigue assessment methods for AM alloys rely on empirical relationships between initial defect characteristics and stress\/strain states. These methods fail to account for the anisotropic evolution of defects and their interactions with fatigue damage.\n\nTo address this limitation, this project aims to develop an innovative fatigue damage model that incorporates detailed defect characteristics using machine learning and multiscale modeling. High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) will be employed to observe and quantify the dynamic changes of defects in AM Ni-based alloys with varying porosities and printing orientations during fatigue testing.\n\nThrough machine learning analysis, fatigue damage-sensitive defects will be identified and categorized based on various defect properties such as defect center, equivalent diameter, sphericity, and aspect ratio. This information will be used to create a fully connected deep neural network that correlates the 3D defect data with microscopic fatigue damage.\n\nTo simulate the evolution of defects and fatigue damage under mechanical loads, critical defects will be incorporated into a 3D representative volume elements (RVE) model. Multiphase phase-field methods will be employed in the RVE simulation to model the evolution and interaction of defects and fatigue cracks. The accuracy of these simulations will be validated against the defect evolution observed through CT imaging. This approach will introduce a novel tensorial variable of defects within a thermodynamically consistent modelling framework.\n\nFinally, a hierarchical artificial neural network will be introduced to integrate the damage-sensitive defect characteristics layer by layer into a macroscopic anisotropic fatigue damage model. This mechanism-informed fatigue damage model will enhance our understanding of the relationship between defects, damage, and performance in AM components.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401607 Metals and Alloy Materials (50%)        \n400102 Aerospace Structures (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das, Simon Barter","title":"Manufacturing Alloys with Refined Microstructure through Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) for High strength and Radiation Resistance","description":"It is well known that severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods such as equal channel angular processing (ECAP), high pressure torsion (HPT) and accumulative roll bonding (ARB) are capable of refining the grain size of a large range of alloys, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties such as yield strength and toughness. Moreover, a small grain size also results in increased interfacial area per unit volume of the material, as the grain boundary (GB) area increases with decreasing grain size. Since grain boundaries act as effective sinks for radiation induced defects such as vacancies and self-interstitial atoms (SIAs), the increase in GB area through grain refinement improves the radiation damage resistance of a material.\n\nThus, the SPD technique will provide a novel way of manufacturing materials with refined grains which will have potentially enhanced mechanical properties and improved radiation tolerance.\nThe aim of this project is to manufacture novel materials with high strength and radiation tolerance using SPD techniques, characterize them with advanced techniques such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), irradiate them with high energy particles such as He or heavy ions (e.g. Fe, Ni, Cr, etc.), and study the changes in mechanical properties due to the irradiation through nano-indentation in situ micro-mechanical testing.\n\nIon irradiation is the ideal irradiation mode as it is fast and allows the application of a high radiation dose within hours or days, in contrast with neutron irradiation, which can take years to achieve the same dose. Moreover, ion irradiation is much safer as it does not cause radioactivity in the samples in most cases, unlike neutron irradiation. The small scale testing technique is of crucial importance here as the ion-irradiated layer thickness ranges from a few hundred nm to a few microns, and it is essential to test only this affected volume in order to assess the changes due to ion-irradiation.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401401 Additive manufacturing (50%)\n080110 Simulation and Modelling (25%)\n401607 Metals and Alloy Materials (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Matthew Marino, Nick Brown","title":"Uncrewed Aerial System solutions for Humanitarian Action","description":"In 2021, there were 367 climate-related disasters, accounting for the lives of over 10,000 people and negatively impacting and disrupting the livelihoods of over 104 million people (CRED 2021). Engineers, and problem-solving capabilities are well placed to contribute to humanitarian action arising from disaster or conflict with complex emergencies requiring complex responses and consideration for long-term consequences (Davis and Lambert, 2002 p.1). Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, distributed ledger technologies, and uncrewed aerial systems are a type of engineering solution, increasingly used to support humanitarian and development efforts. However, the humanitarian sector is widely known to operate with stretched resources and capabilities which hinders its innovative ecosystem (Ramalingam et al. 2015), often inducing organisations to outsource R&D services or turn to commercial tools, which are not designed for the complexity of humanitarian and development contexts (Young & Jurko 2021). There are instances of AI-supported uncrewed aerial systems are speeding up the assessment and response after a disaster see Munawar et al. (2021) but there is still plenty of opportunity to develop solutions that are appropriate for application in humanitarian contexts. \nThis research project will develop Uncrewed Aerial Systems specifically for use in humanitarian action such as response. The project will have to understand the unique operating environments that UAS may be present, including robustness, this could mean ensuring medium to long-term observation and monitoring capabilities covering disaster-prone areas requiring durability against high winds (cyclone), ash (volcanic eruption\/bushfires), rain (flooding). The project can look at problems that exist, both for applications in emergency response and disaster management in Australia as well as internationally. \nObservation monitoring and feedback to operators and decision-makers on the bound is of key importance. The project could engage Research End Users such as Swoop aero, Zipline, UN OCHA and other humanitarian organisations.  \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400199"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Ladani, Everson Kandare","title":"3D Reinforced Multifunctional Fibre Polymer Composites","description":"Fibre reinforced polymer composites are susceptible to interlaminar and intralaminar delamination damage resulting from impact, fatigue or overloading. The delamination resistance of composite laminates can be improved by through-the-thickness reinforcement using various techniques including three-dimensional weaving, stitching, z-anchoring, z-pinning and tufting [1]. Through-thickness reinforcement using fibre tow or metal wires can enable multifunctionality in composites by promoting a wide range of mechanical, structural, electrical, thermal and sensing properties. Recently, 3D weaving and tufting using metal wires have been demonstrated to engender multifunctional properties to laminated composites, such as greater fracture toughness, higher thermal and electrical conductivity, damage sensing and joining properties [2-7].   \r\n\r\nThis project will investigate a new type of 3D reinforced fibre polymer composite containing shape memory alloy wires as through-the-thickness reinforcement to promote their multifunctional properties. In particular, the project aims to demonstrate a new functionality for composite materials to close delamination cracks using thermally activated shape memory effect of the through-thickness reinforcements. The project will systematically investigate the effects of the through-thickness reinforcement material, volume content, geometry, etc on the mechanical, structural, electrical, thermal and sensing properties of the 3D reinforced composites using experimental testing and finite element modelling. Mechanical properties such as interlaminar fracture toughness, fatigue resistance, tensile and compression strength of the laminated composites and their structural joints will be investigated. Microstructural characterisations will be conducted to identify the effect of through-thickness reinforcement on the microstructure of composite laminates. Damage tolerance studies will be conducted to assess the residual strength of impacted 3D reinforced composite laminates. This research will enable the creation of high-performance composites materials with multifunctionality for wide-ranging application.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Mouritz AP, Bannister MK, Falzon PJ, Leong KH. Review of applications for advanced three-dimensional fibre textile composites, Comp A, 1999;30:1445-1461.\r\n[2] Ladani RB, Pingakarawat K., Nguyen ATT, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Delamination toughening and healing performance of woven composites with hybrid 3D fibre reinforcements, Comp A. 2018,110:258-267.\r\n[3] Ciampa F, Ladani R, Knott G, Buns T, Foreman AD, Meeks C, Steele A, Cooper T, Phillips A, Mouritz AP. Shape memory alloy tufted composites combining high delamination resistant and crack closure properties. Comp A. 2021;147:106455.\r\n[4] Khor W, Ravindran AR, Ciampa F, Ladani RB, Limprapuwiwattana M, Whitton P, Foreman AD, Meeks C, Steele A, Cooper T, Rider A. Improving the damage tolerance of composite T-joints using shape memory alloy tufts. Comp A. 2023;168:107474.\r\n[5] Abbasi S, Ladani R, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Improving the delamination resistance of fibre reinforced polymer composites using 3D woven metal z-filaments. Comp Sci Tech. 2020;198:108301.\r\n[6] Abbasi S, Ladani R, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Boosting the electrical conductivity of polymer matrix composites using low resistivity z-filaments. Mats & Des;2020;195:109014.\r\n[7] Abbasi S, Ladani RB, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Improving the structural properties of composite T-joints by z-weaving of continuous metallic filaments. Comp Struct. 2021;260:113509.\r\n\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"90102 Aerospace Materials (30%) , \r\n91202 Composite and Hybrid Materials (40%), \r\n91006 Manufacturing process and technologies (30%)."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abdulghani Mohamed","title":"Studying Bird Flight in Turbulence","description":"The project aims to discover how birds perceive and cope with turbulence in order to greatly increase the steadiness of aircraft flight through turbulent air. Initial research showed that by adapting novel sensors, inspired by the sensory functions of birds, the flight performance and safety in turbulence is significantly improved. As part of this proposal, other avian turbulence mitigation strategies will be discovered through wind tunnel experimentation in repeatable gust(s) and turbulence. The discovered avian strategies will be adapted for human-made aircraft, to enable ultra-stable flight in turbulence. The project will involve access to a detailed database of bird flight which offers an opportunity for analysing data for a variety of purposes related to adaption for aircraft. Project scope can be in different areas including flight control, biomimetic & bioinsipiration, machine learning, AI, robotics etc...","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Abdulghani Mohamed","title":"Turbulence Detection Sensor for Aircraft","description":"Small unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are flying sensory platforms, well-suited to autonomous surveillance. However their operational capability is severely limited in windy conditions. The undesirable aircraft motion caused by turbulence in the wind blur image data, curtail the number of flying days per year and result in aborted flights (e.g., crashes). Reducing the size of UAVs increases the challenges of holding a steady flight path. A patented, biomimetic technique of \u00e2\u20ac\u2122feeling\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 a way through turbulent air has demonstrated enormous promise, with far steadier flight being demonstrated than is possible with existing inertial-based stabilization: https:\/\/youtu.be\/m_2-bblBmQY . The technique involves sensing upstream wind gusts and providing control inputs to counteract the impending undesirable motions much earlier than current technology permits. To-date we have \u00e2\u20ac\u0153sensed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the upstream turbulent air using pressure probes forward of each wing. This PhD project proposes to build on this prior success, extending the technique to incorporate improved sensing using new, non-invasive sensors (e.g. micro LIDAR and \/ or RADAR). Key characteristics of upstream turbulence will be determined to permit evasive control movements in a far timelier manner than is currently possible. The systems will be evaluated via wind-tunnel flight tests of small UAVs in turbulent flows, followed by outdoor flight trials under a range of adverse turbulent winds. The aim of the research is to enhance autonomous flight by enabling ultra-stable flight of increasingly small UAVs in the presence of atmospheric turbulence through the optimisation of a turbulence detection and rejection system. Prerequisites: Holds a degree in any of Physics, Electronics, Telecommunications, or related fields.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Orifici","title":"Novel technologies for composite aircraft structures","description":"This project will develop novel technologies for aircraft structures using fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Aircraft structures present numerous complex design challenges, based around the need to enhance performance within a weight-critical context. The project will build on previous work that has investigated such aspects as: \n * bio-inspired features (e.g. hierarchical toughness and strengthening, control of fracture to mimic biological processes and mechanisms); \n * aircraft repair (e.g. bonded and bolted repairs, design optimisation, dissimilar adherends, damage tolerance and effect of defects, environmental effects)\n * postbuckling structures (e.g. skin-stiffener interface failure; interaction of damage mechanisms)\n * 3D printing of metals and composites (e.g. SLM printing for metal-composite hybrid joints; 3D printing of continuous fibre composites)\n * through-thickness reinforcements (e.g. pinned reinforced joints, novel bio-inspired pin features and pin types, effect and optimisation of pin insertion)\n \n The project will focus on quantifying the performance enhancement from the novel technology in comparison with traditional techniques, and the mechanisms driving performance enhancement at the different length scales. The project will also develop and apply high fidelity computational modelling to investigate and optimise the performance of composite aircraft structures","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andoh Michael Afful","title":"Autonomous Operations for Distributed Satellite Systems","description":"Distributed satellite systems (DSS) consist of two or more satellites working together to accomplish a goal that is otherwise infeasible with traditional monolithic spacecraft. Depending on the objective, different concepts for such systems have been designed and developed. They are mostly characterised by the distance between the satellites and the level of control accuracy. Examples of distributed satellite system architectures include constellations, trains, clusters, swarms, fractionated and federated satellites. DSS concepts are paving the way for new possibilities in science and space exploration; and new architectures are being explored and exploited using associated technologies to create the high level of adaptability, robustness, and autonomy required to increase the chances of success of operating in a largely unknown space environment. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) has been identified as having enormous promise within the satellite and space technology fields and may enable the achievement of various short- and long-term goals for space applications. The technology will go beyond automated planning and scheduling phase and include different mission phases, from conceiving the preliminary design to the mission operation phase. The goal of this project is to develop AI and Machine Learning (AI\/ML) software to explore autonomous operation for Space Domain Awareness (SDA). The project will seek to advance the understanding of model-based methods for hardware and physical processes to track the states of the system and detect deviations from nominal behaviour and data-driven approaches based on ML techniques. The project will explore DSS architectures for long-term formation maintenance and onboard autonomy for SDA and\/or Development of AI\/ML algorithms for DSS mission-planning architectures that incorporate technical, economic, strategic, legal, and regulatory constraints on the DSS system for space operations. Insights gained from this research will inform the future development of space system engineering and its associated cyber-physical architectures for SDA.\n \n References\n  E. Lagona, S. Hilton, A. M. Afful, A. Gardi, R. Sabatini \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Autonomous Trajectory Optimisation for Intelligent Satellite Systems Operations and Space Traffic Management\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Acta Astronautica, vol 194, pp. 185-201, 2022\n J. Guo, D. Maessen and E. Gill, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fractionated spacecraft: The new sprout in distributed space systems,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Guo, J., D. Maessen, and E. Gill, Fractionated spacecraft: The new sprout in distributed space systems. Vol. 8. 2009., 2009. \n W. YAO, X. CHEN, Y. ZHAO and M. v. TOOREN, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 A Fractionated Spacecraft System Assessment Tool Based on Lifecycle Simulation Under Uncertainty.,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 71-82, 2012. \n O. Brown and P. Eremenko, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fractionated Space Architectures: A Vision for Responsive Space,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in 4th Responsive Space Conference, Los Angeles, 2006. \n O. Brown and P. Eremenko, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Value Proposition for Fractionated Space Architectures.,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in AIAA SPACE Forum, 2006. \n J. Lafleur and J. Saleh, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153GT-FAST: A Point Design Tool for Rapid Fractionated Spacecraft Sizing and Synthesis,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in AIAA SPACE 2009 Conference & Exposition., 2009. \n A. Golkar and I. L. i. Cruz, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Federated Satellite Systems paradigm: Concept and business case evaluation.,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Acta Astronautica, vol. 111, pp. 230-248, 2015. \n I. Lluch and A. Golkar, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Design Implications for Missions Participating in Federated Satellite Systems,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, vol. 52, no. 5, pp. 1361 - 1374, 2015. \n J. A. Ruiz-de-Azua, L. Fernandez, J. F. Mu\u00c3\u00b1oz, M. Badia, R. Castella, C. Diez, A. Aguilella, S. Briatore, N. Garzaniti, A. Calveras, A. Golkar and A. Camps, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Proof-of-Concept of a Federated Satellite System Between Two 6-Unit CubeSats for Distributed Earth Observation Satellite Systems,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in IGARSS 2019 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andoh Michael Afful","title":"Autonomous Manoeuvring and Satellite Resilience","description":"Growing congestion in space has increased the need for spacecraft to develop resilience capabilities in response to natural and man-made hazards. Equipping satellites with increased manoeuvring capability has the potential to enhance resilience by altering their arrival conditions as they enter potentially hazardous regions. Reliance on space capabilities for defence and commercial operations and the global nature of space systems make it impossible to avoid overflying potentially hostile areas of the globe. Resilience through avoidance in space may be achieved by preventing the occurrence of hostile action. One way to prevent hostile action is to introduce uncertainty into the arrival conditions of space assets when they overfly potentially hazardous geographic regions. This uncertainty may be achieved by equipping space assets with enhanced manoeuvring capability that would allow them to modify their arrival conditions from those predicted by previous observations and orbit prediction algorithms. This project will develop manoeuvres to enhance resiliency and investigate the viability of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and optimisation techniques and tools to enable spacecraft autonomy.\n \n References\n E. Lagona, S. Hilton, A. M. Afful, A. Gardi, R. Sabatini \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Autonomous Trajectory Optimisation for Intelligent Satellite Systems Operations and Space Traffic Management\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Acta Astronautica, vol 194, pp. 185-201, 2022\n R. Burch, Resilient Space System Design: An Introduction, Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis, 2020\n M. Vasile, E. Minisci and K. Tang, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Computational Intelligence in Aerospace Science and Engineering,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine, vol. 12, pp. 12-13, 2017.\n P. Fortescue, Spacecraft Systems Engineering, 4th ed., West Sussex: Wiley, 2011.\n K. Thangavel, A. M. Afful, K. Ranasinghe, S. Hilton, S. Bijjahalli, A. Gardi and R. Sabatini, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Artificial Intelligence for Trusted Autonomous satellite Opeartions,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Internal Report, RMIT\/CPAS\/004-2021, Melbourne, Australia, June 2021","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Annie Liang","title":"Unmanned traffic management digital twin for drone-enabling future healthcare logistics systems","description":"With current technology, drones can improve patient survival, outcomes, and quality of life, particularly in remote areas lacking sufficient funds or relevant infrastructure. Compared to ground transportation, the speed, convenience and cost savings make them particularly applicable in emergency medicine. This research aims to study the digital infrastructure for the future healthcare logistic system to support a safe, on-time, and sustainable beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone delivery.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Using deep learning for predicting composites manufacturing process degradation","description":"The Resin Transfer Infusion (RFI) process, developed in the UK for the production of the Airbus A220 wing, has been heavily instrumented and a substantial quantity of data has been generated over the years. One parameter which needs to be carefully monitored, in the production of these wings, is the level of porosity in the resulting resin-infused non-crimp-fabric (NCF) carbon fibre reinforced composite structure. On occasion, a process degradation is observed through a commensurate increase in the measured porosity leading to part rejection when the volumetric porosity exceeds 2%. The aim of this project is to use deep learning algorithms to mine existing data and investigate whether it is possible to predict process degradation so that corrective measures may be implemented before the level of porosity exceeds acceptable limits. \n Objectives:\n - Develop suitable data infrastructure environment to be able to create any necessary metadata representations to allowing development of suitable analytic algorithms.\n - Undertake initial quality assessment of the data to investigate and address any missingness and inconsistencies using suitable imputation techniques.\n - Undertake investigative analytical approaches which will act to reveal any dependencies within the data, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s revealing any relationships.\n - Explore ensemble methods for improving the predictive performance and reducing variability of the model in close collaboration with the manufacturer in order to gain a better understanding of the relationship of the manufacturing process","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Enhancing the through-thickness thermal conductivity of carbon-fibre composite aerospace structures.","description":"This project is in collaboration with a major manufacturer of advanced composite aerospace structures. The predominant type of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites, qualified for flight, have relatively low through-thickness thermal conductivity compared to an aluminium equivalent. This reduces the efficiency of anti-icing devices, the majority of which are based on the extraction of hot air from the combustion chamber, which is fed through perforated piping to the inner surface of susceptible structures. The \u00e2\u20ac\u02dchot air bleed\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 from the engine reduces its efficiency and the required piping incurs a considerable weight and maintenance penalty. Wing leading edges are particularly susceptible to ice build-up which can lead to a rapid deterioration in aerodynamic performance, potentially leading to loss of aircraft control. Engine nacelle inlets also require anti-icing\/de-icing functionality since ice-build up in these regions will degrade the quality of airflow into the engine, degrading powerplant performance. Breakaway ice, ingested by the engine, may further result in internal structural damage. As powerplants and bypass ratios continue to become larger, so too does the nacelle structural weight and, consequently, the need to make these lighter. The move towards more electrification of on-board systems aims to do away with hot air bleed. The Boeing 787 is the first aircraft to use an electrothermal anti-icing\/de-icing system for its leading edges, incorporating a device developed by GKN. The engine nacelles still use a hot air bleed system, presumably as a result of the level of design and structural changes that would need to be made by the engine manufacturer, requiring a much greater level of airframe\/powerplant integration and co-development than is the current norm. Airframe\/powerplant integration has recently emerged as a priority for the industry as it recognises the rapid changes required to deliver aircraft with higher efficiency and, indeed, aiming towards net-zero tailpipe emissions. The aim of this project is to develop a composite material that provides a significant through-thickness thermal conductivity enhancement over current composite systems. Carbon nanotube enhanced composites have shown promise and this project will initially build on this work. A secondary challenging aspect of this work, contingent on progress on addressing the primary research question, is to consider the feasibility of simultaneously enhancing through-thickness thermal conductivity and surface (preferably not through-thickness) electrical conductivity for lightning strike protection.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Development of a reliable test for dynamic interlaminar fracture toughness measurements","description":"There is still much debate regarding the influence of strain rate on the apparent interlaminar fracture toughness of composite materials. A deeper understanding of this relationship is imperative if accurate computational models are to be developed which are truly predictive without the need of 'calibration'. Two approaches will be explored to cover a range of strain rates; one which uses a high-speed servo-hydraulic test machine (SHTM) and another which makes use of a split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB). Where strain rates overlap, comparative assessments will be conducted. The project will require the design and development of appropriate fixtures and specimens for Mode I, Mode II and mixed mode fracture testing. Computational analysis will be used to guide the design of the rig and specimens.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Development of a reliable test for dynamic intralaminar fracture toughness measurements","description":"This project will explore the influence of strain rate on intralaminar fracture toughness Two approaches will be compared; one which makes use of compact tension\/compression (CT\/CC) tests, and a technique which exploits the size-effect law [20] where a series of self-similar double-notched specimens of different sizes are tested. Both approaches will be investigated and compared using a high-speed servo-hydraulic test machine (SHTM) and a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). One criticism of the CT\/CC approach is the difficulty in tracking the crack and the diffuse damage arising in CC tests (propagating kink-band). This is particularly pertinent for dynamic testing. High speed digital image correlation (DIC) will be used for tracking the crack. Moreover, CT\/CC specimens will be grooved to further ensure clear crack\/kink-band propagation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Cees Bil","title":"Improved Air Traffic Flow Optimisation using Weather Information","description":"This project aims to improve air traffic flow by optimising speed, altitude and heading based on given flight schedules. Flights are collaborative, they follow recommended speed, altitude and heading, so that the total fuel consumption over a given period is minimised. Standard conflict avoidance rules apply as well as given weather conditions enroute.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dorian Notman","title":"Aviation Safety Programs and their role in improving safety performance","description":"This sponsored PhD position based in Melbourne, Australia is for a suitably qualified and enthusiastic full-time student from an engineering or technical discipline. The industrial sponsor is the Flight Safety Foundation (Melbourne) and the project will involve significant time embedded within the sponsor. The project will also involve an internship within the FSF on related topics to develop the student\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s industrial experience and expertise. The topic is in the analysis of existing Aviation Safety Programs with a view to develop and incorporate enhanced risk management processes in line with contemporary Safety Management Systems for aviation organisations. Prior knowledge of, or experience in, Safety Management Systems, Safety\/Quality Management, Risk Management, Performance Improvement, Aviation Systems, and cognate areas will be valuable. This role will also involve a significant interaction with industry so excellent written\/spoken English and excellent presentation skills will be essential. \n The sponsorship involves a stipend from the FSF for living expenses (approximately AUD 33,000 per year for 3.5 years) and the tuition fees will be covered by RMIT. \n The student must be eligible for postgraduate study in Australia (https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/study-with-us\/international-students\/apply-to-rmit-international-students\/student-visas) and meet the programme entrance requirements (https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/study-with-us\/levels-of-study\/research-programs\/phd\/phd-aerospace-engineering-and-aviation-dr215%23admissions)\n The essential core skills will be in process design and data analysis. Specific techniques and methods can be developed during the project and this will be supported by RMIT. \n If this is interesting to you, check your eligibility at the links above. If you would like apply, contact Dorian Notman (dorian.notman@rmit.edu.au) for an initial discussion. The project will begin as soon as a suitable candidate is approved.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Matthew Marino","title":"Boundary layer augmentation of propellors for quieter and more efficient operation","description":"This project aims to enhance the performance of low Reynolds number propellers utilised in drones and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft by implementing boundary layer augmentation techniques. Low Reynolds number conditions, characteristic of these applications, often result in reduced propeller efficiency and increased noise levels due to the formation of a laminar separation bubble. This research seeks to address these challenges by investigating innovative methods to manipulate the boundary layer to reduce the bubble\u2019s adverse effects.\nThe project will involve a comprehensive study of boundary layer augmentation techniques, which may include passive methods such as specialised blade geometries and active methods like micro-jet or synthetic jet actuation. Numerical and CFD simulations will be conducted to analyse the flow behaviour and assess the effectiveness of different augmentation strategies. These findings will guide the design and optimisation of prototype propellers. Wind tunnel experiments will be used to validate each simulated concept.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400103 ; 400199"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Matthew Marino","title":"Engineering Drones for Novel Operations for Safety and Societal Advancement","description":"This PhD project investigates engineering strategies to revolutionise their utility and societal impact. Focusing on safety, sustainability, and growth, this research introduces novel engineering solutions that redefine drone usage.\nThis project will allow the candidate to research into the various aspects of drone operations and seek out solutions to current operational, engineering and performance problems. Anticipated contributions include expanded drone applications, heightened safety protocols, sustainability promotion, and profound societal enhancements. By generating sustainable engineering solutions, this research accelerates the integration of drones into civil society, paving the way for a safer and technologically advanced future.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400199"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Radiation Effects on the structure and properties of 3D printed ODS steels","description":"The recent acquisition of nuclear submarines by Australia, and the worldwide search for more efficient and safe nuclear reactor technologies for meeting future global energy demands, has renewed interest in developing high temperature radiation resistant materials. It is well known that radiation by neutrons and other high energy particles in a reactor can cause significant structural damage leading to mechanical property degradation and reduction in service life of a reactor.\n A class of high Cr ferritic steels with ultrafine grains and nanoscale precipitates, called Nanostructured ferritic alloys (NFAs) have been developed, which exhibit excellent creep and radiation resistant properties. The underlying principle behind these materials is that the enormous number of fine precipitates and grain boundaries provide an extremely large interfacial area which can act as a sink for radiation induced defects such as interstitials and vacancies. One of the major issues with producing these materials by mechanical alloying has been the inhomogeneity of the particle distribution of the second phase in the matrix. Such inhomogeneity can be severely detrimental to the radiation resistance and deformation characteristics of the alloys\n Therefore, in this project, it is proposed that ferritic alloys of similar composition and characteristics to those mentioned above will be produced, but via the alternative process of additive manufacturing using laser deposition. The main potential advantages of this method would be that, since it allows the use of alloy and oxide powders separately and enables the rapid solidification of extremely small amounts of material at a time, it would be possible to control the system better to produce a more homogeneous material. Different laser deposition parameters will be tried to obtain the best combination of creep and radiation resistance. These samples will then be irradiated with ion beams (as a surrogate for neutron irradiation), and examined using advanced electron microscopy techniques to study the microstructural damage caused thereby. They will further be tested by in situ micro-mechanical testing inside an electron microscope, allowing the assessment of property changes in the extremely small volume of ion irradiated material. The results will be analysed using advanced finite element and dislocation dynamics modelling.\n This project is expected to provide a new and improved method for producing creep and radiation tolerant structural materials for nuclear reactors in submarines and for power production. There will be both a theoretical and an experimental approach, which will contribute to overall understanding of the material system, thus paving the way for broader application of the techniques developed.\n The project provides opportunities to collaborate with the Department of Defence and with ANSTO, the premier nuclear science organisation of Australia.\n Knowledge and background in either solid mechanics, material science or finite element analysis, or in phase transformations, electron microscopy or mechanical testing will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n \n Collaboration: The project provides opportunities to collaborate with the Department of Defence and with ANSTO, the premier nuclear science organisation of Australia.\n \n Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge and background in either solid mechanics, material science or finite element analysis, or in phase transformations, electron microscopy or mechanical testing will be beneficial to undertake this project.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"091207 Metals and Alloy Materials  (50%) ; 091105 Ship and Platform Structures  (25%) ; 080110 Simulation and Modelling   (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vincenzo Muscarello","title":"Development of a Virtual Flight Laboratory for Structural Health Monitoring","description":"Development and maintenance of accurate and reliable structural health monitoring systems to ensure the safe and efficient operation of aerospace platforms is of ever-increasing importance. It is particularly essential for future aerospace vehicles having lighter and more flexible structures while being subjected to more extreme operating conditions acting over longer time periods than the current generation of vehicles. \n To provide significant improvements to vehicle performance and structural life management, RMIT University and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) are working on the development of a numerical flight simulation environment for assessing aerospace vehicle flight dynamics, in-flight load and stress distributions and aims to improve the Individual Aircraft Tracking capability.\n The FlightLab simulation tool will integrate aerostructural flight dynamics components through a state-space, plug-and-play architecture to support third-party software integration for system development, enabling:\n i) analysis of the vehicle's flight dynamics and simulation of complex manoeuvres;\n ii) evaluation of internal loads and stress\/strains in critical airframe locations;\n iii) prediction of structural failures supporting damage detection.\n The simulation environment will be designed to be modular and to incorporate heterogeneous subcomponents from different sources into the model. Intrinsic modularity will allow several advantages, including:\n 1) a broad range of approximation levels for each subsystem;\n 2) the possibility of using different sources of increasing sophistication to assemble models for the same component;\n 3) ease in model expansion to include additional components.\n Expected outcomes include an advanced methodology that enables accurate prediction of vehicle dynamics, through the development of high-fidelity Digital Twin models that can continuously monitor aerodynamic, structural, thermal, and other loading and forecast the structural health of the vehicle and the remaining useful life.\n \n [1] Levinski O., Verhagen W., Muscarello V., Scott M. J., Fayek H., Marzocca P., \"An Innovative High-Fidelity Approach to Structural Health Monitoring\" 20th Australian International Aerospace Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 2023.\n \n [2] Glaessgen, E.H., Stargel, D.S., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Digital Twin Paradigm for Future NASA and U.S. Air Force Vehicles\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Proceedings of the 53rd AIAA\/ASME\/ASCE\/AHS\/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, AIAA Paper 2012-1818, 2012\n \n [3] F. Saltari, C. Riso, G. De Matteis and F. Mastroddi, \"Finite-Element-Based Modeling for Flight Dynamics and Aeroelasticity of Flexible Aircraft,\" AIAA Journal of Aircraft, vol. 54, no. 6, pp. 2350-2366, 2017.\n \n [4] Guimar\u00c3\u00a3es Neto A. B., Silva R., Paglione P., Silvestre F., \"Formulation of the Flight Dynamics of Flexible Aircraft Using General Body Axes\", AIAA Journal, Vol. 54, no. 11, pp. 3516-3534, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vincenzo Muscarello","title":"Development of Control Laws for Whirl Flutter Suppression on Distributed Propulsion Aircraft","description":"Modern aircraft designs, such as electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles, often contain distributed propulsion systems (DPS) since electrification and hybridization simplify the integration of these systems and thanks to the benefits on aerodynamic efficiency. Nevertheless, several issues regarding aeroelastic response may occur on wings with DPS, which needs to be considered during aircraft design.\n From a structural dynamics point of view, even for a single propeller mounted on a flexible wing, aeroelastic phenomena such as whirl flutter may arise [1]. Whirl flutter requires one to consider the influence of rotating masses producing centrifugal, Coriolis, and gyroscopic forces\/moments in addition to aerodynamic loads. The instability is a whirl divergence that is the result of precession-generated aerodynamic hub forces. The precession is caused by in-plane aerodynamic forces that can destabilize the pitch or yaw degree of freedom of the wing\u00e2\u20ac\u201cpylon elastic suspension of the propellers [2].\n This project aims to develop Reduced Order Models (ROMs) of wing-propeller systems using linear aeroservoelastic tools [3, 4] and to design robust control laws for whirl flutter suppression. The control laws will be subsequently validated using more sophisticated simulation environments, based on nonlinear coupled multibody \u00e2\u20ac\u201c mid-fidelity tools [5].\n Expected outcomes include the capability to model complex aeroservoelastic systems to be enrolled in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) context, together with the design of robust control laws to prevent aeroelastic instabilities and to extend the aircraft flight envelope.\n \n [1] Bielawa R., \"Rotary Wing Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity,\" Second Edition, ISBN (print): 978-1-56347-698-3, AIAA Education Series, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2514\/4.862373 \n \n [2] Reed,W. H., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Propeller-RotorWhirl Flutter: A State-of-the-Art Review,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 4, (3), 1966, pp. 526 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 544. doi: 10.1016\/0022-460X(66)90142-8\n \n [3] Masarati P., Muscarello V., Quaranta G., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Linearized aeroservoelastic analysis of rotary-wing aircraft,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in 36th European Rotorcraft Forum (ERF 2011), 2010, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c10.\n \n [4] Muscarello V. and Quaranta G., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Structural coupling and whirl-flutter stability with pilot-in-the-loop,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Journal of the American Helicopter Society vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c16, 2021. Available: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4050\/JAHS.66.032003 \n \n [5] Savino, A.; Cocco, A.; Zanotti, A.; Tugnoli, M.; Masarati, P.; Muscarello, V. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Coupling Mid-Fidelity Aerodynamics and Multibody Dynamics for the Aeroelastic Analysis of Rotary-Wing Vehicles\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Energies 2021, no. 14, 6979. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/en14216979","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wim Verhagen","title":"Mixed Reality for Aircraft Maintenance and Sustainment","description":"Mixed Reality (MR) has in recent years proven its potential in improving efficiency of operations and sustainment in multiple application domains. MR merges elements of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to seamlessly blend real-world elements and virtual content, allowing for better information retrieval, task execution, control and (remote) support for complex tasks. MR therefore has several unique advantages over existing approaches towards sustainment tasks and has furthermore shown potential across a range of operational environments. In terms of impact, MR can deliver time savings, improved knowledge transfer and learning outcomes, and increased productivity. Despite significant interest in MR from a large variety of aerospace companies, academic partners and indeed Defence itself, MR has not yet penetrated the aerospace sustainment sector at significant scale, either nationally or internationally. Several practical and theoretical gaps remain to be addressed, including 1) achieving an increased understanding of learning and training performance using MR technology, 2) the identification and selection of appropriate performance measures to reliably capture the effectiveness of MR in various operational scenarios, 3) the integration of formal MR process representations in multi-criteria decision support models and approaches.\n \n This research aims to address the challenges highlighted above by developing and testing MR for representative maintenance decision processes under real-life conditions. This will be enabled by a systematic review, development, verification and validation of appropriate MR performance metrics in training and, ideally, actual sustainment scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wim Verhagen","title":"Structural Prognostics and Health Management for aircraft maintenance decision support","description":"Current approaches to aircraft maintenance are primarily reactive and driven by scheduled inspection intervals and preventive maintenance. However, there has recently been a major shift towards actionable and pro-active condition-based maintenance to significantly reduce fleet sustainment costs [1]. On a trajectory towards the realisation of aircraft Digital Twin technology, Next Generation (NextGen) aircraft programs [2] are beginning to adopt this new paradigm, known as Structural Prognostics and Health Management (SPHM). Although NextGen aircraft are designed and fitted with SPHM sensory networks, full exploitation of this hardware requires several rapid technological developments. This includes novel methodologies for i) intelligent sensor processing, systems integration and data fusion, ii) smart structural anomaly diagnostics, and iii) state-of-the-art aircraft prognostics techniques; iv) systematic decision support approaches for operational and tactical time horizons while accounting for internal and external sources of uncertainty, such as model uncertainty or resource availability constraints. Currently, detection, diagnosis and resolution of structural anomalies requires aircraft grounding and physical inspection, which reduces aircraft availability\/mission readiness and is expensive. Furthermore, prediction of future events is usually not supported or present at a relatively low degree of fidelity. Hence, driven by the SPHM concept, smart structural anomaly diagnostics and prognostics refers to rapid detection, localisation, tracking and prediction of these structural events, which would allow for pro-active decision support and thereby substantially increase availability and reduce sustainment costs. The candidate will join the RMIT aeroelasticity research group, who have been working towards the realisation of SPHM-based technologies in collaboration with Australian Defence Science and Technology for the past years. The aim of the PhD project is to make a major contribution towards SPHM and Digital Twin technology through the development of state-of-the-art smart diagnostics\/prognostics and decision support algorithms for NextGen individual aircraft tracking and health management. The research will harness a truly-multi-disciplinary environment, where both fundament and practical aspects of physics-based aerodynamic\/structural modelling, nonlinear system identification, data fusion\/analytics, machine learning and decision making models are integral components.\n \n References:\n [1] Kappas, J. and Frith, P., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153From HUMS to PHM: Are we there yet?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d 17th Australian International Aerospace Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 2017. [2] Fallon, T., Mahal, D., and Hebden, I., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Structural Prognostics and Health Management An Overview\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, 25th SYMPOSIUM of the International Committee on Aeronautical Fatigue, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2009.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Damage Tolerant Hybrid Composite Materials for Applications in Critical Aerospace Structures","description":"Fiber reinforced composites are often considered and selected for weight-critical structural applications due to their high specific stiffness and strength. However, lack of sufficient knowledge in the failure and life time prediction methodologies implies that the composite structures are often over designed with a large factor of safety, and numerous tests are to be performed on prototypes for prediction of performance over the required life time. Residual strength degradation and fatigue behaviour of composite laminates are of vital importance to the damage tolerance design of structures. Cyclic loading causes adverse effects and leads to accumulated damage and degradation of residual strength in composite laminates. Predicting the residual strength of composite structures for both monotonic and fatigue loading has several advantages in the design of critical load bearing structures and components. The aims of the research are to develop efficient and accurate computational and experimental methodologies for characterising hybrid, multifunctional fibre metal laminate composites for aerospace components. This includes damage type, location, mechanisms under complex monotonic and fatigue (cyclic) loading and assessing their effects on the residual strength degradation and consequent fatigue life. Using this information, a parametric study will be conducted with different composite material parameters (thickness, lay-up, and types of fibre and matrix) in order to develop optimised FML composites with high durability and fatigue life.\n The expected outcomes of this research will be well-validated computational analysis methods to predict failure mode, and quantify defect and damage produced in fibre metal laminate composites. The models can be used to predict residual strength and estimate fatigue life of composite structures under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The modelling and optimisation tools will then be used in developing high strength composites with high durability and longer service life for critical aerospace components. The project provides opportunities to collaborate with aircraft industries and research institutes in the UK and Germany. Knowledge and background in Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n References:\n [1]. Shokrieh, M.M. and L.B. Lessard, Progressive Fatigue Damage Modeling of Composite Materials, Part I: Modeling. Journal of Composite Materials, 2000. 34(13): p. 1056-1080. [2]. Afaghi-Khati, A., L. Ye, and Y.-W. Mai, Effective Crack Growth and Residual Strength of Composite Laminates with a Sharp Notch. Journal of Composite Materials, 1996. 30(3): p. 333-357. [3]. Koo, J.-M., J.-H. Choi, and C.-S. Seok, Prediction of post-impact residual strength and fatigue characteristics after impact of CFRP composite structures. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2014. 61(0): p. 300-306.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"MR215","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Damage Tolerant Hybrid Composite Materials for Applications in Critical Aerospace Structures","description":"Fiber reinforced composites are often considered and selected for weight-critical structural applications due to their high specific stiffness and strength. However, lack of sufficient knowledge in the failure and life time prediction methodologies implies that the composite structures are often over designed with a large factor of safety, and numerous tests are to be performed on prototypes for prediction of performance over the required life time. Residual strength degradation and fatigue behaviour of composite laminates are of vital importance to the damage tolerance design of structures. Cyclic loading causes adverse effects and leads to accumulated damage and degradation of residual strength in composite laminates. Predicting the residual strength of composite structures for both monotonic and fatigue loading has several advantages in the design of critical load bearing structures and components. The aims of the research are to develop efficient and accurate computational and experimental methodologies for characterising hybrid, multifunctional fibre metal laminate composites for aerospace components. This includes damage type, location, mechanisms under complex monotonic and fatigue (cyclic) loading and assessing their effects on the residual strength degradation and consequent fatigue life. Using this information, a parametric study will be conducted with different composite material parameters (thickness, lay-up, and types of fibre and matrix) in order to develop optimised FML composites with high durability and fatigue life.\n The expected outcomes of this research will be well-validated computational analysis methods to predict failure mode, and quantify defect and damage produced in fibre metal laminate composites. The models can be used to predict residual strength and estimate fatigue life of composite structures under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The modelling and optimisation tools will then be used in developing high strength composites with high durability and longer service life for critical aerospace components. The project provides opportunities to collaborate with aircraft industries and research institutes in the UK and Germany. Knowledge and background in Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n References:\n [1]. Shokrieh, M.M. and L.B. Lessard, Progressive Fatigue Damage Modeling of Composite Materials, Part I: Modeling. Journal of Composite Materials, 2000. 34(13): p. 1056-1080. [2]. Afaghi-Khati, A., L. Ye, and Y.-W. Mai, Effective Crack Growth and Residual Strength of Composite Laminates with a Sharp Notch. Journal of Composite Materials, 1996. 30(3): p. 333-357. [3]. Koo, J.-M., J.-H. Choi, and C.-S. Seok, Prediction of post-impact residual strength and fatigue characteristics after impact of CFRP composite structures. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2014. 61(0): p. 300-306.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Digital Twin and Machine Learning-assisted Thermal Management and Advanced Manufacturing","description":"The next generation of defence technology follows the technological trends which are currently being observed on a broader scale throughout the sector. This includes a major focus on weight reduction, improved safety, enhanced reliability and robust functionality and highly integrated intelligence-based systems including. The development of such state-of-the-art technologies in the defence space requires an integrated multi-disciplinary approach, with high-fidelity \u201cvirtual test\u201d numerical modelling being critical. This report discusses progress to date of a state-of-art modelling technology for a defence system, with a focus on high-flux conjugate thermal fluid dynamic simulation to capture the transient event for thermal management. A machine-based learning strategy to assist the modelling process will be developed in detail to broaden predictive modelling capability. In this project, student will engage with industry partner, Thales, one the leading defence manufacturing company in Australia and in the world. Regular training and onsite visit and discussion with the industrial engineers will be required and to provide student with unique research and practical training environment. \u2022 Candidates with backgrounds in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering are preferred with expertise in CFD, Matlab or thermal modelling. Experiences with modelling software like Ansys Fluent will be highly evaluated. Students with skill, expertise in machine learning are highly encouraged to apply. \u2022 Candidate should be an Australian citizen.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Graham Dorrington","title":"Experimental investigation of electric propulsion system intended for micro-satellite","description":"Experimental investigation of the performance of a robust, lightweight, high specific impulse electric propulsion system intended for micro-satellite low Earth orbit manoeuvring, using a thermal vacuum test chamber","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Fire-retardant and lightweight composite materials for rolling stock carriages","description":"The adoption of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in the design of passenger and freight trains reduces the vehicle weight considerably, thereby increasing the payload and decreasing energy consumption and environmental damage. The use of FRP composites in the railway industry ranges from cellular\/sandwich materials for floor boards, laminates for loading-carrying structures to recyclable and biodegradable composites for the interior. However, the presence of highly flammable organic matrices in FRP composites, is one of the most limiting factors inhibiting wide spread adoption of these materials in rolling stock carriages. Polymeric components in transport vehicles have been identified as primary sources of combustible materials that initiate and sustain combustion, consequently presenting the risk of injuries to the passengers. The wide spread use of FRP composites in railway sectors can only serve to increase this fire risk. There is a lack of understanding of the flammability and fire resistance of FRP composites for railway applications. As such, there are growing concerns that current fire regulations may not adequately address the safety requirements and should be amended to be comparable to those prevailing in the aviation industry. This project aims to develop lightweight structural FRP composites exhibiting multifunctional properties including acoustic and thermal insulation, vibration damping and most importantly improved fire performance and fire structural resistance. Specifically, the proposed project will lead to the development of fire-safe and structurally-efficient composite materials for rolling stock carriages and a multi-physics numerical model with the ability to simulate the fire response of these structures under service conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"JJ Richardson, Ali Zavabeti","title":"Advanced Metal-Organic Thin Films for Next-Generation Technologies","description":"Imagine ultra-thin, high-performance coatings that could transform industries\u2014from cutting-edge sensors to sustainable energy solutions and next-generation wearable devices. A new class of safe, scalable metal-organic materials has recently been discovered, offering remarkable functional properties with immense potential for real-world applications.\n\nIn this PhD project, you will explore, design, and develop these materials to unlock their capabilities for advanced device applications. Your work could lead to breakthroughs in energy storage and production, wearable devices, bio-sensors, and a range of optoelectronic sensors. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge materials science, work with state-of-the-art synthesis and characterization techniques, and help shape the future of sustainable technology.\n\nIf you're passionate about innovation, materials discovery, and pushing the boundaries of science, this project is for you!","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2027-01-01","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 Functional Materials (50%)\n400902 Digital Electronics Devices (25%)\n400404 Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim","title":"Developing novel membranes for efficient removal of emerging contaminants in wastewater recycling","description":"Wastewater reuse is critical to addressing global water scarcity, yet conventional treatment processes struggle to remove trace micropollutants including pharmaceuticals (e.g., antibiotics), personal care products, micro- and nano-plastics. These contaminants pose significant ecological and human health risks due to their persistence and bioaccumulation and therefore limit usability of the recycled water. Membrane-based processes such as forward osmosis (FO) and membrane distillation (MD) offer energy-efficient alternatives for wastewater recycling. However, existing membrane processes face limitations in selectivity, fouling, and water flux, particularly for small and complex micropollutants. This project will focus on designing novel membranes (e.g., through new material composition and fabrication methods) and optimising the membrane processes to achieve high rejection of micropollutants, high water throughput, and strong antifouling capabilities. The focused membrane technology and targeted micropollutants in this study will be determined through a thorough literature review and investigated by the respective experimental programs that utilise commercial membranes as benchmarks. This project will advance membrane science by addressing critical gaps in micropollutant removal, directly contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6: Clean Water and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption). The developed membrane technology will facilitate sustainable wastewater treatment in industries and municipalities, mitigating environmental contamination and enabling safe water reuse. The project will provide the PhD candidate with the opportunity to collaborate with researchers at external organisations such as CSIRO Manufacturing. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2027-12-06","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410 Wastewater treatment processes (50%)\n401101 Separation technologies (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Zavabeti, Vikram Garaniya","title":"Atomaterials Discovery for Next-Generation Sensors and Sustainability","description":"Designing and configuring materials at the atomic scale presents an exciting pathway for developing next-generation smart functional materials for sensors and wearable technologies. This project aims to explore atomic-level manipulation to achieve tunable functionalities, with a focus on fundamental investigations into charge doping and interactions within materials. By uncovering these mechanisms, the project seeks to pave the way for advanced applications in emerging technologies.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 Sensor Technology (Inc. chemical aspects)\n401810 Nanoscale characterisations"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ibrahim Hakeem","title":"Resource recovery from organic wastes through co-digestion and thermal treatment","description":"The project will explore through experiments and theoretical modelling the maximisation of resource recovery from diverse organic waste streams including sewage sludge, food organics, garden organics, and trade waste by combining anaerobic digestion and thermal treatments. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403-50% \n400402-50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Zavabeti, Vikram Garaniya","title":"Process and Materials Engineering for Energy Conversion and Storage","description":"This project focuses on optimizing energy management and process design for energy and chemical production and storage, incorporating advanced materials and innovative methodologies. It aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and energy efficiency of novel materials and processes, offering an integrated approach to sustainable technologies. The project encourages collaboration across disciplines, providing opportunities for students in materials science, chemical engineering, and process simulation to contribute to cutting-edge research and technological advancements.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403 Chemical Engineering Design (50%)\n401605 Functional Materials (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vikram Garaniya","title":"Biofouling Management of Maritime Assets","description":"Marine biofouling of external structure surfaces and connected internal systems is a major concern in the maritime industry.  It causes significant detrimental effects on all seawater-immersed marine systems, including vessels, offshore rigs, wave-energy converters, undersea pipelines, and fishing nets. \n\nIt adversely affects marine vessels through the loss of speed, decreased manoeuvrability, increased fuel consumption (and thereby increased emissions of harmful gases), inefficient operation and damage to machinery reliant on seawater intake, increased frequency of costly and time-consuming biofouling remediation (e.g. dry docking), domestic and international translocation of invasive species, impact on acoustic sensor performance, and the increased vulnerability of warships and submarines from cavitation induced wake and broadband acoustic noise. The scope of this project is constrained to external biofouling.  It has been estimated that frictional drag resulting from external biofouling can reduce the speed of a ship by more than 10%, and a biofouled ship can burn 40% more fuel. The shipping industry needs a proper balance to prevent\/reduce biofouling on surfaces immersed in seawater yet maintaining designed performance parameters. \n\nThe project has the following three main interconnected tasks.\n\nHydrodynamic Performance Modelling: The candidate will develop a new methodology using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools to predict the performance degradation of vessels under various external marine biofouling conditions. The investigation will study the impact on parameters such as speed reduction, fuel consumption, harmful exhaust emission increase, and manoeuvrability. \n\nValidation and Testing: The candidate will conduct experiments to validate the numerical models and prepare the data for developing resilient design solutions. This ensures the practical applicability and effectiveness of the developed models. \n\nResilient Design Framework: The candidate will develop a framework for naval vessel designs that are resilient to biofouling and provide optimum hydrodynamic performance. The framework will be applied to a case study of a baseline hull and will include recommendations for application to novel hull designs, coatings and materials. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"4004 Chemical Engineering and 4011 Environmental Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vikram Garaniya, Kalpit Shah, Kevin Zhang, Mohammad Aminpour ","title":"Risk-Based Asset Integrity Management of Water Infrastructure","description":"1. Tentative Topic: Asset Integrity Management of Water Utilities\n\n2. Scope of Work: \n\u2022        Review the Available Approaches to Asset Integrity:  Conduct a thorough assessment of different asset integrity management strategies currently utilised in the industry. This includes identifying best practices, methodologies, and tools that ensure the reliability and safety of water infrastructure assets.\n\u2022        Examine Applicable Codes and Standards for Water Infrastructure in Australia and Victoria:  Investigate the relevant regulations, codes, and standards that govern the construction, operation, and maintenance of water infrastructure in Australia, specifically focusing on Victorian legislation. This will ensure compliance with legal requirements and industry benchmarks.\n\u2022        Develop a Probabilistic Degradation Model: Create a model that assesses the likelihood of degradation in water infrastructure assets over time. This model should incorporate factors such as environmental conditions, material properties, and operational loadings to provide a comprehensive risk assessment of asset deterioration.\n\u2022        Develop a Failure Model:  Design a failure model that identifies potential asset failure modes and analyses the mechanisms that could lead to these failures. This model should include both historical data and predictive analytics to understand how and when failures may occur.\n\u2022        Formulate a Consequence Model: Develop a consequence model that evaluates the ramifications of asset failures. This should consider factors such as economic impact, environmental effects, and implications for public safety, providing a holistic view of the risks associated with asset failure.\n\u2022        Construct an Asset Risk Model: Integrate the findings from the degradation, failure, and consequence models to create a comprehensive asset risk model. This model should quantify the overall risk associated with assets, allowing for informed decision-making regarding asset management.\n\u2022        Develop an Asset Risk Management System:  Establish a structured system for managing the risks identified through the asset risk model. This system should include policies, procedures, and resources needed to address risks and implement mitigation strategies proactively.\n\u2022        Test and Validate All Models:  Implement testing and validation processes for each model to ensure their accuracy and reliability. This may involve scenario analysis, back-testing with historical data, and peer reviews to confirm that the models function as intended.\n\u2022        Apply the Models in Practical Scenarios: Use the validated models in real-world applications to assess their effectiveness and practicality. Conduct pilot projects or case studies to demonstrate how these models can improve asset integrity management and reduce risks in water infrastructure.\n\n3. Objectives:\n\n\u2022        Develop an innovative risk-based asset integrity management system for water infrastructure. This model will incorporate advanced methodologies that identify and assess potential risks to ensure the long-term sustainability of water assets.\n\n\u2022        Apply this model effectively in order to minimise risks associated with water infrastructure. Enhance the reliability and safety of water delivery systems, ultimately safeguarding public health and preserving environmental quality.\n\n\u2022        Integrate data-driven decision-making processes that will allow for continuous asset integrity monitoring and evaluation. This will enable proactive maintenance strategies that extend the lifespan of water infrastructure.\n\n\u2022        Assess the impact of the developed system on operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that it provides a robust safety framework and contributes to overall resource management and optimisation within the water sector.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"4004 Chemical Engineering and 4011 Environmental Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh Veluswamy","title":"Sustainable graphite production from biomass","description":"Design a novel, eco-friendly, and cost-effective method of producing graphite from biomass and other waste feedstocks","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400403-50%\n400402-50%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Daniel Lester","title":"Efficient pipeline transportation of highly concentrated wastewater sludges","description":"The project expects to generate new knowledge about the complex flow of concentrated wastewater sludge which will enable predictive models to support the design and optimization of sludge pipeline transport systems. Expected outcomes of the project contributes toward developing a new toolkit that will enable wastewater treatment plants to design and optimize both existing and future pipeline systems. This will support the Australian wastewater industry to plan for future growth, increase throughput and efficiency, reduce environmental pollutants, and capital and operating costs. This project involves close collaboration with a research team with extensive experience in sludge rheology and fluid mechanic as well as Melbourne Water research team.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401211        Multiphysics flows (incl. multiphase and reacting flows), 40%\n401212        Non-Newtonian fluid flows (incl. rheology), 40%\n410404        Environmental management, 20%\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh Veluswamy","title":"Resource recovery from organics via hydrothermal processing","description":"Develop an optimized hydrothermal process for wet biomass conversion into quality bio-oil, focusing on increasing reaction efficiency and product yield.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400402 -25%\n400403- 50%\n400408- 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Nasir Mahmood","title":"Development of a Sustainable Pathways for Extraction of High Value Pure Materials from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) ","description":"Spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in Australia are increasing by 20 % annually. Approximately 5290 tonnes of LIB waste were generated in Australia during the 2017-2018 financial year, but only 320 tonnes were sent to upcycling facilities. This project aims to develop sustainable upcycling pathways for extraction of high-value pure materials from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This project will involve developing the upcycling process by utilising a range of organic acids and optimising it through laboratory scale testing. The process will start with the selective dissolving of Li-ion compounds from used batteries, followed by optimization of experimental variables like leaching temperature, time and acids concentration. In order to maximize the effective solubility of lithium-ion compounds for various combinations of organic acids, statistical optimization will be used to refine the promising routes. The effectiveness of the upcycling pathways will be assessed using a variety of analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410404        Environmental management (50%)\n400404        Electrochemical energy storage and conversion"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Nasir Mahmood","title":"Microplastic removal from waterways","description":"Microplastics are not detectable and removable through conventional treatment systems which is scary as a huge amount of these is being released into aquatic systems every day. Microplastics are a life-threatening pollutant not only for aquatic life but also have significant negative impacts on human health. It is such a dangerous pollutant as if even landfilled, it takes up to 450 years to be degraded. Thus, it is time to capture this pollutant efficiently and treated it properly to effectively save aquatic life and protect both human health and the environment.\nThere are many industries which require this sort of treatment to remove this sort of hazardous pollutant being released into water. Specifically, water utilities, food manufactures, packaging, health care, textile etc. are the major end users of this developed technology.\nRecently, our team developed adsorbents that can remove this undetectable hazardous microplastics from water through a simple adsorption process without leaving any fingerprint of secondary pollutants. This project aims to build on the previous success to expand the suitability of the adsorbent at industrial scales. \nThis project is suitable for those one who have passion to make a positive impact on human life and environment by contributing to the development of the adsorbent. MPs is a global issue and acquiring knowledge in this area provide a competitive edge in job market.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410404        Environmental management (50%)\n401605        Functional materials (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Maazuza Othman, Raj Parthasarathy","title":"Improving biogas from anaerobic digestion utilizing pre-treated sewage sludge (Thermal hydrolysis and wet oxidation of sludge)","description":"Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable environmental technology to recover energy and stabilise the biosolids from WWTP. However, hydrolysis is the rate limiting step for biosolids, leading to slow degradation and requiring long retention times. Many pretreatment technologies have shown to improve the kinetics of anaerobic biodegradation of sludge, accelerate the hydrolysis and enhance biogas productivity and affect the characteristics of digested sludge. Pretreatment technologies applied at industrial scale in WWTP include thermal hydrolysis (TH), ultrasound, high pressure homogenizers, electric-pulse and ozonization . TH (>100 \u00b0C) has shown to improve methane yields by 51-340% by enhancing sludge solubilisation, and improve dewaterability and achieve complete disinfection of treated sludge. On the other hand, wet air oxidation process (150-320 \u00b0C, at 20\u2013150 bar and with a residence time 15\u2013120 min) has shown to improve dewaterability, destruction of organic matter (92-95%) and biogas production (24-59%) of sludge. However, there is no comparison on the technical, energy and economic evaluation of WAOP and TH in the literature. Therefore, this project will provide required design data for WAOP process at industrial scale in terms of energy efficiency.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Daniel Lester","title":"Sludge rheology and its impact on pumping and heating wastewater sludge ","description":"Due to increasing pressures from population growth and urbanization, climate change and decreasing land availability, there exists a strong global drive to significantly intensify the capacity of existing wastewater treatment plants. For tertiary treatment processes, this inevitably means a transition to processing of more concentrated sludges in e.g. anaerobic digesters, associated pipe works, pumps and heat exchangers. This transition represents a serious challenge, however, as the rheological complexity of these sludges rapidly change from slightly non-Newtonian (water-like) to strongly viscoelastic-plastic (gloopy and gooey) with relatively small changes in solids concentration. These fundamental changes in material properties present serious processing challenges and demand new approaches to the design and operation of sludge processing and transport. The complex rheology of concentrated sludges means that these challenges cannot be addressed naively by e.g. simply increasing pumping power or pipe diameter or surface area of heat exchangers. This project aims to develop new insights into the rheology and fluid mechanics of rheologically complex materials under laminar, transient, and turbulent flows and its impact on heat transfer. The project shall a new insight for the design, optimisation and operation of pipeline and associated infrastructure such as heat exchanger in concentrated wastewater sludges via experimental investigation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes 30%\n401211        Multiphysics flows (incl. multiphase and reacting flows) 35%\n401212        Non-Newtonian fluid flows (incl. rheology), 35%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdokht Shaibani, Torben Daeneke","title":"Investigating Failure Mechanisms in Commercially Relevant Lithium-Sulfur Batteries","description":"Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries offer significant promise due to their high energy density and the abundance of sulfur. However, their commercial viability is limited by performance and stability challenges, particularly those related to the degradation and failure of key battery components.\n\nThis collaborative project with Monash University aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that cause failure in Li-S batteries, focusing on issues such as polysulfide dissolution, sulfur cathode degradation, and the stability of the lithium anode. Through a combination of experimental work and advanced characterization techniques (e.g., electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, SEM, XPS), the research will seek to identify and mitigate the critical factors limiting the lifespan and efficiency of Li-S batteries.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"50% Environmental Engineering (4011), 50% Chemical Engineering (4004)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdokht Shaibani, Torben Daeneke","title":"Gallium\u2010based liquid metals for lithium\u2010ion batteries","description":"We invite passionate and motivated candidates to join our cutting-edge research project focused on revolutionizing lithium-ion battery technology. Our innovative approach leverages gallium nanodroplets as anode materials, synthesized using a proprietary method. These nanodroplets exhibit exceptional properties, making them ideal for high-performance battery applications.\n\nThis groundbreaking technology offers a robust alternative to traditional graphite anodes, promising superior energy storage capacity, extended cycle life, and rapid charging capabilities. Beyond performance enhancements, our solution addresses critical safety concerns and supply chain issues associated with graphite, paving the way for more reliable and sustainable energy storage solutions.\n\nJoin us in this exciting research journey to develop the next generation of lithium-ion batteries, with the potential to significantly impact the future of energy storage.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"50% Environmental Engineering (4011), 50% Chemical Engineering (4004)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"JJ Richardson","title":"Exploring the formation and application of metal-organic nanomaterials","description":"Metal-organic nanomaterials offer significant promise for the rational design of functional nanomaterials due to their hybrid metal and organic properties. We are currently synthesizing a variety of metal-organic nanomaterials including metal-phenolic networks, metal-organic frameworks, and coordination polymers for a range of applications, such as agriculture, medicine, and forensics.\n\nThis project will explore the rational design of metal-organic nanomaterials and their use in different applications depending on the engineered properties of the materials. An ideal candidate will have a diverse scientific background that does not need to be in an any specific discipline. Experimentation will range from advanced microscopy techniques to materials characterization and potentially biological assays.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh Veluswamy","title":"Conversion of Waste Materials into Value Added Carbon Nanomaterials","description":"This project will involve the fundamental investigations related to 1.) the screening of the most suitable catalysts\nfor the vapor deposition process and 2.) the process and reactor design to produce ultra-high purity carbon nanomaterials from waste materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400401 (carbon capture engineering) - 25%\n400402  (chemical and thermal process in energy and combustion) - 50%\n400403 (Chemical engineering design) - 25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Namita Roy Choudhury","title":"2D material based aerogel suitable for clean energy and water","description":"A group of two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials, have been extensively exploited for various applications, including electrochemical catalysis, energy storage, water treatment, and electromagnetic interference shielding. However, fabrication of three-dimensional architectures with a tailored porous structure and desired physical\/mechanical properties remains a major challenge. Using various nanofibrous polymeric materials and their concentrated dispersion, we aim to create entangled nanofibrillar network with excellent 3D printability. In this work, we will perform the fabrication of three-dimensional microporous aerogels by integrating polymeric nanofibers with MXene nanosheets via a 3D printing strategy. The 3D printed aerogels are expected to possess low density, high electrical conductivity, and excellent mechanical properties suitable for diverse applications. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400406 Powder and particle technology; \n400404 Electrochemical energy storage and conversion; \n400411Water treatment processes"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Namita Roy Choudhury","title":"Biomimetic hydrogel for adhesion and repair","description":"The project aims to create a strong biomimetic sticky gel platform prepared from the fusion of proteins and polymers which entail fast regulation of wet adhesion on diverse surfaces with the right level of stick but allows movement during repair. The expected outcome is a versatile adhesive platform to deliver the next generation of bioadhesives with tunable flexibility and wet adhesion. The interfacial rheology, photorheology and spectroscopic imaging will provide fundamental understanding of these bioadhesives for their use as soft electrode or implantable bioadhesive. The project should provide tremendous opportunities for this unique gel family application in tissue adhesion\/repair and as implantable bioadhesives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"401609 (50%), 091205 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Jue Hou, Felicity Roddick","title":"Algal Membrane Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery","description":"Nutrients (e.g., N and P) in wastewater are valuable resources which should be reclaimed. It is also essential to remove them from wastewater to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge, e.g., N <10 mg\/L and P <0.5 mg\/L for Victorian inland water bodies (EPA Victoria 1995). Algae can be used for wastewater treatment and resource recovery by taking up N and P, and removing chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) including pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the wastewater. However, this technology can be limited by the low concentration of algal cells in the system, and the difficulty in separating the tiny sized cells after the treatment. To maintain high cell concentrations and achieve high separation efficiency, algal bioreactors may be integrated with membranes, i.e., a algal membrane bioreactors (AMBRs). This project aims to develop an algal membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment and resource recovery through the assessment of the influence of various process variables and process optimisation. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410 Wastewater treatment processes (60%)\n400409 Separation\u00a0technologies (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim, Felicity Roddick","title":"Chemoinformatic tool for predicting removal of CECs in wastewater treatment lagoons","description":"Typically, 100-150 chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) enter municipal wastewater treatment plants. Of the 1,234 wastewater treatment plants in Australia, 737 are predominantly lagoon-based and 943 partly lagoon-based. Currently, it is not possible to predict the efficiency of CEC removal, and thus the risk associated with the treated water.\n\nSunlight-induced photodegradation is a major pathway for the removal of CECs, which are then further chemically or biologically broken down in aquatic systems. The photodegradation of most CECs in wastewater primarily occurs via indirect photolysis which is driven by secondary reactions between the CECs with four major photochemically produced reactive intermediates (PPRIs). PPRIs are generated by the sunlight excitation of photosensitisers, such as nitrates and dissolved organic matter, present in the water.\n\nOngoing work at RMIT has shown that indirect photolysis depends on CEC structure, as well as wastewater properties, temperature and sunlight irradiance, all of which vary over time. The different PPRIs react to different extents with various CECs, and PPRI production varies with these variables, leading to different extents of CEC photolysis.\n\nThe overall aim of the project is to develop a wastewater lagoon photolysis model to enable prediction of the photolytic removal of CECs during lagoon wastewater treatment.\nTo achieve this, the student will work with the project team to determine the relationships between different classes of CECs and wastewater characteristics, temperature, irradiance and PPRI production and their photolytic removal. The resulting model will be tested and validated in the project sponsor\u2019s lagoons.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes (80%)\n401106        Waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang, Kalpit Shah","title":"Processing complex fluid melts using advanced induction heating systems ","description":"This Project will develop a model of material dynamics and heat transfer within a commercial vertical induction heating reactor. This novel reactor gains significant efficiency by melting plastic on a larger scale than conventional extruders and avoiding preprocessing for \u2018hard to recycle\u2019 plastics. In-field measurements will explore the behaviour of the complex non-Newtonian fluids present in this system. This Project addresses a significant scientific knowledge gap in the understanding of the rheology and thermal behaviour bulk plastic melt-flows. This will deliver an accurate model of inductively heated polymer melt-flow processing in larger scale systems. A short horizon to very significant impact is likely. An expanded understanding of these very simple and efficient reactor systems will make available their greater added value with lower energy and capital expenditure demands both to the Australian recycling industry but also to the wider process design and 3D metal fabrication communities.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400402 Chemical and thermal processes in energy and combustion (60%)\n400408 Reaction engineering (excl. nuclear reactions0 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh K Veluswamy","title":"Optimisation of aeration process for sewage treatment plant through oxygen enrichment","description":"The RMIT school of engineering funded PhD stipend scholarship will address challenges associated with existing aeration systems in wastewater treatment plants. The objective of this PhD program is to explore the fundamental science around oxygen transfer and intake during removal of BOD and COD in aeration process, through experiments and modelling.  This project will also develop an improved understanding around the relationship between oxygen concentration and sludge rheology. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"- 400404 Chemical engineering design (50%)\n- 400410 Wastewater treatment processes (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke, Ken Chiang","title":"Heterogeneous liquid metal catalysis","description":"Non-toxic, room temperature liquid metals have recently been discovered as an intriguing class of catalysts that are highly resistant to coking and deactivation. Recent examples of liquid metal catalysis developed at RMIT include the conversion of CO2 into solid carbon at comparatively benign reaction conditions. Here the liquid nature of the metallic catalysts offers a unique reaction environment that enables this challenging reaction without being compromised by coking. Similar reaction schemes for other industrially important small molecules such as CH4, NH3 and H2 are emerging as we speak. Interestingly, the activity of liquid metals can be tuned through alloy design, providing an ideal platform for creating highly active catalysts with tailored properties and selectivity. However, many of the design principles of molten metal catalysts are still unknown.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Bao","title":"Sustainable approaches to develop functional carbon nanomaterials","description":"Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable environmental technology to recover energy and stabilise the biosolids from WWTP. However, hydrolysis is the rate limiting step for biosolids, leading to slow degradation and requiring long retention times. Many pretreatment technologies have shown to improve the kinetics of anaerobic biodegradation of sludge, accelerate the hydrolysis and enhance biogas productivity and affect the characteristics of digested sludge. Pretreatment technologies applied at industrial scale in WWTP include thermal hydrolysis (TH), ultrasound, high pressure homogenizers, electric-pulse and ozonization . TH (>100 \u00b0C) has shown to improve methane yields by 51-340% by enhancing sludge solubilisation, and improve dewaterability and achieve complete disinfection of treated sludge. On the other hand, wet air oxidation process (150-320 \u00b0C, at 20\u2013150 bar and with a residence time 15\u2013120 min) has shown to improve dewaterability, destruction of organic matter (92-95%) and biogas production (24-59%) of sludge. However, there is no comparison on the technical, energy and economic evaluation of WAOP and TH in the literature. Therefore, this project will provide required design data for WAOP process at industrial scale in terms of energy efficiency.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Bao","title":"Development of carbon nanodot-based polymer composites","description":"This ARC funded project aims to study liquid metal catalysts in detail in order to unlock their full potential. This project is part of an ARC Discovery Project. The successful candidate will be working as part of a larger team and will be focusing on the experimental realisation of new catalysts. The successful candidate will be synthesizing liquid metal catalysts, conduct activity appraisal studies and conduct in-depth characterisation of these materials. The candidate will also be working with the broader team and conduct studies at the Australian Synchrotron.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Bao","title":"Droplet-based technology for controllable nanomaterial assembly and fabrication.","description":"The immobilisation of nanomaterials on various surfaces is essential to many industrial processes and applications, such as catalysis, printing, and sensing. The functionality and structures of the nanomaterials highly rely on the deposition process. This project will focus on developing a new platform for in-situ nanomaterial fabrication on the surface. \r\n\r\nSuch a platform is based on utilising surface nanodroplets as nanoreactors for confined nanomaterial synthesis and tailored microstructures. Surface nanodroplets are femtoliter in volume and are immobilized on substrates in contact with a surrounding liquid phase. The liquid-liquid interface between the droplets and the surrounding phase provides ideal sites to initiate the self-assembly of colloidal nanomaterials dispersed in the liquid phase. \r\n\r\nThis project will investigate how to obtain metal and nonmetal-based nanomaterial in droplet-based nanodroplets, compare the material properties with conventional methods and apply the obtained materials for energy and environment-related applications.\r\nIn this project, students will have opportunities to access the state-of-art nano\/micro fabrication facilities in RMIT and the wet lab in RMIT Chemical Engineering fully equipped with the various instrument for surface preparation and characterization. Besides the experimental skills in nanomaterials and colloidal interface, the students will have opportunities to gain knowledge in simulations and data processing through international collaborations.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jue Hou, Huacheng Zhang","title":"Membrane Separation for Mineral Extraction and Recovery","description":"Resource recovery and mineral extraction play crucial roles in meeting the ever-increasing demands of our society. Both processes have significant implications for the environment, economy, and sustainable development. Novel extraction and recovery methods and technologies are strongly desired to address the growing resource demands while minimizing waste disposal. The membrane separation process emerges as a promising candidate to revolutionize mineral processing, enabling high-efficient, clean, and continuous operations that reduce environment disruption, waste disposal, and chemical usage.\r\nThis project aims to utilize advanced porous materials, specifically metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), to fabricate membranes capable of high-selective ion transport and ion separation, leveraging their highly monodispersed pore sizes. The project will involve the fabrication and testing of membranes with different structures and composed of various advanced porous materials.\r\nBy undertaking this project, we expect to deepen our understanding of the relationship between selective mass transport and the geometry and pore size of advanced porous materials. This understanding has the potential to greatly benefit mineral processing, water treatment, environmental protection, sustainable development, and waste recycling efforts.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (Chemical Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huacheng Zhang, Jue Hou","title":"Bioinspired Light-Driven Ion Transporters for Efficient Energy Conversion and Storage","description":"This project to address this challenge and to create new artificial ion transporters with biomimetic structures to achieve light-driven active ion transport properties for efficient energy conversion and storage by developing new nanotechnologies and synthesizing new photonic, angstrom-porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huacheng Zhang, Jue Hou","title":"Engineering sub-nanofluidic membranes for efficient lithium-ion separation","description":"With the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in our lives, global lithium production has increased from 34,100 to 100,000 metric tons in the past ten years.1 Worldwide lithium demand will increase to 2,000,000 metric tons by 2030 due to increases in battery demand for electric vehicles.2 High-purity lithium sources such as lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for producing LIBs have been mainly extracted from lithium-containing rocks and brines by chemical-intensive separation methods.3-4 Moreover, the disposal of spent LIBs also discharges large volumes of waste and causes severe environmental pollution. This project aims to address the challenge of developing sustainable separation technologies for efficient lithium extraction and recycling by engineering sub-nanofluidic membranes with high Li+ selectivity and permeability using sub-nanometre porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as ion filters. As illustrated schematically in Fig. 1, flexible sub-nanofluidic membranes will be fabricated by MOF crystal engineering, polymerization, and functionalization. The proposed membranes can selectively transport lithium ions and reject other ions, enabling one-step selective lithium extraction from brines and seawater. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Namita Roy Choudhury","title":"Sustainable future for Tyre: 2D Material based Polymer composition design for 3D printing of Elastomer","description":"Elastomers are an important class of polymers that find applications in healthcare, aerospace, automotive, packaging and many other sectors. However, due to inherent physical, thermo-mechanical properties of elastomers, the additive manufacturing (AM) of elastomers\r\nremains challenging. Advanced functional materials are the key enabling materials for advanced manufacturing. Research on printable 2D materials based polymer\/elastomer composite development for 3D printing of tyre tread represents the biggest knowledge gap in the current developmental cycle.\r\nThe aim of this project is to develop a robust advanced materials and printing methodology enabled sustainable process for elastomer compositions  for tyre treading  that will enable efficient and reliable renewal of tyre in short time by machine learning driven printing method. This will be accomplished by developing novel 2D material based elastomer composition and processing techniques for tyre formulation, with advanced 3D printing method. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Sustainable Low-Cost Green Hydrogen enhancement using High Frequency Sound Waves","description":"The search for a more e\u00ef\u00ac\u0192cient means for the production of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source alternative to fossil fuels [1] has motivated renewed interest in water splitting through electrolysis to produce hydrogen. However, only 4% of hydrogen is produced through water electrolysis, where water molecules split when direct voltage bias is applied. While promising as a green energy technology, electrolysis is not widely used because of (a) the high catalyst cost (Pt\/Ir), (b) the need for highly corrosive acidic or alkaline electrolyte, (c) low yield and electrical conversion efficiency (~40 - 50%).\n \n A promising strategy we have pioneered [2, 3] within the Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL) at RMIT wherein high frequency (>10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations [4] in the form of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are able to drive efficient water splitting of electrolytes, through disturbing the water molecules to \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfrustrate\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 them, enhance electrochemical hydrogen production by more than a 10-fold. \n \n Within the project, the student will therefore continue to uncover more of the intriguing fundamental aspects of the sound wave coupling to water molecules and other electrolytes, test different acousto-electrochemical configurations, then move into building flow-through microfluidic devices to quantify and improve the hydrogen production efficiency. Students will also have access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication cleanrooms at the RMIT MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) and the advanced microscopy tools (atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy) at the RMIT Microscopy & Microanalysis Facility (RMMF).\n \n References:\n \n [1] Chornet, E.; Czernik, S. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Harnessing hydrogen\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nature 2002, 418, 928\u00e2\u20ac\u201c929.\n \n [2] Ehrnst, Y: Sherrell, P; Rezk, A; & Yeo, L. \"Acoustically\u00e2\u20ac\u0090Induced Water Frustration for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Neutral Electrolytes.\" Advanced Energy Materials (2022): 2203164.\n \n [3] Gallagher, J. Sound\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s good. Nat Energy 8, 7 (2023)\n \n [4] Rezk, A. R.; Tan, J. K.; & Yeo, L. Y. Advanced materials, 2016, 28(10), 1970-1975","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Sound Waves based Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Advanced Energy Applications","description":"As fossil fuels continue to deplete, recent surge of efforts has been dedicated to developing alternative energy storage and conversion devices with high energy and power densities. For example, supercapacitors should ideally possess high energy storage and long life. Nevertheless, their performance so far has been inadequate, particularly for large industrial uptake, where vast improvements are to be made particularly with the choice of electrode materials with large accessible surface area, fast ion transfer and stable electrode-to-electrolyte interface. Nanomaterials play a pivotal role in the advancement of the supercapacitors\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 architecture and performance, where a large pool of new nanomaterials have been recently discovered and therefore many researchers are on a journey to synthesise, and test tailored composite structures fulfilling the supercapacitor requirements. \n \n In this project, the student will be synthesising and testing a range of composite materials using our unique high frequency (10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations [1] in the form of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) through a nebulisation (spraying) technique \u00e2\u20ac\u201c an exciting technique developed in our Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL). The spraying method allows fast crystallisation of porous structures (i.e. Metal Organic Frameworks, MOFs [2]), or rapid synthesis of MXene quantum dots [3]) as well as intimate binding to conductive additive materials (i.e. Graphene). The student will also have access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication cleanrooms at the RMIT Micro\/Nano Research Facility (MNRF) and the advanced microscopy tools (atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy) at the RMIT Microscopy & Microanalysis Facility.\n \n References:\n [1] Rezk, A. R.; Tan, J. K.; & Yeo, L. Y. Advanced materials, 2016, 28(10), 1970-1975\n [2] Ehrnst, Y., et al, 2022. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 10(13), pp.7058-7072. \n [3] Alijani, H., et al., 2021. ACS nano, 15(7), pp.12099-12108","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Yang","title":"A Greener and More Sustainable Future Powered by Alcohol Fuels","description":"Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are emerging technologies that can convert the chemical energy in alcohols, e.g., methanol, ethanol, glycerol etc, directly into electricity without any pollutant emissions. In fact, alcohols are considered as more superior fuels to hydrogens for their ease of storage and transportation, and they can be made from renewable resources such as food waste, sugarcanes and grains. However, so far this technology is hurdled by the high cost and limited cell durability, which are mainly derived from the use of expensive noble metal catalysts. This project aims to devleop cost-effective liquid metal-based electrocatalysts with long durability to enable immediate commercialization of high-performance and durable alcohol fuel cell technology. Candidates working in this project will be a valued member in Liquid Metal Research Group, supported with a diversity of research expertise in materials science, catalysis, electrochemistry, and chemical engineering. They also can access RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities. The knowledge and the skills acquired, e.g., catalyst formulation and test, assembly of a functioning fuel cell prototypes, will make the candidates ready for both academia and industry sectors!","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Yang","title":"Producing Green Hydrogen from the Water","description":"Green hydrogen produced from renewable resources such as water is a critical enabler of the global transition to sustainable energy development with net zero carbon emissions. However, this technology is halted by its low efficiency and excessive energy consumption, making it less economically appealing. Developing efficient electrocatalysts could improve its energy efficiency, except for the catalyst itself, such as Pt and Ru, is pricy. This project aims to provide one alternative solution by developing the liquid metal-based electrocatalysts to promote sustainable production of green hydrogen at a reduce cost. The candidate will work within the vibrant and dynamic community of the Liquid Metal Research Group, focusing on synthesis of liquid metal-based catalysts and analyzing them using RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities such as the in situ XPS, TEM and Raman. Properties and catalytic efficiencies of the electrocatalysts will be studied. Fundamental understanding of the liquid metal-based electrocatalysts will be built. During working on this project, the candidate will also accumulate sound knowledge in materials science, electrochemistry, and catalysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nevena Todorova","title":"Molecular understanding of protein misfolding and aggregation phenomena","description":"The ability of proteins to fold spontaneously in their native structure or functional state is essential for biological function. Failure to fold in the native shape may lead to misfolding and aggregation of proteins into insoluble aggregates, known as amyloid fibrils. These fibrous deposits have been linked to debilitating and age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, Parkinson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, type-II diabetes and others. Molecular level insight into the interplay between protein sequence, structure, and conformational dynamics is crucial for the comprehensive understanding of protein folding, misfolding, and aggregation phenomena that are pertinent to the formation of amyloid fibrils implicated in these degenerative diseases. Computational modelling provides insight into protein behaviour at spatial and temporal resolution still largely outside the reach of experiments. An increased understanding of how various factors including temperature, pH, mutations and other external conditions, modulate protein folding, misfolding and subsequent fibril formation will lead to an improved understanding of the biophysics of protein folding and amyloid formation, and possible development of new therapies for a number of debilitating diseases. Such knowledge will enable the evaluation of these molecules in influencing disease processes and assess their potential for use as stabilising agents within protein-based pharmaceuticals or food formulations.\n \n References:\n [1] Nevena Todorova, Irene Yarovsky \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Enigma of Amyloid Forming Proteins: Insights From Molecular Simulations\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Australian Journal of Chemistry 72(8) 574-584","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Develop advanced injectable bioactive hydrogels for improving tissue regeneration","description":"In situ tissue engineering technology is promising in breaking the bottleneck of traditional tissue engineering technology by only using pure biomaterial scaffolds to in situ recruit surrounding cells and tissues into scaffolds to form regenerated tissue, taking advantage of the surrounding microenvironment as a natural bioreactor. As the only and key factor, the engineered biomaterial scaffolds for in situ tissue engineering requires specific biophysical and biochemical cues to direct endogenous cells to the injury site and modulate the behaviour of the cells. \n Injectable hydrogels have been playing a major role in tissue engineering as biomaterial scaffolds. However, in terms of the biochemical cues, most of the current hydrogels can only stimulate a certain phase of tissue regeneration by delivering bioactive substances, ignoring the facts that tissue regeneration is a dynamic process that involves several sequential phases working in coordination to ensure an optimal tissue regeneration. In terms of the biophysical cues, the nanoporous structure of traditional hydrogels is an obstacle for the infiltration of surrounding cells and tissues into the hydrogels and maintaining normal behaviour of the migrated cells, which significantly impede tissue regeneration. Thus, advanced injectable hydrogels with an ability of sequentially delivering therapeutic agents to each wound healing stage and macroporous structure are desired for advancing in situ tissue engineering. The current project aims to develop advanced injectable hydrogels simultaneously possessing sequential delivery ability and macroporous structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Anti-tumour effects of juxtamembrane 2 (JM2) mimic peptide and the Mechanism studies","description":"This PhD project investigates the effects of JM2 mimic peptide on various kinds of cancer cells and tissue forming cells and the mechanism to find a potential novel cancer therapy strategy and a novel tumour post-surgery treatment. The aim is to find the optimal concentration of JM2 on killing various kind of cancer cells but not damaging tissue forming cells and to elucidate the mechanisms.\n \n Recently, we have shown that juxtamembrane 2 (JM2) mimic peptide can suppress the growth of 4T1 breast tumours and melanoma tumours by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the proliferation of 4T1 tumour cells and melanoma cells. Further study indicates that JM2 can stimulate the mitochondria to gather near the microtubule-organizing centre of tumour cells and subsequently induce ROS-induced ROS release responses, which results in mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In addition, JM2 can arrest cell cycle in S phase by regulating the expression of cell cycle-related proteins and consequently is able to kill the cancer cells. Interestingly, we found that certain concentration of JM2 is cyto-compatible to non-cancer cells and even can stimulate migration of tissue forming cells. However, the effects of JM2 on other types of cancer cells and the mechanism through which JM2 mimic peptide kills cancer cells but not damaging the health cells is not clear. \n \n The successful candidate will be required to study the effects of JM2 on various kinds of cancer cells and tissue forming cells and investigate the mechanisms. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Chemical and Environmental Department, School of Engineering at RMIT University and be supervised by Dr. Haiyan Li and Dr. Jiali Zhai.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vikram Garaniya, Pier Marzocca","title":"Artificial Intelligence for the optimisation of the response of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) systems on ships ","description":"The PhD project aims to establish a link between system, electrode, and material degradation issues. Where possible, the project will also develop algorithms to define these connections. This will primarily be accomplished through laboratory studies and field measurements. \n\nAn extensive set of data will be collected, detailing potential distributions that vary spatially and temporally based on factors such as the geometry being protected, the types of protection methods used, the electrode type, and the nature of the substrate (conducted in Spain). From this dataset, artificial intelligence will be employed to predict potential variations in a given system and use the linkage algorithms to anticipate the likely material degradation that could occur. The scope of the project includes (but is not limited to).\n\n\u2022        Conduct a literature review on the current state of the art in applying machine learning (ML) to impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP). Identify gaps in the existing literature.\n\u2022        Define a practical case study with Navantia Australia to gather data on ICCP under real-life conditions.\n\u2022        Perform real-life tests and collect data. Additionally, conduct laboratory-scale tests on small specimens and gather electrochemical data on ICCP for various components.\n\u2022        Develop a physics-based model of ICCP and validate it through small-scale tests.\n\u2022        Combine the physics-based model with a data-driven model to create a physics-assisted ML model. Apply this model to Navantia's real-life case, refining and validating it as necessary.\n\u2022        Produce research papers, technical reports, and a PhD thesis. Present the results to Navantia Australia.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400404 Electrochemical energy storage and conversion\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aonghus McNabola","title":"Exploring the Impact of Urban water bodies on Air Quality and Heat Island Mitigation","description":"Urban waterfront spaces are the vitality cores of waterfront areas, offering people a respite from the fast pace and pressures of modern urban life. These spaces possess climate-friendly attributes and can significantly improve the well-being of urban residents. However, global warming and the intensification of urban heat islands have led to an increase in extreme weather conditions, harming outdoor thermal comfort and inhibiting enjoyment of water activities. In addition, high emissions from industries and transportation, particularly particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), have led to frequent haze events that negatively affect urban residents' health.\n\nThis study aims to explore the factors affecting the thermal environment and air quality in waterfront spaces, examine the interactions between urban water bodies and surrounding buildings, and investigate how these interactions jointly influence air quality and heat island effects. The study will also reveal the main determinants shaping these effects. The research will quantify the contribution of urban water bodies to heat island and air pollution mitigation (e.g., reductions in urban temperature, particulate concentrations, and pollutant diffusion efficiency), and analyze the relationship between water body characteristics (area, depth, shape, etc.), urban layout (building density, height, etc.), and the effectiveness of heat island mitigation and air purification. The study will also explore the potential of passive control measures and green infrastructure for the mitigation of UHI and air pollution in waterfront spaces. The ultimate goal is to provide design guidance for urban waterfront spaces.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"401101 Air Pollution Modelling & Control 50%\n401299 Fluid Mechanics and thermal Engineering not elsewhere classified (25%)\n370102 Air Pollution processes and air quality measurement (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jorge Paz-Ferreiro","title":"Innovative Biochar Materials for Soil Amendment","description":"Soil amendments with the use of biochar is not a new concept yet there are no optimized standards or methods available to assess the environmental and economic advantages of biochar for its commercialization [1]. The main objective of using biochar extensively in environmental management includes (a) soil improvement, (b) waste management, (c) mitigation of climate change, and (d) energy production [2]. Biochar technology seems to have a promising future. However, continuous research is essential for the development of this technology. This project will look at preparing innovative biochar for soil amendment using waste materials as precursors (biosolids, paunch waste).\n References:\n [1]. D.J. Tenenbaum, Environmental Health Perspectives 117, (2009). [2]. J. Lehmann and S. Joseph, Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology (Taylor and Francis, London, 2012)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jorge Paz-Ferreiro","title":"Use of innovative chars for the improvement of saline and sodic soils","description":"Soil salinization is one of the major causes of declining agricultural productivity in many arid and semi-arid areas. Excessive salt concentrations in soils, in most cases, cannot be reduced with time. Approximately one third of the land area in Australia has saline or sodic soils. The use of organic materials including compost has been trialled for the remediation of saline and\/or sodic soils. There is a gap of knowledge with respect to the use of chars (biochars or hydrochars) for the amelioration of saline\/sodic soils.\n References:\n [1]. Paz-Ferreiro, J; H Lu; S Fu; M\u00c3\u00a9ndez, A; Gasc\u00c3\u00b3, G. Use of phytoremediation and biochar to remediate heavy metal polluted soils: a review. Solid Earth 5, (2014): 65-75. [2]. M Qadir A Ghafoor G Murtaza. Amelioration strategies for saline soils: a review. Land Degradation and Development","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Novel catalytic micro-reactor fabrication and design for clean energy applications","description":"Micro-reactors offer excellent mass and heat transfer performance for extraction and multi-phase reactions. They provide a powerful tool for process intensification and micro scale processing. One of the important issues in catalytic micro-reactors is the immobilisation of the active catalyst within a micro-channel. The existing packed-bed reactors are not an efficient design as a reactor size is scaled down because of large pressure drop. In addition, the significant axial and radial temperature gradients can exist in the bed because of heat transfer limited on a packed bed. When the surface\n of the micro-channel is coated with the catalyst, the heat has to be transferred through the channel walls and the isothermal condition can be achieved. In addition, the catalyst-coated micro-channel provides a lower pressure drop compared with the granular catalyst packed inside the reactor. Thus, the overarching objective of this study is to prepare a micro-reactor with mechanically stable monolithic catalyst for (i) converting carbon dioxide (CO2) emission into higher value products, and\/or (ii) producing renewable hydrogen (H2) for clean energy applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"A novel catalytic system for the production of renewable hydrogen","description":"The continuous increase in population and industrial development, results in an increase in energy demand and green house gas (GHG) emissions. Expected growth in global energy demands further exacerbate GHG emissions concerns, and highlight the importance of developing alternative energy production methods. The utilization of hydrogen as an integral part of a clean energy production arrangement is presently considered a viable substitute to current energy production methods, and a significant addition to the economy. The production of high purity hydrogen from renewable feedstock can potentially be capitalized on to produce clean energy that can replace that obtained by fossil fuel combustion. This research aims to investigate the use of novel metal alloy catalysts to enhance the production of green hydrogen. This has a significant impact on the development of future hydrogen economy. \n The proposed research will focus on the development of novel metal alloy catalysts to convert renewable feedstock including waste, biomass, biogas and\/or landfill gas into hydrogen and high-value carbon. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, chemical adsorption and temperature-programmed reactions analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Developing novel catalysts for the production of low-carbon fuels","description":"The paradigm of using anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) as a building block for the synthesis of commodity chemicals has the potential to contribute to a sustainable growth of the chemical industry and reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The annual industrial conversion of CO2 into chemicals is approximately 1% of the CO2 emissions. On the other hand, the worldwide consumption of fuels is approximately two orders of magnitude larger than that of chemicals and the use of fossil fuels contributes ca. 60% of the total CO2 emission. Thus, chemically fixing CO2 back to components of the fuel pool has the potential to turn emission liability into economic value. This project aims to develop the basic design principles that govern the performance of metal catalysts for converting carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels and\/or higher-value products. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in understanding the reaction dynamics occurring at the catalyst interface and the composition-catalytic activity relationships through an experimental approach. The project will benefit key societal challenges of emissions reduction, sustainable development and waste utilisation. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, chemical adsorption and temperature-programmed reactions analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Machine learning-augmented design of advanced functional materials","description":"Liquid metals are rapidly emerging as a new frontier in catalysis. Unlike conventional solid heterogeneous catalysts, liquid metals consist of free-flowing ionised metal atoms that are surrounded by a fluid of delocalised electrons that make up the metallic bonds, providing them with a dynamic catalytic interface that is resilient towards deactivation. More importantly, in the presence of one or more dissolved metals, liquid metal alloys (LMAs) can provide novel catalyst design and reaction routes due to the unique properties of liquid-state metals and the modified structures. Recent successes have highlighted the tremendous potential of LMA catalysts for applications in carbon dioxide utilisation, hydrogen production, pollutant degradation and dehydrogenation. In view of the lack of unifying rationale design theory in the literature, it necessitates a systematic assessment of their catalytic activities under a set of consistent conditions. The aim of this project is to develop a tandem approach combining rapid catalyst testing with machine-learning algorithms in order to establish a theoretical understanding of the structure-catalytic activity relationships that will guide the future design of LMA catalysts. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, catalyst screening equipment, and computational techniques.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarathinam Parthasarathy","title":"Flow behaviour of non-Newtonian fluids mixed by submerged recirculating jets","description":"The project will study the flow behaviour of viscous non-Newtonian liquids in a vessel mixed by a submerged recirculating jet using electrical resistance tomography (ERT). The efficiency of processes involving viscous non-Newtonian fluids depends significantly on the extent to which the liquid is mobilised within the vessel. Adequate flow of liquid is critical to the success of the process as it enhances the rates of transfer processes and aids in maintaining physical and chemical uniformity within the vessel. The flow behaviour becomes complex for a non-Newtonian fluid with yield stress and shear thinning behaviour. Mixing such fluids at lower shear rates often leads to forming a well-mixed zone in the form of a 'cavern' or 'active mixing region,' surrounded by 'dead zones' or 'inactive regions' which are unmixed. Although it has been hypothesised that active regions and dead zones exist in yield stress fluids, this has not been studied widely. Conventional flow visualisation techniques cannot be applied to study the dead zones because the fluid is often opaque. In this project, electrical resistance tomography (ERT) will be employed to study the presence of active and dead zones. The project aims to determine the type of flow structures formed in yield stress shear-thinning liquids mixed by recirculating submerged jets. The objectives of the work are to \n1) determine if active volume\/cavern formation occurs in yield-stress non-Newtonian liquids by visualising local flow patterns using ERT, \n2) study the influences of jet velocity and jet nozzle location on the extent of active volume, and \n3) develop numerical models for predicting the active volume as a function of specific jet power input and effective liquid viscosity.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403 Chemical engineering design (70%) ; 400499 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR219 MEng (Environ Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim","title":"Design and optimization of a spongy super-hydrophobic material-based filtration process for oil spill clean-up applications","description":"Developing materials that are highly efficient at recovering oil to mitigate the environmental impact of oil spills is both crucial and challenging. This collaborative Masters by Research project between CSIRO Manufacturing and RMIT University aims to design and optimise the application of a novel spongy super-hydrophobic material for oil spill clean-up through small pilot-scale testing. The ultimate goal is to significantly improve oil filtration efficiency in Oil Spill Response, potentially revolutionising current practices and contributing to environmental sustainability. \n\nA hyper-crosslinked polymer-coated sponge (HPCS) was previously developed and successfully applied by CSIRO Manufacturing to remove crude oil from oil-in-water emulsions to improve oil spill clean-up processes. This research will advance the technology by scaling up the HPCS production and the filtration process to facilitate its future implementations. The project activities include formulating and fabricating functional sponges, optimising the product at a large scale, improving the filtration process, conducting system characterisation and preparing research papers for publication. \n\nA stipend scholarship will be provided to the successful applicant by CSIRO Manufacturing for two years. The candidate will be based primarily at CSIRO Manufacturing in Clayton for the duration of the project.  \n","sdg":"[\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-20","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400409\tSeparation\u00a0technologies (70%)\n401102\tEnvironmentally sustainable engineering (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim","title":"Design and optimization of a spongy super-hydrophobic material-based filtration process for oil spill clean-up applications","description":"Developing materials that are highly efficient at recovering oil to mitigate the environmental impact of oil spills is both crucial and challenging. This collaborative Masters by Research project between CSIRO Manufacturing and RMIT University aims to design and optimise the application of a novel spongy super-hydrophobic material for oil spill clean-up through small pilot-scale testing. The ultimate goal is to significantly improve oil filtration efficiency in Oil Spill Response, potentially revolutionising current practices and contributing to environmental sustainability. \n\nA hyper-crosslinked polymer-coated sponge (HPCS) was previously developed and successfully applied by CSIRO Manufacturing to remove crude oil from oil-in-water emulsions to improve oil spill clean-up processes. This research will advance the technology by scaling up the HPCS production and the filtration process to facilitate its future implementations. The project activities include formulating and fabricating functional sponges, optimising the product at a large scale, improving the filtration process, conducting system characterisation and preparing research papers for publication. \n\nA stipend scholarship will be provided to the successful applicant by CSIRO Manufacturing for two years. The candidate will be based primarily at CSIRO Manufacturing in Clayton for the duration of the project.  \n","sdg":"[\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-20","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400409\tSeparation\u00a0technologies (70%)\n401102\tEnvironmentally sustainable engineering (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri, Samuel Ippolito, Rajarathinam Parthasarathy, Torben Daeneke , Glenn Matthews, Mahdokht Shaibani, Hamid Arandiyan, James Tardio, Selvakannan Periasamy ","title":"Nanoengineering for Sustainable Waste Upcycling: Transforming Waste Materials into Value-Added Products","description":"The project endeavors to delve into waste upcycling, a transformative process that converts waste materials into valuable products, employing principles from materials science and engineering. Commencing with the identification of waste materials such as plastic, paper, and textiles, the project will formulate an upcycling process utilizing methodologies such as polymerization, pyrolysis, and other innovative techniques.\n\nSubsequently, the project will employ various materials science techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis, to characterize the properties of the upcycled products comprehensively. Evaluation will extend to mechanical, thermal, and chemical attributes of the products.\n\nIn its culmination, the project will conduct an economic feasibility assessment, considering the raw material costs, processing expenses, and market value of the upcycled products. Anticipated outcomes include the establishment of a sustainable upcycling process yielding valuable products from waste materials. These products will boast desirable properties, offering a sustainable remedy to waste management challenges.\n\nMoreover, the project aims to enrich the field of sustainable materials science by contributing valuable insights into waste upcycling. It holds the promise of providing a pragmatic solution, propelling the advancement of sustainable practices in material utilization and waste management.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303 Nanochemistry (50%)\n401605 Functional Materials (25%)\n400499 Chemical Engineering not elsewhere classified (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Nanoengineering approach in upcycling waste materials to value added products","description":"The project aims to explore waste upcycling, a process of converting waste materials into valuable products, using materials science\/engineering principles. It will begin by identifying waste materials such as plastic, paper, and textiles and an upcycling process will be developed using techniques such as polymerization, pyrolysis and other means. The properties of the upcycled products will be characterized using various materials science techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of the upcycled products will also be evaluated. Finally, the economic feasibility of the upcycling process will be assessed by considering the cost of raw materials, processing, and the market value of the upcycled products.\n \n The project's expected outcomes are the development of a sustainable upcycling process that produces valuable products from waste materials. The upcycled products will have desirable properties and offer a sustainable solution to waste management. This project will contribute to the growing field of sustainable materials science and provide valuable insights into waste upcycling. It will also offer a promising solution to tackle the significant concern of waste management worldwide.\n \n In conclusion, this project aims to develop an innovative approach to waste management through upcycling using materials science principles. The project's outcomes will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions to the pressing issue of waste management and provide valuable insights into the application of materials science principles in waste upcycling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 MEng (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Green hydrogen production assisted with high frequency sound waves","description":"The Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory at RMIT have made the surprising discovery wherein high frequency (10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are able to drive efficient splitting of pure (DI) water at low voltages. Within this project, the student will continue to uncover more of the intriguing fundamental aspects of the sound wave coupling to water molecules, working with a team that is building microfluidic devices to test and improve the hydrogen production efficiency. Ultimately, the project will involve building an efficient microfluidic hydrogen production system that is triggered by high frequency sound waves. \n\nThis project is appropriate for students interested in Masters in the following disciplines:\nChemical Engineering; Mechanical and Automotive Engineering; Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering; Biomedical Engineering;\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400499 Chemical Engineering not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarthinam Parthasarathy","title":"Laminar flow of thickened slurries in pipes","description":"Transport of thickened slurries such as mineral tailings, sludge, and coal mixture is challenging due to solids settling, pipeline fouling, and increased transport cost. Pumping costs can be reduced by transporting slurries under laminar flow conditions, but it has the risk of higher levels of solids settling. To minimise settling solids settling while transporting slurries under laminar flow conditions, slurry concentration and composition in terms of the fractions of fine and coarse particles in the slurry need to be optimised. This project aims to investigate the rheological and settling characteristics of slurries using a rheometer and electrical resistance tomography (ERT) and use the results to\n1) Optimise slurry composition and concentration to minimise settling,\n2) Relate the viscometric flow of a rheometer to the laminar flow in pipelines,\n3) Develop suitable model equations based on slurry rheology and settling to calculate the critical pipeline length required to transport slurry without settling under laminar flow conditions.\n\nThe information and model developed in this project will help predict the pipeline length required to transport slurries under laminar flow conditions and the pumping energy needed\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403  Chemical engineering design (50%) ; 400406 Powder and particle technology (40%) ; 400499 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Machine learning-augmented design of advanced functional materials","description":"Liquid metals are rapidly emerging as a new frontier in catalysis. Unlike conventional solid heterogeneous catalysts, liquid metals consist of free-flowing ionised metal atoms that are surrounded by a fluid of delocalised electrons that make up the metallic bonds, providing them with a dynamic catalytic interface that is resilient towards deactivation. More importantly, in the presence of one or more dissolved metals, liquid metal alloys (LMAs) can provide novel catalyst design and reaction routes due to the unique properties of liquid-state metals and the modified structures. Recent successes have highlighted the tremendous potential of LMA catalysts for applications in carbon dioxide utilisation, hydrogen production, pollutant degradation and dehydrogenation. In view of the lack of unifying rationale design theory in the literature, it necessitates a systematic assessment of their catalytic activities under a set of consistent conditions. The aim of this project is to develop a tandem approach combining rapid catalyst testing with machine-learning algorithms in order to establish a theoretical understanding of the structure-catalytic activity relationships that will guide the future design of LMA catalysts. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, catalyst screening equipment, and computational techniques.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400402 Chemical and thermal processes in energy and combustion (50%) ; 340601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Modulate small extracellular vesicles with biomaterials","description":"Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs, 50 to 200 nm in diameter) are functional vehicles secreted by almost all cell types, carrying a complex cargo of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The applications of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived sEVs (MSC-sEVs) have increased immensely in tissue regeneration and cancer therapeutics fields because their cargos can facilitate intercellular communications through transferring biologically active compounds to recipient cells. \n\nHowever, high dose requirements and uncontrollable biological function limit sEV therapy applications. In tissue engineering field, the effects of biomaterials on behaviour of MSCs have been widely studied and it has been proved that the chemical, structural and mechanical cues of biomaterials can significantly affect the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs. \n\nAs sEVs are the main secretome of MSCs, it can be hypothesized that biomaterials will also affect the behaviour of sEVs, including their biogenesis, secretion, and cargo, which will finally determine their biological function and applications. This project aims to decipher the effects of two types of biomaterials, electrospun membranes and ion products of silicate bioceramics, or their combinations, on the behaviour of MSC-sEVs. Specifically, the production yield and biological function of MSC-sEVs released from the MSCs cultured under different conditions will be studied. This study will shed light on the response of sEVs in systemic responses of MSCs to biomaterial stimulation, providing a new direction in developing strategies to modulate the behaviour of sEVs.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400311 Tissue Engineering (50%) ; 400302  Biomaterials (25%) ; 400399 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Seungju Kim, Jue Hou, Namita Roy Choudhury, Linhua Fan, Ken Chiang","title":"Superhydrophobic membranes for low-energy separation","description":"This PhD project aims to develop novel nanofibre membranes with superhydrophobicity using novel polymer chemistry and nanofibre morphology. Superhydrophobic membranes with water repellent properties are required for emerging processes such as membrane distillation (MD), for example to draw freshwater vapor from saline water, and membrane gas absorption (MGA).","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/08\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400409 Separation Technologies (50%) ; 400411 Water Treatment Processes (30%) ; 400401 Carbon Capture Engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leslie Yeo","title":"Mechanotransduction-Driven Cell Nucleus and Epigenetic Modulation","description":"High-frequency acoustics has emerged as a powerful tool for cellular mechanotransduction wherein short MHz mechanostimulation was shown to induce a cascade of cellular activities, including stem cell differentiation, vesicle trafficking and cellular reorganisation. Recent investigations have implicated the modulation of second messengers, which trigger various intracellular signalling cascades that, in turn, activates a plethora of transcription factors. Such effects have therefore opened up exciting possibilities for exploiting the platform as means for mechanotherapy.\n \n A detailed understanding of the mechanisms involved in such acoustic mechanostimulation is nevertheless lacking. Given the aforementioned observations, it is imperative that it has a profound effect on epigenome. There is limited understanding however on how it shapes epigenetic regulation. We will carry out experiments to study how molecular signals induced by the acoustic stimuli are transmitted from the cytoplasm to the nucleus to regulate the epigenome of mammalian cells by precisely tracking chromatic modulation and gene deregulation. More specifically, the project aims to\n 1. Understand cytoplasmic mechanotransduction in mammalian cells following high-frequency acoustic stimulation.\n 2. Analyse the effect of high-frequency acoustic stimulation on cellular chromatin remodelling.\n 3. Identify the genetic targets epigenetically modulated by the acoustic stimulation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leslie Yeo","title":"Immune cell activation through high frequency mechanostimulation for autologous immunotherapeutics","description":"There is a significant need for the production of functional\/activated immune cells for various clinical applications, including cancer immunotherapy. To date, ex vivo cultivation and production of functional immune cells primarily requires costly chemicals (e.g., ionophores, and inhibitors) or biochemicals (e.g., receptor antagonists or ligand biosimilars) that are often costly and toxic to the cells. As such, there is a critical need to develop new, cheaper and non-toxic methods for activating immune cells.\n\nImmune cells (e.g., T cells, monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells) are known to rely on mechanotransduction to differentiate and function. More importantly, effective immune response arise as the immune cells undergo actin-mediated migration to interact with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or transformed cells. Moreover, it has been recently noted that immune cells can respond to a variety of mechanical stimuli that directly affects receptors on their surface that allows them to discriminate between antigens and intracellular signalling.\n\nThis project builds on our recent advances on the use of high frequency (10 MHz) mechanostimulation to modulate second messenger calcium signalling, that, in turn, triggers various downstream signalling cascades to influence a variety of cell fates. In this project, we will, in particular, study the possibility of such mechanostimulation to improve monocyte activation. In doing so, we intend to demonstrate a cheaper, non-toxic and scalable platform for the production of functional immune cells. This will then constitute an ex vivo therapeutic strategy in which it is possible to harvest a patient\u2019s own immune cells, prime them in the laboratory and reinfuse them to the same patient as a means for boosting vaccine delivery along the same vision as autologous cell-based therapies.\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400307 Mechanobiology (40%) ; 320402 Applied immunology (incl. antibody engineering, xenotransplantation and t-cell therapies) (30%) ; 320699 Medical biotechnology not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400307 Mechanobiology (40%) ; 320402 Applied immunology (incl. antibody engineering, xenotransplantation and t-cell therapies) (30%) ; 320699 Medical biotechnology not elsewhere classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 MEng (Chemical Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huacheng Zang, Jue Hou","title":"Responsive ion adsorbents for selective ion recovery","description":"Stimuli-responsive ion absorbents (SRIAs) with reversible ion adsorption and desorption properties have recently attracted immense attention due to their outstanding functionalities for sustainable separation applications. In contrast to traditional adsorbents that are mainly regenerated through chemical additives, SRIAs allow for reduced chemical and even chemical-free regeneration capacities, thereby enabling environmental-friendly and energy-efficient separation technologies. This project aims to fabricate single-, dual-, or multi-responsive ion adsorbents and apply these responsive ion adsorbents for sustainable water desalination, toxic ion removal, and valuable ion extract and recovery. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 MEng (Chemical Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan","title":"Effect of cellulose recovery from wastewater on microplastics removal in sewage treatment","description":"Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are transforming into water resource recovery facilities, with the aim of recovering resources from sewage and moving towards a circular economy. Recovery of cellulose and further adding value to the cellulosic fibres can contribute to the sustainability of wastewater treatment processes by generating new eco-efficient products while reducing energy and cost for wastewater treatment and reclamation.\n \n Currently, the physical process using rotating belt filters (RBF, mesh size <500 \u00c2\u00b5m) is considered the most practical cellulose recovery method. One of the potential benefits of the RBF process is that it can simultaneously remove the emerging contaminant microplastics (MPs) during the cellulose separation process. However, the effect of RBF-based cellulose recovery on MP removal has not been systematically studied.\n \n This project aims to gain more insights into the effect of the variables of the RBF process such as mesh size of the filter, wastewater flow rate, cellulose load, dissolved organic content, water temperature, initial MP concentration and the physical properties of filter cake on MP removal. The knowledge obtained from the project can help develop the integrated MP control in the RBF process, to improve the efficiency of MP removal while maintaining the efficiency of cellulose recovery, and eventually reducing the risks of MP on human health and the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"JJ Richardson","title":"Nanomaterials to stop infections in humans and plants","description":"This project focuses on the interface between biological systems, like plants, people, and microbes, and nanomaterials. A key aim is to understand fundamentals related to nanomaterial design and how the properties of nanomaterials influence their interactions with living things. This has implications for microplastics research, improved crop yields, preventing future pandemics, and developing new nanomedicines.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan","title":"Novel adsorbents for removing persistent organic pollutants from water and wastewater","description":"Emerging persistent organic compounds such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and many other micropollutants in water and wastewater are gaining growing attentions due to their toxic and bio-accumulative natures. Although many existing technologies are capable to remove them such as membranes, high cost and high maintenance requirement remain the limiting factor for these technologies for wide applications. The aim of this project is to develop novel adsorbents by utilising advanced functional materials, which can selectively remove the target organic compounds from the contaminated water, be easily recovered and reused and be integrated with pollutant destruction process. The project outcomes would lead to the development of low-energy and low-cost technologies for the control of the harmful organic compounds in water and wastewater, and mitigation of the risks of the pollutants on human health and the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan","title":"Modifying polymeric membranes with 2D nanomaterials for water purification applications","description":"Polymeric membranes are utilised widely in the water industry for producing ample high-quality water to meet the growing demand on freshwater supply, mitigating pollution of the water environment, and facilitating resource recovery. However, the issues including low chemical and mechanical stability, high fouling propensity and maintenance requirement, short life span, and high energy requirement remain for the conventional polymeric membranes and hence limit their wider applications. Potential applications of 2D nanomaterials have been reported in many areas such as electronics, optoelectronics, catalysis, sensors, and supercapacitors. There is growing interest in the modification of polymeric membranes using metal oxide and metal hydroxide nanosheets to fabricate the hybrid membranes that carry the desired characteristic. This approach is expected to help address the issues associated with polymeric membranes. Moreover, the modified membranes can be added with extra functions such as photocatalysis and self-cleaning, which would help broaden their applications in water and wastewater treatment. The project is aimed at fabricating the hybrid membranes through modification of several selected commercially available polymeric membranes with the nanosheets produced with suitable metal oxides\/hydroxides, or other nanomaterials. To gain an in-depth understanding of the modification approach and the product properties, the fabricated hybrid membranes and the unmodified membranes will be thoroughly characterised with advanced surface and material characterisation facilities at RMIT and an external research organisation. The most promising membrane(s) will then be tested with real water and wastewater under real-world conditions to evaluate their potential for large-scale applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mariam Ameen","title":"Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production from biomass waste via thermocatalytic processes","description":"This project aims to convert biomass waste into renewable aviation fuels also called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or Bio Jet fuel. Plants and animal-based waste oil is one of the most commonly produced wastes in the food industry which is difficult to degrade or utilize. The utilization of waste materials particularly waste vegetable or animal fats\/oils for sustainable and renewable fuel is more challenging in terms of catalyst development, process optimization and product quality assessment. Generally, SAF is produced via a thermochemical catalytic cracking reaction from hydrotreated vegetable oils or lignin-containing biomass which produces several side reactions, as the intermediates of C5-C14 hydrocarbons, polymerize or condense to C22-C44 long-chain hydrocarbons which lead to catalyst deactivation. We generally develop the most efficient catalytic system for the thermochemical conversion of waste biomass into value-added chemicals and renewable fuels. The detailed investigation includes process optimization and scaling up the process to meet industrial requirements in terms of the quality of products. We do have all the facilities for characterization testing of materials and products. We also encourage collaborations with biomass industries which are mainly dealing with the waste conversion to wealth.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mariam Ameen","title":"Conversion of Biomass Waste (Lignin) Materials into Renewable Drop in Liquid Fuels i.e. Biogasoline","description":"Lignin is one of the abundantly found waste materials and its valorisation is a big challenge. The challenge in using lignin for fuel-compatible molecules arises from the depolymerization of the lignin components to the selective range of gasoline hydrocarbons (C5-C12), which could directly be used as drop-in fuels or blended components. The project aims to investigate the novel technique for the depolymerization of lignin polymers into small products, i.e., aromatic and aliphatic molecules, which can be further catalyzed into the gasoline range hydrocarbons. The introduction of a novel technique which can depolymerize the lignin into small fragments, which can be upgraded further into fuel additives. Generally, bio-gasoline is produced via a thermochemical process, which is difficult to control due to several side reactions. This project expects that the implementation of several advanced techniques will reduce the reaction steps needed Moreover, there will be small fractions of other depolymerized lignin products, which could be upgraded into gasoline-range hydrocarbons. \n We have in-house facilities and laboratories for biomass processing and characterization techniques. Also, we are open to industrial collaboration. for HDR industry related internships. \n Reference: \n 1. Five-lump kinetic approach on biofuel production from refined rubber seed oil over Cu\/ZSM-5 catalyst via catalytic cracking reaction. Renewable Energy, Volume 171, June 2021, Pages 1445-1453\n 2. Biogasoline production from linoleic acid via catalytic cracking over nickel and copper-doped ZSM-5 catalysts. Environmental Research, Volume 186, July 2020, 109616\n 3. Production of gasoline range hydrocarbons from catalytic cracking of linoleic acid over various acidic zeolite catalysts, Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 26, pages34039\u00e2\u20ac\u201c34046 (2019)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mariam Ameen","title":"Ultrasound-assisted conversion of waste sugar materials into fuel additives using green solvents","description":"5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a fuel additive, a chemical platform that can be generated from cellulose through acid dehydration and used as an alternative to petroleum supplies to manufacture polymers, fuels or commodities. HMF has been listed by the US Department of Energy among the top 10 added-value bio-based chemicals as one of the derivatives of furan compounds.\n This project employed a new approach through the use of the ultrasound method and green solvents as additive or co-solvents. The ultrasonic method is implemented in the reaction mixture by ultrasonic irradiation. The synthesis of waste sugar materials into 5-HMF also is supported by kinetics and mass transfer studies.\n \n Reference: \n 1. Rosatella, A.A., et al., 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) as a building block platform: Biological properties, synthesis and synthetic applications. Green Chemistry, 2011. 13(4): p. 754-793.\n 2. Tuercke, T., S. Panic, and S. Loebbecke, Microreactor Process for the Optimized Synthesis of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural: A Promising Building Block Obtained by Catalytic Dehydration of Fructose. Chemical Engineering & Technology, 2009. 32(11): p. 1815-1822.\n 3. Zhou, C., et al., Conversion of glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in different solvents and catalysts: Reaction kinetics and mechanism. Egyptian Journal of Petroleum, 2017. 26(2): p. 477-487.\n 4. Grande, P.M., C. Bergs, and P. Dom\u00c3\u00adnguez de Mar\u00c3\u00ada, Chemo-enzymatic conversion of glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in seawater. ChemSusChem, 2012. 5(7): p. 1203-6.\n 5. Kuster, B.F.M., 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). A Review Focussing on its Manufacture. Starch - St\u00c3\u00a4rke, 1990. 42(8): p. 314-321.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarathinam Parthasarathy","title":"Polymer composite synthesis using end of life tyre (EOLT) char","description":"The disposal and recycling of end-of-life-tyre (EOLT) have drawn wide attention from academia and industry in the recent decade. As of June 2018, one company in Australia is licenced for pyrolysis of EOLT at a commercial scale to produce EOLT-pyrolysis char (EOLT-PC). Moreover, numerous pilot-phase plants that had been trialled are now defunct. However, the actual reuse rate of EOLT-PC remains low as it is still deemed unusable and destined to landfill. Thus, this project aims to develop the combined pyrolysis-vortex process to upcycle EOLT-PC. The process will produce high-quality char as additives in tyre and construction materials, in polymer composites, with modified physio-chemical properties. The project will leverage the advanced manufacturing, extensive material characterisation and materials performance testing facilities at UoM and RMIT University. The project will also help establish a proof of principle pilot plant that will be pivotal in integrating the developed technology at Bioplant.\n  \n The PhD candidate will be based at RMIT University and will have the opportunity to work closely with industry partners. The project will involve the development of various polymeric composites for different applications and undertaking a techno-economic assessment of the overall process that will be developed.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"Next generation electronics based on printed two dimensional materials","description":"This project involves the synthesis and characterization of atomically thin semiconductors, dielectrics and conductors. The developed materials will be investigated for their use in next generation low energy electronics, addressing the emerging need for energy efficient computing. Data processing and storage currently consumes about 3% of the world\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s energy production. This fraction is predicted to rise to above 30% by 2030, threatening current efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Two dimensional materials including 2D semiconductors, 2D ferroelectrics and piezoelectric are predicted to enable electronic devices which require orders of magnitude less energy than current silicon-based technologies. The project aims to produce these materials, characterize them and develop the first devices based on these newly emerging materials. The materials that will be investigated predominantly include post-transition metal compounds including gallium, indium and tin based materials. The materials will be produced utilizing liquid metal-based printing methods that have been developed in our research group. The synthesis of the materials is straightforward and scalable. The PhD candidate will prepare the materials and will then conduct a thorough characterization using multiple electron microscopy-based techniques as well as optical and electronic characterizations. The developed materials will then be integrated into traditional and emerging electronic device designs which will be fabricated utilizing state-of- the-art lithography techniques (ion beam, electron beam and photo lithography). \n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, physics, electronics, materials engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"Development of next generation liquid metal catalysts for CO2 reutilization","description":"Catalytic conversions are the foundation of today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chemical industry and enable many aspects of our daily lives. Catalysts find application in the production of fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and aid in the mitigation of harmful pollutants. Due to their global success, catalysts are now being intensely investigated to solve todays most pressing problems such as global warming, food security and providing green energy. This project focuses on converting CO2 into valuable products as well as solids that can be safely stored. Reducing CO2 is challenging and catalysts often suffer from the effects of catalyst poisoning and deactivation via coking. Recent advances in liquid metal chemistry have shown that room temperature liquid metals can overcome these limitations, leading to a new class of catalysts. The liquid state of these catalysts gives rise to self-refreshing surfaces and interfaces that effectively mitigate coking and poisoning. During this project, the candidate will synthesize new liquid metal catalysts and apply them in prototype reactions to convert CO2 into value-added products. The candidate will learn valuable synthesis techniques, explore the properties of the produced liquid metals using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities and will design catalytic reactors and prototypes. This project will be conducted within the vibrant liquid metal and catalysis research groups, providing ample opportunities for collaboration.\n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"Development of next generation liquid metal catalysts for ammonia production","description":"Catalytic conversions are the foundation of today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chemical industry and enable many aspects of our daily lives. Catalysts find application in the production of fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and aid in the mitigation of harmful pollutants. Due to their global success, catalysts are now being intensely investigated to solve today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most pressing problems such as global warming, food security and providing green energy. This project focuses on finding less polluting ways to produce NH3. NH3 is a key ingredient in fertilisers and is also considered to be an important hydrogen storage medium for the future hydrogen economy. Unfortunately, current NH3 production catalysts require very high pressures and temperatures, causing significant CO2 emissions. Recent advances in liquid metal chemistry have shown that room temperature liquid metals may offer new pathways to facilitate this reaction and could overcome these challenges. During this project, the candidate will synthesize new liquid metal catalysts and apply them in prototype reactions to produce NH3. The candidate will learn valuable synthesis techniques, explore the properties of the produced liquid metals using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities and will design catalytic reactors and prototypes. This project will be conducted within the vibrant liquid metal and catalysis research groups, providing ample opportunities for collaboration.\n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"The chemistry and properties of liquid metals","description":"Liquid metals are an intriguing class of materials that is enabling novel applications and technologies spanning from functional electronics, biomedical devices, sensors to catalysis and the synthesis of nanomaterials. In recent years a range of novel alloys has been developed that are liquid at or near room temperature and that are non-toxic. Liquid metals are unique, since they combine the electric and thermal conductivity of metals with the fluidity that is usually associated with covalent solvents such as water or ethanol. Despite harbouring immense technological potential, very little is known about the chemistry that occurs within liquid metals. This project will investigate the fundamental properties of liquid metals using advanced electron microscopy-based techniques as well as synchrotron and neutron scattering experiments in order to reveal processes such as bond formation and chemical reactions within a molten metallic matrix. During this project, the candidate will synthesize new liquid metal alloys and will analyse their properties in detail. The candidate will learn valuable synthesis techniques, explore the properties of the produced liquid metals using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities and will work with the broader team to understand how liquid metals can catalyse reactions. This project will be conducted within the vibrant liquid metal and catalysis research groups, providing ample opportunities for collaboration. \n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, physics, materials science, chemical engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Nanoengineering approach in upcycling waste materials to value added products","description":"The project aims to explore waste upcycling, a process of converting waste materials into valuable products, using materials science\/engineering principles. It will begin by identifying waste materials such as plastic, paper, and textiles and an upcycling process will be developed using techniques such as polymerization, pyrolysis and other means. The properties of the upcycled products will be characterized using various materials science techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of the upcycled products will also be evaluated. Finally, the economic feasibility of the upcycling process will be assessed by considering the cost of raw materials, processing, and the market value of the upcycled products.\n \n The project's expected outcomes are the development of a sustainable upcycling process that produces valuable products from waste materials. The upcycled products will have desirable properties and offer a sustainable solution to waste management. This project will contribute to the growing field of sustainable materials science and provide valuable insights into waste upcycling. It will also offer a promising solution to tackle the significant concern of waste management worldwide.\n \n In conclusion, this project aims to develop an innovative approach to waste management through upcycling using materials science principles. The project's outcomes will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions to the pressing issue of waste management and provide valuable insights into the application of materials science principles in waste upcycling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aonghus McNabola, Sara Moridpour, Vikram Garaniya","title":"Assessing the impacts of air pollution on commuter exposure to air pollution in Melbourne","description":"Air pollution poses a significant risk to public health worldwide and is known to be responsible for the premature death of 6.8 million people per annum. Exposure to high levels of air pollution can commonly occur in cities, in indoor environments and in transport settings. Exposure to air pollution of commuters in the transport arena has been extensively studied. However recent shifts towards electrification of transport (electric cars, trains, scooters, etc), and shifts in work practices (working from home) have resulted in changes to the air quality landscape.\n\nThis PhD project will examine the evolution of air pollution exposure in commuters in Melbourne considering factors of changed work practices and transport options. The project will assess the health impact of commuter mode choice and the impact of working routine patterns (i.e number of days at home vs in the office). The project will also assess mitigation options (Green Infrastructure, Transport Policy, etc) to address public health impacts using air pollution and transport modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"401101 Air Pollution Modelling & Control (25%). \n370102 Air Pollution processes and air quality measurement (50%).\n400512 Transport engineering (25%).\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Developing Solutions for Wastewater Heat Recovery in Australian Food Processing and Production ","description":"Significant amounts of energy are expended on heating water for various applications including the processing and production of food. This occurs in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and food processing plants. When this hot water is used it is discharged as hot wastewater, still containing a large portion of the energy embedded within it. Sending hot water to the sewer system is a significant waste of energy and unnecessarily contributed to the emissions of the food sector.\n\nThis project will develop solutions for the recycling of waste heat in wastewater from the Australian food sector. The project will include assessment of the available heat energy resources available in the Australian context and co-develop solutions with industry to recycle this heat, reducing the cost and environmental impact of water heating for food production. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401204 Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) (25%).\n401205 Experimental methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (25%).\n401106 Waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling (25%).\n400513 Water resources engineering (25%).\n401703Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical) (25%)."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Nanosensors for pollution monitoring and industrial process control","description":"Introduction:\n Chemical sensors play a critical role in environmental monitoring, energy, and industrial process control applications. In this project, we aim to develop a new generation of chemical sensors that are sensitive, selective, and cost-effective.\n \n Objectives:\n The primary objective of this project is to develop chemical sensors that can accurately detect and quantify a wide range of chemical species in environmental, energy, and industrial applications. Specifically, we aim to:\n \n 1. Identify the chemical species of interest in the target applications.\n 2. Develop novel sensing materials and designs to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity.\n 3. Characterize the performance of the chemical sensors using various analytical techniques.\n 4. Test the chemical sensors in real-world scenarios to evaluate their performance and reliability.\n \n Methodology:\n The project will begin by identifying the chemical species of interest in the target applications. These could include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), greenhouse gases, and other contaminants commonly found in the environment, energy, and industrial processes.\n \n Next, we will develop novel sensing materials and designs that can achieve high sensitivity and selectivity for the target chemical species. This will involve the synthesis and characterization of various sensing materials, such as metal oxides, polymers, and nanomaterials.\n \n The performance of the chemical sensors will be characterized using various analytical techniques such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The sensors will also be tested in real-world scenarios to evaluate their performance and reliability.\n \n Expected Outcomes:\n We anticipate that this project will result in the development of a new generation of chemical sensors that are sensitive, selective, and cost-effective. The chemical sensors will have a wide range of applications in environmental monitoring, energy, and industrial process control. The findings of this project will contribute to the growing field of chemical sensors and provide valuable insights into the design and development of novel sensing materials.\n \n Conclusion:\n This project proposes an innovative approach to chemical sensor development for environmental monitoring, energy, and industrial process control applications. The project's outcomes will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions to the pressing issue of environmental monitoring and process control. The findings of this project will also provide valuable insights into the application of chemical sensors in various industrial sectors, such as energy, chemical, and manufacturing.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng) \/ DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Felicity Roddick, Kathryn Hassell (School of Science)","title":"Integration of CO\u2082 capture with algal wastewater treatment for carbon fixation and resource recovery","description":"The global demand for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving sustainable wastewater treatment is becoming increasingly urgent. Traditional wastewater treatment processes often rely on energy-intensive methods that contribute to carbon emissions, while ineffective nutrient management leads to water pollution. To meet global climate goals and sustainable development targets, novel technologies must not only improve treatment efficiency but also offer solutions for carbon capture and resource recovery.\n\nThis PhD project aims to develop and optimise an integrated CO\u2082 capture and algal wastewater treatment system that maximises carbon fixation, nutrient removal, and resource recovery. By harnessing algae\u2019s potential for carbon sequestration and nutrient recycling, this project will create a scalable, sustainable process that aligns with circular economy principles. Although algal-based systems have shown potential in both CO\u2082 capture and nutrient removal, challenges remain in terms of system efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Limited research exists on the integration of these two processes at a large scale. This project will address these gaps by optimising the synergy between carbon capture and wastewater treatment using algae, with a focus on practical, industrial applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400401        Carbon capture engineering (excl. sequestration) (40%)\n400410        Wastewater treatment processes (40%)\n310699        Industrial biotechnology not elsewhere classified (20%)\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Building with smoke","description":"Carbon soot is one of the oldest materials known for its hydrophobic properties, robustness, and availability, making it an ideal material for use in various applications. The drawbacks, however, are the loose structural binding between constructing carbon nanoparticles and the amorphous nature of soot itself. In this project, the student will investigate a facile chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method that maintains the soot template structural integrity and enables its modification into a highly photoactive, self-cleaning titania fractal network. We have previously shown that such technique results in surfaces with small air pockets that are available on the surface combined with the salinization process producing TiO2 fractal network with superamphiphobic properties. Given the high surface area of the fractal network structure and titania\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s well-known photocatalytic activity, the designed surfaces can be assessed for their photocatalytic decoloration activities. Soot template derived TiO2 films can offer enormous potential in many different applications where self-cleaning and\/or high surface area and photoactive properties are required. When modified with other metal\/metal oxide decoration techniques, these surfaces could be highly active for catalysis and chemical\/biochemical sensing applications. The student will have an opportunity to explore a large combination of materials with different properties for a wide range of applications. This is an emerging field and the student will be able to produce a range of novel structures for applications ranging from gas sensing to solar energy harvestation, electrochemistry, catalysis and the like.\n \n References:\n [1] AE Kandjani, YM Sabri, MR Field, VE Coyle, R Smith, SK Bhargava, Chemistry of Materials 28 (21),\n 7919-7927","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Develop advanced injectable bioactive hydrogels for improving tissue regeneration","description":"In situ tissue engineering technology is promising in breaking the bottleneck of traditional tissue engineering technology by only using pure biomaterial scaffolds to in situ recruit surrounding cells and tissues into scaffolds to form regenerated tissue, taking advantage of the surrounding microenvironment as a natural bioreactor. As the only and key factor, the engineered biomaterial scaffolds for in situ tissue engineering requires specific biophysical and biochemical cues to direct endogenous cells to the injury site and modulate the behaviour of the cells. Injectable hydrogels have been playing a major role in tissue engineering as biomaterial scaffolds. However, in terms of the biochemical cues, most of the current hydrogels can only stimulate a certain phase of tissue regeneration by delivering bioactive substances, ignoring the facts that tissue regeneration is a dynamic process that involves several sequential phases working in coordination to ensure an optimal tissue regeneration. In terms of the biophysical cues, the nanoporous structure of traditional hydrogels is an obstacle for the infiltration of surrounding cells and tissues into the hydrogels and maintaining normal behaviour of the migrated cells, which significantly impede tissue regeneration. Thus, advanced injectable hydrogels with an ability of sequentially delivering therapeutic agents to each wound healing stage and macroporous structure are desired for advancing in situ tissue engineering. The current project aims to develop advanced injectable hydrogels simultaneously possessing sequential delivery ability and macroporous structure.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarathinam Parthasarathy","title":"Scale mitigation in agitated slurry tanks","description":"Scale build-up in slurry vessels employed in the mineral processing industry costs the industry millions of dollars through increased capital expenditure, reduced capacity, and production loss during the de-scaling cleaning operations. Most of the available literature on scale minimisation focuses on applying chemical anti-scalants. However, it is currently hard to predict the extent of scale suppression that anti-scalants could achieve due to a lack of complete knowledge of scale inhibition mechanisms. Moreover, chemical anti-scalants are expensive and significantly increase operating costs. This project investigates the influence of fluid flow patterns and intensities generated by agitators on scale minimisation in single- and two-phase systems. The project will use an accelerated precipitation reaction to grow scales on the walls of the agitated tank, which can be dismantled for quantitative scale thickness measurements. A coordinated measuring machine would be employed to scan the surface of the tank wall for scale analysis. The project aims to investigate the influence of operating and geometric variables such as impeller type, baffles, inert solids concentration, particle size, impeller speed, and impeller number of impellers on the scale distribution on tank walls. In addition to experimental work, numerical modelling (CFD) will be employed to understand the relationship between the scale distribution and the fluid flow patterns within the vessel. The project's outcomes would have the potential to significantly reduce the downtime experienced by the mineral processing industry due to scale build-up, thereby increasing revenue due to increased throughput.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403 Chemical engineering design (70%) ; 400408 Reaction engineering (excl. nuclear reactions) (20%) ; 400499 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Erica Kuligowski, Matt Duckham","title":"Community Evacuation Modelling in Fire Evacuations (PhD position)","description":"RMIT University has been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d. As part of this program, the School and our partners GhD are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area wildfire evacuation, modelling and multi-modal and big data analytics. The candidates will contribute to the enhancement of the WU-NITY community evacuation platform to enable its use in industrial applications in fire evacuations, including techniques to automatically take in multi-modal information to reconfigure the platform in real-time and compare with the evolving situation on the ground.\n\nThe candidate will be working with Dr Erica Kuligowski (lead) and Dr Matthew Duckham, experts in evacuation and modelling. GHD is an international company and provides a range of engineering and professional services in several key sectors (Energy and Resources, Environment, Property and Buildings, Transportation and Water). GHD is actively expanding its capacity to provide professional engineering and science services relating to community preparedness for wildfire events, evacuation planning\/design, evacuation management and post-incident recovery. GHD operates a dedicated technical service line for emergency and disaster management globally alongside our Digital and Advisory businesses.","sdg":"[\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-05-30","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"460207 (50%) - Modelling and simulation \n400507 (50%) - Fire safety engineering\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ricky Chan, Ben Cheng ","title":"Intelligent monitoring of scour damages to bridge structures ","description":"Erosion of foundations due to fast-moving water (scour damage) is a common cause of bridge damage. Over half of our bridges are built over water and this is a significant concern. Scour damage is also very difficult to detect since they are underwater. In this project, we will investigate the possibilities of detecting scour damage using a sensor network. By observing changes in sensor reading, we may indirectly detect damages that are not visible during routine visual inspections. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400508\n400510\n400512"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chun-Qing Li, Sujeeva Setunge, Kevin Zhang, Jie Li, Usha Iyer-Raniga, Kate Nguyen, Chamila Gunasekara        ","title":"ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure","description":"ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure aims to transform the capability of civil infrastructure stakeholders to design, construct, operate and dispose of infrastructure in a carbon neutral way. By training industry-embedded PhDs and postdocs in the methodology and technology required to design out excess carbon of infrastructure in its whole life, this Centre expects to lead the world in sustainable infrastructure design, enabling a new generation of infrastructure design in Australia and internationally. \n\nFor further information, please visit the Centre\u2019s website on https:\/\/dfco2.org.au","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400508 - Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management\n400510 - Structural Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)\/ MR218 MEng (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sathees Nava, Kevin Zhang, Srikanth Venkatesan","title":"Developing Bio-Inspired Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) to Improve Resistance to Blast and Impact Loads","description":"In the modern era, ensuring the safety and resilience of infrastructure against dynamic loads such as blasts and impacts is a critical engineering challenge. Cross-laminated timber (CLT), an environmentally friendly and sustainable building material, has shown great promise in construction due to its lightweight nature, ease of use, and renewable sources. However, traditional CLT may not be robust enough to withstand extreme conditions like blast and impact loads, which are common in military, industrial, and high-security environments. To address this, we propose developing bio-inspired CLT that mimics natural structures, enhancing its resistance to these dynamic loads while maintaining the material's sustainability and structural efficiency. The primary objective of this project is to develop a new form of bio-inspired CLT with enhanced resistance to blast and impact loads. By drawing inspiration from biological structures known for their superior load-bearing and energy dissipation capabilities, such as the toughened, layered structure of seashells or the intricate fibre arrangement in bone. This research aims to enhance the structural properties of CLT to resist blast waves and impact forces more effectively. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510  Structural Engineering (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)\/ MR218 MEng (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sathees Nava, Kevin Zhang ","title":"Developing an AI-Based Framework to Assess the Post-Fire Status of Mass Timber Buildings","description":"The number of mass timber building (MTB) construction projects is increasing in Australia and globally due to their environmentally friendly attributes. Engineered timber products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (GLT), are key materials used in mid-to high-rise MTB construction. These products provide a high level of prefabrication and offer multiple performance benefits, including high in-plane and out-of-plane strength, stiffness, and superior acoustic and thermal performance. However, their combustibility poses a challenge to their application in taller buildings. To mitigate this, appropriate fire safety measures are implemented in high-rise constructions to delay the rapid spread of fire, typically confining the damage to the vicinity of the fire's origin. Despite these measures, localized fires can lead to delamination failures in the adhesive bonds of CLT and GLT, resulting in a swift reduction in structural strength and the potential for progressive collapse. This research aims to develop an AI-based framework to assess the post-fire condition of mass timber buildings, providing crucial insights into their structural integrity and safety following fire exposure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510  Structural Engineering (60%)\n 400508 Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ngoc San Ha, Yi Min Xie","title":"Innovative Bio-Inspired Concrete for Superior Mechanical Properties, Sustainability, and Resilience","description":"This project aims to revolutionize the mechanical performance and sustainability of concrete materials through innovative bio-inspired designs and eco-friendly manufacturing techniques. The project seeks to pioneer the integration of Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS), such as primitive and gyroid cells, into composite concrete materials, forming lightweight yet durable structures. These designs will be realized using advanced 3D-printed sacrificial moulds, providing a unique combination of strength, ductility, and energy absorption. The research will develop an eco-conscious concrete mix that reduces carbon emissions while enhancing mechanical properties, leveraging biomimetic methods. Rigorous testing, including uniaxial compressive loading, bending, and drop impact tests, will assess the performance of these bio-inspired materials under various stress conditions. Expected outcomes include a cutting-edge design methodology for high-performance concrete and a sustainable manufacturing process that reduces material waste and environmental impact. This project will deliver substantial benefits, including enhanced durability, resilience in extreme conditions, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and significant cost savings in construction and repair. The findings promise to set new standards for next-generation construction materials, particularly in critical infrastructure projects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400505 Construction Materials (100%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Filippo Giustozzi","title":"Asphalt materials for roads and airports","description":"This project focuses on the development and application of advanced asphalt materials for road and airport infrastructure. The aim is to enhance the durability, safety, and sustainability of asphalt pavements used in both urban roads and high-traffic airport runways. \n\nThe project encompasses several key components:\n1. Material Research and Development: Investigate new asphalt formulations, including modified asphalts and composite materials, to improve performance under varying environmental conditions and traffic loads. This involves experimenting with additives such as polymers and recycled materials to increase the resilience of asphalt against cracking, rutting, and thermal deformation.\n\n2. Performance Testing: Conduct rigorous testing of asphalt mixtures to assess their performance metrics, including resistance to wear and tear, water infiltration, and temperature fluctuations. These tests will simulate real-world conditions to ensure the materials meet or exceed industry standards.\n\n3. Application Techniques: Explore and refine application techniques to optimise the paving operations. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of different mixing and laying methods (i.e. WMA).\n\n4. Sustainability Assessment: Evaluate the environmental impact of asphalt materials and explore ways to enhance their sustainability through life-cycle assessment studies. This includes assessing the potential for using recycled materials and reducing the carbon footprint associated with asphalt production and application.\n\n5. Case Studies and Implementation: Implement and monitor the performance of new asphalt materials in selected road and airport projects via digital technologies (i.e. digital twins) and sensors. Gather data and feedback to refine material properties and application methods.\n\nThe project's outcomes aim to set new benchmarks for asphalt performance, leading to longer-lasting, safer, and more environmentally friendly pavements in critical infrastructure projects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400505 (50%)\n400512 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chun-Qing Li, Kevin Zhang, Sujeeva Setunge, Kate Nguyen, Jie Li, Usha Iyer-Raniga, Chamila Gunasekara","title":"Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure","description":"The ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure (\u201cDfCO2\u201d) will bring together expertise from 21 academic and industry partners from including universities, government authorities, professional associations, and industry partners. We aim to transform the capability of civil infrastructure stakeholders to design, construct, operate and dispose of infrastructure in a carbon neutral way. By training industry-embedded PhDs and postdocs in the methodology and technology required to design out excess carbon of infrastructure in its whole life, this Centre expects to lead the world in sustainable infrastructure design, enabling a new generation of infrastructure design in Australia and internationally.\n\nPlease visit https:\/\/dfco2.org.au for further information.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400508 Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management (60%)\n400510 Structural Engineering (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajeev Roychand, Jie Li","title":"An innovative concrete slab and flexible pavement system","description":"The aim of the project is to investigate the performance, feasibility, and potential benefits of using Rombus concrete slabs and flexible pavement systems in road construction and rehabilitation projects. In addition, it looks to carry out detailed structural optimisation using finite element analysis to optimise and enhance its structural performance. The project seeks to assess the structural integrity, durability, and sustainability of these innovative pavement designs compared to traditional methods. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianhu Shen, Mohammad Saberian, School of Engineering","title":"Hypoplastic-Constitutive Law for Evaluation of Stabilized Soils with Recycled Materials","description":"The dramatic growth of construction activities and urbanisation has increased the need for raw and virgin materials around the world. A large volume of solid waste materials is piled up in landfills, leading to environmental concerns. The waste materials can be recycled and reused for soil stabilization purposes such as slope stability, road embankments, pavement base, subbase and subgrade, etc. In addition, a reliable constitutive model essential for evaluating the stability of stabilised soils with recycled materials should be employed to describe their mechanical properties. There is a huge gap in the knowledge of hypoplastic constitutive models for evaluating the behaviour of stabilised soils with reclaimed materials.\r\n\r\nThe motivation for using hypoplastic equations over elastoplastic ones is that hypoplastic constitutive equations require fewer parameters and constants compared to the complex system of equations involved in elastoplasticity, which includes elasticity, yield criterion, plastic potential function, hardening laws, and other factors. Also, hypoplastic constitutive equations involve a single equation with a homogeneous function of degree one that relates the objective rate of the stress tensor to the rate of the deformation tensor. As a result, hypoplastic materials are easier to model and simulate compared to elastoplastic materials. \r\n\r\nIn this research project, shear band formation and hardening and softening behaviours of stabilised soils with recycled waste materials will be investigated by hypoplastic constitutive law. Also, the results will be compared with experimental data.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Hou, John Thangarajah","title":"Artificial Intelligence for Timber Structure Design Optimisation","description":"This PhD aims to tackle the critical challenges faced by the Australian timber frame sector, including timber structure design, cost efficiency, resource usage, sustainability, and productivity, through developing advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. \nWe encourage motivated students passionate about integrating advanced technology into structural engineering to apply. \n\nAnticipated Outcomes: \n \u2022 Conduct a comprehensive literature review on machine learning, genetic algorithms, and neural networks. Identify suitable AI techniques for timber structure design optimisation and provide a detailed report on selected AI techniques, their applicability, and potential synergies; \n \u2022 Develop an AI model incorporating reinforcement learning and deep learning to optimise timber structure design. The model should consider factors like financial effectiveness, material consumption, environmental impact, and work efficiency. An analysis of feature importance and model interpretability will be part of this task; \n \u2022 Validate the developed AI model using cross-validation and transfer learning in case studies. Develop practical guidelines for AI implementation, based on AI ethics and best practices\uff1b\n \u2022 A comprehensive AI model for intelligently optimising timber structure design.\nEssential Criteria: \n \u2022 First-class honours in Civil Engineering, Computer Science, or similar fields from a recognised institution; \n \u2022 Prior research experience in AI, machine learning, or structural engineering;\n \u2022 Publications in relevant fields will be an advantage;\u2022 Experience with data analysis and statistical software.\n\nSupervisors: \nSenior joint supervisors: Professor Kevin Zhang and Dr Lei Hou \nAssociate supervisor: Professor Jie Li ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"David Law","title":"Optimisation of Cathodic Protection of Reinforced Concrete Structures","description":"\"The majority of the infrastructure built today is made from steel reinforced concrete. As a result of this widespread use, the corrosion of steel reinforcement costs billions of dollars annually in repair and maintenance. It was estimated in 2010 that this corresponds to 3% of the world gross domestic product ($73.3 trillion). One of the most widely adopted repair techniques is impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) which has been shown to be an effective method of halting corrosion. ICCP operates by negatively polarising the steel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s potential in order to thermodynamically prevent corrosion from occurring. Research has shown that the application of ICCP also induces secondary changes in the local environment at the steel\/concrete interface. This is due to the removal of chloride ions from the vicinity of the steel coupled with the production of hydroxyl ions at the steel surface, resulting in the restoration of the steel passivity. Current standards state that initial polarisation of the steel can employ a current of up to 20mA\/m2. The aim of the application of ICCP being to reduce the corrosion rate to a minimal level. In the early years of the technology this current was maintained over the life of the ICCP system, however it is now general practice to reduce the current to the minimum level required to maintain protection as per the relevant standard. In addition to saving energy, lowering the applied current extends the lifetime of the ICCP system and reduces the likelihood of acid attack at the anode. Past studies on structures with ICCP systems have reported evidence of continued passivation and protection (based upon a number of factors including, steel potentials, corrosion rates and continued increase in potentials to more positive values even after the current has been halted. This ongoing protection is known as residual protection. Residual protection of structures has been observed to last for several years however it is not observed in all structures .While studies have confirmed the presence of continued protection, to date there has been no systematic study on which factors are critical to it. This project will investigate potential factors include applied charge density, duration of current application, total amount of charge passed, concrete chloride content and structure environmental conditions. This will provide information on the reaction kinetics, the electrochemistry of the steel concrete interface and the operation of ICCP systems. This project will involve the understanding of electrochemical process in the corrosion and protection of reinforced steel structures. The understanding of how these factors influence continued protection will contribute to the improved operation of ICCP systems over the long term.\n References:\n [1]. S. Bhuiyan, D. W. Law, P. Nicholls & C. Christodoulou, Investigation of Residual Protection of Steel following Application of Protective Current, Construction & Building Materials, 162, 503-511, 2018, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.conbuildmat.2017.12.049 [2]. ALEXANDER, M. & THOMAS, M. 2015. Service life prediction and performance testing - Current developments and practical applications. Cement and Concrete Research, 78, 155-164. [3]. ANGST, U., ELSENER, B., LARSEN, C. K. & VENNESLAND, O. 2009. Critical chloride content in reinforced concrete - A review. Cement and Concrete Research, 39, 1122-1138. AS2328.5 2008. AS 2328.5 Cathodic Protection of Metals; Part 5 Steel in Concrete. . Australian Standards. [4]. ASTM, C.-. 2009. Standard Test Method for Half Cell Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete. [5]. BHUIYAN, S., LAW, D. W., MOLYNEAUX, T. C. K. & NICHOLLS, P. 2014. The Impact Of The Interruption Of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection On The Steel\/Concrete Interface. In: GRANTHAM, M. (ed.) Concrete Solutions; 5th International Conference on Concrete Repair. Belfast. [6]. BROOMFIELD, J. P. 2007. Corrosion of Steel in Concrete, 2nd Edition, London, Taylor & Franc","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Uplift resistance of buried offshore pipelines in clay soils","description":"In recent times, there has been a rapid increase in the use of subsea pipelines to transport high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) hydrocarbons. Such pipelines are commonly buried in clay seabed to provide environmental stability, thermal insulation and mechanical protection. These buried pipelines, operating at high temperature and pressure, have a high tendency to buckle upward during its service life. Such upheaval buckling of pipes are traditionally restrained by using a rock dump and\/or backfill materials to prevent the potential failures. The use of rock introduces more stability to the pipeline during its upward expansion, but is less economically viable compared to the use of backfill material. However, there is uncertainty in the use of backfill materials, as determining the safe cover heights depends on several factors such as clay consolidation (time-dependent process), pipe operating conditions and racheting effects. This research project will investigate the estimation of uplift resistance of buried offshore pipelines in clayey soils and safe burial depths required to mitigate upheaval buckling. This research project will determine the factors affecting uplift resistance in cohesive (clayey) soils using large scale experiments and advanced numerical simulations. The results will be used to obtain the probability of failure for pipelines against upheaval buckling and to produce design guidelines for safe burial of pipelines in clay backfills.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Predicting the vulnerability of road pavements subjected to landslides","description":"Failure of coastal roads in Australia and worldwide can be significant due to cascading events such as flood or storm surge. One of the major causes for these failures was identified as landslides near the major road due to the floods and associated erosion. Even now, the authorities are unsure about the stability of the surrounding land and the vulnerability of road network under floods. Such damage to road networks would cost millions of dollars for remediation of the infrastructure, and more importantly, these cascading events can result in significant social cost as a result of damage to the community\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s transportation network. This project will look into assessing the vulnerability of road infrastructure subjected to floods. Flooding can induce damage to roads by a two-way damage mechanism. Firstly, the roads can fail due to washouts of embankments by scour phenomenon which can lead to landslide of the road subgrade (local slide). Secondly, the failures can be due to shear strength failures in cut-through slopes across roads (i.e. external slide). The soil conditions of subgrade and cut-through slopes will first be collected across a series of road network in Australia. Then, the hydro-mechanical numerical models will be developed to assess the effect of flooding induced hydro-dynamic forces on embankments and cut-through slopes. The major contribution to knowledge will be understanding of the floods which lead to failure. The developed models will be validated using case studies. A prediction model which can be used to assess the potential damage of roads during floods will be developed for in-place road infrastructure","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Assessing the leak-before-break in underground tunnels","description":"Construction of underground tunnels for needs such as transport, water supply, sewerage and telecommunication is an increasing worldwide demand. The reported statistics showed that many countries adopt underground tunnelling to facilitate their transportation systems due to limited above ground space and safe operational requirements. Such tunnels are buried in ground with soil\/rock which provides protection and support. However, these buried tunnels are often subjected to deterioration mainly due to weathering of rocks, corrosion of reinforcement and\/or degradation of concrete. Consequently, the leaks have become a common problem in these assets and management of these aging infrastructures has become a pressing issue for asset managers. Such failures can cause significant consequences in terms of economic loss to asset managers, public safety, damage to property and also have an adverse effect on the overall performance of the tunnels.\n \n The main driver for the failure of underground tunnels is the water flow through the surrounding material. Due to deep embedment conditions, most of underground tunnels could be assumed under submerged conditions and hence the water flow imposes major concern when assessing the condition of underground tunnels. The water flow will first induce scour\/erosion of the surrounding material, which can result a run off of fine particles from the soil\/rock matrix. The erosion will further cause to generate additional pathways for water flow (i.e. increases the permeability) due to particle run off. As a result of enhanced permeability in the surrounding material, additional water percolates on the surface of the tunnel. As most of the buried tunnels are ageing, there is high possibility that lining could possess cracks through which soil\/rock particle could run off with the leaking water. Such leaking is commonly identified as exceeding serviceability condition by asset managers who tend to adopt remedial measures such as cement grouting to fix the water leaking. Even though such practice could fix the leaking in short term, these cracks can still be active due to continuing deterioration, operation loads and material erosion behind the tunnel. As a result, cracks can propagate to a limiting condition (i.e. length & width) that could lead to exceed acceptable convergences or even to result catastrophic failures. This project will investigate the effect of cracks on the performance of buried ageing tunnels using numerical modeling. First, an advanced numerical model will be developed on the basis of randomly generated concrete meso-structure using user defined concrete damage plasticity model. The model will be calibrated using unconfined compressive strength tests on samples prepared at different concrete grades. The developed and calibrated model will be applied to capture the crack propagation of the tunnel lining which interacts with eroded rock\/soil interface under fatigue loading. The results will be useful to asset managers to understand the influence of existing visible cracks on the overall performance of the underground tunnel and to estimate the safe life before resulting unacceptable tunnel behavior.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Application of recycled waste materials in road construction","description":"Expansive soils in many areas of the world cause significant hazards to lightweight building foundations and highway pavements. These soils experience changes in volume due to seasonal moisture fluctuations by undergoing swelling during wet season and shrinkage during dry periods. If a pavement rests on expansive soil, longitudinal cracks may occur on its surface because of the seasonal volume change of the subgrade expansive soil. Moisture susceptible change characteristics of expansive soils always cause costly damages to buildings in terms of inclined cracks in claddings and instability of footings. Over designing of foundations and slabs to address this problem incur excessive expenses in addition to the overuse of natural resources. Consequently, the need for change in conventional foundation construction system is becoming a very important requirement to construct houses and buildings more sustainable and with a very low maintenance cost over the lifetime. This project will look into the use of recycled wastes in constructing roads and foundations in expansive soils.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Understanding the fate and control of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants","description":"Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are the major receivers of microplastics (MPs) prior to their release into open waterways. The major proportion of MPs are generated from textile fibres from washing machines and plastic commodities such as personal care products and cosmetics, these particles enter WWTPs through municipal wastewater discharge systems. Current studies focus on the removal of MPs (1 \u00c2\u00b5m to 5 mm in size) in primary and secondary wastewater treatment processes. Studies have demonstrated that these processes do not remove all MPs and that well over 100 million MP particles are released from WWTP each day. Concerningly, our preliminary data shows that the levels of nanoplastics (NPs) released into the environment after wastewater treatment due to water shear forces are at least 40 times greater than the levels of MPs. Notably, NP has potentially greater health impacts due to their greater surface area, enabling them to adsorb heavy metals and other toxic species, that are then consumed by humans, animals, and aquatic living organisms. Therefore, our researchers are solving this problem by (i) developing\/modifying the existing technology used in the primary treatment stage to remove NP\/MPs from wastewater so that this pollutant stop entrance to the next stages of the WWTPs, and (ii) developing a membrane-based platform for tertiary unit of the WWTP to remove NP\/MP with other impurities present in secondary effluent.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Controlling FOG Deposition and Corrosion in Sewer Lines: Insights into the Mechanisms and Control Strategies","description":"Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are a major problem in sewer systems, leading to blockages, corrosion, and other issues that can cause significant damage to infrastructure and the environment. Despite efforts to control FOG, the problem persists, and there is still a need for better understanding of the mechanisms of FOG deposition and corrosion in sewer lines, as well as effective control strategies. This proposal aims to investigate the mechanisms of FOG deposition and corrosion in sewer lines and identify effective control strategies. The study will involve laboratory experiments and field observations to examine the behavior of FOG in sewer systems, including factors that influence deposition and corrosion. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of better strategies for controlling FOG deposition and corrosion in sewer lines, which can help prevent damage to infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs, and protect the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"From Waste to Resource: Selective Recovery of Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future","description":"Critical minerals are vital for many modern technologies, but their supply is limited and difficult to extract. Waste streams, including mining waste, electronic waste, fly ash, and wastewater, contain significant amounts of critical minerals that can be recovered. Recovering critical minerals from waste streams can reduce environmental impacts, generate new revenue streams, and reduce dependence on imports. Our proposal is to develop physical-chemical and separation-based platforms to selectively recover critical minerals from different waste streams, promoting the circular economy and reducing the environmental footprint of critical mineral extraction.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Development of a novel catch basin insert basket to remove pollutants from stormwater","description":"The urban stormwater runoff volume is increasing with the increase in impervious areas due to rapid development. The surface runoff, along with gross and dissolved pollutants, accumulates inside the side entry pit and then infiltrates into the groundwater or passes onto the receiving water environment through the underground stormwater drainage network. However, gross pollutants can clog the underground pipe network system and increase the dissolved pollutant concentration of nearby water bodies. Various best management practices have been introduced to remove these pollutants, including gross pollutant traps, constructed wetlands, retention ponds, detention basins, grass swales, bio-filters, and catch basin insets. However, most of these technologies are not effective enough in stormwater treatment. As a result, minimally treated stormwater is rapidly discharged into ground and surface waters. The focus of the project is to develop a new catch basin insert basket to remove gross and dissolved pollutants and road-dusted micro-plastics from stormwater. The treated stormwater will then be released gradually to recharge a groundwater aquifer or released to surface waters in a manner that mimics the natural hydrologic cycle.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Erica Kuligowski","title":"Modelling Human Behaviour along the Bushfire Evacuation Timeline","description":"With global temperatures rising, bushfires are expected to increase in frequency and intensity in the coming years. Just in 2019-2020 alone, the bushfires burnt tens of millions of hectares, caused 33 deaths, and threatened and displaced hundreds of communities across Australia [1]. Since the 2009 Black Saturday fires, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) have emphasized evacuation as the preferred option to protect exposed populations from harm due to these fires and led the development of a handbook on evacuation planning for all hazards [2]. Additionally, the use of decision-making tools, like evacuation simulation models, are being used more frequently to calculate clearance times for communities, identify areas of congestion, and even test the benefits of certain traffic management solutions.\n However, it is difficult to plan for evacuation (or use any of the decision-making tools or models for evacuation) when the data on human behaviour in response to bushfires are limited [3]. This project focuses on collecting data on people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s response to bushfires using survey and interview methodology. Surveys and interviews have been used to study evacuation decision-making in bushfires, and in particular, the factors that influence people to decide to evacuate or not in a particular fire [3]. However, few studies have collected data on what happens after a household makes a decision to evacuate or not \u00e2\u20ac\u201c including the types of protective actions that they take; the time until actual movement to safety begins (i.e., also known as departure time); and the modes, routes and destinations chosen to reach safety (if evacuating). A student involved in this work will focus on 1) developing surveys and interview guides to collect data on a range of evacuation decisions and behaviours during bushfires; 2) use these data collection instruments to collect household response data from multiple fires across Australia; and 3) develop predictive models that identify the relationship between environmental, social and individual factors and behaviours throughout the evacuation timeline. The student would then work with researchers on implementing these predictive models into evacuation simulation platforms.\n References:\n [1] Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements: https:\/\/naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au\/ [2] https:\/\/knowledge.aidr.org.au\/media\/5617\/aidr-evacuation-planning-handbook.pdf [3] Kuligowski, E. (2020). Evacuation decision-making and behavior in wildfires: Past research, current challenges and a future research agenda. Fire Safety Journal, 103129. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.firesaf.2020.103129","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianhu Shen","title":"Monitoring Quality of 3D Constructed Buildings Through Digital Twin Models","description":"Different from conventional new buildings, there are layered patterns on any surfaces of 3D printed concrete structures. Those patterns are formed during the printing and curing process of concrete structures. Any abnormality during printing and curing process will result in some types of changes on the layered printing patters. A close monitoring of allowable variation of patterns from normal printing pattern will be a significant information to monitor the health of those newly 3D constructed buildings. Identifying the practical range for the allowable variation of the changes will be a significant further development for this new technology. \n The research project aims to identify the acceptable range of variation between the designed model and digital twins formed during and after the 3D printing process as to assist the monitoring the safety of the 3D printed buildings. The digital twin models are formed through computer vision by means of videos and images recorded during and after printing process.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianhu Shen","title":"Design Active Protective Structures Against Impact Loadings Caused by Extreme Weather","description":"Climate change affects everything. The chance of impact loadings on structures and human are greatly increased due to hail, flood, and strong winds. It is necessary to design an economic, effective, and eco-friendly defensive structures to reduce those negative impacts. One of such methods under extensive exploration is to utilize the design of smart structures and well developed 3D printing technology to build temporary defensive structures. \n This project aims to design new sustainable smart structures to save life against strong impact loadings during extreme weather conditions. Those smart structures could be used as decoration structure and will be self-adaptive to a defensive mode subjected to change of environments, i.e, water immersive, heavy wind, sufficient impact loading acting on them.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie li","title":"Development of sustainable and low-carbon concrete utilising different forms of recycled materials","description":"Recycling waste in concrete applications is an important step towards creating a closed-loop circular economy. Concrete is one of the world's most widely used construction materials, and its production requires large amounts of natural resources, including aggregates, water, and cement. Recycling waste materials such as demolished concrete, fly ash, slag, red mud, mining waste, and glass can help to reduce the environmental impact of concrete production by reducing the amount of virgin materials needed. By using recycled materials in concrete, we can conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, recycled concrete can often perform as well as, or even better than, traditional concrete. By incorporating recycled materials in concrete, we can support a circular economy where waste is seen as a valuable resource rather than a problem to be disposed of. This project aims to investigate different forms of challenging waste materials, treating them where required to make them compatible for their application in concrete to develop a sustainable, low-carbon concrete composite.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Li","title":"Development of innovative low-carbon pavement using recycled waste materials","description":"The civil and infrastructure sectors' increasing activities have led to a significant rise in quarry aggregate consumption. As a result, there is a heavy reliance on natural resources in civil engineering, which has led to large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions from virgin material extraction. Moreover, the construction sector, particularly road construction, generates a considerable amount of waste materials (almost half of the world's waste) through demolishing buildings and other infrastructure projects. This project aims to explore various recycled materials' potential applications in road pavement. An innovative low-carbon pavement stabilisation technology that utilises different waste streams will be developed.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Li","title":"Pile foundation in expansive soils","description":"Pile foundations are one of the most cost-effective methods of transferring the loads from superstructures to the underlying firm ground. However, the design of pile foundations in unsaturated expansive clays presents many challenges for geotechnical and structural engineers. These are primarily associated with the shrinkage and swelling that accompanies seasonal changes in soil moisture. Current design tools are only applicable to piles embedded in fully saturated soils. This project will develop a mechanistic approach to pile foundation design in expansive soils through scaled laboratory testing, field experiments and numerical analyses.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Li","title":"Impact of Trees on Ground Movement and Infrastructure Performance","description":"Planting and maintaining trees in urban areas are crucial for environmental sustainability. However, trees can also cause issues such as extracting excessive soil moisture near buildings, which can lead to settlement and structural damage. Current engineering guidelines given in Australian Standard AS2870 (2011) are not based on adequate field research and measurement. Consequently, attempts to design footings to resist the additional ground movement due to trees are often flawed, owing to poor understanding of the water demands of various tree species, wilting points and potential root development.\n This project aims to study the impact of trees on building performance, soil moisture patterns, and ground movement on clay sites in suburban areas. The results will be used to improve the AS2870 guidelines and guide the selection of street tree species for sustainable urban development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Digital Twin and Virtual Simulation for Efficient Energy Planning","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. As part of this program, the School and our partners Wu You Technologies are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of digital twin and virtual simulation for the purposes of efficient energy planning in the construction industry. \n \n The candidate will be working with Prof Kevin Zhang and Dr Lei Hou, experts in digital twin modelling in the construction industry. Wu You Technologies is a local company is with deep industry knowledge, decades of experience and networks in the architecture, engineering and construction sectors.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan","title":"Modelling and Decarbonising Critical Infrastructure using Digital Twins","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. As part of this program, the Schools and our partners Mott MacDonald are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of digital twin methodologies to model critical infrastructure. This could include characterising the performance of critical infrastructure under a range of conditions and provide decarbonisaion options. \n \n The candidate will be working with Dr Mojtaba Mahmoodian, Prof. Sujeeva Setunge and Dr Juerg von Kaenel, experts in Civil Engineering and digital twin modelling. Mott MacDonald is an international company that have contributed to the development of many important national infrastructure in transport, energy, water and the built environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Automatic Condition Assessments of Civil Infrastructure","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. As part of this program, the School and our partners MacDonald Lucas are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of IoT enabled inspections and image recognition techniques to automate condition assessments of civil Infrastructure. The project will create a proof of concept for a digital twin of a facility to enable self-diagnosing and predictive modelling. \n \n The candidate will be working with Prof Sujeeva Setunge and Dr Mojtaba Mahmoodian, experts in IoT and automated assessment of civil infrastructure; and Dr. Azadeh Alavi, expert in computer vision. Macdonald Lucas is a SME that provides advice and services for civil infrastructure and have a long, on-going collaboration with RMIT University.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mohammad Saberian Boroujeni","title":"Development of eco-friendly low-carbon pavements using waste materials, low-carbon\n binders and a nanopolymer admixture","description":"Renolith has been used for road applications in many countries for over 25 years. Several projects were completed very successfully in Australia until 2001, when it was withdrawn from the Australian market due to a commercial dispute between the patent holder and the distributor. The suitability of the product for road construction in the contemporary Australian context has not been examined. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation of the stabilization of pavement\u2019s wearing course, base, subbase and subgrade layers using the latest Renolith formula (Renolith 2.0) will be performed in this project. To this end, a series of experimental studies, including strength and stiffness tests, deformability analyses, microstructural and physicochemical analyses, and durability tests under various weather conditions (such as cyclic wetting-drying and freeze-thaw), will be conducted. Suitable soil\/aggregate materials will be selected based on market context and sustainability criteria, such as RCA, clay and in-situ materials (eg. Degraded unsealed roads). Compatibility with lowercarbon cementitious binders, such as OPC\/slag\/fly-ash blends will be evaluated. To limit the number of variables, binder and Renolith 2.0 admixture will be applied at rates recommended by the Organisation. We will collaborate with Grey Vort Pty Ltd on this project, as the company partially funded the project. The PhD applicant will have a chance to work in the company as an intern for 3-6 months. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400502 Civil geotechnical engineering (90%) ; 401902 Geomechanics and resources geotechnical engineering (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Development of Digital Twins for Intelligent monitoring and maintainance of civil infrastructure","description":"The traditional approach for monitoring and maintenance of civil infrastructure (e.g., bridges, ports, pipeline) is visual inspection and judgmental assessment. This approach is costly, risky and inaccurate. With advancements in technologies such as Internet of Things, 3D visualisation and artificial intelligence, more advanced methods can be developed for intelligent monitoring and maintenance of civil infrastructure. In this project the efficient use of Internet of Things including high tech sensors (e.g., wireless sensors, fibre optic sensors, etc) will be investigated. Methodologies to select the best type of sensors, optimise number of sensors and suggest the best locations for sensors will be developed. A fast Finite Element model of the infrastructure will be built and then sensor data will be used as an input for the FEM, to create a real-time FEM. The digital model (which is a digital twin of the structure) will be equipped with artificial intelligence algorithms (using machine learning) to suggest the best maintenance decision to the asset owner. The intelligent maintenance system can be developed for different type of infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels, ports, energy infrastructure, pipeline network, etc","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Development of digital twins to improve energy efficiency in buildings","description":"Buildings consumes approximately 40% of the total energy in developed countries. A huge portion of this energy is wasted due to lack of a good control and management of heating and cooling systems. To overcome these challenges, a digital twin tool to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort in residential buildings will be developed in this research. The technology integrates Internet of Things and artificial intelligence algorithms. The digital twin framework enables the creation of a virtual replica of a building\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s physical environment and helps facility managers to gain new operation insights, optimize energy use, and monitor building performance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Digital twin development for predictive corrosion management","description":"Many of civil engineering structures and infrastructures are made of steel. However, the major problem with steel is 'corrosion'. There are methods to prevent steel corrosion, but most of them are not efficient or are very costly.\n Billions of dollars are spent every year in the world due to the cost of steel corrosion. This research will develope a digital twin technology based on Internet of Things which can remotely collect data from a steel structure under corrosion, and then automatically analyze data and suggest the best maintainance action. Use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms will help to create an intelligent digital twin which can help the asset owner to make optimum maintainance decisions and also predict the remaining life the steel structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Synthesis of biochar\/nano-biochar for remediation of microplastic soil pollution","description":"The accumulation of microplastics (MPs, plastic particles < 5 mm) in the soil environment has become a growing concern in recent decades due to its various detrimental impacts on agroecosystems. The intrusion of MPs into agricultural land through plastic mulching, wastewater irrigation, application of sewage sludge, and atmospheric deposition causes alteration of soil physicochemical and biological properties of soil. MPs with different sizes and properties are also responsible for altering soil structure, bulk density, and water-holding capacity to hamper nutrient recycling and thus disrupt soil microbial activity. Hence, the trophic transfer of MPs through the food chain harms humans and other animals.\n Biochar\/nano-biochar (BC\/nBC) can enhance soil properties, plant growth, bioremediation of pollutants and pesticides, management of plant disease-pest, treatment of biosolid and wastewater, and assist in the mitigation of climate change through carbon sequestration (Chausali et al. 2021). However, several studies have revealed the higher removal efficiency of MPs via biochar from an aqueous medium (Wang et al. 2020, Wang et al. 2021, Elbasiouny et al. 2023), where little information on biochar (especially nano-biochar) application in remediation of MPs contaminated agroecosystem (soil-plant) are available. During experimentation, fabrication (from crop residues or other materials) and characterization of BC\/nBC and MPs with soil and plant will be studied first. Then most potential interactive behavior will be examined under different conditions like soil moisture, pH, and temperature. Simultaneously, the remediation percentage and other challenges will be investigated under controlled and field environments. \n Chausali, N., Saxena, J. and Prasad, R., 2021. Nanobiochar and biochar based nanocomposites: Advances and applications. J. of Agriculture and Food Research, 5, 100191. \n Elbasiouny, H., Mostafa, A.A., Zedan, A., Elbltagy, H.M., Dawoud, S.F., Elbanna, B.A., ... & Elbehiry, F., 2023. Potential Effect of Biochar on Soil Properties, Microbial Activity and Vicia faba Properties Affected by Microplastics Contamination, Agronomy, 13(1), 149. \n Wang, J., Sun, C., Huang, Q., Chi, Y., Yan, J., 2021. Adsorption and thermal degradation of microplastics from aqueous solutions by Mg\/Zn modified magnetic biochars, J of Hazardous Materials, Vol 419, 126486. \n Wang, Z., Sedighi, M., Lea-Langto, A., 2020. Filtration of microplastic spheres by biochar: removal efficiency and immobilisation mechanisms, Water Research, 184, 116165.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Water quality monitoring sensor data for operation and future improved design of Water Sensitive Urban Designs (WSUDs)","description":"Water Sensitive Urban Designs (WSUDs) have formed a part of integrated water management (IWM) in the Melbourne metropolitan region since the early 2000s when Melbourne Water (MW) launched several initiatives aimed at improving the water quality of the catchments discharging into Port Phillip Bay (Port Phillip City Council 2010). However, few studies exist on the performance of the engineered features in WSUD assets, e.g. wetlands and bioretention filters. There are also considerable variations between different Councils in terms of WSUD implementation policies (e.g. type and number of features in a given district). Moreover, Council boundaries rarely coincide with the water catchment boundaries. These may therefore suffer from a lack of integrated river basin management due to both the policy variability and local variations in land use.\n Existing water quality monitoring network has revealed significant data gaps and weaknesses both in the monitoring data collected by the State VWQMN network (i.e. in this region; MW or EPA data) and the volunteer (Waterwatch) networks. Temporal gaps are a particular issue as the current monitoring frequency (usually monthly) is simply too infrequent to capture the full range of events in these catchments. Spatial gaps exist especially in terms of the existing network failing to monitor the effects of WSUDs (i.e. support the hypothesis that WSUDs are improving water quality) due to an absence of suitable sites in these catchments. In the 2005 VWQMN assessment, most monitoring sites in the target catchments failed the standards for concentrations of both nutrients and heavy metals.\n It is our opinion that a clear requirement exists for a field monitoring based research project to collect high quality data from targeted assets and other monitoring sites (e.g. upstream of WSUDs) to add value to the current design and implementation strategies. In this regard, a suite of newly developed water quality monitoring sensors could be utilised to collect continuous data both from upstream and downstream locations of the targets. Based on these data, advanced modelling tool like SWMM can be standardised to evaluate the future design, construction, and management of those assets.\n References:\n 1. Port Phillip City Council, Water plan toward a water sensitive city, 2010; ISBN 978-0-9757763-7-7\n 2. Tjandraatmadja, G., Cook, S., Sharma, A., Chacko, P., Myers, B.and Pezzaniti, D. 2014 Water Sensitive Urban Design Impediments and Potential: Contributions to the SA Urban Water Blueprint Goyder Institute for Water Research Technical Report Series No. 14\/16, Adelaide, South Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Life cycle optimization of green building design, construction and operation: a multi-criteria approach for decision-making","description":"The construction industry plays a vital role in the Australian economy, contributing around 7% to Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s GDP (ABS 2010). Australia's per capita GHG emissions are the highest of any OECD country where building sector alone contribute to 19% of Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s total energy, and 23% of Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s total GHG emissions (ASBEC 2008). Buildings are built to last for several decades. Over such a long lifetime, operational use of the buildings with its heating and cooling has a significant economic and environmental effect, as like maintenance. Construction and disposal have a one-off effect, but this may also be significant. Even a small reduction in economic and environmental effects in any of the life cycle stages would be significant when the number of buildings is taken into account. This project will develop an integrated analytical framework for optimization of building design and construction. Currently a number of tools are in use to evaluate star rating of the buildings only to comply with local legislation. There is no provision to integrate cost-benefit analysis and performances of materials and methods to construct and operate a building to have a whole life cycle management perspective. In order to achieve a fully optimized building, the life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) along with star-rating would be integrated into the proposed framework. LCA and LCC will be based on whole building and whole life cycle basis, which would include construction, operation, maintenance, recycle and disposal phases. In order to integrate all these fragmented activities, an integrated tool will be developed to enable multi-criteria decision-making. A designer can easily navigate through the complex relationship of the design objectives and constraints to trade-off the various design options and their impacts on life cycle energy, cost and environment. A simple data input-output interface under the Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform will be proposed to analyze the bill of quantity (BOQ) of the building plan and various assemblages. All these will be subsequently used to evaluate the star rating, life cycle environmental impacts and cost. Finally, the optimization algorithms will be used to verify the potential economic, environmental and social savings that could have achieved without compromising project specific constraints. Optimization will evaluate all the results of alternative designs to come up with potential decision options.\n References:\n [1]. ABS (Australia Bureau of Statistics) 2010, Year Book Australia, 2009\u00e2\u20ac\u201c10, ABS, Canberra, <www.abs.gov.au>.\n [2]. ASBEC (Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council) 2008, Building A Low Carbon Economy With Energy Efficient Buildings, ASBEC, Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Forecasting and control of biofouling in water distribution system","description":"Biofilm growth, also known as biofouling on any submersed surfaces, is the unwanted attachment and growth of sessile microorganisms. Biofouling in water distribution system (WDS) can lead to a number of water quality issues, including chlorine demand, coliform growth, pipe corrosion, water taste and odour problems. While it is well-known that a number of physicochemical and biological factors contribute to biofilm formation, recent studies suggested that the surface roughness and the near-surface microfluidic conditions play a key role in the settlement of microorganisms and subsequent biofouling problems (Partha et al. 2013 and 2014. Conventionally, the biofilm growth problem in a WDS is being handled by different manual cleaning methods such as flushing, air scouring and swabbing to more abrasive methods. However, conventional pipe cleaning practices (e.g. flushing) have limitations in developing appropriate flow conditions to remove biofilms from wall surfaces. An aggressive cleaning method could aggravate the problem further by dislodging the encrustations of the pipe walls and accelerating the next stage biofouling. On the other hand, the excessive use of disinfectant (e.g. chlorine\/chloramine) to remove harmful microorganisms from water and pipe walls produces disinfection by-products (DBPs) which can cause potential health problems. To reduce excessive use of disinfectant and costly manual cleaning, the present study proposes a novel approach based on CFD analysis of the pipe geometries to forecasting biofilm growth potential areas. These critical areas in WDS will be protected by applying self-cleaning engineered surfaces. The introduction of CFD model parameters into an existing ANN model is expected to be effective in reducing excessive operational cost involving unnecessary monitoring and chlorine injection points. CFD analysis can also reveal precise mechanism of biofilm growth on pipe walls in relation to surface roughness and flow conditions.\n The proposed self-cleaning surfaces are microstructure-based synthetic patterned surfaces, capable of developing lotus-effect on the pipe walls, and are effective in controlling biofilm growth under specific hydrodynamic conditions. The microstructure-based synthetic patterned surfaces are non-toxic approach of biofouling control inside the pipe networks.\n References:\n 1. Partha Halder,..and Muhammed A. Bhuiyan, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153An assessment of dynamic stability of microorganisms on patterned surfaces in relation to biofouling control\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Biofouling: The J. of Bioadhesion & Biofilm Research, Vol. 30, Issue 6, pp. 695-707, 2014 (Impact factor 3.701 in 2013\/14); DOI:10.1080\/08927014.2014.914177\n 2. Partha Halder,\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and Muhammed A. Bhuiyan, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A novel approach to determine the efficacy of patterned surfaces for biofouling control in relation to microfluidic environment\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Biofouling: The J. of Bioadhesion & Biofilm Research, Vol. 29, 6, pp. 697-713, 2013 (cited by 3 - Scopus; impact factor 3.701 in 2013\/14); DOI:10.1080\/08927014.2013.800192","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Analysing Road Safety Strategies and Analysis and Modelling of Accidents for Different Road Users","description":"In today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world, traffic accidents are known as an important concern for many countries. In fact, safety is defined as a main concern on designing, maintenance and development of every transport system in these countries. The number of traffic accidents in Australia and Melbourne has decreased in recent years. However traffic crash always is a noticeable concern in transport research. According to Crash Statistic of Victoria (CrashStat) data 49,401 accidents are happened during 2008 and 2012 in Melbourne metropolitan area [4, 5, 6]. Analyzing the crash severity in this city shows that 1% and 34% of these accidents were fatal and serious injuries, respectively. In these accidents, cars (Passenger cars, utilities and vans) were involved in 81% of accidents, also motorcycles and bicycles involved in 7% of accidents. In addition, trucks, buses and trams involved in 3.5%, 1% and 0.4% of accidents, respectively. Analyzing the accident shows that 57% of these accidents are occurred at intersections and 60% of these intersections were without any controls. Identifying these locations with high number of accidents helps improve safety and decrease the number of accidents in these locations.\n \n Road safety still remains one of the main social and health issues in many countries. Understanding the underlying relationship between traffic crash severity outcomes and factors leading to more severe crashes is very important in addressing the problem of safety for different road users including pedestrians, cyclists, heavy vehicles, and passenger cars. This research aims to identify the main factors including road, drivers, and social-economic characteristics associated with crash severity outcomes in Victoria. Furthermore, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will be applied to identify crash hotspots. Understanding of contributing factors and crash hotspots will provide practical policies and strategies to enhance road safety.\n \n Social and economic factors are known as influencing variables for vehicle-pedestrian crashes. Literature shows that socioeconomic factors related to location of crash are usually applied for vehicle-pedestrian crash analysis. Moreover, limited study considered pedestrian living area neighbourhood to apply social and economic factors for vehicle-pedestrian crash modelling. However, it is not investigated that for vehicle-pedestrian crash analysis variables related to living area neighbourhoods are more important or location of crash.\n This research aims to reveals how factors related to living area neighbourhoods and location of crashes can influence on vehicle-pedestrian crash severity. Consistent with that broad aim, the following objectives are identified:\n \n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Extract and compare socio-economic factors related to pedestrians\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and drivers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 living area neighbourhoods and location of crashes.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Develop models to predict the frequency or severity of crashes for different road users.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Improving Access to Transport Systems and Enhancing Active Transport in Urban and Rural Areas","description":"A large number of research studies have identified that suburban areas of Australian metropolitans are suffering from significant transport disadvantages. More recent research indicated that increasing auto fuel prices and home loan interest rates intensify transport disadvantages in Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s suburban fringe. However, improving public transport accessibility in terms of service coverage and availability may result in a more reliable transport system as a whole [5]. The growing number of studies used land-use and design measures such as population density; land use mixing and connectivity. Six groups of land use factors are interconnected with transport including settlement size; urban density, land use mix; urban design; local accessibility to public transport and the provision of parking. More recently, transportation research has become concerned with built-environmental determinants of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153active transport\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, driven mainly by the need to reduce the negative side effects of auto-related issues. Active transport is commonly defined as trips made by non-motorized mode of transport such as walking and cycling. However, Use of public transport is considered within the definition of active transport as it often involves some walking or cycling to get connected from origins to destinations of trips. As discussed two fundamental urban features that impact travel choice and active transport, are the proximity of different land uses and connectivity between complementary activities e.g. work, and shop. The aim of this project is to develop a framework to integrate disaster mitigation strategies in transport system and enhance access to transport network during disaster. The project expects to develop innovative and practical accessibility measures to transport network during disasters. The project also presents strategies to enhance access to road network and public transport system during natural disasters. The expected outcome is a robust framework to measure how residents could access the road network and public transport system in natural disasters. This should minimise the costs associated with natural disasters and save lives. The results from this project should provide significant benefits to the Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s economy and society.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Optimising the Planned Maintenance of Transport Infrastructure","description":"Transport organisations have traditionally focused on construction\/expansion of transport infrastructure. After completing the expansion of transport networks, the emphasis has shifted from developing new infrastructure to intelligently maintaining the existing ones. In recent years, economical constraints have influenced budget allocation to transport sectors. This resulted in highlighting the development of maintenance management systems in transport sectors particularly in transport infrastructure. Maintenance management systems assist organisations in deciding when and how to maintain transport infrastructure facilities to minimise the maintenance cost\/time and diminish replacement activities. Many parameters involve ensuring that transport systems is operating to its safe and best practice standards. The condition of the transport infrastructure can influence the system operation either directly or indirectly. To keep the transport infrastructure in a reasonable condition and to obtain the most benefit out of its life cycle, a maintenance\/renewal regime is required. Providing a maintenance plan to recover the serviceability of transport infrastructure from damages and preventing further wear-out is essential for such large networks. Meanwhile, existing transport infrastructure optimisation models minimise the operating cost\/time of maintenance. They mainly ignore the cost\/time experienced by the users of that particular transport infrastructure and users of other transport sectors (e.g. road users). However, a systematic modeling\/optimisation approach which is general, efficient, and practically implementable will assist the transport industry in gaining consumers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 satisfaction as well as significant cost savings and operational benefits in the longrun. The broad aim of this research project is to optimise the planned maintenance tasks and timing for transport infrastructure by means of a state-of-the-art data collection coupling smart phones and traditional techniques. Consistent with that broad aim, the following objectives are identified: \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Develop a deterioration model to predict the transport infrastructure damage by a state-of-the-art data collection method using smart phone applications. \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Develop an optimisation model for planned maintenance activities that minimises the maintenance as well as users cost\/time at the same time.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Route planning and optimisation in Urban Areas","description":"Finding the shortest route in urban space for tourist buses is a complicated problem in the temporary world. Therefore, the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) is a problem that is essential that I need to research and apply the existing optimal solution. In my study, I investigate one solution, the Genetic Algorithm (GA), to solve the problem. Moreover, when this algorithm is implemented in Python language programming and combined with Google APIs to calculate the optimal distance between multiple locations, and then I consider the real-time traffic condition to solve TSP effectively and efficiently via Google Maps.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Development of a modelling tool to optimise traffic management actions","description":"This project aims to develop a modelling tool to understand the car-following and lane changing patterns of passenger cars and heavy vehicles on urban freeways and highways and to predict the dynamic traffic congestion, incidents and traffic flow breakdown, occurrence of incidents and incident duration on urban freeways and highways during congestion. The key objectives of this project are:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2Developing a framework to predict traffic patterns, traffic congestion and the traffic flow breakdown under different traffic patterns during congestion.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2Developing a framework to predict the occurrence of incidents, type of incidents and duration of incidents during congestion.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shiwei Zhou","title":"A Computational Framework for Designing High-performance Shell Lattices","description":"This project aims to design ultra-lightweight shell lattices that exhibit exceptional stiffness, strength, and energy absorption capacity, individually or in combination. It expects to advance material design by using innovative approaches to thin-film expression, finite element analysis, and optimization. Furthermore, it will enhance the understanding of the effective properties of porous materials composed of self-repeated cells.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shiwei Zhou","title":"Sectionwise Volumetric Additive Manufacturing and Its Computational Design","description":"This project aims to devise and prototype ultra-lightweight shell lattices with functional gradient properties and exceptional energy absorption capacity. It expects to generate new knowledge in computational structural design using innovative approaches to thin-film geometry expression, finite element analysis, and optimisation algorithms. Also, it will develop the understanding of ultrafast manufacturing of complex structures via printing them volumetrically.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Susanna Lin","title":"Application of Innovative Materials and Technologies in Precast Structures","description":"Precast structures have attracted a lot of research interests in recent years. Prefabricated structural components such as slabs, walls, columns and beams can be constructed and assembled in a short period of time. Better quality control and higher efficiency can be achieved in prefabrications of structural components, and the interruption to the environment and traffic can be minimised. However, the application of precast structures is still limited due to the lack of knowledge of their performance under dynamic loads, such as seismic and impact loads. This project will investigate the structural performance of precast elements\/structures under both static and dynamic loads. The advanced materials and approaches will be applied to solve the critical issues in precast structures so as to improve the performance of connections\/joints between segments, enhance energy dissipation capability, reduce displacement and reduce damage to the structures. For example, the high performance fibre reinforced concrete, FRP or rubber can be applied to connections as a substitute material or strengthening material, the precast segments can be made of or infill with advanced materials, and the innovative shape and arrangement of shear keys can be developed for assembling two segments with enhanced shear resistance. Both laboratory testing and numerical study are required for this project. Knowledge of engineering materials, structural analysis and fundamentals of computational mechanics is essential. The experience of numerical modelling is desirable.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Susanna Lin","title":"Investigation and Application of Advanced Materials in Engineering Structures","description":"Engineering structures might be subjected to extreme loadings during their service life, such as seismic loads, impacts and high temperatures, which may result in severe damage to the structures and cause tremendous casualties and property loss. The application of advanced materials, such as fibre reinforced polymer and fibre reinforced cementitious composite, has gained worldwide interest in recent years due to their superior characteristics. By using the advanced material as a substitute or retrofitting material, it is expected that the performance of engineering structures could be improved substantially. This PhD project will investigate the characteristics of a selected composite material and the performance of the structural component made of the selected material under the extreme loading conditions. Compared to the materials tested under static load and room temperature, very different behaviours are often observed for the materials under extreme loading conditions. For example, the cracking and spalling may occur in cementitious materials under high temperatures and lead to material degradation, whereas the material strength could increase significantly when subjected higher loading rates. In this project, the properties of the selected material will be tested and determined, considering various affecting parameters caused by the selected loading scenarios as well as the different material compositions. A constitutive material model may then be developed and employed in the structural analysis under the selected loading scenario. This project requires both laboratory testing and numerical study. Knowledge of engineering materials, structural analysis and fundamentals of computational mechanics is essential. The experience of numerical modelling is desirable.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Designing Innovative and Efficient Structures Using Topological Optimisation Techniques","description":"Novel and efficient designs of structures can be achieved by using topological optimisation techniques that are capable of maximising the performance of the load bearing system and minimising its weight. The bi-directional evolutionary structural optimisation (BESO) method, originally proposed by Professor Mike Xie and his team, has been developed for this purpose. BESO is based on the simple concept of gradually removing inefficient material from a structure and, at the same time, adding material to the most needed locations. Such a simple but universally applicable technique can be used to not only significantly reduce the weight and the associated energy consumption of aircraft and motor vehicles but also produce strikingly elegant structural designs of bridges and buildings. \n \n This PhD project is aimed at: (1) further developing the BESO technique and apply it to the design of innovative buildings, bridges and other structures and devices; (2) integrating the design optimisation method with additive manufacturing technology (including direct 3D printing and lost-wax casting) so that the optimised forms could be fabricated quickly, precisely and economically. \n \n The PhD candidate will be supervised by an internationally renowned researcher and practising engineer, Distinguished Professor Mike Xie, who is one of the most highly cited scholars in his discipline in Australia, with over 27,000 citations and an h-index of 77 (as of March 2023). The candidate will be interacting extensively with an outstanding team of researchers in the RMIT Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (https:\/\/www.cism.org.au\/).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Digital Design and Advanced Manufacturing of Customised Fa\u00c3\u00a7ade Panels and Structural Components","description":"This PhD project will explore emerging technologies in both digital design (including structural optimisation, form-finding, algorithmic design, and parametricism) and advanced manufacturing (including 3D printing, robotic fabrication, and hybrid processes) with a view to further developing and applying these technologies for rapid prototyping and, ultimately, economical production of customised fa\u00c3\u00a7ade panels and structural components for innovative\/iconic architecture. There have precedents of architects creating such forms using digital tools. However, the cost and complexity of construction have been limiting. New technologies in both design and manufacturing are offsetting these limitations, reducing time, cost and risk. Using advanced manufacturing technologies (including 3D printing and robotic fabrication) this project will attempt to produce a series of large-scale prototypes of innovative structures generated from the design optimisation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Optimal Design and Additive Manufacture of Novel Metamaterials for Exceptional Mechanical Performance","description":"The project aims to establish an effective and efficient computational framework for the topological design of novel mechanical metamaterials considering both geometrical and material nonlinearities. This will overcome a formidable bottleneck in practical applications of metamaterials which are mostly based on linear elastic assumptions. The expected outcomes will be a new methodology and an advanced engineering design tool that can be used for the development of new classes of metamaterials with exceptional mechanical properties (e.g. negative compressibility or negative Poisson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ratio) over a large strain range. Such novel metamaterials will have many important applications, particularly in biomedical and defence industries.\n \n The PhD candidate will be supervised by an internationally renowned researcher, Distinguished Professor Mike Xie, who is one of the most highly cited scholars in his discipline in Australia, with over 27,000 citations and an h-index of 77 (as of March 2023). The candidate will be interacting extensively with an outstanding team of researchers in the RMIT Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (https:\/\/www.cism.org.au\/).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Innovative Structural Design and Additive Manufacturing","description":"This PhD project aims to conduct research on the theoretical development and practical applications of structural optimisation and additive manufacturing techniques. The topics can be related to: \n\u2022 Shape and topology optimisation of structures for a wide range of applications\n\u2022 Novel structural designs for free-form architecture\n\u2022 Additive manufacturing and robotic fabrication of complex-shaped structures\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2028","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis for Building Green Retrofit","description":"Global warming caused by carbon emissions-induced energy consumption has been recognized as the largest threat to future sustainable development. The building sector is a major contributor to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. Therefore, how to reduce building environmental impact has become an important research issue. Green retrofitting has been considered an effective solution for energy saving and carbon emission reduction in the short term, compared with new green building construction. There are many retrofitting technologies for green retrofit. To determine the best green retrofitting strategy, a comprehensive life cycle sustainability analysis becomes necessary. This research will investigate the current development in building green retrofit, explore the possibility to use new technologies and methods for sustainability analysis of building green retrofit over its life cycle and propose a sustainability analysis framework for building green retrofit in Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Developing an IoT System for Asset Information Management for Prefabrication Industry","description":"Building projects using prefabricated techniques can achieve high levels of performance from the collaboration between design development, manufacturing and logistics. In practice, however, methods that dominate the day-to-day exchange of asset information are predominantly based on 2D drawings, barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification tags. Such methods may hinder timely responses when changes or interruptions occur, leading to inaccurate inventory, prolonged lead time, late delivery and misplaced assets. The construction industry is seeking productivity growth and there is an immediate need for these issues to be tackled. The Internet of Things (IoT) has incredible potential for information management and helping the industry to deal with diverse prefabricated assets across the design, manufacturing, logistics and on-site construction phases. This project aims to develop a low-cost IoT system that is capable of efficiently gathering, archiving, displaying and sharing the information about production and logistics tasks of prefabricated assets. This project will also verify the feasibility and effectiveness using a real-life prefabrication construction project in which the SME and its business partners collectively participate. Eventually, the development will be made accessible to the Australian prefabrication industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Integrating BIM with System Dynamics for Simulating Building Life-cycle Environmental Impact","description":"With fast economic development, especially in developing countries, large amounts of natural resources are consumed for new buildings, including land, water, timber and minerals. Buildings also consume a lot of energy and generate large amounts of greenhouse gases during their life cycle. The consumption of resources causes many harmful local and global changes, such as deforestation, climate change and global warming. The built environment is responsible for 40% of world materials usage, a third of the energy consumed by the world economy and 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions, therefore, have been considered the main contributor to global warming. There is a need to reduce building life cycle environmental impacts.\n The integration of a BIM model with System Dynamics can help analyze a building\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s environmental impact at an early stage, and relevant sustainability trade-off analysis can be made using actual BIM data. The real building data can also be used effectively throughout its life cycle. The information extracted from a BIM model can be integrated with a System Dynamics model for the development of sensitivity analyses. The results can help make better decisions related to design, operation, maintenance and upgrading. This integrated model will help decision makers to find better solutions, improving a building\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sustainability performance in its life cycle. This research will provide a new data-sharing method between BIM and System Dynamics, and an integrated simulation model of the environmental impact a building makes throughout its life cycle.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Low Carbon Modular Housing in Australia","description":"The increasing global housing demand, along with the growing number of infrastructure projects, has seriously challenged the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Thus, modular housing offers a sustainable alternative method to traditional buildings. For example, modular housing can be relocated to another site, and the embodied energy can be preserved. Modular construction can also help to increase production efficiency and shorten the construction duration. With modern technologies, such as 3D simulation and visualization technology, modular housing can be simulated from design to demolition stage to optimize the design by considering a combination of the building envelope, heating, cooling, water heating and ventilation issues, and renewable energy. This research investigates the technical and managerial challenges in Australian modular housing, identifies energy-efficient technologies and practices for modular housing, and develops a framework for optimizing the design of low-carbon modular housing in Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kevin Zhang","title":"Digital Twin and Virtual Simulation for Efficient Energy Planning","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d. As part of this program, the School and our partners Wu You Technologies are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of digital twin and virtual simulation for the purposes of efficient energy planning in the construction industry. \n \n The candidate will be working with Prof Kevin Zhang and Dr Lei Hou, experts in digital twin modelling in the construction industry. Wu You Technologies is a local company is with deep industry knowledge, decades of experience and networks in the architecture, engineering and construction sectors.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Susanna Lin","title":"PhD Scholarships in Structural Engineering: Innovative Structural Design and Additive Manufacturing","description":"An exciting opportunity for two outstanding PhD candidates. The two PhD projects aim to conduct research on the theoretical development and practical applications of structural optimisation and additive manufacturing techniques. The topics can be related to:\n \u2022 Shape and topology optimisation of structures for a wide range of applications\n \u2022 Novel structural designs for freeform architecture\n \u2022 Additive manufacturing and robotic fabrication of complex-shaped structures\n The projects will be carried out in the Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (CISM). More information about the centre can be found from the following website https:\/\/www.cism.org.au\/","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Synthesis of metal organic framework-based membranes for nano\/microplastics removal","description":"The aim of this project is to understand the fundamental science governing the removal of nanoplastics from waste water by developing an innovative dually charged metal organic framework based nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane. The project expects to lead to a breakthrough in our scientific understanding of how nanoplastics and other pollutants can be efficiently removed from wastewater using membranes. The expected outcome is a process that can be used to convert wastewater into freshwater suitable for household, industrial and agricultural use. Such removal could also be of significant environmental benefit, as secondary effluent is a significant source of nanoplastics entering the aquatic environment.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Erica Kuligowski","title":"Agent models of tsunami evacuation behaviour to improve planning and preparedness","description":"When tsunami strikes, it is imperative that people are able to swiftly evacuate the affected area. The commonly communicated advice is to head inland or to higher ground, but there are areas in New Zealand where distances to safe locations may be too long for some to evacuate safely on foot and the capacity of the road network is limited. In these cases, it is imperative to evaluate evacuation conditions for multimodal evacuation, i.e., evacuation involving different means of transportation (e.g. by foot and\/or vehicle). This evaluation requires multimodal evacuation models for tsunami evacuation. Most existing evacuation models typically focus on one mode for evacuation, i.e., either on foot or using a vehicle. The PhD research aims to explore the use of multimodal models for tsunami evacuation, which may involve building on existing models or the development of a new model. Once a multimodal approach has been selected, the approach will be used in a case study. The case study will involve simulations of tsunami evacuation for a tsunami prone area in New Zealand (location to be determined). Finally, the research will involve visualisation of simulation results, which may involve the use of Virtual Reality.\n The PhD research will require programming skills (e.g. Python, Matlab, Java, C++). Past experience of evacuation modelling, choice modelling, human behaviour modelling, traffic modelling and\/or Virtual Reality visualisation is a merit.\n The scholarship is part of the NZ MBIE Smart Ideas grant: \"Agent models of tsunami evacuation behaviour to improve planning and preparedness.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Sustainable and optimised processes for 3D Concrete Printing ","description":"The project aims to harness the potential of sustainable 3D printing technology for the construction of concrete structures, with recycled materials taking precedence. This technological trend offers numerous advantages, such as rapid construction, the elimination of formwork, the reduction of heavy labour, and a vast array of design options and freedoms. In response to the urgent challenges posed by rapid climate change, the development of sustainable solutions must be accelerated [1]. The project focuses on utilising 3D printing technology to aid in carbon capture, decarbonization, and waste upcycling [2], among other significant initiatives. Traditional cement-based building materials, which are notorious for their high carbon emissions, typically possess low tensile and flexural strengths. However, the project intends to overcome these limitations without the use of fibre reinforcement by adopting sustainable principles. This method reduces reliance on carbon-intensive processes and eliminates the time- and material-intensive manual process of mixing fibre reinforcement during construction. Through the use of eco-friendly and recycled materials, the project aims to increase the durability and strength of the cementitious composite while reducing its ecological footprint. Through the investigation of new printable materials and advancements in 3D printing techniques, the project aims to produce high-quality structures that adhere to sustainable building standards. The project's goals align with the urgent need for eco-friendly solutions in the face of climate change and the promotion of sustainable practises.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"24\/11\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Bioinspired composite materials: design and optimisation","description":"Traditionally, engineers have depended on high strength and high hardness monolithic materials (steel and ceramics) to achieve the required resistance to such severe loadings. Unfortunately, many of these properties tend to be mutually exclusive within individual materials. There are limited options exist to improve the performance of conventional materials, which often come at a cost of additional mass. Natural (or biological) materials are generally composites with spatially heterogeneous having unique characteristics that distinguish them from synthetic ones. The Project focuses on identification of deformation & failure mechanisms of the hierarchical structure of hard biological materials through different length scale, with emphasis on biomineralized marine organisms such as mollusk shells, radular teeth and crustaceans exoskeletons. Understanding the biological materials could lead to design of intelligent and resilient materials and structures enhancing the performance and damage tolerance.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Innovative lattice structure for energy absorption","description":"The design of resilient structures and materials requires the use of e\ufb03cient energy-absorbing structures made of multiple layers. In actual excessive loading conditions, a large amount of kinetic energy imparted to the structures that need protection. These sacri\ufb01cial layers are responsible for the dissipation of the energy as well as ensuring the forces transmitted to the main structure are kept below acceptable levels. Recent attention has focused the need to design and construct lightweight structures that o\ufb00er protection to infrastructure. Foam-based materials, such as highly ductile metallic foams, have been implemented in the design and manufacture of sandwich structures. However, many of the \ufb01rst generation of core materials o\ufb00ered highly irregular cell structures, making safe design both di\ufb03cult and highly conservative. Lattice structures have been identi\ufb01ed as possible energy-absorbing core structures, which can o\ufb00er greater strength-to-stiffness ratios compared to traditional foams. Different advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing or micro\/nano-fabrication will be considered to build the novel lattice structure.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"15\/11\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"3D printing composite material and bioinspired structures","description":"3D printing is expected to revolutionize the manufacturing of composite structures. The conventional composite fabrication methods require expensive facilities and equipments, such as autoclaves and complex rigid molds, hindering the rapid application of composites in the aerospace and automotive industry. 3D printing or additive manufacturing enables the rapid fabrication of near-net-shaped complex 3D parts without expensive molds or tools. Broadening the applicability of 3D printing for manufacturing primary and secondary composite structures is a major goal for aerospace and automotive industry. 3D printing of short or continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastics using commercially available fused-deposition modeling (FDM) systems such as Markforged has received greater attention for manufacturing high-performance composite components. However, the mechanical properties of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composites fabricated by conventional FDM 3D printing are inferior to the composites manufactured using the conventional processes. This research project will investigate the effects of the FDM process on the mechanical performance of 3D printed CFRTP composites. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tariq Maqsood","title":"Stability of buildings in flash flooding conditions","description":"Floods have caused widespread damage in several Australian communities in the recent past. The fundamental cause of this level of damage and the key factor contributing to flood risk, in general, is the presence of vulnerable businesses and buildings constructed within floodplains due to inappropriate land use planning [1].\nWhile there is now a construction standard published by the Australian Building Code Board [2] for new construction in flood prone areas, there is a large proportion of existing building stock that has been built in flood prone areas across Australia. An in-depth understanding of the effects of floods is required for the assessment of risk and the development of mitigation strategies, particularly in the context of limited financial resources. \nThe objective of this PhD project is to develop an understanding of the likelihood of damage and total building loss in high velocity flash flooding and riverine environments.  The project will assess the thresholds that relate building stability to flood hazard parameters (depth and velocity) and its ability to withstand the forces exerted by water during flash flooding events for selected building types. \nThis PhD project will build up on the research undertaken by Geoscience Australia [3] to understand vulnerability of residential buildings to natural hazards and will align with the research outcomes of the flood mitigation project within Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400599"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tariq Maqsood","title":"Understanding the resilience of businesses to flood inundation","description":"Recent natural disasters In Australia highlighted the vulnerability of buildings and businesses to natural hazards. These disasters resulted in physical damage, monetary losses and community disruption (along with deaths, injuries and impacts on health and wellbeing). More than nine million Australians have been impacted by a natural hazard in the past 30 years and the cost of natural disasters is expected to reach $39 billion per year on average by 2050 (in present value terms) [1]. In Australia, floods cause more damage on an average annual cost basis than any other natural hazard [2]. In this respect, reliable information about the vulnerability of buildings and businesses to floods is crucial in order to reduce the impacts in future.\nThis PhD project intends to understand the resilience of businesses to flood inundation. This would include assessing direct property damage and loss as well as understanding the ability of different businesses to recover. The research will assess business interruption costs due to a range of severities of floods within different catchment types. The project would involve exploration of resilience of selected businesses and field survey work following flood events.  The project would assess the broader scale impacts of flooding to economy at a business district scale.  The project will identify cost-effective strategies through cost-benefit analysis to make businesses more resilient physically and to improve their ability to recover and to resume operations.\nThis PhD project is precisely aligned with the research priorities in Urban Futures within the Enabling Capability Platforms and will explore strategies for sustainable development and resilient economies in Australian floodplains. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400599"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani, Du Yong Kim, Branko Ristic","title":"Advanced Autonomous Maritime Sensor Arrays for Detecting Drone Targets (PhD)","description":"This project focuses on developing AI-driven planning and control methods to deploy and manage an autonomous maritime sensor array for detecting drone targets. The system will coordinate multiple sensor platforms equipped with multimodal sensors (sonar, acoustic, radar, and vision) to ensure robust detection and tracking across diverse environmental conditions. The research will develop novel algorithms to optimize sensor deployment, communication relays, and dynamic configurations under varying sea states and visibility ranges.\n","sdg":"[\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103\tDeep learning (50%)\n400607\tSignal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani, Kandeepan Sithamparanathan, Bisma Manzoor","title":"Distributed Cognitive Electromagnetic Systems (PhD)","description":"This PhD project investigates how multiple intelligent platforms, such as drones, ships, or aircraft, can autonomously sense, communicate, and adapt their (communication, sensing) behavior in shared and dynamic RF environments. You will explore how AI can enhance spectrum awareness, improve coordination between platforms, and maintain reliable operation especially in congested or contested RF conditions.","sdg":"[\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103\tDeep learning (50%)\n400607\tSignal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Enhancing Quantum Communication with Machine Learning","description":"This research aims to integrate advanced machine learning techniques with quantum communication protocols to significantly improve their efficiency, security, and robustness. By leveraging adaptive algorithms and dynamic optimization methods, the project will develop and refine novel quantum communication strategies. These strategies will be designed to dynamically adapt to varying conditions and potential threats, ensuring reliable and secure data transmission. The project will explore the integration of quantum communication protocols with advanced wireless communication systems to enhance data transmission efficiency and security. Additionally, it will focus on developing and optimizing quantum communication strategies through adaptive algorithms and dynamic optimization methods, contributing to the broader field of quantum engineering systems. The expected outcome is a set of cutting-edge protocols that enhance the performance of quantum communication networks, paving the way for the development of next-generation secure communication systems. This research will contribute to the broader field of quantum information science, offering practical solutions for real-world applications in quantum communication networks.\n\n[1]. Hoch, F., Caruccio, E., Rodari, G., Francalanci, T., Suprano, A., Giordani, T., Carvacho, G., Spagnolo, N., Koudia, S., Proietti, M. and Liorni, C., 2025. Quantum machine learning with Adaptive Boson Sampling via post-selection. Nature Communications, 16(1), p.902.\n[2]. Khatri, S. and Wilde, M.M., 2020. Principles of quantum communication theory: A modern approach. arXiv preprint arXiv:2011.04672.\n[3]. Koudia, S., Oleynik, L., Bayraktar, M. and Chatzinotas, S., 2024. Physical layer aspects of quantum communications: A survey. arXiv preprint arXiv:2407.09244.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400608        Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave) (30%)\n400912        Quantum engineering systems (incl. computing and communications) (35%)\n510803        Quantum information, computation and communication (35%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Partridge ","title":"Understanding the resilience of businesses to flood inundation","description":"The demand for secure communication in defence, aerospace, and data networks is driving the need for reliable and efficient semiconductor technologies. Gallium Oxide (Ga\u2082O\u2083), with its ultra-wide bandgap of 4.9 eV, offers exceptional electrical properties, making it a strong candidate for advanced secure communication devices.\nThis project focuses on optimizing Ga\u2082O\u2083-based devices to enhance communication security by leveraging their energy efficiency and robustness. You will grow high-quality Ga\u2082O\u2083 thin films using scalable techniques such as RF\/DC magnetron sputtering, design novel device architectures for secure communication, and characterize their structural and electrical properties. The research will examine how material synthesis and contact design influence device performance, with applications in secure optical communication and related technologies, aligning with the UN\u2019s goals for sustainable innovation.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400909 Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications)\n401605 Functional materials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorbani","title":"Conformal Active Beamforming Metasurfaces","description":"This project aims to create conformal active holographic metasurface antennas with beam steering capabilities. By developing novel design methodologies using discrete surface impedances and Voronoi surfaces, the project expects to highly simplify the design procedure, antenna structure, and active beam-forming electronics. By using advanced aerospace compatible manufacturing, the metasurface antennas will be made fully conformal on the aerospace structures. The expected outcomes of this project will build fundamental components for the next generation multi-functional telecommunications, defence, and space electronic systems. Such antennas will potentially improve the payloads on the airborne and aerospace equipment and improve communication quality and internet access in the rural and regional areas of the world. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400608"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bui Xuan Minh, Ke Wang, Guanghui Ren, Arnan Mitchell","title":"Development of photonic IC and electronic IC integration","description":"This project aims to develop the capability to unite integrated electronic circuits with integrated photonic components onto a single photonic-electronic integrated chip (PEIC) through the collaboration between RMIT Melbourne InPAC team with RMIT VN and VNU. We will demonstrate this capability by integrating electronic driver circuits, biasing controllers and electronic transimpedance amplifiers with photonic circuits to form a fully integrated photonic transceivers, and demonstrate these transceivers for high-speed data transmission and signal processing. We will achieve this through device-by-device hybrid integration approach, by selectively micro-transfer printing different electronic dies to a photonic chip.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400909"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bui Xuan Minh, Thach Nguyen, Kandeepan Sithamparanathan","title":"Sub-Terahertz and Ultra Low Noise Clock Synthesizer for 6G Technology","description":"Aiming to achieve superfast data communication above 1Terabit per second (Tbps), ultalow latency, enhanced network capacity and improved security, the next generation of cellular network technology 6G promises to be a game changer, driving the boundary of connectivity and unlocking new possibility for AI and cloud computing applications. However, the key challenge is the generation of the extremely low noise local oscillator (LO) at sub-terahertz bands. The most common methods employ the cascaded architecture to generate sub terahertz local oscillation signal. However, this method requires high power consumption and large chip area. Therefore, this projects aims to develop a single stage phase lock loop to generate the local oscillation signal above 100 GHz, with ultra low noise below 50 femto seconds RMS jitters, and power consumption below 30mW.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400901"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu","title":"Electric Motorbike Battery-Swap System Optimisation for Sustainability and the Creation of a Circular Economy","description":"With 8.5 million motorcycles (89% of the vehicle fleet), electrification in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) offers significant potential to improve air quality and public health. However, deploying charging infrastructure presents challenges, particularly given the city's limited space and electrical infrastructure. Battery-swap systems-where users exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones-offer a promising solution. This project focuses on designing and optimising such a system tailored to HCMC's unique needs, ensuring battery longevity and exploring circular economy opportunities for repurposing or recycling used batteries.\n\nThe first phase of the project will use digital-twin simulations and battery-aging models to optimise deployment strategies, balancing battery use across diverse duty cycles to maximise their lifespan. The second phase will explore technologies to enable a circular economy, using synthetic data to predict recycling and redeployment yields specific to HCMC's conditions. A new battery design will be proposed to align with local capabilities and future recycling requirements, fostering sustainable urban electrification.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"404017 Mechanical Engineering (40%)\n464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (20%)\n404007 Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ataur Rahman, Madhu Bhaskaran, Sharath Sriram, Taimur Ahmed","title":"Cyber secure, battery-free, and wireless wearable patch technology","description":"The project aims to investigate the technological and manufacturing challenges in wearables to integrate prominent high-frequency electrical, optical, and chemical signals on a single tiny patch. The integration expects to generate new multidisciplinary knowledge in wearables for real-time on-site and remote multisensory monitoring systems by using wireless, battery-free, and on-chip data encryption operation. It will develop cutting edge technology for the highest performance with the least amount of power and space in a challenging environment. The project is expected to provide benefits to national security and defence, agriculture, manufacturing, and human and animal health sectors with remote area accessibility.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401611, 401703, 460403"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorbani","title":"Microwave-based non-destructive assessment of metallic and concrete structures","description":"Concrete is a fundamental material used in many civil structures. As a heterogeneous material, concrete composes water, cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, and air. The chemical reaction of water and cement forms a binding agent between the aggregates forming a structurally dense compound. The specific portion of each constitutional component directly affect the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the concrete. Thus, detecting the constitutional properties of the concretes are of high importance in the structural health monitoring.\nMicrowave-based evaluation methods are of great interest among researchers and engineers because of their non-destructive and real-time response. Microwave signals can penetrate deeply into the dielectric materials such as concrete and return insightful information regarding the compositional materials and parameters such as stress, humidity, mechanical deformation, etc. The aim of this project is to design microwave-based non-destructive systems for online and real-time monitoring the concrete-based structures. The designed microwave systems will be self-contained capable of the structural health monitoring without the requirement of addition expensive measurement instruments such as vector network analysers (VNAs), etc. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"400608"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianzhen Ou, Baoyue Zhang, Guanghui Ren","title":"Spectroscopy technology using optical frequency combs","description":"Optical frequency combs, known for their precise and wide-range frequency measurement capabilities, offer transformative potential in enhancing the accuracy and resolution of spectroscopic analyses. This project will explore the integration of combs into various spectroscopic applications, focusing on bio imaging, medical diagnostics, and fundamental material research. This project is in line with the ARC centre of excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS). You will utilise the world most precise optical tool to achieve ultra-high resolution chemical sensing, imaging which have never been realised in the past. You will apply the conceived technique to demonstrate several nanomaterial research and spectroscopy using optical combs and the state of the art equipment at RMIT. The opportunity to integrate material science, silicon photonic technology and biomedical applications will be available in this project.\n\n ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400909        Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (50%)\n401605        Functional materials (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shruti Nirantar","title":"Lateral Emitters as Electron Source in Microwave Vacuum Electron Devices","description":"Vacuum electronics touches our lives everyday being active in civilian systems, defence, space, communication, and material characterisation systems. Recent advancements in manufacturing and nanofabrication have enabled the marriage between old vacuum electronics and state-of-art integrated circuits, RF and microwaves, material science, and quantum photonics.\nThe project focuses on scaling of planer nanoscale vacuum channel devices or empty-state devices to large-area arrays. Further, with innovative biasing arrangement will be used extract the horizontally emitted electrons in vertical space \u2013 creating an electron beam source which is flat.\nElectron source is a core component of any vacuum systems. They are, conventionally, arrays of vertical emitters. These vertical emitter arrays are plagued with complex fabrication, high-leakages, and capacitances limiting higher frequency response, high power, uniformity and reliability over large-areas. The proposed novel concept of flat electron source seeks to directly address these issues by creating a new-type of nanoscale, low-power flat electron sources that can be integrated in both conventional and novel miniaturised vacuum electron devices (VED).\nThe candidate will have to conduct extensive micro-nano fabrication, device characterisation in vacuum system, and material characterisations after undertaking required inductions and trainings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401804 - Nanoelectronics (40%), 401805 - Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly (40%), 400909 - Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Md Ataur Rahman, Madhu Bhaskaran ","title":"Self-powered Standalone Device for Monitoring Biosignals","description":"This project aims to investigate novel materials and techniques to harvest the waste energy from our body and radio frequency to power the wearable biosignals monitor. The biosignals monitor will be developed using ultra-low power electronic components on the flexible and stretchable substrate to realize the skin-mountable and sub-dermal implantable electronics. The energy harvesters will be mounted on the patch to develop battery-free, wireless, biosignals monitors such as electrocardiogram, blood oxygen saturation, and temperature. The techniques can be further implemented for monitoring hazardous materials in the environment and monitoring the health of plants and animals. The investigation will solve the following research question:\n\nResearch question 1: What are the materials and how to utilize them to harvest energy from our body temperature, movement, indoor light, and radio frequency?\nResearch question 2: How to develop miniaturized electronics that require very low power to run? Will the harvested power using the techniques from research question 1 be enough to power the biosignal monitor? \nResearch question: What will be the effect of skin impedance and curvature on the performance of the energy harvesters and the electronics?\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401611- Wearable Materials (40%)\n401703- Energy generation, conversion and storage (30%)\n460403 - Data security and protection (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Madhu Bhaskaran, Shanmuga Sundar Dhanabalan, Sharath Sriram\n","title":"Wearable Ultrasound devices for Neurosonography","description":"The development of wearable ultrasound devices for brain imaging, or neurosonography, presents a promising frontier in non-invasive neurological diagnostics and monitoring. This research aims to design and optimise a wearable ultrasound device capable of providing real-time imaging of brain structures and dynamics.\nThe device will leverage advanced ultrasound transducer arrays and signal processing to enhance image resolution and depth penetration, enabling detailed visualisation. The proposed research will focus on miniaturising the hardware, ensuring patient comfort, and validating the device's efficacy through validation studies.\nBy offering a portable and continuous monitoring solution, this technology has the potential to revolutionise the diagnosis and management of neurological disorders, making brain imaging more accessible, cost-effective, and widely applicable in both clinical and remote settings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - 40%\n400906 - 40%\n400308 - 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shruti Nirantar","title":"Empty state electronics - flat electron source for vacuum electron devices","description":"Vacuum electronics may sound like an ancient technology, but it touches our lives everyday being active in civilian systems, defence, space, communication, and material characterisation systems. Recent advancements in manufacturing and fabrication have enabled the marriage between old vacuum electronics and state-of-art integrated circuits, RF and microwaves, material science, and quantum photonics. \nThe project focuses on scaling of nanoscale vacuum channel devices or planer empty-state devices to large-area arrays. Further, with innovative biasing arrangement extract the horizontally emitted electrons in the vertical space \u2013 creating an electron beam source with is flat. \nElectron source is a core component of any vacuum systems which is conventionally the arrays of vertical emitters. These vertical emitter arrays have been plagued with complex fabrication, high-leakages and capacitances limiting higher frequency response, high power, uniformity and reliability over large-areas. The proposed novel concept of flat electron source seeks to directly address these issues by creating a new-type of nanoscale, low-power flat electron sources that can be integrated in both conventional and novel miniaturised vacuum electron devices (VED).\nThe candidate will have to conduct extensive micro-nano fabrication, device characterisation in vacuum system, and material characterisations after undertaking required inductions and trainings.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-06-30","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401804 - Nanoelectronics (40%), 401805 - Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly (40%), 400909 - Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Javad Tavakoli","title":"Generation, characterisation, and mechanobiological investigations of wear particles using a spinal implant-on-a-chip platform","description":"Spinal implants, including total disc replacements, rods, screws, and cages, are widely used to restore spine function with their bearing surfaces generating wear particles. Wear particles have been detected in intervertebral disc (IVD) periprosthetic tissue. Mechanical forces cause tears and structural defects in the adjacent IVDs and the proximity of periprosthetic tissues to the adjacent IVD tears likely leads to wear particle penetration accelerating their degeneration. While spinal implant wear particles have been linked to adjacent segment degeneration, yet their mechanobiological effects on IVD tissues under physiological loading conditions remain unknown. This project aims to bridge this gap by developing a spinal implant-on-a-chip platform to investigate the mechanobiological effects of wear particles on healthy IVD cells.\n\nResearch Aims:\n1-        Generation and Characterisation of Clinically Relevant Wear Particles\nDevelop standardised protocols for generating wear particles from various biomaterial types, using pin-on-plate technology or alternative wear simulation techniques informed by clinical data. Characterise particle size, morphology, composition, and biological reactivity to ensure relevance to in vivo conditions and clinical scenarios.\n\n2-        Development of a Jig-Integrated Microfluidic Organ Model for Mechanical Loading\nDesign, fabricate, and optimise a novel mechanical jig integrated with a microfluidic organ model to simulate physiological loading conditions. Validate the system by optimising cell culture protocols under mechanical loading that replicates routine daily activities, ensuring biomechanical accuracy and cellular responsiveness.\n\n3-        Mechanobiological Assessment of Wear Particle Effects\nInvestigate the impact of wear particles on cells under both physiological and pathological mechanical loading conditions. Assess cellular responses, including viability, metabolic activity, and inflammation to elucidate the interplay between wear debris and mechanical stress in IVD degeneration.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400303 Biomechanical Engineering (50%)\n400301 Biofabrication (30%)\n400307 Mechnobiology (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Javad Tavakoli","title":"Spinal implant-on-a-chip: investigating the biological impact of spinal implant wear particles on intervertebral disc cells","description":"Spinal implants, such as total disc replacements, rods, screws, and cages, are widely used to restore spinal function. These implants are made from biomaterials like metals, polymers, and ceramics, often in bearing combinations (e.g., metal-on-polymer), which can generate wear particles. Emerging evidence suggests that these particles may contribute to adjacent intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, alongside mechanical changes post-implantation. While wear particle effects have been extensively studied in hip and knee prostheses, their impact on healthy IVD cells remains largely unexplored.\n\nThis PhD project aims to investigate the biological effects of spinal implant wear particles using a physiologically relevant microfluidic organ model.\n\nResearch Aims:\n\n1- Advanced Organ Model Development and Cell Culture Optimisation:\nRefine and optimise a 3D microfluidic IVD model to replicate the complex native microenvironment, improving cell viability, functionality, and physiological relevance under controlled conditions.\n\n2- Optimisation of Cell Culture in the Presence of Wear Particles:\nEvaluate and refine culture conditions to study cellular responses to different wear particles, ensuring accurate simulation of in vivo conditions and optimising biocompatibility assessments.\n\n3- Comprehensive Biological Assessment of Wear Particle Effects:\nInvestigate how wear particles affect key cellular functions, including viability, metabolism, morphology, and inflammatory response, using advanced bioimaging, biochemical assays, and molecular analysis.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310105 Cellular interactions (60%)\n320216 Orthopaedics (25%)\n400303 Biomechanical Engineering (15%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Development of a smart charging framework for Electric Vehicles Leveraging Machine Learning Approach","description":"Background: With the increasing adoption of EVs, their charging demand put pressure on the grid, especially during peak hours. Further, Real- time information on available charging stations and charging times coupled with the continued growth of the charging station framework can help to mitigate the fear of range anxiety among EV users. Using AI, Smart EV charging emerges as a potential solution to improve the overall sustainability and efficiency of EV charging infrastructure, optimizing charge scheduling, forecast demand and reducing stress on the grid.\n\nSmart charging is an intelligent connectivity between smart charger and EV while ensuring when and how a power will be delivered to the EV through the charger based on the cost of electricity, its availability and the EV user\u2019s need. This helps to monitor, operate and manage energy consumption and has the potential to significantly contribute to the development of a more sustainable transportation future.\n\nObjectives and Working: a smart charging framework will be developed. When an EV is put on charge, the EV and the smart charger initiate communication. The smart EV charging platform starts the session with the optimum energy utilization, keeps track of the vehicle's battery charge, ends the session when the vehicle is fully charged, and driver pays the money according to their predetermined terms. It includes scheduling, forecasting, and dynamic pricing linked to EV charging. Accurate forecasting outcomes provide scheduling models with valuable data on system conditions. These models, in turn, provide optimal charge management and price signals, which are subsequently employed to enhance the forecasting model and improve prediction accuracy. Therefore, reliable forecasting results are essential to create the best EV charging strategy.\n\nMethodology: A smart charger (~ 5kW) will be developed, to achieve the smart charging, data will be collected on charging patterns of EV, price of electricity, peak usage time and grid capacity etc. The Machine learning models will be developed for the prediction of EV charging demand, grid load and optimal charging times etc. The relevant communication protocols and user interface will be developed. The proposed system will be tested with a small group of EV users. Finally, the complete system will be teste in real time using Hardware in loop setups.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805        Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (60%)\n460502        Data mining and knowledge discovery (40%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan","title":"Load modelling for future power grids with new energy technologies.","description":"Power grids are transforming all over the world with the integration of new energy technologies (NET), such as renewable energy resources and new types of loads [1]. In modern power systems, the proportion of power electronic converter (PEC) interfaced generation sources such as wind and solar are increasing significantly, with the consequential replacement of several large synchronous generators. Since these new sources are connected to the network by inverter interfaces instead of direct coupling of rotating machines, the increasing penetration of PEC-interfaced generation, loads, and storage devices is reported to affect changing the power system characteristics [2].","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan, Inam Nutkani","title":"Enabling technologies for grid integration of electric vehicles.","description":"The operational aspects of future power systems are expected to be influenced significantly by the increasing grid integration of electric vehicles (EVs). This PhD project will analyze the impact of EVs on future power systems and will investigate the enabling technologies to facilitate high EV integration into the electricity grid. Based on collected charging station data, this study is expected to analyze electric vehicle (EV) charging profiles from residential and public charging stations throughout the entire annual cycle to extract the loading patterns of different EV charging stations. The EV loading profiles will be overlaid on the grid loading profile to demonstrate the impact of widespread EV charging stations on the electricity network. Furthermore, this study will focus on the contribution of enabling technologies for alleviating system overloading and voltage violation issues in a power network. The EV enabling technologies could be but are not limited to, as follows: (i) load shifting, (ii) renewable integration, (iii) storage deployment, and (iv) system reconfiguration. The contributions of the EV enabling technologies on the grid loading and system voltage profiles will be quantified. The effectiveness of alternative enabling technologies at different network conditions will be identified.    \n\nFurthermore, a combined approach of controlled EV charging for grid benefit, proper utilization of renewable generation for environment-friendly solutions, and execution of demand response through dynamic pricing for customer satisfaction will be investigated in this research. This research proposes smart EV integration to the grid which can accomplish all-round achievements. MATLAB\/Simulink and DIgSILENT PowerFactory software platform will be utilized for the implementation and verification of the proposed algorithm. Successful implementation of the research will progress the highly desirable adoption of EV integration for a clean and sustainable future.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan, Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Probabilistic stability analysis of future power systems.","description":"The number of non-controllable parameters or uncertainties is increasing in electrical power networks. These uncertainties are mainly caused by the intermittency of renewable generation, natural load variation, EV charging-discharging and demand response in power systems. The increased share of intermittent generation is reported to have an adverse effect on the short-term operation and stability of power systems [1]. By typically considering the worst case scenarios, deterministic studies do not accurately reflect the status and capability of a power network and may lead to overly pessimistic and non-optimal techno-economic solutions [2]. That is why the uncertainties are needed to be modelled and assessed by using probabilistic techniques. To perform a probabilistic analysis of future power systems, the traditional approaches such as the Monte Carlo methods are computationally expensive and almost impossible to employ for a realistic power system [3, 4]. Hence the identification of computational techniques, which are advanced, efficient and accurate for probabilistic analysis of future uncertain power systems, is an ongoing area of research [2].\nThis PhD project will investigate the application of efficient probabilistic techniques to assess the operation of future renewable-rich uncertain power systems accurately. Efficient sampling techniques suitable for power system stability assessment will be explored in this research [3-5]. The accuracy and efficiency of different techniques will be evaluated about their applications to power system dynamic stability. In this aspect, appropriate dynamic modelling of power system components is expected to be performed in an electrical grid. The suitability of the applications of the selected method(s) for large-scale power systems will be validated in this research. Efficient identification of power system (in)stability issues will facilitate better operation and preventive control in power systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan","title":"Electric Vehicle Tariff and Feed-in-tariff Design for Smart Charger Implementation","description":"This PhD research focuses on developing an appropriate tariff design tool for supporting enhanced grid integration of electric vehicles (EVs). The widespread adoption of EVs will transform the operation of future electricity grids. The challenge is facilitating a fair tariff structure for EV charging and discharging. With a high EV integration scenario, EV tariffs and feed-in tariffs would play an important role in the operation of the electricity grid (similar to solar feed-in tariffs used to manage the electricity grid). \r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop algorithms based on fair market design mechanisms for EV tariffs and feed-in tariffs which would be implementable in both centrally controlled Australian NEM (national electricity market) and peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading schemes. Alongside this PhD project, the industry partner would develop apps and other user interfaces for product development to be coordinated with EV owners' home energy management systems and public EV charging facilities.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\r\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Cesar Sanchez Huertas","title":"Improving heart attack diagnosis and outcomes through ultrasensitive and multiplexed photonic technology.","description":"Cardiac troponins are specific diagnostic indicators that are released into the circulating blood after a person experiences a heart attack. A variety of high-sensitive troponin tests exists in the market such as Abbot I-STAT and Roche Elecsys Troponin T. They enable their use in early \u2018rule-out\u2019 algorithms to exclude heart attack in patients presenting to the emergency centers with recent chest pain. However, it seems like sensitivity and time are not it all. Although they are sensitive and rapid, they are often not accurate enough to be trusted in the clinical setting given the high variability between assays. Due to this lack of harmonization, clinicians send the samples to be re-tested using conventional hospital facilities to reconfirm the test result, delaying treatment even more. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this research is to tackle these issues and improve the management of heart attacks using our ultrasensitive photonic technology. This technology integrates multiple biosensors in a finger-nail size chip, allowing us to analyse with high-precision cardiac troponin.. \r\n\r\nThe objectives of the project are:\r\n(i)\tOptimise a sensor surface modification protocol to increase the robustness and sensitivity of the assays.\r\n(ii)\tIdentify what antibodies will allow better performance to diagnose the onset of a heart attack as early as possible.\r\n(iii)\tValidate the biosensor using patient samples and compare the performance with conventional troponin tests.\r\n\r\n\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani","title":"Neuromorphic hardware for next generation processing platforms","description":"Neuromorphic hardware replicates the structure and functionality of the human brain using specialized computer systems. It integrates memory and processing units closely, enabling faster and more energy-efficient computations. These systems have the potential to advance AI, cognitive computing, and robotics by emulating the brain's capabilities in a compact and power-efficient manner. Developing neuromorphic hardware poses several challenges. First, designing and fabricating complex circuits that accurately mimic the behaviour of biological neurons and synapses is a considerable technical feat. Additionally, optimizing the hardware for efficient and scalable parallel processing while minimizing power consumption remains a challenge. This project theme aims to address some of these challenges through:\n- The application of neuromorphic models for wireless and satellite communications \n- The application of neuromorphic models for onboard satellite processing.\n- Develop novel hardware modelling approaches to capture the performance of neuromorphic devices.\n- Investigate the use of novel materials for applications in neuromorphic hardware.\n- The integration of sensing and neuromorphic processing\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461104 Neural networks (25%) ; 340304 Optical properties of materials (25%) ; 400607 Signal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rani, Glenn Matthews","title":"Increasing efficiency of Large Language Models for generating realistic and coherent images from textual prompts","description":"The recent improvements in generative AI with text-to-image and text-to-video synthesis have made great advancements in the field of computer vision. Diffusion models have greatly evolved as one of the fast-improving generative models for test-to-image generation, leading to creation of high-quality images. However, these models do not understand the contextual relationships between the diverse objects in the real-world and as a result, they do not generate realistic and accurate images. This limitation further increases in creating complete scenes rather than that of single objects. Generated content can fail to adhere to physical laws and reality, which makes the images appear unreal or unnatural. Failures often occur in in modelling complex real-world systems and defining relationships between objects. For example, if the given text is \u201can astronaut riding a horse\u201d, an AI model could generate an image of an astronaut in the space riding a horse.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to increase the efficiency and functionality of Large Language Models (LLMs) to deal with diverse and complex systems to create realistic images. Different techniques will be developed and tested as part of the research to generate images that are realistic, coherent and capture the context of the given text accurately. The proposed outcome of this study is to develop algorithms with high accuracy so that the end users using these LLMs for content generation could develop images of their own that are high quality and coherent with useful insights.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Efficient integration of electric vehicles into the grid","description":"The transport sector is responsible for 20% of global greenhouse emissions and electrification is a key solution to decarbonise it. Electric Vehicle (EV) uptake is expected to increase significantly due to policy (e.g. the introduction of National EV Strategy, April 2023) and market forces. Massive EV uptake requires the energy and transport sectors to aggressively prepare for charging and operational requirements to ensure that infrastructure can handle the transition. The energy sector, and in DNSPs, are not ready to integrate large EV fleets within the distribution grid. As reported by the Energy Networks Australia, the peak national body representing transmission and distribution businesses, \u201cAustralia's distribution networks were not designed for any significant uptake of electric vehicles and the consequential demand for charging\u201d. If not properly managed and coordinated, EV charging can put the already stressed national grid under even more pressure, resulting in higher energy costs and reduced fairness and equity in access to energy. On the other hand, EVs are mobile batteries, and they can support the grid through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) or Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capability. EVs can become virtual power plants on wheels by absorbing excess generation from rooftop Photovoltaics (PVs) and provide backup power for homes and the grid. \nThe challenge is to effectively integrate EVs with other distributed energy resources, such a rooftop PV and batteries, and unlock the potential of V2G-enabled EVs to support the grid, whilst maintaining reliability and affordability of electricity. Currently, there is no whole-of-system modelling framework considering techno-economic factors of EV-grid integration. This presents a significant gap in forecasting future scenario outcomes, particularly when considering the mass adoption of EVs, and the way it could interact with other clean energy movements. This project aims at developing data-driven and AI-based tools and technologies for efficient integration of EVs within the grid. This will support transition to clean energy and transport solutions, whilst maintaining reliability, security and affordability of the electricity supply.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Data-driven integration of distributed energy resources","description":"The energy-related emissions account for over three-fourth of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The world is at a tipping point in climate change, and accelerated action is urgently required to reverse the climate change impacts or at least avoid further worsening. Zero emission technologies, such Electric Vehicles (EVs), electrification of heavy industries and gas electrification combined with increased electricity generation from renewables are key solutions to reducing global carbon footprint.\n\nThere has been a lot of progress in legislating GHG emission reduction targets globally, and countries are taking action to address the climate crisis and transition to a low-carbon economy. Australia has recently legislated its 2030 target by committing to reduce GHG emissions to 43% below 2005 levels. The Commonwealth Government has also recently introduced the National EV Strategy, which includes several measures and government initiatives to boost the uptake of EVs. These positive steps, however, require an accelerated transition to clean energy, effective engagement with the community and industry via a user-centric design, and a strengthened grid that is supportive of a smooth transition to clean energy and transport, whilst ensuring reliability, security, and affordability of the electricity supply.\n\nAustralia\u2019s grid is undergoing a transition to more renewables and hosting more Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as rooftop Photovoltaics (PVs), batteries and EVs. This combined with \u201celectrification of everything\u201d (EoE) movement will help decarbonise both energy and transport sectors and meet Australia\u2019s emission reduction targets. However, smooth transition to a smart and digital grid, with increased share of renewables in the energy mix, faces several pressing challenges. This project aims at developing optimisation, machine learning and AI-based solutions and technologies for efficient integration of DERs into the grid.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Controlling complex networks with higher order interactions","description":"Critical infrastructure systems, such as power grids, communication and transport networks have an inherently limited flow-carrying capacity, which if exceeded results in congestion. \u201cCongestion control\u201d has been a problem of keen interest in different areas of science and engineering, as rapid urbanisation has strained infrastructural capacity of cities. State-of-the-art congestion control of Flow-Carrying Networks (FCN), such as those using model predictive control methods, formulate the flow dynamics to make predictions and calculate appropriate control actions. Yet, the persistence of chronic traffic jams on urban roads calls for the urgent development of methods beyond current congestion models and control practices. The limitations of most existing methods stem from i) the complexity of interactions within the system being simplified or ignored, and ii) the control system does not fully account for the perturbation of flow dynamics caused by its own actions. We see the solution to this in i) next-generation models of critical infrastructures systems with an accurate accounting of the complex pairwise and higher-order interactions between components, and ii) an innovative mathematical control system with the ability to control and learn flow-dynamics in real-time. To achieve this, we will develop ground-breaking theory and computational tools following the most recent modelling trends in network science. \n\nThis project aims to develop ground-breaking theory and computational tools for congestion modelling and control in FCN. We will develop mathematical network models integrated with Machine Learning (ML) techniques to simultaneously learn and control congestion dynamics in real-world FCN. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalilu","title":"Machine learning for graph learning","description":"Many real systems can be modelled as complex networks where individual entities (modelled by network nodes) are connected through edges (links). Examples include power grids, transportation systems, computer networks, and online social networks. Real networks are often large, making their analysis a challenging task. Recently, several machine learning techniques and AI-based tools have been developed to facilitate network processing. This project aims at developing machine learning techniques for complex network analysis and control. Examples include representation learning, network embedding, congestion control, link prediction and recommendation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Moradi Amani","title":"Resilient and reliable complex networks: Application in future power systems","description":"Power grids are cyber-physical systems and can be modelled as network systems where individual units (generators, busbars and loads) are interconnected through physical and cyber links. Network components (nodes\/edges) may undergo intentional and\/or random failures. In catastrophic cases, a failure initiating from a small set of these components can quickly propagate through the whole network, leading to a cascade of failures that might force a deep whole-grid blackout. In the case of active distribution grids, the intermittence and uncertainty of distributed generation units impact the reliability of the grid. This project aims to provide computationally efficient tools and solutions for modelling power grids as complex networks and their resilience and reliability analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Moradi Amani","title":"Developing data-driven smart algorithms for active power distribution grids","description":"With the increased penetration of renewable-based Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the electric vehicle uptake, distribution grids are highly subject to voltage fluctuations due to back power feed from DERs or significant EV charging demand. Conventionally, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) have addressed this voltage issue by adjusting the taps of transformers. However, managing the naturally unpredictable renewable generation and the power consumption behaviour of technology owners requires advanced real-time algorithms. Real-time control algorithms should be applied to efficiently use the flexibility in active distribution grids, provided by local or community battery storage systems and EV charging process, in order to increase the quality of the delivered power, e.g. reduce voltage fluctuations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Moradi Amani","title":"Data-driven control of complex dynamical networks","description":"The \"Complex networks\" paradigm looks promising in analysis and control of large-scale systems. Complex systems can be presented using complicated, nonlinear and often uncertain models. Thus, classic control approaches my fail to manage these complex models or may result in conservative or computationally complex solutions. Although data-driven approaches have potentials to overcome this complexity, they are still at the beginning. The aim of this project is to develop data-driven control technique to manage a large-scale system modelled as a complex network.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Arman Ahnood","title":"Diamond electrodes for bimodal cellular control","description":"The objective of this project to develop a new tool for investigating intercellular communication. Currently, techniques for probing cellular functions are either well-suited to controlling a limited number of individual inputs or a large number of complete cells. This project aims to address these limitations by utilising cutting-edge fabrication techniques to create an optically controlled nanoscale array of diamond electrodes, capable of modulating a large number of single cellular inputs with precision. This technology would allow researchers to manipulate cellular processes with more control than ever before, potentially gaining insights useful for understanding brain function, memory formation, or cell death.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Arman Ahnood","title":"A Smart Surgical Tool for Precision Brain Tumour Removal","description":"Brain cancer has a very low survival rate even with proper surgeries and treatments, as complete surgical removal of cancerous tissue is almost impossible. Neurosurgeons aim to remove as much tumor as possible while preserving healthy tissue, but this is often not possible, leaving behind small cancerous tissues that can grow into more aggressive tumors. New surgical tools are needed to better distinguish between healthy brain tissue and cancerous tissue. \n \n In collaboration with neurosurgeons, this project aims to improve tumour removal during surgeries, by developing a smart ultrasonic aspirator that can detect tumours' glow more accurately than the naked eye. The current surgical tool, ultrasonic aspirators, does not have any sensing capability. You will be using cutting-edge micro and nanofabrication technologies, state-of-the-art optoelectronic sensors and circuits to develop a new tool capable of detecting tumour glows. The final phase of the project includes integration of the the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsmarts\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 with the ultrasonic aspirator and in-vivo benchmarking prior to the potential use during the surgery. This tool is likely to be offering several advantages over the naked eye. These include the ability to detect weaker light intensities, faster detection of light, quantifying intensity, and detecting small tumours. \n \n This project is suitable for a motivated and talented student with a background in physics or electronic\/biomedical engineering.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Arman Ahnood","title":"A novel platform-technology for long-term subcutaneous neurophysiology","description":"This project aims to develop a novel miniature device for subcutaneous and tetherless brain sensing. It addresses the lack of a device solution for brain sensing that combines ultra-long-term reliable sensing capability and small dimensions for minimally-invasive surgical placement. \n \n Working in collaboration with researchers at the University of Sydney, this project will employ cutting-edge microfabrication technologies at the RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cleanroom facilities, characterisation methods as well as electronics circuit development, to demonstrate a novel electrode architecture that significantly enhances the quality and reliability of recorded brain signals will be developed. \n \n The key objectives of this project are to further refine the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lead wire-free\u00e2\u20ac\u009d electrode architecture (see the link below) and the in-vivo evaluation of high-quality brain activity recording using a miniature implant without lead wires. This project would lead to a platform technology designed for subscalp anatomy with future use in various brain-machine interfacing applications relying on reliable, long-term and easy-to-implant systems.\n \n \n More info at DOI: 10.1039\/D1SD00020A","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"15\/02\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400308 - Medical devices (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Javad Tavakoli, Joanne Tipper","title":"Biomechanical impact of transfemoral drill hole characteristics on femoral integrity in hip replacement surgery","description":"Total hip replacement (THR) is a widely performed orthopaedic procedure to restore joint function and alleviate pain in patients with severe osteoarthritis or hip joint degeneration. However, during implant fixation, surgeons often drill unicortical or bicortical holes into the femur to secure components or attach auxiliary implants. These drilled holes may alter the femoral bone\u2019s mechanical properties, potentially leading to stress concentrations, microfractures, or implant loosening over time. Our research team have developed a unique surgical procedure that uses transfemoral preparation of the acetabulum, so that femoral retraction is not required. This PhD project aims to investigate the biomechanical effects of the transfemoral hole characteristics on femoral bone integrity following hip replacement surgery. Using finite element modelling (FEM) to simulate different hole configurations and validating these models with cadaveric femur specimens, this study will provide crucial insights to optimise surgical techniques and improve implant longevity.\n\nAims:\n1.\tDevelop and optimise a finite element model (FEM) to simulate the mechanical behaviour of the femur with different hole characteristics (e.g., size, depth, and location) specific to the developed THR procedure.\n2.\tExperimentally validate the FEM using cadaveric femur bones, assessing bone strength, stiffness, and failure mechanisms through mechanical testing.\n3.\tAnalyse the clinical implications of different hole characteristics, identifying optimal parameters that minimise stress concentrations, reduce the risk of peri-prosthetic fractures, and enhance implant stability post-surgery.\n\nHypotheses:\n\u2022\tThe size, depth, and location of the holes significantly influence the femoral bone\u2019s mechanical integrity post-hip replacement surgery.\n\u2022\tFEM simulations can accurately predict bone behaviour and failure patterns, which will correlate with cadaveric validation studies.\n\nMethodology:\n\u2022\tDevelop a high-fidelity FEM of the femur incorporating patient-specific anatomical data and simulating hip replacement surgical procedures.\n\u2022\tSimulate different hole characteristics and analyse stress distributions, strain patterns, and potential failure zones under physiological and non-physiological loading conditions.\n\u2022\tConduct mechanical testing on cadaveric femur bones with drilled holes, using techniques such as digital image correlation (DIC) and micro-CT scanning to assess damage propagation.\n\u2022\tCompare FEM predictions with experimental data to refine and validate the computational model.\n\nExpected Outcomes for the PhD Candidate:\n\u2022\tExpertise in advanced finite element modelling and biomechanics.\n\u2022\tHands-on experience with cadaveric specimen preparation, mechanical testing, and validation techniques.\n\u2022\tContribution to impactful research that informs best practice for hip replacement surgeries and implant design.\n\u2022\tOpportunities to present findings at international conferences and publish in high-impact journals.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-07-01","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400303 Biomechanical Engineering (70%)\n320216 Orthopaedics (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Nanobots for Cancer Detection","description":"Working with an industry partner","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400302 50%\n400308 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toh Yen Pang, Ben Cheng, Adrian Pranata","title":"Enhancing Rehabilitation through Extended Reality (XR) Systems","description":"The increasing accessibility and affordability of \"Extended Reality\" (XR) technologies, have led to a growing interest in their application within rehabilitation, particularly in home settings. \u201cXR technologies\u201d is a term that refers to all real-and-virtual combined environments and human-machine interactions generated by computer technology, such as augmented reality\/virtual reality\/mixed reality (AR\/VR\/MR) and wearables. \n\nDespite promising indications, current research reports mixed results regarding the effectiveness of XR technologies in rehabilitation after stroke. XR systems can be complex to set up and operate. Many studies lack detailed information on the practical aspects of using XR equipment in home settings, including installation, accommodation within the home and user acceptance. While XR technologies offer potential for personalised treatment, the current level of customisation has not been sufficient to address the specific needs and abilities of all patients, especially those with significant physical or cognitive limitations. Furthermore, patients' willingness and ability to engage with technology is crucial. \n\nThe future of XR systems in rehabilitation is promising, with ongoing advancements in technology expected to enhance effectiveness and usability. There is also a growing interest in integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide more sophisticated, personalised, therapeutic experiences. Addressing this potential necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing technological advancements, inclusive design practices, and a deeper understanding of diverse user needs.\n\nAim: To investigate the impact of XR therapy on biomechanical functions and rehabilitation outcomes, utilising affordable XR technology in a home-based setting, particularly for stroke patients.\n\nThis project represents an innovative approach to overcoming the current challenges to maximising the potential of XR technologies and systems in rehabilitation, aiming to improve clinical outcomes significantly. The successful PhD candidate will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team comprising experts from Biomedical and Mechatronics Engineering, Health and Biomedical Science, and Rehabilitation Science, particularly Physiotherapy.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics; \n400399 Biomedical engineering not elsewhere classified; \n329999 other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Harnessing Advanced Sensing Technologies for EEG Access in Challenging Environments","description":"Join our pioneering research group dedicated to enhancing access to electroencephalography (EEG) and related sensing technologies in critical care and prehospital settings. This PhD project aims to identify and overcome the practical barriers that limit the availability of EEG in challenging environments, ensuring that patients receive timely and effective neurological assessments.\n\nThe research will focus on developing innovative technologies and their applications for improving access to EEG, as well as validating these solutions in clinical settings. Candidates will explore a range of advanced sensing techniques designed to optimize the use of EEG in diverse healthcare scenarios.\n\nCollaboration with industry partners is a key aspect of this project, allowing for the translation of research findings into practical, market-ready solutions. We are particularly interested in candidates who have a strong interest in entrepreneurship and commercialization, as we believe that effective research should lead to tangible benefits for society.\n\nAs part of our interdisciplinary team, you will contribute to both theoretical advancements and practical implementations, working on various pathways to enhance access to EEG. If you are passionate about addressing real-world healthcare challenges and want to make a significant impact in the field of neurotechnology, we encourage you to apply. This is a unique opportunity to be part of an initiative aimed at revolutionising EEG access and application in critical healthcare contexts.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400305"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toh Yen Pang, Kate Fox","title":"Development of Digital Twins for Accelerating Medical Device Innovation","description":"The medical device industry is rapidly evolving, necessitating innovative approaches to design, development and regulation. Digital twins\u2014virtual replicas of physical devices\u2014offer an opportunity for significant advancements in this sector.\r\n\r\nThis research project focuses on the development of digital twins to enhance innovation in medical devices. The core of this research involves creating and implementing a digital twin framework using a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach. MBSE provides a structured approach for developing comprehensive models that represent all aspect of a complex system, including its functionalities, behaviours and interactions. This framework will facilitate more efficient and accurate design processes, the use of predictive maintenance, and lifecycle management of devices. Digital twins will be developed and utilised for advanced simulations, which will involve computational analysis and modelling, including Finite Element Analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Multiphysics approaches to predict device performance and reliability under various conditions, leading to safer and more effective devices. This project will also address key issues such as sustainability, usability, manufacturability and regulatory compliance (focusing on ISO13485) in the medical device lifecycle.\r\n\r\nAn integral part of this project is the collaboration with industry such as utilising internships, and creating other opportunities that allows for the practical application of research findings and the development of real-world solutions. The project will contribute to the field of medical device development, offering a more efficient, accurate and cost-effective design and testing, thereby accelerating innovation in healthcare technology development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Kate Fox, School of Engineering","title":"Additive Manufacturing Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering","description":"Tissue engineering applications often utilise 3D printing or additive manufacturing to create 3D scaffolds or structures to support cell growth and tissue formation. However, challenges in this area include adequate penetration of cells into a 3D environment, and using these 3D environments to promote stem cell differentiation into the desired tissue. This project aims to combine the fabrication of 3D constructs for tissue engineering with an applied external electrical field, to influence the differentiation of stem cells to specific cell phenotypes and to guide cellular migration into and through-out the 3D environment. \r\n\r\nRMIT has world-class facilities in fabrication and biomedical research (Digital Manufacturing Facility and the ACMD) which will support this project. This project is highly multidisciplinary, and as such would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. Experience in mammalian cell culture is not required; this will be a very multidisciplinary research project and will involve learning many new skills.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Kate Fox, School of Engineering","title":"Biomedical Cell Culture Devices for Custom Stimulation","description":"Applying external physical stimulus, such as electrical pulses or mechanical strain, can influence the differentiation of stem cells to specific cell phenotypes [1]. This is an exciting area of using stem cells for tissue engineering applications. However, screening and optimising the experimental parameters for external physical stimuli is conventionally very difficult, due to the vast number of possible permutations. This project will employ a combination of micro-fabrication and additive manufacturing techniques to build custom devices for investigating the influence of external stimulus on targeted stem cell differentiation. \r\n\r\nThe platforms need to be custom designed and made to incorporate the required features for different external stimulus protocols.  The candidate will learn how to perform additive and photolithographic fabrication techniques, as well as basic stem cell culture protocols. \r\n\r\nRMIT has world-class facilities in fabrication and biomedical research (Digital Manufacturing Facility and the ACMD) which will support this project. This project is highly multidisciplinary, and as such would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. Experience in mammalian cell culture is not required; this will be a very multidisciplinary research project and will involve learning many new skills.\r\n[1] A. Gelmi, C. Ibsen. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10 (1), 2001125, 2021\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dinesh Kumar","title":"AI for wound management","description":"While significant diabetic foot ulcers heal with regular wound management within 12 weeks, some of these can have delayed healing and require additional care, and it is essential for clinicians to recognize these in the early stages. The current state of the art is based on monitoring the ulcers over the first 4 weeks, and this can lead to 4 weeks delay. Our previous work demonstrated that it was possible to use thermal images of the ulcers to identify those that will have delayed healing. \n We are now looking for developing a device that can be used by the clinician to determine the healing trajectory of the wound. This will require combination of selecting the suitable hardware, developing the software and the AI model that can be used for this application.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4611-35% ; 4003-35% ; 4009-30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arash Vahidnia","title":"Enhancing the Security of the Renewable Rich Power Systems through Utilization of Advanced Control and Protection methods","description":"This project aims at addressing the important issue of energy security through implementation of advanced control and protection methods on various power system elements. The main focus of this project is to use Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) for developing advanced control algorithms to deal with the nonlinear nature of power systems and improve the system stability while the increasing penetration of renewable energy resources and their displacement of traditional rotational synchronous sources have increased the performance complexity and uncertainty of the interconnected power system [1, 2].\n In order to address the new challenges and avoid future catastrophic failures, it is important to adapt new technologies and control methods to improve the stability and security of the power systems. This proposed project extends the previous studies and findings to provide a more secure and stable power system for the benefit of network operators, stakeholders and consumers. The project is to develop and demonstrate significantly enhanced system security with particular focus on the reduced inertia systems with significant penetration of renewable based resources. [3-5].\n References:\n [1]A. Vahidnia, G. Ledwich, and E. W. Palmer, \"Transient Stability Improvement Through Wide-Area Controlled SVCs,\" IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 31, pp. 3082-3089, 2016.\n [2]A. Vahidnia, G. Ledwich, E. Palmer, and A. Ghosh, \"Wide-area control through aggregation of power systems,\" IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, vol. 9, pp. 1292-1300, 2015.\n [3]M. Chenine and L. Nordstrom, \"Modeling and Simulation of Wide-Area Communication for Centralized PMU-Based Applications,\" Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 26, pp. 1372-1380, 2011.\n [4]P. W. Sauer and A. Pai, Power system dynamics and stability: Prentice Hall, 1998.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arash Vahidnia","title":"Reliable and secure operation of electricity grids with high penetration of distributed energy resources and electric vehicles","description":"This project will develop a novel management mechanism for electricity distribution grids with high penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) such as rooftop PVs, battery storage systems and electric vehicles. The major practical challenge of effective integration of DER (mainly from wind and solar) with the main electricity grid is unpredictable (or difficult to predict) and very frequent intermittency in the generated electricity from these sources. The project will develop new flexible DER capacity and grid stability technologies that would optimally balance the electricity distribution system with even high levels of DERs and associated technologies such as storage systems as well as electric vehicles. This would allow designing new electricity grids with substantially increased share of DERs integrated with the main grid.\n References:\n [1] F. Shahnia, M. Moghbel, A. Arefi, G. M. Shafiullah, M. Anda and A. Vahidnia, \"Levelized cost of energy and cash flow for a hybrid solar-wind-diesel microgrid on Rottnest island,\" 2017 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC), Melbourne, VIC, 2017, pp. 1-6. \n [2] S. Najafi, S. H. Hosseinian, M. Abedi, A. Vahidnia and S. Abachezadeh, \"A Framework for Optimal Planning in Large Distribution Networks,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 1019-1028, May 2009.\n [3] N. Al Khafaf et al., \"Impact of battery storage on residential energy consumption: An Australian case study based on smart meter data,\" Renewable Energy, vol. 182, pp.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Carlos Teixeira","title":"Common-Mode Mitigation Techniques for Three-Phase Soft-Switched Dual Active Bridge Converters","description":"Dual active bridge (DAB) converters are the topology of choice to transfer energy in either direction between two galvanically isolated direct-current sources [1][2]. Compared to its single phase counterpart, a three-phase DAB converter offers the benefits of reduced AC link RMS and bridge switching devices turn-off peak currents as well as smaller DC bus filter requirements, essentially because of its inherent six-step modulation capability [1].\n However the six-step modulation strategy applied to this converter topology offers as side-effect a large common-mode component, which needs to be appropriately mitigated by hardware filtering techniques. The conventional approach to address the issue is to use sufficiently large common-mode filters to prevent undesirable circulating currents from occurring within the topology.\n The aim of this PhD project is to apply frequency domain analysis [2] to mathematically model the characteristic common-mode component typically present in this converter arrangement to then develop effective mitigation techniques which minimise the consequential circulating currents without requiring expensive over-dimensioned hardware. The project will be conducted at RMIT Power Electronics Laboratory Facility using a three-phase dual active bridge converter prototype built during the course of the project with the primary purpose of investigating common-mode issues and mitigation techniques.\n References:\n [1]. De Doncker, R.W.A.A.; Divan, D.M.; Kheraluwala, M.H., \"A three-phase soft-switched high-power-density DC\/DC converter for high-power applications,\" in Ind. Applic., IEEE Trans. on, vol.27, no.1, pp.63-73, 1991.\n [2] J. Riedel, C. Teixeira, D. G. Holmes, and B. P. McGrath, \"Identication of zvs soft switching boundaries for three-phase dual active bridge converters using harmonic analysis,\" in Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'15 ECCE-Europe), 2015 17th European Conference on, pp. 1-10, Sept 2015.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Carlos Teixeira","title":"Decentralised Phase Disposition Modulation of Modular Multilevel Converters","description":"The modular multilevel converter is an attractive topology for medium\/high voltage applications with large power conversion ratings because of its scalability to high operating voltages via the series connection of 2N commutation sub-modules (N per arm), its ability to operate from a single direct current supply without bulk bus storage capacitors, and its capability to synthesise switched waveforms with low harmonic content [1]-[3].\n Recent work has demonstrated that compared to the more traditional phase-shifted carrier modulation, phase disposition modulation of a modular multilevel converter provides superior harmonic performance [2][3]. However, as indicated in [2], the harmonic benefit of phase disposition modulation is only achieved when the strategy is implemented on a per-arm basis, and this requirement goes against the distributed and modular nature of this multilevel converter topology.\n The primary aim of this PhD project is to investigate practical controller implementation alternatives for achieving phase disposition modulation in a distributed manner while still benefiting from its superior harmonic performance. The project will be conducted at RMIT Power Electronics Laboratory Facility using a three-phase six-level modular multilevel converter prototype.\n References:\n [1]. H. Akagi, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Classification, terminology, and application of the modular multilevel cascade converter (MMC)\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 26, no. 11, pp. 3119 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 3130, Nov. 2011.\n [2] B. McGrath; C. Teixeira; G. Holmes, \"Optimized Phase Disposition (PD) Modulation of a Modular Multilevel Converter,\" in IEEE Trans. on Industry Applications, vol. PP, no. 99, pp. 1 1, 2017.\n [3]. C. A. Teixeira, Y. Sun, D. G. Holmes and B. P. McGrath, \"Design and implementation of finite state machine decoders for phase disposition pulse width modulation of modular multilevel converters,\" 2016 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), Milwaukee, WI, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Carlos Teixeira","title":"Identification of Zero Voltage Switching Boundaries of Three-phase Multilevel Dual Active Bridge Converters","description":"Three-phase dual active bridges (DABs) commonly have their interconnecting impedances built around three or five limb transformer cores, hence the per-phase coupling impedances of these transformers are inherently unbalanced, and so the zero voltage switching (ZVS) boundaries for the primary and secondary bridges become asymmetrical. Hence the effective ZVS region of a three-phase DAB is further constrained to the region of the first phase leg to reach its ZVS boundary, irrespective of the switching conditions of the other two phase legs [1][2].\n Besides allowing for switching devices with lower voltage ratings which benefit from smaller conduction and switching losses, multilevel three-phase DABs also offer additional degrees of freedom, which can be used to counteract the reduction of ZVS capability caused by practical three-phase impedance asymmetries [3].\n Previous work has applied frequency domain analysis to precisely and comprehensively identify the ZVS boundaries of three-phase dual active bridge converters [4]. The aim of this PhD project is to extend the methodology presented in [4] to now identify the ZVS operating regions of three-phase three-level DAB converters. The theoretical concepts developed in this work will be experimentally validated on a three-phase three-level dual active bridge converter prototype built during the course of the project.\n References:\n [1]. De Doncker, R.W.A.A.; Divan, D.M.; Kheraluwala, M.H., \"A three-phase soft-switched high-power-density DC\/DC converter for high-power applications,\" in Ind. Applic., IEEE Trans. on, vol.27, no.1, pp.63-73, 1991.\n [2]. C. A. Teixeira, J. Riedel, D. G. Holmes and B. P. McGrath, \"Extended soft switching operation of three-phase dual active bridge converters with unbalanced transformer impedances,\" 2016 IEEE 2nd Annual Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC), Auckland, 2016.\n [3]. N. H. Baars, J. Everts, C. G. E. Wijnands and E. A. Lomonova, \"Evaluation of a high-power three-phase dual active bridge DC-DC converter with three-level phase-legs,\" 2016 18th European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'16 ECCE Europe), Karlsruhe, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Francisco Tovar, Ayman Allahham, Thilini Thrimawithana, Naz Nassar","title":"Microfluidic-Based Liposomes for Enhanced Ocular Drug Delivery: A Multidisciplinary Approach","description":"Eye structure and functionality pose considerable obstacles to local drug delivery systems. Furthermore, the unique properties of biotherapeutic molecules, including their targeted pharmacodynamics and fewer side effects, have captivated researchers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 attention worldwide. However, an advanced responsive, controlled drug delivery system for such large and sensitive molecules is yet to be satisfied. This proposal explores the potential of microfluidic-based liposomes as a versatile, controlled ocular drug delivery system for biologics. By leveraging the advantages of liposomes in terms of controlled release, protection of the cargo, and targeting, along with the precision and slow release offered by microfluidics, we seek to enhance drug diffusion, and extend residence time while protecting the cargo, which should improve therapeutic outcomes, This project emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and pharmaceutical and pharmacological sciences in addressing the complexities associated with this endeavour.\n \n The research proposes designing microfluidic devices tailored for liposome synthesis, optimizing flow control and particle formation using cutting-edge techniques. Liposome characteristics, such as size, stability, and encapsulation efficiency, will be systematically evaluated. In vitro diffusion studies with an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) will assess drug release kinetics and pharmacodynamics. This tunable liposomal system addresses antibiotic resistance and has potential for various biologics targeting conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.\n \n Successful in vitro work and precise control enabled by microfluidics will advance the technology for pre-clinical animal studies. The interdisciplinary collaboration will yield a comprehensive understanding, driving field advancements, and enhancing patient care.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401801 Micro- and nanosystems ;  400403 Chemical engineering design ; 321404 Pharmaceutical delivery technologies"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Distribution Generations (DGs) Control and Management of AC and\/ DC Microgrids","description":"The world-leading economies have set ambitious mandatory targets for renewable deployment to meet their increasing energy demand and greenhouse gas emission targets. The deployment of renewable is usually realised through microgrids which are formed by clustering the alternative and conventional generation technologies, storage systems, and loads. Compared with the standalone deployment of renewable, microgrids offer several benefits, including optimal utilisation of resources, enhanced power supply reliability and power quality. Achieving these benefits, however, require proper control and management of DGs and microgrids. This topic has been extensively researched, and distributed and autonomous control schemes are found to be more reliable and cost-effective. However, recent research suggests that the grid-forming and supporting DGs and synthetic inertia play a significant role in the stable and dynamic operation of the power system and microgrid, which could be the new operational requirements for the DGs used in the power system and microgrid. The new operational requirements and control schemes for the conventional and emerging distributed generations (DGs) performance have not been thoroughly investigated. This project is to,\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Design and develop DGs, EVs and storage control to share power and provide grid-support services to enhance the supply power reliability and resilience in AC and\/or DC microgrid. \n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Design and develop the operational plan and management system to enhance supply power quality while maximising the economic benefits in AC and\/or DC microgrids.\n The project involves characterisation, mathematical and control model development of various DG systems for microgrid and power system application, frequency-domain and time-domain simulation analysis and their experimental performance verification under various scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Inverter Control Technology for Microgrid and Power System Application","description":"The future electric grids are anticipated to have a high penetration of renewable-based distributed generations (DGs) deployed in different forms, such as standalone, hybridized to form a microgrid, or interconnected with the utility grid. Extensive research has been carried out to achieve optimal DG design, control, and operation for various applications. However, with the increasing penetration of renewables, the control and operational requirements of DGs are still evolving with the emerging grid codes and standards. DG inverter topologies and their control for synchronization, synthetic inertia, and grid support services, with a reduced number of sensors, have not been fully exploited yet. The proposed project aims to develop inverter control technology for DGs to enhance system stability and resilience. \n The scope of work may include the mathematical and simulation model development of inverter control systems to evaluate their performance under different operating conditions and to develop new inverter control technology for the considered application. The project involves inverter system modeling, frequency domain and time-domain simulation analyses, and experimental verification of their performance for various conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Solar PV Generation and Loads - Model Development and Forecasting","description":"The leading economies around the globe have set mandatory targets for renewable deployment to meet their increasing energy demand and greenhouse gas emission targets. Conventional generation is being replaced with renewables, mainly solar PV, which is highly unpredictable and variable in nature. Moreover, load characteristics are changing as conventional fossil fuel vehicles are being replaced with EVs that are expected to have different load profiles. Accurate predictions and forecasting of solar PV generation and loads are crucial for power system planning and efficient and stable operation. Although significant research has been carried out on these aspects, accurate solar PV generation and load forecasting, load characterization, and model development, as well as their impact analysis on the network and power system operation, are the key topics of research to be explored in this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Adaptive Protection for AC\/DC Microgrids and Power System","description":"Renewable-based distributed generations (DGs) have been widely deployed in power systems in recent years. They are typically connected to the distribution network at various points. The distributed integration of DGs and their operating conditions significantly impacts power flow levels and directions, fault levels, and network protection. Similarly, microgrids are another effective way of generating power or integrating renewable energy with the power system. However, changes in network conditions following the DGs and load switching, as well as transitions of operation modes, raise protection issues in the microgrid system. Therefore, protection device settings need to be adjusted to accommodate the changes resulting from varying power flow, load\/DG switching, or mode transitions to maintain system reliability and safety.\n This project aims to develop autonomous and distributed adaptive protection schemes for AC or DC microgrids, including islanding detection and microgrid reconnection detection functions. The project involves the development of mathematical and simulation models for DGs and microgrids, fault characterization of different types of DGs and microgrids under various operating conditions, development of new protection schemes, and testing and verification in power system software such as Powerfactory.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Du Yong Kim","title":"Target detection and tracking using Machine Learning","description":"An area of interest aligned with a number of projects is the use of machine learning techniques to aid both in target detection and tracking. Three research paths could be explored. Firstly, the use of convolutional neural networks for detecting targets. Secondly, there are a number of potential uses of machine learning to aid in target tracking, including learning how targets manoeuvre and how to improve the separability of close-in targets. The third application is to use the raw radar data to both detect and track targets, i.e. a track-before-detect approach.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Glenn Matthews","title":"Investigation of Joint Time-Frequency Analysis for Separating Chemical Gas Sensing Events","description":"The field of acoustic wave devices is continuing to expand in the area of sensor technology due to their ability to detect minute environmental perturbations. Acoustic wave devices can be employed in the field of chemical gas sensing by applying a selective layer such as a metal oxide or polymer to the surface of the device which an analyte will react with. This reaction causes a change in electrical and\/or physical boundary conditions which can be quantified. \n \n Such changes can be correlated to the concentration of the analyte interacting with the device. As conventional practice measures only the resonant frequency of the system, a significant amount of usable data from both the time and frequency domain is neglected. The proposed research aims to investigate if Joint Time-Frequency Analysis (JTFA) can be employed to use this additional data to increase overall system performance when compared to existing techniques. \n \n This research will focus on the application of direct digital synthesis to produce sensor data in both the time and frequency domains which may then be used to separate the response mechanism of an analyte. The performance of acoustic wave devices are dependent upon a number of variables including the chemistry of the selective layer, topology of the device and the specific crystal orientation of the substrate. Due to this variable performance the proposed technique will be tested on several different acoustic wave platforms to characterise overall performance benefits and to identify its shortcomings in particular applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Glenn Matthews","title":"Collision Avoidance Radar Algorithm Development for Micro-Aerial Vehicles","description":"The aim of this project is to develop novel signal processing techniques (both theoretical and practical) that can be applied to FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar transceiver systems for Micro-Aerial Vehicle (MAV) collision avoidance and mapping. The current state of the art solution relies on existing (fixed design) radar transceivers. The issue with these types of systems is that they provide limited flexibility in terms of encoding the FMCW signal.\n \n Existing localisation systems typically rely on static information provided by the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite system which is limited to outdoor scenarios. If the MAV were to be deployed in an urban environment satellite signals could be occluded by buildings. The proposed algorithms to be developed would allow a customised radar system to be developed that can be successfully operated in both indoor and external environments as it does not rely on existing infrastructure. Furthermore, radar is not greatly affected by smoke and dust making it superior to other technologies such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR).\n \n In a typical radar system there are two outputs which represent the in phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the system which are typically disregarded in commercial systems. The relationship between these components can be used to obtain both the distance to the specified target as well as other characteristics such as velocity. By further processing of the I\/Q data, the type of environment and location of static objects (floor, ceiling and doorways) in the MAV environment can be identified.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hiep Tran","title":"Metal oxide semiconductors for electronic devices","description":"As electronics becomes more deeply embedded in everyday items, there is an increasing need to develop electronic materials that are more powerful, energy-efficient and flexible. Metal oxide, particularly the wide bandgap semiconductors are beginning to replace silicon in many applications, including solar cells, smart windscreens, high-resolution flat panel displays, and most notably in power electronics. High-quality metal oxide films are necessary for the development of these advanced electronic devices. In this project, you will grow a variety of metal oxide materials using physical deposition methods to study their properties such as mobility, carrier concentration, and resistivity. The project will also involve advanced materials characterisation, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) accessed via the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility (RMMF). These processes will advance our understanding of the characteristics and behaviors of these materials, thus enabling their implementation in applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Diamond Implant Technology","description":"It is essential that new materials can be generated for improved implant technologies. The industry standard, titanium, although bioinert, has a natural surface oxide which prevents integration between metal and surrounding bone. Diamond is known to possess biocompatibility and biostability.[1,2] Here, we will investigate the development of diamond implants. RMIT is at the forefront of optimising 3D printing technology for medical prototyping. It is expected that the new implant will provide an improved 3D scaffold capable of improving the biomaterial-bone interface. Skills: Understanding of surface science, materials, physics, electronics. Willingness to work on a collaborative interdisciplinary project. Some animal work may be required.\n References:\n [1]. Fox K, Palamara J, Judge R, Greentree AD. Diamond as a scaffold for bone growth. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine. 2013;24:849-61. [2]. Auciello O, Sumant AV. Status review of the science and technology of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD\u00e2\u201e\u00a2) films and application to multifunctional devices. Diamond and Related Materials. 2010;19:699-718.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Tailoring the interface of dental implants","description":"Additive manufacturing of dental and maxillofacial implants has rapidly become a growing field. Due to the nature of the oral environment, the integration of any implant requires not just bone growth but interaction with soft tissue. This tissue mismatch requires an engineering solution. This project will work with an industry partner to develop an implant that can improve not only the implant-soft tissue interface but also provides antimicrobial properties to a challenging bacterial interface. RMIT has been at the forefront of 3D printing techniques that allow for the fabrication of personalised orthopaedic implants [1] and the supervisory team has developed innovative material solutions for improving the interface and treating gum recession.[2,3] The HDR candidate will gain experience in an interdisciplinary field that include surface and interface chemistry, materials science, nanoengineering, dentistry and biomedical engineering. The implants will be studied by various surface characterisation techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Subsequently, their bioactivity and toxicity will be studied by examining bone-forming cell viability, soft tissue growth and function on the implant surfaces. Moreover, the ability of the coating to resist bacterial colonisation will be assessed against common pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.\n References:\n [1]. Wang X et al., Biomaterials, 2016, 83:127-141\n [2] Rifai A et al. ACS applied materials & interfaces 2018 10 (10), 8474-8484\n [3] Rifai A et al. ACS applied materials & interfaces 2019 11 (27), 24588-24597","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan","title":"Assessment of Grid Compatibility of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Functionality","description":"Project Scope:\n The focus of this Ph.D. research is on enabling technologies for grid integration of electric vehicles. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) will significantly transform the operation of future electricity grids. The number of EVs on the Australian street is expected to be 2 million by 2030. While each EV battery would contain 40 to 80 kWh of energy, 2 million EVs will be able to serve 6 million homes for up to 24 hours. As it brings a lot of opportunity so is the challenge! The challenge would be facilitating the V2X functionality, whether X is the home, grid, another vehicle, or electrical appliance. The concerns include V2X connectivity, grid codes, interoperability of the charging platforms, communication standards, and access to cheaper bidirectional chargers. \n In the pursuit of those research challenges, this project aims to:\n (1) identify the best practices in V2X (level 2) chargers: \n (2) design and implement the V2X functionality by following the Australian grid codes: \n (3) assess the applicability of these bidirectional chargers in Australia and elsewhere: \n This research is designed to lay a platform for EV charger software and hardware development (with a particular focus on the V2G functionality) and help support industry partners to test the EV chargers against the grid connection requirements.\n Financial sponsorships:\n The procurement of this stipend is proposed to be supplied by Smart Lifestyle Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Smart microfluidic systems","description":"Microfluidic systems provide unique platforms for generating highly controlled flow profiles within miniaturized structures and are increasingly used for studying complex biological processes throughout our body, modeling diseases, and developing drugs. Despite these advantages, most microfluidic systems require external sensors for measuring various flow variables such as flow rate, shear stress, pressure, temperature, and chemical concentration. This increases the overall cost and size of the system, adds more levels of complexity to the system, and limits the widespread application of microfluidic technologies in biological laboratories. \n This project aims to address the abovementioned limitations by developing smart microfluidic systems. Such smart systems will be packed with a range of integrated commercial or customized miniaturized sensors utilizing piezoelectric, capacitive, optical, or chemical mechanisms for real-time measurement of flow rate, shear stress, pressure, temperature, and chemical concentration. Such sensors can be embedded in the polydimethylsiloxane elastomer block, which surrounds the microfluidic structure, or positioned onto the elastomer block similar to wearable sensors. Such smart microfluidic systems will be used for generating various physiological and pathophysiological flow patterns and will be used for studying the mechanobiology of the cells constituting human blood vessels.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Self-sufficient microfluidic systems for cell-based assays","description":"Microfluidic systems enable rapid diagnosis, screening, and monitoring of diseases using small amounts of biological samples and reagents. Despite these remarkable features, conventional microfluidic systems rely on bulky, expensive external equipment, which hinders their utility outside the research laboratories. A logical way to address this limitation is to move towards \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcself-sufficient\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 also known as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcself-contained\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 or \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcstand-alone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 microfluidic systems, which include all necessary components to facilitate a complete assay and can be operated with minimum training. \n This project aims to develop highly integrated self-sufficient microfluidic systems for conducting cell-based assays. The microfluidic system will be equipped with miniaturised pumps and valves for driving and control of flow through microfluidic structures as well as heaters to regulate the temperature. Target cells will be immobilised onto the predetermined locations of the microfluidic system under hydrodynamic forces. The immobilised cells will then undergo a combination of physical (flow-induced shear stress) and chemical (drugs\/inhibitor) stimuli to exhibit the desired cellular responses. The operation of the pumps, valves, and heaters will be controlled via a smartphone. The cellular responses will be monitored and evaluated in real-time using a smartphone interfaced with a portable microscope, LED, and photodiodes. The project involves the design, theoretical and numerical analyses, fabrication, and experimental analysis of self-sufficient microfluidic systems as well as biological assays.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models of the human cardiovascular system","description":"The human circulatory system is a complex system, composed of the heart at its center and a fascinating network of large to small vessels spanning throughout the body. The current animal and cell culture models do not recapitulate the functional properties of the human circulatory system, limiting our ability to fully understand the complex biological processes underlying various cardiovascular diseases. \n This project aims to develop microfluidic models to recapitulate the structural, biophysical, and functional properties of the heart and blood vessels. Such microfluidic models allow for exploring the complex mechanobiology of the cardiovascular system and mechanistic studying of cardiovascular diseases, with the ultimate goal of screening cardiovascular drugs. \n This project will provide a unique opportunity for you to develop multidisciplinary skills in microfluidics, microfabrication, biofabrication, fluid dynamics, and vascular biology, and collaborate with a team of biomedical engineers, vascular biologists, and clinicians.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"System Support Services from Demand Response Schemes","description":"Power grid dynamics are rapidly changing due to high-share of renewable energy resources (e.g. solar-photovoltaic, wind, and battery energy storage systems) and new technologies added to the power grid [1]. Therefore, innovative and flexible strategies are required to improve the grid stability and reliability. Loads in the power grid can play a major role by providing system support services to the power grid.\n \n In particular, if power grid loads are effectively managed during peak and off-peak periods, they can support the network stability, and these schemes are known as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcdemand response schemes.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 More specifically, the demand response schemes can provide frequency response and flexibility services to the power grid [2]. However, more research studies are required to exploit these services from the power grid loads. This project will explore various innovative approaches to provide system frequency support services via demand response schemes. \n \n References:\n [1] L. Meegahapola, P. Mancarella, D. Flynn, and R. Moreno, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Power System Stability in the Transition to a Low Carbon Grid: A Techno-Economic Perspective on Challenges and Opportunities,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d WIREs Energy and Environment, vol. 10, no. 5, Sep-Oct. 2021.\n [2] Yuan-Kang Wu, and Kuo-Ting Tang, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Frequency Support by Demand Response \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Review and Analysis,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Energy Procedia, vol. 156, pp. 327-331, Jan. 2019.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Real-Time System Stability Analysis of Active Distribution Grids via Micro-PMUs","description":"The dynamics of the power distribution networks are rapidly changing due to high penetration of distributed energy resources (e.g. solar-photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems) and electric vehicles in low-voltage and medium voltage distribution networks. Therefore, new stability issues are emerging in power distribution networks, such as oscillations and voltage stability [1]. Consequently, advanced monitoring and detection techniques are required to analyse and mitigate these stability issues in power distribution networks.\n \n The micro phasor measurement unit (PMU) technology offers ultra-precise measurements of power grid parameters [2], such as voltage and angles, which are essential for analysing and detecting stability issues. Therefore, by deploying the micro-PMU technology highly accurate stability analysis and instability detection algorithms can be developed to preserve the stability. This project will explore the real-time stability analysis techniques using micro-PMU data streams for power distribution networks.\n \n References:\n [1] S. Bu, L. G. Meegahapola, D. P. Wadduwage and A. M. Foley, \"Stability and Dynamics of Active Distribution Networks (ADNs) with D-PMU Technology: A Review,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, doi: 10.1109\/TPWRS.2022.3179488.\n [2] A. von Meier, E. Stewart, A. McEachern, M. Andersen, and L.. Mehrmanesh, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Precision Micro-Synchrophasors for Distribution Systems: A Summary of Applications,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Trans. Smart Grid, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 2926\u00e2\u20ac\u201c2936, Nov. 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"System Support Services from Demand Response Schemes","description":"Power grid dynamics are rapidly changing due to high-share of renewable energy resources (e.g. solar-photovoltaic, wind, and battery energy storage systems) and new technologies added to the power grid [1]. Therefore, innovative and flexible strategies are required to improve the grid stability and reliability. Loads in the power grid can play a major role by providing system support services to the power grid.\n In particular, if power grid loads are effectively managed during peak and off-peak periods, they can support the network stability, and these schemes are known as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcdemand response schemes.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 More specifically, the demand response schemes can provide frequency response and flexibility services to the power grid [2]. However, more research studies are required to exploit these services from the power grid loads. This project will explore various innovative approaches to provide system frequency support services via demand response schemes. \n \n References:\n [1] L. Meegahapola, P. Mancarella, D. Flynn, and R. Moreno, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Power System Stability in the Transition to a Low Carbon Grid: A Techno-Economic Perspective on Challenges and Opportunities,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d WIREs Energy and Environment, vol. 10, no. 5, Sep-Oct. 2021.\n [2] Yuan-Kang Wu, and Kuo-Ting Tang, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Frequency Support by Demand Response \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Review and Analysis,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Energy Procedia, vol. 156, pp. 327-331, Jan. 2019.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Combined Voltage and Frequency Support Ancillary Services Support via Virtual Power Plants","description":"The virtual power plants (VPPs) are receiving a strong attention due to its superior capability to coordinate distributed energy resources (e.g. domestic solar-PVs and battery energy storage systems) in an optimal manner [1]. VPPs are primarily designed to participate in the energy market, however the VPP could be designed to provide these ancillary services to the power grid. These ancillary services include voltage and frequency support services. However, only a limited number of studies have been conducted on ancillary services support from VPPs [2], and these studies have significant drawbacks, such as non-consideration of DER characteristics, non-consideration of the capability of network assets (e.g. transformers), and less emphasis has placed on system stability requirements. Moreover, these studies have considered either voltage or frequency support ancillary services from VPPs [3],[4]. \n The aim of this PhD research project is to develop combined voltage and frequency control strategies for VPPs to deliver ancillary services for power grids with optimal orchestration of DERs. The VPPs which have been designed using small-scale solar-PV and battery energy storage systems in LV distribution networks will be considered in this research. Frequency and voltage support ancillary services will be the primary focus of this research study. In addition, new strategies will be developed with a strong emphasis on other network requirements (e.g. stability and reliability) and constraints (e.g. network assets constraints). The effectiveness of the proposed strategies will be assessed via simulation studies conducted in power system software tools.\n \n References:\n [1] AEMO, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AEMO Virtual Power Plant Demonstration,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Knowledge Sharing Report %231, Mar. 2020. [Online]. Available: https:\/\/aemo.com.au\/-\/media\/files\/electricity\/der\/2020\/aemo-knowledge-sharing-stage-1-report.pdf?la=en.\n [2] N. Etherden, M. H. J. Bollen and J. Lundkvist, \"Quantification of ancillary services from a virtual power plant in an existing sub transmission network,\" IEEE PES ISGT Europe 2013, Lyngby, 2013, pp. 1-5.\n [3] P. Moutis, P. S. Georgilakis and N. D. Hatziargyriou, \"Voltage Regulation Support Along a Distribution Line by a Virtual Power Plant Based on a Center of Mass Load Modeling,\" in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 3029-3038, July 2018, doi: 10.1109\/TSG.2016.2624633.\n [4] W. Chen, J. Qiu, J. Zhao, Q. Chai and Z. Y. Dong, \"Bargaining Game-Based Profit Allocation of Virtual Power Plant in Frequency Regulation Market Considering Battery Cycle Life,\" in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 2913-2928, July 2021, doi: 10.1109\/TSG.2021.3053000.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Dynamic Modelling of Microgrid","description":"The need for a reliable and secure smart electrical power system incorporating renewable energy sources is drawing much attention to the microgrid. Microgrids use a combination of inertial and non-inertial electrical power sources to serve consumers in the vicinity. An attractive feature of the microgrid is its flexibility. It can enhance service reliability to consumers by continuing to operate even when the utility grid is unavailable due to a grid fault or natural disaster. While these features of microgrids are attractive, they also create modelling and control challenges that are currently unsolved. When the main utility grid shuts down, the microgrid needs to ramp up generation to meet the local electricity demands. When the utility grid comes back on, the microgrid needs to re-synchronise with it for smooth operation. These transitions should be made automatically, immediately, and seamlessly. One major problem during such transitions is the voltage fluctuation and frequency deviations, especially in the presence of motor loads. These transient events are not well characterised by the current practice of state-space-based modelling of microgrids, making it a major theoretical and modelling limitation that constrains the potential of microgrids. This project will research these transients and switching events of microgrids to achieve a fundamental theoretical understanding of the non-linear processes that cause the transients and drive the voltage fluctuations and frequency deviations to establish the analytical and modelling frameworks for control strategies that can then manage these transients and switching events under both normal and abnormal utility grid operating conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Forecasting and State Estimation-based Predictive Control of Smart Grid","description":"Modern power grids are integrated with a large amount of intermittent and distributed generation sources, loads and various energy storage systems. Therefore, to realise a smart and resilient grid, more precise and enhanced observability and controllability of the grid are required. A good forecasting of future generation and loads, as well as a good estimation of the real-time state of the grid, is possible by applying novel forecasting and estimation techniques. This PhD project will focus on developing such novel forecasting and estimation technique, which requires minimum field measurements and weather data. It is expected that this novel technique will improve flexibility, protection, and load and generation congestion management in the distribution and transmission power grid. It is also believed that this project will help to develop intelligent algorithms for effective power system asset management in the context of voltage control, power quality and stability in the smart grid with the large penetration of distributed generation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Intelligent Energy Management in the Distribution Power Grid","description":"Residential loads play a significant role in the distribution power domain. Therefore, energy efficiency in the distribution power domain is essential. One of the critical components of this energy efficiency is the intelligent energy management system, which will include extensive use of sensors, optimum and automated control of the different types of loads, integration of renewable energy, e.g., PV systems, batteries and the ability to respond to real-time pricing to realise the modern smart grid. However, large integration of distributed resources like roof-top PV systems, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), and batteries can create significant technical challenges, notably grid voltage fluctuations, local reactive power management, and optimisation for optimisation two-way power flows, and integration with the real-time energy pricing. Therefore, this project aims to develop a novel and intelligent energy management system, which will be deployed via the Internet of Things (IoT) network architecture. The IoT will ensure that every component in the distribution power domain can exchange information with the central power system. New smart buildings and smart homes will be incorporated into the distribution power domain where renewable energy generation, electric vehicle charging\/discharging, and distributed energy storages will communicate and interact effectively with the central electricity grid to minimise the technical challenges.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Optimisation of Renewable Energy Systems in Hybrid Microgrid","description":"When planning renewable-based hybrid energy systems and microgrid, multi-objective and multi-criteria optimisation and decision-making becomes an integral part. To find the optimal capacity of the system, performance and cost are optimised following a multi-objective optimisation process. One of the significant challenges in this process is the uncertainties related to the electric load demand and renewable power generation based on weather variations. Usually, two optimisation processes are used: deterministic and non-deterministic. Deterministic optimisations need to be better at including the related uncertainties in the process; on the other hand, non-deterministic ones rely heavily on time-consuming stochastic methods to handle uncertainties. This project aims to devise a robust optimisation method, which can include the related uncertainties and will not be time-consuming. This optimisation process will be applied to microgrids and hybrid energy systems, which could be completely stand-alone or grid connected. On an advanced level of development, the optimisation will also take into account unforeseen circumstances such as grid faults, short circuits, unexpected islanding, impractical power generation or load demand.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rani, Du Yong, Peter Saunders (School of Health and Biomedical Sciences) ","title":"Mental health monitoring in residential aged care using wearable devices","description":"Mental health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, particularly in older adults, where psychological and emotional health can significantly influence quality of life. Despite the recognition of multiple factors that contribute to mental health, such as sleep quality, social isolation, physical activity, and dietary habits, many interventions still tend to focus on a single element. This limited scope fails to address the complex, interconnected nature of these factors, especially among older adults who may face unique challenges like reduced mobility and social engagement along with various health complications. Recent advancements in wearable technology, such as smartwatches, provide an unprecedented opportunity to monitor a wide range of physiological and behavioral indicators in real time. These devices can track sleep patterns, physical activity, heart rate variability, and even social interactions, offering a holistic approach to mental health monitoring. For older adults, who may not frequently seek mental health care due to stigma or accessibility issues, smartwatches can offer a discreet and continuous means of monitoring mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.\nThis project aims to develop and evaluate a comprehensive mental health monitoring system for older adults in residential aged care, integrating data from smartwatches and advanced machine learning algorithms. By focusing on a broader range of behavioral and physiological markers, this project seeks to improve real-time mental health predictions, monitoring, offering personalized interventions to enhance mental health management and quality of life.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460307        Multimodal analysis and synthesis\n461199        Machine learning not elsewhere classified\n400399    Biomedical engineering not elsewhere classified\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Improvement of Speech Inteligibility Using Machine Learning","description":"The project aims to research a machine learning solution that provides a real-time recognition of words, sentences, and emotions of speakers with a very low speech intelligibility. The project addresses a fundamental research gap in an automatic recognition of a severely slurred (low-intelligibility) speech. Unlike a noisy speech which is usually caused by the presence of a background noise, a low-intelligibility speech is predominantly caused by speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s inability to perform adequate phonation and articulation during the process of speech production. A speech disorder can affect the way a person creates sounds to form words, as well as, decrease person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ability to convey verbally expressed emotions. Most common causes include vocal cord damage, traumatic brain injury (TBI), strokes, vocal cord lumps or paralysis, and spastic cerebral palsy. In many cases the condition cannot be treated and makes the person disable for life. People with speech disorders are unable to articulate their thoughts and convey acoustically coded feelings and emotions. Their speech is heavily slurred, and the intelligibility is so low, that outside of the closest family circle nobody can understand what they say. Speech-based online technologies, toys and computer games, call and support centres are beyond rich. This frequently leads to slower development of social skills, low self-esteem, anger, behavioural problems, social isolation, and in the severe cases development of depression. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) offer innovative technology solutions that can significantly improve lives of people with severe speech disabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Improvement of Speech Ineligibility Using Machine Learning","description":"The project aims to research a machine learning solution that will provide real-time recognition of words, sentences, and emotions of speakers with a very low speech intelligibility.The project addresses a fundamental research gap in an automatic recognition of a severely slurred (low-intelligibility) speech. Speech intelligibility in the context of this project is a subjective quality describing how clearly a person speaks, and how easy a normal-hearing listener can comprehend that speech. Unlike a noisy speech which is usually caused by the presence of a background noise, a low-intelligibility speech is predominantly caused by speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s inability to perform adequate phonation and articulation during the process of speech production. Insertion, deletion and repetition of phonemes reduces the intelligibility of speech signal. A speech disorder can affect the way a person creates sounds to form words, as well as, decrease person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ability to convey verbally expressed emotions. Most common causes include vocal cord damage, traumatic brain injury (TBI), strokes, vocal cord lumps or paralysis, and spastic cerebral palsy. In many cases the condition cannot be treated and makes the person disable for life. People with speech disorders are unable to articulate their thoughts and convey acoustically coded feelings and emotions. Their speech is heavily slurred, and the intelligibility is so low, that outside of the closest family circle nobody can understand what they say. Speech-based online technologies, toys and computer games, call and support centres are beyond rich. This frequently leads to slower development of social skills, low self-esteem, anger, behavioural problems, social isolation, and in the severe cases development of depression. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) offer innovative technology solutions that can significantly improve lives of people with severe speech disabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Real-Time Speaker's Voice Transformation","description":"Aim:\n The project aim is to research an efficient voice transformation method that will allow to convert the actual speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice into a voice of another person of different gender, age or ethnicity. Conversion into a different language will also be considered. The transformation will be performed in real-time which means with minimum delay, so the process is fully disguised. Depending on the user requirements, the software can be trained to simulate voices of generic speakers or particular individuals. \n Intelligence Capabilities and Significance:\n The project will provide an intelligence tool strengthening the operational capabilities of the National Intelligence and Security forces. Voice transformation devices play a critical role in hiding speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s identity. It is needed for protecting persons privacy, providing security to witnesses or victims in criminal investigations or hiding the identity of person providing sensitive information. Given the popularity of voice communication over Internet and mobile phones, voice transformation software can be used by the defence force, police or security officers to identify and incriminate social predators. It can be achieved by engaging into the conversation under pretence identity. It can be applied in many other operational scenarios when spoken negotiation plays a crucial role in providing protection or saving people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani, Du Yong Kim, Branko Ristic","title":"Machine Learning Methods for Autonomous Search of Radio Frequency Emitters Using a Swarm of UAVs (Master by Research)","description":"This project aims to develop advanced machine learning techniques for a swarm of autonomous UAVs to detect and locate radio frequency (RF) emitters in outdoor environments. The research focuses on scenarios where GNSS is unavailable and communication between UAVs is limited or nonexistent. Using multi-agent reinforcement learning, the UAVs will learn to coordinate, adapt, and optimize their search strategies in real-time.\n\nRequired Skills:\n(1) Programming and simulation: strong experience in Python or MATLAB.\n(2) Mathematical modelling: probability, optimization, or multi-agent interactions.\n(3) Machine learning: reinforcement learning, or multi-agent systems.\n(4) Signal processing: spectrum sensing, localization, or radio environment modelling.\n(5) Optimization and control: algorithm development for decision-making under constraints.  ","sdg":"[\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103        Deep learning (50%)\n400607        Signal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Real-Time Speaker's Voice Transformation","description":"Aim:\n The project aim is to research an efficient voice transformation method that will allow to convert the actual speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice into a voice of another person of different gender, age or ethnicity. Conversion into a different language will also be considered. The transformation will be performed in real-time which means with minimum delay, so the process is fully disguised. Depending on the user requirements, the software can be trained to simulate voices of generic speakers or particular individuals. \n Intelligence Capabilities and Significance:\n The project will provide an intelligence tool strengthening the operational capabilities of the National Intelligence and Security forces. Voice transformation devices play a critical role in hiding speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s identity. It is needed for protecting persons privacy, providing security to witnesses or victims in criminal investigations or hiding the identity of person providing sensitive information. Given the popularity of voice communication over Internet and mobile phones, voice transformation software can be used by the defence force, police or security officers to identify and incriminate social predators. It can be achieved by engaging into the conversation under pretence identity. It can be applied in many other operational scenarios when spoken negotiation plays a crucial role in providing protection or saving people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Building Personal and Social Preference Models","description":"The project aims to develop machine learning models that will allow prediction of personal and social preferences. It will include models for preferences in musics, audio-visual arts, movies, computer games, fashion, food, as well as preferences of different social and learning activities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nuwantha Fernando","title":"Electrical machine design and manufacture for sustainable technologies","description":"The objective of the project is to utilize electrical machines to facilitate the implementation of sustainable technologies in either power and energy sectors or with application to ground or air transportation. Electrical machines that can meet the growing energy demands while minimizing their environmental impact. This project involves the design, simulation, and optimization of various types of electrical machines such as motors, generators, transformers, and power electronic devices using advanced tools and techniques. The focus is on improving the efficiency, reliability, and durability of these machines while reducing their size, weight, and cost. The project also involves the development of sustainable manufacturing processes that minimize the use of non-renewable resources and reduce waste and emissions. This includes the use of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient production methods, and recycling and reuse of materials. The ultimate goal of the project will be to contribute to the development and implementation of sustainable technologies that can address the challenges of climate change, energy security, and sustainable development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prof Dinesh Kumar","title":"AI for Affordable medical diagnostics for neurodegenerative and ophthalmology diseases.","description":"With the rapid growth of mobile phones and AI, there is the opportunity to use these for quality diagnosis and disease monitoring of patients without requiring them to travel to the clinics. We have developed software-based medical devices suitable for recognizing the number of neurological symptoms for detecting Parkinson's disease. \n The next step is to integrate multiple modalities to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of the disease conditions. This project requires the use of signal processing and machine learning to determine the inter-symptom relationship that will provide a means for monitoring the progress of patients with neurodegenerative disease. \n You will work closely with a number of neurologists and publish in technical and medical journals.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prof Elena Pirogova","title":"Melt electrospinning writing as reinforcement scaffolds of biofabricated articular human cartilage (collaborative project with St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne)","description":"Cartilage injuries cause pain and loss of function, and if severe may result in osteoarthritis (OA). 3D bioprinting is now a tangible treatment option for the delivery of bioscaffolds capable of regenerating the deficient cartilage tissue. A hand held device, the Biopen, has been developed to allow in situ additive manufacturing during surgery. Given its ability to extrude in a core\/shell manner, the Biopen can preserve cell viability during the biofabrication process and biofabricate human hyaline-like neocartilage. As a necessary step toward the clinical translation, this project will develop a reinforcement scaffold to demonstrate that it is possible to biofabricate \n eocartilage with stiffness properties close to the native human tissue. The reinforcement structure will be fabricated using melt electrospinning writing (MEW) with polycaprolactone (PCL) which can be placed in the defect before in situ bioprinting.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Richardt Wilkinson","title":"Investigation into the non-linearities of Pulse-Width Modulation and their effects on current control of switching converters","description":"Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is fundamental to power electronics and has been studied since the 1950\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s [2]. PWM is used in many industrial and commercial products, ranging from motor drives to home theatre audio amplifiers. The inherent non-linearities for sinusoidal PWM (SPWM) has been studied for single-edge [1] as well as double-edge modulation [2] and ultimately affect the stability and efficiency of control loops in PWM-based converters. Recent work has demonstrated that it is possible to optimize naturally sampled PWM control loop design for switching converters using exact analytical solutions of the system and control loop differential equations [3]. This work still needs to be expanded for the symmetrical and asymmetrical regular sampling cases. A small-signal analysis method has recently been introduced to analyze the stability of the continuous-time PWM feedback loop. This method was demonstrated for the naturally-sampled single-edge PWM case [4]. The primary aim of this PhD project is to investigate the theoretical and practical implications of the nonlinearities of the PWM process and to derive practical design methodologies that compensate for these nonlinearities. The project will be conducted at RMIT Power Electronics Laboratory Facility using a single-phase three-level full-bridge converter prototype.\n References:\n [1]. H. D. T. Mouton, B. Putzeys, \"Understanding the PWM nonlinearity: Single-sided modulation\", IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 2116-2128, Apr. 2012.\n [2]. H. d. T. Mouton, B. McGrath, D. G. Holmes and R. H. Wilkinson, \"One-Dimensional Spectral Analysis of Complex PWM Waveforms Using Superposition,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 29, no. 12, pp. 6762-6778, Dec. 2014.\n [3]. T. Mouton and S. Cox, \"Fast and accurate simulation of bifurcations in naturally sampled PWM control loops,\" 2016 IEEE 17th Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL), Trondheim, 2016, pp. 1-6.\n [4]. T. Mouton; S. Cox; B. McGrath; L. Risbo; B. Putzeys, \"Small-signal analysis of naturally-sampled single-edge PWM control loops,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 51-64, Jan. 2018.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Richardt Wilkinson","title":"Learning, competing, and decision-making machines","description":"The project will research a machine reasoning process regarded as a sequence of multi-stage algebraic manipulations of information, where information acquired by the previous stage is modified by the next stage [1]. The aim is to solve a complex problem by answering a sequence of simpler questions presented by each stage. This procedure is known as first-order logical or probabilistic inference [2]. More complex reasoning structures can be built by creating algebraic connections between basic inference units. The solution is then derived by the flow of information between these interconnected units. The first stage of the system will perform classical learning and inference based on features calculated directly from the data. The second stage learns and infers the final decision using related information generated at the first stage. Since both stages will be trained independently, the learning results of the second stage will not alter the learning results accomplished at the first stage. This important property will enable the generation of more complex, multi-channel and\/or multi-level machine reasoning systems consisting of algebraically connected basic two-stage units. \n In contrast to existing multi-channel and multi-modal classification systems [4], the proposed system will completely exclude all \u00e2\u20ac\u0153human-designed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d decision-making units, usually incorporating table look-up rules of conjunction, disjunction, or implication [3]. The inference of the new \u00e2\u20ac\u0153thinking\u00e2\u20ac\u009d classification structure will be based purely on information flow through algebraically interconnected classifiers. This is to ensure pure \u00e2\u20ac\u0153machine thinking\u00e2\u20ac\u009d rather than following a human-designed set of rules.\n References:\n [1]. L. Bottou, 2014, \"From machine learning to machine reasoning.\", Springer Machine Learning, 94(2) pp 133-149.\n [2]. J.P.E. Hodgson, \"First Order Logic\", Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, 1995.\n [3]. K.E.B. Ooi, M. Lech, and N.B. Allen, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Prediction of major depression in adolescents using an optimized multi-channel weighted speech classification system\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Elsevier, Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, Vol. 14, Nov 2014, pp. 228-239.\n [4]. M.N. Stolar, M. Lech and I.S. Burnett, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Optimized multi-channel deep neural network with 2D graphical representation of acoustic speech features for emotion recognition\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, ICSPCS-2014, Brisbane, Australia, pp. 1-6.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Richardt Wilkinson","title":"A multi-modal classification and decision-making system for the monitoring of mental states and fatigue levels","description":"The project will research a multi-modal decision-making system designed to monitor a person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mental state (stress, emotion, cognitive load) and fatigue level. It can be applied to pilots, car drivers, or control centre operators. The assessment will be based on independent predictions given by N classifiers, with each classifier making the assessment using a different modality of sensor data. For example, a four-channel system may have a channel assessing a person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state based on facial images, a channel making an assessment based on infrared pictures, a channel trained on pulse signals and a channel trained to make a prediction based on speech. A decision-making network will be trained to arbitrate between the outcomes from the N channels. This network will recognize the response pattern of the N channels and make a final assessment of the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state. \n Independent classification models will be trained for each type of modality to detect the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state. The outputs from different sensors will be transformed into a 2-D representation consistent for all different modalities. It will allow either a full training of a convolutional neural network (CNN) model or fine-tuning of a pre-trained image classification network such as VGG16, ResNet18, or similar. A decision-making neural network model will be trained to arbitrate between potentially different prediction outcomes given by network models working with different modalities. This network will be trained to recognise the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mental state not directly from sensor data but from combined responses of individual sensor channels. \n The multi-modal decision-making system will be tested in a real-time monitoring scenario where a second-by-second assessment of the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state is generated. A demo to demonstrate the real-time performance will be created.\n References:\n [1]. H.M. Bui, M. Lech, E. Cheng, K. Neville K, I.S. Burnett, Object Recognition Using Deep Convolutional Features Transformed by a Recursive Network Structure, 2017\/3\/2, Journal IEEE Access. \n [2]. H.M. Fayek, M. Lech and L. Cavedon L, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Evaluating Deep learning architectures for speech emotion recognition\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Neural Networks, Special Issue 21 March 2017, pp. 1-11. \n [3]. Z Huang at al. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Speech emotion recognition using CNN\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, ACM 2014, November 3-7, 2014, pp. 801-804. \n [4]. W. Lim, D. Jang, and T. Lee, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Speech emotion recognition using convolutional and recurrent neural networks,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Proceedings of the Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference, Jeju, Korea, December 2016, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c4. \n [5]. Ian C. Bruce, Physiologically based predictors of speech intelligibility, Acoustics Today, 13,(1), 28-35.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robert Kapsa","title":"Engineering Muscle and Nerve Tissues for Functional Biomedical Outcomes.","description":"Muscle and nerve tissues can be made from the skin cells of people with dysfunctional tissues\/organs. These autologous (from the person from whom the cells were harvested) tissues can be used to restore function to the person with the tissue\/organ dysfunction either by integrating with mechatronic devices or by direct regenerative therapy for the dysfunctional tissue\/organ. This project investigates the use of cells to restore the function of dysfunctional muscle and neural tissue through integrated biomechatronic cellular devices.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samuel Ippolito","title":"Investigation of Machine Learning Analysis & Multivariate Analysis for Food Quality & Identification","description":"Machine learning algorithms have found applications in many different fields and have been shown to achieve high accuracy for predicting future patterns and relationships between different variables within a data set. The aim of this project is to explore different machine learning algorithms for both spectroscopic and machine vision data to assess the quality of raw materials used within the food products and agricultural industries.\n \n Current literature shows that different machine learning algorithms have been exploited in the field of infrared microscopy for extracting wavelength (i.e. feature selection) relating to important chemical groups within food based cereal grains. The extracted features can then be used for classification and the identifying sample outliers [1] as well as determine geographical origin and identifying genetically modified variants[2]. Similarly, machine vision techniques have been used to assess physical characteristics such as shape, size, moisture content, kernel hardness, as well as determine the presence of infestation, discolouration and other visual characteristics [3].\n \n The techniques developed in this project will aim to accurately classify food based cereal grains into different value grades, as well as determine the inclusion of common adulterants or if signs of spoilage are present. In addition, the data will be explored to determine the viability of using such techniques to predict important nutritional indicators such as protein and fat content of a given sample. This will be achieved by combining the use of machine vision with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Both machine vision and FTIR spectroscopy techniques are well suited to high throughput and automated sampling processes which require very little sample preparation. However, challenges regarding sample similarity on both the chemical composition as well as the visual and physical properties will need to be overcome [4].\n \n References:\n [1]Steven G. Buckley, \"Combining Broadband Spectra and Machine Learning to Derive Material Properties,\" Spectroscopy Volume 32, Issue 10, pp. 26\u00e2\u20ac\u201c31, 2017.\n [2]D. Cozzolino, \"Authentication of Cereals and Cereal Products\" in \" Advances in Food Authenticity Testing\", editor: G. Downey, Elsevier, Woodhead Publishing, Duxford, United Kingdom, pp. 441 - 457, 2016. (ISBN: 9780081002209)\n [3]P. Vithu and J. A. Moses, \"Machine vision system for food grain quality evaluation: A review,\" Trends Food Sci. Technol., vol. 56, pp. 13\u00e2\u20ac\u201c20, 2016.\n [4]A. Rupenyan, N. Sansonne, and F. Dell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Endice, \"Machine vision combined with near-infrared spectroscopy to guarantee food safety,\" Cereal Foods World, vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 140\u00e2\u20ac\u201c142, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samuel Ippolito","title":"UV-assisted solid-state gas sensors for non-invasive diagnostic applications","description":"Widespread screening for lung cancer by novel non-invasive methods can drastically increase early-stage diagnosis. This can improve long-term survival rates from less than 6% to 35% with the potential to reduce the yearly worldwide lung cancer mortality rate of 1.3 million by one third [1]. Among non-invasive screening methods, breath composition analysis is a low-cost alternative to blood analysis that can detect early-stage lung cancer [1]. However, its application to healthcare is currently restrained by the lack of portable technologies having sufficient selectivity and sensitivity for the real-time measurement of the marker molecules in complex gas mixtures such as the breath. Here, we will develop a novel gas molecule sensing technique to enable real-time measurement of breath markers. We will do this by exploiting the ability of plasmonic nanostructures to selectively absorb light and transfer its energy to drive chemical reactions on the surface of a nearby semiconductor nanoparticle. Integrating plasmonic light absorbers into highly sensitive (semiconductor) gas sensors [2] will provide a means to selectively promote oxidation or reduction of the target molecules. This will be achieved by tuning the light absorption wavelength to match the activation energy of the desired (gas sensing) reactions. Enabling selective measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human breath by low-cost semiconductor technology could revolutionize modern healthcare through early-stage diagnosis and self-monitoring of a wide range of medical conditions. \n \n References:\n [1] G. Peng, U. Tisch, O. Adams, M. Hakim, N. Shehada, Y. Y. Broza, S. Billan, R. Abdah-Bortnyak, A.\n Kuten, H. Haick, Nature Nanotech. 2009, 4, 669.\n [2] A. Tricoli, S. E. Pratsinis, Nature Nanotech. 2010, 5, 54.\n [3] A. Tricoli, M. Graf, S. E. Pratsinis, Adv. Funct. Mat. 2008, 18, 1969.\n [4] M. Righettoni, A. Tricoli, S. E. Pratsinis, Chem. Mat. 2010, 22, 3152.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samuel Ippolito","title":"Design of Nanosized ceria-based Materials for Catalytic Oxidation Reactions","description":"Nanostructured Ceria (CeO2) based materials have attracted significant interest in the present frontier research for their wide applications in heterogeneous catalysis. Particularly, the use of ceria in the domain of environmental catalysis is due to its superior chemical and physical stability, and a large number of oxygen vacancies (involving facile Ce4+\/Ce3+ redox chemistry) and their mobility, which are the main characteristic features of the fluorite-type oxides. Although, its inherent chemical properties such as high oxygen storage capacity and high oxygen mobility originating from facile Ce3+\/Ce4+ redox cycle dominate its use, its functional performance is further influenced by its size, morphology and structure, and surface area. The main focus of this project is to develop various ceria-based materials for different catalytic applications such as Hg0 oxidation, soot oxidation, and degradation of organic pollutants. Among these three applications, primarily, the Hg0 oxidation studies will be done thoroughly over different ceria-based materials under different flue gas conditions such as HCl, O2, HCl\/O2-mix, and NH3. Also an attempt will been carried out to expand the work to utilize the ceria-based materials for other well-known applications like catalytic soot oxidation and photocatalysis.\n \n This is a collaborative project with CSIRO and RMIT and will give the student opportunity to work with scientists from diverse backgrounds. \n \n References: Y. Shijian, G. Yongfu, Y. Naiqiang, W. Daqing, H. Hongping, Q. Zan, and J. Jinping Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2011 50 (16) 9650-9656.\n D. Jampaiah, K. M. Tur, S. J. Ippolito, Y. M. Sabri, J. Tardio, S. K. Bhargava and B. M. Reddy, RSC Adv., 2013, 3, 12963\u00e2\u20ac\u201c12974.\n A. A. Presto, E. J. Granite, A. Karash, R. A. Hargis, W. J. O'Dow and H. W. Pennline, Energy Fuels, 2006, 20, 1941\u00e2\u20ac\u201c1945.\n A. P. Jones, J. W. Hoffmann, D. N. Smith, T. J. Feeley and J. T. Murphy, Environ. Sci. Technol., 2007, 41, 1365\u00e2\u20ac\u201c1371.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shaun Cloherty","title":"Deciphering the neural code","description":"When we open our eyes we are immediately rewarded with rich visual information about the shape, colour, texture, location and motion of objects in our environment. Given the ease with which we process this information to guide our behaviour, we tend not to consider the computational challenges it poses. While modern optical sensors allow us to capture images well beyond the capabilities of the human eye, the task of using visual information to adaptively guide behaviour is one at which the human brain comfortably outperforms even the best artificial systems. This research program is aims to understand the circuit and cellular mechanisms that underlie this ability. Our long-term goal is to understand how the brain extracts meaning from sensory information and how it guides rapid decisions and complex behaviours. This knowledge may one day help us design machines that can interpret the world as well as we do, or to better interface sensors directly to the brain in order to overcome the natural limitations of our senses or to restore sensory and motor function impaired by injury or disease.\n \n The 'neural code' that underlies behaviour is embedded in the patterns of activity of neurons in large distributed brain networks. This project will involve decoding the spatiotemporal patterns of activity recorded across populations of neurons in multiple brain areas. This research will combine sophisticated experimental techniques for neural and behavioural recordings with a computational framework for analysis and data driven modelling of brain function.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/06\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"110903 Central Nervous System 40% ; 110906 Sensory Systems 35% ; 090399 Biomedical Engineering not elsewhere classified 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tariq Nazir","title":"Electrical insulation design and diagnostics for future electrical aircraft and space industry","description":"Electrification of transportation which includes aircraft and ships could contribute to controlling the greenhouse gas emission. Literature suggests that the aviation industry emits nearly 900 million tons with 2% to 2.5% of total global carbon dioxide emissions [1]. It is forecasted that air traffic would be 2.1 times higher in 2040 relative to 2019 with increased demand for passenger aircraft, cargo, and defence jets. Hence, a global consensus has been developed to reduce the carbon emission and electrification of aircraft (more\u00e2\u20ac\u0090electric aircraft (MEA), hybrid\u00e2\u20ac\u0090electric propulsion aircraft to all\u00e2\u20ac\u0090electric aircraft (AEA)) and transportation is popped up a future technology to achieve carbon neutrality targets. In 1996, Trans World Airline Flight crashed in the USA resulting in a deadly crash and an investigation suggested that it happened due to electrical insulation failure and potential short circuits of the electrical wires [2]. The reliable operation of the electrified aircraft system and the integrity of electrical insulation under space conditions will be highly critical for future electrical propulsion systems. This project aims to design novel electrical insulation and diagnostic method to tackle insulation challenges for future aerospace electrical components. The project aims are as follows.\n Aim 1: Designing hybrid and co-filled electrical insulation with lightweight inorganic fillers with improves thermal conduction performance.\n Aim 2: Develop an electrical non-destructive diagnostic method to investigate the electrical tracking and flashover performance of novel insulation.\n Aim 3: Exploring the thermal dissipation, dielectric, arc resistance, discharge resistance and flame-retardant prospects of insulation.\n \n References:\n 1. Jiang, Jun, et al. \"A review on insulation challenges towards electrification of aircraft.\" High Voltage (2023).\n 2. M. Borghei and M. Ghassemi, \"Insulation Materials and Systems for More- and All-Electric Aircraft: A Review Identifying Challenges and Future Research Needs,\" in IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 1930-1953, Sept. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Toh Yen Pang","title":"Wearable Devices for Continuous Auditory Feedback to Encourage Movement Awareness","description":"Physical rehabilitation is crucial for patients recovering from neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and stroke. However, traditional rehabilitation methods have limited effectiveness and can be challenging for patients with motor impairments. Wearable devices that provide real-time feedback have shown promise in improving patient engagement and outcomes.\n \n The objective of this project is to develop a wearable device that provides continuous auditory feedback to encourage movement awareness in physical rehabilitation, leveraging Industry 5.0 principles for personalized treatment. The specific objectives are as follows:\n 1. To evaluate the effectiveness of continuous auditory feedback in improving movement awareness in physical rehabilitation. 2. To develop a wearable device that enables personalized treatment options for people with neurological disorders. 3. To investigate the feasibility and usability of the wearable device in a controlled laboratory environment.\n \n This project is expected to contribute to the development of innovative wearable devices for providing real-time auditory feedback to patients during physical rehabilitation. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the device through experiments, develop a wearable device that enables personalized treatment options, and investigate the feasibility and usability of the device in a controlled laboratory environment. This will provide insights into the potential benefits and limitations of the device in clinical settings, ultimately enabling personalized treatment options that can be tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each user.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Du Yong Kim","title":"Target detection and tracking using Machine Learning","description":"An area of interest aligned with a number of projects is the use of machine learning techniques to aid both in target detection and tracking. Three research paths could be explored. Firstly, the use of convolutional neural networks for detecting targets. Secondly, there are a number of potential uses of machine learning to aid in target tracking, including learning how targets manoeuvre and how to improve the separability of close-in targets. The third application is to use the raw radar data to both detect and track targets, i.e. a track-before-detect approach.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"David Garrett","title":"Carbon Cybernetics: Next generation tools for neuroscience","description":"The successful student will work between RMIT and the National Vision Research Institute characterising a novel carbon fibre brain activity recording array. The project will involve fabrication of carbon fibre and diamond electrode arrays, microassembly and bench top characterisation, in vivo characterisation of array performance over extended time frames and post analysis of device safety and efficacy. A 50% scholarship is offered to the successful candidate.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Inverter Control Requirements for Stability Enhancement of Renewable Rich Power Grids","description":"Over the last twenty years, the power system dynamic characteristics have significantly changed due to the wide-scale integration of power electronic converter (PEC) interfaced renewables [1]. With this renewable power revolution, the conventional power generation plants, such as coal power generation stations are currently being rapidly decommissioned from the power network. The traditional generation plants typically provide ancillary services to power networks, such as frequency and voltage regulation. These ancillary services are essential to maintain power network stability and security. Many major blackouts have caused due to power system instability, and hence it is an important concern for the secure operation of the power system with high penetration of PEC interfaced renewables [1]. The power electronic converter (PEC) interfaced renewables are typically based on the grid following converter schemes. These converters essentially depend on the existing power grid's synchronism and dispatch energy to the grid without providing grid forming support to the network [2]. In addition, the grid-forming technology could also offer some voltage and frequency support services [2]. However, grid-forming controls are not sufficient to alleviate the emerging stability issues with PEC-interfaced generation, such as low short-circuit strength (SCS), low inertia, synchronisation and oscillatory stability issues [1]. The new grid forming technologies are emerging to tackle these challenges [3], however, the requirements for these two technologies have not been thoroughly investigated. The main objective of this research project is to assess the requirements for grid forming and grid following inverter control technologies to maintain grid stability under high penetration of PEC-interfaced sources. References\n 1. L. Meegahapola, A. Sguarezi, J. S. Bryant, M. Gu, E. R. Conde D., and R. B. A. Cunha, \u201cPower System Stability with Power-Electronic Converter Interfaced Renewable Power Generation: Present Issues and Future Trends,\u201d Energies, vol. 13, no. 13, p. 3441, Jul. 2020.\n 2. J. Rocabert, A. Luna, F. Blaabjerg and P. Rodr\u00edguez, \"Control of Power Converters in AC Microgrids,\" IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 27, no. 11, pp. 4734-4749, Nov. 2012.\n 3. Y. Jiang, A. Bernstein, P. Vorobev and E. Mallada, \"Grid-Forming Frequency Shaping Control for Low-Inertia Power Systems,\" IEEE Control Systems Letters.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Synchrophasor Data-Driven Stability Analysis & Control in Renewable Rich Power Networks","description":"Power network landscape is evolving rapidly with the large-scale integration of power-electronic converter (PEC) interfaced distributed renewable power generation. This ongoing evolution in power network infrastructure has given rise to new stability issues, requiring advanced monitoring systems to measure and control power grid to avoid any potential instability issues [1]. Concurrently, synchrophasor technology (also known as the phasor measurement unit (PMU) technology) has emerged as the next-generation power system measuring and monitoring technology. The accuracy, resolution and the fast data acquisition speeds are the main attributes which make PMUs more robust measuring systems for stability monitoring, analysis and control. Typically, a network of PMUs is used to observe the power network parameters at the power grid's critical locations. A PMU network capture and accumulates a large amount of data within a day (terabytes per day), thus require more robust data-driven algorithms to analyse these data in real or quasi-real-time to identify potential instability issues. Also, with the high penetration of power electronic converter based variable renewable energy sources, networks are more likely to be exposed to uncharted operating scenarios, potentially leading to instability. Although algorithms are designed to monitor and identify instability, they are limited to a specific stability category, such as voltage stability [2], oscillatory stability [3] etc. Thus, synchrophasor data-driven real-time holistic stability analysis and control algorithms are required to maintain power system stability. This project aims to develop new data-driven stability analysis algorithms from a holistic perspective to identify potential stability issues and then devise appropriate control actions to alleviate these stability threats.\n References:\n 1. L. G. Meegahapola, S. Bu, D. P. Wadduwage, C. Y. Chung and X. Yu, \"Review on Oscillatory Stability in Power Grids With Renewable Energy Sources: Monitoring, Analysis, and Control Using Synchrophasor Technology,\" in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 519-531, Jan. 2021.\n 2. C. Thilakarathne, L. Meegahapola and N. Fernando, \"A Modified Lyapunov Exponent based Approach for Real-Time Voltage Stability Assessment Using PMUs,\" 2018 8th International Conference on Power and Energy Systems (ICPES), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2018, pp. 104-108.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani","title":"Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Methods for Satellite and UAV Communications and Sensing\n","description":"Transferring information over a wireless medium has seen a steep improvement during the last 30 years, taking advantage of the increasing computational power of digital signal processors and their reduced cost. This has allowed the introduction of novel algorithms that operate near the theoretical limits under known channel and noise conditions. However, with more and more wireless devices joining the network, a vast problem in managing the limited radio resources and interference is becoming an increasing hurdle for today\u2019s wireless network. Novel methods in machine learning and neural networks combined with smart signal processing approaches hold a very promising approach to tackle several key problems:\n-\tInterference learning and mitigation in shared spectrum environment\n-\tRadio channel learning and adaptation in dynamic scenarios\t\n-\tRadio resources sharing methods and distribution using machine learning\n-\tCompensation for RF hardware imperfection \n-\tRF finger printing for increased security\n-\tAdaptive waveform design and optimization\n-\tCellular-to-UAV communications\n-\tSynthetic aperture radar signal processing\n-\tInterference mitigation in Synthetic aperture radar (SAR)\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani","title":"Next generation mega satellite communication networks","description":"With the significant reduction in satellite development and launch costs in recent years, the path to achieving true global satellite connectivity has now opened. Several major players, such as Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon, are currently deploying thousands of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to provide a direct-to-user coverage. Such \u201cMega\u201d constellation networks offer several key advantages, including: (i) Significantly reduced latency compared to GEO orbits. (ii) Higher spectral efficiency due to smaller coverage spots, resulting in higher throughput. (iii) Reduced free space path loss, leading to smaller and more cost-effective ground terminals and satellites. (iv) The potential to provide lower delays than fiber networks when utilizing intersatellite links (ISL). However, the deployment of such a massive number of satellites also brings forth numerous challenges such as: Spectrum availability, radio channel fluctuation, interference, intersatellite connection, jitter and topology optimization, network security, integration with terrestrial networks. This project theme aims to address some of these challenges through:\n-\tThe use of AI and machine learning for modelling Q\/V and THz (Terahertz) radio channel.\n-\tModelling delay and jitter in satellite networks\n-\tImproving inter-satellite connectivity using hybrid wireless optical \/ THz combination\n-\tSpectrum sensing and classification using advanced AI methods.\n-\tTraffic forecasting and network topology optimization for reduced network latency\n-\tSpoof detection and physical layer security\n-\tAntenna design and fabrication\n-\tAI-enabled wireless channel prediction and adaptation\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Enhanced 6G: Smart Wireless Networks for Seamless Connectivity and Efficiency","description":"Join this cutting-edge project revolutionizing radio signal propagation and information transfer with \"smart\" wireless environments. Using state-of-the-art beyond 5G and future 6G technologies, like Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) and Holographic MIMO, we aim to enhance energy efficiency and achieve fast, reliable wireless connectivity in 6G networks. While these technologies are emerging, fundamental modeling and analysis are essential to understand smart wireless network performance. Contribute to this project to develop new communication-theoretic and learning-based models, enabling practical implementation of these advancements. Our smart environments hold immense potential to offer \"greener\" and seamless wireless connectivity for mobile, autonomous, and IoT networks in the future. Join us now to shape the future of wireless communication.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Advanced Strategies for Enhanced Wireless Communication: Sensing and Communication","description":"This research endeavors to explore cutting-edge methodologies aimed at optimizing the performance of contemporary wireless communication networks. The primary focus is on mitigating the well-established challenges faced by mobile networks when operating in diverse and potentially hostile environments. By leveraging the capabilities of radio nodes to perceive and communicate via the radio spectrum, a decentralized network of nodes can collaborate to generate a comprehensive and intricate radio-frequency (RF) environment map. The core objective of this project is to devise sophisticated sensing and localization techniques to accurately map the RF spectrum, thereby enabling dynamic adaptations in communication system design. To achieve dynamic spectrum characterization, this project pioneers novel physical-layer detection, estimation, and localization approaches, utilizing cooperative and optimization-based strategies to dynamically assess spectrum occupancy. In addition, the project integrates state-of-the-art 6G technologies, such as Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs), in conjunction with machine learning methodologies, to achieve precise sensing and high-resolution localization within the intelligent wireless environment. These adaptive environments can dynamically adjust communication techniques and protocols at both the physical and network layers. Successful fulfillment of these objectives is anticipated to significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of wireless communication networks, bolstering their resilience against adversarial conditions. The research outcomes possess the potential to revolutionize wireless communication systems across a wide range of scenarios, offering new possibilities for future wireless networks, including cellular networks, internet of things (IoT) networks, and vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). \n\n[1]. F. Liu et al., \"Guest Editorial Special Issue on Integrated Sensing and Communication\u2014Part II,\" in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 2007-2010, July 2022.\n[2]. Z. Wang, Z. Liu, Y. Shen, A. Conti and M. Z. Win, \"Location Awareness in Beyond 5G Networks via Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces,\" in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 2011-2025, July 2022.\n[3]. H. Zhang et al., \"Holographic Integrated Sensing and Communication,\" in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 2114-2130, July 2022.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorabni","title":"Integrated microwave sensors for chemicals and biologicals analysis","description":"Microwave-based test and measurement methods are of high interest among engineers and researchers due to their low cost, non-destructive, and real-time response. Such advantages led to the development of microwave-based sensors and instruments for variety of applications from detection of mechanical movements, to sensors for identification of solid composites, chemical and biological agents. More specifically, microwave sensors for liquids identification have found increased attention because of their label-free detection, which is highly demanded for medical purposes and bioanalysis. The advances in the microfluidic technology in the last decade enabled analysis and manipulation of the liquid samples in the micro scales. The microfluidic technology has also been combined with the radio frequency circuits fabrication technologies resulting in the evolvement of microwave microfluidic sensors.\n\nThe microwave circuit and microfluidic network are fabricated separately and the attached to each other using an external package\/holder in conventional sensors. Such a package increases the total size of the device not appropriate for integrated platforms. This project aims to develop microwave microfluidic sensors using low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. This significantly reduces the overall size and results in more robust and accurate detection that is highly desirable for lab on chip applications. LTCC offers inherent advantages such as chemical inertness, biocompatibility, high-temperature stability, excellent RF dielectric properties, all these together seem to be ideal for a lab on chip platform. The recently established LTCC fabrication facilities at RMIT, will guarantee access to state-of-the-art infrastructure to achieve a successful design device over different iteration cycles.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorabni","title":"Liquid metals enabled tunable and reconfigurable microwave circuits","description":"The very rapid advances in the wireless communication in recent years is driven by a continuous increase in the number of wireless facilities, standards, and services. This necessitates the development of multi-standard and reconfigurable transceivers capable of changing their operation modes. Tunable circuits and components are essential building blocks of such systems. The tunable components are conventionally designed using solid-state components like varactors and PIN diodes or using the microelectromechanical (MEMs) devices. The solid-state components offer wide tuning ranges together with fast tuning speed. However, they suffer from nonlinearity and low power handling. The linearity is a very critical factor specially in the modern multi-carrier communication systems with large crest factors due to the non-constant envelop. MEMs devices offer better linearity with moderate power handling and lower insertion loss. However, MEMs are usually implemented as switches thus offer discrete tuning. Such challenges led the evolution of new tuning technologies such as liquid metals (LMs). The LMs-based tuning approach is promising in terms of linearity, and high power handling together with the possibility of continuous tuning. \n\nThis project aims is to investigate the design and implementation of liquid metals-based planar tunable and reconfigurable microwave components and circuits such as filters, phase shifters, power dividers\/combiners, and matching networks. With the aid of microfluidic technology, such devices are expected to address the significant challenge of linearity and power handling in the emerging reconfigurable multi-standard communication systems.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorabni","title":"Microwave properties of the soil","description":"The quality of soil is controlled by physical, chemical and biological components of soil and their interactions. The soil has physical, chemical as well as electrical properties. Color, texture, grain size, bulk density etc., comprise the physical properties; Nutrients, organic matter, pH, etc., comprise chemical properties while, electrical properties include dielectric constant, electrical conductivity and permeability. The concept of soil health and soil quality has consistently evolved with an increase in the understanding of soils and soil quality attributes.\n\nThe aim of this project is to investigate the relation between the relative permittivity of the soil and its quality. In recent literature, investigations have been held primarily through the means of time domain reflectometry (TDR). The relative permittivity of the soil has been analyzed in this method, however none have analyzed the relationship between the quality of the soil under investigation and its corresponding permittivity. The quality of soil is dependent upon many considerations. These include soil profile according to depth, differences in color, texture, structure and dispersibility of soil peds; pH levels, organic matter content\/carbon sequestration, porosity, salinity, moisture content and most importantly nutrients. Hence the aims of this project is to investigate soils termed as \u2018good\u2019, \u2018bad\u2019 and \u2018average\u2019 in accordance with their chemical nutrient profiles, and correlate these samples to the permittivity values measure; via the microwave waveguide cell and basic microstripline methods to characterize soil quality.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alberto Peruzzo","title":"Quantum Systems Identification and Control","description":"We seek an outstanding & enthusiastic PhD candidate to work on quantum control at the RMIT University node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology. Following our recent success in demonstrating novel techniques for quantum characterization and control, this project will extend the current capability by adding new theoretical and numerical methods to improve the state-of-the-art performance of real-world devices.  \n\nThe candidate will design, analyse, and implement novel techniques for modelling, identifying, and controlling quantum systems under realistic conditions, which will eventually be tested on quantum hardware. They will learn a wide range of techniques from theoretical quantum engineering to high-performance computing and machine learning.  \n\n[1] A. Youssry, R. J. Chapman, A. Peruzzo, C. Ferrie, M. Tomamichel, Quantum Science and Technology, 5(2). (2019) \n\n[2] A. Youssry, G. A. Paz-Silva, C. Ferrie, npj Quantum Information 6 (1). (2020) \n\n[3] A. Youssry, H.I. Nurdin, Quantum Science and Technology, 8 (1), 015018. (2022) \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510803 Quantum information, computation and communication (40%) ; 510805 Quantum technologies (40%) ; 400705 Control engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell, Thach Nguyen","title":"Micro-nano fabrication for hybrid integration","description":"Active optical components in photonic circuits are weak or missing pieces of the current silicon photonic technology. Such pieces are needed for the generation, detection and manipulation of light on chips. InPAC have started addressing this roadblock by heterogeneously integrating functional optical materials, such as chalcogenide glass and emerging novel two-dimensional materials onto integrated silicon photonic platforms, providing an unprecedented electronic and photonic laboratory on a chip to study these materials and to utilize their unique properties, realizing integrated optical lasers, amplifiers, modulators and detectors for applications in defence, data communications and biotechnology. This project is to develop the novel hybrid integration platform in InPAC. The InPAC centre has a long success history on the integrated optics for different applications for more than three decades. Through this project, we will continue to elongate the legacy for other decades. Therefore, we need highly motivated students who have interest in micro-nano fabrication and using such optical platform to realise practical applications such as data communications, and biomedical sensing.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell","title":"Integrated photonic frequency comb source","description":"In many photonic applications, including wavelength division multiplexing ultra-high speed optical communications, optical signal processing, spectroscopy, the generation of high quality light sources with many different frequencies is often required [1, 2]. The brute force approach of using multiple discrete laser diodes to create optical frequency combs typically results in very high cost, complexity, energy consumption and footprint systems. Recently, integrated ultra-broadband optical frequency combs have been demonstrated that can produce over one hundred stable and high quality comb lines \u2013 each like a coherent laser source [3].\n\nThis project aims to investigate high-quality optical frequency comb sources that can be generated from a single integrated photonic chip using the new silicon nitrite waveguide platform being developed at RMIT [4]. The possibility of integrating the on-chip comb sources with other devices and components to form sophisticated integrated photonic circuits in single compact photonic chips for applications in signal processing, data communications and sensing will also be considered.\n\nThis project will be conducted within the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC, https:\/\/www.inpac.org.au\/) at RMIT. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realise practical solutions for real world applications. The integrated photonic chips will be realised using the state-of-the-art facilities at the RMIT Micro-Nano Research Facility (MNRF).\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell","title":"Photonic signal processing using broadband optical frequency comb","description":"Many applications, including radar mapping, precision synchronization, environmental measurement, imaging as well as the realization of advanced modulation formats for ultrahigh bandwidth digital communications, require the generation, analysis and processing of analogue RF signals in wide bandwidth. Processing wide bandwidth signals in the electrical domain is still challenging due to limited bandwidth of electronic circuits and introduction of digital quantisation noise. Due to the virtually unlimited bandwidth and ultralow noise available in the optical domain, optical signal processing is a very attractive alternative to electronic counterparts. Many signal processing functions have been demonstrated using optics; however, often multiple discrete optical channels with their own laser diodes must be used. This typically results in a very high cost, complexity and energy consumption and footprint. Recently, ultra-broadband optical frequency combs have been demonstrated that can produce over one hundred stable and high quality comb lines \u2013 each like a coherent laser source. This technology opens up opportunities to conceive practical and sophisticated photonic signal processors with small foot-print which can be robustly integrated into integrated photonic devices with no moving parts. This research project will investigate novel methods to implement high speed, reconfigurable optical signal processors using the integrated optical frequency comb source. You will investigate photonic techniques to manipulate signals in both the temporal and frequency domains. You will apply the conceived techniques to demonstrate several practical applications in wireless and optic fibre communications as well as radar and remote sensing using the state of the art equipment in the photonic laboratory at RMIT. The opportunity to integrate entire systems as a single compact photonic chips will be available in the final stage of the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Thach Nguyen, Arnan Mitchell","title":"Integrated photonic devices exploring novel phenomena","description":"Micro-technology has underpinned the information revolution, enabling exceptionally precise and almost incomprehensibly complex microelectronic systems to be mass-manufactured, reliably and at low-cost using standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) wafer processing. Integrated photonics has emerged as a successor to integrated electronics, enabling ultra-high speed information transfer through a single optical fibre [1]. Integrated photonics is also attractive to non-data transfer applications, with a particular emerging opportunity being bio-sensing. Our team at RMIT has pioneered research into an unusual phenomenon in integrated photonics, particularly in silicon photonics, called lateral leakage behaviour and bound states in the continuum [2, 3]. \n\nWe are seeking talented and passionate PhD candidates to join our team to explore this phenomenon in the emerging integrated photonic waveguide platform Lithium Niotate on Insulator (LNOI) [4] and to create new integrated photonic devices and circuits harnessing this phenomenon. The possibility of utilising the strong electro-optic and nonlinear effects of this waveguide platform to achieve high speed data modulation, programmable\/reconfigurable integrated photonic circuit, dynamic filtering functions will also be investigated.\n\nThis project will be conducted within the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC, https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/integrated-photonics-and-applications-centre) at RMIT. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realise practical solutions for real world applications. The integrated photonic chips will be realised using the state-of-the-art facilities at the RMIT Micro-nano Research Facility (MNRF).\n\n\nReferences:\n[1] Hochberg, M., Baehr-Jones, T. \u201cTowards fabless silicon photonics,\u201d Nature Photon, 4 (2010).\n[2] Nguyen, T.G., Ren, G., Schoenhardt, S., Knoerzer, M., Boes, A., Mitchell, A., \u201cRidge Resonance in Silicon Photonics Harnessing Bound States in the Continuum\u201d, Laser and Photonics Reviews, 13 (2019).\n[3] Nguyen, T.G., Boes, A., Mitchell, A., \u201cLateral Leakage in Silicon Photonics: Theory, Applications, and Future Directions,\u201d IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 26 (2020).\n [4] Boes, A., Corcoran, B., Chang, L., Bowers, J., Mitchell, A., \u201cStatus and Potential of Lithium Niobate on Insulator (LNOI) for Photonic Integrated Circuits,\u201d Laser and Photonics Reviews, 12 (2018).\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell, Guanghui Ren","title":"Programmable silicon photonics","description":"Silicon Photonics is an emerging technology which allows wires connected to silicon chips to be replaced by optical fibres. Silicon photonics has the potential to increase the performance of data centres and will eventually replace copper wires in computers. In addition, silicon photonics potentially can be used in many other applications, including bio-sensing, signal processing and quantum communications. Using the same manufacturing facilities as making integrated electronic circuits, sophisticated silicon photonic chips can be manufactured in high volume with low cost. Due to some unique material properties, many photonic components can be integrated in a small footprint, enabling the creation of compact photonic devices but with sophisticated functionality that cannot be achieved with other photonic technologies.\n\nAlthough many silicon photonic circuits have been demonstrated, most of these are in the form of purpose built application-specific designs that are only fit for a single purpose. The functionality of such devices are fixed when the devices are designed and fabricated. Changing the circuit functionality requires an entirely new device to be designed and fabricated. If photonic circuits can be made reprogrammable similar to Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in electronic devices, it would be easy, quick and low cost to prototype different photonic functions on the same device in which the circuit function is redefined by the users after the device has been fabricated.\n\nThis project aims to investigate technologies to allow the functionality of silicon photonic circuits being reconfigurable or programmable. You will learn about silicon photonics design and methods for fabrication. You will work closely with our team to develop technologies to change the configuration of a silicon photonic circuit. These technologies will then be applied to demonstrate reconfigurable\/programmable silicon photonic devices using traditional silicon photonic waveguide device topologies or our recently discovered lateral leakage effect. You will also have opportunities to collaborate and visit other world leading researchers in integrated photonics and silicon photonics in the Europe.\n\nThe project will be conducted within RMIT's Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC) directed by Distinguished Prof Arnan Mitchell. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realising practical solutions for real world applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Armandas Balcytis","title":"Integrated photonic chips Multi-dimensional lattices","description":"Integrated microelectronic circuits have revolutionised the electronics industry, and have transformed our lives. Replacing electrical signal with light, integrated photonic microchips can result in enormous improvements in data processing speeds with much lower energy consumption, meeting demands of many applications from information transfer and processing to sensing and environmental monitoring. However, current photonic chips often suffer from high loss, limited connectivity as well as sensitivity to manufacturing defects. \n\nResearch has theoretically suggested that by increasing the dimenionality of light interaction, new photonic components with unprecedented performance, overcoming the above shortcomings, can be created. However, this potential currently cannot be practically realised with existing photonic chip technology due to limited dimensionality of the practical photonic chips. This project aims to investigate photonic chips that can support multidimensional lattices to allow light to intect in extra dimensions beyond the spatial dimensions of a chip. \n\nThis project will be conducted within the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC, https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/integrated-photonics-and-applications-centre) at RMIT. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realise practical solutions for real world applications. The integrated photonic chips will be realised using the state-of-the-art facilities at the RMIT Micro-nano Research Facility (MNRF).\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell, Thach Nguyen, Guanghui Ren","title":"Integrated Photonic Chips for Atomic Clocks","description":"The precise measurement of time plays a surprisingly important role in our every day lives.   Our smart phones can tell us our location to within a few meters and we take this for granted but it may be surprising to know that this functionality relies on multiple satellites each sending an extremely precise timing signal.   To achieve such navigation, we need a line of sight to several satellites simultaneously.  This is hard to achieve in built up urban environments or indoors and is impossible when underwater, undergound or in space.  To be able to navigate in these environemnts it would be a great advantage to have an ultra-precise clock that we can carry around with us.  Today\u2019s atomic clocks are large and expensive - they can be launched into space on satellites, but they are about the size of a fridge and a similar weight, and can cost over $1 million.   It would be a great advantage to realise ultra-precise clocks that have the size weight and cost of consumer electronics. \r\nThis project will explore the use of integrated photonic chip technology to realise all of the components of an atomic clock on a single chip.  It will be conducted within the context of the internationally recognised Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre working with a team of more than 50 people at RMIT University and beyond.  Through this project you will learn about both integrated optics technology and the science and technology of atomic clocks.  You will learn about the applications of this technology in defence and civilian applications and will see how advanced technology is created and translated to real world applications. \r\nNote: As this project is connected to a defence project, Australian Citizenship is a requirement. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kandeepan Sithamparanathan, Akram Hourani, Saman Atapattu","title":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Signal Processing for Communication, Sensors and Radars","description":"Signal processing and machine learning (Artificial Intelligence) in general can be applied in many fields such as communication, radar, health, and localization and navigation systems. The advancements in mathematical sciences and high speed computing had taken signal processing to a level where mostly all the technologies are depended on signal processing. In particular, we concentrate on signal processing for communication engineering, radar systems and localization and navigation focusing on various problems expected to be solved using signal processing solutions. In this project students develop novel signal processing algorithms using statistical signal processing techniques and analyse the system performance by means of rigorous mathematical analysis. The systems of interest to develop such signal processing algorithms include wireless communications, localization and navigation, sensor networks, and advanced radar systems. The application areas for the research may depend on any particular research projects that are running at the time and could range from 5G cognitive wireless communications, automotive and defence radar systems to global navigation systems. The prospective student is expected to have a solid academic and practical background in signal processing, random processes, probability and statistics and also good software skills for simulating algorithms and systems. \n\nReferences:\n[1] F. Tang, Survey on Machine Learning for Intelligent End-to-End Communication Toward 6G: From Network Access, Routing to Traffic Control and Streaming Adaption, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials\nYear: 2021 | Volume: 23,\n[2] E. Bj\u00f6rnson, et. al, Twenty-Five Years of Signal Processing Advances for Multiantenna Communications: From theory to mainstream technology,  IEEE Signal Processing Magazine ( Volume: 40, Issue: 4, June 2023)\n[3] H. Tan, et. al, Detection of Jamming Attacks for the Physical-Layer Authentication,  IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications ( Early Access )\n May 2023 , DOI: 10.1109\/TWC.2023.3272337\n[4] Felix, Resilient Machine Learning for Networked Cyber Physical Systems: A Survey for Machine Learning Security to Securing Machine Learning for CPS, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials\nYear: 2021 | Volume: 23, \n[5] W. Lui, et.al, Twenty-Five Years of Sensor Array and Multichannel Signal Processing: A review of progress to date and potential research directions, \n IEEE Signal Processing Magazine ( Volume: 40, Issue: 4, June 2023)\n[6]. S. Kandeepan, A. Giorgetti, Cognitive Radio Techniques: Spectrum Sensing, Interference Mitigation and Localization, Artech House, 2012 ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Sound-Light-Electricity coupling in Atomically Thin Two-dimensional Materials for Broadband Light detection","description":"Photodetectors capture and convert light into electrical signals. There is a huge demand for miniaturised broadband photodetectors for emerging applications including autonomous self-driving cars, night vision, cameras, optical fiber communication, microscopes, and others. While atomically thin Two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides have shown great promise, these materials are often limited to detecting a narrow part of the wavelength spectrum. \n \n An intriguing strategy that this project explores within the Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL) at RMIT is the use high frequency (>10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations in the form of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) [1-3] to efficiently couple with 2D optoelectronic nanomaterials for an enhanced photosensitivity. The sound-light-electricity (i.e. Phonon-photon-electron) coupling is an intriguing effect that is not only expected to modulate the band gap of the 2D material, but also provides the requisite momentum for indirect band gap transition of the photoexcited charge carriers, to enable broadband photodetection beyond the visible light range.\n \n Within the project, the student will therefore continue to uncover more of the intriguing fundamental aspects of the sound wave coupling to different 2D nanomaterials to produce highly sensitive broadband optoelectronic devices. Students will also have access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication cleanrooms at the RMIT MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) and the advanced microscopy tools (atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy) at the RMIT Microscopy & Microanalysis Facility (RMMF).\n \n [1] Rezk, A.R., et al, 2016. Advanced materials, 28(10), pp.1970-1975.\n \n [2] Rezk, A.R., et al, 2016. Nano letters, 16(2), pp.849-855.\n \n [3] Rezk, A.R., et al, 2021. Advanced Science, 8(1), p.2001983.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amir Ebrahimi","title":"Liquid metals enabled tunable and reconfigurable microwave circuits","description":"The very rapid advances in the wireless communication in recent years is driven by a continuous increase in the number of wireless facilities, standards, and services. This necessitates the development of multi-standard and reconfigurable transceivers capable of changing their operation modes [1]. Tunable circuits and components are essential building blocks of such systems [2]. The tunable components are conventionally designed using solid-state components like varactors and PIN diodes or using the microelectromechanical (MEMs) devices. The solid-state components offer wide tuning ranges together with fast tuning speed. However, they suffer from nonlinearity and low power handling [3]. The linearity is a very critical factor specially in the modern multi-carrier communication systems with large crest factors due to the non-constant envelop. MEMs devices offer better linearity with moderate power handling and lower insertion loss. However, MEMs are usually implemented as switches thus offer discrete tuning. Such challenges led the evolution of new tuning technologies such as liquid metals (LMs). The LMs-based tuning approach is promising in terms of linearity, and high power handling together with the possibility of continuous tuning [4]. \n \n This project aims is to investigate the design and implementation of liquid metals-based planar tunable and reconfigurable microwave components and circuits such as filters, phase shifters, power dividers\/combiners, and matching networks. With the aid of microfluidic technology, such devices are expected to address the significant challenge of linearity and power handling in the emerging reconfigurable multi-standard communication systems.\n \n [1] E. G. Rodriguez, Reconfigurable transceiver architecture for multiband RF-frontends. Springer, 2016. \n [2]A. Ebrahimi, T. Baum, J. Scott, and K. Ghorbani, \"Continuously tunable dual-mode bandstop filter,\" IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 419-421, 2018.\n [3] S. N. McClung, S. Saeedi, and H. H. Sigmarsson, \"Band-reconfigurable filter with liquid metal actuation,\" IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. 3073-3080, 2018.\n [4] K. Entesari and A. P. Saghati, \"Fluidics in microwave components,\" IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 50-75, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amir Ebrahimi","title":"Near field microwave probe for skin cancer diagnosis","description":"According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, skin cancer causes more deaths than transport accidents in Australia. An average of two in three Australians are likely to develop skin cancer by the age of 70 [1]. Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer as it can metastasize and spread to other organs, leading to death. Research shows that the five-year survival rate of malignant melanoma can be around 99% if it is detected immediately after its outbreak [2]. \n \n The visual diagnosis of skin cancer requires a high level of experience and training. Meanwhile, diagnosis of early-stage melanomas is particularly difficult even for a skilled dermatologist. Thus, new technologies have to evolve to overcome the limitations of visual inspections. Microwave technology is a promising approach since the healthy skin and cancer can be distinguished with high specificity based on their dielectric properties. Cancerous tissues have a higher water content than health healthy skin tissue, resulting in a significantly higher absorption of microwave energy [3].\n This project aims to develop a near filed microwave probe for accurate and real-time detection of skin cancer. The probe will be designed and fabricated using the low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology offering a compact size. Furthermore, a high consistency between the dielectric properties of high-permittivity ceramic substrate and skin tissue, the probe can operate in direct contact with the skin when taking measurements. This allows microwave signals to better penetrate the skin and results in highly accurate detection results.\n \n [1] G. Mansutti, et. Al, \"Millimeter-Wave Substrate Integrated Waveguide Probe for Skin Cancer Detection,\" in IEEE Trans. Biomedical Eng., vol. 67, no. 9, pp. 2462-2472, Sept. 2020.\n \n [2] P. Mehta, et. Al., \"Microwave reflectometry as a novel diagnostic tool for detection of skin cancers,\" in IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., vol. 55, no. 4, pp. 1309-1316, Aug. 2006.\n \n [3 ]F. T\u00c3\u00b6pfer, et. Al, \"Micromachined 100GHz near-field measurement probe for high-resolution microwave skin-cancer diagnosis,\" in Proc. IEEE\/MTT-S Int. Microw. Symp. Digest, , 2012, DOI: 10.1109\/MWSYM.2012.6259671.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amir Ebrahimi","title":"Integrated microwave sensors for chemicals and biologicals analysis","description":"Microwave-based test and measurement methods are of high interest among engineers and researchers due to their low cost, non-destructive, and real-time response [1]. Such advantages led to the development of microwave-based sensors and instruments for variety of applications from detection of mechanical movements, to sensors for identification of solid\n composites, chemical and biological agents [1]. More specifically, microwave sensors for liquids identification have found increased attention because of their label-free detection,\n which is highly demanded for medical purposes and bioanalysis [2]. The advances in the microfluidic technology in the last decade enabled analysis and manipulation of the liquid samples in the micro scales. The microfluidic technology has also been combined with the\n radio frequency circuits fabrication technologies resulting in the evolvement of microwave microfluidic sensors [3].\n \n The microwave circuit and microfluidic network are fabricated separately and the attached to each other using an external package\/holder in conventional sensors. Such a package increases the total size of the device not appropriate for integrated platforms. This project aims to develop microwave microfluidic sensors using low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. This significantly reduces the overall size and results in more robust and accurate detection that is highly desirable for lab on chip applications. LTCC offers inherent advantages such as chemical inertness, biocompatibility, high-temperature stability, excellent RF dielectric properties, all these together seem to be ideal for a lab on chip platform. The recently established LTCC fabrication facilities at RMIT, will guarantee access to state-of-the-art infrastructure to achieve a successful design device over different iteration cycles. \n \n [1]A. Ebrahimi, J. Scott, and K. Ghorbani, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ultrahigh-sensitivity microwave sensor for microfluidic complex permittivity measurement,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Techn., vol. 67, no. 10, pp. 4269\u00e2\u20ac\u201c4277, 2019.\n \n [2] M. Mertens, M. Chavoshi, O. Peytral-Rieu, K. Grenier, and D. Schreurs, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dielectric spectroscopy: Revealing the true colors of biological matter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Microw. Magazine, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 49\u00e2\u20ac\u201c62, 2023.\n \n [3] F. Artis, T. Chen, T. Chretiennot, J.-J. Fournie, M. Poupot, D. Dubuc, and K. Grenier, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Microwaving biological cells: Intracellular analysis with microwave dielectric spectroscopy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Microw. Magazine, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 87\u00e2\u20ac\u201c96, 2015.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baoyue Zhang","title":"Development of upcycling technology of wastes into high-end electronic nanomaterials and devices","description":"The world is facing a growing problem of waste management, as the volume of waste generated continues to increase with the growth of human population and consumption. At the same time, there is a growing demand for carbon-based nanomaterials such as graphene, which are essential components of cutting-edge technologies such as energy systems, sensors, and other electronic devices. The goal of this research project is to develop upcycling technology for transforming waste materials into carbon-based nanomaterials. Specifically, we will focus on the synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials from waste materials such as plastics, and electronic waste. By developing new methods for upcycling waste materials into graphene and its derivates, which can be further applied in consumer electronics, energy storage devices, sensors and beyond. This project aims to develop new technology to help build a complete circular economy across waste and advance electronic nanotechnology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baoyue Zhang","title":"Novel low-dimensional nanomaterials for full optical device applications","description":"This research project aims to investigate the nonlinear optical properties of 2D metal oxide materials and their potential applications in the fabrication of full optical devices such as sensors and switches. 2D metal oxide materials are a relatively new class of materials with unique electronic, optical, and mechanical properties that make them promising candidates for various applications in nanoelectronics, energy conversion, and optoelectronics.\n \n The nonlinear optical properties of 2D metal oxide materials will be explored through various experimental techniques such as second-harmonic generation (SHG). The ultimate goal of this research is to demonstrate the potential of 2D metal oxide materials for full optical device applications. The nonlinear optical properties of these materials can be harnessed to design new types of optical sensors, switches, and other devices that exhibit enhanced performance compared to existing devices. This research project will contribute to the fundamental understanding of the nonlinear optical properties of 2D metal oxide materials and will pave the way for their use in a wide range of applications in optoelectronics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianzhen Ou","title":"Upcycling of wastes into carbon-based high value products","description":"Our goal is to first develop a scalable conversion machine that transforms unsorted plastic wastes into graphene derivatives, which is a useful material especially in improving the performances of renewable energy storage devices. We will then create these value-added products in the form of electronic paste and apply them to supercapacitors for improving the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy systems featured with high power density, fast charging and discharging, and long cycle life. This approach will bridge the recycling industry with the energy storage sector in a low-cost manner. Each conversion will take within a few minutes, powered by an arc discharging that generates an extremely high temperature for a short time, cleaving all chemical bonds of plastics except carbon-carbon bonds. The remaining carbon elements are crystallized into graphene derivatives, while the rest vaporizes and exits the machine. To scale up production, we will use graphite-based fillers to ensure even heat distribution in the reaction chamber and maintain the conversion efficiency close to lab-scale results. Any gaseous by-products will be converted into value-added industry-grade salts by purging them into an alkaline solution. Additionally, we will test the feasibility of using converted graphene derivatives to fabricate supercapacitors and assess their electrical performances. Our project will benefit multiple users, including reducing plastic waste in landfills, improving renewable energy storage, and increasing the value of upcycled products.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng) \/ MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Md. Ataur Rahman, Madhu Bhaskaran, Sharath Sriram","title":"Electronic Somatosensors \u2013 Feedback Receptors for Artificial Skin and Eye","description":"Human skin and eyes consist of different receptors such as thermoreceptors sense heat or cold, Meissner\u2019s corpuscle senses touch, the nociceptor senses pain, the Pacinian corpuscle senses pressure, and the photoreceptor senses light. The receptors are the peripheral sensory nerves that detect noxious stimuli and generate rapid biomechanical warning signals to the central nervous system to avoid further damage from incoming harmful stimuli. The receptor accomplishes the complex task by the combination of four separate tasks known as threshold, relaxation, allodynia, and hyperalgesia behavior. By reducing the threshold and amplifying the response intensity, the receptor enables and enforces protective behavioral responses, such as withdrawal or avoidance of acute painful stimuli.\nThis project aims to investigate and develop a skin-like electronic receptor to detect optical stimuli and activate motor responses, mimicking human-like sensory perception. It aims to enhance humanoid robots' ability to react to the environment, making them safer and more efficient in industries like mining and space exploration. By bridging the gap between humans and robots, this technology enables advanced sensory capabilities for nuanced responses, ultimately improving human-robot interaction and expanding the range of tasks robots can perform.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401611 - Wearable materials, 400608 - Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave), 400909 - Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianzhen Ou, Baoyue Zhang","title":"Upcycling hard-to-recycle wastes into value-add materials","description":"Plastic products are commonly used for packing because of their lightweight, low cost, high flexibility, and durability. However, the poor degradability and extreme longevity of most plastic products result in a severe mass of waste accumulation in landfills, causing significant pollution to the soil, air, and waterways. According to the government report in 2018, a total of 3.4 million tons of plastics were consumed in Australia, but 320,000 tons were recycled which accounts for 9.4% only mostly due to the massive cost of sorting plastic waste as well as a significant amount of unrecyclable types of plastics. The carbon contents of plastic and tyre wastes are generally >70%, making them low-costalternative resources and therefore alleviating the environmental impact. This project is to develop an innovative method of flash heating, to convert the plastic particles into value add carbon material such as graphene and its derivates. Compared withconventional pyrolysis which typically happens in hours, such a conversion here only occurs in less than 1-2 minutes,presenting high energy and production efficiency with promising prospect for practical use. The master by research student is required to participate the project development with the research team, involving both experiment and paper work.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baoyue Zhang","title":"Innovative technology of upcycling hard-to-recycle materials into value-add materials","description":"Plastic products are commonly used for packing because of their lightweight, low cost, high flexibility, and durability. However, the poor degradability and extreme longevity of most plastic products result in a severe mass of waste accumulation in landfills, causing significant pollution to the soil, air, and waterways. According to the government report in 2018, a total of 3.4 million tons of plastics were consumed in Australia, but 320,000 tons were recycled which accounts for 9.4% only mostly due to the massive cost of sorting plastic waste as well as a significant amount of unrecyclable types of plastics. The carbon contents of plastic and tyre wastes are generally >70%, making them low-costalternative resources and therefore alleviating the environmental impact. This project is to develop an innovative method of flash heating, to convert the plastic particles into value add carbon material such as graphene and its derivates. Compared withconventional pyrolysis which typically happens in hours, such a conversion here only occurs in less than 1-2 minutes,presenting high energy and production efficiency with promising prospect for practical use. The master by research student is required to participate the project development with the research team, involving both experiment and paper work.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-efficient scheduling in distributed server farms","description":"World-wide customer demands for various Internet services are dramatically increasing during past decades. A parallel growth has occurred in the IP traffic of data centers and the markets of computing and storage infrastructures. Rapid growth of heterogeneous network service requirements and wide deployment of network applications have driven fundamental changes to the Internet. Network virtualization has become one of the most promising methodologies for deployment in current networks to mitigate problems associated with legacy structures, which enables substrate physical networks to be shared by multiple Virtual Networks (VNs) customized to the requirements of various customers. \n \n This project aims to improve existing physical resource allocation algorithms in large-scale network scheduling problems that raised in modern data centers. Specifically, we focus on geographically deployed networks with wired components, and networked server systems located in big data centers. These problems are significantly complicated by enormous system sizes, heterogeneity of Internet services and substrate physical components and uncertainty of Internet demands. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as Markov decision process and queueing process), applied probability and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-efficient scheduling in distributed Data centers","description":"World-wide customer demands for various Internet services are dramatically increasing during past decades. A parallel growth has occurred in the IP traffic of data centers and the markets of computing and storage infrastructures. Rapid growth of heterogeneous network service requirements and wide deployment of network applications have driven fundamental changes to the Internet. Network virtualization has become one of the most promising methodologies for deployment in current networks to mitigate problems associated with legacy structures, which enables substrate physical networks to be shared by multiple Virtual Networks (VNs) customized to the requirements of various customers. \n \n This project aims to improve existing physical resource allocation algorithms in large-scale network scheduling problems that raised in modern data centers. Specifically, we focus on geographically deployed networks with wired components, and networked server systems located in big data centers. These problems are significantly complicated by enormous system sizes, heterogeneity of Internet services and substrate physical components and uncertainty of Internet demands. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as Markov decision process and queueing process), applied probability and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-Efficient Scheduling in Wireless Network Slicing","description":"In modern networks, mobile service providers (MSPs) are expected to simultaneously support vertical slices of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing wireless traffic driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. Wireless network slicing (WNS) technique, which is built based on network function virtualization and software defined network schemes, has been applied to consolidate wireless applications on substrate physical facilities with higher flexibility and lower cost. In particular, this project focuses on the trade-off between the energy efficiency and service level agreement of wireless networks with highly dense user population. The problem is complicated by the heterogeneity of mobile applications potentially sharing the same physical facilities, the difference between wireless facilities with limited service capacities, and the large population of mobile users. Stochastic processes and restless\/non-restless multi-armed bandit techniques, which have been studied with great potential in above mentioned fields [3] and have been applied to similar problems in prestigious publications [1][2], will be used as mathematical tools for modeling and analyzing. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as queueing process), network optimization and wireless communications, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.\n \n [1] J. Fu, B. Moran, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Energy-Efficient Job-Assignment Policy with Asymptotically Guaranteed Performance Deviation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, t IEEE\/ACM Transactions on Networking, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 1325-1338, Apr. 2020.\n [2] Q. Wang, J. Fu, J. Wu, B. Moran, M. Zukerman, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Energy-Efficient Priority-Based Scheduling for Wireless Network Slicing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, in Proc. IEEE Globecom 2018, Abu Dhabi, UAE, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c6, Dec. 2018. \n [3] J. Fu, B. Moran, P. Taylor, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Restless Bandits in Action: Resource Allocation, Competition and Reservation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, INFORMS Operations Research, Mar. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation in Wireless Network Slicing","description":"In modern networks, mobile service providers (MSPs) are expected to simultaneously support vertical slices of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing wireless traffic driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. Wireless network slicing (WNS) technique, which is built based on network function virtualization and software defined network schemes, has been applied to consolidate wireless applications on substrate physical facilities with higher flexibility and lower cost. In particular, this project focuses on the trade-off between the energy efficiency and service level agreement of wireless networks with highly dense user population. The problem is complicated by the heterogeneity of mobile applications potentially sharing the same physical facilities, the difference between wireless facilities with limited service capacities, and the large population of mobile users. Stochastic processes and restless\/non-restless multi-armed bandit techniques, which have been studied with great potential in above mentioned fields and have been applied to similar problems in prestigious publications, will be used as mathematical tools for modeling and analyzing. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as queueing process), network optimization and wireless communications, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Cooperative Resource Allocation for Internet-of-Things (IoT) \u2013 Reinforcement-Learning-Based Algorithms","description":"Rapidly increasing Internet traffic has motivated developments of various applications that enables Internet access everywhere and every time and concluded as Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems. Future IoT systems are expected to simultaneously support parallel accesses of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing numbers of wireless sensors\/receivers\/transmitters driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. We aim to balance the holding costs and the profits of the wireless access system, exploring a large number of widely deployed sensing and network devices in a cooperative manner. The resulting problem is significantly complicated by the scale of the communication system and the heterogeneity of devices and applications, where exact optimal solutions are usually intractable. We then resort to efficient heuristics with rapid reactions and eliminated performance degradation. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of signal processing, stochastic process (such as Markov decision process) and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Cooperative Resource Allocation for Internet-of-Things (IoT) \u2013 Reinforcement-Learning-Based Algorithms","description":"Rapidly increasing Internet traffic has motivated developments of various applications that enables Internet access everywhere and every time and concluded as Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems. Future IoT systems are expected to simultaneously support parallel accesses of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing numbers of wireless sensors\/receivers\/transmitters driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. We aim to balance the holding costs and the profits of the wireless access system, exploring a large number of widely deployed sensing and network devices in a cooperative manner. The resulting problem is significantly complicated by the scale of the communication system and the heterogeneity of devices and applications, where exact optimal solutions are usually intractable. We then resort to efficient heuristics with rapid reactions and eliminated performance degradation. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of signal processing, stochastic process (such as Markov decision process) and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kandeepan Sithamparanathan","title":"6G Wireless and Mobile Communication with Artificial Intelligence","description":"The next generation (6G) communication system has to surpass the previous generations in regards to the offered rate and achievable capacity with improved latency and energy efficiency. In this project the student investigates wireless communications and the network infrastructure that supports beyond 5G and 6G systems. In particular the access strategies, transmission strategies, scheduling strategies and network control and management strategies are to be investigated along with meeting the energy efficiency, throughput and latency. The prospective student is expected to have a solid academic background in wireless communications, mathematical analysis with good software skills for simulating communication systems. \n \n References: \n [1] Demos Serghiou; et. al, Terahertz Channel Propagation Phenomena, Measurement Techniques and Modeling for 6G Wireless Communication Applications: A Survey, Open Challenges and Future Research Directions, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 2022\n \n [2] Wen Tong; Geoffrey Ye Li, Nine Challenges in Artificial Intelligence and Wireless Communications for 6G. IEEE Wireless Communications, 2022 \n \n [3] Cheng-Xiang Wang;, et. al, On the Road to 6G: Visions, Requirements, Key Technologies and Testbeds, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 2023\n \n  [4]. S. Kandeepan, A. Giorgetti, Cognitive Radio Techniques: Spectrum Sensing, Interference Mitigation and Localization, Artech House, 2012","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kandeepan Sithamparanathan","title":"Space, Satellite and Unmanned-Aerial Communications with Intelligence","description":"The development of mega-constellation based satellite systems and the advancements in UAV based applications have prompted a lot of challenges related to communicating with the airborne stations at specific altitudes. In this project the students develop novel techniques and solutions for transmissions and the network infrastructure for space\/satellite and aerial based communications. In particular the students work on channel modelling, novel modulation and coding schemes, dynamic spectrum access solutions, intelligent radio access and resource allocations strategies. The prospective student is expected to have a solid academic background in communications theory, random processes, probability and statistics and also good software skills for simulating algorithms and systems. Any knowledge on airborne platforms and systems would be an added advantage to the research project. \n \n References:\n [1] B Al Homssi, A Al-Hourani, K Wang, P Conder, S Kandeepan, J Choi,Next generation mega satellite networks for access equality: Opportunities, challenges, and performance, IEEE Communications Magazine 60 (4), 18-24, 2022\n \n [2] S Kandeepan, L De Nardis, MG Di Benedetto, A Guidotti, GE Corazza, Cognitive satellite terrestrial radios, IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference GLOBECOM 2010\n \n [3] Ruoqi Deng, et. al, Ultra-Dense LEO Satellite Constellations: How Many LEO Satellites Do We Need?, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 2021\n \n [4] Dong-Hyun Jung; et. al, Performance Analysis of Satellite Communication System Under the Shadowed-Rician Fading: A Stochastic Geometry Approach, IEEE Transactions on Communications\n Year: Dong-Hyun, 2022","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Wang","title":"Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Sensors and Telecommunications","description":"Machine learning and artificial intelligence, such as deep neural networks, have great capability in recovering the received data from sensors and telecommunication systems. They can mitigate various types of impairments imposed onto the data. They are also capable of monitoring the performance of sensor networks and communication systems, to realise efficient resource allocation, network management, and predictive control. Machine learning algorithms (mainly focus on neural networks) will be investigated in sensors. One example to be studied is LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging. LiDAR has attracted substantial interests during the past several years. It is capable of obtaining the 3D representation of the target with high resolution and has a wide range of applications, including geography, atmospheric physics, laser guidance, agriculture, biology, and the recently emerging autonomous vehicles (such as the Google driverless car which is currently known as Waymo). Machine learning techniques can significantly improve the current spatial and angular resolution limitations in LiDAR, enhance the sensing of low signal-to-noise ratio objects, and realise intelligent LiDAR sensing and detection.\n Telecommunication system is another area to be investigated in this project. One target system is the radio-over-fibre (RoF) system, which is widely considered as a promising solution for future 5G fronthaul and backhaul, it suffers from severe fibre dispersion, ASE noise, and nonlinearity induced by modulation, fibre and optical detection. Preliminary results have shown that neural networks can suppress these impairments and improve the system performance considerably. Another target system is the optical wireless communication system, which is capable of providing over gigabit-per-second wireless connections. This project mainly involves studying machine learning (focusing on neural networks) algorithms and techniques, and investigating sensor networks and high-speed communication systems based on neural networks.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Wang","title":"Solid-State Silicon Integrated LiDAR \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Key Devices and Functions","description":"LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, has attracted substantial interests during the past several years. It measures the distance to a target by sending out pulsed laser lights and measuring the reflected signals. It is capable of obtaining the 3D representation of the target with high resolution and has a wide range of applications, including geography, atmospheric physics, laser guidance, agriculture, biology, and the recently emerging autonomous vehicles (such as the Google driverless car which is currently known as Waymo). LiDAR typically consists of four parts: the light source, the beam scanning and pattern generation unit, the detector, and the signal processing part. Although being widely studied and even utilised, current LiDAR still has several fundamental limitations, such as the limited spatial and angular resolutions, low scanning\/sensing speed, large size, and high cost, especially for consumer grade applications such as the autonomous driving. This project aims to (A) investigate solid-state LiDAR based on the silicon integration platform, especially the light scanning and pattern generation unit, to realise small-size, integrated, low-cost and advanced LiDAR systems; (B) break the spatial\/angular resolution limitation through dense integration and innovative crosstalk-suppression mechanism; and (C) investigate the application of solid-state silicon integrated LiDAR in the autonomous driving application.\n This project involves silicon integrated photonic devices and circuit analysis, design, simulation, fabrication, implementation, and demonstration. The integrated circuit will be fabricated locally using the state-of-art Micro-Nano Research Facility (MNRF) at RMIT University.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Wang","title":"Terahertz Communications \u00e2\u20ac\u201c High-Speed Wireless Communications in 6G and Beyond","description":"With the exponential growth of wireless services, mobile traffic has increased by more than an order-of-magnitude over the past 5 years and is predicted to reach over 300 Zettabyte (EB) per month. To facilitate the rising and pressing demand, exploring new regions of the electromagnetic spectrum is vital since the conventional microwave band is highly congested. This urgent need has been seen in 5G, where the new millimetre-wave (mm-wave) band has enabled >10 times higher system capacity. To meet the continuous explosive growth in the future 6G and beyond, even higher terahertz (THz) band has been considered as the key enabler, which has broad and unlicensed spectra to accommodate 10-100 times larger capacity. Terahertz wireless communications are envisioned to provide high-speed mobile backhaul, leveraging optical fibre to provide wireless mobile fronthaul connections, and to realise wireless data centre networks targeted at traffic bursts.\n \n Whilst significant progress has been achieved recently, the terahertz communication is still facing a number of fundamental challenges to meet future 6G and beyond requirements, which is predicted to be deployed by 2028-2030. Hence, this project will investigate key technologies in terahertz communications, including fundamental waveform design, advanced signal processing (both conventional and machine learning based), spatial domain MIMO principles, key device and transceiver integration, and intelligent resource allocation and network management. Large capacity, low power consumption and high reliability terahertz communication technologies are expected as the outcomes of this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Madhu Bhaskaran","title":"Wearable and nearable devices","description":"MOTIVATION\n Electronics that bend, twist, and stretch and merge with their environment represent the future of technology. With all pervasive devices interconnected through internet-of-things platforms, making devices unobtrusive is critical. Such technology can be applied to electronics, healthcare, and defence. This research project explores the incorporating of ultra-thin oxide films with elastomeric substrates. Combining inherently brittle oxides with stretchable polymers creates new functionality.\n This will be harnessed for a range of sensing technologies to monitor the environment and personal health.\n RESEARCH OUTCOMES\n The research program intends to create wearable sensor technologies. Focus areas include dangerous gas detection, ultra-violet exposure, physiological parameters, and biomarker tracking. Devices would measure such parameters and incorporate wireless technology that is either passive or active.\n CANDIDATE ACTIVITIES\n The research candidate would be expected to produce high quality research publications, actively participate in promoting their outcomes through the media (including social media), and develop strong research communication and commercialisation skills.\n RESEARCH TEAM\n The candidate would undertake their research with the Functional Materials and Microsystems research team and the ARC Industry Hub for Connected Sensors for Health. The team focusses on discoveries in materials science and device engineering at the convergence of electronics, applied physics, and physical chemistry. The Functional Materials and Microsystems research team brings together a diverse group of researchers with expertise in micro\/nanofabrication, thin films synthesis, materials characterisation, condensed matter physics, surface chemistry, and electronic engineering.\n RESEARCH FACILITIES\n The candidate with have access to the University\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s flagship research facilities \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the state-of-the-art $30 million Micro Nano Research Facility for thin film processing and cleanroom-based fabrication and the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility for materials characterisation. This will be complemented with extensive nanoelectronic device characterisation equipment in the Functional Materials and Microsystems Laboratory.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Madhu Bhaskaran","title":"Multi-stimuli thin films for tomorrow\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s electronics and optics","description":"MOTIVATION\n Multi-stimuli materials, as the name suggests, can be tuned using various stimuli including heat, electricity, light, and strain. One such example is a phase change material such as vanadium oxide which transforms from an insulator to conductor with heat or an external electric field. The potential to combine tuning approaches creates immense opportunities for observing never before seen phenomena in inorganic materials and such technology can be applied to electronics, optics, and defence.\n RESEARCH OUTCOMES\n The project will explore tunable thin films \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the deposition conditions of these films will be tailored to maximise performance. Various stimuli will be utilised to trigger the response, whose area dependence will also be studied and the outcomes could be used to tailor materials synthesis, the application of stimuli, and device design for maximum response and long-term stability and repeatability. Applications can be envisioned ranging from optics (smart contact lenses) to defence (UV and infrared-imaging arrays) to futuristic artificial intelligence (memories). \n CANDIDATE ACTIVITIES\n The research candidate would be expected to produce high quality research publications, actively participate in promoting their outcomes through the media (including social media), and develop strong research communication and commercialisation skills.\n RESEARCH TEAM\n The candidate would undertake their research within the Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group and ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS). TMOS aims to develop the next generation of smart and miniaturised optical systems and is committed to develop a multidisciplinary, dynamic, inclusive and collaborative culture fostering future research leaders who thrive in academic excellence and are equipped with strong transferable skills. As a PhD candidate, TMOS will provide you mentoring, networking, outreach career development opportunities as well as exposure to international and industry partners. \n RESEARCH FACILITIES\n The candidate with have access to the University\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s flagship research facilities \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the state-of-the-art Micro Nano Research Facility for thin film processing and cleanroom-based fabrication and the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility for materials characterisation. This will be complemented with access to advanced nanophotonic characterisation and electronic device characterisation equipment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"6G Mobile Cellular Edge Design and Security","description":"The project aims to design the 6G mobile cellular EDGE and to build security into the EDGE. The EDGE is the interface between core networks and the radio access network (RAN) in a mobile cellular network [1]. This is an exciting project that aims to achieve protocols and security for a key part of 6G networks. The research focus includes use cases, system architecture and enabling technologies for 6G EDGE deployment scenarios [2].\n The project will focus on innovative design and an approach that takes into account product and service delivery at the EDGE. The activities involved will include modelling, protocol design and integration of advanced encryption techniques including block-chain where appropriate.\n The 6G EDGE is a major point for aggregation and service injection to the RAN. There are significant challenges for 6G and the EDGE design encompasses intelligence, new routing and service delivery approaches, enhanced reliability, lower latency and overall efficiency [3].\n References:\n [1] Soldani, D., Shore, M., Mitchell, J., & Gregory, M. A. (2018). The 4G to 5G Network Architecture Evolution in Australia. Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, 6(4), 1-30. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18080\/jtde.v6n4.161\n [2] Niu, Z., (2019). Mobility-Enhanced Edge inTelligence (MEET) for 6G. 6G Wireless Summit. 26 March 2019. Online: https:\/\/www.6gsummit.com\/2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Day3_Session6_Niu_Tsinghua_University.pdf\n [3] Letaief, K.B., Chen. W., Shi, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y.A., (2019) The Roadmap to 6G: AI Empowered Wireless Networks, IEEE Communications Magazine. 57. 84-90. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/MCOM.2019.1900271","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"Next Generation Network Design and Capacity Planning","description":"This project will involve the modelling and analysis of wireless, mobile, satellite and fixed networks leading to the design of a next generation network design and capacity planning. The advancing need for high speed low latency traffic flows over carrier networks has highlighted the requirements for new design and capacity planning techniques that reduce the complexity of existing networks. The project will focus on new and innovative approaches to network design and capacity planning utilising an online environment and leading edge techniques. Techniques investigated include a connection oriented transport model that reduces the IP overhead, reduces latency and enhances traffic management and control by shifting to a Software Defined Networking (SDN) paradigm, 6G and wireless networking and connectivity and capacity planning for all fibre networking.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"Smart Telecommunication Networks and Data Aggregation, Arbitration and Security","description":"The project will model, analyse and design a communication network and management systems for smart cities [1]. The advent of the Internet of Things and the introduction of sensors, smart devices and other systems has meant that there is a need for new technologies, networks and systems to support telecommunications in smart cities, buildings and for vehicular networking as a focused research area of the work being carried out on smart cities [2][3].\n A key aspect of the myriad of devices being installed in smart cities and buildings is the management of the installation and operation of the communication network and the aggregation and secure arbitration of data distribution. There is a need to remove privacy related information prior to the data leaving the smart network and being distributed to the key stakeholders and this arbitration system must be able to aggregated traffic and work with multiple equipment vendors and carriers.\n The modelling and analysis will focus on traffic aggregation, arbitration and distribution between the Cloud, key stakeholders and the myriad of devices being connected to the network in smart cities [4]. The modelling and analysis outcomes should provide the basis for a smart city communication network design that utilizes the software defined networking paradigm.\n References:\n [1]. A. Zanella, N. Bui, A. Castellani, L. Vangelista and M. Zorzi, \"Internet of Things for Smart Cities,\" in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 22-32, Feb. 2014. doi: 10.1109\/JIOT.2014.2306328 [2]. J. Pan, R. Jain, S. Paul, T. Vu, A. Saifullah and M. Sha, \"An Internet of Things Framework for Smart Energy in Buildings: Designs, Prototype, and Experiments,\" in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 2, no. 6, pp. 527-537, Dec. 2015. doi: 10.1109\/JIOT.2015.2413397 [3]. Talari, S.; Shafie-khah, M.; Siano, P.; Loia, V.; Tommasetti, A.; Catal\u00c3\u00a3o, J.P.S. A Review of Smart Cities Based on the Internet of Things Concept. Energies 2017, 10, 421. [4]. Petrolo Riccardo, Loscr\u00c3\u00ac Valeria, and Mitton Nathalie (2017), Towards a smart city based on cloud of things, a survey on the smart city vision and paradigms, Trans. Emerging Tel. Tech., 28: e2931. doi:10.1002\/ett.2931","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"Smart Communication Networks","description":"This project will involve the modelling, analysis and design of communication networks for smart cities. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are expected to play a crucial role in the sustainable development of new urban environments [1]. There is a need for smart city communication networks that meet the requirements for technology-intensive cities.\n The project will focus on enhancing the efficient distribution of traffic within smart cities by designing a communication network model that satisfies the low latency, flexible traffic requirements that meet the needs of sensor networks, control systems, energy distribution and smart utility solutions.\n The idea of a smart city has been with us for a couple of decades and now we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re rapidly moving towards the implementation of a technological solution for the digital world in which we live today [1]. The expansion of smart devices into the urban environment is placing existing telecommunication networks under increasing pressure and the solution is the design and implementation of smart city communication networks that are able to provide the low latency and high traffic volumes expected as more discrete devices are connected to the network [3]. The modelling and analysis will focus on traffic aggregation and distribution between the Cloud and the myriad of devices being connected to the network in smart cities [4]. The modelling and analysis outcomes should provide the basis for a smart city communication network design that utilizes the software defined networking paradigm.\n References:\n [1]. Fabrice Theoleyre, Thomas Watteyne, Giuseppe Bianchi, Gurkan Tuna, V. Cagri Gungor, and Ai-Chun Pang. 2015. Networking and communications for smart cities special issue editorial. Comput. Commun. 58, C (March 2015), 1-3. DOI=https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.comcom.2015.02.001 [2]. Anthopoulos, L.G., (2015) Understanding the Smart City Domain: A Literature Review, M. P. Rodr\u00c3\u00adguez-Bol\u00c3\u00advar (ed.), Transforming City Governments for Successful Smart Cities, Public Administration and Information Technology 8, doi:10.1007\/978-3-319-03167-5_2 [3]. Talari, S.; Shafie-khah, M.; Siano, P.; Loia, V.; Tommasetti, A.; Catal\u00c3\u00a3o, J.P.S. A Review of Smart Cities Based on the Internet of Things Concept. Energies 2017, 10, 421. [4]. Petrolo Riccardo, Loscr\u00c3\u00ac Valeria, and Mitton Nathalie (2017), Towards a smart city based on cloud of things, a survey on the smart city vision and paradigms, Trans. Emerging Tel. Tech., 28: e2931. doi:10.1002\/ett.2931","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shuo Li","title":"6G Mobile Cellular Design","description":"Moving to the intelligent digital world in the near future requires reliable data connectivity. Mobile networks, which are called data highways, are needed to connect everything in the intelligent digital world, which includes connecting people to sensors, data, cloud services, vehicles and any other digital devices. The currently deploying fifth-generation wireless networks may be unable to meet the full connectivity and unlimited bandwidth demands of the future digital society [1]. 6G networks, which are said to be emerged around 2030, are expected to provide performance superior to 5G and satisfy the requirements of the intelligent digital world [2]. This project aims to design new architecture and protocols for the 6G cellular network to meet new challenges, e.g. frequencies up to terahertz, unlimited bandwidth, microsecond latency [3] and the high demand for EDGE computing [2].\n \n The research focus includes enabling technologies for 6G EDGE deployment [2], use case and stem architecture design for 6G networks and new performance models for 6G networks. The activities involved will include modelling, protocol design and integration of advanced encryption techniques, including block-chain where appropriate.\n \n \n \n \n References:\n [1] M. Giordani, M. Polese, M. Mezzavilla, S. Rangan and M. Zorzi, \"Toward 6G Networks: Use Cases and Technologies,\" in IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 55-61, March 2020. \n [2] Niu, Z., (2019). Mobility-Enhanced Edge inTelligence (MEET) for 6G. 6G Wireless Summit. 26 March 2019. Online: http:\/\/www.6gsummit.com\/2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Day3_Session6_Niu_Tsinghua_University.pdf\n [3] Letaief, K.B., Chen. W., Shi, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y.A., (2019) The Roadmap to 6G: AI Empowered Wireless Networks, IEEE Communications Magazine. 57. 84-90. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/MCOM.2019.1900271","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wayne Rowe","title":"Meta-atoms and Meta-surfaces, including Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and Frequency-selective surfaces (FSS)","description":"Meta-surfaces are thin planar surfaces comprising array of specifically engineered subwavelength elements (called Meta-atoms). They are commonly utilized to customize the electromagnetic fields and wave propagation response to suit a particular guiding, transmission or reflection scenario. The numerous advantages of employing metasurfaces in microwave engineering have been exploited over the past few years. However, there is still keen interest in the investigation of meta-atoms\/meta-surfaces to enable unique methods of frequency selective beam shaping and scanning for integrated antenna and guiding structures [1, 2]. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) will become a key component deployed in beyond 5G and 6G wireless communication systems. The split-ring resonator (SRR) is a popular building block of metamaterial-based resonant devices in the microwave regime [3, 4].\n Your research will investigate novel advanced meta-atom and meta-surface structures for applications in the microwave, millimeter wave and terahertz regimes. The work will leverage off advanced fabrication facilities at RMIT, namely the MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) and the new Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) capability. Applications in the communications space (for example, beyond 5G and 6G devices and systems), sensors and sensing system, defence and biomedical fields are all possible avenues for exploration.\n \n References:\n [1] Asif Ahmed, Md. Rokunuzzaman Robel, and Wayne S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Reconfigurable Dual-Beam Lensing Utilizing an EBG-Based Anisotropic Impedance Surface\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. 68, Iss. 1, 2020.\n [2] Asif Ahmed, Md. Rokunuzzaman Robel, and Wayne S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dual-Band Two-Sided Beam Generation Utilizing an EBG-Based Periodically Modulated Metasurface\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 68, Iss. 4, 2020.\n [3] R. A. Awang, T. Baum, M. Nasabi, S. Sriram, W. S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mechanically Tolerant Fluidic Split Ring Resonators\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 25, pp. 075023, 2016.\n [4] I. E. Khodasevych, G. Kostovski, W. S. T. Rowe and A. Mitchell, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nonlinear microwave metamaterial resonators using gravitational restoring force realized on a microfabricated perforated substrate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Applied Physics Letters, vol. 105, 181908, 2014.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wayne Rowe","title":"Flexible and Wearable Communications Devices, Antennas and Circuits Utilising Novel Materials","description":"The revenue of flexible electronics has estimated to be USD$30 billion in 2017 and over USD$300 billion by 2028 [1]. Advantages of being lightweight, low-cost and straightforward fabrication, and the availability of inexpensive flexible substrates such as paper, textiles, and polymers make flexible electronic devices and systems an ideal choice for next generation of consumer electronics. \n The efficiency of flexible radio frequency (RF) communication and sensing systems is highly dependent on the characteristics of the integrated antenna and passive RF components. The nature of these flexible\/wearable wireless technologies requires the implementation of light weight, compact, and low profile antennas and RF devices that are tolerant to mechanical manipulation [2-4]. In addition, flexible\/wearable devices may need to exhibit mechanical characteristics such as conformability, stretchability, and reversible deformity, as well as eliminating the need for external electronic wiring and interconnections. \n Your research will investigate novel RF devices and structures for applications in the high frequency telecommunication, biomedical, and defence applications in the wearable and flexible technology fields. The work will leverage off the advanced fabrication facilities of the MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) or the advanced 3D structural fabrication technologies of RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s new Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) capability to create novel RF or microwave devices, circuits and antennas.\n \n References:\n [1] J. Hu, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Overview of Flexible Electronics from ITRI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Viewpoint,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d VLSI Test Symposium (VTS), pp.19-22, 2010.\n [2] Robiatun A Awang, Thomas Baum, Kyle J Berean, Pyshar Yi, Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, Sharath Sriram, Wayne ST Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Elastomeric composites for flexible microwave substrates\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 119, Iss. 12, 124109, 2016.\n [3] R. A. Awang, T. Baum, M. Nasabi, S. Sriram, W. S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mechanically Tolerant Fluidic Split Ring Resonators\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 25, pp. 075023, 2016.\n [4] R. A. Awang, F. J. Tovar-Lopez, T. Baum, S. Sriram, W. S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Meta-atom microfluidic sensor for measurement of dielectric properties of liquids\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 121, 094506, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wayne Rowe","title":"Wireless Power Transfer for Biomedical applications","description":"Bioelectronic medicine is a novel and emerging approach to treat and diagnose disease and injury. It is believed that therapy of the future will employ heat, light, electricity and agents yet unknown, and toxic drugs shall cede their place to physical agents. Hence, future medical treatment will be based on electroceuticals rather than pharmaceuticals. It is possible that instead of prescriptions for chemical molecules doctors will prescribe specific frequencies, voltages and currents!\n \n Miniature implantable electronic devices will play increasing roles in modern medicine (e.g. [1]). In order to implement these devices successfully with minimal intrusion, Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology is proposed as it provides an alternative to a battery as the energy source. It also can substantially reduce the size of the implant, allowing the implant to be placed in a restricted space within the body, reduce both medical costs and chances of complications, and eliminates repeated surgeries for battery replacements.\n \n References:\n [1] Robert A. Gaunt and Arthur Prochazka, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Transcutaneously Coupled, High-Frequency\n Electrical Stimulation of the Pudendal Nerve Blocks External Urethral Sphincter Contractions\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 23 No. 6, 2009, pp. 615-626.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongxiang Li","title":"Advanced 2D Piezoelectric Materials and Micro-Nano-Devices","description":"The emergence of piezoelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) nanocrystals are now more than just a theoretical curiosity, as very recently mechanical to electric field transformation has been experimentally demonstrated. This project aims to establish a new paradigm for 2D piezoelectric and ferroelectric theory; to discover 2D nanocrystals with the highest piezoelectricity, and multi-functionalize the materials via doping and tailoring of the structures. The project will design, model, and fabricate NanoElectroMechanical Systems (NEMS) based on new ferroelectric\/piezoelectric 2D materials in the Micro Nano Research Facility (MNRF) which supports research and training in micro and nano-scale materials, devices and integrated systems, by providing access to state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure and expert technical and development staff. The MNRF provides capability and capacity for research, fabrication, characterisation, integration and packaging of chips, sensors, functionalised materials and devices. The PhD project is available for students interested in undertaking cutting-edge research into new 2D materials preparations, piezoelectric properties and Micro-Nano-Devices as part of ARC DP project, working in a multidisciplinary team in physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongxiang Li","title":"3D printed piezoelectric structures and applications for sensors and actuators","description":"Piezoelectricity also called the piezoelectric effect, is the ability of certain materials to generate a voltage when subjected to mechanical stress or vibration, or inversely to vibrate when subjected to an electric field. Piezoelectric materials have become of great interest across many different industries (medical diagnosis, non-destructive testing, sonar underwater communications etc.) due to their capability of ultrasound sensors, actuators, and energy harvesters. Normally, widely used piezoelectric materials are bulk ceramic, crystals, and polymers. \n \n Making custom complex geometries with piezo-materials can be almost impossible to achieve through conventional fabrication methods. The recently emerging approach to this issue is to fabricate complex ceramic\/polymer parts with Additive Manufacturing (AM). A wide array of smart materials and devices has been fabricated in recent years using AM, such as shape memory polymers, polymer-carbon mechanical nanocomposites, ceramic-polymer dielectric composites, and electrically conductive polymer-carbon nanocomposites.\n \n This project is to use ink-jet and aerosol-jet printers to fabricate complex piezoelectric devices. The objectives are 1) Design and simulate 3D structures and the piezoelectric response by software, like COMSOL Multiphysics; 2) Fabricate designed 3D structural devices by the 3D printers; 3) test the mechanical properties, electric properties, and design devices used for sensors and actuators; 4) Conduct microstructure characterisation, and analyse the structures and performances of piezoelectric materials, to clarify the relationship between the 3D structures, deformation and elasticity, piezoelectric coefficient, dielectric constant, acoustic impedance and other parameters of the materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongxiang Li","title":"2D material based gas sensor arrays and AI-enabled sensing systems","description":"Two-dimensional (2D) materials have enabled significant leaps in gas-sensing applications over the past few decades. They are used to make gas sensors operating at room temperature, to detect several gases in low concentration, such as ethanol, methanol, ammonia, acetone, NO2, H2S, CO, and other volatile organic compounds (VOC). Different synthesis methods have been studied for 2D gas sensing materials. The gas sensor arrays can be fabricated by microfabrication technology, which provides vast opportunities to develop electronic noses and tongues for the applications of environmental monitoring, food and beverage monitoring, medical diagnosis etc. \n \n  This project is to study an electronic nose platform embedded with 2D semiconducting materials sensor arrays, to detect gases in real-time with high sensitivity and gas performance at room temperature; combined with AI (Artificial Intelligent) meta-learning algorithms that can be continually trained to overcome selectivity. The objectives of this project are 1) to use semiconducting and LTCC technology to design and fabricate a gas sensor array with a micro-heater; 2) to compare CNN (convolutional neural networks) deep learning to PCA (Principal component analysis) or KNN (k-nearest neighbour) algorithms; 3) to test gas sensing performances of the devices.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alberto Peruzzo","title":"Photonic quantum computing","description":"We seek an outstanding and enthusiastic PhD candidate to work in photonic quantum computation at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T). CQC2T, the flagship organisation for Australian research in quantum computing, comprises eight Australian Universities and more than 30 international partner organisations. Following our recent success in demonstrating high-fidelity, chip-scale optical quantum information processing, this project will extend the work to multi-qubit devices with novel control capabilities. The candidates will design, develop and measure multi-qubit devices, where they will learn a wide range of techniques from single atom manipulation, device processing and optical measurements at cryogenic temperatures. The candidates will work as part of a dedicated team of researchers in this world-leading group. References:\n [1]. A Peruzzo, J McClean, P Shadbolt, et al, Nature Communications 5:4213 (2014)","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell","title":"Lab-on-a-Chip devices for early ovarian cancer diagnosis","description":"Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer. Every year, it takes the life of around 1,800 Australian women, and a quarter of a million worldwide. The reality is that, for every woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 70% will discover they are in an advanced state, and only 25% of these women will survive beyond five years. There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer.23 Symptoms of ovarian cancer are very vague and are generally mistakenly attributed to common female complaints, dramatically delaying its diagnosis. The only reliable diagnostic method requires the performance of very invasive biopsies during surgery that, when positive, is followed by intense chemotherapy with no time for recovery. The fact is that this terrible experience does not guarantee their complete recovery. In 90% of the cases, many women will realise that the cancer has come back within the next 18 months, with an inevitable and fatal outcome. This project aims to create new lab-on-a-chip technologies that can diagnose ovarian cancer at the early stages, when it is most curable. We will use specific circulating protein and DNA methylation biomarkers, originated from ovarian cancer cells and\/or immune cells. We are interested in immune biomarkers from blood as a growing body of evidence suggests that immune status determines OC formation, progression and resistance to chemotherapy. We will also determine epigenetic alterations (DNA methylation), in cell-free DNA from blood, given such changes can be detectable even before malignancy occurs. We aim to create accurate, user-friendly, cost-effective and scalable blood sampling lab-on-a-chip devices, for widespread routine ovarian cancer testing at the point of care, to enable practical monitoring, earlier diagnosis and better patient outcomes.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Adaptive Wireless Communication Techniques for Energy-Efficient Next-Generation Networks","description":"This project explores radio wave propagation and data transmission in intelligent wireless environments, with a focus on leveraging next-generation 6G technologies. The objective is to enhance energy efficiency and ensure ultra-reliable, high-speed wireless communication in 6G networks through advanced implementations of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. As these technologies evolve, accurate modeling and performance analysis become essential. The project will integrate concepts from electromagnetic wave theory, information theory, and machine learning to develop innovative models that optimise intelligent wireless networks. These advancements aim to provide sustainable and efficient wireless connectivity solutions for mobile, autonomous, and IoT systems. \n\n[1] M. Di Renzo, A. Zappone, M. Debbah, M.-S. Alouini, C. Yuen, J. de Rosny, and S. Tretyakov, \u201cSmart radio environments empowered by reconfigurable intelligent surfaces: How it works, state of research, and the road ahead,\u201d IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 38, no. 11, pp. 2450\u20132525, 2020.\n\n[2] T. Gong, P. Gavriilidis, R. Ji, C. Huang, G. C. Alexandropoulos, L. Wei, Z. Zhang, M. Debbah, H. V. Poor, and C. Yuen, \u201cHolographic MIMO communications: Theoretical foundations, enabling technologies, and future directions,\u201d IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, pp. 1\u20131, 2023.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400608 Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sumeet Walia","title":"Artificial neural networks for versatile applications","description":"Project advertised below:","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aonghus McNabola, Vikram Garaniya","title":"PhD in Advancing the Control of Air Pollution in Cities","description":"Air pollution poses a significant risk to public health worldwide and is known \nto be responsible for the premature death of 6.8 million people per annum. \nExposure to high levels of air pollution can commonly occur in cities, in indoor \nenvironments and in transport settings. This project will employ CFD modelling \nto advance knowledge on the control of air pollution in cities incorporating \ngreen infrastructure, and building and city ventilation concepts. The project \nwill also examine the interaction of urban heat island with these air pollution \ncontrol measures.\n\nThe project will involve modelling of the dispersion of air pollution in cities \nwith a view to reducing exposure to air pollution in indoor and outdoor \nenvironments. \n\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"13 - Climate Action\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401101 Air Pollution Modelling & Control (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Jue Hou, Biplob Pramanik, Felicity Roddick","title":"Algal Membrane Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery","description":"Nutrients (e.g., N and P) in wastewater are valuable resources which should be reclaimed. It is also essential to remove them from wastewater to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge, e.g., N <10 mg\/L and P <0.5 mg\/L for Victorian inland water bodies (EPA Victoria 1995). Algae can be used for wastewater treatment and resource recovery by taking up N and P, and removing chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) including pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the wastewater. However, this technology can be limited by the low concentration of algal cells in the system, and the difficulty in separating the tiny sized cells after the treatment. To maintain high cell concentrations and achieve high separation efficiency, algal bioreactors may be integrated with membranes, i.e., a algal membrane bioreactors (AMBRs). This project aims to develop an algal membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment and resource recovery through the assessment of the influence of various process variables and process optimisation. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410 Wastewater treatment processes (60%)\n400409 Separation\u00a0technologies (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mhammad Aminpour","title":"Enhancing Infrastructure Safety with AI and Geotechnical Engineering","description":"This PhD project is designed for individuals eager to merge artificial intelligence (AI) with geotechnical engineering to bolster the safety of essential infrastructure. The project will focus on developing robust prediction models for slope stability and other geotechnical failures in critical structures such as roads, railways, pipelines, slopes, and tailing dams, which face increasing risks from natural disasters and climate change. \n\nBy harnessing cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies, alongside concepts of soil variability and geotechnical uncertainty, candidates will work on improving soil analysis and geomechanics to forecast and mitigate potential failures.  Join us to contribute to a safer, more sustainable approach to urban development through innovative research at the intersection of AI, climate science, and civil engineering.\n\nCandidate Profile: This opportunity is perfect for candidates with backgrounds in geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, and those interested in programming and machine learning, who are driven to apply these skills to address pressing challenges in infrastructure resilience.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400502 - Civil geotechnical engineering (50%)\n401102        Environmentally sustainable engineering (25%)\n461104        Neural networks (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nick Brown","title":"Creating Engaging Engineering Education at Scale","description":"Commencements in Bachelor of Engineering degrees have been steadily increasing in Australia over   the past few decades. At the same time, the use of asynchronous learning materials has increased most recently driven by the development of significant online learning resources during mandated closure of campuses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in use of video-based learning resources has led to guidance on how to make educational videos engaging. Less well investigated are the mechanisms to identify, capture, and present relevant video resources. Videos and online learning play only a small part in the overall student learning journey and experience. The opportunity exists to examine how engaging learning environments can be created to teach engineering in higher education with specific attention to asynchronous learning and large cohort sizes.  \n\nThis topic is for researchers wanting to push the boundaries of engineering education, investigating the use of simulations and scenario-based learning, service learning, experiential learning and blended learning. The researcher should look at both learner and teacher attitudes towards engineering higher education understanding where there are similarities and where there are differences. Case studies could include looking at the use of software in the classroom and the perceptions of the mindset or the skillset to use it. Researchers would look at verifying any findings in large cohort courses with over 1,000 enrolled students. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"401002 Engineering Education (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nick Brown","title":"Water, Sanitation and Hygiene solutions for Complex Contexts","description":"The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG\u2019S) provide a framework with which to achieve universal access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH). Whilst huge achievements are being made, current rates of progress need to quadruple for everyone to have safely managed WaSH services by 2030. Not everyone lives in places where conventional WaSH engineering infrastructure and services are appropriate, for example due to high groundwater, flood affected land or households that do not have land tenure. In these \u2018complex contexts\u2019 an even greater increase in rates of progress is required to achieve SDG6. Multiple complexities that intersect and compound often create challenges for these households and communities. Over simplification of the complexity, as well as failure to understand the interconnectedness of complexities, has resulted in WaSH interventions that have been inappropriate. RMIT\u2019s Humanitarian Engineering Lab has established an approach for WASH programs to begin unpacking intersecting complexities, see https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0043135421011039.\nThis project will build on the intersecting complexities approach by evaluating the effectiveness of engineered WaSH solutions in a variety of complex contexts; study sites may include informal settlements, flood plains, peri-urban environments etc. Researchers should come to the project with a context that they are interested in studying or a particular theme (e.g., decentralised waste water treatment). Depending on the context, part of the project will be spent in that context.\nThis project would be suitable to WaSH engineers or development practitioners familiar with WaSH interventions who have relevant experience. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"401006 Humanitarian Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi, Pier Marzocca, Vincenzo Muscarello","title":"INTELLIGENT POWER AND MISSION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC AIR MOBILITY","description":"The project will be conducted in collaboration with RMIT and Khalifa University. The growing demand for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) services, including both Urban and Regional Air Mobility (UAM\/RAM) modes, offers several opportunities but also entails challenges towards achieving carbon neutrality. Most UAM\/RAM concepts are based on highly automated and autonomous Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, which often exhibit poor energy management, even when implementing the most recent technical solutions and Hybrid-Electric (HE) propulsive configurations. Significant research gaps exist in intelligent power\/propulsion management and associated fault detection and recovery functions, hindering HE-VTOL aircraft's safety, efficiency, and sustainability in UAM and RAM operations. This project addresses these challenges by designing and developing Intelligent Health and Mission Management (IHMM) functionality for the Intelligent Power and Mission Management System (IPMS). The project will also involve the simulation and verification of the system.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"13 - Climate Action\",\"17 - Partnerships for the Goals\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2028-12-30","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350902 Intelligent mobility (40%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks, and systems (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"MR216P23\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hua Qian Ang, Wenqian Gan","title":"Reimagining Engineering Education for Industry 5.0: Developing T-Shaped Skills to Meet the Challenges of a Rapidly Evolving Global Landscape","description":"This research seeks to investigate the significant challenges faced by engineering educators worldwide in light of rapid technological advancements, increasing globalisation, evolving work environments, and shifting societal expectations. These factors are reshaping the nature of professional engineering work, requiring a rethinking of educational practices. As we enter the era of Industry 5.0, which prioritises human-centered design and innovation, there is a growing need to adapt engineering education to focus on developing T-shaped skills [1] in students\u2014combining deep technical expertise with broader, interdisciplinary capabilities such as communication, collaboration, and creativity. This study is aimed at researchers looking to push the boundaries of engineering education by critically examining the current flaws and limitations within existing engineering curricula, identifying barriers that hinder the development of these essential graduate attributes, and proposing new, innovative pedagogical approaches. Ultimately, the goal is to create a framework for engineering programs that better prepares students to navigate and excel in the rapidly evolving demands of the global engineering landscape.\nReferences:  Crosthwaite C. Engineering Futures 2035 Engineering Education Programs, Priorities & Pedagogies. Australian Council of Engineering Deans (ACED) report, 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390101: Creative arts, media and communication curriculum and pedagogy\n390102: Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development\n390113: Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy\n390303: Higher education\n390407: Inclusive education\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)\/ DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu, Liuping Wang","title":"HCMC Traffic Simuation for Improved Air Quality: A Novel Approach","description":"Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) faces severe air quality challenges due to rapid urbanisation and a growing vehicle fleet. Vehicle emissions significantly contribute to pollution, posing health risks to the population. While policies aim to improve air quality, the city's complex urban layout complicates traffic management.\n\nThis project will leverage data from over 600 live-feed traffic cameras to develop Al computer vision algorithms that extract insights such as traffic density, vehicle types, and driver behaviour. These insights will parameterise urban traffic simulations (using tools like VISSIM or SUMO), integrated with vehicle emission models, to assess emission reduction strategies.\n\nFocusing on key intersections, the project will simulate road layouts, signage, and vehicle types to facilitate generation of realistic drive cycles. Emission models will evaluate the impact of various changes in infrastructure and vehicle composition, providing actionable insights into mitigation strategies. This research aims to support sustainable urban planning and enhance public health through data-driven policy recommendations\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n373701 Atmospheric Sciences (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (30%)\n464601 Applied Computing (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu, Liuping Wang","title":"Digital twin model development for fleet management of automated guided vehicles in indoor applications","description":"Digital twin technology is recognised as a groundbreaking and indispensable tool for smart manufacturing, which utilises the advanced technology from emerging domains of robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet of Things. In the context of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) used widely used in indoor applications such as manufacturing or farming, a digital twin is a virtual replica that leverages data and simulation to enable real-time prediction, optimization, monitoring, control, and enhanced decision-making processes.\n\nThe aim of this PhD project is to develop and optimise a digital twin to enhance the performance of the fleet of AGVs in operation, which ultimately increases the safety and quality of automation process. The project's core focus is on developing a digital twin\u2014a dynamic and real-time simulation that accurately represents the vehicle's physical characteristics and operational processes of multiple vehicles. This advanced model incorporates real-time data on system performance resulting in helpful insights to facilitate data-drive decisions on AGV management. The impact of the project includes cost efficiency, energy efficiency, safety, and advancement in digital twin technology. This research project has potential applications in smart manufacturing and smart farming, where automated guided vehicle or ground mobile robots are widely\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (30%)\n404007 Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi","title":"Real-time anomaly detection, fault diagnosis and forecasting for railway asset fleet monitoring","description":"The project aims to develop unsupervised ML (Machine Learning) methods for anomaly detection in the fleet time series data to identify unknown and unlabelled train issues. Currently, Downer's fleets output millions of data signals that are either unused or unrelated to the faults that arise. This project will entail: Developing real-time anomaly detection techniques capable of handling streaming data and dataset shifts. Through the development of these techniques, the ability to forecast and prevent future faults from occurring. Furthermore, the methods can incorporate inputs by a fleet\/maintenance engineer into ML-based training and data analytics, which will provide algorithmic transparency, allowing decision-makers to have faith and confidence in the recommendations made by the ML\/AI algorithms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"350902        Intelligent mobility (405)\n461106        Semi- and unsupervised learning (30%)\n460206        Knowledge representation and reasoning  (30%)\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        \n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Crash Dynamics Simulation: Enhancing Bus Safety and Occupant Survival Strategies","description":"An industry-linked PhD project with very competitive scholarship, open to Australian candidates, with possibility of post-doctoral employment at one of the largest crash test facilities in the southern hemisphere. You will examine world's best practice in Bus Safety, develop recommendations for enhanced safety on Australian roads, and simulation modeling and digital twins of bus and seat structures, seatbelt and safety systems for industry. This is an opportunity\nto directly contribute to saving lives and reducing injury levels.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401706 Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation (70%)\n400204 Automotive safety engineering (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Electronic High-Speed Pre-Tension System for a Seatbelt Retractor","description":"An industry-linked PhD project with very competitive scholarship, open to Australian candidates, with possibility of post-doctoral employment at a globally recognised company for innovation and\npassive safety systems. You will examine the design and development of an advanced seatbelt pre-tensioner with electric motor drive including control and power modules to provide superior levels of passenger safety in motor vehicles, transport, industrial and mining applications. This is an opportunity to directly contribute to saving lives and reducing injury levels.\n\nEnjoy free education plus annual tax-free stipend of $51,535 for your living expenses. Work at a world top-100 ranked engineering school and one of the world\u2019s leading Safety Specialists in Seatbelt and Occupant Restraint design, APV Safety Products, from their Australian manufacturing facilities supporting this exciting R&D project. Receive continuous mentorship from the best in academia and industry.\n\nEnjoy a 12-week training program by an external service provider that will enhance\nyour industry engagement and collaboration skills.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400705 Control engineering (80%)\n400905 Electronic instrumentation (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang, Yingyan Zhang, Henin Zhang, Shaoyu Zhao","title":"Smart and sustainable metaconcrete composite structures","description":"Conventional concrete structures ensure the safety and reliability of infrastructures, but they are inadequate in meeting sustainable requirements. Thus, developing advanced smart and sustainable concrete structures with multi-functionalities and mechanical tunability is a crucial scheme for reimagining traditional civil engineering structures. This project aims to develop origami-enabled multifunctional metamaterial concrete composite structures with energy harvesting, self-sensing, and self-healing functions. Origami structures are used to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete, such as flexibility, strength, and energy absorption. By integrating smart materials or nanomaterials, the composites can respond to external stimuli, achieving smartness and multifunctionality. The design offers innovative solutions for the next-generation green and sustainable engineering structures.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 (40%), 401706 (20%), 400510 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang","title":"Origami engineered carbon nanotube based metamaterials","description":"Carbon nanotubes have attracted extensive research interest due to their outstanding mechanical, thermal, and electric properties. To expand their range of applications and overcome their shortcomings such as brittleness and low-dimensional features, many engineering strategies have been proposed to modify their properties. Origami engineering not only results in interesting architectures, but also enables a design platform for developing advanced metamaterials with novel mechanical properties, such as increased stretchability, negative Poisson\u2019s ratio, and multistability. This project aims to develop novel origami-based carbon nanotube metamaterials that will achieve high energy absorption, buckling control, and increased flexibility. Such novel metamaterials will have many important engineering applications in various industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401706 (50%); 401707 (30%); 401702 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu","title":"Electric Motorbike Battery-Swap System Optimisation for Sustainability and the Creation of a Circular Economy","description":"With 8.5 million motorcycles (89% of the vehicle fleet), electrification in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) offers significant potential to improve air quality and public health. However, deploying charging infrastructure presents challenges, particularly given the city's limited space and electrical infrastructure. Battery-swap systems-where users exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones-offer a promising solution. This project focuses on designing and optimising such a system tailored to HCMC's unique needs, ensuring battery longevity and exploring circular economy opportunities for repurposing or recycling used batteries.\n\nThe first phase of the project will use digital-twin simulations and battery-aging models to optimise deployment strategies, balancing battery use across diverse duty cycles to maximise their lifespan. The second phase will explore technologies to enable a circular economy, using synthetic data to predict recycling and redeployment yields specific to HCMC's conditions. A new battery design will be proposed to align with local capabilities and future recycling requirements, fostering sustainable urban electrification.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"404017 Mechanical Engineering (40%)\n464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (20%)\n404007 Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Rosengarten","title":"Using Biomimetic Microfluidics to Test Novel Anti-Thrombotic Therapy","description":"Myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke remain leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. This PhD project is part of a large NHMRC-funded initiative aiming to develop engineered drugs that specifically inhibit clotting at pathological thrombus formation sites, thus eliminating the risk of major bleeding complications associated with generic anticoagulant therapies.\nProject Objectives:\n1.        Design and Testing of Biomimetic Microfluidic Systems:\no        Utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to design microfluidic layouts that replicate the diverse stenosis geometries observed in vivo.\no        Fabricate the selected microfluidic designs in RMIT\u2019s cleanroom facilities.\no        Test the functional performance of these designs using micro particle image velocimetry (\u03bcPIV).\n2.        Integration of Machine Learning for Experimental Optimization:\no        Employ machine learning and AI to optimize the experimental parameter space, minimizing the need for extensive experimental variations.\n3.        Validation with Real Blood Samples:\no        Conduct testing of microfluidic chips with real blood samples in collaboration with Monash University.\no        Generalize findings across various thrombotic conditions to enhance the applicability of results.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"401202 50%, 401203 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Stuart Bateman","title":"Data-driven design of functional paint surfaces ","description":"The PhD project will focus on the development of functional surfaces, with a specific emphasis on the domain of paint technology on creating a material that bestows omniphobicity to surface, which could possibly be in the form of an additive to a coating or a coating itself. This will be derived using data-driven approaches. The investigation strives to harness the capabilities of machine learning and advanced experimental techniques to systematically optimize the formulation and therefore characteristics of paint surface chemistry and morphology to deliver functional attributes such as omniophobic to control contamination, and enhanced resistance to environmental factors for improved durability. \n\nMost contaminants, a surface is exposed to will be either hydrophilic or lipophilic (hydrophobic) in nature. A surface\u2019s ability to repel these contaminants will be influenced by its chemistry. A surface that is hydrophilic will repel lipophilic materials and vice-versa. Therefore, a surface that can resist both hydrophilic and lipophilic contaminants, i.e. is omniphobic is desired.\n\nCurrently, omniphobicity can be bestowed upon a surface using per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, these substances can be extremely hazardous and are progressively being banned. Therefore, there is need for new types of materials that can bestow surfaces with omniphobic properties without being hazardous.\n\nIn addition to resisting contaminants, omniphobic surfaces may also have the potential to possess dry-film antimicrobial properties. Typically, the mode of action for antimicrobial chemicals (or biocides) is to destroy the relevant microbe, e.g. bacteria and fungi. Whilst these biocides are effective, since they are designed to destroy living organisms, they are usually hazardous to humans as well. An omniphobic coating will not actively destroy microbes however, its surface properties will result in bacteria and fungi not being able to adhere hence they cannot establish colonies. This prevention of adhesion is how omniphobic coatings can derive their antimicrobial behaviour.\n\nThrough this multidisciplinary approach that incorporates principles from materials science, computer-aided design, and machine learning, the project seeks to redefine conventional paradigms governing surface design within the paint industry, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable coating solutions. Ultimately, the outcomes of this research hold the potential to influence other industrial sectors, offering novel perspectives on the intersection of data-driven methodologies and functional surface design. \n\nReferences \n1. Le, Epa, Burden, Winkler, Quantitative structure-property relationship modelling of diverse materials proper\udbc0\udd9fes, Chemical Reviews 112 (5), 2889-2919, 2012 \n2. Le, Winkler, Discovery and optimization of materials using evolutionary approaches, Chemical Reviews 116 (10), 6107-6132, 2016 \n3. Le, Penna, Winkler, Yarovsky, Quantitative design rules for protein-resistant surface coatings using machine learning, Scientific Reports 9 (1), 265, 2019 \n4. Salahinejad, Le, Winkler, Aqueous solubility prediction: do crystal lattice interactions help?, Molecular Pharmaceutics 10 (7), 2757-2766, 2013 \n5. Le, Yin, Chen, Chen, Zhao, Casey, Chen, Winkler, An experimental and computational approach to the development of ZnO nanoparticles that are safe by design, Small 12 (26), 3568-3577, 2016 ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"4016 Materials Engineering (40%)\n3407 Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (40%)\n3403 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Milan Simic","title":"Artificial Intelligence Based Digital Transformation of Railway Systems\n","description":"Purpose of this research is the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in railway systems and development of AI models for this digital transformation. AI powered Intelligent Railway System (IRS) will be used, in the near future, to manage and optimise railway transport. Research in AI applications in railway has increased in recent years. For example, artificial neural networks, computer vision and data mining are the main AI-based technologies seen to be able to solve railway maintenance problems such as track, rolling stock and infrastructure maintenance. In addition to maintenance, AI application in railway scheduling is another important research area. Regular railway schedule can be interrupted due to incidents such as equipment failure, or due to planned railway line occupation. Travellers will need to decide on whether they will continue their trip using an alternative train line, use a different transport option, or cancel their trip all together. Many factors will contribute to this decision, including the availability of the alternative transport option, the criticality of the trip to the traveller, or the cost and time penalty the alternative transport option will come with. Any of those decisions will have a different impact on the railway and on the overall transport system. In summary, predictive maintenance, infrastructure monitoring, traffic monitoring and management, IRS safety, passenger experience, optimal energy management, and finally autonomous trains are subsystems of IRS. Development of a comprehensive IRS model based on AI is the main objective of the proposed research. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350902        Intelligent mobility (25%)\n350907        Rail transportation and freight services (30%)\n400703        Autonomous vehicle systems (10%)\n460207        Modelling and simulation (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maciej Mazur","title":"Additive manufacture of mechanical springs","description":"Springs are common functional devices used in a broad range of applications requiring the elastic storage of mechanical energy. The traditional manufacture of springs often requires special tooling which may limit the manufacturability of spring geometry (and thereby the mechanical response), the minimum economic order quantity, or the lead time. These constraints impose restrictions which may compromise design optimisation, prototyping agility and cost for low batch quantifies. Additive manufacturing techniques such as Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) are able to manufacture a broad range of complex part geometries in low batch quantities without the need for special tools and may provide an opportunity to address the limitations of traditional spring manufacture. It is foreseen that the L-PBF manufactured spring may fulfill a niche for low-volume, low-cycle springs which may offer unique mechanical properties, short lead time and the ability for direct integration into other components. However, L-PBF provides a range of unique challenges such as: manufacturable limits of overhanging geometry, high residual stress, unique microstructural properties, porosity defects and comparatively rough surface finish. These challenges may impose restrictions on the feasible spring geometry, mechanical properties, and fatigue life. However, to date no comprehensive study has been published which documents the effectiveness of L-PBF spring manufacture and this project aims to address this knowledge gap. This project will investigate: \n- L-PBF Manufacture of conventional coil springs and experimental measurement of the manufacturing fidelity, mechanical properties and fatigue life. The measured results will be compared to theoretically predicted values and to traditionally manufactured springs. \n- Methods of improving the performance of L-PBF springs through geometry or manufacturing parameter modification, heat treatment or surface modifications to reduce surface roughness. \n-  The potential of L-PBF manufacture of unique springs design geometries not feasible with conventional manufacturing ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"1401401 Additive manufacturing (50%)\n401607 Metals and alloy materials (25%)\n401706 Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lucy Lunevich","title":"Decarbonisation Strategy and Business Models","description":"This project is proposed to develop a Greenhouse Emission Model for specific country using economic parameters. In recent years, renewable energy technologies have undergone a vertiginous development. There are also much of confusions what drives investments into the renewable technologies. The prices have dropped significantly, while at the same time the installed capacity of renewable energy technologies has increased strongly. New, interesting questions arise this change, primary focused on the integration and the interaction of the renewable energy technologies in the system. How will the energy as a whole develop? How different technologies be combined in order to optimally cover the need for energy? ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310301 Behavioural ecology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lucy Lunevich","title":"Technology-Economic Assessment of Energy Technologies ","description":"This project is proposed to develop a Greenhouse Emission Model for specific country or industry using economic parameters. In recent years, renewable energy technologies have undergone a vertiginous development. There are also much of confusions what drives investments into the renewable technologies. The prices have dropped significantly, while at the same time the installed capacity of renewable energy technologies has increased strongly. New, interesting questions arise this change, primary focused on the integration and the interaction of the renewable energy technologies in the system. How will the energy as a whole develop? How different technologies be combined in order to optimally cover the need for energy? ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310301 Behavioural ecology(100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lucy Lunevich","title":"Energy economic of energy systems","description":"This project is proposed to develop a Greenhouse Emission Model for specific country using economic parameters. In recent years, renewable energy technologies have undergone a vertiginous development. There are also much of confusions what drives investments into the renewable technologies. The prices have dropped significantly, while at the same time the installed capacity of renewable energy technologies has increased strongly. New, interesting questions arise this change, primary focused on the integration and the interaction of the renewable energy technologies in the system. How will the energy as a whole develop? How different technologies be combined in order to optimally cover the need for energy? ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310301 Behavioural ecology (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran, Vi Nguyen","title":"Topology optimization for metal 3D manufacturing technology","description":"Metal 3D printing technology plays an important role in advanced manufacturing technology, especially in the strategy of sustainable manufacturing. In this project, modeling of structure-property characterization and structural design optimization are centered. The utilization of topology optimization is investigated for structural design in metal additive manufacturing. The goal is to answer the question if there is a relationship between topology optimization and metal 3D printing technology in medical, dental, or aerospace. From the expectedly achieved model and structure design, a multiple objective optimization problem will be solved for finding effectiveness of the process parameters on strengthen of mechanical properties and optimal weight of finished parts. Simulation and experimental studies are implemented to validate the proposed research.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 Solid mechanics (40%)\n401401 Additive manufacturing (40%)\n401408 Manufacturing processes and technologies (excl. textiles) (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Xiaobo Chen","title":"Autonomous Discovery of Green Inhibitors -Modelling and AI","description":"The project will develop a system to allow the autonomous discovery on non toxic corrosion inhibitors combining ,  robotic testing , evolutionary algorithm's , molecular modelling and analytical studies of corrosion inhibitor\/metal surface interactions\n\n\nCandidate will spend a period at the Institute for Nano-Engineering and Nano-Science , Barcelona learning cutting edge skills ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400711  70%\n401605  30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Nevena Todorova","title":"Study of the lifetime of corrosion inhibitors by molecular modelling ","description":"Corrosion inhibitors are vital to protect many common and electrochemically active metals (steel, galvanised steel, aluminium copper).  Unfortunately many of the inhibitors that have been used are toxic and are being banned by legislations so there is a world-wide search  to find new non-toxic inhibitors.  Molecular modelling has the potential to assist the discovery of new inhibitors and the combined RMIT\/ICN2 (Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Barcelona, Spain) has developed new approaches to modelling of inhibitors that combine, for the first time in inhibitor studies, large models that include both solvent and potential effects. These models have uncovered new affects around inhibitor surface bonding and the formation of the first self-assembled mono-layer. However, molecular modelling can only access periods of pico-seconds and thus cannot assess changes that occur in the system across hours or days. Experimental studies have discovered that these changes are quite profound and inhibitors layers can both become more effective at restricting corrosion or their performance may deteriorate on exposures from 1- 72 hours in electrochemical tests. New techniques have recently been develop that allow molecular modelling to take snapshots of the system at discrete and widely spaced time intervals. This doctoral study will use the snapshot approach to investigate changes in inhibitor layers over time and in particular the role of inhibitor shape and properties in promoting these changes. This will in turn lead to improvements in design of durable inhibitors. The candidate will have the opportunity to spend some time at the ICN2@ in Barcelona Spain","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 50%\n401607 505"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Michele Spencer","title":"Molecular modelling of second and multiple layers for rapid discovery of green corrosion inhibitors . ","description":"Corrosion inhibitors are vital to protect many common and electrochemically active metals (steel, galvanised steel, aluminium copper).  Unfortunately many of the inhibitors that have been used are toxic and are being banned by legislations so there is a world-wide search  to find new non toxic inhibitors. One of the most promising alternatives are small heterocyclic compounds with attached linkages \u2013 however there are literally tens of thousands of alternatives. Virtual screening is possible but requires an identification of the molecular features and properties of the inhibitors that control inhibitor layer formation.  The combined RMIT\/ ICN2 (Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Barcelona, Spain) team has developed new approaches to modelling of inhibitors that combine, for the first time in inhibitor studies, large models that include both solvent and potential effects. These models have uncovered new effects around inhibitor surface bonding and the formation of the first self-assembled mono-layer. Most notably, they have demonstrated how the charge within the binding molecules re-arranges itself to form a dipole, which will have a profound effect on the second inhibitor layer formation. This doctoral study will investigate the second and multi-layer formation of green inhibitors using the same advanced modelling technique. This will not only provide a fundamental understand of inhibitor layer formation and their effectiveness and stability, but also enhance the identification of critical inhibitor features and properties permitting virtual screening and rapid discovery. The candidate will have the opportunity to spend some time at the ICN2@ in Barcelona, Spain.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 50%\n340701  50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Paul White, Xiaobo Chen","title":"Autonomous Discovery of New Corrosion Inhibitors ","description":"The project will discover new green corrosion inhibitors by combining robotic electrochemistry and artificial intelligence .  Corrosion inhibitors acting either as a passivating agent of embedded in a paint system (typically in the primer) have protected metals from corrosion for decades . Unfortunately mainly of these are based on toxic compounds and are being banned and phased out around the world . Heteoro- cyclic compounds with active ligands are an attractive replacement but there are literally thousands of choices so rapid methods are required to select or design such inhibitor. An attractive approach is inverse design where the molecular features or attributes defining effective inhibition are identified and then large data bases are searched for candidate molecules with these features .  The candidate molecules are then tested to determine if they are suitable as corrosion inhibitors .While this approach is very attractive it has only been partially successful with diverse approaches being used to define the molecular descriptors and the AI or Ml method to define the relevant descriptors for corrosion inhibitor . This doctoral project will use the electrochemical robot to generate a large data base of inhibitors and then compare various approaches to defining molecular characteristics and AI\/ML methods to evaluate which approaches yield relationships which are most useful in prediction performance of new inhibitors and thus in implementing virtual design. During the PhD there is the possibility of spending time at the University of Science and Technology Beijing","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen, Nevena Todorova","title":"Autonomous Discovery of New Inhibitors-Experimental Development","description":"The candidate will spend a period on time at the Max Planck institute for steel research using state of the art analytical and experimental tools in order to understand the fine scale nature of surface inhibitor interactions in aqueous media","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 70%\n400711  305"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Rosengarten, Boahua Jia, Tianyi Ma\n","title":"Thermal Management of Green Hydrogen Generation System","description":"This  project,  funded by Australia Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and industry, is on solar energy driven green hydrogen production. You will be part of large multi-university and industry team helping to increase the efficiency of photocatalytic green hydrogen production using sea or wastewater as the feedstock. The research will involve optical-thermal design and optimisation to help increase the energy efficiency of the system. The methodology will include a mixture of theory, simulations and experiments.  Some experience\/knowledge in one or more of heat transfer, optics or photonics would be viewed favourably. We are looking for candidates from an Engineering or Physics background.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400404 50%\n401204 25%\n401205 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fugen Daver","title":"A novel biodegradable bio-composite ","description":"Amidst increasing concern over the negative environmental implications of plastic waste, the most promising solution is to adopt a zero\u2010waste and carbon\u2010neutral circular plastics economy where plastics have an ultimate end-of-life fate. Solving plastic waste is an important task as Australian federal government has contributed to a significant budget of approximately $40 million through the CRC program, offering unparalleled opportunities to increase plastic recycling rates or provide a circular solution for plastics. This is seen as a significant step in the fight against plastic pollution. To provide a viable alternative to conventional plastics and formulate a sustainable solution, new generation of plastics termed \u2018bioplastics\u2019 have been manufactured. Several types of bioplastics (renewable or fossil-based) have been manufactured and available in the market. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a bioplastic manufactured from the polymerization of lactic acid monomers derived from the fermentation of sugar. PLA is a well-known example of 100% renewable polymer. The Food and Drug Administration approved PLA for direct contact with food or medical products. However, PLA does not have a sustainable end-of-life in home compost and cannot be labelled as biodegradable. Indeed, PLA is only compostable under high-temperature industrial facilities which are not accessible in many countries. To solve this problem, several research papers proposed that another biodegradable polymer (e.g., polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate (PBSA), etc) should be compounded in PLA to yield a bio-composite with improved performance and accelerated biodegradation. This project aims to develop a novel biodegradable bio-composite where PLA is major component and evaluate its structural, mechanical, thermal performance for engineering applications. The scope of the project is expanded to understand the biodegradation of PLA-based bio-composite under normal soil\/compost conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401609 Polymers and plastics 50%\n401602 Composite and hybrid materials 30%\n401408 Manufacturing processes and technologies 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yihe (Henin) Zhang, Jie Yang, Yingyan Zhang","title":"Origami-reinforced auxetic metamaterial pipes conveying fluid","description":"In industries such as oil and gas, and water supply, pipes play a crucial role in fluid transportation. Throughout their operational lifespan, pipes are often exposed to complex environmental conditions such as pulsating fluid flow, temperature fluctuations, and earthquakes, which can lead to excessive vibration, buckling, thermal expansion, and fatigue failure. Ensuring dynamic stability in pipe design and material selection is essential to mitigate these effects and extend their service life. Metamaterials are well known for their outstanding properties such as tunable Poisson\u2019s ratio, thermal expansion, and enhanced mechanical performance. This project aims to develop and analyze pipes constructed with origami-enabled metamaterials through mechanics modeling, structural analysis, and numerical simulation. The goal is to achieve a novel pipe design that provides safer and more stable fluid transportation, benefiting applications in mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering.\nThe major tasks of this project:\n1)        Numerical Analysis: Analyze the static and dynamic performance of origami-enhanced metamaterial pipes under various operating conditions using numerical methods.\n2)        Theoretical Framework: Develop a theoretical framework to understand the dynamic performance of the proposed pipes under different operating conditions.\n3)        Design Framework: Create a machine learning-based design framework to efficiently guide the design of metamaterial pipes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401702        Dynamics, vibration and vibration control (40%)\n401602        Composite and hybrid materials (40%)\n401206        Fluid-structure interaction and aeroacoustics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Tian","title":"Hydrodynamic optimization on ocean vehicles","description":"The presence of flow structures such as 3D laminar and turbulent boundary layers, recirculation zones, vortical structures, and wave interactions are frequently encountered in ocean vehicle hydrodynamics, which significantly affect its performance in drag, heat transfer, stability, acoustics and erosion processes. A fundamental understanding of flow physics can improve the design, prediction, and operation of these vehicles. Utilizing the leading-edge computational and experimental tools, the project will investigate critical areas that can improve the understanding. The project apply the findings to accurately analyse, predict, and optimize the design and operation of the ocean vehicles under various settings. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2030-12-21","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401204, 401205"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le","title":"Machine learning for sustainable, functional materials","description":"The development of sustainable, functional materials is critical to addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation. Traditional materials discovery processes are often slow, resource-intensive, and unable to keep pace with the growing demand for eco-friendly and high-performance materials. In this context, machine learning (ML) offers a powerful solution by accelerating the design, discovery, and optimization of sustainable materials. This PhD project aims to leverage advanced ML techniques to predict and design functional materials with minimal environmental impact.\n\nThe project will involve the development of predictive models based on materials databases, incorporating experimental and computational data to predict key material properties. The student will explore supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms, optimizing model performance to identify promising materials that meet specific criteria. The integration of materials informatics with ML tools will enable the rational design of new materials, significantly reducing the time and cost involved in traditional experimentation.\n\nBy combining data science with materials science, this research will contribute to the development of novel materials that support global sustainability goals while expanding the boundaries of machine learning in materials design.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"4016 - Materials Engineering (60%)\n4611 - Machine Learning (20%)\n3704 - Theoretical and computational chemistry (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen\n","title":"Smart Self-Healing Coatings System for Mg alloys","description":"This project aims to develop a new coating technology, where active components will be incorporated into a passive\/barrier matrix to achieve a multifunctional coating system. The key idea behind this approach is to create nano-containers for loading active agents with sells possessing controlled permeability specific to several triggers including pH, heat, light etc., and then to introduce them into the coating matrix. The simplest trigger to release the active agents is pH shift in the local environment. For instance, hydrogels with weak acid or basic functional group in the shell are sensitive to pH. Upon corrosion occurs on Mg surface, pH increases and then anticorrosive agents are released to actively healing the damage in the coating. Ideally, such active coating system provides Mg alloys a super prolonged and robust protection against corrosion. It is also possible to replace the anticorrosive agents with some antibiotics for specific drug delivery [1]. \nVia adjusting the content in the coating matrix, multiple purposes can be fulfilled. Main tasks of this project include design, preparation and characterisation of smart coatings and their responsive release of loaded agents to terminate corrosion on the surface of bulk Mg materials. Ex-situ characterisation includes structural, physical and electrochemical measurements through scanning and transmission electron microscopy of surfaces and interfaces (SEM & TEM), a range of surface science analysis techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning tunelling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM & STS) at RMIT. In addition, the corrosion behavior of Mg specimens with smart coatings will be exmained through potentiodynamic polarisation curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electrochemical electron microscopy [2].\n\nReferences:\n[1].  Shchukin, D.G. and Mohwald, H., Smart nanocontainers as depot media for feedback active coatings. Chem. Commun. 2011, 47 (31), 8730-8739\n[2].  Chen, J.Y. et al., Electrosprayed PLGA smart containers for active anti-corrosion coating on magnesium alloy AMlite, J. Mater. Chem. A 2014, 2, 5738- 5743.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401607 70%\n 401603 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen","title":"Antibacterial Nano-coatings for Biomedical Applications","description":"When artificial bone implants are placed into the patient, they are subjected to the formation of colonies of bacteria and infection [1]. Biofilms are prevalent on the surface of artificial implants, and exhibit distinct features, such as high tolerance to antibiotics [2]. Current managements of device-related infection involving antibiotics often result in significant socioeconomic costs, not to mention the risk of life-long functional impairment for the patient. As a result, feasible implant devices should be endowed satisfactory and sustainable resistance to the formation of biofilms and subsequent growth of bacteria to tackle the acute and chronic infections [3].\nThis project aims to address such challenges through design and manufacturing of feasible coatings with controlled and continuing release of inorganic antibacterial species, such as Ag, Ga, Sr and peptide molecules to inhibit the adherence of stains on implant surface and subsequent formation of biofilms. The implants with promising self-antibacterial surface would advance the knowledge and technique to a great degree in the relevant disciplines and attract immense interest from both academia and industry. \nThis project has a multi-disciplinary nature and thus requires a full-time HDR student who is capable across the multidisciplinary aspects of the project significantly. The HDR student under supervision by Chen, will focus on exploring wet chemical and physical deposition techniques to prepare and characterise the structure and antibacterial properties of coatings. The recruited PhD student (based at City Campus RMIT) will gain significant interdisciplinary training via this project. 3D printer, optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), potentiostat, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) will be employed to characterise the properties of yielded components. In vitro cell culture and bacterial resistance tests will be performed.\n\nReferences:\n[1] T.F. Moriarty, et al., Orthopaedic device-related infection: current and future interventions for improved prevention and treatment, EFORT Open Rev 1(4) (2016) 89-99.\n[2] C.R. Arciola, D. Campoccia, P. Speziale, L. Montanaro, J.W. Costerton, Biofilm formation in Staphylococcus implant infections. A review of molecular mechanisms and implications for biofilm-resistant materials, Biomaterials 33(26) (2012) 5967-82.\n[3] S. Bauer, P. Schmuki, K. von der Mark, J. Park, Engineering biocompatible implant surfaces, Progress in Materials Science 58(3) (2013) 261-326.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401603 60%\n 401607 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen, Prof Ivan Cole","title":"Titanium-based Hybrid Materials Exhibiting Bone-like Structural Hierarchy","description":"A number of natural hybrid materials (e.g. bone, tooth, wood and shell) exhibiting hierarchical architectures spanning near macro- to nano-metre length scales create unique combination of properties (i.e. strength, toughness and low density) that are rarely seen in existing manmade materials [1, 2]. In the quest for the advanced materials containing such promising combination of properties, extensive efforts have been devoted to the design and development of ceramic-polymer based composites mimicking such structural hierarchy [3, 4]. However, it remains a great challenge to achieve metals displaying such periodic arrangements at multiple length scales varying from mill-, micro- to nano-metre, most likely owing to the lack of critical knowledge and technical availability [2]. In comparison to their composite counterparts, lightweight, strong and tough metals are desired for many engineering applications bearing heavy-load, such as frames of car seats, wings of aircrafts, and in particular orthopaedic implants - plates, screws and joints. \nThe main scientific aim of this project is to explore feasible techniques to produce titanium (Ti)-based hybrid materials exhibiting bone-like hierarchical structure at each individual length scale; and develop fundamental science of the role of such structural hierarchy in the controls over mechanical performances, in particular tough crack resistance. The yielded hybrid materials are anticipated to maintain their high strength and inherit the characteristic fracture tolerance (toughness) of natural bone through mimicking its hierarchical features.\nThe proposed study will comprise a hitherto untried coupling of periodic structure covering three orders of length scales with in situ characterisation. The first stage of the proposed project will establish a set of sound process strategies for the development of Ti materials mimicking the hierarchical features of natural bone over the full range of length scales through 3D printing technology, hydrothermal synthesis (RMIT) and magnetron sputtering (Melbourne Centre for Nanotechnology). \n\nReferences:\n[1]. Ritchie, R.O., Nat. Mater. 2011, 10(11), 817\n[2]. Wegst, U.G.; Bai, H.; Saiz, E.; Tomsia, A.P.; Ritchie, R.O., Nat. Mater. 2015, 14(1) 23\n[3]. Li, J.; Baker, B.A.; Mou, X.; Ren, N.; Qiu, J.; Boughton, R.I.; Liu, H., Adv. Healthc. Mater. 2014, 3(4), 469.\n[4]. Hollister, S.J., Nat. Mater. 2005, 4(7), 518.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401603 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen, Prof Ivan Cole","title":"Elucidating the electrochemical roles of surface conditions upon biodegradable Zn alloys in simulated body fluids","description":"Biodegradable Zn alloys are promising materials candidate for manufacturing future commercial implant devices [1]. However, corrosion behaviour of such new biomaterial category is not well understood in simulated body fluid, where a number of chemical and biological species exist [2]. The surface film of Zn displays a complex nature, which contributes greatly to the corrosion kinetics and dynamics of underlying metal Zn in contact with electrolytes [3]. This project aims to address such challenges through design and manufacturing of feasible techniques for exploring the electrochemical roles of surface films upon Zn alloys in SBFs. \nThis project has a multi-disciplinary nature and thus requires a full-time HDR student who is capable across the multidisciplinary aspects of the project significantly. The HDR student under supervision by Drs. Chen, Cole and Ward, will focus on exploring wet chemical and electrochemical techniques to prepare and characterise the structure and chemical properties of surface films of Zn in a number of SBFs. The recruited PhD student (based at City Campus RMIT) will gain significant interdisciplinary training via this project. Optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), potentiostat, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) will be employed to characterise the properties of yielded components. In vitro cell culture tests may be performed.\n\nReferences:\n[1] H.F. Li, et al., Opportunities and challenges of biodegradable Zn-based alloys, J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 46, 2020, 136-138.\n[2] X. Tong et al., Degradation behavior, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, and antibacterial properties of electro-deposited Zn\u2013Cu metal foams as potential biodegradable bone implants, 105, Acta Biomater., 2020, 481-492.\n[3] J. Sun et al., Adjusting comprehensive properties of biodegradable Zn-Mn alloy through solution heat-treatment, Mater. Today, in press, doi:10.1016\/j.mtcomm.2020.101150","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401603 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Milan Simic","title":"Novel AI methodologies in Gait analysis","description":"The main objective of proposed research is to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) through Deep Learning (DL) in the gait analysis of neuro-muscular disorders.\nGait is defined as the sequence of lower limb\u2019s motion initiated by the brain that results in muscle contractions. Analysis of gait events and parameters, such as Foot Progression Angle (FPA) are important in the assessment, monitoring and treatment of conditions which affect patients\u2019 physical motion functions. \nGait measurement and analysis are used in healthcare by medical practitioners, but also in different areas such as sports, and security. In the medical field, there is extensive research on gait abnormalities due to pathological disorders such as Parkinson\u2019s disease, dementia, and neuro-muscular disorders. Early diagnosis, proper treatment, and after-surgery rehabilitation efforts depend on the accuracy and reliability of kinematic and spatio-temporal measurements conducted using different sensor modalities. There is still no consensus on the relevant parameters to classify and predict neuro-muscular disorders, before and after surgical operations. \nThe utilization of Deep Learning is still open-ended research that can potentially advance gait analysis\u2019s objectivity, accuracy, and real-time monitoring performance in the clinical context. \nThe main contribution of the proposed research is the development of new methodologies based on the use of AI i.e., DL in the medical diagnosis, and therapy, as well as in the security, sports applications and other. \n\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (50%)\n 320602 Medical biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) (20%)\n 420701 Biomechanics (20%)\n 420799 Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Rosengarten, Ahmad Mojiri","title":"High-flux cooling using optimised spray systems","description":"Spray cooling is where a fine mist or spray of coolant is applied either directly to heated surfaces, such as processors or memory modules, or to an internal surface in a standalone heat sink unit. It is an efficient cooling technique that provides a promising solution to address the rising heat challenges associated with high-density computing and power electronics. This project will involve using a commercial droplet generator to investigate heat transfer on structured surfaces. The research will be mainly experimental, and is in partnership with an industrial partner. It is expected that the student will spend about 3 months with the industrial partner to develop the experimental set-up.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"091505 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Fugen Daver, Raju Adhikari","title":"Bio-degradable and Bio-compostable Mulch Films from Agri-Waste","description":"Plastic mulch film is a used in agriculture to retain soil water, regulate soil temperature, and supress weed growth. However, most of the plastic films currently used are non-degradable under natural condition and due to their non-degradable nature, they are converted into microplastics and such residual plastics particles can be easily absorbed by organisms posing a potential threat to soil environment and human health. Legislation is some European countries and USA have already phased out the use of such films. Biodegradable mulch film has been considered as a potential alternative but due to low mechanical strength, moisture barrier and radiometric properties, they are still in the development stage and a large number of such films have been trailed with mixed results (1-3). This project aims to develop a fully biodegradable mulch film with controlled degradation and improved mechanical strength using a combination of agri-wastes sources such as cellulose, gluten with biodegradable polymers. The project will develop specific tailored formulations by combining above agriculture waste with synthetic biodegradable polymers and fabricate agri-mulch film for water saving and weed control. The by-product of the polymer will also value add to soil as nutrients and support crop productivity. It is expected that the newly developed smart agri-mulch film will have not only controlled biodegradation, crop bio-stimulation characteristics but also compostable and degradation products are expected to act as plant growth promoter.\nReferences:\n1. Biodegradable Mulch Based on Cellulose of Cornhusk with Addition Anti UV-Tinuvin - doi:10.1088\/1742-6596\/1491\/1\/012051\n2. Physical properties and soil degradation of PLA\/PBAT blends film reinforced with bamboo cellulose - doi:10.1088\/1755-1315\/596\/1\/012021\n3. Biodegradable plastic mulch films in agriculture: feasibility and challenges - doi.org\/10.1088\/1748-9326\/abd211\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401609 Polymer and plastics (50%)  \n401602 Composite and hybrid materials (25%) \n401408 Manufacturing processes and technologies (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahyar Khorasani, Martin Leary, David Downing","title":"A Digital Twin-Driven Model for Mapping Part Quality in Multi-Jet Fusion","description":"This project aims to develop a digital simulation model to address the irregular mechanical properties of Multi-Jet Fusion in 3D printing of automotive components. This model expects to solve a significant challenge when using Multi-Jet Fusion which is the dependence of quality on the build position. The expected outcome of this project is the development of a novel tool for quality assessment in mass customisation and production. This project will provide significant benefits by creating an independent digital simulation model for quality mapping in Multi-Jet Fusion that reduces production costs and enhances automotive part quality.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401401 Additive Manufacturing 50%\n400204  Automotive safety engineering 25%\n401403 - Flexible manufacturing systems 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Stuart Bateman","title":"Data-driven design of functional paint surfaces ","description":"The PhD project will focus on the development of functional surfaces, with a specific emphasis on the domain of paint technology on creating a material that bestows omniphobicity to surface, which could possibly be in the form of an additive to a coating or a coating itself. This will be derived using data-driven approaches. The investigation strives to harness the capabilities of machine learning and advanced experimental techniques to systematically optimize the formulation and therefore characteristics of paint surface chemistry and morphology to deliver functional attributes such as omniophobic to control contamination, and enhanced resistance to environmental factors for improved durability. \r\n\r\nMost contaminants, a surface is exposed to will be either hydrophilic or lipophilic (hydrophobic) in nature. A surface\u2019s ability to repel these contaminants will be influenced by its chemistry. A surface that is hydrophilic will repel lipophilic materials and vice-versa. Therefore, a surface that can resist both hydrophilic and lipophilic contaminants, i.e. is omniphobic is desired.\r\n\r\nCurrently, omniphobicity can be bestowed upon a surface using per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, these substances can be extremely hazardous and are progressively being banned. Therefore, there is need for new types of materials that can bestow surfaces with omniphobic properties without being hazardous.\r\n\r\nIn addition to resisting contaminants, omniphobic surfaces may also have the potential to possess dry-film antimicrobial properties. Typically, the mode of action for antimicrobial chemicals (or biocides) is to destroy the relevant microbe, e.g. bacteria and fungi. Whilst these biocides are effective, since they are designed to destroy living organisms, they are usually hazardous to humans as well. An omniphobic coating will not actively destroy microbes however, its surface properties will result in bacteria and fungi not being able to adhere hence they cannot establish colonies. This prevention of adhesion is how omniphobic coatings can derive their antimicrobial behaviour.\r\n\r\nThrough this multidisciplinary approach that incorporates principles from materials science, computer-aided design, and machine learning, the project seeks to redefine conventional paradigms governing surface design within the paint industry, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable coating solutions. Ultimately, the outcomes of this research hold the potential to influence other industrial sectors, offering novel perspectives on the intersection of data-driven methodologies and functional surface design. \r\n\r\nMain objectives: \r\n\r\n1. Data Compilation and Analysis: \r\n\r\nCollect and curate extensive datasets, from existing literature, encompassing diverse material properties, and environmental conditions, relevant to functional surfaces in coating technologies. \r\n\r\n2. Machine Learning Model Development: \r\n\r\nEmploy statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to analyse the compiled data to extract patterns, correlations and insights on the relationship between the chemistry, formulation, and the surface properties. Fine-tuning the models for accurate prediction and optimization of the functional characteristics of the surfaces. \r\n\r\n3. Experimental Characterization: \r\n\r\nConduct in-depth experimental investigations to synthesize and characterize novel additives and coating formulations, providing more data for fine-tuning the models if necessary. \r\n\r\n4. Testing and Performance Validation: \r\n\r\nConduct rigorous testing regimes to assess the performance of the developed formulations under various environmental conditions to ensure the practical viability of the proposed functional surfaces. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"4016 Materials Engineering (40%)\r\n3407 Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (40%)\r\n3403 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stefania Castelletto, Alberto Peruzzo","title":"Silicon carbide photonics devices for temperature quantum sensing","description":"Silicon carbide has recently emerged in the quantum technologies domain as an advantageous material that can be used for quantum computation and sensing applications. In particular in its thin film on insulator it can be used to design and fabricate integrated photonics-electronic devices for temperature quantum sensing. In this project you will design and test an integrated photonics and electronic device in silicon carbide on oxide for quantum sensing of temperature based on infrared laser excitation and collection.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chi Tsun (Ben) Cheng, Songlin Ding, Maciej Mazur","title":"Development and Optimization of Additive Manufacturing Processes for the Creation of High-Strength Microfluidic Devices and Microelectronic Components from Metal Alloys","description":"This project aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities presented by additive manufacturing, in the creation of complex small-scale components, namely microfluidic devices and microelectronic components. The project is born out of the recognition that despite the disruptive potential of 3D printing across various industries, there are substantial hurdles to overcome when applying these methods to the fabrication of these highly intricate parts.\n\nAdditive manufacturing has revolutionised mass customisation and on-demand production; however, when it comes to micro-components that play key roles in diverse areas such as biochemistry, synthetic biology, drug delivery systems, computation, and telecommunications, the technology encounters barriers. Among these are issues relating to precision and fidelity in crafting intricate geometries, limitations associated with the mechanical strength and thermal endurance of materials, and constraints in speed, cost, and resource utilisation efficiency of the manufacturing process.\n\nIn response to these obstacles, the project aims to develop and optimise additive manufacturing processes for creating robust, high-endurance microfluidic and microelectronic components using metallic alloys. A central focus will be on achieving a balance between the precision, durability, and efficiency of the manufacturing process while seeking innovative solutions to overcome temperature resistance constraints.\n\nThe objective is to push the boundaries of current methodologies, thus deepening our understanding of additive manufacturing dynamics. This research aspires to contribute to the advanced applications of microfluidic devices and microelectronic components, spurring the next wave of technological innovations by overcoming existing barriers in the field of additive manufacturing.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alireza Bab-Hadiashar, Ruwan Tennakoon","title":"Automated Visual Inspection for Industrial Applications: Robustness Through Time","description":"In practical applications of computer vision techniques, an algorithm has only limited amount of time and computational resources to complete a given task. Within those limits, the algorithm is expected to accumulate, understand and respond to external stimuli. This requirement lends itself to a \u201ctime progressive information processing\u201d approach that prioritises discovery of environmental structures based on their importance for the accomplishment of a given task. In this context, a computer vision algorithm can be given the opportunity to exploit its previous experience and knowledge of the environment as part of its formal time progressive approach. This is somewhat akin to enabling a computer experiencing d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu. In the above \u201ctime progressive\u201d paradigm, an algorithm starts from what it can recall and place its focus on the processing (whatever the application requires) of the major visual attractions (e.g. largest objects) and deal with them first (e.g., thwart any potential dangers). As time progresses, the algorithm can successively discover smaller details for a more complete recognition of lesser elements in the environment. The prescribed approach is particularly advantageous for automation of visual surveillance of urban environment and industrial inspection tasks. Visual inspection often involves processing a mixture of static and dynamic entities that may or may not have been seen before. The processing is time critical and different levels of details are sought depending on task in hand and the availability of computational resources. In contrast to the usual approach, which focuses on the static interpretation, the current project is aimed to develop a time progressive framework for automation of visual inspection or surveillance tasks.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefania Castelletto, Lei Bao","title":"3D printing technology for fabricating luminescent solar concentrators","description":"Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are optoelectronic devices that collect sunlight and concentrate it onto a small area of solar cells. 3D printing has emerged as a promising technology for fabricating LSCs. This research aims to investigate the potential of 3D printing for fabricating LSCs and compare the performance of 3D printed LSCs with those fabricated using traditional methods. The research will involve designing and fabricating LSCs using both 3D printing and traditional methods. The performance of the fabricated LSCs will be evaluated by measuring their optical efficiency, spectral response, and power conversion efficiency. The results obtained from this research will provide insights into the potential of 3D printing for fabricating LSCs and assist in developing more efficient and cost-effective solar LSC for building applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Rachel Caruso School of Science","title":"Machine Learning Discovery of Perovskite Materials for Biomedical Applications","description":"Perovskite materials have garnered significant attention in the field of materials science due to their unique properties, such as high photoluminescence, tunable bandgaps, and excellent charge transport properties. These characteristics make perovskites highly promising for biomedical applications, including bioimaging, drug delivery, and biosensing. This research project aims to utilize machine learning techniques to discover novel perovskite materials with enhanced properties for biomedical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Shadi Houshyar","title":"Machine Learning for the Discovery of Antimicrobial Materials","description":"Antimicrobial resistance has become a global health concern, necessitating the development of innovative strategies to combat pathogenic microorganisms. One promising approach is the design and discovery of antimicrobial materials that can inhibit or eliminate microbial growth. Machine learning techniques have demonstrated great potential in accelerating the discovery of novel materials with antimicrobial properties. This research proposal aims to leverage machine learning algorithms to facilitate the identification and optimization of antimicrobial materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Jonathan Tran, Mark Easton, Dong Qiu, Duyao Zhang, Yunhui Chen","title":"Machine Learning Techniques for Enhancing 3D Printing Processes and Performance","description":"3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing and prototyping by enabling the creation of complex three-dimensional objects with unprecedented speed and precision. However, challenges still exist in optimizing print quality, reducing print failures, and minimizing resource utilization. This research proposal aims to investigate the application of machine learning techniques to enhance the 3D printing process, improve print quality, and optimize printing parameters for various materials and geometries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Robust Stereo Vision System","description":"Two-view stereo vision is one of the most active research areas in computer vision. Among the existing techniques, stereo matching remains one of the most widely used due to its strong connection to the human binocular system. Traditionally, stereo-based depth estimation has been solved using a pipeline of four building blocks: (1) cost volume generation, (2) cost aggregation, (3) disparity computation, and (4) disparity refinement and postprocessing. With this pipeline, three research problems and corresponding possible methods were introduced.\n Stereo Vision via Transformer\n Stereo depth estimation relies on optimal correspondence matching with a cost volume between pixels on epipolar lines in the left and right images to infer depth. Traditional stereo matching cost volume generation algorithms rely on the distance between the two image pairs. Alternatively, the MC-CNN [6] and GC-Net [1] approaches concatenate the left and right features to learn matching cost estimation using a deep network. Furthermore, most learning-based models apply SPP features to form a cost volume by concatenating left feature maps with corresponding right feature maps across each disparity level, resulting in a 4D volume. To address the above-mentioned limitation, this module aims to utilise Transformer [7] or ViT [2] [3] as alternative architectures with innate global self-attention mechanisms to capture long-range dependencies. Synthetic Dataset\n Collecting and collating large amounts of real data to create a stereo dataset is a challenging task, and with the development of virtual modelling techniques, researchers are trying to build synthetic datasets such as scene flow [6] and Replica[6]. These datasets usually contain a larger number of images pairs compared to real-world datasets such as KITTI. However, limited by the technology available, the datasets always have weak textures and fewer environment variables. This is why most models are pretrained in the scene flow datasets and then fine-tuned in real-world datasets. This module aims to establish almost real synthetic datasets to train our stereo vision models. Occlusion detection and refinement\n Disparity refinement is designed to improve the results in complex regions, such as occluded regions and low texture regions. Occlusion usually occurs in edge areas of the object; based on that, the occlusion can be detected by the segmentation [5] and refine the occlusion by exploring statistical significance. However, for the large occluded regions, current strategies cannot directly refine inner occlusions, and cumulative error may be introduced. In the Middlebury 2014 benchmark, top-rank methods have achieved high accuracy in non-occluded regions. However, the evaluation error containing occluded regions almost doubled for most error metrics. Therefore, accurate estimation near occluded regions is still a challenging problem. This module aims to recover the disparity for the occlusion area and embed it into the current models.\n [1] Yue Cao, Jiarui Xu, Stephen Lin, Fangyun Wei, and Han Hu. Gc- net: Non-local networks meet squeeze-excitation networks and beyond. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF International Conference on Computer Vision Workshops, pages 0-0, 2019. 1\n [2] Alexey Dosovitskiy, Lucas Beyer, Alexander Kolesnikov, Dirk Weissenborn, Xiaohua Zhai, Thomas Unterthiner, Mostafa Dehghani, Matthias Minderer, Georg Heigold, Sylvain Gelly, et al. An image is worth 16x16 words: Transformers for image recogni- tion at scale. arXiv preprint arXiv:2010.11929, 2020. 1\n [3] Ze Liu, Yutong Lin, Yue Cao, Han Hu, Yixuan Wei, Zheng Zhang, Stephen Lin, and Baining Guo. Swin transformer: Hierarchical vision transformer using shifted windows. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF International Conference on Computer Vision, pages 10012-10022, 2021. 1\n [4] Daniel Scharstein and Richard Szeliski. A taxonomy and evaluation of dense two-frame stereo correspondence algorithms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Information Fusion in a Large-Scale Sensor Network","description":"Recent advances in sensor technology have led to tremendous development in wireless sensor networks (WSN). These networks consist of spatially distributed static or dynamic nodes\/agents (e.g. vehicle). Each node is equipped with sensors (camera, LIDAR, RADAR), on-board processing units, and communication capabilities [1]. The objective of a WSN is to provide a complete picture of the spatio-temporal events of a dynamic environment by combining information gathered by each agent. The success of this undertaking depends on formulating an effective and efficient information fusion strategy. Information fusion method combines data measured by sensor nodes to improve the potential values and interpretation performances of the source data, and to produce a high-quality visible representation of the data [2]. Any proposed solution should be scalable with respect to the number of agents, flexible and reliable [1].\n This project aims to:\n develop a principled mathematical framework for multi-source information fusion in a distributed sensor network. This project will formulate a principled sensor fusion strategy through the combination of multi-modal multi-object densities by devising a method to address track management and identity consistency issues.\n develop a metric to evaluate the value-of-information generated by each sensor node. It is often the case that not all sensor nodes provide valuable information for the entire system at all times. Thus these nodes only increase the communication cost for the system. Consequently, it is necessary to restrict information commutation to the sensor nodes with high-value information. This objective aims to address the problem of distribution support diversity and double counting.\n References:\n [1] Special issue on Distributed Signal Processing in Sensor Networks,IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, vol. 23, no. 4, 2006.8\n [2] Jixian Zhang. Multi-source remote sensing data fusion: status and trends.International Journal of Image and Data Fusion,1(1):5-24, 2010.\n [3] J. Shin, L. J. Guibas, and F. Zhao, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A distributed algorithm for managing multi-target identities in wireless ad-hoc sensornetworks,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Information Processing in Sensor Networks.Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2003, pp.223-238.\n [4] P. Chakravarty and R. Jarvis, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Multiple target tracking for surveillance: A particle filter approach,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in2005 International Conference on Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing, dec 2005, pp. 181-186.\n [5] B. Benfold, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stable multi-target tracking in real-time surveillance video,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d inComputer Vision and Pattern Recognition(CVPR), 2011, pp. 3457-3464.\n [6] Y. Bar-Shalom, W. D. Blair, and L. A. U. E. of California,Multitarget-multisensor Tracking: Applications and Advances, ser.Artech House radar library. Artech House, 1990, no. v. 3.\n [7] T. Rathnayake, R. Hoseinnezhad, R. Tennakoon, and A. Bab-Hadiashar, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Labeled multi-Bernoulli tracking for industrialmobile platform safety,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in2017 IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics (ICM). IEEE, 2017, pp. 393\u00e2\u20ac\u201c398.\n [8] T. Rathnayake, R. Tennakoon, A. K. Gostar, A. Bab-Hadiashar, and R. Hoseinnezhad, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Information fusion for industrial mobile platform safety via track-before-detect labeled multi-Bernoulli filter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009dSensors, vol. 19, no. 9, p. 2016, 2019.\n [9] T. Rathnayake, A. K. Gostar, R. Hoseinnezhad, and A. Bab-Hadiashar, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Occlusion handling for online visual tracking using labeled random set filters,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in2017 International Conference on Control, Automation and Information Sciences (ICCAIS),Oct 2017, pp. 151\u00e2\u20ac\u201c156.\n [10] R. Hoseinnezhad, B.-T. B.-N. N. T. Vo, B.-T. B.-N. N. T. Vo, and D. Suter, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Visual tracking of numerous targets via multi-Bernoulli filtering of image data,\u00e2\u20ac\u009dPattern Recognition, vol. 45, no. 10, pp. 3625\u00e2\u20ac\u201c3635, 2012.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Anomaly Detection for in Large Dynamic Networks","description":"Recent progress in the commercialisation of sensor and communications technologies have brought connectivity to the automotive industry. Using the connected features will provide significant advantages to traffic flow control. However, adversarial attacks (zero-day attacks) could make unauthorised access to sensitive data, interrupt the coherency of the information and cause a significant hazard for drivers and pedestrians. In such a network, protection of the vehicle perception and control systems against malicious intrusions requires effective countermeasures. However, conventional countermeasures are often falling short against sophisticated cyber attacks.\n Statistical and machine learning algorithms have been utilised to develop anomaly detection systems to ensure the security of the connected vehicle systems against vulnerabilities in any underlying technologies (such as network systems, edge computation and data centres). However, cyber attackers use different techniques to identify and exploit systems and other vulnerabilities to circumvent detection and deceive existing countermeasures.\n This project aims to formulate and develop an anomaly detection framework to detect cyber attacks against large scale dynamic networks (such as connected vehicles), which is adaptable and robust against zero-day attacks. More specifically, this project aims to achieve the following outcomes: \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Creating a dataset that reflects the modern dynamic and distributed network traffic for connected vehicle scenarios, \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Constructing a robust model of normal system behaviour, \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Designing a measure to efficiently distinguish between normal and malicious behaviours in large, high-speed network environments, \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Ensuring the developed solution is scalable and suitable for high-velocity and high-dimensionality of data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Sensor Control Strategies for Multi-Target Tracking Using Levy Processes","description":"The proposed PhD research aims to develop novel sensor control strategies for multi-target tracking using Levy processes to model the statistical properties of the target motion. The traditional sensor control strategies may not be effective in scenarios where the targets exhibit anomalous behaviour, such as sudden changes in velocity or trajectory. Therefore, the research will investigate the effectiveness of Levy-flight-based sensor control algorithms, which are designed to model the heavy-tailed and long-range dependence properties of the target motion.\n \n The proposed research will focus on four objectives. Firstly, developing a framework for sensor control in multi-target tracking that uses Levy processes to model the statistical properties of the target motion. Secondly, investigate the effectiveness of Levy-flight-based sensor control algorithms in improving tracking performance in scenarios where traditional sensor control strategies may not be effective. Thirdly, developing a stochastic control approach for sensor selection that optimizes the sensor selection strategy based on the statistical properties of the target motion modelled using a Levy-flight process. Lastly, investigates the use of Levy processes for sensor placement optimization in multi-target tracking.\n \n The proposed research will employ a mathematical framework for using Levy processes in sensor control and placement optimization in multi-target tracking. The research will involve the implementation and evaluation of Levy-flight-based sensor control algorithms on simulated and real-world data sets. Furthermore, the research will develop and evaluate stochastic control approaches for sensor selection in multi-target tracking. The research will also investigate the use of Levy processes for sensor placement optimization in multi-target tracking.\n \n The expected outcomes of this research include the development of novel sensor control strategies for multi-target tracking, improved tracking performance in scenarios where traditional sensor control strategies may not be effective, identification of optimal sensor selection strategies that optimize the tracking performance and resource utilization, and improved sensor placement strategies for multi-target tracking.\n \n [1] - Essam H. Houssein, Mohammed R. Saad, Fatma A. Hashim, Hassan Shaban, M. Hassaballah,\n L\u00c3\u00a9vy flight distribution: A new metaheuristic algorithm for solving engineering optimization problems, Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, Volume 94, 2020, 103731, ISSN 0952-1976.\n [2] - A. K. Gostar, R. Hoseinnezhad and A. Bab-Hadiashar, \"Robust Multi-Bernoulli Sensor Selection for Multi-Target Tracking in Sensor Networks,\" in IEEE Signal Processing Letters, vol. 20, no. 12, pp. 1167-1170, Dec. 2013, doi: 10.1109\/LSP.2013.2283735.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chi Tsun (Ben) Cheng","title":"Worker-Centric Industry 5.0 Applications for Improving Safety, Productivity, and Inclusivity","description":"This PhD research project aims to develop worker-centric Industry 5.0 applications that improve safety, work conditions, and productivity while promoting inclusivity and sustainability. The project will investigate advanced sensing and monitoring techniques, robust and flexible communication strategies, visualization technologies, and AI technologies for data processing, reasoning, and decision-making. The goal is to create a suite of tools and applications that allow workers with diverse backgrounds and capabilities to stay up to speed faster, extend the working lives of the aged workforce, and address labour shortages in Australia and other similar countries.\n \n The project will address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, including Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Responsible Consumption and Production.\n \n The PhD candidate will work with industry partners (subject to availability) to identify specific use cases and requirements for the development of worker-centric Industry 5.0 applications. The project will involve the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the applications in real-world settings. The PhD candidate will also be expected to conduct research on relevant theories and models related to Industry 5.0, human factors, safety engineering, and AI technologies.\n \n The expected outcome of the project is a suite of worker-centric Industry 5.0 applications that are effective, efficient, and user-friendly, with the potential to improve safety, productivity, and inclusivity in various industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chi-Tsun (Ben) Cheng","title":"Enhancing Energy Productivity in Industries through IIoT and AI Technologies","description":"This PhD research project aims to help industries improve their energy productivity by adopting Industrial IoT (IIoT) and AI technologies. The goal is to reduce waste and make processes more lean and efficient, making industries more agile and able to withstand market fluctuations. The project will investigate advanced sensing and monitoring techniques, robust and flexible communication strategies, visualization technologies, and AI technologies for data processing, reasoning, and decision-making.\n \n The project will address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, including Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Responsible Consumption and Production.\n \n The PhD candidate will work closely with industry partners (subject to availability) to identify specific use cases and requirements for the development of energy productivity, monitoring and enhancing, solutions. The project will involve the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the solutions in real-world settings. The PhD candidate will also be expected to conduct research on relevant theories and models related to IIoT, energy management, and AI technologies.\n \n The expected outcome of the project is a suite of energy productivity solutions that are effective, efficient, and user-friendly, with the potential to reduce waste and improve efficiency in various industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Development of high-strength antibacterial Ti-Cu alloys enabled by additive manufacturing","description":"Titanium is currently the mainstream biomedical implant material for load bearing applications due to its good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. However, bacterial infection occurs in a chance of as high as 16% for hip surgery and the patients have to suffer from the pain from secondary operation. It is a consensus that addition of copper into titanium could enhance the antibacterial performance significantly as copper has excellent spectrum antimicrobial properties. As a result, Ti-Cu alloys attracted increasing attention as promising antibacterial materials for biomedical applications. The performance of Ti-Cu alloys is closely related to its microstructure. It is revealed by recent studies that finer secondary phase, Ti2Cu, in Ti-Cu alloys improves antibacterial performance and also better mechanical properties. Metal additive manufacturing appears to be the ideal manufacturing technique to produce Ti-Cu alloys with desirable properties because the ultrahigh cooling rates during the building process usually leads to very fine microstructure and compositional homogeneity. This project aims to harness the unrivalled power of additive manufacturing to develop high-strength antibacterial Ti-Cu alloys that can be used as a new generation of biomedical implant material. The effect of copper addition, laser scanning strategy and post treatment on the as-built Ti-Cu alloys on the microstructure, defect configuration and resultant mechanical properties will be comprehensive investigated. The antibacterial properties and in vitro corrosion rate will be tested after optimisation of the composition and processing parameters. The overall performance will be compared with the commercial Ti-6Al-4V and commercially pure Ti respectively.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Improving wear and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys for automotive applications","description":"It is well recognised that magnesium and its alloys have higher specific strength and higher damping capacity, over steels and aluminium alloys. As a result, the development of magnesium alloys as a light-weighting solution for automotive applications has attracted increasing attention and gained enormous investment since 1990\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. However, magnesium alloys usually suffer from poor corrosion resistance and wear resistance, which poses a critical barrier to wider adoption of Mg alloys by automotive manufacturer. Therefore, it is of technological significance to develop a low-cost and reliable process to improve the corrosion and wear resistance of magnesium alloys. This project will address the aforementioned challenge through laser cladding on the surface of magnesium component. Laser cladding can provide strong metallurgical bonding between coating and substrate, a fine and uniform microstructure due to rapid cooling rates and better thermal fatigue properties. In addition, laser cladding is an environmental-friendly, simple, and time-saving process, and hence it offers a promising pathway to solve this long-standing problem. In this project, new cladding materials which are compatible with aluminium at joint in a vehicle will be developed and the associated laser cladding processing parameters will be optimised to minimise the defects and cracks in the laser processed layer. The microstructure evolution from the bottom to the top of the cladded part will be characterised in a comprehensive manner by SEM and TEM. The wear and corrosion resistance after cladding will then be validated compared to the naked magnesium substrate in the freestanding and service conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Developing high-performance high-entropy alloys for demanding applications","description":"High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are an emerging class of alloys in materials family with equal (or near equal) molar fractions of multiple elements in a single solid solution. HEAs have a number of unusual characteristics, such as high thermal stability, excellent corrosion resistance and in particular, superior strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures [1,2], which far exceed the properties of conventional engineering alloys, like steels and titanium alloys. So HEAs are ideal candidate materials for many challenging cryogenic applications, like the carrier for storage and transport of liquefied nature gas from deep in the sea and ship propulsion systems working in cold ocean current, etc. This project aims to further enhance the mechanical properties of near eutectic HEAs enabled by metal additive manufacturing (AM). On one hand, the high cooling rates during the metal AM process can further refine the lamellar microstructure and lead to higher strength and toughness compared to the cast counterpart. On the other hand, solidification in a very small molten pool reduces macro-segregation of solute elements. In this project, laser processing strategy will be optimised for minimising the porosity and cracks in the as-built HEA samples. The as-fabricated and heat treated microstructure will be comprehensively characterised and resultant mechanical properties will be assessed at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Hetero-deformation induced strengthening in additively manufactured alloys","description":"Heterostructured materials with an alternating pattern of soft zones and hard zones in a micro-scale, have been reported as a new class of materials with superior mechanical properties, over conventional alloys with uniform microstructure. The underpinning mechanism is called Hetero-deformation induced (HDI) strengthening, where back stress is developed in soft zones to offset the applied stress. However, most of the current HDI related research are confined within conventional manufacturing techniques, like rolling, forging and extrusion, etc. In this project, the magnitude of HDI strengthening will be comprehensively evaluated in a metal additively manufactured (AM) component. Due to the ultra-high cooling rate and multiple thermal cycles during the metal AM process, microstructural heterogeneity easily develops in the as-fabricated component, in particular in hypo-eutectic alloys where the ultra-fine eutectics act as the hard zone, surrounding the pro-eutectic phase as the soft zone. A wide range of laser processing parameters will be investigated to tune the configuration (size, volume fraction and distribution) of soft zones and hard zones. The resultant mechanical properties will be tested to optimise the processing parameter. In addition, hierarchical hetero-structure will also be studied by incorporating the periodic macro-bands across layers. It is expected that the research outcomes can be used to guide the design of new high-performance heterostructured materials enabled by metal AM.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Benjamin Noble","title":"Developing Switchable Ligands to Control Gold Nanocluster Interfaces","description":"This project aims to unlock the catalytic activity of protected gold nanoclusters by developing switchable ligands capable of undergoing controlled detachment and exchange. This project expects to provide a detailed understanding of how the gold thiolate interface of nanoclusters influences their physical and chemical properties. Expected outcomes of this project include the design of improved catalysts for chemical synthesis and biological assays using computer aided chemical modelling. These catalysts should be easier to recover after use, which should improve cost-effectiveness. They should also improve the accuracy of biological sensors, which could ultimately be used for the rapid and early detection of diseases.\n \n This project is an excellent opportunity for driven students to learn advanced molecular modelling approaches, while working within a multidisciplinary team (Materials Modelling and Simulation Group) with expertise in Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi","title":"AI and Machine Learning for Robotic Perception and Manipulation","description":"Robots are usually equipped with multiple RGB-D cameras, TOF, and laser sensors and can actively collect a large amount of raw data. However, labelling and training large data sets hinder supervised learning methods in changing environments. Machine learning frameworks have gained increasing attention in many robotic applications, where expensive data collection and labelling for supervised learning is not feasible. Considering the task of robotic manipulation or assembly in a changing and unstructured environment, weekly supervised learning and deep reinforcement learning (DRL) are more compelling solutions compared to supervised learning. The problem of object detection and segmentation can be addressed based on weakly supervised learning methods, while DRL can solve the grasping task of irregular objects and trajectory planning. The doctoral student will work on an exciting project lying at the intersection of robotics and machine learning. Specifically, this project studies the state-of-the-art learning framework and its application to robotic vision and manipulating objects in an unstructured and changing environment. We will investigate core tasks of visual object detection, classification and grasping for robotics manipulation or assembly. We will draw from state-of-art computer vision and learning methods and adapt new algorithms for the considered robotic scenario. We will consider a stationary-base or floating-base robotic arm actively exploring the environment to detect\/classify objects on a tabletop or in a room. Then, at the next stages, we will engage the interactive capabilities of the robot and DRL to perform various grasping, pushing, pulling, assembly or disassembly of objects of interest from different and diverse views.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi","title":"Advances in Intelligent Robotics and Collaborative Automation","description":"The industry is part of the recent global movement for attaining digital platforms, automation and robotization in various domains (e.g. manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics and transport). Still, the pace of applying intelligent and autonomous robots in real-world applications is slow. Most of the traditional robotic systems in manufacturing, automobile, and so on, are meant to automate predictable tasks, manual repetitive or cognitive repetitive, with no people nearby, and robots rely on precise CAD models (i.e., cars) or vision to manipulate workpieces that are fixed, relative to the robotic systems. Recent research is motivated by the huge need for automation of cognitive nonrepetitive tasks. Future robots need to perform many nonrepetitive tasks that frequently change in small-volume manufacturing or in unstructured and dynamic environments, which are much harder to automate. In this project, students will design a new generation of robotic systems with novel locomotion [3], vision-based perception and path planning for manipulation in 3-D environments [1][2][3], and robot-human collaboration [3] to deal with task variations and uncertainties in the environment. By enabling robots to learn from their own experience and specified goals, it is possible to automate complex processes robustly. Students can work on the following topics: a) machine learning applied to nonrepetitive tasks, teaching by demonstration and human-robot skill transfer: To handle the effects of extreme conditions on perception and localization. b) Robots and mechanisms with novel locomotion, high precision, force sensing and control: To automate challenging tasks that are considered dangerous, dirty and dull (3D) for human workers. c) Automated path planning methods for manipulators operating in complex workspaces: To allow robotic manipulation in unstructured and changing environments. d) Robots that are inherently safe for interaction with human beings, understanding of human intention: To enable close human-robot collaboration. Prospective students should have prior knowledge and a strong background in machine learning, mechanical \/ mechatronics design, and control.\n References:\n [1]- H. Dong, E. Asadi, G. Sun, D.K.Prasad, I-Ming Chen. Real-Time Robotic Manipulation of Cylindrical Objects in Dynamic Scenarios Through Elliptic Shape Primitives. IEEE Transactions on Robotics, Vol. 35:1, 2019. DOI: 10.1109\/TRO.2018.2868804 [2]- Huixu Dong, Ehsan Asadi, Chen Qiu, Jian Dai, I-Ming Chen. Geometric Design Optimization of an Under-Actuated Tendon-Driven Robotic Gripper. Robotics and Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Vol. 50, pp. 80-89, 2018. [3] Ehsan Asadi, Bingbing Li and I-Ming Chen. Pictobot: A Cooperative Painting Robot for Interior Finishing of Industrial developments. IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 82-94, June 2018","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maciej Mazur","title":"Design and additive manufacture of a high-performance hybrid rocket motor","description":"Demand for wider, low-cost space access is increasing rapidly due to the significant expansion of the space economy in recent years. Specifically, economical rocket propulsion engines for small scale launch vehicles are in demand by industry and research institutions to help accelerate the development of new technologies for earth observation. Most current space launch services rely on liquid, regeneratively cooled rocket engines which are complex and incur significant manufacturing cost, thereby limiting their economic feasibility for small scale launch applications. A potential way to reduce complexity and cost is to use hybrid rocket motors which incorporate solid propellants, and which can be manufactured at lower costs. However, such rocket motors exhibit reduced performance, partially due to design compromises imposed by constraints associated with traditional manufacturing methods. However, recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) have significantly increased the range of manufacturable geometries, enabling the economic construction of complex designs previously not feasible. There is potential that through the application of emerging AM techniques, the performance of hybrid rocket engines can be increased thereby expanding their suitability for small scale launch vehicles. This PhD project aims to develop a compact, high-performance hybrid rocket motor suitable for small-scale launch vehicles. The project will address key research challenges in thermo-mechanical and combustion modelling, material selection, design for AM by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) technology, as well as extensive experimental testing and analysis. The project will be undertaken at the world-class RMIT Center for Additive manufacture (RCAM) and facilitated by a multi-disciplinary supervisory team.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nirajan Shiwakoti","title":"New methods for simulating the adoption and deployment of automated vehicles","description":"Emerging automated vehicle technology (AVT) could considerably change road transport and mobility service. AVT, however, faces some barriers to adoption. The adoption rate and market penetration of AVT depend on an interconnected network of influences. For example, AVT must overcome the perceived risks to safety, data-cyber security and ethical issues (e.g., liability, privacy). Undesirable events, such as crashes and data theft, might occur due to malfunctioning control systems and malicious hacking. This project aims to develop new methods and tools to conduct uncertainty analyses on various interventions (i.e. technology and policy scenarios to gain insights into facilitating the adoption and deployment of AVT.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nirajan Shiwakoti","title":"Modelling Adoption and Deployment of Electrical Vehicles","description":"Electric Vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity in recent years mainly due to price reduction, improvement in battery technology and sustainability awareness. However, the adoption and deployment of EVs are still at a slow pace. The project aims to develop a modelling tool to identify the short-term and long-term leverage points for adopting and deploying EVs. The project will consider EV users' perceptions of tangible and intangible incentives that may influence EVs adoption, route planning and charging behaviour. Understanding users\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 behaviour is critical for the successful deployment of EVs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nirajan Shiwakoti","title":"Developing Resilient Transport Systems During Disruptions or Disasters","description":"Different disruptions and threats, such as natural disasters (e.g., bushfires, floods), technological failures, and terrorist attacks, have consistently put large populations at risk worldwide. A robust and resilient transportation system is required to absorb the effects of such disturbances and to safeguard operational continuity. Emergency managers have the big task of planning for such risks by developing strategies to alleviate damage and protect lives. Therefore, this research aims to develop approaches to assess the vulnerability and resiliency of multi-modal transport systems. Diverse transport systems issues under natural and human-made disasters will be explored and examined in this project, including traffic networks and demand management, evacuee behaviour, mode of transport, multiple objectives, and spatial and temporal distribution of evacuees.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Stasinopoulos","title":"Dynamical life cycle assessment","description":"The life cycle assessment (LCA) technique is used to quantify the environmental impacts of a product, process, or decision. The standard LCA method, however, makes some limiting assumptions that exclude changes in parameter values over time. This lack of the temporal dimension and the focus on a single functional unit lead to uncertainty in estimates, especially for new, high-volume, long-life products and processes; and for products and processes that have long-term impacts.\n \n The aim of this project is to explore the value and challenges of an LCA technique that can account for the dynamics (i.e., changes over time) in adoption, consumer behaviour, resource consumptions, emissions, and environmental impacts. The focus is on dynamics that are driven by feedback, accumulation, and delays. Such complex dynamics often occur throughout product fleets and in the wider system, beyond the products themselves.\n \n The main contribution will be to the LCA methodology. Results may include the identification of circumstances in which dynamical LCAs provide worthwhile benefits over static\/steady-state LCAs. Dynamic processes may be modelled using system dynamics modelling, agent-based modelling, analytical approaches, or other methods.\n \n Case studies may address products, processes, and decisions that relate to clean\/renewable energy, other clean technology, critical metals and minerals, emerging high technology (including autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, and distributed ledger technologies), forests and biomass, other natural resources, emerging economies, humanitarian action, and development assistance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"MR216 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Stasinopoulos","title":"Dynamical life cycle assessment","description":"The life cycle assessment (LCA) technique is used to quantify the environmental impacts of a product, process, or decision. The standard LCA method, however, makes some limiting assumptions that exclude changes in parameter values over time. This lack of the temporal dimension and the focus on a single functional unit lead to uncertainty in estimates, especially for new, high-volume, long-life products and processes; and for products and processes that have long-term impacts.\n \n The aim of this project is to explore the value and challenges of an LCA technique that can account for the dynamics (i.e., changes over time) in adoption, consumer behaviour, resource consumptions, emissions, and environmental impacts. The focus is on dynamics that are driven by feedback, accumulation, and delays. Such complex dynamics often occur throughout product fleets and in the wider system, beyond the products themselves.\n \n The main contribution will be to the LCA methodology. Results may include the identification of circumstances in which dynamical LCAs provide worthwhile benefits over static\/steady-state LCAs. Dynamic processes may be modelled using system dynamics modelling, agent-based modelling, analytical approaches, or other methods.\n \n Case studies may address products, processes, and decisions that relate to clean\/renewable energy, other clean technology, critical metals and minerals, emerging high technology (including autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, and distributed ledger technologies), forests and biomass, other natural resources, emerging economies, humanitarian action, and development assistance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Development of nanodiamond\/selenium based medical textiles","description":"By serving as a physical or chemical barrier, the human skin protects internal organs from microbes, dehydration, and environmental hostility [1]. The functionality of skin and neighbouring cells could be damaged by severe injuries like trauma, disease, burns, or surgical procedures [2]. Bacterial development from the injured skin may lead to infection and hinder recovery [3]. The rise of multi-drug resistance strains of bacteria, in particular, caused serious clinical challenges and lost lives, particularly in developing nations where antimicrobials were widely available without a prescription [4]. Additionally, the environmental issues brought on by the contamination of water resources with antibiotics and related pharmaceutics [5]. Finding a different approach to prevent bacterial infection and the development of the wounded site is however unavoidable [6]. \n The primary goal of the current study is to fabricate Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) loaded membrane or electrospun nanofibrous mat composed of chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), where a variety of concentrations of SeNPs will be used to boost the antibacterial properties of the composite. To examine the possible biosensing and biocompatibility, another membrane or electrospun nanofibrous mat of CS and PVA hybrid doped with different concentrations of Nanodiamonds (NDs) will be generated. Eventually, an electro-spinning process will be used to achieve a fibrous composite of CS\/PVA\/SeNPs\/NDs for possible use in biomedical applications especially wound dressing. Based on the previous studies, there are hardly any narratives about the production, characterization, or impact assessment of a nanocomposite electrospun CS\/PVA\/SeNPs\/NDs nanofibrous membrane or mat for wound dressing. Using this next-generation nanocomposite wound dressing, hopefully, a wound could be protected from bacterial growth and infection as well as the mats could help with wound ventilation and exudate management, which would speed up the healing process. The presence of NDs on this multifunctional wound dressing is highly anticipated to add temperature-sensing features that can be employed to track and detect the status of an infection and recovery phase.\n References\n \n 1. Hoque J, Haldar J. Direct Synthesis of Dextran-Based Antibacterial Hydrogels for Extended Release of Biocides and Eradication of Topical Biofilms. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2017 May 2;9(19):15975\u00e2\u20ac\u201c85.\n 2. Huang X, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Xu L, Chen X, Wei S. Influence of radiation crosslinked carboxymethyl-chitosan\/gelatin hydrogel on cutaneous wound healing. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 2013 Dec;33(8):4816\u00e2\u20ac\u201c24.\n 3. Adeli H, Khorasani MT, Parvazinia M. Wound dressing based on electrospun PVA\/chitosan\/starch nanofibrous mats: Fabrication, antibacterial and cytocompatibility evaluation and in vitro healing assay. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2019 Feb;122(Epub 2018 Oct 18):238\u00e2\u20ac\u201c54.\n 4. Ardekani NT, Khorram M, Zomorodian K, Yazdanpanah S, Veisi H, Veisi H. Evaluation of electrospun poly (vinyl alcohol)-based nanofiber mats incorporated with Zataria multiflora essential oil as potential wound dressing. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2019 Mar;125:743\u00e2\u20ac\u201c50.\n 5. Levy SB, Marshall B. Antibacterial resistance worldwide: causes, challenges and responses. Nature Medicine [Internet]. 2004 Nov 30;10(S12):S122\u00e2\u20ac\u201c9. Available from: https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nm1145\n 6. Ahmed MK, Moydeen AM, Ismail AM, El-Naggar ME, Menazea AA, El-Newehy MH. Wound dressing properties of functionalized environmentally biopolymer loaded with selenium nanoparticles. Journal of Molecular Structure. 2021 Feb;1225:129138.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Tissue- Engineered Vascular Grafts","description":"Coronary artery diseases and peripheral vascular disease are leading causes of death and impaired quality of life. Vascular graft plays an important role in the contemporary management of a wide range of clinical conditions, including coronary artery bypass and distal limb bypass. In most cases, autologous tissue, in the preferred treatment and gold standard for the long-term revascularization especially for small diameter vessels (<6mm). However, these vessels are of limited availability, require invasive harvest which can be associated with significant morbidity and are often unsuitable for use. Synthetic vascular grafts represent an alternative to autologous vessels. Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) have been developed to overcome these issues and withstand the high pressures of the arterial circulation. Most TEVGs seek to replicate the biological and mechanical properties of native blood vessels, if not the protein, materials, and cells themselves present in native vascular architecture. These grafts have shown satisfactory long-term results for replacement of large- and medium-diameter arteries, such as the carotid or common femoral artery, but have poor patency rates when applied to small-diameter vessels(<6mm), such as coronary arteries and arteries below the knee. Considering the limitations of current vascular bypass conduits, a TEVG with the ability to grow, remodel, and repair in vivo presents a potential solution for the future of vascular surgery. \n An ideal TEVG will undergo rapid vascular remodelling process by facilitating cellular infiltration and scaffold degeneration. This project will focus on feasibility of novel small arterial TEVGs created using several biodegradable materials and their combinations to consider the degradation rate, processability, ease of manufacturing, cellular infiltration. Furthermore, fabrication conditions for specific techniques will be optimised for tunable physical and chemical properties that can lead to optimum tissue formation in vitro and regeneration in vivo, and experimental data will be used for modelling the grafts.\n References\n 1. T. Funkunisi, et al, Tissue Engineering small diameter arterial vascular grafts from cell-free nanofiber PCL\/Chitosan scaffold in a sheep Model, PLOS ONE, 2016; DOI:10.1371\/journal.pone.0158555 \n 2. M. Carrabba and P. Madeddu, Current strategies for the manufacture of small size tissue engineering vascular grafts, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2018, doi: 10.3389\/fbioe.2018.00041\n 3. C. S. Ong, et al, Tissue engineering vascular grafts: current state of the field, EXPERT REVIEW OF MEDICAL DEVICES, 2017, VOL. 14, NO. 5, 383\u00e2\u20ac\u201c392, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/17434440.2017.1324293\n 4. S. Pashneh-Tala, et el, The tissue engineered vascular graft- past present and future, TISSUE ENGINEERING: Part B, Volume 22, Number 1, 2016, DOI: 10.1089\/ten.teb.2015.0100\n 5. F. Ahmed, N.R. Choudhury et al Interaction of Platelet with Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) electrospun surfaces, Biomacromolecules 2014, 15: 744\u00e2\u20ac\u201c755 \n 6. F. Ahmed, N.R. Choudhury et al Engineering interaction between bone marrow derived endothelial cells and electrospun surfaces for artificial vascular graft applications, Biomacromolecules 2014 15(4):1276-87 \n 7. F. Ahmed, N. R. Choudhury et al Fabrication and characterisation of an electrospun tubular 3D scaffold platform of poly (vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) for small-diameter blood vessel application, J. of Biomat. Sci., Polym. Ed. 2014, 25, 18, 2023\u00e2\u20ac\u201c2041.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Bioengineered materials with visibility under medical imaging","description":"Imaging techniques are utilised for a variety of applications, including 3D imaging to analyse heat and drought stress on food crops, the microstructure of composites, ceramic, polymer, and modelling organisms, as well as visualising internal interactions of biological components within physiological systems in a non-invasive and rapid way. However, it is challenging to visualise internal soft biological structures or embedded polymeric materials with high clarity under current imaging techniques. Such materials can be used to support or modify (e.g., by releasing compounds) biological structures in complex physiological systems. Since not all soft tissue or polymeric materials absorb X-rays or have similar contrast properties under X-rays, imaging of these components is usually suboptimal due to low resolution and clarity [1,2]. Novel agents are therefore required to better delineate soft tissues and polymeric materials in physiological systems and enhance the contrast between soft tissue and polymeric materials. This project will achieve this by untapping the potential of nanomaterials and nanoscale fabrication to increase the contrast sensitivity of the agents and improve the visualisation or be able to model their structure and interactions. \n Contrast agents are usually taken up by soft biological structures (for example, biological tissues) and increase visibility and definition using a range of imaging techniques, such as Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques. However, most currently available contrast agents undergo rapid clearance, within a few hours, from physiological systems and can cause issues such as reduction in biological functions when remaining in tissue for extended durations (48 hrs). In addition, the polymeric materials used to support damaged tissue generally have poor absorbance properties resulting in difficulties visualising using current imaging techniques such as CT and MRI [2,3]. Therefore, suitable contrast agents are required to understand and study the interaction between the polymeric materials used to support damaged tissue and the biological system, as well as detailed information about their conditions in a non-invasive way [1][4]. \n This project will therefore provide a completely novel non-invasive visualisation technique applicable to define internal biological structures and polymeric structural materials, such as sutures, thread, and gels, in functioning complex physiological systems. The fluorescent properties of carbon dots combined with their chemical sensitivity make them suitable for applications such as the detection of corrosion, manufacturing defects modelling organisms, microstructure analysis and failure behaviour of polymeric composites. \n References\n 1. Jeong, Y., et al., Biocompatible carbonized iodine-doped dots for contrast-enhanced CT imaging. Biomater Res, 2022. 26(1): p. 27.\n 2. Yin, M., et al., Precisely translating computed tomography diagnosis accuracy into therapeutic intervention by a carbon-iodine conjugated polymer. Nat Commun, 2022. 13(1): p. 2625.\n 3. Ballard, D.H., et al., 3D printing of surgical hernia mesh impregnated with contrast agents: in vitro proof of concept with imaging characteristics on computed tomography. 3D Print Med, 2018. 4(1): p. 13.\n 4. Ding, X., et al., Preparation and Biocompatibility Study of Contrast-Enhanced Hernia Mesh Material. Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2022. 19(4): p. 703-715.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Stuart Bateman","title":"Design and manufacture of ultra performance materials for use as thermal protection systems for aerospace applications","description":"Aerospace manufacturers have an interest in developing materials that could be used as thermal protection for space vehicles traveling at hypersonic velocities. The goal of this research is to develop a class of materials and manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing that could one day substantially reduce the manufacturing and assembly costs of space vehicle thermal protection systems (TPS). Knowledge gained in this area would not only underpin this grand challenge but near term support the development of materials with improved thermal stability and flammability for application in transportation and critical civil infrastructure.\n Currently the range of materials available for Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) based additive manufacturing is limited compared to other polymer manufacturing processes. Even less is known about FDM manufacturing of ultra-performance polymeric materials such as those with high inherent stability and which undergo chemical \/ physical transformations to produce stable insulative residues on exposure to extreme thermal events, the focus of this project. Research into thermally responsive polymeric materials and additive manufacturing would be conducted at RMIT, . Investigation of thermal, fire performance and ablative response of specimens via micro-scale combustion calorimetry, oxy-acetylene test bed (OTB) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) would be conducted in collaboration with co-supervisor Prof Joe Koo at the University of Texas (Austin). Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) will be used to analyze the heat transfer between the specimens under various scenarios compared with material response obtained experimentally to develop predictive models to support the research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tingting Song","title":"Hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials by 3D printing and nanofabrication","description":"This project aims to develop a novel approach to the manufacture of hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials with a fine nanoporous tantalum surface through capitalizing on the advantages of metal 3D printing and a unique post nanofabrication process. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the design and manufacture of hierarchical metal lattice materials. Expected outcomes include a new advanced manufacturing method and a new class of highly biocompatible hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials. The former should benefit the Australian Manufacturing Industry for the manufacture of a variety of novel metal lattice materials or products while the latter has the potential for applications as implant materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yingyan Zhang","title":"Development of graphene\/epoxy composites membrane","description":"The exceptional properties of graphene have endowed it with enormous potentials in the anti-corrosion applications for most common metals. The challenging issue in the anti-corrosion application of graphene is the fatal galvanic corrosion occurring between graphene and metals. To make the best use of graphene for long-term corrosion protection, it is of paramount importance that its adversely galvanic corrosion is avoided. In this project, we tackle the challenge of galvanic corrosion of graphene via physically uncoupling by developing a novel graphene\/epoxy nanocomposite coating.\n \n This project includes property characterization by molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory, inverse design by machine learning and structural analysis by continuum mechanics modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yongmin Zhong","title":"Dynamic Soft Tissue Characterisation","description":"Soft tissue properties are important to many modern applications of technology to medicine, such as robotic surgery, surgical simulation and training, tissue engineering and biomanufacturing. The behaviors of soft tissue deformation under applied physical force relies on tissue mechanical properties, which are dynamically changing during tool-tissue interaction. Therefore, soft tissues properties must be acquired and studied through a dynamic characterization process for accurate modelling of soft tissue deformation. This project aims to study the fundamental issues associated with dynamic soft tissue characterisation during the process of tool-tissue interaction (such as palpation-based disease diagnosis, and needle insertion for percutaneous interventions). It is expected to establish advanced real-time estimation algorithms based on biomechanical models to dynamically identify tissue mechanical properties.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yunhui Chen","title":"Unraveling the secrets of laser additive manufacturing using synchrotron radiation","description":"Laser Additive Manufacturing of metals is revolutionising the manufacturing sector for the flexibility to create complex geometries directly from a digital design. However, very high cooling rates and many rapid\n thermal cycles pose many challenges in achieving industrial standard components. This project aims to use synchrotron radiation to resolve the challenges in additive manufacturing by looking inside the process with fast Synchrotron X-ray imaging. With a framerate > 40kHz, we will be able to observe the laser-matter interaction in-situ and understand in-depth the defects and phases forming process. The student will be able to visit world-leading synchrotron facilities including The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France and the Advanced Photon Source in the US for experiments and get trained by beamline scientists in advanced X-ray techniques. This project will also provide the student with real industrial experiences with access to industrial applications and a variety of additive manufacturing machines in the RMIT AM center.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Hamid Khayyam","title":"Intelligent Modelling, Control and Optimization of Engineering Complex Systems (Energy, Transportation, and Automation) ","description":"Complex systems pose significant challenges in mechanical, mechatronics, and electrical engineering. These systems involve studying the interrelationships among multiple entities, which contribute to collective behavior and often reveal intricate dynamic phenomena. Modeling such systems necessitates the use of sophisticated mathematical tools. However, it is evident that our current human knowledge and scientific tools fall short in capturing the overall complexity of system dynamics. Therefore, the need for new theoretical advancements and novel challenges in applications drives the development of suitable tools for accurately describing complex systems. One potential solution involves utilizing intelligent systems that incorporate intelligence into machine-handled applications. Intelligent systems are capable of performing search, control, optimization, and learning functions. Intelligent system design can incorporate various types of machine learning, such as supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning, and deep reinforcement learning. This approach can be applied to the design of diagnostics, construction, and operation of autonomous vehicles, autonomous robots, trains, tram, EVs, Bus, batteries, energy systems, as well as mechanical, mechatronics, and electrical engineering systems.\n\nThe objective of this project is to develop an intelligent model for real-time control and optimization of complex mechanical, mechatronics, and electrical systems.\nThe candidate is expected to have good knowledge in data analytics and mathematical modelling.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"400702 Automation engineering ; 400705 Control engineering ; 401703 Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tingting Song","title":"Hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials by 3D printing and nanofabrication","description":"This project aims to develop a novel approach to the manufacture of hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials with a fine nanoporous tantalum surface through capitalizing on the advantages of metal 3D printing and a unique post nanofabrication process. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the design and manufacture of hierarchical metal lattice materials. Expected outcomes include a new advanced manufacturing method and a new class of highly biocompatible hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials. The former should benefit the Australian Manufacturing Industry for the manufacture of a variety of novel metal lattice materials or products while the latter has the potential for applications as implant materials.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Milan Simic","title":"Managing Transition to Electrical Vehicles","description":"We are currently in the state of the transition from the use of internal combustion engines to the electrical vehicles. It is driven by the demands for the environmental sustainability, less greenhouse emissions and less global warming. Transport sector, worldwide, is generating 10 to 20% of the pollution. To reduce that, we need technology developments, because the new technology, from the customers point of view, should match costs and performances of the traditional transport options. This transition is a major disruption affecting the whole economy of the country and globally. We need investment in new EV infrastructure to cover all transport network. Now, we have following major EV technology streams: Battery Electric Vehicle, Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, and Fuel Cell or Fuel Cell Electric. To support the transition, we need governments\u2019 understanding and commitments with clear policies. Pathways are not straightforward. To have green transportation using EVs we need to use green produced electrical energy. This is not the case in many countries, and the energy sector is currently producing more pollution than the transportation itself. In addition to that, battery life is around five years and the pollution caused by the improper handling, as it is mainly now, could be another attack to the environment. Transition management modelling, systems modelling, and Artificial Intelligence, i.e., Neural Network and Fuzzy Logic, will be methodology tools used for the predictions and proposals for the future directions.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Duyao Zhang","title":"Additive manufacturing of ternary Ti alloys with tuneable microstructure","description":"This project aims to design new class Ti-based alloys specifically for metal additive manufacturing (MAM) with fully equiaxed grains. It is well accepted that achievement of a fine grain size generally leads to improved mechanical properties and structural uniformity of most metals and alloys. However, MAM process is a non-equilibrium solidification processing because of much higher cooling rate and thermal gradient than conventional casting process. As a result, it is a big challenge to form equiaxed grains in MAM, especially in Ti-based alloys. In addition, alloys currently employed in industry have been originally designed for conventional manufacturing routes and not optimized for MAM. Hence, this project will tackle these challenges by considering the thermodynamic behaviour of the alloy elements during solidification to override the negative effects of solidification conditions during MAM.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Duyao Zhang","title":"Develop new fine-grained high-performance Ti alloys by metal 3D printing","description":"This project aims to develop a new class of Ti alloys that have very fine equiaxed grains and excellent mechanical properties, enabled by 3D metal printing. The key innovation is enabling grains that are finer and sprout in all directions, strengthening the overall structure and overcome the problems that conventional alloys have undesirably coarse-grained microstructures. The expected outcomes will lead to the widespread adoption of 3D metal printing for the production of high-performance structural parts, for which reliably high-quality microstructures and mechanical properties are of the utmost importance.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"MR216P23 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rory Gover","title":"Accurate acceleration limit determination methods for quasi-steady state vehicle modeling.","description":"Lap time simulation is a useful tool in motorsport for the design and development of a race car. Two common lap time simulation methods are Quasi-Steady-State (QSS) and Transient-Optimization (TO) with the former generally being computationally less intensive however not as accurate as the latter. This research project aims to improve QSS vehicle models\u2019 accuracy relative to TO models whilst remaining computationally efficient through the development of algorithms to accurately determine the acceleration capacity of a QSS vehicle across a wide operational domain. An accurate and computationally efficient lap time simulation method has many useful applications other than racecar development such as autonomous vehicle control or advanced driver assistance systems. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400203 Automotive mechatronics and autonomous systems  50%\n401706 Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"MR216P23 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yunhui Chen","title":"Synchrotron X-ray understanding of Laser Additive Manufacturing processes","description":"Laser additive manufacturing (LAM; laser 3D printing) is a key underpinning technology for the digital revolution (Industry 4.0), producing complex objects directly from 3D CAD drawings. LAM has incredible potential in rapid prototyping for aerospace, energy, and biomedical applications. Exciting opportunities arise in this research space to create components with exceptional mechanical performance and unique properties using alloy design and process control approach. However, due to the transient nature of the process, the understanding of LAM is limited through traditional post-mortem analysis, necessitating in-situ characterisation. Synchrotron X-ray techniques have only been implemented in LAM research recently but have shown huge advantages over traditional techniques in capturing, both in real and reciprocal space, the LAM processes, evidenced by a series of publications in Science and Nature. \n\nOur research group has pioneered the research field of Synchrotron X-ray investigation of LAM processes. Dr. Chen has developed a series of world-first additive manufacturing machines (both Powder Bed Fusion and blown powder Directed Energy Deposition) that work on synchrotron beamlines at the Diamond Light Source (UK), European Synchrotron Radiation Facilities (France), and Advanced Photon Source (USA) which can do in-situ monitoring and quantification of the LAM process. \n\nThis project aims to design and implement an in-line monitoring system which allows to generate defects free LAM components which process unique mechanical properties. In this project, the Master candidate will be provided with an exciting and unique opportunity to work with alloy design and solidification experts, machine learning experts and synchrotron x-ray material characterisation experts. Using in-situ Synchrotron X-ray results as ground truth, the candidate will develop a new approach will enable fast prediction of defects and microstructure formation on-the-fly during LAM processes. This project has significant industrial and academic potentials to fulfil the candidate\u2019s ambition.\n\nThe candidate will be based at Advanced Manufacturing Precinct, RMIT University, Australia with long placements at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, France. In addition, the PhD candidate will be supported by more than 10 research institutes and industrial partners across the globe with potential placement opportunities.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"404014 Manufacturing engineering (25%) ; 404016 Materials engineering (25%) ; 515110 Synchrotrons and accelerators (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Yarovsky","title":"Computational models of bio \u2013 nano material interfaces for novel biomedical applications","description":"The project will model biomolecule interactions with nanomaterials to develop novel devices for sensing of disease. You will theoretically characterise behaviour of nanomaterials in bio-environment at the time and length scales not achievable experimentally. These theoretical results will guide the experimental development of extremely sensitive diagnostic devices. You will collaborate with world leading experimental teams in the UK and Australia developing new nanomaterials and devices for biomedical exploitation, including point-of-care diagnostics and nanoparticle based treatments of diseases. You will develop atom-resolved models of novel nanomaterials in realistic biological settings using advanced computational chemistry and physics methods and high performance computing. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/03\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials ; 401807 \u2013 Nanomaterials ; 340402 - Biomolecular modelling and design"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Yarovsky","title":"Theoretical modelling of materials interfaces for Australian Steel industry","description":"RMIT is a partner in the Steel Innovation Research Hub funded by the Australian Research Council. The PhD candidate will work within the Steel Innovation Hub collaboratively with industry based technologists, academic Chief Investigators and their teams at RMIT and other partner Universities. The student will be trained to undertake high-quality, cutting-edge theoretical molecular modelling of hybrid materials at multiple time and length scales and contribute fundamental materials design principles to guide the industry in producing high quality environmentally efficient innovative steel products.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"25\/03\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials ;  401807 - Nanomaterials ; 340402 - Biomolecular modelling and design"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Next-generation of Materials for Transvaginal Mesh (TVM)","description":"Transvaginal mesh (TVM) is a medical device utilized for over 15 years to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) [1,2]. However, approximately 8-15% of TVM implants result in complications: lower back and hip pain; vaginal bleeding; blood in the urine\/bladder\/urethra; poor urinary flow; loss of sexual function; recurrent urinary\/vaginal infection and organ perforation [1,3]. Vaginal exposure (mesh becomes visible through the vagina) is the most common complication requiring revision surgery to remove extruding\/eroded mesh, with complete mesh removal not guaranteed. The occurrence rate of mesh erosions increases from 17% to 42% at one to seven years post-implantation [4-5]. In addition, many adverse effects are related to poor integration of materials at the implantation site, which triggers chronic inflammatory responses and contractile scar tissue development around the implant. In 2017, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. issued bans on TVM due to public concern and reported complications. However, treatment with native tissue or suture techniques resulted in a high recurrence rate of POP [1, 6]. Therefore, the TVM implant still remains the first option for POP\/SUI treatment; as such, reported complications should be addressed and prevented - this warrants the need to develop alternative mesh materials. In this project, a novel electrospun, visible and biocompatible mesh will be developed to address the mismatch between implant properties and the pelvic organ\/bladder to enhance its function (mechanical support) and reduce inflammation. The designed and developed transvaginal mesh will possess: i) protein-repellent properties, ii) visibility, and iii) a special structure to reduce its shrinkage and inflammation.\nReferences\n1. CDRH, F.a., Urogynecologic Surgical Mesh: July 2011.\n2. Shafaat, S., et al., Neurourol Urodyn, 2018. 37(2): p. 716-725.\n3. Bae WJ, K.K., et al., Transl Androl Urol, 2014. 3(S1): AB221).\n4. Ballard, D.H., et al., 3D Print Med, 2018. 4(1): p. 13.\n5. Farthmann, J., et al., Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2016. 294(1): p. 115-21\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/06\/2026","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"090301 - Biomaterials (40%) ; 091205 - Functional Materials (20%) ; 091012 - Textile Technology (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"Thermal management of hybrid fuel cell-battery systems in mobile applications","description":"The proposed study aims to address the thermal management challenges associated with hybrid fuel cell-battery systems used in heavy-duty mobile applications, such as trucks and other mobile machineries (e.g., lift trucks). Thermal management of is a significant limitation in these applications due to i) the low operating temperature of fuel cells; ii) multiple thermal needs within the systems; and iii) limited space for heat exchangers. These challenges are pronounced more in extreme cold climates and in the absence of an optimally design energy management strategy.  This study will adopt a holistic system-level approach to address this challenge by considering critical operating conditions, thermal requirements within the systems, potential heat recovery options, and solutions for optimising energy management. The objectives of this study are to i) develop data-driven and simulation approaches for the simultaneous optimisation of energy management by considering the system's thermal requirements; ii) minimise external thermal interactions by identifying internal thermal bridging opportunities, with a focus on system cold-start as well as battery and hydrogen storage thermal management needs (where applicable); iii) address mismatches between available recovered heat and the various system's heat demands; iv) and v) develop methods for applying the findings of this study to various heavy-duty trucks and non-road mobile machinery.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400205 Hybrid and electric vehicles and powertrains"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"An Integrated Energy Management System of a Fuel Cell Electrified Heavy Duty Vehicle","description":"Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) comprise various subsystems such as the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), battery, and electric machine, each requiring a dedicated thermal management system in addition to the cabin HVAC module. Understanding the interactions between these subsystems in an integrated thermal management system is crucial for enhancing the overall performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability of the hybrid powertrain. While previous research has focused on standalone subsystems like fuel cells, batteries, or electrical controls, there is a need for an integrated energy management analysis of the entire powertrain, including the cabin, under realistic drive cycles that reflect city, highway, and urban driving conditions. Based on these observations, the objectives of the present investigation are formulated as follows: i) Develop an integrated energy management system that includes a fuel cell, battery, electrical machine, and cabin for a heavy-duty vehicle, and optimize its performance for different drive cycles; ii) Explore the energy efficiency and temperature stability of the proposed thermal management strategy on large-scale battery packs in both hot and cold ambient conditions; iii) Develop a regenerative and dynamic air humidification cycle using pure wastewater from the fuel cell stack to optimize the reaction rate and energy output for driving the powertrain; and iv) Expose the optimally designed electrical powertrain to different conditions, such as overcharging, and overheating to study thermal runaway and the multi-state reliability of the entire subsystem.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400201 hybrid and electric vehicles and powertrains"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Yasuhiro Tachibana, Rachel Caruso and School of Science","title":"Development of Photocatalytic Nanomaterials for Solar Water Splitting","description":"Solar water splitting is one of the most attractive processes to generate clean energy.[1] This process does not emit greenhouse gases, and the generated hydrogen can be stored and used when required. Although finding the optimum material combination is extremely challenging, extensive efforts have been focused on developing nanomaterials for such solar water splitting reactions at low cost. Identification of parameters controlling water splitting efficiency has also been extensively investigated, however research towards nanomaterial development in correlation with the reaction mechanism has rarely been conducted.[1]\r\n\r\nMetal oxide nanomaterials such as TiO2, Fe2O3 and WO3 and their doped materials have been intensively studied to improve efficiency of water oxidation reaction.[2] However, despite this progress, the mechanism of the key reactions has rarely been understood. We are interested in elucidating mechanisms of photocatalytic water splitting reactions, and studied charge carrier dynamics,[3] and identified several key parameters that potentially control water splitting reactions.\r\n\r\nThis project aims at developing novel photocatalytic nanomaterials to be applied for solar water splitting devices. We will employ wet chemistry methods to synthesize metal oxide (MFe2O4 or WOx) nanocrystals and\/or g-C3N4 nanostructures, and employ state-of-the-art transient absorption spectroscopies and a time resolved microwave conductivity system, installed in part with the support from the awarded ARC LIEF funds (LE200100051 and LE170100235), respectively.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Y. Tachibana, L. Vayssieres, J. R. Durrant, Nature Photon., 6(8) 511-518 (2012).\r\n[2] Can Li et al. ACS Catal. 7 (2017) 675-688.\r\n[3] Y. Tachibana et al., Appl. Catal. B-Environ., 296 (2021) 120226.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340607 Reaction kinetics and dynamics (45%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (40%)\r\n340304 Optical properties of materials (15%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"","teamleader":"Hamid Khayyam ","title":"Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Industrial Applications","description":"Sustainability is essential and should drive innovation through the combination of the circular economy and artificial intelligence in industries. Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in modern industrial settings enable initiatives to better observe, monitor, control, and optimize their mechanical and electrical operations. This leads to improvements in planning, decision-making, efficiency, quality, and productivity [1-4]. The implications for industries are significant. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning, coupled with the high levels of automation in modern industrial environments, has created a window of opportunity for forward-looking companies to surge ahead of the competition. \r\nThis project aims to identify current challenges and stimulate new ideas in the quest to realize the potential of Industry 4.0 and IoT.\r\nThe objective of this project is to focus on system and process analysis, modeling, prediction, and optimization to enhance the reduce, reuse, and recycle economy through the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. The project encompasses related topics, such as renewable energy, electricity supply and demand, bioenergy, robotics, sensors, machine learning, data analytics, material passports, life cycle assessments, life cycle costing, decarbonization, vehicles, energy storage, energy conservation, and energy usage in industrial. This occurs within the broader context of automation control and energy efficiency.\r\nThe candidate is expected to possess a strong understanding of data analytics and mathematical modelling.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"400702 Automation and Control Engineering\n400705 Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified\n401703 Energy generation, conversion and storage \n400203 Automotive mechatronics and autonomous systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sherman C.P. Cheung, Abdulghani Mohamed","title":"Multi-objective optimisation for drone propeller designs","description":"RMIT\/BITS will jointly develop a design methodology that comprises numerical techniques to optimise and assess the performance of propellers. Through the variation of geometric twist of the propellers and planform shape, the propeller geometry will be optimised using a multi-objective optimisation platform. The platform will use advanced surrogate methods to capture and replace lengthy computational simulations. This will significantly shorten the design cycle and improve the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of practical drome propellers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Targeted nasal drug delivery to improve patient outcomes","description":"Nasal drug delivery has emerged as a potential for systemic and possibly pulmonary treatment. It offers an interesting alternative for achieving systemic therapeutic effects of drugs that are comparable to the parenteral route, which can be inconvenient at times or oral administration, which can result in unacceptably low drug bioavailability. Targeted and controlled delivery devices will enable opportunities for new drugs to be delivered with targeted sites such as the olfactory region, sinuses, and even pulmonary. Drug delivery efficiency in a realistic human nasal cavity for a variety of aerosol drug administration systems targeting the olfactory region will be investigated. Outcomes of this work will lead to new innovative delivery device designs for effective respiratory treatment This project will involve experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) using PIV and PLIF at CSIRO, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using Ansys-Fluent aimed at providing practical solutions in order to improving drug delivery efficiency of inhalation therapy devices. Experimental measurements will be performed using both light scattering methods, and high speed photography. \nCoughs and sneezes are dramatic respiratory activities implicated as a primary source for airborne","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Aerosol generation and transmission from respiratory activity","description":"Transmission of viral laden droplets. However, viral droplets may also form during less dramatic events such as singing, shouting and breathing. In both types of activities, aerosols are generated from inside the respiratory airway. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs is poorly understood. The respiratory airway environment is moist, humid, and uniquely intricate in geometry optimised for many physiology functions. Aerosols generated within must navigate the narrow airways before exiting through the mouth and become airborne indoors. The indoor room settings become influential after the droplets are emitted into the air. For example, the number of occupants in a given space influences body thermal plumes, while respiration from nearby occupants creates localised flow fields in the breathing region. At larger scales, the room ventilation wields great influence with building standards ensuring sufficient clean, fresh air is replenished, but airborne particles may travel through ventilation ducts that redistribute air to other parts of a building. The recent coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on a better understanding of viral transmission, reflected by the \u2018flood of coronavirus research\u2019 in journals (4). Nevertheless, the significance of this project in understanding airborne transmission extends beyond the current pandemic highlighted by broader applications of inhalation exposure to dangerous pollutants (e.g., asbestos, silica dust, nanoparticles) that can lead to acute and long-term respiratory injury. This project aims to investigate how aerosols are generated during respiratory activity, and their transmission through indoor environments influenced by an interplay between occupant activity, aerosol science, and building ventilation, through computational multi-physics modelling, built upon data obtained from cine 4D magnetic resonance imaging, experimental visualisation, and measurements from laser diagnostics. Importantly, this project addresses both fundamental questions and contributes directly to a full risk assessment platform comprising the droplet emission chain, airborne dispersion modelling, and inhaled dose estimation through droplet deposition in respiratory airway models. We address two key objectives that are critical to inhaled exposure to aerosols.\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Optimal design of green buildings using computational and experimental fluid dynamics","description":"Natural ventilation or self-ventilation is an economical way to improve indoor air quality. Climate factors such as temperature, received radiation, humidity, and wind flow can significantly affect natural ventilation of the buildings. This study aimed to investigate the performance of some commonly known strategies such as building orientation, aperture area, and coating color to promote natural ventilation on the hot and humid climates. Furthermore extensions of buildings in the form of double and triple facdes, roof designs, shading effects, and windcatchers are included as part of the overall building design.\nThese techniques are traditionally used without any specific knowledge on their individual importance and mutual effects. As an advanced modeling tool for energy assessment, CFD and experimental measurements are used to numerically evaluate the results of each change. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Advanced and Targeted Respiratory Drug Delivery","description":"Pulmonary drug delivery has emerged as a critical method for treating respiratory diseases. Nebulizers, Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) and Pressurized Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs) are common devices that generate fine drug particles through atomization, and are inhaled orally targeting deep lung deposition [1, 2]. Among these devices, the pMDI is the preferred choice by patients for treatment of asthma and COPD [3]. Despite its popularity, drug delivery efficiency on average reaches only 5%-20%. The nasal spray devices also provides respiratory drug delivery where drugs depositing on the mucus walls can provide direct transfer into the blood, bypassing gastric breakdown. Furthermore Nose-to- brain drug administration along the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways offers an alternative route for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The characterization of particle deposition remains difficult to achieve in experiments. Alternative numerical approach is applied to identify suitable aerosol particle size with maximized inhaled doses. This research focused primarily on developing useful and economically viable CFD approaches aimed at providing practical solutions in order to improving drug delivery efficiency of inhalation therapy devices. Drug delivery efficiency in a realistic human nasal cavity for a variety of aerosol drug administration systems targeting the olfactory region will be investigated. Outcomes of this work will lead to new innovative delivery device designs for effective respiratory treatment References: [1]. Dolovich, M.B., et al., Device selection and outcomes of aerosol therapy: Evidence-based guidelines:American College of Chest Physicians\/American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology. Chest,2005. 127(1): p. 335-71. [2]. Inthavong, K., et al., Micron particle deposition in a tracheobronchial airway model under different breathing conditions.Medical Engineering & Physics, 2010. 32(10): p. 1198-1212. [3]. Haughney, J., et al., Choosing inhaler devices for people with asthma: Current knowledge and outstanding research needs.Respiratory Medicine, 2010. 104(9): p. 1237-1245.\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hamid Khayyam ","title":"Intelligent Transportation Systems of Tomorrow","description":"Transition to Connected Vehicles (CAs), Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), and Autonomous Public Transports (APTs) on the roads brings potential opportunities to the society, but it includes many challenges. These vehicles produce large volumes of data, containing valuable information such as time, date, motion detection, navigation, fuel consumption. Such data can be used for many applications, such as voice and image recognition, eye tracking and driver monitoring, vehicle speed with acceleration, deceleration, cumulative mileage, voice search, recommendation engines, sentiment analysis, speech recognition and gesture, and virtual assistance. The size of data is easily in excess of 10 terabyte per year for 100,000 vehicles [1-5]. \r\nAlso, from manufacturing to logistics to passenger transport, robotics has influenced and continues to influence every aspect of transportation. As this technology drives further innovation, it will become inseparable from the industry. In many ways, robots will drive the future of transportation. If current trends continue, all sub-sectors of transport will rely on various types of robotics in the near future.\r\nThe combination of high-speed, resilient, low latency connectivity and technologies of the Artificial Intelligence and IoT will enable transformation towards fully smart vehicles that illustrate the complementary between real world and digital knowledge for industry 4.0. Big data analytics brings enormous opportunities to the research and development in this field. This project aims to create an intelligent model for real-time data fusion optimization of transportation system and IoT technology to (i) increasing vehicle safety, (ii) reduction of accidents, (iii) reduction of fuel consumption, (iv) releasing of driver time and business opportunities, (v) new potential market opportunities, (vi) intelligently Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and (vii) reduced emissions and dust particles. \r\nThe candidate is expected to have good knowledge in data analytics and mathematical modelling.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abhijit Date","title":"Exploring the Use of Osmotic Pressure and Capillary Force in Heat Pipes: Insights from the Water Transport System of Trees","description":"The maximum length or height that a heat pipe can attain is governed by the capillary pumping limit. In situations where the heat source is at the top and the heat sink is at the bottom of the heat pipe, and gravity acts in a normal manner from top to bottom, the height of the heat pipe is further restricted as gravity opposes the capillary lift. This project aims to explore and investigate the use of osmotic pressures for the lifting of the working fluid in heat pipes with the heat source located at the top. This mode of fluid transport is observed in trees in nature. The tallest tree on earth is the 156-m eucalyptus amygdalina in Australia [1], while the California redwoods, which have been growing on earth for thousands of years, can grow over 120m tall. Woodward [2] analyzed the factors that limit tree growth and found that water supply is a key constraint on height, given its significance in other physiological processes. To transport water from the roots to the leaves of tall trees, a driving force of over 2MPa is required to overcome the gravitational forces. It is estimated that all the plants on earth collectively vaporize about 3.2\u00c3\u2014107 million tons of water each year. This project will conduct a comprehensive review of the fundamental principles of the water transport system in trees and the Cohesion-Tension Theory proposed by biologists to explain these principles. In particular, the roles played by capillary forces in leaves and osmotic pressures in roots in the water transport system of trees will be discussed. Drawing inspiration from the water transport system of trees, this project will study the use of osmotic pressure and capillary force in heat pipes. An osmotic heat pipe will be studied through both analytical and experimental means to ascertain its feasibility and investigate its performance and characteristics.\n\n [1] George Koch, Stephen Sillett, Gregg Jennings, and Stephen Davis, How Water Climbs to the Top of a 112 Meter-Tall Tree, Essay 4.3 (2006), 5 pages, in Plant Physiology Online, Fifth Edition. \n [2] Ian Woodward, Tall Storeys. University of Sheffield Nature, Vol 428, 22 April, 2004","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abhijit Date","title":"Sustainable water desalination using waste heat and renewable energy sources","description":"The need for freshwater is considered a critical global problem, consequently the demand for alternative sustainable water sources including ground water, desalinated water, and recycled water has increased over recent years and, as a result, the implementation of desalination plants is growing on a large scale. Desalination processes are applied widely via different technologies. Reverse osmosis (RO) is known as the most widely developed commercial technology. However, RO is an electrically driven process and the electrical energy demand of the RO process is traditionally supplied by combustion of fossil fuels, which causes many adverse environment issues including greenhouse gas emission. There are recent emerging techniques which are aiming to develop more sustainable ways of desalination systems by thermal and\/or membrane-based processes particularly in integration to waste heat or solar energy sources.\n The main research streams, which are under investigation in RMIT Energy Conservation and Renewable (Energy Care) group, to develop more sustainable way of desalination systems are included:\n 1-Investigation of membrane distillation (MD) system performance by coupling with solar pond\n 2-Investigation of simultaneous water desalination and power generation by MD technology\n 3-Sustainable water desalination by Humidification-dehumidification (HDH) technology\n 4-Sustainable water desalination by direct integration of MD system to solar pond and achieving zero liquid discharge desalination (ZLD) process 5-Sustainable water desalination by direct integration of MD system with evacuated tubes solar collectors and solar pond as heat sources and achieving zero liquid discharge desalination (ZLD) process 6-Developing an advanced MD system by optimizing the MD system components These projects, which are conducting in Energy Care group, are aiming to develop sustainable water desalination technologies by using waste heat or renewable energy sources. We seek outstanding and enthusiastic PhD candidates to work in these projects by developing an efficient desalination system experimentally and study the system performance theoretically by developing mathematical model. References:\n [1] Khayet M. Membranes and theoretical modeling of membrane distillation: a review. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2011;164(1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c2):56\u00e2\u20ac\u201c88.\n [2]. Alkhudhiri A, Darwish N, Hilal N. Membrane distillation: a comprehensive review. Desalination 2012;287:2\u00e2\u20ac\u201c18.\n [3]. Winter D. Membrane distillation: a thermodynamic, technological and economic analysis. Ph.D. Thesis University of Kaiserslautern, Germany: Shaker Verlag Publisher; 2015.\n [4] Nakoa K, et al. An experimental review on coupling of solar pond with membrane distillation. Sol Energy 2015;119:319\u00e2\u20ac\u201c31.\n [5] Nakoa K, et al. Sustainable zero liquid discharge desalination (SZLDD). Sol Energy 2016;135:337\u00e2\u20ac\u201c47.\n [6] Nakoa, K, Rahaoui, K, Date, A, & Akbarzadeh, A. (2015). An experimental review on coupling of solar pond with membrane distillation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abhijit Date","title":"Development of a Low-Maintenance Water Desalination and Heat Pump System for Utilizing Low-Temperature Waste Heat Sources","description":"This research project aims to develop a simple and low maintenance water desalination and heat pump system that operates on low temperature heat sources. Fouling affects all desalination technologies, and dealing with it involves trade-offs in performance. One method is reducing the recovery ratio or operating temperature, but both have trade-offs in energy consumption, complexity, and capital cost. The energy consumption of desalination technologies is important for limiting fossil fuel use and minimizing environmental impacts. Zero liquid discharge systems can produce solid salts that can be sold or safely disposed of, but have increased fouling potential. Low pressure evaporative desalination systems with vapour compression heat recovery have the potential for complete internal heat recovery and reduced energy consumption, but still have fouling issues and trade-offs in production rate and compressing low-density vapour.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"Functionalised multilayer porous bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells","description":"This study focuses on an innovative approach to improve the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The approach involves incorporating foam materials into the flow field structure of PEMFCs on the air side, with specific consideration given to the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and micro-porous layer (MPL). This solution can hypothetically reduce contact resistances between these components, while enhancing thermal and water management within the cell and promoting uniform conditions across the active areas of the cells. It is also understood that the foam's randomly distributed tortuous ligaments serve to divert the flow transversely, which is expected to increase the attraction and transport of oxygen molecules towards the cathode. The study also investigates different options for introducing the catalyst layer (CL) into this new design and assesses their impact on cell performance. Additionally, this design is an attempt to reduce the overall mass of the cells and achieve a more compact design compared to conventional flow field designs. Both theoretical and experimental investigations are conducted to understand the behaviour of transverse mass transport of air gas species through stationary porous media used in PEMFCs. ANSYS Fuel Cell module is employed to create a model for theoretical analysis, while experimental methods are used to validate the findings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"David Law","title":"Concrete incorporating recycled textile waste","description":"\"Increasingly large quantities of post-consumer textile solid waste is being generated through industrialization and technological developments as well as consumer demand. The annual per capita textile usage in Australia is 27 kg with 23 kg discarded to landfills each year. Two-thirds of this is waste is manmade synthetic and plastic fibres which may never breakdown. The 525,000 tonnes of leather and textiles are discarded in Australian landfills each year. Australia is the second-largest consumer of textiles after north America, which annually consumes 37 kg, and ahead of Western Europeans at 22 kg while consumption in Africa, the Middle East and India averages just 5 kg per person. At present, only 15 percent of Australian textile waste is recovered through recycling and remaining 85% will end up in landfills. Hence, managing textile waste has become one of the main environmental concerns\n References:\n Zhu, D., Liu, S., Yao, Y., Li, G., Du, Y., and Shi, C. Effects of short fiber and pre-tension on the tensile behavior of basalt textile reinforced concrete. Cement and Concrete Composites 2019. 96: p. 33-45.\n Yin, S., Jing, L., Yin, M., and Wang, B. Mechanical properties of textile reinforced concrete under chloride wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycle environments. Cement and Concrete Composites 2019. 96: p. 118-127.\n Tsangouri, E., Michels, L., El Kadi, M., Tysmans, T., and Aggelis, D.G. A fundamental investigation of textile reinforced cementitious composites tensile response by Acoustic Emission. Cement and Concrete Research 2019. 123: p. 105776\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Hua Qian Ang","title":"Additive Manufacturing of Light Alloys","description":"This is a broad project on light alloys which can be further broken down into smaller individual projects. The focus of this project is to fabricate light alloy (aluminium and\/or magnesium) components for automotive, aerospace and biomedical applications using additive manufacturing processes such as wire arc additive manufacturing, direct energy deposition, selective laser melting and so on. These additive manufacturing processes can often generate undesirable residual stresses, which can result in failure of components due to easy crack propagation and structural distortion. This project aims to improve the additive manufacturing processes and enhance the mechanical properties of light alloys.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jiyuan Tu","title":"Boiling enhancement using nanoengineered surfaces \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The mechanism and modelling","description":"The advances in microelectronics and energy systems have given rise to the demand of dissipating a large amount of heat in a small area. Modern microelectronic chips and military avionics, for example, require a cooling capacity of up to 1000 W\/cm2 with the maximum chip temperature not exceeding 85 C. Conventional cooling technologies using boiling of liquids, despite being the most efficient cooling approach available yet, are facing serious challenge to remove such high heat fluxes. Emerging experimental studies have revealed that coating the heater surfaces with a thin layer of porous micro\/nanostructures can enhance boiling heat transfer, hopefully offering a promising solution of thermal management. However, the degrees of enhancement reported in different studies differ from each other dramatically, mostly due to the diverse micro\/nanostructure materials and morphologies, leading to severe uncertainties hindering designing optimal micro\/nanostructures. We propose that a thorough understanding and formulation of the mechanisms embedded with the novel phenomena of nucleate boiling on micro\/nanostructures can help break the bottleneck to optimised micro\/nanostructures. In this project the student will use the latest nanofluidics and thermal fluid dynamics knowledge to analyse the micro\/nanoscale heat and mass transfer in porous structures, develop new theoretical models and conduct numerical computations. The ultimate aim is to develop a virtual predictive tool that can help design optimal micro\/nanostructures for thermal management in many industries. This project, which involves collaboration with many prestigious international organisations including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) and Tsinghua University (China), will offer the student an invaluable opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in a prominent environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jiyuan Tu","title":"CFD study on human-induced wake flow and contaminant transport","description":"\"Human motion generates wake regions that exhibit highly complicated airflow characteristics. Consequently, it affects the air quality by inducing contaminant transport in interior environments such as manufacturing, hospital wards, clean rooms and airline cabin etc., where occupants\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 exposure to airborne contaminants are of great concern [1]. However, among various influencing factors of indoor air quality, the human motion was paid inadequate attention due to the difficulty on moving model setups and measurements. Although in recent years CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations had achieved considerable progress on moving models by adopting dynamic mesh, more investigations under diverse scenarios involving human activities and contaminant sources are still necessary for revealing the influence of human activities on indoor pollutant transport and the resultant impact on human exposure.\n We propose to use CFD simulations to develop more sophisticated models involving human motion and particle dispersion, with elaborate post-processing on airflow visualizations and quantification on pollutant intake through human breathing. In this project, the student will conduct numerical simulations based on CFD theory and post-processing steps using programming languages. Spatial and temporal characteristics on the dynamic wake flow development will be analysed to identify the transport of pollutants around moving bodies and predict occupant exposure to contaminants, in order to reveal the relationships between human activities, contaminant transport and contaminant intake. Overall, the aim of this project is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the e\u00ef\u00ac\u20acects of occupant activities on particle transport and indoor air quality.\n References:\n [1] Tao, Inthavong, & Tu. (2017). A numerical investigation of wind environment around a walking human body. Journal of Wind Engineering & Industrial Aerodynamics, 168, 9-19.\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jiyuan Tu","title":"Transport and distribution characteristics of contaminants in commercial airliner cabins","description":"\"Contaminants inside commercial airliner cabins could be released from multiple sources (coughing, sneezing, ozone production, etc.) and would suspend inside the cabin as particulate matters (PM). Investigating the PM transport in densely occupied cabin environment was extremely challenging in the past due to the multi-coupling and multi-scale characteristics of the cabin environment. However, through simplifying the passenger models, our initial works indicated that it is possible to significantly increase the efficiency when investigating the PM transport under such cabin environment using our proposed quantifiable simplification approaches [1]. Therefore, we propose to conduct an in-depth investigation of PM transport and distribution characteristics in the commercial airliner cabins by studying the potential source of contaminants inside the cabin, the major affecting factors that would significant change the pattern of contaminants transport, and the corresponding exposure risks of passengers and crew. The ultimate aim is to develop a comprehensive and systematic platform to holistically assess the air quality and health risks of passengers and crew in commercial airliner cabins.\n References:\n [1]. Yihuan Yan, Xiangdong Li, Lin Yang, Jiyuan Tu, Evaluation of manikin simplification methods for CFD simulations in occupied indoor environments, Energy and Buildings, Volume 127, 2016, Pages 611-626\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"John Andrews","title":"Design and performance optimisation of components in a proton battery","description":"The PhD researcher will conduct research and development into one or more of the following topics: design and performance optimisation of selected components in a proton battery (PB) and proton flow reactor (PFR); design options for stacking PB and PFR cells; and novel carbon-based materials for electrochemical storage of hydrogen in solid-state form. The research will be predominantly experimentally-focussed, but may also involve theoretical analysis and computer simulation modelling. The research will contribute to the the project, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Technology development and prototyping of the Proton Battery and Proton Flow Reactor Systems, funded under a Research Collaboration Agreement with Eldor Corporation for a two-year period.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Tian","title":"Inhalation risk assessment of human respiratory systems in occupational and ambient environment","description":"Exposure to micron\/nanoparticles in workplace and ambient environment where pollutants are present is a significant health concern. An increased risk of developing respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders has been reported in occupational and epidemic studies. Confirmed inhalation hazards include the notorious asbestos, with low dosage, causing severe health consequences. The onset of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153manganism\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, a clinical diagnosed neuro-toxin caused by high level exposure to manganese containing particles, were reported in occupational workers conducting mining, ore grinding and smelting activities. In addition to confirmed cases, there have been discussions on the link between sub-clinical human functional impairment and chronic low dose metal particle exposures. Similar concerns were also reported in the office environment where the increased usage of modern electrophotography machines elevates the health risks of office workers on inhalation exposure to the emitted nanoparticles during xerographic processes. This research aims to investigate the human upper airway dosimetry scenes in a wide range of environmental settings, identify key correlation, and provide effective guidance to regulate and mitigate the potential hazards. Utilizing CFD (computational fluid dynamics) methodology, the study focuses on respiratory airway modelling (nasal and tracheobronchial tree), particle-flow dynamics, particle-respiratory physiology interactions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Tian","title":"A multi-scale risk assessment platform for inhaled carbon nanotubes","description":"Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been extensively utilized in the design and fabrication of new engineering materials as they possess extraordinary properties. CNTs resemble the appearance of asbestos, a known inhalation hazard to human. With continued growth of nanotechnology industry, it is important to understand human inhalation risks to these new engineered nano-materials. \n \n This project aims to develop a risk assessment platform to evaluate human respiratory exposure to carbon nanotubes. The project expects to generate new knowledge on unique role of carbon nanotubes geometry toward risk potential by developing transport models, and create risk assessment infrastructure through cross-discipline integrations. \n \n This project is multidisciplinary requiring knowledge of multi-scale fluid-particle dynamics, non-spherical particle dynamics, human\/animal airway reconstruction, computational programming, visualisation, data analysis and cross team collaborations. The project provides an excellent opportunity for high level multi-disciplinary research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maciej Mazur","title":"Development of an additively manufactured Rotating Detonation Engine","description":"The development of cost-effective launch systems capable of inserting a small payload into low earth orbit (LEO) are of high global interest. Key drivers include the design of a lightweight and reliable propulsion system that requires little flight preparation and can offer high performance\/efficiency over existing approaches. The rotating detonation engine (RDE) has been identified as a potential key technology for the next generation of access-to-space systems. The ability to operate in either air-breathing or rocket modes increases versatility and design possibilities across the full flight spectrum from the launch pad to space, each with their share of challenges. However, flight-ready RDEs present many design and manufacturing challenges as they are subject to extreme thermo-structural loads and require advanced materials, cooling systems and highly integrated complex parts. These challenges have been difficult to address with conventional manufacturing processes. However, recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) have significantly increased the potential to manufacture flight-ready RDEs by enabling the construction of complex designs previously not feasible. This project will exploit this opportunity by focus on the development and additive manufacture of an RDE engine, building on substantial work already undertaken by the RMIT High-speed flight research group. The work will focus on multi-disciplinary fluid and thermo-structural design, optimisation and design for manufacture of an RDE prototype design. Extensive experimental testing will be used to evaluate design performance and reliability. It is expected the project will make a significant contribution toward the development of the next generation of advanced and efficient rocket propulsion systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Flame speed measurement of net-zero carbon fuels.","description":"There are many zero and low carbon fuels and blends that are proposed as alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels for use in Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). Considerable research is required, however, in order to characterise an alternative fuel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s combustion behaviour, so that engine design and optimisation can be achieved. One important combustion characteristic is the laminar flame speed of fuel-air mixtures at temperatures and pressures that are expected inside reciprocating ICEs. Such measurements of a number of alternative fuels are notably lacking in the literature. Thus, a prime objective of the research project is to fill this critical research void. Furthermore, computer simulated combustion models must also be developed and verified using measured data, allowing for alternative fuel engine behaviour to be accurately predicted. This will in turn enhance the plausibility of commercialising alternative fuel engine technology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Exhaust gas treatment on engines running on alternative fuels","description":"The use of alternative fuels in internal combustion engines is increasing as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease dependence on fossil fuels. However, these fuels can also produce harmful exhaust emissions. Therefore, it is important to develop effective exhaust gas treatment systems that can reduce the environmental impact of these engines.\n \n The aim of this project is to investigate and develop exhaust gas treatment systems for engines running on alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, ethanol, and hydrogen carrier fuels. The project will focus on the development of catalytic converters and particulate filters that can effectively reduce emissions of pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.\n \n The project will involve laboratory experiments to evaluate the performance of different exhaust gas treatment systems. These experiments will include tests of the catalytic activity of different materials.\n \n In addition to laboratory experiments, the project will also involve computer modeling and simulation to optimize the design of the exhaust gas treatment systems. This will include simulations of the flow of exhaust gases through different filter designs, as well as simulations of the chemical reactions that occur within catalytic converters.\n \n The results of this project will be useful for the development of more efficient and effective exhaust gas treatment systems for engines running on alternative fuels. This will help to reduce the environmental impact of these engines and contribute to a more sustainable future.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Study of active Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) to enhance lean combustion in piston engines.","description":"The use of lean combustion in piston engines has gained increasing attention in recent years as a way to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. However, lean combustion can also lead to increased ignition delay times and combustion instability, which can affect engine performance and emissions.\n \n The aim of this project is to study the use of active Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) to enhance lean combustion in piston engines. The active TJI system is a novel approach to ignition that uses a high-energy turbulent jet to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber. This system has been shown to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions, making it a promising technology for lean combustion applications.\n \n The project will involve laboratory experiments to evaluate the performance of the active TJI system with different levels of lean combustion. These experiments will include tests of ignition delay time, combustion stability, and emissions reduction. Additionally, computer modeling and simulation will be used to optimize the design of the active TJI system for different lean combustion conditions.\n \n The results of this project will be useful for the development of more efficient and reliable ignition systems for lean combustion applications in piston engines. By developing a better understanding of the active TJI system and its performance with different levels of lean combustion, this project can help to accelerate the adoption of lean combustion in piston engines.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Combustion kinetics measurements of alternative fuels using gas dynamic shock waves.","description":"With the growing pressure to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide, green alternative fuels including biodiesel, ethanol, methanol and hydrogen carrier fuels are gaining increasing attention to power engines and heating processes. There is, however, a lack of information available on combustion properties of many of these net zero carbon emission fuels such as branched chemical reaction rates and autoignition delay times. These properties are crucial for understanding and predicting the advent of knock in spark ignition engines as well as diesel knock in compression ignition engines. Knock is an objectionable noise due to abnormal combustion, that if severe, can damage an engine. Shock tubes provide an excellent means of measuring important fuel properties like the autoignition delay time. The successful candidate will use and modify an existing shock tube at RMIT to perform these measurements for a select range of fuels and pressures and temperatures found in real engines. The shock tube can also be used to measure reaction rates using laser spectroscopy. This information is extremely useful for validating computer simulations of combustion occurring not only in many engine types, but also in boilers and furnaces.\n \n References:\n - D.R. Haylett , P.P. Lappas, D.F. Davidson, R.K. Hanson, 2009, Application of an aerosol shock tube to the measurement of diesel ignition delay times, Proceedings of the Combustion Institute 32 (2009) 477\u00e2\u20ac\u201c484 \n - Matthew F. Campbell, 2014, Studies of Biodiesel Surrogates Using Novel Shock Tube Techniques, Stanford University PhD thesis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Time-Varying Direction-of-Arrival Tracking","description":"The tracking of the direction of arrival (DOA) for multiple sources is a significant topic in array signal processing. This project aims to develop innovative solutions for DOA tracking of multiple sources, where the number of sources is variable over time. To achieve this goal, the project will focus on formulating new algorithms in the Random Finite Set (RFS) Framework.\n \n A crucial component of the project will be conducting a comprehensive literature review of RFS filters and their applications to solve DOA tracking problems. Additionally, other solutions developed in various frameworks will be explored. The resulting solutions will be compared to the state of the art in applications with a relatively large number of sources in one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Map-Aided Random Finite Set-Based Tracking of Road Vehicles","description":"This project aims to develop novel tracking algorithms for vehicles on the road using map-based information. The system will utilise data from maps and sensors to track the movement of vehicles and estimate their positions accurately. The project will involve researching and developing algorithms to integrate map-based information with real-time sensor data to improve the tracking accuracy. The main focus of development will be on extending the capabilities of current multi-target filters that are formulated in the random finite set framework. The resulting solutions will be tested and evaluated in real-world scenarios to assess its effectiveness in various conditions. The project's goal is to provide a reliable and accurate vehicle tracking system that can be applied in different contexts, such as traffic monitoring, intelligent transportation systems, and autonomous vehicles.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Random Finite Set-Based Swarm Tracking","description":"This project aims to develop novel solutions for tracking and monitoring the movements of swarms of objects such as drones, using data from multiple sensors. The system will use advanced algorithms based on the Random Finite Set (RFS) theory to process sensor data and estimate the swarm's position, velocity, and shape. The project will involve researching and developing techniques for handling complex swarm behaviors, such as fission, fusion, and formation changes. The system will be tested and evaluated in real-world scenarios to assess its effectiveness in different contexts, such as environmental monitoring, disaster response, and surveillance. The project's goal is to provide a robust and accurate swarm tracking system that can handle complex scenarios with multiple sensors and dynamic swarm behaviors.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Occlusion Handling in Extended Target Tracking Using Random Finite Set Filters","description":"This project aims to develop a system that can track extended targets and handle occlusions using data from multiple sensors. The system will use advanced Random Finite Set (RFS) filters to estimate the positions, velocities, and shapes of extended targets even when they are partially or completely occluded by other objects. The project will involve researching and developing algorithms to handle the complexities of occlusion scenarios, such as occlusion duration, target merging and splitting, and target appearance and disappearance. The system will be tested and evaluated in real-world scenarios to assess its effectiveness in different contexts, such as traffic monitoring, aerial surveillance, and robotics. The project's goal is to provide a robust and accurate extended target tracking system that can handle occlusions and improve tracking accuracy in challenging scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Environment Modeling Based on Generic Infrastructure Sensor Interfaces Using Random Finite Set Filters","description":"Autonomous vehicles face significant challenges when navigating urban intersections, especially when there are obstructions that limit visibility. To address this issue and help vehicles make decisions in unclear situations, infrastructure-based sensing systems are often used to provide additional information. However, the complexity and high costs associated with such systems have limited their widespread use. This project focuses on developing solutions in the form of a generic interface that can connect a wide variety of sensors. The sensors only need to measure a few features of objects, but with multiple distributed sensors providing different viewing angles. The solutions will be based on using Random Finite Set (RFS) filters that can handle these measurements and even infer missing information about the objects' extents. The resulting methods will be evaluated through simulations and demonstrated on a real-world infrastructure setup. The outcomes will offer a promising solution for using infrastructure-based sensing systems to support autonomous vehicles at intersections, without the need for expensive and complex sensor systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Investigating the Olfactory Region Targeted Drug Delivery Using CFD and PIV","description":"The project aims to investigate the effectiveness of drug delivery systems targeting the olfactory region. The study will use experimental fluid dynamics with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using Ansys-Fluent. The project will analyze the drug delivery efficiency of various aerosol drug administration systems in a realistic human nasal cavity. The outcomes of this study will enable the development of innovative delivery device designs for effective respiratory treatment. The project will contribute to the advancement of the field of respiratory treatment by improving the effectiveness of drug delivery systems targeting the olfactory region.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang","title":"Origami enabled ductile and auxetic metaconcrete composite structures","description":"During their service life, concrete structures may experience different dynamic loads such as vehicle-induced vibrations and vehicle\/ship collisions. Energy absorption is required in designs for structural protection against these loads. Using highly ductile and energy-absorbing metaconcrete materials in construction can achieve an effective protection effect, but most of the existing metaconcrete materials often suffer from low ductility. This project aims to develop an innovative origami-enabled auxetic metaconcrete that is a composite of steel origami and concrete. Compared to conventional metaconcrete, such a novel metaconcrete can not only possess improved ductility but can also keep excellent energy absorption and negative Poisson\u2019s ratio characteristics, leading to the low risk of brittle failure. It is a cost-effective alternative to replacing conventional concrete materials for impact resistance and structural protection.\n\nThe major tasks of this project include:\n(1) Develop a novel class of steel origami-enabled auxetic metaconcretes with significantly improved ductility and energy absorption capacity. \n(2) Build a theoretical framework to understand the structural behaviours of the proposed novel metaconcrete composite structures under dynamic loads in depth. \n(3) Establish a machine learning (ML) based model to accurately and efficiently estimate the structural performances of the metaconcrete composite structures.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 (40%), 400510 (40%), 400509 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang","title":"Multiscale modelling of high-performance mechanical metamaterial composite structures","description":"Mechanical metamaterials with programming negative stiffness, Poisson\u2019s ratio, and thermal expansion are of crucial significance in various engineering structures. However, most of them are artificially lattice materials via special architecture\/topology design, which are mechanically weak therefore limiting their engineering applications. Thus, developing materials and structures simultaneously exhibiting metamaterial characteristics and excellent mechanical properties still remains a great challenge. This project aims to develop a novel class of high-performance mechanical metamaterials enabled by graphene origami with highly tunable negative stiffness, Poisson\u2019s ratio, and thermal expansion characteristics as well as improved mechanical properties based on atomic-scale simulation design, micro-scale mechanics model, and macro-scale structural analysis. Such novel metamaterial composite structures designed through the proposed multiscale modelling framework should have many important engineering applications, particularly in aerospace, civil, automotive, mechanical, and energy industries. \n\nThe major tasks of this project include:\n(1)        Atomistic design and simulation of high-performance graphene origami-enabled mechanical metamaterials with highly tunable characteristics;\n(2)        Micromechanics model development based on machine learning method to efficiently and accurately predict the material properties of such metamaterials;\n(3)        Continuum mechanical analysis of high-performance metamaterial composite structures.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 (50%), 401702 (30%), 401602 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Numerical and experimental investigation on multiphase flows","description":"Multiphase flow systems are prevalent in many industries that involve gas\/particle flow (e.g. for indoor air quality, medicine delivery, etc), and liquid\/bubbly flow (e.g. for heating\/cooling systems, etc). This project aims to conduct fundamental research on the physics associated with such systems and analyze the outcomes through investigations in industrial applications. The methodology involves either\/both numerical or\/and experimental techniques to facilitate revealing the underlying physics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"MR216 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Numerical and experimental investigation of multiphase flows","description":"Multiphase flow systems are prevalent in many industries that involve gas\/particle flow (e.g. for indoor air quality, medicine delivery, etc), and liquid\/bubbly flow (e.g. for heating\/cooling systems, etc). This project aims to conduct fundamental research on the physics associated with such systems and analyze the outcomes through investigations in industrial applications. The methodology involves either\/both numerical and experimental techniques to facilitate revealing the underlying physics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Investigation of Heat Pipe Performance for Solar Thermal Energy Applications","description":"The proposed project aims to investigate the thermal performance of heat pipes for solar thermal energy applications. Solar thermal energy systems are an important renewable energy technology that can provide a clean and sustainable source of energy for heating and power generation. The project will involve both experimental and theoretical investigations to optimize the design of heat pipes for solar thermal energy applications.\n \n The experimental investigation will involve designing and testing various heat pipe configurations with different working fluids for solar thermal energy applications. The performance of the heat pipes will be evaluated based on their thermal efficiency, heat transfer coefficient, and maximum heat flux. The effects of different operating parameters, such as orientation, working fluid, wick structure, and heat input, will be studied to optimize the heat pipe design for solar thermal energy applications.\n \n The theoretical investigation will involve developing analytical and numerical models of heat pipe performance for solar thermal energy applications. The models will be used to investigate the heat transfer mechanisms, fluid flow behaviour, and thermodynamic properties of the working fluids. The results from the models will be validated with the experimental data to enhance the accuracy of the model and to provide insight into the underlying physics of the heat pipe operation.\n \n The outcomes of this project will provide a comprehensive understanding of the thermal performance of heat pipes for solar thermal energy applications. The project will contribute to the development of innovative heat pipe designs and improved thermal management systems for solar thermal energy applications. The findings of this project will have practical implications for the design of solar thermal collectors, concentrators, and power generation systems, leading to improved energy conversion efficiency and reduced costs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"Wave energy-powered reverse-osmosis desalination for freshwater production","description":"This project aims to explore a novel method of producing freshwater from seawater through wave energy. The\n project intends to increase the longevity and efficiency of wave energy-powered freshwater production systems by developing a new fouling and chlorine-resistant membrane material. The anticipated outcomes of this project\n include the development of a cost-effective and eco-friendly freshwater production technology and the acquisition of new knowledge regarding the impact of fluid pressure fluctuations on system performance. The expected benefits of this project are manifold, including the mitigation of water scarcity in Australia and beyond, and the enhancement of the global competitiveness of Australian water desalination products.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"A novel direct drive linear tube generator for ocean wave energy conversion","description":"This proposal aims to investigate a direct drive linear electromagnetic generator system for the maximum wave\n energy conversion and frequency bandwidth. A novel translator of a multiple degree of freedom non-linear\n oscillator system built with Halbach magnet ring arrays and ferro-fluid bearings is the key innovation. Wave energy conversion science will be established through investigating the novel machine, its integration with a buoy\n structure under wave loadings and automatic control of power conversion and conditioning. The outcome will\n meet the emerging demands of the nation for wave energy conversion technologies which reduce power generation cost and emissions, thus benefiting the Australia economy and environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"3D printed thermo-electric structure for harvesting industrial waste heat","description":"With about two-thirds of all industrial energy consumption being lost as waste heat, this project aims to develop a\n novel three-dimensional printing technology for a thermoelectric generator to convert waste heat into electrical\n energy. This project expects to develop a modified bottom-up chemical method for sustainable synthesis of large\n throughput copper selenide nanomaterials and nanocomposite ink and generate new knowledge of heat guide\n structures for enhancing thermoelectric conversion efficiency. The outcomes will benefit Australian end-users and industry by reducing energy costs and greenhouse emissions and opening a new market for thermoelectric\n conversion in multidisciplinary fields and emerging industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"Comfort and Ergonomics: Innovative Seating Solution for Commercial Vehicle","description":"Long-term exposure to vibrations transferred from uneven road surfaces, vibrating tools, and vibrating machinery\n significantly influences driver comfort, fatigue, safety, and can also cause neck and shoulder pain, lower back\n injuries, and spinal injuries. This project aims to develop an innovative 6-degree-of-freedom seating system for\n commercial vehicles, including heavy duty trucks and mobile machinery, to maximise the reduction of unwanted\n multiple directional vibrations to the driver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body. The expected outcome of the project is a comfort and\n ergonomic seating system to be widely used in industry, agriculture, transportation, mining and construction\n vehicles, both in Australia and internationally.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Yasuhiro Tachibana","title":"Development of Semiconductor Quantum Dot Solid Solar Cells","description":"Semiconductor quantum dot (QD) is one of the most attractive nanomaterials employed for solar energy conversion devices. With their relatively large extinction coefficients and a tunable wide light absorption range over visible to near infrared wavelengths, QDs can be effective light absorbers. Recently three dimensional arrangement structure of QDs, QD solid, has attracted considerable interest, since superior semiconductor performance is expected by forming extended states inside a QD solid.[1-2] Their highly conductive opto-electronic property can be employed to fabricate low cost opto-electronic devices such as photovoltaics.[3] \n \n A QD solid solar cell can readily be fabricated with a facile solution processed method, and has reached solar energy conversion efficiency beyond 18 %.[4] However, despite these attractive properties, their function, particularly exciton states, charge separation, transport and recombination dynamics has not been well understood. We have been actively working in this area, and reported a novel method to synthesize high photoluminescence PbS QDs [5], and application of QDs to fabricate novel QD solar cells.[6-7]\n \n This project aims at developing novel QD solid solar cells. We will employ high photoluminescence QDs to prepare QD solid films, and assess their charge transfer and transport performance by state-of-the-art transient absorption and emission spectroscopies (visible to mid-infrared, femtosecond to millisecond time scale) installed in part with the support from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE200100051). We will assess electron and hole mobilities in QD solid films by employing a time resolved microwave conductivity system installed with supports from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE170100235).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Yasuhiro Tachibana","title":"Controlling Metal Oxide Charge Transporting Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells","description":"Metal halide perovskite solar cells have been recognized as a newly emerging solar cell with the potential of achieving high efficiency with a low cost fabrication process. In particular, facile solution processed cell fabrication facilitated rapid development of optimum cell structure and composition. Over the last several years, the cell efficiency has rapidly been improved to >25%.[1]\n \n A typical perovskite solar cell employs a perovskite layer sandwiched by p-type semiconductor (such as spiro-OMeTAD, PEDOT or NiO) and n-type semiconductor (such as TiO2, ZnO or PCBM) layers. Intensive research has been conducted for developing alternative electron and hole transporting layers using different components to improve their performance and to reduce the cost of the solar cells.[2] We have actively been working in this area. For example we reported a role of a TiO2 nanocrystalline film acting as an electron acceptor [3, 4]. We also found that the electron injection rate (~10 ns) is relatively slow compared to QD sensitised films.[3,5]\n \n This project aims at developing novel metal oxide (e.g. n-type Fe2O3, p-type MFe2O4) compact layers to be applied for metal halide perovskite solar cells. State of the art transient absorption spectrometers, installed in part with the support from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE200100051), covering from femtoseconds to milliseconds, clarifies charge separation and recombination processes. We will also assess electron and hole mobilities of the metal oxide layer by employing a time resolved microwave conductivity system installed with supports from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE170100235).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":"401605 Functional materials (45%) ; 340607 Reaction kinetics and dynamics (35%) ; 401807 Nanomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yingyan Zhang","title":"Advanced phase-change materials for sustainable construction and building materials","description":"The use of phase change materials (PCM) for sustainable construction and building materials plays an increasing role in tackling global warming. The current PCM materials used in building sections suffer quite a few challenges, including low thermal conductivity, poor thermal stability, and low mechanical strength. These challenges will be tackled by incorporating nanomaterials into PCMs. This project aims to design novel PCMs by using different nanomaterials and explore their thermal and mechanical properties by means of computer simulations and experiments.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yongmin Zhong","title":"Robotic minimally invasive surgery","description":"In the past several decades, robotic minimally invasive surgery has received great attention. Comparing to conventional open surgery, it has the advantages such as small incision, fast recovery and special capabilities in complex surgeries. However, the use of robot to carry out surgical operation presents a great set of research challenges. This project aims to study fundamental issues associated with planning and control of robotic manipulation for minimally invasive surgical operations with force feedback. It will establish advanced methodologies for characterisation and analysis of the contact interaction between robotic manipulators and target biological tissues. Based on this, it will also establish advanced techniques for automatic planning and precise control of robotic manipulation under visual and haptic feedback.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yongmin Zhong","title":"Modelling of soft tissue deformation for surgical simulation","description":"Virtual reality based surgery simulation is expected to provide benefits in many aspects of surgical procedure training and evaluation. Surgery simulation requires soft tissues react to the applied forces in a realistic fashion and in real time. However, it is difficult to handle both of these conflicting requirements, and thus modelling of soft tissue deformation is a challenging research topic in surgery simulation. This project aims to study the fundamental issues associated with soft tissue deformation for surgery simulation. It will establish physically-based soft tissue models and real-time algorithms for surgery simulation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"MR216 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"RMIT CSIRO Masters in Combustion kinetics measurements of hydrogen carrier fuels using gas dynamic shock waves","description":"With the growing pressure to curb greenhouse gas emissions, green alternative fuels including biodiesel, ethanol, methanol and hydrogen carrier fuels like ammonia (Finkel, 2018) are gaining increasing attention to power engines and heating processes. There is, however, a lack of information available on combustion properties of many of these net-zero carbon emission fuels such as autoignition delay times and branched chemical reaction rates. These properties are crucial for understanding and predicting the advent of knock in spark ignition engines as well as diesel knock in compression ignition engines (Heywood, 1988). Shock tubes provide an excellent means of measuring important fuel properties (D.R. Haylett, 2009). Lasers can also be used to collect spectroscopic data to measure chemical reaction rates that occur during combustion. This information is highly prized for validating computer simulations of combustion occurring not only in many engine types, but also in boilers and furnaces. The Masters candidate for this project will build a shock tube to perform these measurements mainly for hydrogen carrier fuels at pressures and temperatures found in real engines. The majority of the components for the shock tube and its instrumentation have already been bought, so construction can begin immediately.\n \n References:\n 1. D.R. Haylett, P. L. (2009). Application of an aerosol shock tube to the measurement of diesel ignition delay times. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 477-484.\n 2. Finkel, A. (2018). Hydrogen for Australia\u2019s future. Commonwealth of Australia.\n 3. Heywood, J. B. (1988). Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals. McGraw-Hill, Inc.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Hua Qian Ang","title":"3D printing of magnesium alloys for biomedical applications","description":"Magnesium alloys are increasingly used as new generation biomaterials due to their ability to dissolve into the body fluids after bone regeneration. However, due to the complex structures of bones, it is difficult to manufacture magnesium implants via conventional manufacturing techniques such as casting. This project will study the feasibility of using additive manufacturing (AM) technique to manufacture magnesium alloys for biomedical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"Metal hydride hydrogen storage thermal management optimisation ","description":"Thermal control of metal hydride hydrogen systems is essential during charging and discharging phases to optimise their performance and maximise their capacity utilisation. To achieve this, a range of internal and external thermal management configurations are employed. While the idea of uniformly charging and discharging the metal hydride (MH) body seems ideal, it may not be feasible when dealing with temperature gradients required for efficient heat transfer within the MH body. Therefore, comprehending the dynamics of charging and discharging across the MH body under varying thermal management setups and temperature gradient patterns is crucial for devising an optimal thermal management strategy. This necessitates intricate dynamic modelling and using both analytical and numerical models, to thoroughly investigate the intricacies of heat transfer within MH systems. The objective is to identify and evaluate the influence of different contributing parameters. Subsequently, this model is experimentally verified to ensure its accuracy and dependability. The project provides a unique opportunity to cultivate an in-depth comprehension of the physics governing MH hydrogen storage solutions, encompassing fundamental equations and intricate heat transfer modeling. The insights garnered from this research will be harnessed to formulate innovative and optimal thermal management solutions for metal hydride hydrogen storage systems.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400404 Electrochemical energy storage and conversion\n401204 Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) \n401205 Experimental methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer \n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yunhui Chen","title":"Synchrotron X-ray inline monitoring of Laser Additive Manufacturing processes using a Machine Learning approach","description":"Laser additive manufacturing (LAM; laser 3D printing) is a key underpinning technology for the digital revolution (Industry 4.0), producing complex objects directly from 3D CAD drawings. LAM has incredible potential in rapid prototyping for aerospace, energy, and biomedical applications. Exciting opportunities arise in this research space to create components with exceptional mechanical performance and unique properties using alloy design and process control approaches. However, due to the transient nature of the process, the understanding of LAM is limited through traditional post-mortem analysis, necessitating in-situ characterization. Synchrotron X-ray techniques have only been implemented in LAM research recently but have shown huge advantages over traditional techniques in capturing, both in real and reciprocal space, the LAM processes, evidenced by a series of publications in Science and Nature.\n\nOur research group has pioneered the research field of Synchrotron X-ray investigation of LAM processes. Dr. Chen has developed a series of world-first additive manufacturing machines (both Powder Bed Fusion and blown powder Directed Energy Deposition) that work on synchrotron beamlines at the Diamond Light Source (UK), European Synchrotron Radiation Facilities (France), and Advanced Photon Source (USA) which can do in-situ monitoring and quantification of the LAM process.\n\nThis project aims to design and implement a machine-learning-based in-line monitoring system that allows the generation of defects-free LAM components that process unique mechanical properties. In this project, the Ph.D. candidate will be provided with an exciting and unique opportunity to work with alloy design and solidification experts, machine learning experts, and synchrotron x-ray material characterization experts. Using in-situ Synchrotron X-ray results as ground truth, the Ph.D. candidate will develop a new approach that will enable fast prediction of defects and microstructure formation on-the-fly during LAM processes. This project has significant industrial and academic potential to fulfill the candidate\u2019s ambition.\n\nThe PhD candidate will be based at Advanced Manufacturing Precinct, RMIT University, Australia with long placements at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, France. In addition, the Ph.D. candidate will be supported by more than 10 research institutes and industrial partners across the globe with potential placement opportunities.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"511002 Synchrotron and accelerators - instruments and techniques (40%) ; 461106 Machine learning - Semi- and unsupervised learning (30%) ; 401607 Materials engineering - Metals and alloy materials (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion & Textiles Design","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Alice Payne, Yassie Samie","title":"Valuing the Handmade for Circular Fashion and Textile Economies","description":"This ARC Discovery project aims to investigate the value of the handmade within fashion and textile ecosystems in two Australian states. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of circular economy by using place-based approaches to foreground experiences of small businesses and craft communities that are typically excluded from the industrial view of a circular economy. Expected outcomes of the project include understanding and defining new forms of value within a fashion and textiles circular economy through surfacing the local economies of making, reuse and remaking. This should provide significant benefits, such as informing new strategies to reduce textile waste and contributing to Australia\u2019s transition to a circular economy. The PhD project will be a practice-led exploration of the handmade within a just and sufficient circular economy, in partnership with craft communities. The PhD candidate will have a background as a creative practitioner in fashion and\/or textile design.","sdg":"12; 13; 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"330315 - Textile and fashion design 60%\n470206 - Cultural studies of nation and region 40%"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion Enterprise","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Alice Payne","title":"Quantifying Circular Economy Impacts in Australian workwear","description":"This Project aims to identify, measure and model circular economy initiatives in workwear. The expected outcome is an evidence-based mathematical decision tool, which enables impact measurement of circular economy initiatives in the workwear sector. The project aims to discover and quantify opportunities for net positive impact in workwear value chains, such as enhanced efficiencies, waste reduction opportunities, cost reduction, productivity increases, and lowered greenhouse gas emissions. Using the high-visibility workwear industry as a case study, a guiding framework for circular economy decision-making in the apparel context can be built. This project is ultimately aimed at advancing the understanding of quantifiable impacts and building a clear business case for circularity in hi-vis workwear and associated textiles.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"Until Filled","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"Division 05 Environmental Sciences > Group 0502 Environmental Science and Management > Field 090703 Environmental Technologies  \n\nDivision 01 Mathematical Sciences > Group 0102 Applied Mathematics > 010206 Operations Research "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation; Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering; Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye, Lijing Wang, Scott Mayson, Jenny Underwood, Stephen Wigley, Rebecca van Amber, Angela Finn, Pia Interlandi, Saniyat Islam, Georgia McCorkill, Kate Sala","title":"Sustainable Fashion and Textile Systems","description":"The fashion and textile industry is currently undergoing a green revolution, driven by a concern for the environmental and social impact of fashion and textile materials, products, processes and systems.\nResearch in this field crosses the disciplines of technology, enterprise and design, and proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nPerformance and properties of sustainable materials including natural fibre biomaterials, natural dye colouration, and\/or the development of alternatives to traditional, polluting materials;\nFibre recycling technologies, textile waste technologies, life-cycle analysis of materials, and\/or environmental management frameworks;\nSustainable fashion and textile business models, including textile manufacturing practices, circular economy development models, and\/or sustainable industry supply chains;\nSustainable fashion retail and consumption models, including the future of retail spaces and\/or the impact of technological innovations;\nThe role of consumer psychology, social movements (e.g. veganism), changing social values and social policy frameworks;\nThe marketing of sustainability in the context of so-called greenwashing;\nSustainable fashion and textile design practice models, from commercial large-scale to independent micro-practices.","sdg":"3; 5; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation; Design and Creative Practice; Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"0910, 0912, 1203, 1503, 1505, 1608"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Robyn Healy, Scott Mayson, Ricarda Bigolin, Jenny Underwood, Stephen Wigley, Sean Ryan, Peter Boyd, Andrea Eckersley, Angela Finn, Laura Gardner, Tarryn Handcock, Georgia McCorkill, Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran, Tarun Panwar, Alex Sherlock, Denise Sprynskyj, Carol Tan","title":"Fashion and Textiles Communication, Enterprise and Pedagogy","description":"Research in this field lies at the intersection of the disciplines of design and enterprise, and proposals are sought that address one of the following topics\nPractice-based and practice-led investigations of diverse forms of fashion and textile practice;\nInnovations in the communication of fashion though image, writing and performance, including its recent adoption of innovative technologies such as VR and AR and\/or its increasingly diverse forms of dissemination through publication;\nContemporary self-critical reflection upon and engagement with fashion by practitioners and writers both within and outside the academy;\nNew models for the teaching and communication of fashion and textile design practice, including the foregrounding of practice-based thinking and\/or the social and environmental responsibility of fashion and textile practices;\nRecent developments in the relationship between local and global systems of fashion, in its cultural, political and economic aspects;\nNew forms of collaborative and cross-disciplinary relationships between practitioners in fashion and textiles and practitioners in fields such as industrial and product design, architecture and urban design, performance, photography, film and the visual arts, and\/or actors and critics working in fields such as public policy or social activism.","sdg":"3; 4; 5; 9; 11; 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice; Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"1203, 1302, 1901, 1904, 1905, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Lijing Wang, Rajiv Padhye, Scott Mayson, Ricarda Bigolin, Jenny Underwood, Sean Ryan, Angela Finn, Rebecca van Amber, Peter Boyd, Andrea Eckersley, Tarryn Handcock, Pia Interlandi, Georgia McCorkill, Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran, Alex Sherlock, Denise Sprynskyj","title":"Wearable Body Space","description":"Textile materials and fashion garments occupy a liminal space connecting and separating the body to and from its physical, technological, social and cultural environments. The investigation of the role of textiles and fashion in this relationship is multidisciplinary and covers several fields, including textile engineering and technologies, materials sciences, electrical and software engineering, design theory and practice, visual communication, and the sociology and phenomenology of dress.\nResearch in this field crosses the disciplines of technology, enterprise and design, and proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nSmart textiles systems and wearable electronics connecting technologies and textiles, in order to harvest and store energy, embed batteries, sensors and actuators, monitor health, monitor the environment, provide communication, etc, including, for example, the development of fibre-based RFID tags, nanocellulose aerogel for energy generation, and stretchable conducting polymer-coated textile electrodes for supercapacitors;\nGarment technology and smart wearables that monitor health and well-being, provide communication or entertainment, enhance user experience, and connect with the Internet of Things and industry 4.0, without compromising clothing performance and functionality;\nPhysiological and\/or psychological responses to textile materials in the context of health, comfort and well-being;\nThe personal, social and cultural role of fashion and clothing, and of its communicative and performative potential, in the context of an increasingly urbanised and\/or technologized environment;\nThe personal, social and cultural place of fashion in the context of an increasingly fluid political, cultural and gender-diverse world.","sdg":"3; 9; 11; 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice; Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication; BHI","forcodes":"0906, 0910, 0912, 1203,1608, 1701, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology; Fashion & Textiles Design","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rebecca Van Amber, Jenny Underwood","title":"Explore strategies to achieve circularity in line with the Fashion & Textile system\u2019s transition to the circular economy","description":"The project envisages examining a mixed methodological and interdisciplinary approach to include\rmaterials selection, design approach, fabrication, user-centric data, disposal\/end-of-life options\/opportunities. Central to the research is to provide an LCA approach to establish normative definitions for the industry partner. In the context of the partner industry's product range, this research will investigate key aspects of materials, design, and governance issues.","sdg":"6; 9; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"STS 1 Circular Economy; AM 4 Materials for sustainable living; GBI 1 Collaborative Design Approaches for Innovation","forcodes":"120306, 091012"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"MR214","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye","title":"Development of Technique for Reduction and Recycling of Textile Waste","description":"Textile waste is ending up in landfill at a catastrophic rate, raising serious environmental issues worldwide. The exponential accumulation of waste, especially non-biodegradable fossil-based textiles, is generating economic, health, and societal concerns for future generations. Australia is ranked second in the world for its rate of textile consumption. The estimated disposal rate of textile-related items is roughly 85% of purchased textiles, with less than 15% currently being recycled. This problem not only impacts the environment; it is also a health issue.\nUtilizing textile waste in the production of polymers for other applications can be a way to recycle textile waste. In this project we aim to develop a new technique to recycle textile waste with a limited preparation before it becomes wastage. The produced materials will be characterised to investigate their potential in various applications, such as geotextiles, concrete, and other textile materials.\nThis Master\u2019s by Research project is based in the Centre for Material Innovation and Future Fashion (CMIFF).","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;6 - Clean Water and Sanitation;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;12 - Responsible Consumption and Production;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication;Advanced Materials;","forcodes":"401106 Waste Management, Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (30%) 401408 Manufacturing Processes and Technologies (30%) 401413 Textile Technologies (40%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye, Lijing Wang, Steve Michielsen, Xin Wang, Scott Mayson, Rebecca van Amber, Pia Interlandi, Saniyat Islam","title":"Materials for Extreme Conditions","description":"Innovations in advanced materials and performance textiles are required to confront a range of extreme environments, from the heat encountered in firefighting, to chemical, biological and other hazardous materials, to the stresses involved in space travel, to protective garments for law enforcement officers.\nResearch proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nThe development of compression garments and gloves for astronauts;\nThe design and evaluation, including through the use of the school\u2019s new flame mannikin, of functional firefighting garments;\nThe development of CBRN protective textiles;\nThe design of body armour for stab and ballistic protection;\nErgonomic performance evaluation of garments;\nThe improvement of UV-blocking and antibacterial properties of protective materials;\nThe coating of textiles with nanomaterials for multiple applications\nThe development of nanodiamond\/textile composites.","sdg":"3; 9; 13","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials","forcodes":"0910, 0912"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye, Lijing Wang, Steve Michielsen, Xin Wang","title":"Nanotextiles and Scalability","description":"The use of nanoparticles has been a promising way to develop performance textiles, although durability and comfort remain issues in the potential application of the technology. Similarly, the scaling up of nanofibres continues to present a challenge to their application. This project has a number of aims, including the growing of nanoparticles on textiles and the development of novel methods of synthesis, and the theory and method of electrospinning in the fabrication of nanofibres.\nResearch proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nThe development of carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites;\nThe development of spacer fabric with CNT-reinforced nanofibres for impact protection;\nNovel electrospinning systems for the scalable production of nanofibres;\nNanomaterials\/fibrous nanocomposite systems for multiple applications;\nThe use of nanodiamond\/selenium within fibrous systems for the development of medical textiles;\nThe design, modelling and engineering of compression garments;\nBraided 3D pre-form structures for fibre-reinforced composites;\nModelling of the protection and thermal comfort of semi-permeable PPE.","sdg":"3; 9","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication: BHI","forcodes":"0910, 1007"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Steve Michielsen, Lijing Wang, Rajiv Padhye, Xin Wang, Rebecca van Amber","title":"Textile Identification and Analysis","description":"The identification and analysis of textile composition and behaviour has important applications in a range of areas including defence and forensics and as protection against fraud and counterfeiting.\nResearch proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nHyperspectral analysis of fibre material and textile digital signal processing, with applications for the development and detection of camouflage and counterfeit materials;\nBloodstain pattern analysis, with applications in the field of forensic science;\nAnalysis of fabric wetting and the wicking of liquids, in the development of innovative materials for comfort and\/or for forensic fibre identification;\nArtificial intelligence tools and developing technologies to provide forensic evidence and to identify the origin of textiles, including, for example, the identification of Australian wool, the origin of animal furs and skins, the DNA analysis of textile fibres, and\/or the integration of fibre-based RFID technology for individual textile identification, life cycle studies, and supply chain tracking.","sdg":"9; 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials; ISE","forcodes":"0303, 0801, 0906, 0910"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Dr Rebecca Van Amber, Associate Prof. Dr Jenny Underwood","title":"Explore strategies toward achieving circularity in line with the Fashion & Textile system's transition to a circular economy","description":"As a means to address unsustainable resource consumption and waste generation in the fashion and textiles industry, the transition to a Circular Economy (CE) has become pivotal in Australia. Transitioning to a CE will require the growth and support of an industry focussed approach.      \r\nThis project will involve:  a literature review; followed by quantitative and qualitative research (surveys, interviews\/focus groups) with industry, government and research bodies aimed at identifying systematic intervention; followed by an analysis of Product LCA to update, with the final research aim being to identify and reform options and investigate potential mechanisms, processes and organisations through which systematic change can ideally be influenced and achieved.  \r","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 - Climate Action , 14 - Life Below Water, 15 - Life on the Land ,17 - Partnerships for the Goals","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401413 - Textile technology\r\n330315 - Textile and fashion design"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miranda Lai","title":"Virtual Emergency for All - Only When you Speak English","description":"Northern Health has introduced the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) since 2023. This is an online service platform hosted by Northern Health which triages and treats patients with non-life-threatening conditions virtually. VVED is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and free for Victorians. This service is the first of its kind in Australia.\n\nThe uptake of this service by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients is significantly under-represented, comparing to other members of community who speak English. It has also proven challenging for clinicians in utilising interpreting services to communicate with CALD clients via the virtual platform, comparing to conventional telephone interpreting service.\n\nThis project aims to:\n- establish current user profiles to establish a baseline for the proposed study\n- investigate the enabling and preventative factors from the CALD user perspective\n- investigate the enabling and preventative factors from the clinician perspective\n- explore possible change avenues to increase VVED uptake for better CALD emergency service outcomes\n\nThis project comes with a PhD scholarship and a 3-month internship to be undertaken at Northern Health.","sdg":"\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"470321        Translation and interpretation studies (50%)\n420305        Health and community services (50%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kathryn Daley, Juliet Watson","title":"Family violence, homelessness and women's refuges","description":"Family violence is a key driver of women's homelessness. Refuges offer short term accommodation for women and their children escaping violence. However, there are barriers to accessing refuges and pathways out of them into permanent, safe housing. This is exacerbated for some minority groups. A lack of housing limits women's ability to escape family violence. These facts are not new yet the issues persist. This research will be a mixed-methods approach drawing on linked datasets and qualitative interviews seeking to offer new insights in this area.\n\nThe successful applicant will have a role in shaping the project, along with the partner organisation(s). We are seeking someone who is able to undertake mixed methods research, though we will consider candidates who are trained solely in either quantitative or qualitative data (and are open to developing their skills). This project will include a 12-week paid internship with Good Shepherd (a not-for-profit supporting women, girls and families).  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440707 Housing Policy (35%)\n440705 Gender, Policy and Administration (35%)\n440903 Social program evaluation (30%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elizabeth Kath, Victor del Rio","title":"Strengthening Australia-Latin America Relations: Institutional Mapping and Building Collaborative Strategies","description":"This project aims to investigate and map the institutional landscape of Australia\u2019s engagement with Latin America, covering educational, governmental, and business sectors. It seeks to identify and understand key organizations involved in promoting Australia-Latin America relations, assess their current priorities and activities, and develop recommendations for improving collaboration to achieve a more cohesive approach for Australia\u2019s engagement with the Latin American region. \nObjectives include mapping existing institutions, analyzing their current activities, experiences, and priorities, and developing strategic recommendations to improve coordination. The project will explore practical strategies for integrating organizations' agendas, focusing on shared interests to build a unified approach. It will also design short-term collaborative activities and propose policies for medium and long-term impact. The research will use qualitative methods to assess collaboration and identify integration opportunities. The findings will produce actionable recommendations and strategies for fostering stronger regional relationships. This project has the potential to enhance bilateral relations between Australia and Latin America, addressing organizational fragmentation and improving collaborative outcomes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440801 Australian Government and Politics (...)\n440808 International Relations\n440303 Migration"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vandra Harris Agisilaou, Robbie Guevara, Julian Lee, Yaso Nadarajah, Peter Phipps, Kaye Quek, Elizabeth Kath, Tuba Boz, Nerkez Opacin, Bruce Wilson, Emma Shortis, Reina Ichii, Aiden Warren, Charlie Hunt, Gonzalez Garcia","title":"Humanitarianism, Migration & Development","description":"Mass migration as a result of humanitarian crises is a key contemporary global challenge shaped by the impact of global financial institutions and governance structures, environmental threats from climate change, ideological contestations and the changing nature of conflicts, generating new forms of precarity and vulnerability. Innovations in social media are impacting on cultural understandings of migration, identity and belonging, while ongoing digital transformations create challenges and opportunities for intervention approaches in the humanitarian and international development sector.\nWe welcome proposals that address issues in the fields of humanitarianism, migration and development by focusing on new and entrenched vulnerabilities locally or internationally, including the impact on women and children and indigenous groups. Candidates may have the opportunity to work with our partners including Australian Red Cross, Oxfam, International Organisation for Migration, Professional Migrant Women. Supervisors come from a background in anthropology, international development, political science, social work, gender studies, language studies, criminology, and global studies. Priority areas: 1. Indigenous and decolonisation perspectives in development\n2. Digital transformations in the Humanitarian Sector\n3. Gender, sexuality and development\n4. Migrant communities, belonging and social 5. Critical engagements with UN Sustainable Development Goals","sdg":"[\"1 - No Poverty\",\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390101 (25%) 440107 (50%) 440810 (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Criminology and Justice Studies; Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Monica Barratt","title":"Evaluating and improving drug checking services in Australia","description":"The supply of illegal drugs is unregulated due to prohibition. Unregulated supply results in drugs being sold that are of unknown content and strength, leading to overdoses which are sometimes fatal. Drug checking (a.k.a. pill testing) services (DCS) are a health response to this problem: members of the public submit substances of concern for chemical analysis and get the results back alongside a tailored health intervention. They empower people who use drugs to make informed decisions about their health, while also enabling communities and authorities to amplify health messages when toxic adulterations are detected. \n \nWhile relatively new in Australia, DCS have been established for 50+ years in 30+ countries. But there is still much we don\u2019t know. Knowledge gaps include: (1) the medium-to-long-term effectiveness of DCS on reducing drug harms, (2) the effects of the public outputs of DCS on drug harms, (3) how best to leverage community experiences of toxic drug outbreaks, and (4) how best to reach diverse groups. \n \nA PhD candidate is sought to lead a research project to address one or more of these knowledge gaps, supervised by Dr Monica Barratt, who leads a research program focused on emerging drug market trends. Dr Barratt is partnered with The Loop Australia, offering access to service-level data and internship possibilities. The candidate may have an academic background in qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods approaches to research. People with living or lived experience of substance use and\/or who have worked with people who use drugs are encouraged to apply.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420305"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hariz Halilovich, Elizabeth Kath, Tuba Boz, Peter Phipps, Charlie Hunt, Cecily Maller, Nerkez Opacin, James Oliver, School of Design","title":"The Art of Remembrance and Peace: Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Post-conflict Societies ","description":"The project investigates how the arts and creativity can be employed to serve reconciliatory ends and transitional justice, especially in \u201cfrozen conflict\u201d contexts categorized by entrenched social and political divisions running across two or more generations. Moreover, it will explore what ethical considerations of war and peace does a fusion between the arts and culture of remembrance in post-conflict societies necessitate? The geopolitical contexts relevant to the project range from the former Yugoslavia (in particular Bosnia and Kosovo) and Northern Ireland, in Europe, to several post-genocide, post-conflict and post-apartheid societies in Africa (e.g., Rwanda, Southern Sudan, South Africa), Asia (e.g., Cambodia, Myanmar, India-Pakistan), Latin America (eg Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador) and the Middle East (e.g., Israel-Palestine, Iraq, Syria\u2026). Recently, there has been a paradigm shift - both in theory and in practice - with transitional justice increasingly abandoning an exclusively legalistic perspective and opting, instead, for multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches. One of the non-conventional approaches has been the use of arts in reconciliation efforts in post-conflict societies. The arts have the power of creatively expressing both the anguish and the elation - as well as anything in between- of the human condition. Moreover, apart from the intrinsic aesthetic function, the purpose of the art can be, and often is, manifold: art is not merely mimetic or cathartic, it can perform sociocultural, historical, religious and ideological functions transgenerationally, transculturally, and transnationally. The PhD researcher will engage in a qualitative study (incl. ethnography\/fieldwork) of one or more of the post-conflict contexts looking at how reconciliation and the arts intertwine in post-conflict societies. Prospective industry partners: Global Reconciliation (Melbourne); KUMA International (Sarajevo), UNDP (Sarajevo).","sdg":"16, 10, 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390101 (25%) 440107 (50%) 440810 (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rojan Afrouz, Juliet Watson \n","title":"Trauma-Informed and Victim-Centred Practice Responses and Services for Domestic and Family Violence Victims\/Survivors from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds","description":"Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) impacts all women in Australia, but research shows that women from migrant and refugee backgrounds are less likely to access services when experiencing abuse. The traumatic experience of DFV, coupled with other structural inequalities and marginalisation, poses significant challenges for victims\/survivors from these communities to access safe and appropriate services. InTouch reported that a lack of victim-centred and trauma-informed skills by police and law enforcement resulted in significant misidentification of female victims of DFV among migrants and refugees. As of now, there is limited knowledge on how to develop policies, practice responses and recovery paths with a victim-centred and trauma-informed lens. This research proposal aims to address these gaps and contribute to the development of more effective, trauma-informed, and victim-centred services for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds experiencing DFV.\n This PhD will be conducted with publication. The method will be qualitative (probably grounded theory) with a feminist and trauma-informed framework. \nThe first paper will include a systematic literature review to explore the requirements of trauma-informed services with migrant and refugee women experiencing DFV, trauma-informed safety planning, counselling and recovery paths.  \nThe second paper will be based on in-depth interviews with victims\/survivors who used the system and their experiences of accessing services and recovery pathways (up to 10 interviews)\nThe third paper will be based on a co-design of trauma-informed practice in collaboration with relevant services. \nInternship opportunities with partner organisations will be explored. ","sdg":"5, 3, 10","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"230114        Violence and abuse services (50 %)\n440505     Intersectional studies (25%)\n440999        Social work not elsewhere classified (25%) \n\n\n\n\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Criminology and Justice Studies; Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210 & MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michele Ruyters, Crystal MacKinnon, Stuart Thomas, Monica Barratt, Nicola Henry, Georgina Heydon, Aiden Warren, Charlie Hunt, Anastasia Powell, Larissa Sandy, Brianna Chesser, Gemma Hamilton, Lisa Harris, Suzi Hutchings, Binoy Kampmark, Marg Lidell, Marietta Martinovic, Rob Watts, Pete Chambers, Rajesh Sharma, Russell Solomon, Robin Cameron, Greg Stratton, Lucy Maxwell, Peta Malins, Sharon Andrews, James Rowe","title":"Crime, Justice & Security","description":"We invite proposals addressing social, political and inter-personal conflict, including family and gender violence, policing and consequences of transnational crime, borders and national security, the impact of terrorism, crime and digital technology, shifting political conditions and relationships, gender and race inequalities in criminal justice systems and forensic mental health settings.\nProjects can focus on the voices of those who are persecuted and discriminated against for their identity, beliefs or circumstances and\/or legal, policy and practice reforms for institutions and services, as part of a broader global agenda towards peaceful, just and inclusive societies. Supervisors come from disciplines including social work and law, justice and legal studies, psychology and forensic mental health, Indigenous studies, international development and political science, criminology and education.\nThere is the opportunity to work with community groups and industry partners to generate an evidence-based for policy and practice reform at the interface of institutions, services and societal norms. Priority areas: - Digital Criminology\n- Gender and Family Violence\n- Indigenous and critical race perspectives on law and justice\n- Forensic mental health\n- Proposals related to Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative\n- International Peacekeeping and Security","sdg":"5, 10, 16, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1602, 160604"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Digital Design; Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Renata Kokanovic","title":"Borderline Personality as Social Phenomena","description":"PhD scholarship attached to the Australian Research Council Linkage Project \u2013 Borderline Personality as Social Phenomena.\nWe have an exciting and unique opportunity for a highly motivated student to undertake a PhD as part of a large Australian Research Council funded Linkage Project entitled Borderline Personality as Social Phenomena. The team is comprised of an international research group with expertise in critical mental health research, medical humanities, cultural studies, psychiatry and qualitative and arts-based research in mental health. The project is also is guided by collaborators with lived experiences and an Advisory Group. The focus of the PhD project will be to explore experiences of borderline personality among young people. The student will be panel supervised and trained in advanced qualitative and critical methodologies, and the production of digital resources. They will also be mentored to develop their expertise in critical social research on mental health. Value and duration\n$31,000 per annum for three years with a possible extension of six months (full time).\nNumber of scholarships available\nOne\nEligibility\nCandidates with backgrounds in critical mental health and health sociology are encouraged to apply.\nTo be eligible for this scholarship you must:\n\u2022 have first-class honours or equivalent in a relevant discipline;\n\u2022 be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident;\n\u2022 provide evidence of good oral and written communication skills;\n\u2022 demonstrable interest to work as part of a multi-disciplinary research team;\n\u2022 meet RMIT\u2019s entry requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy.\nHow to apply\nTo apply, please submit the following documents:\n\u2022 a cover letter, including a research statement\n\u2022 a copy of electronic academic transcripts\n\u2022 a CV that includes details of any publications\/awards and the contact details of 2 academic referees.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"441011 - Sociology of health (70%) 920410 - Mental Health (30%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elizabeth Kath","title":"Understanding Belonging in Education in the Digital Age","description":"\u2018Belonging\u2019, \u2018social inclusion\u2019 and \u2018social support\u2019 are key areas of sociability that are vital to student and staff wellbeing, resilience, and academic success in educational settings, and are still reported to be sustained by face-to-face interaction. In recent years, academic life has been increasingly mediated through screens, with profound social, cultural, and wellbeing implications. This research project aims to better understand the sense of belonging amongst staff and students in educational settings, considering cultural, social, and technological factors. The project investigates strategies for fostering meaningful belonging, social inclusion, and social support, including the examination of school-based and university-based interventions and programs to evaluate their effectiveness. The expected outcomes of the research include providing actionable insights and recommendations for fostering belonging in educational settings, considering cultural diversity and the pervasive influence of digital technologies. The findings will inform policies and practices that enhance individual well-being and social cohesion in academic settings. This project includes a funded industry internship with Awards Victoria.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"4702 - Cultural studies (50%)\n3902 - Education policy, sociology, & philosophy (50%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210 \/ MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Paul Battersby, Hariz Halilovich, Val Colic-Peisker, Damian Grenfell, Robbie Guevara, Vandra Harris, Julian Lee, Yaso Nadarajah, Ceridwen Spark, Kaye Quek, Elizabeth Kath, Bruce Wilson, Emma Shortis, Reina Ichii, Peter Phipps, Gemma Sou","title":"Humanitarianism, Migration & Development","description":"Mass migration as a result of humanitarian crises is a key contemporary global challenge shaped by the impact of global financial institutions and governance structures, environmental threats from climate change, ideological contestations and the changing nature of conflicts, generating new forms of precarity and vulnerability. Innovations in social media are impacting on cultural understandings of migration, identity and belonging, while ongoing digital transformations create challenges and opportunities for intervention approaches in the humanitarian and international development sector.\nWe welcome proposals that address issues in the fields of humanitarianism, migration and development by focusing on new and entrenched vulnerabilities locally or internationally, including the impact on women and children and indigenous groups. Candidates may have the opportunity to work with our partners including Australian Red Cross and Oxfam. Supervisors come from a background in anthropology, international development, political science, social work, gender studies, criminology, and global studies. Priority areas: 1. Indigenous and decolonisation perspectives in development\n2. Digital transformations in the Humanitarian Sector\n3. Gender, sexuality and development\n4. Migrant communities, belonging and social 5. Critical engagements with UN Sustainable Development Goals","sdg":"1, 5,10, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"160104, 160606, 160607, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hariz Halilovich, Elizabeth Kath, Tuba Boz, Peter Phipps, Charlie Hunt, Cecily Maller, Nerkez Opacin, James Oliver, School of Design","title":"The Art of Remembrance and Peace: Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Post-conflict Societies ","description":"The project investigates how the arts and creativity can be employed to serve reconciliatory ends and transitional justice, especially in \u201cfrozen conflict\u201d contexts categorized by entrenched social and political divisions running across two or more generations. Moreover, it will explore what ethical considerations of war and peace does a fusion between the arts and culture of remembrance in post-conflict societies necessitate? The geopolitical contexts relevant to the project range from the former Yugoslavia (in particular Bosnia and Kosovo) and Northern Ireland, in Europe, to several post-genocide, post-conflict and post-apartheid societies in Africa (e.g., Rwanda, Southern Sudan, South Africa), Asia (e.g., Cambodia, Myanmar, India-Pakistan), Latin America (eg Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador) and the Middle East (e.g., Israel-Palestine, Iraq, Syria\u2026). Recently, there has been a paradigm shift - both in theory and in practice - with transitional justice increasingly abandoning an exclusively legalistic perspective and opting, instead, for multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches. One of the non-conventional approaches has been the use of arts in reconciliation efforts in post-conflict societies. The arts have the power of creatively expressing both the anguish and the elation - as well as anything in between- of the human condition. Moreover, apart from the intrinsic aesthetic function, the purpose of the art can be, and often is, manifold: art is not merely mimetic or cathartic, it can perform sociocultural, historical, religious and ideological functions transgenerationally, transculturally, and transnationally. The PhD researcher will engage in a qualitative study (incl. ethnography\/fieldwork) of one or more of the post-conflict contexts looking at how reconciliation and the arts intertwine in post-conflict societies. Prospective industry partners: Global Reconciliation (Melbourne); KUMA International (Sarajevo), UNDP (Sarajevo)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390101 (25%)\r\n440107 (50%)\r\n440810 (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kathryn Daley, Guy Johnson, Juliet Watson","title":"Gendered experiences of housing insecurity and homelessness","description":"This project will investigate the experiences of women and non binary people who are at the margins of the housing market, as well as those who have experienced homelessness. There is international evidence to suggest that womens' experiences of homelessness differ substantially from that of men, but little work has been undertaken in Australian to understand the nuanced experience of this, and in turn, the implications for both policy and practice. This project will work with partner organisation\/s and include an internship. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440707 Housing  Policy (50%)\r\n440705 Gender, policy & Adminstration (50%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210 & MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Judith Bessant, Katherine Johnson, Robyn Martin, Kat Daley, Bawa Kuyini, Belinda Johnson, Chris Maylea, Christina David, Sharlene Nipperess, Ronnie Egan, Sonia Martin, Paul Ramcharan, Angelika Papadopolous, John Whyte, Guy Johnson, Juliet Watson, Renata Kokanovic, Kate Johnston-Ataata, Jacinthe Flore, Anna Urbanowicz, Crystal MacKinnon, Kim Humphrey, Paul Scriven, Suellen Murray","title":"Citizenship, Care & Health","description":"Giving and receiving support and care is intensely personal yet its provision is entrenched in systemic and structural processes. Through a focus on \u2018voice\u2019, lived experience and end-user participation, researchers in Citizenship, Care & Health aim to influence policy, practice and education that benefits citizens and communities in situations of vulnerability and precarity by reducing social inequalities, promoting health and mental health, and improving participation in society.\nWe welcome proposals that work with gender, sexuality, cultural and generational communities in the contexts of mental and physical health, housing and homelessness, disability and the NDIS, social and community service provision and design, and their intersections. We offer the potential to collaboration with our partners in health, housing and community service organisations and consumer advocacy groups, and a supervisory team from a range of disciplinary areas, including social work, social policy, youth work, medical and health sociology, community psychology and disability studies. We are particularly interested in projects with the potential to address intersectional disadvantage and vulnerability using innovative and participatory research methods. Priority area: - Homelessness and housing\n- Lived experience of health and mental health\n- Disability\n- Youth work\n- Aged Care\n- Critical perspectives on trauma","sdg":"1, 3, 10, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change; Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"160512, 160702, 170103"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melanie Davern, Alan Both, Ori Gudes, Jessica Rivera Villicana","title":"Investigating similarities and differences between resident ratings of liveability with objective spatial measurement of neighbourhood liveability using participatory GIS","description":"This project will draw on the existing liveability indicators included in the Australian Urban Observatory (auo.org.au) to compare and analyse key features of local liveability according to resident perspectives using participatory Geographic Information Systems. It will investigate resident perceptions of liveability and compare this to existing objective spatial measures of liveability according to different demographic groups.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330413"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melanie Davern, Jessica Rivera Villicana, Alan Both, Afshin Jafari, Ori Gudes","title":"Developing novel data visualisation methods to understand and communicate city cycling","description":"Develop new methods and data visualisation tools in the Australian Urban Observatory to understand and interpret safe cycling indicator results in local neighbourhoods","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330499\n460807"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210 & MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Bekessy, Ascelin Gordon, Georgia Garrard, Matthew Selinske, Holly Kirk, Alex Kusmanoff","title":"Interdisciplinary Conservation Science","description":"Managing biodiversity demands a multidisciplinary approach that reconciles ecological, social and economic dimensions. The ICON Science Research Group examines these diverse drivers of change, particularly in urban and semi-rural environments. We are looking for HDR PhD students for 6 specific projects:\n1) Effective biodiversity behaviour change across supply chains\nWork with project partner Zoos Victoria on a sustainable coffee engagement project, designing interventions, collaborating with coffee industry partners, and evaluating intervention outcomes. 2) Message framing for improved biodiversity conservation\nHow we say things can be as important as what we say when trying to change behaviours that affect biodiversity conservation. We have numerous partners from state and federal government agencies and non-government organisation interested in exploring the topic of communication and message framing in various contexts 3) Onsets not offsets for real biodiversity gains\nWork with us on an ARC Discovery project investigating an alternative approach to biodiversity offsetting that delivers positive on-site benefits to biodiversity and industry. By requiring proponents to demonstrate how they will retain, protect, restore and improve biodiversity on their site, onsetting will drive creative thinking and much-needed innovation within industry. 4) Designing green spaces for biodiversity and human well-being\nInterested in maintaining and encouraging more biodiversity into the cities? We have an established research program looking at social and ecological factors involved with urban greening, that specifically focuses on how people perceive different types of green spaces in cities, unpacking the elements of 'green' in green space design and delving into city floral visitor networks (like native bees!). 5) Understanding the synergies and trade-offs between conservation and ecosystem service supply and demand in rural and urban areas There has been significant progress in understanding how we value and measure ecosystem services. However, much of this work has been focused on the supply of services, with a less research on understanding the dynamics of the demand for services. In addition, more work is needed to properly understand the likely synergies and tradeoffs that may occur between prioritizing ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. 6) Biodiversity sensitive urban design (BSUD)\nWe work with government agencies, certification bodies, non-government organisations and urban developers to improve urban design in cities to enhance biodiversity within the urban fabric. PhD projects could focus on the intersection of architecture and BSUD, the measurement of biodiversity outcomes, urban design that enhances connectivity for target species or techniques for engaging stakeholders in setting compelling biodiversity objectives.","sdg":"6,9,11,12,14,15","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melanie Davern and Gavin Turrell","title":"What is the role of neighbourhood liveability for support healthy ageing?","description":"Liveable neighbourhoods include a range of different local services and amenities that are easily accessed through walking, cycling and public transport. They encourage and support more active lifestyles, are safe and support sustainability, include affordable and diverse housing options, public open space, public transport, local education and employment options, leisure and recreation, shops, and local services. Yet, little is known about how neighbourhoods change across time in relation to ageing.\r\n\r\nThe proposed PhD project is a study of mid to older aged adults and whether their local neighbourhood liveability supports active and healthy behaviours and overall health and wellbeing. Key aims are to identify whether neighbourhood liveability influences health and wellbeing, and healthy ageing; and the extent to which this relationship is modified by individual preferences and socioeconomic disadvantage.  \r\n","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing,  9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 10 - Reduced Inequalities , 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"200502 - Health related to ageing (50%)\r\n280104 - Expanding knowledge in built environment and design (30%)\r\n200401 - Behaviour and health (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ascelin Gordon","title":"More than a reserve? Measuring the benefits of private protected areas","description":"This is an exciting opportunity to undertake a PhD within an interdisciplinary research project focused conserving biodiversity on private land. It is funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Project titled \u201cMore than a reserve? Measuring the benefits of private protected areas\u201d. Its aim is to improve how we understand, measure and report on the benefits from private protected areas (PPAs) in Australia. \n\nThe project will develop a new theoretical approach and apply this to answer such questions as: (i) What are the contributions PPAs are making to reducing biodiversity loss? (ii) Are there benefits from PPAs beyond biodiversity conservation, such as socio-cultural and economic benefits? (iii) To what extent do these benefits arise within the boundaries of a PPA, and what sort of benefit flows into and out of the PPA occur? \n\nThe project brings together top researchers from academia (RMIT, UNSW, Griffith, and QUT) along with the most important organisations for private protected areas in Australia, including Bush Heritage and BridLife Australia. These organisations have identified PPAs they manage that may be used as case studies in the project. \n\nThe PhD research will involve: (i) collation and synthesis of existing approaches for measuring PPA benefits; (ii) data collection from case study PPAs and analysis of that data to measure specific benefit streams. We are open to students with backgrounds in one or more of ecology\/conservation, social science, and\/or environmental economics. The PhD research may involve travel to case study PPAs around Australia.\n\nSee here for further information: https:\/\/ascelin.github.io\/blog\/new-research-positions-available \n","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 15 - Life on the Land","funded":"Yes","closedate":"05\/05\/2024","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"410401 Conservation and biodiversity (50%) ; 410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring (30%) ; 440704 Environment policy (20%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen","title":"Value-for-Money in social procurement","description":"Social procurement is the practice of purchasing goods and services in a way that generates social, environmental, and economic benefits beyond the primary value of the goods or services themselves. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that instead of generating meaningful impact and value-for-money for different stakeholders, social procurement is often focused on merely reporting dollars spent on contracts with social impact organizations. \n\nTherefore, the purpose of this HDR project is to explore and investigate what is value-for-money in social procurement for different stakeholders, what factors drive or hinder its realization, and how purchasing managers, procurement organizations, and other stakeholders evaluate, influence, and manage it. \n\nThis project will involve qualitative research methods, including case studies and interviews, but they can be supplemented with quantitative methods, if appropriate. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have expertise in qualitative research methods and the ambition to conduct rigorous research that has the potential to deliver significant scholarly, managerial, and societal impact. Prior expertise and experience in social procurement, supply chain management, or organizational buying is an advantage. \n","sdg":"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350603 industrial marketing\n350612 social marketing\n350710 organizational behavior"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen","title":"How social enterprises sell to supply chain partners","description":"Social enterprises pursue a dual mission that combines social and financial goals, and they play an important role in tackling the wider sustainability challenges in business and societal ecosystem. However, since social and commercial business logics are often conflicting, social enterprises tend to struggle to get supply chain partners to buy into their social missions and\npurchase or supply their products and services.\n\nWhile there is a large body of literature that has considered social entrepreneurship and the related business models, logic, and strategies it involves, it has paid much less attention to issues related to successfully selling social missions and social products and services to different supply chain partners. Therefore, the purpose of this HRD project is to explore and investigate how social enterprises can create resonating value propositions and convince their supply chain partners to buy into their social missions and purchase their products and services.\n\nThe project will involve qualitative research methods, including cases studies and interviews within the Australian social enterprise sector and potentially across other countries. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have expertise in qualitative research methods and the ambition to conduct rigorous research that has the potential to deliver significant scholarly, managerial, and societal impact. Prior expertise and experience in social entrepreneurship, selling and\/or sales management, and supply chain partnerships is considered an advantage.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350603 industrial marketing\n350612 social marketing \n350702 corporate social responsibility"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen","title":"How organizations implement and manage Creating Shared Value strategies","description":"Creating Shared Value (CSV) is a business strategy that was coined and popularized by Porter and Kramer (2011) as a way for corporations to align business and social goals, and it has become a popular approach among many corporations and practitioners (Crane et al., 2014). CSV is based on the idea of turning social problems into business opportunities and gaining a sustainable competitive advantage by creating both economic and social value (Porter & Kramer, 2011). \n\nHowever, while there is a growing body of research on CSV (see e.g.,  Pfitzer et al., 2013; Dembek et al., 2016; Mengwar & Daood, 2021), many firms still struggle to implement it in practice, especially in complex value chains and business networks with multiple stakeholders. Therefore, the purpose of this HDR project is to explore and investigate how organizations in different industries and business contexts adopt and implement CSV strategy, what are the major internal and external barriers that hinder this process, and how firms manage CSV partnerships in value chains and business networks.\n\nThis project will involve qualitative research methods, including case studies and interviews. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have expertise in qualitative research methods and the ambition to conduct rigorous research that has the potential to deliver significant scholarly, managerial, and societal impact. Prior expertise and experience in social or sustainable business strategy, corporate social responsibility, or related fields is an advantage\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350702 corporate social responsibility\n350710 organizational behavior\n350718 strategy"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Penelope Weller, Natalya Turkina, Jessica Helmi, Max Theilacker","title":"How Institutions Condition Stakeholders\u2019 Emotions in the Process of Inclusive ICT Innovation?","description":"Many cities nowadays aim to become inclusive in the sense that they strive to include various marginalised communities (e.g., people with disabilities) in the social division of labour and social networks and promote their participation in material (consumption), politico-institutional and cultural activities (Kronauer, 2002). Becoming \u2018smart\u2019 through developing innovations in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be an effective way for cities to promote the inclusion of marginalised communities (Reuter, 2019).\nThe process of inclusive ICT innovation engages multiple stakeholders, including city councils, businesses, NGOs, research organisations and citizens themselves (Borghys, Van der Graaf, Walravens, & Van Compernolle, 2020). Alongside its technological implementation and rationalisation, the process of inclusive ICT innovation is informed by stakeholders\u2019 emotions. This means that emotions help stakeholders to make sense of and then decide to develop a specific innovation (e.g., Friedrich & W\u00fcstenhagen, 2017; Vuori & Huy, 2016). In this context, emotions do, however, not occur in a vacuum but instead are informed by the diverse institutional environments (i.e., values, norms, rules and conventions) that condition these stakeholders (Zietsma & Toubiana, 2018). To date, little is known about the mechanisms of such conditioning (Friedland, 2018) and about how various institutional environments can either hinder or facilitate multiple stakeholder engagement in the process of inclusive ICT innovation. This HDR project, therefore, aims to explore how institutions condition stakeholders\u2019 emotions in the process of inclusive ICT innovation. The underlying project will employ qualitative research methods (i.e., comparative and longitudinal case studies). The HDR student will have an opportunity to collect data in Australia and Indonesia and will be supported by a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers, who have excellent industry connections in these two countries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"Tra Pham","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen, Natalya Turkina","title":"How Social Enterprises Couple Market and Social Welfare Logics to Create Value in the Post-Pandemic World?","description":"The rapid and unprecedented market decline brought in by COVID-19 will inevitably result in dramatic changes (i.e., economic recession, unemployment, inequality) in the economic and social contexts of many countries. These impacts can be addressed by social enterprises \u2013 organisations that generate revenues by creating social value for stakeholders, local communities and society more broadly (Santos, 2012). Since social enterprises are able to selectively couple market and social welfare logics (Pache & Santos, 2013) in complex and demanding economic and social environments (Cherriera, Goswamib, & Ray, 2018), they are in a unique position to create employment and associated community and social benefits for multiple stakeholders and diverse social groups affected by the pandemic. However, to be able to create social value when their own economic existence is under threat, social enterprises will need to find new mechanisms to effectively couple market and social welfare logics in the post-pandemic world. The purpose of this HDR project is to explore how social enterprises can couple market and social welfare logics to create value in the post-pandemic world. The project will involve qualitative research methods, including comparative and longitudinal studies within Australian social enterprise sector, and potentially across other countries. This project is particularly suitable for candidates who have critical thinking, strong interest, prior knowledge and\/or experience in social entrepreneurship. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers from GSBL who have excellent industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb","title":"Unpacking Corporate Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence for Conflict-Affected Areas","description":"A growing body of global governance and corporate sustainability disclosure standards are  placing expectations on companies to act responsibly in conflict-affected regions \u2013 including in compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law, and with sensitivity to conflict-dynamics. Prominent examples of these initiatives include the United Nations\u2019 Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011), the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (2013) and the Global Reporting Initiative\u2019s new sustainability standard for the Mining Sector (2024). Under these initiatives, companies are expected to conduct \u201cheightened human rights due diligence\u201d (hHRDD) to correspond with the heightened risks that arise in conflict-affected areas; this should also incorporate considerations of IHL. However, the initiatives fail to adequately define what that process entails. Companies require more specific guidance and support to understand the relevance of IHL and how to conduct their operations in a conflict-sensitive manner that reflects these international standards. Moreover, there is a lack of clarity as to the practical steps a company should take to conduct hHRDD in a way that genuinely and effectively implements IHL. Subject to negotiation with the successful applicant, this project will explore elements of what constitutes hHRDD in practice grounded in theoretical understandings of conflict-sensitivity and human rights law, identify impediments for greater adoption of hHRDD amongst companies and elaborate on ideas for relevant governance reform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law (40%)\n350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility (30%)\n440810 - Peace Studies (15%) \n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting (15%)\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb, Dr Kate Grosser - CoBL School of Management\nDr Thuy Nguyen - CoBL School of Account, Information Systems and Supply Chains","title":"Exploring the human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities of business","description":"The RMIT Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRIGHT) is Australia\u2019s first university-based research centre dedicated to examining the nexus between the corporate sector and human rights. The Centre\u2019s mission is to contribute research, education and practical support to ensure that businesses respect the human rights of workers, communities, and customers, where they operate, as well as throughout their national, regional and global supply and value chains.\n\nBHRIGHT researchers conduct research, including theoretical and empirical studies, to build evidence of business\u2019 human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities.\n\nThere is a range of disciplinary expertise within BHRIGHT, including management, supply chain management, accounting, labour law and human rights law, and our work is organised across themes --- for more information please visit our website: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/business-and-human-rights-centre The BHRIGHT Co-Directors will work with successful PhD candidates to clarify suitable research topics within the field of Business and Human Rights, and help the candidate assemble a supervisory team from amongst BHRIGHT researchers relevant to their specific project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility\n480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law\n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting \n350701 \u2013 Corporate governance\n350909 - Supply chains\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Penelope Weller","title":"The business contribution to the right to health and wellbeing ","description":"The role of business in the realisation of the human right to right to health and mental health is often overlooked. The human right to health is an expansive human right encompassing the right to access a full suite of the social, economic and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing, including appropriate health care.  Right to health considerations stretch to many aspects of social life.  In developed nations, the task of ensuring appropriate public health and environmental policy related to the necessary regulation of waste and pollution, clean water and food, adequate housing, transport and welfare and other areas was traditionally thought of as a public concern and a task  the welfare state.  In developed neo-liberal nations the essential components of the human right to health has been increasingly governed by private business or by public-private partnerships.  Little attention has been paid to the way these new entities attend to their human rights obligations as expressed in the Charter for Business and Human Rights. This project will consider whether and what ways key industries relevant  to the substantive components of the right to health are incorporating human rights obligations with respect to the delivery of such services. The PhD candidate(s) may choose from a range of relevant areas consistent with their expertise and background. It is expected that the project will make a novel and substantial contribution to our understanding of how business might contribute to and support the right to health.   ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-11-30","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"480405\n480408\n480412"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Penelope Weller","title":"Business and human rights in health systems-improving the regulation of technology","description":"In developed western nations the regulation of health technology is directly relevant to the realisation of the right to health. Health care services are increasingly reliant on complex diagnostic and treatment technologies many of which are augmented by AI or have adopted new AI based technologies to fulfil specified tasks. In general, therapeutic goods and services are regulated by the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) but not all technologies and devices fall within the ambit of the TGA. Other product and service-related laws are also relevant to the regulation of the health system but are seldom in play.  In other areas where complex technologies have been introduced, there have been significant failures associated with discrimination, equality and privacy breaches. At present little is known about the extent to which new platforms and technologies are being use in health services, how they are developed and what human rights issues are implicated in their use.  This project will examine the regulation of medical technologies, devices and platforms from a Business and Human Rights perspective. It will identify whether and how medical device companies and regulatory bodies are engaging with business and human rights obligations .  The project will create new knowledge about the deployment of AI technologies in health. It will create framework for evaluating the human rights dimensions of technological regulation with a view to identifying new approach to the regulation of AI enhanced technologies.  ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-06-01","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"480405\n480408\n480412"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb, Dr Kate Grosser - CoBL School of Management\nDr Thuy Nguyen - CoBL School of Account, Information Systems and Supply Chains","title":"Exploring the human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities of business","description":"The RMIT Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRIGHT) is Australia\u2019s first university-based research centre dedicated to examining the nexus between the corporate sector and human rights. The Centre\u2019s mission is to contribute research, education and practical support to ensure that businesses respect the human rights of workers, communities, and customers, where they operate, as well as throughout their national, regional and global supply and value chains.\n\nBHRIGHT researchers conduct research, including theoretical and empirical studies, to build evidence of business\u2019 human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities.\n\nThere is a range of disciplinary expertise within BHRIGHT, including management, supply chain management, accounting, labour law and human rights law, and our work is organised across themes --- for more information please visit our website: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/business-and-human-rights-centre The BHRIGHT Co-Directors will work with successful PhD candidates to clarify suitable research topics within the field of Business and Human Rights, and help the candidate assemble a supervisory team from amongst BHRIGHT researchers relevant to their specific project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility\n480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law\n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting \n350701 \u2013 Corporate governance\n350909 - Supply chains\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne Kallies, Dr Vanessa Johnston","title":"Building Australia\u2019s climate change resilience through land use legal frameworks","description":"As businesses and communities become increasingly impacted by climate change, greater thought is needed to understand and maximise opportunities to build climate resilience within regulatory frameworks that affect land use. Climate resilience is key for adapting to changing climatic conditions, and to plan and prepare for natural disasters and extreme weather events. In Australia, property and planning laws regulate how land may be used for domestic and business purposes, and create mechanisms to protect and conserve natural environments. Changing climatic conditions and extreme weather events challenge whether and how property and planning law frameworks can or should be used to build climate resilience and minimise vulnerability to loss of life and property.  \n\nThis project will review and analyse the legal frameworks affecting land use, and it\u2019s proponents (property developers, businesses, governments) in Australia in the context of climate change to identify regulatory tools and policy recommendations for an improved pre-emptive response to adverse climate impacts and extreme weather events. \n\nThe project will take a comparative law approach, drawing on examples across Australian and international jurisdictions to:\n\ni)        illustrate how existing regulatory framework challenges or prevents the resilience and preparedness of communities and businesses to climate-change risk, and \nii)        identify how property law and planning regulation might better contribute towards reduced risk exposure. This work will include an assessment of managed retreat options.\niii)        assess regulatory opportunities and barriers especially in relation to vulnerable communities. \n\nThe project will be informed by an appropriate theoretical approach (e.g climate justice, human rights). \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480202, 480203, 480604"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb","title":"Unpacking Corporate Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence for Conflict-Affected Areas","description":"A growing body of global governance and corporate sustainability disclosure standards are  placing expectations on companies to act responsibly in conflict-affected regions \u2013 including in compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law, and with sensitivity to conflict-dynamics. Prominent examples of these initiatives include the United Nations\u2019 Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011), the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (2013) and the Global Reporting Initiative\u2019s new sustainability standard for the Mining Sector (2024). Under these initiatives, companies are expected to conduct \u201cheightened human rights due diligence\u201d (hHRDD) to correspond with the heightened risks that arise in conflict-affected areas; this should also incorporate considerations of IHL. However, the initiatives fail to adequately define what that process entails. Companies require more specific guidance and support to understand the relevance of IHL and how to conduct their operations in a conflict-sensitive manner that reflects these international standards. Moreover, there is a lack of clarity as to the practical steps a company should take to conduct hHRDD in a way that genuinely and effectively implements IHL. Subject to negotiation with the successful applicant, this project will explore elements of what constitutes hHRDD in practice grounded in theoretical understandings of conflict-sensitivity and human rights law, identify impediments for greater adoption of hHRDD amongst companies and elaborate on ideas for relevant governance reform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law (40%)\n350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility (30%)\n440810 - Peace Studies (15%) \n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting (15%)\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb","title":"Companies and International Humanitarian Law: Relevance, Rights, Responsibilities","description":"Increasingly, companies \u2013 including Australian-domiciled firms \u2013 find themselves caught up in armed conflicts with little understanding of what their legal rights and obligations are under the specialised set of laws that apply to, and regulate behaviour in, armed conflict \u2013 international humanitarian law (IHL). The core of IHL are the Geneva Conventions, which are universally-ratified international treaties signed in 1949 \u2013 75 years ago. Traditionally, this body of international norms of behaviour designed to regulate conduct in situations of armed conflict have been understood to place responsibilities upon states and their militaries, and more recently, to non-state armed groups as well. Similarly, accountability processes (eg. through domestic and international criminal law) have been used, primarily, to hold states and armed groups accountable for involvement in war crimes \u2013 grave violations of IHL. However, there has been little research conducted on if and how IHL is applicable and relevant to corporate actors across the spectrum of industries. This project seeks to explore the relationship between business actors and IHL. It will explore questions surrounding the responsibilities and protections afforded to companies under IHL, how such entities\u2019 adherence to IHL could be strengthened, and how corporate actors can be held accountable when IHL norms are violated through domestic or international legal mechanisms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480307 - International humanitarian and human rights law (60%)\n350702 - Corporate social responsibility (15%)\n480306 - International criminal law (15%)\n350701 - Corporate governance (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zsuzsanna Csereklyei, Anne Kallies","title":"Energy Transitions in Electricity Markets","description":"Electricity generation landscapes are rapidly changing around the world. Advances and cost reductions in renewable electricity generation and storage technologies have fueled an unprecedented energy transition in the power generation sector. Electricity consumption is predicted to keep increasing worldwide, hand in hand with economic development, and a shift towards higher reliance on electricity in the energy mix, fueled by the electrification of ransport and industrial processes. This ongoing transition poses a major challenge to our electricity systems and markets, which were originally not designed to accommodate high levels of intermittent, low or zero marginal cost generation. Regulators are grappling to design and adjust market frameworks that can support a more sustainable, but also reliable and affordable electricity system of the future. These goals are however challenging, as the long-run economic and system stability implications of different market frameworks are not entirely understood. The proposed research projects either in the field of economics or law, will investigate the impact of different legal frameworks, regulations and incentive policies on electricity market economics and transitions. These may include but are not limited to the problems of market design and investment adequacy, placing economic value on dispatchability, flexibility, and the evaluation of capacity markets, optimal levels of horizontal and vertical integration, and examining the role of prosumers from a legal and economic perspective. The project will enrich RMIT ECPs capabilities on energy transitions and will develop interdisciplinary RMIT collaboration between economics and law. Its innovative offering addresses industry needs and provides the basis for ongoing work in this area. In particular, this research is aligned with the Information and Systems ECP, which is hosting the energy@rmit network, by 1) deepening our understanding of how regulation and market design influences the economic viability of new technologies and transitions ; 2) building collaboration with public and private sector partners (including regulators) to generate research-driven change and impact in value-driven innovation in electricity markets and create opportunities for energy@RMIT. Professor Sanderson, the ECP director is happy to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Informations and Systems","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Marta Poblet, Christopher Berg, Aaron Lane","title":"Distributed Ledger Technologies, Law, and Governance: Opportunities and Challenges","description":"Distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) are a set of digital technologies developing open, peer-to-peer, distributed ledgers to record transactions between multiple parties in a verifiable and tamper resistant way. As a result, DLTs enable systems where people, Artificial Intelligence agents, or Internet of Things objects can interact in a trusted and virtually frictionless network.\nA key component of DLTs are distributed consensus mechanisms that exclusively rely on the nodes of the network to validate any incoming transactions (e.g. currency transfers, votes, smart contracts, etc.). As there is no need of third trusted parties to validate such transactions, DLTs are expected to disrupt a number of industries and domains: finance and capital markets, logistics and supply chains, utilities and consumer products, and government and the public sector, among others.\nThis research program aims at studying the impact of different forms of DLTs (such as the open platforms Blockchain and Ethereum) on law and governance. More specifically, it proposes to investigate three main areas: legal transactions (e.g. property and IP rights), voting, and governance of big data.\nResearch question\/s\nThe three main research questions are:\n\u2022How DLTs can be used to provide users with greater access and control over the data they create?\n\u2022Do DLTs enable more efficient and tamper-proof online voting mechanisms?\n\u2022Can DLTs provide a more secure and trusted system for legal transactions such as electronic land transfers or IP rights?","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"The project will RMIT ECPs capabilities on value-based healthcare and develop interdisciplinary RMIT collaboration to examine all facets of VBPD. Its innovative offering addresses industry needs and provides the basis for ongoing work in this area. In particular, this research is aligned with the GBI ECP and GSBL Incubator (Innovation) by 1) deepening RMIT\u2019s understanding of innovative business practices and approaches when it comes to VBPD; 2) building collaboration with public and private sector partners to generate researchdriven change and impact in value-driven innovation in healthcare internationally and create opportunities for RMIT University in health 4.0.","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Marta Poblet, Aaron Lane, Chris Berg","title":"Digital democracy for political, corporate, and industry sectors: towards new forms of governance","description":"Digital democracy is an umbrella term that refers to digitally-enabled tools supporting different types of participatory processes in politics, such as monitoring policies and political representatives, signing petitions, deliberating, drafting legal texts, voting, etc. Digital democracy also includes technology-enabled forms of democratic corporate and organisational governance of multiple legal entities (non-for-profit organisations, cooperatives, unions, etc.). Other common terms to designate this broad domain are \u201cparticipatory technologies\u201d or \u201ccivic technologies\u201d. The objective of this project is to develop cutting-edge research on how distributed, trustless, privacy-preserving technologies (notably ledger technologies such as the blockchain, but including other decentralised solutions) can enable new forms of digital governance and democracy. The project will adopt an empirical approach based on a combination of methods (data analytics, qualitative case studies, simulations, etc.) to improve both the discoverability and applicability of the best solutions. Ultimately, this project will be proposing innovative and efficient models of governance adapted to different organisational needs and requirements. Those models will also be context-aware, that is, they will take into account the economic and socio-legal environments where they are going to operate. Therefore, this research will require ongoing collaboration with industry partners (corporations, organisations, and governments) interested in testing and improving their current governance systems. To facilitate industry engagement, we will rely on the industry networks of the Graduate School of Business and Law, the Blockchain Innovation Hub, and the Global Business Innovation EPC.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Marshall, Annie Delaney","title":"Modern Slavery and Gender in Australian Supply Chains","description":"The HDR project will address one of the most significant social problems of our time, modern slavery and associated breaches of labour standards entailing forced labour, bonded labour, dangerous conditions and poverty wages. These egregious labour conditions are collectively referred to as Unacceptable Forms of Work (UFW). Contemporary expressions of UFW are linked to new business models that entail production and trafficking through networks. These production networks can be thought to be gendered. Gendered dynamics shape the labour conditions of workers in different tiers of the production network and the distribution of value. This project examines this question in relation to cleaning and meat. The two production networks differ in a number of respects, with varied dynamics driving labour exploitation. Meat processing workers tend to be male and are often on short term visas. Cleaning workers are majority female and have more mixed migration backgrounds. The purpose of this HDR project is to explore the causes of enforcement deficits in complex production networks, with a particular focus on gender.\nThis project is particularly suitable for candidates who have prior knowledge and\/or background in labour relations, labour law, gender studies and supply chains or related fields. Prior knowledge or interest in the study of labour conditions in production networks is an advantage, but not a critical requirement. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers from GSBL who have excellent industry and international connections to support the project. The project will be supported by an Advisory Board constituted of industry and public sector (regulatory) experts. For the candidate, this offers a unique opportunity to gain understanding and expertise in an area that is globally in high demand, both academically and in business.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mike Hazelton, Oliver Higgins, Sinead Barry","title":"Enhancing Mental Health Services for Children (5-12 years) on the Central Coast, NSW","description":"This PhD research programme aims to critically examine the implementation and effectiveness of mental health service delivery for children aged 5-12 years through the Central Coast Head to Health Kids Hub. The primary research question is:\n\"What is the influence of the Head to Health Kids Hub model on mental health outcomes and service coordination for children (5-12 years) and their families on the Central Coast, and what factors affect successful implementation of this integrated service model?\"\nThe research will focus on:\n1.\tEvaluating implementation of the Head to Health Kids Hub model and identifying factors that enable or impede effective service delivery\n2.\tExploring the impact of family-focused interventions and care navigation on service accessibility and outcomes\n3.\tAssessing the cultural safety and appropriateness of mental health services for diverse communities, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families\n4.\tExamining how system coordination and integration mechanisms influence service delivery and outcomes\nThis research focus acknowledges that successful implementation of new service models requires understanding both the outcomes achieved and the factors that influence those outcomes. By studying the Hub as a living laboratory for integrated care, this research will contribute to evidence-based improvements in child mental health service delivery while providing practical insights for similar initiatives nationally.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2029-03-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420504 \n450408\n420302"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rhonda Wilson, Mike Hazelton, Oliver Higgins, Sinead Barry","title":"Enhancing Mental Health Services for Children (5-12 years) on the Central Coast, NSW","description":"This PhD research programme aims to critically examine the implementation and effectiveness of mental health service delivery for children aged 5-12 years through the Central Coast Head to Health Kids Hub. The primary research question is:\n\"What is the influence of the Head to Health Kids Hub model on mental health outcomes and service coordination for children (5-12 years) and their families on the Central Coast, and what factors affect successful implementation of this integrated service model?\"\nThe research will focus on:\n1.\tEvaluating implementation of the Head to Health Kids Hub model and identifying factors that enable or impede effective service delivery\n2.\tExploring the impact of family-focused interventions and care navigation on service accessibility and outcomes\n3.\tAssessing the cultural safety and appropriateness of mental health services for diverse communities, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families\n4.\tExamining how system coordination and integration mechanisms influence service delivery and outcomes\nThis research focus acknowledges that successful implementation of new service models requires understanding both the outcomes achieved and the factors that influence those outcomes. By studying the Hub as a living laboratory for integrated care, this research will contribute to evidence-based improvements in child mental health service delivery while providing practical insights for similar initiatives nationally.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2029-03-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420504 \n450408\n420302"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Enhancing Digital Communication in Aged Care Using A Multidisciplinary Approach","description":"Project 1:\n\nDespite the growing adoption of digital communication technologies in aged care, significant barriers remain, including usability challenges, digital literacy gaps, and cultural and linguistic disparities. This project aims to evaluate and address these barriers through a multidisciplinary lens, leveraging the expertise of software engineers, healthcare professionals, aged care workers, and consumer representatives. \n\nThe specific objectives are:\n\n1. Evaluating Digital Communication Frameworks in Aged Care: A systematic review and expert panel analysis to assess the effectiveness and limitations of current digital communication frameworks.\n\n2. Exploring Communication Barriers Through Thematic Analysis: A qualitative study identifying key challenges faced by aged care residents, families, and healthcare providers in digital engagement.\n\n3. Developing Inclusive Digital Communication Strategies: Co-designing and testing intervention strategies to enhance accessibility, usability, and cultural sensitivity in digital communication tools.\n\n4. Assessing the Impact of Digital Literacy Training on Aged Care Communication: An empirical study evaluating the effectiveness of tailored training programs for aged care residents and caregivers.\n\nProject 2:\n\nThis project aims to develop an evidence-based conceptual framework for digital communication in aged care, ensuring that digital tools enhance rather than hinder communication between residents, families, and healthcare professionals. \n\nThe specific objectives are:\n\n1. Co-Designing a Conceptual Framework for Digital Communication in Aged Care: A participatory research study involving aged care residents, families, and healthcare providers to develop a structured model for digital engagement.\n\n2. Validating the Framework Using the Delphi Technique: A study employing expert consensus methods to refine and validate the proposed digital communication framework.\n\n3. Comparative Study of Digital Communication Strategies in Aged Care Across Australia and International Settings: Evaluating cross-cultural differences and best practices in digital communication in aged care.\n\n4. Measuring the Effectiveness of the Conceptual Framework in Enhancing Shared Decision-Making: A longitudinal study assessing the impact of the framework on resident autonomy, social inclusion, and care planning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-03-06","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"470108 - Organisational, interpersonal and intercultural communication\n460501 - Data engineering and data science\n420301 - Aged health care"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rebecca Millar","title":"Stress, burnout and resilience in Australian forensic mental health nurses","description":"Forensic mental health nursing is a high pressure, high risk working environment, known to experience significant recruitment and retention challenges. Little is known about nurses experiences of stress and resilience factors in this context. Registered and enrolled nurses will be recruited from Australian forensic mental health services to participate in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences and understanding of stress, burnout and resilience. In addition, validated survey tools will be used to provide a descriptive statistics facilitating quantitative analysis of any differences across demographic variables and participant settings. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2032-04-11","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4205 nursing"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Roula Kyriacou","title":"To explore the role of clinical placement amongst diagnostic radiography undergraduate students.","description":"The aim of this study is to explore diagnostic radiography students pre-clinical placement \npreparedness through understanding practices that affect student learning during clinical \nplacement. The significance of this study is that it will inform University curricula regarding \npre-clinical preparation, and thus improve the placement experience for both students and \nclinical radiographers. It will facilitate a link between tertiary education and clinical \neducation and how the two can work cooperatively to create a cohesive and organised \nlearning structure, ensuring optimum student preparedness and ultimately, the deliverance \nof high-quality patient care.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"390305 Professional education and training 50% \n390402 Education assessment and evaluation 30% \n390408 Learning analytics 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Zhen Zheng, Sophia Xenos","title":"Improving support and care needs for women affected by birth trauma\n","description":"A significant number of women describe their childbirth experiences as traumatic, with estimates of prevalence varying from 10% to 50%. A thorough review of the literature on service provision and frameworks designed to support women who have experienced birth-related trauma emphasizes the urgent need for additional research, consensus-building, and coordinated action to address the diverse needs of this population. Specifically, there is a need for a comprehensive, up-to-date exploration of the service framework for delivering care to women and their families affected by birth-related trauma in Australia, ensuring their needs are adequately met. Therefore, it is crucial to gather insights from stakeholders and understand the lived experiences of women and their families using these services to guide the future development of health policies and service infrastructure in Australia. This project will focus on identifying factors that contribute to service development, along with practical strategies for detecting, preventing, and providing care for this group. Additionally, it will examine the feasibility and acceptability of existing services and models of care that prioritise women's rights and needs at the core of birth trauma care.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420403        Psychosocial aspects of childbirth and perinatal mental health 40%.\n420311        Health systems 30%.\n420305        Health and community services 30%.\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Pranata, Doa El-Ansary, Jia Han ","title":"Lumbar extensor force control training and its effect on force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability in people with chronic low back pain","description":"Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, costing Australia over $9 billion annually. It is characterised by neuromuscular impairments, which include lumbar extensor force control (the ability to accurately exert force) and lumbar movement control (the ability to precisely position the lumbar spine). These neuromuscular functions are essential for spinal stability and postural control. Unfortunately, traditional assessments of these functions are conducted in static, seated positions, which may not accurately reflect the dynamic nature of everyday activities, such as bending and lifting. Therefore, it is not surprising that recent research suggests that adding lumbar extensor force control training to standard lumbar strengthening does not improve force control, presumably because these exercises are not functional enough. In addition, it is unknow to what extent lumbar extensor force control training, in a functional task (lifting), may affect force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability in people with low back pain. The answer will deepen the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying neuromuscular impairments associated with low back pain, particularly during functional tasks.\n\nThis PhD project aims to change how lumbar force control is assessed and trained by exploring it in dynamic, functionally relevant positions such as bending and lifting, and to investigate how it affects force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability in people with chronic LBP.  In order to address these research questions, the following studies will be carried out:\n1. Development and validation of force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability assessments during bending and lifting in people with chronic LBP.\n2. Investigation of the relationship between force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability and their association with patient report outcome measures, such as Oswestry disability index (ODI) and fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ), in people with chronic LBP.\n3. Global strengthening vs core specific strengthening vs force control training (bio-feedback) on force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability and patient report outcome measures in people with chronic LBP.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (50%)\n420302 Digital health (25%)\n420109 Rehabilitation (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR236\/DR237\/DR238\/MR236\/MR237\/MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh","title":"Performance analysis and Injury prevention technology in cricket bowling  ","description":"The project proposed herein is related to Cricket. The research is carried out on spin and fast bowlers during their normal training process. The difference to the normal or standard training process is that the participants will be using an in-house developed smart ball, with sensors and electronics incorporated in the ball. Bawler kinematics will also be evaluated for performance and injury risk analysis.\nThe purpose and outcome of this project are fourfold: 1) baseline assessment of\nbowlers from 10 performance parameters provided by the smart balls to understand their current performance, 2) using special training methods based related to their\ncurrent performance, 3) monitoring of the training process to verify the success of the selected training method; and 4) building a cloud database of bowling data. \nThis leads to the following research questions: 1) can the smart ball detect the reason of the actual problem of a (low-performing) bowler, in addition to just providing the 10 performance parameters? 2) can the efficacy of a training method be assessed and evaluated from the smart ball data?\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics, 25%\n400904 Electronic device and system performance evaluation, testing and simulation 25%\n420799 Sport science and exercise not elsewhere classified, 25%\n400906 Electronic sensors, 25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR236\/DR237\/DR238\/MR236\/MR237\/MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh","title":"Technology in reactive postural responses in rehabilitation","description":"Balance control is a fundamental motor task that enables humans to interact safely with their environment. From early childhood, when taking the first steps, to the later years, individuals are consistently exposed to destabilizing unexpected perturbations during daily activities, such as slipping or tripping. These unexpected events trigger rapid reactive postural responses that, if unsuccessful, can lead to falls and injuries. The effectiveness of these responses can be compromised by factors such as neurological impairments, musculoskeletal injuries, and aging. Consequently, it is essential for clinicians to accurately assess reactive postural responses and provide targeted interventions to improve their patients' stability and safety.\nIn clinical practice, assessing the level of impairment and planning interventions requires comparing an individual\u2019s postural response measurements to those of a larger, healthy control group. Additionally, a large dataset is essential for developing predictive algorithms that can classify individuals accurately and guide the most efficient intervention plans. However, a comprehensive data repository of this nature does not currently exist. To address this gap, the project will be a multicenter research study involving several countries across different continents, including Asia, Europe, and the USA. The objective is to build a universal assessment data collection of reactive postural responses following unexpected postural perturbations, such as the Step Threshold Test in standing. This evaluation will be instrumental in understanding patients' abilities and in designing customized rehabilitation programs. \nThe project will utilise perturbation treadmill to assess individuals' ability to stabilise their posture following unexpected external perturbations during both static and dynamic tasks, such as standing and walking. Clinicians can adjust both the intensity and direction of perturbations whilst measuring various biomechanical outcomes, including the 3D acceleration of the center of gravity, the trajectory of the center of pressure, and the magnitude and timing of muscle activation.\nThe project has 2 primary objectives: 1) Reactive Postural Control Assessment to identify and analyse the association between unexpected postural perturbation intensity, direction, and biomechanical factors in healthy controls and individuals with postural impairments., and 2) Development of a Cloud-Based Data Repository: Create a platform to store and share data, providing clinicians with access to a large normative dataset of healthy individuals. This repository will serve as a baseline for evaluation and will support the development of predictive models for personalised rehabilitation programs.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics, 25%\n420302 Digital Health, 30%\n420109 Rehabilitation, 20%\n420703 Motor Control, 25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Understanding and optimizing Medical Radiation undergraduate students' interactions with the Learning Management System (LMS), and study habits","description":"This project aims to understand the study behaviours of Medical Radiations students, for all three cohorts (Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy), and to identify problems encountered and study patterns amongst this group.\nBy conducting a survey \/and or focus group with each cohort, and each year level (years 1-3), the data will be analysed to determine study behaviours, specifically procrastination, and time spent engaging with the learning management system (LMS) Canvas, and if this changes over the time spent as undergraduate students. As well, correlations between student final grades and the optimum time spent engaging with learning materials provided will be examined.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390305        professional education and training\n390399 education systems not elsewhere classified\n390408 learning analytics\n429999        other Health Sciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Assessing Workplace Stresses and Career Progression\/Recognition Limitations Amongst Nuclear Medicine Technologists","description":"This project aims to identify and determine the impact of workplace stressors encountered by Nuclear Medicine technologists (NMT) working in Australia and New Zealand, including the effect on themselves, and their ability to practice, as well as perceived limitations to career progression.\nUsing an online survey, advertised through the professional society that represents NMTs, the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM), responses will be analysed. The survey will be developed, validated, and designed to assess symptoms of stress, empathic functioning, as well as strategies for coping with stresses encountered.\nFrom the results common workplace stressors will be identified, the impact on NMTs (on self and in practice). As well, perceived limitations to career progression will be identified, and the groups most likely to experience this (years qualified, etc.). We plan to utilise this information to determine other areas for investigation, and to better support NMTs in the workplace, and their career development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420210 Social epidemiology, 15%\n420304 General Practice, 20%\n429999 Other health services not elsewhere classified, 30%\n520304 Health Psychology, 35%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237\/ DR238\/ MR237\/ MR238\/ MR236\/ DR236","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh","title":"Muscle strength and contractile properties in identifying sport performance and risk to injuries","description":"Knowing the state of the lower extremity muscle strength and contractile properties is important to plan training programs, reduce the risk to injuries, assist in surgical planning and rehabilitation, and identify safe time to return to play. For example, the hamstring muscle group is the most frequently injured muscle group in non-contact muscle injuries involving high-speed running sports, and its strength ratio with the quadricep muscle group is important to protect the knee from injuries and identify best graft technique for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.\nIsokinetic dynamometer is the golden standard for muscle strength measurement and has been used within our research group to assist clinician for ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation. Tensiomyography measures muscle contraction time and magnitude and is used as diagnostic and classification tool for sport injuries and the safe time to return to play. Tensiomyography has been adopted by elite sport organisations in USA and Europe, such as, English Institute of Sport, FC Manchester United, FC Barcelona, and University of Iowa Olympic centre. \nThere is a need to obtain, store, share, and manage large reliable data to improve interpretation and decision-making. The proposed project is to measure lower extremity isokinetic muscle strength and muscle contractile properties and to store the data in our developed cloud databank. This will follow with the development of predictive intelligence algorithm model to assist in identifying risk to injury and the safe time to return to play. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics 15%\n420302 Digital Health 15%\n420109 Rehabilitation 30%\n420604 Injury prevention 40%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jack Feehan, Kok-Leong Ong, Shahriar Kaisar, Malka Halgamuge, Akanksha Saini, Abebe Diro, Araz Nasirian\n","title":"Developing digital capacity in the aged care sector","description":"The CSIRO has estimated that there will need to be an additional 161,000 skilled AI workers by 2030, to meet societal in industrial demand. To this end, the Next Generation Graduates program supports the training of industry focused higher degree by research (HDR) students, through generous scholarships, educational support, and project funding. Victoria University (VU), and DIRECTED Electronics, have secured five Ph.D. level positions through the program, to the value of $864,000. The projects are to be co-developed with VU and DIRECTED Electronics, with the overall goal of developing artificially intelligent risk detection and prediction models, which can be deployed in health and aged care settings. This brings together VU\u2019s research training and expertise, and DIRECTED Electronics commercialization experience and product development knowledge, as well as their partnerships in industry. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health\n420301 Aged health care\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Evangelos Pappas","title":"Athletic knee injuries: epidemiological, biomechanical and clinical factors","description":"This research program on athletic knee injuries focuses on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. We will utilise various research tools across basic science, epidemiological, and clinical research. The program will include video analysis of ACL injuries, the effects of injury prevention programs, optimal rehabilitation and treatment stratification, telerehabilitation, and clinical outcome research, including data linkage. Internships with sports teams and clinics will be available. The projects will incorporate the latest technologies in wearable sensors and biomechanical analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701\n420106\n400308\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim, Barbora de Courten, Julie Stevens","title":"Improving cardiovascular disease and risk factor management in Sierra Leone.","description":"Sierra Leone is a Sub-Saharan African country challenged with a double burden of disease due to rapid demographic change. From 1990-2017, the life expectancy at birth increased from 39 to 54 years, significantly contributing to the growing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD management in Sierra Leone is poor, contributing to the higher mortality rate compared to the Sub-Sahara region. It has been reported that CVD biological risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes, are also increasing. The prevalence of CVD and associated risk factors in the Western area rural district, which has the most diverse population and the highest growth rate of 8.5%, is yet to be studied.\n\nA comprehensive approach including focused health communication on salt reduction and other behavioural lifestyle change, task-shifting and implemented policies has been shown to improve CVD, especially in developing countries like Sierra Leone. However, these interventions are yet to be implemented in the country.\n\nThe project has three aims:\n(i)  To describe the prevalence of CVD risk factors and their social determinants in the Western Area Rural District with comparisons between ethnic groups, settings and occupations, and to describe the clinical presentation of patients with hypertension as the main biological risk factor for CVD. \n(ii)  To develop and implement a focused health education campaign tailored according to the result of the first objective. \n(iii)  To evaluate the effectiveness of the developed health campaign and interventions in improving CVD management in the Western Area Rural District.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320101 Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases) (40%)\n420309 Health management (40%)\n420606 Social determinants of health (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"George Lenon, Zhen Zheng","title":"Acupuncture and related techniques for Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy\n\n","description":"Peripheral neuropathy affects 68% of patients undergoing chemotherapy. For 30% of patients, it is still present 12 months after the end of chemotherapy (1). It typically involves numbness, pain and balance problems. Peripheral neuropathy can be uncomfortable, and painful and reduce everyday function and engagement in life. It often also reduces a person's ability to complete their chemotherapy treatment, affecting survival rates.\n\nFor those with ongoing peripheral neuropathy, current treatment is limited to strong nerve pain medications, antidepressants and anti-seizure medications - all of which can involve unwanted side effects.\nAcupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating and\/or managing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Studies have shown measurable improvements for 40-60% of participants (2). However, further high-quality clinical studies are required.\n\nMore information is also required to determine the factors that influence better outcomes for acupuncture patients. This can include the type and timing of the chemotherapy involved and the conditioning of the patient when they first experienced peripheral neuropathy and when they started receiving acupuncture treatment.\n\nThis study aims to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture in treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy through a pilot clinical trial. It also aims to construct a screening process to understand which factors may lead to more successful outcomes for treating CIPN with acupuncture.\n\n\n(1) Colvin LA. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: where are we now? Pain. 2019 May;160 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S1-S10. doi: 10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000001540. PMID: 31008843; PMCID: PMC6499732.\n(2) Giovanna Franconi, Luigi Manni, Sven Schr\u00f6der, Paolo Marchetti, and Nicola Robinson, \u201cA Systematic Review of Experimental and Clinical Acupuncture in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy,\u201d Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2013, Article ID 516916, 7 pages, 2013. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1155\/2013\/516916.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320218, 420803,420603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Wejdan Shahin","title":"PerceptiCare: Empowering Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities through Digital Health Management","description":"This PhD project aims to develop a website \u201cPerceptiCare\u201d that offers a comprehensive suite of innovative features tailored to empower culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people in managing their health effectively. Through the utilization of digital twin technology, users can create personalized health profiles, encompassing their medical history, current health status, and treatment goals. PerceptiCare will then provide an individualised management plan based on users' responses on their preferred language.\n\nThe specific objectives are:\n\n1. Systematic Literature Review: A comprehensive review of existing healthcare innovations utilizing digital twin technology will be conducted to identify best practices and potential gaps.\n\n2. Prototype Development: An intuitive PerceptiCare prototype will be designed and developed, featuring visual health data representations and self-management support tools.\n\n3. Expert Panel Analysis: Barriers and enablers for PerceptiCare implementation will be identified through a Delphi technique with a panel of healthcare specialists.\n\n4. Pilot Study: A pilot study involving consumer representatives, healthcare professionals, and researchers will assess PerceptiCare's effectiveness within the CALD community.\n\n5. Validation Study: A rigorous validation study will be conducted to evaluate PerceptiCare's impact on user health outcomes.\n\nOutcomes:\nPerceptiCare has the potential to be the first Australian website of its kind, offering CALD individuals the benefits of informed decision-making, real-time monitoring and tailored education packages for people of different literacy skills. By providing culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate tools, PerceptiCare aims to empower CALD communities to take charge of their health and improve overall well-being.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (50%) \n420308 Health informatics and information systems (25%) \n420319 Primary health care (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang","title":"Understanding the associations between Australian potentially inappropriate medications and clinical outcomes in older adults","description":"Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, is common among older adults. However, some medications can be potentially inappropriate for this population, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes. This PhD project investigates the associations between Australian-specific Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) and clinical outcomes in older adults.\r\n\r\n\r\nSpecific Objectives:\r\n\r\nSystematic Review: Conduct a review of existing research to examine the global effect of PIMs on clinical outcomes like hospitalizations and deaths. This will provide a foundational understanding and identify potential knowledge gaps specific to the Australian context.\r\n\r\nPrevalence of Australian PIMs: Analyze medication use patterns in older Australians to determine the most prevalent PIMs based on established Australian criteria. This will highlight the most pressing concerns for medication management in this population.\r\n\r\nPIMs and Hospitalizations: Investigate the specific associations between Australian PIM use and hospitalizations in older adults. This objective aims to identify medications linked to a higher risk of hospital admission.\r\n\r\nPIMs and Falls: Analyze the relationship between Australian PIMs and falls in older adults. Falls are a significant concern for this population, and understanding how medications might contribute can inform better management strategies.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"10102"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Sonja Cleary","title":"Managing Student Incivility","description":"In health professional education, student incivility impacts different stakeholders and is detrimental to the learning environment and uncivil behaviour can be carried on to the workforce after students graduate. Students who are impacted by the uncivil behaviour of their peers often endure heightened levels of stress. Academic staff who are implicated in such behaviours experience emotional distress alongside physical manifestations such as sleep disturbances, diminished job satisfaction, and decreased confidence in their teaching abilities. Uncivil behaviours disrupt not just the learning atmosphere but also have the potential to impact others within clinical placement settings, including patients and healthcare professionals. Establishing clear policies and procedures is crucial for effectively addressing and preventing uncivil behaviour management.  This project focuses on examining factors influencing incivility among health professional students, challenges and needs of academics in managing students\u2019 uncivil behaviours and institutional efforts and approaches to address incivility in health professional education. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"50% 390412      Teacher and student wellbeing\n50% 390303      Higher education"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nikos Thomacos, Rebecca Millar (rebecca.millar@rmit.edu.au), Kris Martin-McDonald kris.martin-mcdonald@rmit.edu.au","title":"International Student Nurses' experiences of education and work in Australia","description":"There is a shortage of nurses worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) (2020) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) (2023) state that 100,000 nurses have left since 2020 with more than 600,000 intending to leave by 2027. By 2030 the shortfall will be 13 million. Health Workforce Australia have indicated that the shortfall increased by 85% in the first five years to 2021, with the number of nurses registered but not practicing increasing to 63% in the same period (2014). There are currently over 80,000 vacant nursing positions. \r\n\r\nNurses have expressed a number of reasons for leaving the workforce including: burnout, exhaustion, mistreatment (from other nurses, patients, and other health care professionals), stress, lack of respect; physicality of the role, trauma fatigue, emotional investment, lack of boundaries and retirement. To address this shortfall, increasing numbers of international students are arriving in Australia to train as nurses; with the hope that many of them will stay. Likewise, Australia is actively recruiting foreign-trained nurses.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to address what can be done to better support international student nurses while they complete their studies, as well as better support foreign-trained nurses. The project also aims to empower these groups of nurses so that they can be seen as role models for other health care disciplines and the community in which they practice. Ultimately increase attractiveness of the profession, decrease the attrition, and increase retention.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420505    Nursing Workforce (50%)\r\n390110\tMedicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Zhen Zheng, Tony Zhang, Gillian Vesty Accounting, Info Sys & Supply Chain","title":"Evaluating Acupuncture Service in an Emergency Department in Australia","description":"Acupuncture is included in the acute pain management guidelines developed by the Australian and New Zealand Colleges of Anaesthetists as an effective, safe intervention for reducing acute pain and opioid medication use (1). We have demonstrated that over 80% of hospital doctors and nurses (2) and nearly 90% patients welcome acupuncture as an add-on service. Our preliminary study has shown that that add-acupuncture service in emergency department (ED) is feasible, safe and effective for reducing pain, nausea and anxiety experienced by patients (3). In Australia currently no acupuncture service is provided in any hospital by registered acupuncturists. RMIT collaborates with Northern Hospital to provide add-on acupuncture service to address this significance evidence-practice-patient needs gap, and to provide patients with a non-pharmacological option for pain management.\r\n\r\nThis PhD project is embedded in the acupuncture service project and aims to 1) assess if acupuncture as an add-on service in ED will facilitate patient flow and enhance patient experience and health outcomes; 2) identify the best care pathway for integrating acupuncture into ED; and 3) evaluate the economic benefit. \r\n\r\nThis project is built upon RMIT\u2019s long-term collaboration with NH, strong evidence supporting the needs for acupuncture, patient demand, support from doctors and nurses, and the global opioid crisis. \r\n\r\n1.\tZheng Z et (2022) In: Acute Pain Management: Scientific Evidence. Australian and New Zealand College and Anaesthetists\r\n2.\tZhang NM, .. Vesty ., Zheng Z. (2022). Pain Management Nursing S1524-9042(22)00159-X.\r\n3.\tZhang, A. L., et al (2014). Acupuncture in Medicine :, 32(3), 250\u2013256.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803\tTraditional Chinese medicine and treatments (40%) \r\n320299 Clinical Science (20%) \r\n320218 Pain (40%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"George Lenon","title":"Acupuncture for the treatment of advanced cancer pain","description":"Cancer currently affects over 1 million Australians, with pain being one of the commonest symptoms. Pain adversely affects a person\u2019s quality of life, relationships, everyday function, and ability to cope with the illness and treatment. \r\n\r\nOpioid pain medication (e.g., morphine) is the main treatment recommended for severe cancer pain. However, 20% of people will continue to experience unsatisfactory pain control even despite using opioid medication, and many experience unwanted side effects. This can lead to some patients declining or limiting opioid use. Many of these people consider using non-medication methods of pain relief, and the availability of an effective option would improve quality of life and daily functioning. \r\n\r\nAcupuncture is a non-medication method known to relieve non-cancer pain and improve cancer pain significantly. It is an attractive option; however, high-quality clinical evidence for people with advanced cancer is lacking. People with advanced cancer deserve a viable non-medication option to manage their pain. Our proposed study is a feasibility trial investigating the practicability of offering acupuncture to manage cancer pain in two settings \u2013 a hospital outpatient clinic and in the community (in patients\u2019 homes). Our goal is to provide a safe, effective, non-medication option for patients with advanced cancer to manage their pain better. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320218, 420803,420603\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"George Lenon, Angela Yang","title":"Acupuncture and mindfulness-based eating in the management of overweight: A randomised clinical trial","description":"We hypothesise that an intervention in which we will combine acupuncture and mindfulness based eating, that will improve eating behaviour, and serving size has the potential of achieving and maintaining weight loss in overweight patients.\r\nIt is expected that the systematic reviews will form the broad knowledge of treatment of AD using Chinese medicine which will help public to make an informed choice of weight management.  The clinical trials will provide evidence-based efficacy and safety weight management using Chinese medicine. Overall, the project will contribute to better understanding of weight reduction from Chinese medicine perspectives in order to provide better treatments and preventative measures as well as improve quality of life of overweight individuals.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321301, 321399, 321300, 321200\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angela Yang, Andrew Hung, School of Science","title":"Mechanisms of actions of herbal medicines for chronic conditions: computational analyses","description":"Herbal medicines have been used for the management of many chronic conditions for thousands of years. Many researchers have followed the traditional \u201cone target, one drug\u201d approach to examine their mechanisms of action for a specific condition. However, each herb contains multiple active chemical compounds which makes it challenging or impossible for researchers to explore all possible chemical compounds against all the potential target proteins of a condition considering high costs and time consumption in in vitro or in vivo studies. In recent years, some novel approaches have been developed to identify the mechanisms of action of natural products at a molecular level. This sustainable project will involve a novel approach to investigate the interactions between herbs and commonly seen chronic conditions through network pharmacology. PhD candidates will have opportunities to access supercomputing facilities for molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, and apply a series of computer software to deal with big data through computational analyses thus identifying potential chemical compounds for future drug discovery. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803 Traditional Chinese medicine and treatments (60%)\r\n310202 Biological network analysis (40%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"George Lenon, Angela Yang, Andrew Hung","title":"The effects of Fucoidan and Lingzhi on Lung cancer cells","description":"Cancer is a significant global disease burden, with 14.1 million cases annually and a mortality of approx. 8.2 million each year. Globally, 57% of new cases (8 million) and 65% of mortality (5.3 million) occur in underdeveloped regions, with approximately half of these happening in Asia. Furthermore, the cancer-associated costs to the global economy are estimated at $3.66 trillion annually. In various studies, fucoidan has been found to slow tumour metastasis, and enhance the therapeutic effects of conventional Therapy, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, defend against treatment-related weight loss and muscle loss.  Fucoidan has been shown to directly affect cancer cells in vitro via cellular pathways that involve the activation of NF-\u03ba\u03b2. This activation is mediated by PI3K\/ Akt and ERK signalling pathways. Recent research indicates that fucoidan may also induce programmed cell death (known as apoptosis) in breast and colon cancer cells by modulating the endoplasmic reticulum stress cascades. Fucoidan has been shown to cause cell cycle arrest in the first growth phase (G1) of an HCT116 human colon cancer cell line. By halting the cell cycle process this way, the colon cancer cells could not divide and spread. The direct cytotoxic and anti-angiogenesis mechanisms of Lingzhi have been established by in vitro studies. Lingzhi or its products can be classified as an anticancer agent when current and more direct scientific evidence becomes available. It is proposed that combining these two compounds helps strengthen the immune system to treat and prevent cancer formation as well as metastasis.\r\nThe objective of this project is to use computational analysis to investigate the effects of fucoidan, Lingzhi and combination on cancer cells, especially Lung cancer cells.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim,  Barbora de Courten","title":"AI-Driven Voice Analysis for Type 2 Diabetes Risk Prediction","description":"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global epidemic affecting 496 million people globally. Currently, T2D is diagnosed 5 to 7 years after the onset of the first symptoms. Often, at the time of diagnosis, patients have already developed diabetes complications that negatively impact their vision, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system, and contribute to excess mortality. \n\nWe aim to significantly reduce the time-lag between the onset of diabetes symptoms and diagnosis by developing an artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of analysing a voice \u201csignature\u201d (characteristics of voice) to predict the risk of T2D for Australians. This approach is rooted in emerging evidence suggesting that vocal biomarkers can provide insights into various health conditions, including metabolic (T2D), mental health, heart failure, and neurological disorders. Our project involves using participant voice data and correlating it with several metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors for a comprehensive analysis using AI, thus enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of the predictive model. \nThis project could pave the way for an innovative, non-invasive, and cost-effective risk prediction tool to alert individuals who may potentially have T2D to seek medical advice in a timely manner. \n\nOur project objectives are:\n1.\tDevelop an AI system to analyse voice data for predicting the risk of T2D in an Australian setting through an industry-partnered internship \n2.\tValidate an AI T2D risk prediction model using chronic glycaemic control (HBA1c) and continuous glucose monitoring data \n3.\tCo-design a T2D risk prediction tool that integrates with existing healthcare services to facilitate early detection and management \n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-11-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Endocrinology 320208 (40%), Digital health 420302 (20%), Speech recognition (20%), Medical biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) 320602 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Sciences","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasso Apostolopoulos","title":"Development of vaccine against methamphetamine (ice) addiction","description":"Background: Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is a serious public health concern globally. There are no approved medications for the treatment of METH addiction. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop an effective treatment option. Immunotherapy or immune modulation have shown great promise against nicotine and cocaine addiction, however, application to treat METH abuse is still in its infancy. \n\nAim: The aim of the study is to develop a METH conjugated vaccine using various immunogenic carriers such as mannan, bovine serum albumin, diphtheria toxoid, nanoparticles etc. and assess their efficacy using animal models. \n\nMethods: METH-mannan conjugate vaccine and the other chemical conjugates will be characterised by various analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS, NMR and FTIR. The efficacy of the optimised vaccine will be assessed by measuring the antibody production; effect of vaccine on METH induced animal behaviour and various markers such as concentration of METH and dopamine in brain tissue and brain inflammation markers. \n\nTechniques to be used: chemical conjugations, chemistry, peptide synthesis, NMR, GC-MS, FTIR, HPLC, immunology, antibodies, cytokines, animal studies\n\nOutcome: METH addiction affects the individual life, family life, community, workplace, law enforcement agencies and arguably it is in epidemic stage. The successful development of METH vaccine will be revolutionary.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404\tCellular immunology (50%)\n320899\tMedical physiology not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400302\tBiomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Sciences","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan, Magdalena Plebanski","title":"New improved mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine","description":"Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with millions of women diagnosed annually. Despite improvements in early detection and treatment, challenges persist in developing effective vaccines and therapies to prevent recurrence or treat advanced stages of the disease. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are often accompanied by severe side effects and limited effectiveness. The success of mRNA technology in vaccine development, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, has opened new possibilities for cancer treatment. Although mRNA vaccines for cancer are still in their early stages, an mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine offers significant potential by triggering targeted immune responses against cancer cells.\n\nThe study aims to develop an mRNA-based vaccine for breast cancer and evaluate its efficacy using animal models. The vaccine will be delivered via nanoparticles, with additional delivery methods also explored. Analytical techniques like HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, FTIR, and gel electrophoresis will be used to characterize the vaccine formulations. The vaccine's efficacy will be assessed based on its impact on antibodies, T cells, and tumor growth in animal models.\n\nThis vaccine could revolutionize breast cancer treatment and prevention, improving survival rates and reducing cancer's impact on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. By offering targeted immune responses, it may reduce the reliance on traditional treatments, decreasing side effects and improving patients' quality of life. Its widespread use could lower healthcare costs and provide hope for millions of women worldwide, representing a significant step forward in cancer treatment.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404 Cellular immunology (50%)\n320899 Medical physiology not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321104 Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasso Apostolopoulos","title":"Development of vaccine against methamphetamine (ice) addiction","description":"Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is a serious public health concern globally. There are no approved medications for the treatment of METH addiction. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop an effective treatment option. Immunotherapy or immune modulation have shown great promise against nicotine and cocaine addiction, however, application to treat METH abuse is still in its infancy. \n\nAim: The aim of the study is to develop a METH conjugated vaccine using various immunogenic carriers such as mannan, bovine serum albumin, diphtheria toxoid, nanoparticles etc. and assess their efficacy using animal models. \n\nMethods: METH-mannan conjugate vaccine and the other chemical conjugates will be characterised by various analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS, NMR and FTIR. The efficacy of the optimised vaccine will be assessed by measuring the antibody production; effect of vaccine on METH induced animal behaviour and various markers such as concentration of METH and dopamine in brain tissue and brain inflammation markers. \n\nTechniques to be used: chemical conjugations, chemistry, peptide synthesis, NMR, GC-MS, FTIR, HPLC, immunology, antibodies, cytokines, animal studies\n\nOutcome: METH addiction affects the individual life, family life, community, workplace, law enforcement agencies and arguably it is in epidemic stage. The successful development of METH vaccine will be revolutionary.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404\tCellular immunology (50%)\n320899\tMedical physiology not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400302\tBiomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan, Magdalena Plebanski","title":"New improved mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine","description":"Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with millions of women diagnosed annually. Despite improvements in early detection and treatment, challenges persist in developing effective vaccines and therapies to prevent recurrence or treat advanced stages of the disease. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are often accompanied by severe side effects and limited effectiveness. The success of mRNA technology in vaccine development, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, has opened new possibilities for cancer treatment. Although mRNA vaccines for cancer are still in their early stages, an mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine offers significant potential by triggering targeted immune responses against cancer cells.\n\nThe study aims to develop an mRNA-based vaccine for breast cancer and evaluate its efficacy using animal models. The vaccine will be delivered via nanoparticles, with additional delivery methods also explored. Analytical techniques like HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, FTIR, and gel electrophoresis will be used to characterize the vaccine formulations. The vaccine's efficacy will be assessed based on its impact on antibodies, T cells, and tumor growth in animal models.\n\nThis vaccine could revolutionize breast cancer treatment and prevention, improving survival rates and reducing cancer's impact on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. By offering targeted immune responses, it may reduce the reliance on traditional treatments, decreasing side effects and improving patients' quality of life. Its widespread use could lower healthcare costs and provide hope for millions of women worldwide, representing a significant step forward in cancer treatment.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404 Cellular immunology (50%)\n320899 Medical physiology not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321104 Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geso, Ricky O'Brian","title":"Investigation of melanoma treatment using pH and thermo-sensitive polymeric nanoparticles based on protein-conjugated Chitosan-PNIPAAM-PDPA ","description":"The objectives of the proposed research are listed below: \nThe comprehensive objective or the chief aim of this research is to model a nanoparticle compound with low toxicity to the healthy tissues and efficient in drug delivering capability to the tumour as a target. Moreover, to be respondent tot the external stimuli (such as radiations) in such a way it enhances their effects locally. In achieving this main aim the following sub-aims will be addressed;\n\u2022        Determining optimum molecular weight of each copolymer blocks to attain appropriate polymeric, morphological, and determined features \n\u2022        Investigating the drug loading behavior by calculating the amount of Encapsulation Efficiency and Loading Capacity \n\u2022        Delving into drug release behavior by considering some parameters, including gyration radius, diffusion coefficient, calculating the amount of drug molecules at different pHs and temperatures to predict the optimum experimental conditions \n\u2022        Achieving Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of nanoparticles to gain the empirical operating condition \n\u2022        Comparing the efficacy of drug delivery performance of protein-polymer conjugate nanoparticles with their counterpart (non-protein-polymer conjugate) for cancer treatment \n\u2022        Simulating cell culture of nanoparticles with melanoma tumor cells\n\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"35%   100704\n35%   310208\n30%    310299"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dodie Pouniotis,  Roula Kyriacou, Sonja Cleary","title":"Integrating Pathology and Nursing Education to Improve Patient Outcomes ","description":"It is well established in the Australian healthcare system that a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care is linked to significant improvements in patient outcomes across a wide variety of clinical disciplines. Additionally, a multidisciplinary approach has been proven to increase patient safety by limiting adverse events, decreasing patient length of stay, as well as improving patient impression of staff (1).  \n\nWhile a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care is widely proven to be beneficial, the current literature is primarily focused on care at a clinical level. Additionally, research which is not focused on care at a patient bed-side level, is centered around research projects of nursing and medical teams\u2019 treatment and holistic management of specific clinical conditions.  \n\nWhat has not been explored is a multi-disciplinary approach towards education. The aim of this project is to assess the impact of cross disciplinary education, specifically between medical laboratory scientists (pathology) and nursing. It is anticipated that by harnessing the expertise of subject matter experts from the laboratory, protocol compliance and understanding of practices at the bedside level will result in reduced rejection rates of samples, which in turn has a flow on effect to patient care.  \n\nThis project will look to review current levels of multi-disciplinary education as well as understanding of process and practice. Following which, a change to education will be implemented, which is a post implementation assessment to determine uptake of education.  ","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-05-18","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320220\tPathology (excl. oral pathology) (60%)\n390308\tTechnical, further and workplace education (20%)\n420599\tNursing not elsewhere classified (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim, Barbora de Courten, Kimmi Ko","title":"Adaptive Digital Health for Women's Chronic Condition Management","description":"Chronic conditions often manifest differently in women. Due to their longer life expectancy, women are more likely than men to experience disabilities and face unique health issues stemming from their gender-specific roles in society. Currently, most digital interventions for chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and chronic pain, are not specifically designed or co-developed with\/for women. This leads to significant health inequalities, particularly among marginalised and underserved women. \n\nThis project aims to co-design a scalable, evidenced-based, personalised, behaviour change digital health mobile app, \u201cGroW\u201d, with socio-economically-deprived women with long-term health conditions. Our long-term goals are to reduce health inequities, enhance access to care, and support women with chronic conditions by ensuring their health needs are met through GroW. To develop GroW mobile app, a commercially available mobile app used to manage long-term health conditions will be adapted to specifically meet women\u2019s need. \n\nOur project objectives are:\n1.\tTo conduct extensive female-specific co-design activities with women from disadvantaged backgrounds and experiencing financial hardship through co-design workshops, surveys and interviews to uncover user needs and gather feedback on the mobile app design.\n2.\tTo develop a fully functional prototype with co-created features with our industry partner through an industry-partnered internship, with recommendations identified during co-design activities incorporated into the mobile app with continuous feedback from the steering group.\n3.\tTo optimise Gro W through a usability testing. Exit interviews and questionnaires will be used to assess prior experience with similar platforms and measure user satisfaction.","sdg":"[\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-04-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Digital health 420302 (60%), Primary health care (20%), Health equity 420602 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Exploring the Internal and External Factors Influencing Australian Medical Radiation Professionals' Participation in Research ","description":"Medical radiation science plays an essential role in healthcare, with its professionals, including radiographers, radiation therapists, and nuclear medicine technologists, being crucial members of the healthcare team. Their expertise in medical imaging and therapeutic technologies and patient care is extremely important for precise diagnoses and effective treatments. However, as the field of medical radiation science is rapidly evolving, it demands more than just clinical expertise; it requires a culture of continuous learning, evidence-based practice, and active research engagement. Yet, despite their critical expertise, medical radiation practitioners\u2019 limited engagement in research is not only a missed opportunity for innovation, but also a threat to the advancement of the profession and the delivery of evidence-based practices that could enhance patient outcomes.\n\nMedical radiation professionals\u2019 engagement in research is a relatively underexplored area when compared to other healthcare professionals. There is little literature which addresses their innate thoughts and feelings regarding their lack of participation in research, particularly within the Australian context. Previous research has focused on quantitative metrics, such as participation rates and statistical barriers, but lacked a deep understanding of the personal and professional experiences that influence MRPs\u2019 decisions to participate in research. The factors and stimuli influencing Australian MRPs\u2019 participation in research are unknown. This qualitative study aims to address this gap by exploring the internal and external factors that hinder or motivate Australian medical radiation professionals\u2019 engagement in research.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320206, 441006"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Juliana Antonipillai","title":"Role of LIMK in leukemia progression","description":"A common structural feature in cancer cells is the disruption of normal cellular processes, including the expression and activity of LIMK, which plays a role in cell cycle regulation and cytoskeletal organisation. Overexpression of LIMK and reduction in cilium (stabilised microtubules) expression in leukemia patients\u2019 monocytes have been reported previously. Understanding these cellular characteristics is crucial for developing targeted therapies for leukaemia.\n\nThis project will determine the link between the structural\/expression changes in cilia and the activation of LIMK in PBMCs isolated from leukemia patients. It is unknown whether the loss of LIMK activity by negative regulators, as well as LIMK inhibitors, promotes ciliogenesis and suppresses proliferation. \n\nWe aim to investigate whether changes in LIMK levels and activity affect cilium expression in leukemia and alter the cytoskeletal organisation, including microtubules and microfilaments, which may help predict their potential to form tumours.\n\nIn this project, we will determine the relationship between LIMK expression\/activity and cilium expression in monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes isolated from leukemia patients and established cell lines, including THP-1 (monocytes isolated from peripheral blood of an AML patient), KG1 (macrophages isolated from the bone marrow of an AML patient), and K562 (lymphoblasts isolated from bone marrow of a CML patient) and compare the profiles to cells from healthy donors. We will also investigate cytoskeletal changes that occur in monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes, as well as platelets isolated from leukemia patients.\n\nThe student will be trained at the Department of Medicine\/Royal Melbourne Hospital Clinical Science Building-Inflammation and Chronic Diseases Laboratory.  \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences (p)\n3211 Oncology and carcinogenesis\n3101 Biochemistry and cell biology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Daniel Sapkaroski","title":"The use of surface-guidance in paediatric radiation therapy","description":"Paediatric radiation therapy presents unique challenges due to the heightened sensitivity of developing tissues to radiation exposure. Ensuring precise radiation delivery is crucial in minimising long-term side effects while maintaining effective tumour control. Traditional immobilisation techniques, such as thermoplastic masks and general anaesthesia, are frequently used to mitigate patient movement; however, these methods can be distressing for young patients and may introduce additional procedural complexities.\n\nSurface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) is an emerging technology that facilitates real-time, non-ionising motion tracking, thereby reducing reliance on rigid immobilisation whilst improving treatment accuracy. Despite its increasing adoption in adult oncology, the clinical benefits and limitations of SGRT in paediatric patients remain underexplored.\n\nResearch Objectives:\nThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of SGRT in paediatric radiation therapy by:\n        1.        Comparing treatment accuracy between SGRT and conventional immobilisation techniques.\n        2.        Assessing improvements in intra-fraction motion management using SGRT.\n        3.        Investigating patient comfort, compliance, and the potential reduction in anaesthesia use.\n        4.        Identifying workflow challenges and limitations associated with SGRT in paediatrics.\n\nExpected Outcomes & Impact:\nFindings from this research will inform clinical practice by determining whether SGRT enhances paediatric treatment accuracy while reducing patient distress. The study aims to contribute to the optimisation of clinical protocols and provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating SGRT into paediatric radiation therapy workflows.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321301 Adolescent health  (25%)\n321302 Infant and child health (25%)\n321110 Radiation therapy (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thomas Angelovich","title":"Defining the effect of HIV\/SIV reactivation in the brain following interruption of antiretroviral therapy","description":"Despite successful viral suppression with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain a major clinical problem affecting ~40% people with HIV. These syndromes lead to cognitive impairment and are significant health, economic and social problems for those affected. The mechanisms causing neurocognitive disorders in people with HIV are unclear, but are likely caused by both viral persistence in the brain and ongoing immune activation and inflammation which persists despite ART treatment. Furthermore, viral rebound during interruption of therapy may induce reactivation of viral reservoirs contributing to disease pathogenesis. Understanding the role of viral persistence and rebound in the brain will better inform treatment options for people living with HIV and improve brain health.\nIn this project students will utilise a large cohort of human brain and peripheral tissue samples from people who died with HIV to determine the role of persistent inflammation and\/or viral persistence in cellular activation in the brain. Students will also utilise a cohort of brain tissue from non-human primate samples infected with the SIV model of HIV.\n \nHighly innovative and novel techniques such as multicolour immunofluorescence, DNA\/RNAscope, droplet digital PCR and laser capture microdissection will elucidate the cell-specific mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of viral infection\/viral rebound as well as the persistence of HIV\/SIV in the brain. Findings will also be paired with those from peripheral tissue samples to identify the cumulative effect of HIV and associated inflammation throughout the body. Candidates will complete an internship period in the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University, USA for a period during their PhD.\n\nFindings from this study will provide novel insight into the ability of HIV\/SIV to rebound following therapy interruption and may guide appropriate antiretroviral and adjunctive treatment decisions to reduce the risk of adverse neurocognitive health outcomes in this population.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310702 Infectious agents (50%); 310706 Virology (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vincent Chan","title":"Activating diabetes self-management in culturally and linguistically diverse populations","description":"Health disparities in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population groups exist compared with the rest of the population, in particular for chronic conditions such as diabetes. There is evidence that their cultural beliefs, religious\/spiritual beliefs, negative illness perception and low health literacy can all impact on their overall health management leading to poorer health outcomes. In Australia, consumers and patients attend pharmacies on average 18 times per year. This provides a unique opportunity for pharmacists to play an important role as patient educators and promotors of behaviour change in patients with chronic conditions.\n\nThis project has two aims. The first aim is to develop a pharmacist-led diabetes health coaching program for CALD population groups with type 2 diabetes. The second aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of this pharmacist-led diabetes health coaching in eliciting positive behavioural changes and facilitating effective self-management in CALD patients with diabetes.\n\nThe proposed pharmacist-led diabetes health coaching pilot clinical trial will aim to promote self-management in these patients. According to our pilot work, this population is more likely to benefit from personalised, face-to-face support from trusted healthcare professionals compared to solely using currently available online support systems designed for general populations.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice 321403 (60%)\nHealth promotion 420603 (20%)\nEndocrinology 320208 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Julie Stevens","title":"Personal and cultural beliefs, health literacy and digital health interventions in diverse communities","description":"Medication misadventure is an important problem in Australia, with 2 - 4% of all hospital admissions, and up to 30% in patients >75 years, reported to be medication-related. Up to 50% of patients are nonadherent to medications prescribed for chronic diseases. The problem is further amplified in individuals taking multiple medications (\u2018polypharmacy\u2019) and in those with chronic illnesses. \n\nLow health and medication literacy resulting in medication misadventure is an important problem. This may arise from language barriers, cultural or personal beliefs about medications\/conditions, low health literacy and inadequate access to health education or resources, including digital health tools.\n\nThis PhD project aims to investigate the interplay between personal\/cultural beliefs about medications, uptake of digital health resources and medication adherence and health outcomes in diverse communities.\n\nObjective 1: Systematic review investigating the influence of personal beliefs and health literacy on uptake and utilisation of digital health resources and interventions to improve medication adherence and health outcomes.\n\nObjective 2: Evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally-tailored digital health intervention designed to improve medication adherence and literacy. \n\nObjective 3: Evaluate factors influencing adherence to digital health tools including mobile health applications in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.\n\nObjective 4: Investigate how social and individual factors, including personal beliefs about medicines, health literacy and digital health resources influence medication adherence and literacy in CALD communities.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (35%)\n420305 Health and community services (35%)\n321403 Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan","title":"Unravelling novel targets in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) \u2013 A multi-omics study","description":"Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for CRC. CRC remains a significant global health challenge. Despite progress in treatments, some patients do not benefit, hence there is an urgent need for developing new strategies. Inflammasomes are inflammatory signaling complexes, of which NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome plays a significant role in the development and progression of CRC by promoting inflammation, modulating tumor microenvironment and immune responses.\nThis research focuses on studying the colonic alterations (transcriptomic, proteomic) of mouse models of spontaneous chronic colitis (Winnie), spontaneous CRC mouse models (Winnie x NLRP3-\/-), and CRC patient samples by RNA sequencing and bioinformatics techniques. Understanding the role of NLRP3 involvement in CRC and stages of disease\nprogression from inflammation to cancer could lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets for improved outcomes and fewer side effects.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320403 Autoimmunity \n320803 Systems physiology \n321103 Cancer genetics"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien","title":"Deep learning for brain cancer segmentation in radiation oncology","description":"Brain segmentation of MRI images acquired on an MRI linac is time consuming for clinicians this is especially the case when regular segmentation is required as part of an adaptive radiation therapy approach.  Deep learning offers the opportunity to quickly perform tumour segmentation and notify the clinical team if there has been a change (e.g., tumour reduction) that would trigger a replan during the course of the patient's treatment.  This project will be conducted in collaboration with our industry partners in radiation oncology at the Austin Hospital and will work with MRI linac generated patient data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Medical Physics (510502) 50%, Radiation Therapy (321110) 30%, Medical Devices (400308) 30%."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim","title":"Implementing a behaviour change digital health program for diabetes management","description":"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia associated with numerous health comorbidities and enormous socioeconomic costs. General Practitioners (GP) currently lack the tools and resources to adequately respond to the growing tide of chronic conditions including T2D. However, despite the strong growing international evidence base, no research has been conducted in Australia to demonstrate the feasibility or effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention to promote preventative and population health management within the local health system.\n\nTo determine the effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention compared to standard care for improving glycaemic control, reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors, and achieving diabetes remission in patients with T2D in a primary care setting, an open-label cluster randomised stepped-wedge trial of GP clinics will be used. Adults diagnosed with T2D within 10 years will be recruited via GP clinics and selected by GPs to participate using a \u2018real-world\u2019 approach. Participants will attend follow-up clinic visits in accordance with standard clinical practice throughout the intervention to assess health changes and determine medication change requirements.\n\nThis project will advance health care systems, improve diabetes self-management, and reduce related health complications\/costs for people living with T2D.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Digital health 420302 (40%)\nPrimary health care (40%)\nEndocrinology 320208 (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Zahid Hussain","title":"Optimising Antiplatelet Therapy in Obese Patients Post-Ischemic Heart Disease: A Focus on Dosing Strategies","description":"Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It encompasses acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Obesity is associated with an increased risk of various cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes, and IHD. Obesity involves chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and changes in lipid metabolism, all of which contribute to the development of atherosclerotic and thrombotic events.\r\nThe management of IHD frequently entails antiplatelet therapy to prevent clot formation. Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors, play a pivotal role in both short-term and long-term IHD management. It is noteworthy that the efficacy of these standard antiplatelet regimens may vary depending on individual patient characteristics, including body weight. Obesity is often characterised by a heightened tendency for blood clot formation and increased platelet reactivity, which may result in suboptimal responses to standard antiplatelet therapy. This is an especially concerning issue considering the escalating global prevalence of obesity. \r\nThis project seeks to fill a crucial gap in the pharmacotherapy management of IHD in obese patients. Its focus is on investigating the most effective dosing strategies of antiplatelet therapy in obese post-IHD patients.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111502 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (50%)\r\n111503 Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Pradip Deb","title":"Improvements in CT Simulators for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning","description":"Computed Tomography (CT) simulators are integral tools in radiotherapy treatment planning, providing critical anatomical information for accurate dose calculation and treatment delivery. Despite advancements in CT simulator technology, several factors still limiting the effectiveness and treatment outcomes. Addressing these factors is crucial to enhancing the precision, efficiency, and patient-specificity of radiotherapy planning. \n\nThis study aims to (i) Identify and characterize existing limitations and challenges in CT simulator technology, (ii) Develop and evaluate innovative solutions to enhance CT image quality and resolution for radiotherapy planning, (iii) Investigate methods to reduce imaging dose and radiation exposure without compromising diagnostic accuracy, (iv) Enhance integration of functional imaging modalities (e.g., PET-CT, MRI) into CT simulators for comprehensive treatment planning, and (v) Validate and optimize personalized dose calculation algorithms and treatment planning workflows using advanced CT simulator capabilities. \n\nThe significance of this project: Addressing critical gaps in CT simulators for radiotherapy treatment planning, aiming to advance technology, optimize clinical workflows, and improve patient outcomes. The outcomes will contribute to safer and more effective radiotherapy treatments, personalized patient care, and advancements in oncological imaging.\n\nThis project will be carried out in collaboration with the researchers in Petermac Cancer Centre, Melbourne. PhD student will have the opportunity to use the modern CT simulator and other radiotherapy facilities in a world class tertiary hospital setting.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ayman Allahham, Ravi Shukla\/School of Science","title":"MOF based nanoformulations for improving stability of anticancer drugs","description":"Cancer remains a pressing health care challenge in Australia and worldwide. Cancer drug molecules still faces multiple challenges in their design and formulation to improve their targeting, efficacy, delivery and stability. Azacitidine which is indicated for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and Acute Myeloid Leukemia is an example of biopharmaceutical that is used in chemotherapy but is challenged with storing the medication in room temperature. The reconstituting drug into an injectable suspension is only stable for 4 days when stored at 2-8 \u25e6C and only 2 hours at room temperature (1). Therefore, there is a need to develop a formulation with enhanced stability to enable longer storage conditions for the drug. \r\nDifferent challenges in Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising platforms for cellular delivery and have been used for efficient delivery of therapeutic genes and drugs (2). Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), MOF nanocarriers have being developed for gene therapy and drug delivery (3). A recent study has used MOFs to enhance the stability of antibodies (3) can be promising for the use of this delivery system to enhance the targeting and stability of this drug. \r\nThe project will focus on developing a new formulation for azacitidine using MOFs and then assess its stability, characterisation and potency. Student will have ample opportunities to learn state-of-the-art cross disciplinary tools and techniques. In addition, student will be nurtured for research ethics, critical thinking, time & project management, and problem-solving skills.\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tTrambloy Q, Vigneron J, Clarot I, Blaise F, D\u2019Huart E, Demor\u00e9 B. Physicochemical stability of azacitidine suspensions at 25 mg\/mL in polypropylene syringes stored under different conditions of storage. Pharmaceutical technology in hospital pharmacy. 2022;7(1):11-6.\r\n2.\tHe C, Lu K, Liu D, Lin W. Nanoscale metal\u2013organic frameworks for the co-delivery of cisplatin and pooled siRNAs to enhance therapeutic efficacy in drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2014;136(14):5181-4.\r\n3.\tFeng Y, Wang H, Zhang S, Zhao Y, Gao J, Zheng Y, et al. Antibodies@ MOFs: an in vitro protective coating for preparation and storage of biopharmaceuticals. Advanced Materials. 2019;31(2):1805148.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321045 Pharmaceutical sciences (70%) \r\n401699 Materials Engineering (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ayman Allahham, Thilini Thrimawithana, Vivek Nooney","title":"Improving safety of medication administered via gastrotomy feeding tubes in the community","description":"Enteral feeding tubes are used by both adults and children to supply nutrients directly to the gastrointestinal tract. Enteral feeding tubes include orogastric, nasogastric and gastrostomy tube feeding and this may be for short term or long term management of conditions such as impaired swallowing, congenital anomalies and eating disorders. In addition to feeds, these tubes can be used to administer medication via the enteral route.  Solid oral dosage forms are often modified by nurses and caregivers to enable administration via feeding tubes (1). This includes crushing of tablets and emptying of capsule content. However, not all solid oral dosage forms can be modified as these manipulations can reduce efficacy of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, safety and\/or lead to tube clogging and chemical incompatibilities with tubing materials (2). Research also suggest that educational programs can improve the administration of drugs via nasogastric tubes (3). Moreover, anecdotal evidence suggests frequent off label dosage form modifications by caregivers to administer medication via feeding tubes.\r\nTherefore, this study aims to determine the medication\/dosage forms that are most commonly modified by patients dwelling in the community and the clinical issues encountered when these are administered via feeding tubes. This project will involve qualitative research to understand the dosage form modifications performed by patients and their caregivers and survey research to understand the involvement of community pharmacists and their knowledge of medication administered via gastrotomy feeding tubes. In addition, in vitro studies will be undertaken to determine the ease of preparation, accuracy of administration and in-use stability of medicines that are commonly modified by patients\/caregivers. The in-vitro studies will enable the researchers to develop appropriate instructions for optimum use of these medication via feeding tubes.  \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tGrissinger M. Preventing errors when drugs are given via enteral feeding tubes. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 2013 Oct;38(10):575-6. \r\n2.\tKarkossa F, Lehmann N, Klein S. A systematic approach for assessing the suitability of enteral feeding tubes for the administration of controlled-release pellet formulations. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2022;612, 121286\r\n3.\tHossaini Alhashemi, Samira, Raana Ghorbani, and Afsaneh Vazin. \u201cImproving Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Nurses in Medication Administration through Enteral Feeding Tubes by Clinical Pharmacists: A Case-Control Study.\u201d Advances in medical education and practice 10 (2019): 493\u2013500. Web.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"321045 Pharmaceutical sciences (50%)\r\n321001 Clinical nutrition (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Daryl Wilding McBride, Clare Smith, Moshi Geso, Rick Franich (Physics)\r\nComputer Science (Fabio Zambetta on the machine learning components)","title":"New approaches to CT image reconstruction","description":"It is extremely difficult to acquire CT images of objects that move (lungs, heart and joints), because the patient motion during image acquisitions blurs the resulting reconstructed image.  In this project, you will develop new image reconstruction techniques that simultaneously determine the underlying motion and the patient anatomy during the reconstruction process.  This project will suit a student with a strong mathematics, deep learning or algorithm development background and an interest in working on problems that have strong support from our partner hospitals and direct applications to cancer patient treatment.   Our research group at RMIT is well supported by NHMRC grant funding which will provide access to the equipment and clinical data to perform this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4901 (Applied Mathematics) 50%\r\n4902 (Mathematical Physics) 25%\r\n029903 Medical Physics 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geso, Clare Smith, Daryl Wilding McBride, Rick Franich - Physics","title":"New techniques for lung ventilation imaging","description":"Maximising lung function post cancer treatment (radiotherapy, surgery, etc) is of importance to improve the patient\u2019s quality of life after treatment. This project involves developing new algorithms and techniques to evaluate and predict lung function pre and post treatment using the images routinely acquired during treatment. The project can go in one of two directions depending on the interests of the student: (1) hands on with imaging equipment where you will develop new imaging techniques or (2) a machine learning\/algorithm development pathway to maximise the use of the images obtained during treatment. \r\n\r\nThis project provides an opportunity to work with our team on an NHMRC grant funded project with an existing collaboration spanning hospitals in both NSW (RNSH) and Victoria (Peter Mac) as well as an industry partner (4DMedical).\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111208 Radiation Therapy (75%)\r\n029903 Medical Physics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geso, Clare Smith, Daryl Wilding McBride, Pradip Dep, Rick Franich (Physics),\r\nNick Hardcastle (Medical Physics - Peter Mac)","title":"Pioneering emerging techniques to treat cardiac arrhythmia.","description":"Patients with advanced ventricular tachycardia have often exhausted all treatment options, have a short life expectancy and very poor quality of life. In 2022, we received one of only 10 NHMRC Synergy grants to establish a national research program to develop radiation ablation techniques to treat ventricular tachycardia.  This is an exciting opportunity to work on an emerging treatment for a debilitating disease. You will work within a large collaboration including hospitals that are performing patient treatments as well as researchers performing deep learning\/datamining to optimise treatment regimens and researchers developing new imaging techniques.  As such, this project offers the opportunity for students with a range of backgrounds to contribute to an exciting new treatment for cardiac disease (e.g., students are welcome to enquire from engineering, maths, physics, computer science, medical radiations, etc).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111208 Radiation Therapy (50%)\r\n029903 Medical Physics (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Digital Health","programcode":"DR236","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Barbora de Courten, Chiao Xin Lim","title":"Implementing a digital health program in primary care for diabetes","description":"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia associated with numerous health comorbidities and enormous socioeconomic costs. General Practitioners (GP) currently lack the tools and resources to adequately respond to the growing tide of chronic conditions including T2D. However, despite the strong growing international evidence base, no research has been conducted in Australia to demonstrate the feasibility or effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention to promote preventative and population health management within the local health system.\r\n\r\nTo determine the effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention compared to standard care for improving glycaemic control, reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors, and achieving diabetes remission in patients with T2D in a primary care setting, an open-label cluster randomised stepped-wedge trial of GP clinics will be used. Adults diagnosed with T2D within 10 years will be recruited via GP clinics and selected by GPs to participant using a \u2018real-world\u2019 approach. Participants will attend follow-up clinic visits in accordance with standard clinical practice throughout the intervention to assess health changes and determine medication change requirements.\r\n\r\nA 3-month industry internship with the digital health intervention company\/industry partner will also be included in the first 18 months of this project. It is anticipated that this project will advance health care systems, improve diabetes self-management, and reduce related health complications\/costs for people living with T2D.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Digital health 420302 (40%), Endocrinology 320208 (40%), Primary health care (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Evaluation of Undergraduate Medical Radiations students\u2019 empathic responses, and changes during the completion of their programs (Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy) ","description":"This project aims to understand empathic functioning and development of undergraduate Medical Radiation students during their progression within the program. \nA survey will be designed and validated to assess empathic functioning, and a student\u2019s ability to cope with stresses. The survey will be conducted across all year levels (years 1-4) and for all three-streams (Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy).\n\nChanges in empathic functioning during students\u2019 progression within the program will be analysed, as well as the effects of clinical-placement type (rural private public etc), and if there are correlations to a student\u2019s ability to cope with stressors.\nThis will be followed by targeted focus groups, which will seek to gain a deeper understanding of student responses to the survey, and the factors that encourage or inhibit the development of empathy in these students.\n\nBased on this work, we will assess the survey\u2019s relevance, and modify it as indicated, to make it suitable for use as a prospective student selection tool for entry to the program.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390402 Education assessment and evaluation, 20%\n390499 Specialist studies in education not elsewhere classified 20%\n429999 Other Health Sciences not elsewhere classified 30%\n520304 Health Psychology 30%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Continuous physical activity monitoring with smartwatches in patients with post-intensive care unit syndrome from admission to 12 months after discharge: A feasibility prospective cohort study","description":"Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) affects a significant proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, manifesting in physical, cognitive, and mental sequelae that persist long after hospital discharge. Studies have shown the benefits of early physical therapy in the ICU, such as increased mobilization, a shorter hospital stay and improved functional outcomes. However, the evidence on reporting on measuring the dose of physical activity is poor, particularly the intensity and continuous tracking measurement of physical activity is limited. Wearable devices have been shown to be effective in monitoring and promoting physical activity in different pathologies, but their use in the ICU remains limited to research.\n\nThis research project aims to evaluate the feasibility and impact of continuously monitoring physical activity in patients with post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) from their admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) until twelve months after hospital discharge, using smartwatches. The study seeks to identify the potential challenges of continuous monitoring and their impact on long-term physical, cognitive, mental and social recovery. The main hypothesis is that continuous monitoring of physical activity is feasible and is significantly associated with improvements in health outcomes in patients at ICU and hospital discharge, at 6 and 12 months after. Secondarily, the following aspects will also be explored:\n\n1.        Measure patient recruitment, engagement and adherence.\n2.        Describe satisfaction of use.\n3.        Explore the association of Muscular ultrasound whit physical activity and long-term outcomes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420126 Physiotherapy (40%)\n420199 Allied health and rehabilitation science not elsewhere classified (30%)\n420314 Multimorbidity (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Health Literacy and Personality influences on cancer symptom management and exercise adherence ","description":"Robust evidence supports prehabilitation and postoperative exercise and symptom management in supporting patients following a cancer diagnosis. However, implementing exercise across the continuum of care remains challenging and is not part of routine clinical practice for all cancer groups. \n \nEducation is a key enabler to addressing many well documented barriers to exercise including persistent symptoms and fear of symptom exacerbation such as breathlessness and fatigue. Health literacy refers to the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information to make informed health decisions. Higher health literacy has been correlated with better health outcomes. Personality traits particularly those measured by the Big Five Dimensions (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) may further influence how individuals process health information and act in their care. \n \nThe interplay between health literacy and personality traits in cancer care could provide important insights into how patients navigate their treatment journey and engage with exercise and supportive care services. \n \nTherefore, this project has several aims:\n\u2022        Systematically review the literature regarding the influence of health literacy and personality traits on health-related behaviours in cancer rehabilitation\n\u2022        Explore the relationship between health literacy, personality trait and engagement in symptom management and exercise amongst individuals with a cancer diagnosis \n\u2022        To explore usability and personalisation preferences for cancer education materials (focused on supportive care and exercise) based on health literacy and personality\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (40%)\n420109 Rehabilitation (30%)\n420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Blood flow restricted exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Acute and chronic effects on autonomic cardiac function, functionality, dyspnoea and quality of life","description":"Current international guidelines for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recommend exercise training combined with an optimal pharmacological regimen. However, people with severe COPD often have difficulties performing moderate-to-high load exercise and consequently do not achieve the expected physiological response. Several aspects of COPD contribute to this difficulty in exercising, namely breathlessness, skeletal muscle weakness, frailty, loss of oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle, dynamic hyperinflation and others. Researchers and clinicians have recognised the need to investigate alternative methods of exercise training for this population.\n\nBlood flow restricted exercise (BFRE) training is an emerging novel alternative treatment for populations that cannot perform more intense traditional training protocols. This approach consists of using a cuff placed on the most proximal part of the limb. The cuff is inflated to achieve a venous occlusion and arterial restriction of the blood flow, and is used in association with low intensity exercises, but providing the same benefits in terms of muscle strength, functionality and aerobic capacity as high intensity training. Previous studies have applied this method in athletic populations or healthy individuals. Few studies have explored BFRE training in people with chronic conditions such as COPD. \n\nA previous qualitative descriptive study investigated the views of people living with COPD and clinicians that work with that population towards undergoing a BFRE training program. Whilst majority of participants were willing to undertake or refer someone to a BFRE training program given the potential benefits, concerns were raised on safety, impacts on autonomic cardiac function \u2013 which is usually impaired in that population \u2013 and feasibility of using that exercise modality in people with COPD. \n\nTherefore, the overall aim of this research project is to investigate a BFRE training program for people with COPD regarding aspects of autonomic cardiac function, feasibility and health outcomes. The specific research objectives for this project are:\na) systematically review the available scientific literature analysing whether autonomic cardiac function in adults is altered by BFRE training compared to non-BFRE (Study 1);\nb) investigate acute changes in autonomic cardiac function (heart rate variability parameters) after a single session of cycling with BFR (Study 2);\nc) investigate the effects of an 8-week BFR aerobic exercise program for people with COPD on autonomic cardiac function, muscle health, dyspnoea and quality of life (Study 3).\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (50%)\n420702 Exercise physiology (30%)\n420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Improving the recovery journey from hospital to home in survivors of critical illness","description":"Each year more than one million people are diagnosed with \u2018Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness\u2019 which refers to a global symmetrical muscle weakness which occurs because of critical illness. Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) refers to the ongoing secondary impairments which can ensue long after an intensive care unit (ICU) admission. These include physical functioning deficits, low mood\/heightened post-traumatic stress and cognitive impairment. Recent research has demonstrated that survivors of critical illness are highly inactive and sedentary in the first year after leaving the acute hospital. More work is required to understand the relationship between physical activity levels and measures related to social isolation and loneliness. \n \nCurrently in Australia there are limited services which exist to support survivors of critical illness after they leave the acute hospital. These primarily are follow-up clinics involving screening and\/or peer support. Health literacy refers to the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information to make informed health decisions. Education and lack of knowledge of Post Intensive Care Syndrome have been identified as critical barriers to empowering patient voice in their care. Higher health literacy has been correlated with better health outcomes in other patient populations.\n \nTherefore, the aims of this project are to:\n\n\u2022        Systematically review the literature regarding patient educational materials and how they have been designed and evaluated in supporting patients and\/or families across the continuum of ICU recovery (Study 1)\n\u2022        Establish a list of the most important consumer oriented key messages about Post Intensive Care Syndrome and recovery needs across the continuum of care expressed in language understandable to consumers (this will involve expert consultation and consumer input) (Study 2)\n\u2022        Explore the relationship between health literacy, personality trait and engagement in symptom management and exercise amongst individuals following critical illness (Study 3)\n\u2022        To co-design and evaluate patient educational materials developed to improve knowledge and confidence in recognising\/managing symptoms of PICS (Study 4)\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (30%)\n420314 Multimorbidity (35%)\n420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Wejdan Shahin","title":"Digital Health Interventions for Self-Management of Chronic Illness in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Populations","description":"Background\nChronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, are prevalent worldwide and require continuous self-management to maintain optimal health. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations often face unique challenges in managing chronic illnesses due to barriers such as language differences, cultural beliefs, and limited access to healthcare services. Digital health interventions, including mobile health applications, telehealth, and online education, offer innovative solutions to support self-management including medication adherence, physical activity, and healthy diet. However, the effectiveness of these interventions in CALD populations remains underexplored. This research aims to investigate the impact of digital health interventions on the self-management of chronic illness in CALD populations.\nObjectives\n-To assess the current use and acceptance of digital health tools among CALD individuals with chronic illnesses.\n-Conduct a systematic literature review to understand the existing digital health tools used by CALD populations.\n-To identify the perceptions, barriers and facilitators to using digital health interventions for self-management in CALD populations.\n-Assess the impact of digital health interventions on self-management behaviors and health outcomes.\n-Survey CALD individuals to gather data on their current use and acceptance of digital health tools.\n-The survey will assess the impact of digital health interventions on self-management behaviors, quality of life, and health outcomes for CALDs who already use digital health interventions.\n-Perform mixed methods study to explore CALDs experiences and challenges with digital health tools.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302\tDigital health 40%\r\n321403    Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice 40%\r\n470212\tMulticultural, intercultural and cross-cultural studies 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan ","title":"The effect of carnosine for preventing the sequelae of type 2 diabetes","description":"Carnosine is a naturally occurring dietary anti-oxidant, with a range of bioactive properties including anti-glycating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-chelating. In this study, we are evaluating the use of carnosine as a treatment for the adverse outcomes associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus. These adverse outcomes include cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline and mood disturbance, and immunological changes. This research is translational, including basic science, animal, and eventually clinical studies, depending on the specific project and disease of interest. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320803 Systems physiology \n320903 Central nervous system \n310103 Cell metabolism"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"April Kartikasari, Magdalena Plebanski","title":"Inflammation, immune dysfunction, and molecular changes in cancer","description":"Chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction are significant drivers of cancer development and progression. These factors are also influenced by metabolic and nutritional status, previous infections, and the patient's age. Additionally, molecular changes such as mutations and epigenetic reprogramming of the cancer cells support cancer cell escape from immune surveillance. This project is designed to unravel the complex chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction pathways influenced by such factors, that are significant to cause cancer progression or conversely a positive response to cancer treatment. We will also investigate epigenetic and transcriptomic changes related to cancer and the immune system, to understand the molecular pathways as well as to pinpoint possibilities of using the identified changes as biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic markers or targets of treatment, as well as to optimize treatment. Our projects focus on ovarian cancer, the most lethal gynecological malignancy. PhDs will have opportunities to learn advanced cellular and molecular immunology techniques, including cutting-edge technologies such as multi-parameter flow cytometry, epigenetic profiling, and blood factor multiplex profiling as well as fundamental skills in cell culture, and human clinical trial sample processing and biobanking from diverse tissues, as well as interact across the dynamic CAVA Lab in multiple projects.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/01\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321101 cancer cell biology ; 321104 cancer therapy ; 321102 cancer diagnosis"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Charlie Xue","title":"Systematic Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Evidence for Common Chronic Conditions","description":"Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, has been increasingly used throughout the world. Evidence-based healthcare emphases on the effective use of the best available clinical evidence, incorporating the clinicians\u2019 clinical experience and patients\u2019 preference. This patient-centre care approach reflects the historical nature of Chinese medicine practice in the very rich medical literature accumulated over 2,000 years. However there is an overall lack of systematic evaluation of the evidence connecting those historical descriptions in the classical literature, the contemporary clinical studies, and experimental research to provide the current state of the totality of Chinese medicine evidence for common chronic diseases. PhD opportunities are available at the China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine (https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/research-institutes-centres-and-groups\/multi-partner-collaborations\/cairccm) in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences for a range of research project topics (e.g. diabetes, depression, dysmenorrhea, migraine headache, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis). PhD candidates will have the opportunities to apply Cochrane systematic reviews and meta-analyses methods, data-mining on Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine, evaluating pre-clinical models and their likely mechanisms of action, developing clinical trial protocols, obtaining human ethical approval, conducting multi-centre clinical studies, surveys and focus-group interview studies and, translational research.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/0207","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Melissa Churchill, Thomas Angelovich","title":"Defining the impact of defective HIV proviruses in the brain on neuropathology","description":"Despite successful viral suppression with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain a major clinical problem affecting ~40% people with HIV. These syndromes lead to cognitive impairment and are significant health, economic and social problems for those affected. The mechanisms causing neurocognitive disorders in people with HIV are unclear, but likely involve both viral persistence in the brain and ongoing immune activation and inflammation which persists despite ART treatment. \r\n\r\nThe HIV viral reservoir consists of both intact replication competent proviral HIV as well as incomplete and defective proviral genomes. We recently demonstrated that the brain of people with HIV who were virally suppressed with antiretroviral therapy harbour a HIV reservoir of both intact and defective proviruses. The contribution of defective HIV proviruses to HIV-associated brain pathogenesis is unclear. Understanding the role of defective proviruses in driving CNS pathology will better inform treatment options for people living with HIV and improve brain health.\r\n\r\nIn this project students will utilise a large cohort of human brain and peripheral tissue samples from people who died with HIV to identify and characterise defective proviral genomes. Using highly innovative and novel imaging techniques the impact of viral genomes on the local cellular environment will be defined.\r\n\r\nFindings from this study will provide novel insight into the ability of defective HIV proviruses to contribute to CNS pathology.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320705 (80%)\r\n320211 (20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Melissa Churchill, Thomas Angelovich","title":"Defining the effect of HIV\/SIV reactivation in the brain following interruption of antiretroviral therapy","description":"Despite successful viral suppression with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain a major clinical problem affecting ~40% people with HIV. These syndromes lead to cognitive impairment and are significant health, economic and social problems for those affected. The mechanisms causing neurocognitive disorders in people with HIV are unclear, but are likely caused by both viral persistence in the brain and ongoing immune activation and inflammation which persists despite ART treatment. Furthermore, viral rebound during interruption of therapy may induce reactivation of viral reservoirs contributing to disease pathogenesis. Understanding the role of viral persistence and rebound in the brain will better inform treatment options for people living with HIV and improve brain health.\r\n\r\nIn this project students will utilise a large cohort of human brain and peripheral tissue samples from people who died with HIV to determine the role of persistent inflammation and\/or viral persistence in cellular activation in the brain. Students will also utilise a cohort of brain tissue from non-human primate samples infected with the SIV model of HIV. \r\n\r\nHighly innovative and novel techniques such as multicolour immunofluorescence, DNA\/RNAscope, droplet digital PCR and laser capture microdissection will elucidate the cell-specific mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of viral infection\/viral rebound as well as the persistence of HIV\/SIV in the brain. Findings will also be paired with those from peripheral tissue samples to identify the cumulative effect of HIV and associated inflammation throughout the body.\r\n\r\nFindings from this study will provide novel insight into the ability of HIV\/SIV to rebound following therapy interruption and may guide appropriate antiretroviral and adjunctive treatment decisions to reduce the risk of adverse neurocognitive health outcomes in this population.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320705\r\n320211\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Pradip Deb","title":"Advancing dosimetric precision in gamma knife radiosurgery treating brain tumours","description":"Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is a highly effective and precise technique used to treat brain tumours and disorders. However, achieving dosimetric precision is critical both for patient outcomes and for minimising any side effects. This challenge becomes noticeable when dealing with brain tumours, where the complexities of heterogeneous media can impact the dose distribution [1]. Dosimetric precision depends on the ability to accurately model the interactions of radiation amidst a region of interest surrounded by different densities, such as bone and air cavities. Addressing this critical issue is necessary to achieve an accurate delivery of radiation dose to the target volume and to capture the dose spillage outside the prescription isoline.\r\n\r\nGeant4 is a toolkit for Monte Carlo simulations that allows for detailed modelling of how gamma radiation interacts with different types of materials, helping us fully understand the radiation transport pathway. It enables users to model the Gamma Knife Perfexion system and simulate the inhomogeneous media leading to the assessment of any dosimetric uncertainties [1, 2]. \r\n\r\nThis study focuses on modelling the Gamma Knife Perfexion system and conducting a detailed study of the dosimetric uncertainties associated with current dose computation methods, as well as on developing methods to minimise dosimetric uncertainties for tumours in close proximity to the bone and air cavities. This will enable the development of an improved and validated model that is likely to improve the treatment outcomes for brain tumour patients and advance the field of stereotactic radiosurgery.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Choi, H. J., Chung, H.-T., Sohn, J. W., & Min, C. H. (2018). Independent dose validation system for Gamma Knife radiosurgery, using a DICOM-RT interface and Geant4. Physica Medica, 51, 117-124.\r\n[2] DA\u011eLI, \u00d6., TANIR, A. G., & G\u00f6khan, K. (2021). Analysis of radiation dose distribution Inhomogenity effects in Gamma Knife radiosurgery using Geant4. Politeknik Dergisi, 25(1), 59-64.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Steven Bozinovski, Ross VlahoS, Hao Wang, Stavros Selemidis, Maggie Zhai (SoS)","title":"Developing novel lipid nanoparticles that target pathogenic macrophages in lung diseases","description":"Chronic lung diseases such as COPD, lung fibrosis, severe asthma and lung cancer represent a major global health burden as there is a lack of effective therapies to prevent early morbidity and death. A hallmark feature of many chronic lung diseases is dysregulated immunity and inflammation, where distinct lung macrophage populations become prominent. We are in an era of rapid biotechnological advances, where global and single cell RNA sequencing are revealing an unprecedented insight into disease mechanisms. It is now evident that transcriptionally distinct macrophage populations emergence in chronic lung diseases. For example, a protease called MMP12 is frequently elevated in pathogenic macrophage populations that accumulate in many chronic lung diseases, thus representing a potential therapeutic target. \r\n\r\nThe development of novel therapies for chronic lung disease sufferers has been hampered by lack of cellular specificity and off-target molecular effects. We aim to address this major hurdle by developing lipid nanoparticles that preferentially and efficiently target lung macrophages. Lipid nanoparticles have proven to be excellent nanocarriers for nucleic acids and we will encapsulate interfering RNA molecules directed against MMP12. This is a unique approach to reducing MMP12 levels in pathogenic lung macrophages, with the potential to markedly alter disease outcomes. The successful PhD candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team within the Centre for Respiratory Science & Health and develop high levels skills in pre-clinical mouse models, flow cytometry, nanomedicine, RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103\tRespiratory diseases  100%\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien, Daryl Wilding-McBride, Clare Smith, Moshi Geso","title":"Developing 5D Imaging Technologies in Radiation Therapy","description":"With the introduction of cardiac radiation ablation, there is a growing need to account for cardiac motion in addition to respiratory motion during radiation therapy treatments.  This motion management involves being able to image the heart as it beats, and the patient breathes (commonly referred to as 5D imaging) which is currently not possible.\r\n\r\nIn this project, we will develop new techniques to take existing 4D scans and generate 5D scans for use in patient positioning for both cancer treatment and cardiac radiation ablation. The project will involve a combination of image processing, to extract cardiac motion, image reconstruction and the analysis of the clinical impact of the improved treatment accuracy on patient outcomes.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111208 Radiation Therapy (50%) 010303 Optimisation (25%) 029903 Medical Physics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien, Daryl Wilding-McBride, Ruwan Tennakoon and Alireza Bab-Hadiashar (both from Engineering will co-supervise)","title":"Detecting prostate cancer for radiotherapy treatments using deep learning approaches","description":"In radiotherapy there is clinical benefit in boosting the radiation dose to regions of the prostate that are known to have cancer.  Unfortunately, this can be a challenging and time-consuming process.  In this project we aim to use deep learning techniques to identify the location in the prostate with cancer for improved patient treatments. \r\n\r\nThe project will involve working with our clinical partners in Barwon Health to ensure that the project has strong and well-defined clinical endpoints and utility.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Medical Physics (510502) 50%, Radiation Therapy (321110) 30%, Medical Devices (400308) 30%."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith, Moshi Geso","title":"Detailed model of ionization chamber response in radiotherapy applications","description":"Radiation dosimetry in radiotherapy is most commonly performed using ionization chambers such as the Farmer chamber. While these detectors are well characterized in many instances, there are features of their response that remain unexplained, and which become important when the chambers are used in non-standard radiation beams \u2013 for example small beams, high dose-rate beams, beams with unusual energy spectra or angles of incidence, or beams in media other than water. \r\nThe project aims to produce a model of a specific ionization chamber which includes enough detail to reproduce the response with enough fidelity to be able understand the cause of the behaviour. Such behaviours include a shift in the effective centre of the chamber when close to a source, the relative energy response in kilovoltage radiation, and the contribution of the stem and the cable when these are irradiated in addition to the sensitive volume.\r\nThe model will make use of existing Monte Carlo codes (for example, EGSnrc) to simulate radiation transport, and will involve creating the chamber geometry and calculating the chamber response for different radiation beams. The chamber response will be measured and compared to the model. The opportunity exists to design new experiments (such as performing measurements under vacuum or on the Australian synchrotron) to test the model.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 70%\r\n511001 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith, Robin Laycock","title":"Using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess long-term neurocognitive effects of concussion in female athletes.","description":"Much work has been done on the impact of contact sports on male athletes, with detailed neuroimaging studies completed, and structural abnormalities consistent with repetitive brain injuries identified. To-date, only a few studies have focused on female athletes involved in contact sports, and this work indicates that there are noted differences in neuro-function, metabolic changes occurring and recovery, which suggests gender may impact brain trauma and recovery.  \r\nGiven the rapid evolution of women\u2019s sport and locally the Australian Football League Women\u2019s division (AFLW), studies examining female athletes involved in contact sports are of importance. Therefore, we aim to examine the neuro-impact of concussion events on female athletes who play contact sports. Using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), and eye tacking technology combined with neurocognitive testing we will examine the effects of trauma on the brain, specifically the long-term neurocognitive effects and one\u2019s recovery. This work will be vital in our ongoing understanding of concussion and head trauma for females and help to provide a point of comparison to male athletes. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320999 25%\r\n520203 75%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health and Biomedical Sciences","programcode":"MR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andrew Kilgour, Renee French","title":"Management techniques for difficult patient presentations in medical imaging","description":"Research Objectives\n\u2022\tTo explore the challenges that radiographers encounter when imaging difficult patients and to identify strategies that could be implemented to improve overall patient-centred care.\n\u2022\tTo examine the main causes of challenging patient presentations in medical imaging, such as psychological, physiological, and technical obstacles.\n\u2022\tTo assess the efficacy of current techniques and strategies for handling difficult patient presentations.\n\u2022\tTo develop new approaches that put forward creative ideas for boosting medical imaging quality in difficult situations, lowering anxiety, and increasing patient participation.\n\u2022\tTo investigate how patient education and communication could be beneficial to manage challenging imaging situations.\n","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-01-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320206 Diagnostic Radiography (80%)\n390305 Professional education and training (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"MR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Doa El-Ansary","title":"Active engagement in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease: AUSMED Plus trial","description":"Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of disease burden and death in the Australian population and represents a global health care crisis. Chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation is recognized as an underlying pathophysiological cause of coronary heart disease (CHD). The adoption of a Mediterranean Diet has been reported to be cardioprotective and in non-Mediterranean people has been associated with good adherence and a reduction in high sensitivity interlukin-6 (hs-IL-6) involved in inflammation. Moderate intensity resistance exercise is safe and effective in improving risk factor parameters associated with CVD as well as quality of life, physical capacity, sleep, anxiety and cognitive function.\nThe AUSMED Plus Heart Trial is a multisite randomized controlled trial that will evaluate the efficacy of a  Digital Multidisciplinary solution targeting a mediterranean diet, physical activity, psychological wellbeing, sleep, stress management and avoidance of risky substances verses \"standard care\". Importantly this trial provides evidence based equitable health care across the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine for secondary prevention of CVD in the Australian health care setting. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320101 Cardiology (incl. Cardiovascular disease) 40%; 420309 Health Management (30%); 320299 Clinical Science (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"MR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andrew Kilgour, Clare Smith","title":"Evaluation of Medical Radiation undergraduates\u2019 clinical interactions with difficult patients ","description":"This project aims to look at the current situation in Medical Radiation Undergraduates during their Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements at clinical centres in Australia and understand the likelihood and impact of difficult encounters with patients and their families. Specifically, we are addressing instances of inappropriate comments and touching, dealing with drug and alcohol affected patients, mentally unwell patients, and racial or religious discrimination. \r\nThis study aims to complete a literature review, and produce a qualitative survey, which will be distributed to our current undergraduate medical radiations\u2019 cohort, and anonymously completed. The results are to be coded and analysed, and differences in responses between each stream also evaluated i.e., differences in encounters between nuclear medicine, medical imaging, and radiation therapy students. As well, we aim to use these findings to better equip our students with the necessary tools to navigate these issues if they arise and instil confidence in their responses to various situations.\r\nFinally, we plan to extend this research and examine other potentially difficult relationships that are faced by our students when completing their WIL placements, namely site and supervisor issues, and the impacts on learning.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"61501"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237\/ DR236\/DR238\/ MR236\/ MR237\/ MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh\/ Shanmuga Sundar Dhanabalan\/ Haytham Fayek","title":"Technology in Concussion management","description":"During play and training players experience repeated head impacts from contact with the ball, other players, the ground or objects. These cause the brain to move rapidly within the skull and can cause concussion, defined as \u201calteration in brain function, caused by an external force\u201d. Identifying the frequency and magnitude of that impact during the game and training is important for concussion management. The use of sensors technology was suggested to detect possible concussions during the game that would not otherwise receive evaluation. Accelerometer embedded in mouthguard was shown to be effective, but more research on other possibilities such as small patch IMU sensor behind the ear may be other option, specifical in sport where players do not use mouthguard.\nFurthermore, knowing when to safely return to sport following concussion is another important pilar in concussion management. Current post-concussion decision making lacks accurate and timely evidence-based diagnosis technology and are sub-optimal in determining a safe duration for \u2018return-to-play\u2019. Clinical decisions on return-to-play eligibility are currently not sensitive at capturing brain changes days and weeks after concussion. We developed targeted technology, a nexus of cloud software bundle with smartphone sensors and App allowing clinicians to remotely and objectively measure balance while sharing and monitoring progression in a linkage cloud databank. Balance dysfunction, which persists long after the initial symptoms have resolved, is a hallmark feature of concussion management to identify readiness to return-to-play.\n\nThis proposed project will: 1) develop and validate sensor to monitor head impact during training and game, 2) explore the use of remote assessment technology to objectively monitor postural balance following concussion to identify safe time to return to play, and 3) develop predication AI models to identify risk to concussion and safe time to return to play.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics, 25%\n420302 Digital Health, 25%\n420311 Health systems, 15%\n420109 Rehabilitation, 20%\n400906 Electronic sensors, 15%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Pranata","title":"NeuroUltrasound: Innovative Technology Networks and Application in Neurosurgery for Best Practice","description":"This PhD project aims to revolutionise post-operative brain monitoring by developing AI-enhanced real-time ultrasound (RTUS) imaging for adult neurosurgery. RTUS is a valid and reliable imaging modality that is non-radiative, non-invasive and importantly provides data in real-time pertaining to bone, skeletal muscle and the body systems affording timely medical and health professional management of pathology. This research will explore the correlation between Brain CT scans and RTUS images, with the aim of developing machine learning algorithms to enhance RTUS image acquisition and resolution The focus is to develop a screening system that classifies RTUS findings as normal (green), potentially concerning (yellow), or critical (red), to triage and inform timely medical intervention and follow-up. This project will partner with industry leaders to offer practical experience and the opportunity to translate academic research into real-world clinical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460299 Artificial Intelligence not elsewhere classified (30%)\n320299 Clinical sciences not elsewhere classified (50%)\n320903 Central nervous system (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stavros Selemidis","title":"How Does Influenza A Viruses Exploit the Host to Enhance Inflammation Disease?","description":"Respiratory viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) cause millions of infections worldwide each year, leading to significant illness and death, especially among vulnerable groups like the young, elderly, immunocompromised, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. The host's inflammatory response plays a crucial role in controlling viral replication and establishing immunity, involving a complex network of various cell types throughout the infection process. However, severe cases of respiratory disease can lead to hyperinflammatory \u201ccytokine storms,\u201d which disrupt the resolution of immune responses and often result in chronic complications.\r\nPattern recognition receptors, particularly toll-like receptors (TLRs), are key to initiating antiviral and proinflammatory signaling in response to viral infections by detecting viral nucleic acids. We hypothesize that dysregulated inflammatory signaling following TLR activation in specific cell types including macrophages contributes to severe disease outcomes. Despite this, the differential processing of TLRs by infected cells and the cell types that drive exacerbated inflammatory responses remain unclear.\r\nThis project aims to elucidate the TLR-mediated molecular and cellular mechanisms by which IAV virus exacerbates inflammation and promotes severe disease. Using cell culture techniques including CRISPR\/Cas9 and in vivo IAV infection models, the PhD candidate will explore these mechanisms through a range of methods, including viral inoculations, flow cytometry, multiplex immunoprofiling, qPCR, RNA sequencing, ELISAs, Western blotting, proteomic analysis, fluorescence microscopy, histology, cell culture, and gene-editing. The insights gained from this research will contribute to the development of novel therapeutics aimed at reducing severe disease caused by IAV.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321401 34%; 320103 33% ; 320211 33%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Sharayah Carter, Rajaraman Eri - Science\r\nBobbi Fleiss - Health and Biomedical Science\r\nGayathri Balasuriya - Health and Biomedical Science","title":"A Prebiotic Intervention for Gut Health in Older Adults","description":"This project addresses the prevalent issue of age-related gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction among older adults, affecting over 50% of Australians aged 65 and above. It aims to investigate the impact of gut health on overall well-being in older adults. Ageing disrupts the delicate balance of gut microbiota, potentially leading to gut dysbiosis (imbalances in gut bacteria composition). Emerging evidence suggests that gut dysbiosis is linked to cognitive decline, social behaviour issues, and stress vulnerability in older adults. By exploring the role of prebiotics, non-digestible fibres that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, this research aims to enhance cognitive function, social behaviour, and overall quality of life in the ageing population.\r\n\r\nAims:\r\n\r\nSystematic Review: Examine existing research on age-related GI dysregulation, gut microbiome alterations, and the effectiveness of prebiotic interventions in improving gut health in older adults.\r\n\r\nAssessment of GI Dysfunction: Assess the prevalence and dietary associations of GI dysfunction in older adults across Australia, India, Sri Lanka, and Japan using a validated GI survey.\r\n\r\nEvaluation of Prebiotic Intervention: Evaluate the effects of a prebiotic intervention on age-related GI issues, cognitive function, social behaviour, stress vulnerability, and dietary outcomes in aged care settings using standardised tests, questionnaires, and biomarkers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321001 - Clinical Nutrition (50%)\r\n320799 - Medical Microbiology not elsewhere classified (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stavros Selemidis, Mark Miles, Steven Bozinovski, Ross Vlahos","title":"Deciphering how respiratory viruses exploit host inflammation to promote disease","description":"Respiratory viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infect millions of people globally each year causing significant morbidity and mortality particularly in high-risk individuals such as the young, elderly, immunocompromised and those with pre-existing respiratory illness. Host inflammatory responses to infection are critical for controlling viral replication and establishing immunity, and these processes are mediated by an intricate network of various cell types at various stages of infection. Unfortunately, individuals that experience severe acute respiratory disease often succumb debilitating hyperinflammatory \u201ccytokine storms\u201d, which impairs the ability to appropriately resolve host immune responses, often giving rise to chronic sequalae. Pattern recognition receptors such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) sense viral nucleic acid and are principal initiators of antiviral and\/or proinflammatory signalling in response to viral infection. We believe that dysregulated inflammatory signalling following viral activation of TLRs can occur in certain cell types and is an underlying factor in driving severe disease. However, it remains unclear how infected cells differentially processes TLRs or which cell types predominantly drive exacerbated inflammatory signalling.\r\nThis project will utilise cell culture techniques and in vivo infection models to unravel the TLR-mediated molecular and cellular mechanisms viruses exploit to promote severe inflammatory disease. The knowledge gained from this project will assist in the advancement of future novel therapeutics aimed at minimising severe disease caused by respiratory viruses. The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to perform viral inoculations in vivo, flow cytometry, multiplex immunoprofiling, qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISAs, Western blots, proteomic analysis, fluorescence microscopy, histology, cell culture and gene-editing.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103\r\n321401"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jennifer Boer","title":"Metagenetic Approach To Analyze Vaccine Immunomodulation in The Elderly","description":"The human gut is a vast reservoir of genetic potential and we are learning more and more how it relates to human health and disease. The new generation of deep metagenomic sequencing, consists in simultaneous sequencing of multiple microbial genomes at once and has provided us with a wealth of information on the composition of complex communities in our gut. As different microbial genomes can result in vastly different phenotypes and functions in our gut, it is critical to understand the genomic variations that characterize the different strains that are present. We are currently working on a large-scale vaccine (DTP and influenza) human trial (n=600) in Tasmania in which we will map, as a world first, how innate immunity and innate training differs in humans based on age and sex, and how this affects responses to vaccines. We will be studying these aspects with a systems biology approach in which we will investigate weather the immunological changes in young and elderly are characterized with changes in the gut microbial composition. Currently big data provided by metagenomics next generation sequening (mNGS) is becoming a key driver for the advancement of precision medicine to personalize patient care. Therefore, to take full advantage of these complex datasets we will use bioinformatics to enable quicker and more comprehensive analysis. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310205"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Giulia McCorkell","title":"Improving Radiation Therapy Services In Ghana","description":"This project aims to develop, validate and pilot a clinical audit tool that evaluates radiotherapy clinical practices in Low-and Middle Income Countries, starting with Ghana. Based on the baseline data collecting using this tool, service improvement strategies will be development and implemented, with the clinical audit tool then used to capture post-implementation data to evaluate post-implementation improvements in service delivery.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4203 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thilini Thrimawithana, Benu Adhikari (School of Science)","title":"Development of herbal medicines for the management of cardiometabolic diseases","description":"Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are major public health challenges because of their increasing prevalence and significant effects on health. Sixty-seven percent of the Australian population over the age of 18 years are overweight or obese which puts them at 3x and 20x greater risk of developing T2DM, respectively. Healthy diet and regular exercise are the first line management for these conditions but are difficult to achieve at the population level, hence the obesity and diabetes epidemic continues unabated. Therefore, it is essential to develop new therapies that can reduce the risk of developing these conditions. Many studies have shown the potential use of plant polyphenols (phenolic acids, coumarins, flavonoids, stilbenes and lignans) for the prevention and management of cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases. However, the clinical use of these natural therapies is limited by the variations in extraction methods, instability against oxidation, lack of high-quality clinical trials, and the lack of suitable formulations that can improve patient acceptance of such therapies. This project will focus on development of suitable formulations to enhance bioavailability of plant bioactives and to evaluate efficacy of such formulations.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321004 Nutritional science \r\n321404 Pharmaceutical delivery technologies \r\n321405 Pharmaceutical sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Pradip Deb","title":"Advancements in EPID Dosimetry for Precise Radiation Therapy Delivery","description":"External beam radiation therapy is a crucial component in cancer treatment, aiming to deliver precise doses of radiation to tumour sites while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID) dosimetry plays a vital role in quality assurance by verifying the accuracy of radiation delivery during treatment. However, there remain challenges in enhancing the accuracy, efficiency, and versatility of EPID dosimetry techniques. \n\nThe major objectives of this project will be to (i) investigate novel EPID dosimetry algorithms for real-time dose verification during treatment sessions, (ii) develop automated EPID image analysis techniques to enhance efficiency and reduce human error, (iii) evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of EPID dosimetry for advanced radiation therapy techniques such as volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy (SABR), (iv) integrate EPID dosimetry with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for adaptive radiation therapy planning and delivery.\n\nThe significance of this project: Advancements in EPID dosimetry hold significant promise for enhancing the safety and effectiveness of radiation therapy treatment. By improving the accuracy, efficiency, and versatility of EPID-based dose verification, this research has the potential to positively impact patient outcomes, reduce treatment-related toxicities, and facilitate the adoption of advanced radiation therapy techniques.\n\nThis project will be carried out in collaboration with the researchers in Petermac Cancer Centre, Melbourne. PhD student will have the opportunity to use the modern linear accelerator and other radiotherapy facilities in a tertiary hospital setting. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Durga Dharmadana, Celine Valery","title":"Exploration of combined efficacy of novel small peptides with chemotherapeutic agents through nanocarriers mediated cutaneous delivery system in skin cancer","description":"Skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell\ncarcinomas) have increased in recent decades with more than 1.5 million\nnew cases estimated in 2022. In 2022, an estimated 330,000 new cases of\nmelanoma were diagnosed worldwide and almost 60,000 people died from\nthe disease. Small peptide-based therapeutics has not been highly explored\nfor cancer treatment, and the development of a novel anti-cancer peptide\ncan open up new avenues for research. Unlike traditional chemotherapeutic\nagents, small peptides offer several advantages, including targeted action,\nhigh specificity, low immunogenicity, potential for combination therapy,\nand versatility in the formulation. These advantages offer a promising\napproach for enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.\nOur proposed approach leverages synergistic effects, delivering agents\ndirectly to skin tumors via nanocarriers to enhance outcomes while\nminimizing systemic effects. The project represents an innovative strategy\nfor skin cancer treatment, with significant potential for clinical impact.\nTopical drug delivery has emerged as a perfect modality for localized self-application with minimal systemic ingress for the management of skin cancers. Advances in topical drug delivery as evidenced by the exploration of nanocarriers and newer technologies like microneedle-mediated\ntherapeutics delivery have revolutionized the paradigms of topical\ntreatment. Nanocarriers can improve drug retention in the skin ensures\ndrug localization in the stratum corneum and protection of drugs against\nchemical or physical changes. Nano-formulations can empower the clinician\nto safely and effectively target multiple therapeutics to resistant cancerous\ntissues. Therefore, we propose the co-delivery of novel small peptides with\nchemotherapeutic agents through nanocarriers mediated cutaneous\ndelivery system in skin cancer.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bobbi Fleiss, Rosita Zakaria, Alice Johnstone","title":"Is perinatal brain injury and neuroprotection associated with the altered biochemical response of polydendrocytes?\r","description":"Poly-dendro-cytes (many-tree shape-cells) make up 5-10% of adult central nervous system cells. When first discovered, it was assumed that\npolydendrocytes were an immature form of oligodendrocytes, the cells that make your insulative myelin. However, we now know that only a small\nfraction of polydendrocytes develop into oligodendrocytes, but we do not know what the other functions of polydendrocytes are. We know that polydendrocytes make and release many different substances that can influence cell survival, growth, and activity, including factors that modulate brain immune functions. In response to injury or insult, polydendrocytes have been reported to make more of themselves and migrate to the injured region. In this way, polydendrocytes seem to have some similarities to microglia \u2013 a type of brain immune cell that our research group has a lot of tools and approaches to study. Much of the little known about polydendrocytes has been done in adults, and not much at all is known about how\npolydendrocytes respond to injury and insults around the period of birth, the perinatal period. Perinatal brain injuries can arise from many\ncauses, including systemic inflammation (e.g., an intrauterine infection, chorioamnionitis), hypoxic-ischemic events that involve neuronal overactivation\n(i.e., excitotoxic) injury mechanisms (e.g., hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal stroke), and\/or preterm birth (i.e., birth before 37 of a typical 40\nweeks of gestation). Perinatal brain injuries often lead to permanent disability and account for around 2.4% of the total Global Burden of Disease, meaning that the social and economic impact of these injuries is very significant. For the most part, we have no therapies to treat perinatal brain injuries and few ways to prevent them. It has been shown that, like other cell types of the central nervous system, polydendrocytes have age-dependent differences in response to injury, so studying them in the still-developing brain may help understand perinatal brain injuries better.\nThe focus of our proposed project is to improve the current understanding of polydendrocytes (also known as NG2 glia) in healthy and injured\ndeveloping central nervous system, including investigating their role in mediating changes in response to common neurotherapeutics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"3209        Neurosciences 40\n3213        Paediatrics 30\n310101        Analytical biochemistry 30"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien, Pradip Dep","title":"Dynamic CT Imaging ","description":"Acquiring 3D images of moving anatomy, such as the heart, is challenging due to blurring caused by the motion. The aim of this project is to develop image reconstruction methods to imaging dynamically moving anatomy and then to optimise image acquisition methods.  In addition to reconstructing dynamic CT images, this project will also explore the feasibility of fusing MRI images into the image reconstruction process for improved soft tissue contrast.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Medical Physics (510502) 50%, Radiation Therapy (321110) 25%, Medical Devices (400308) 25%."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Catherine Itsiopoulos, Denise Jackson","title":"Identifying predictive biomarkers of thrombosis \u2013 the role of the fibrinolytic system","description":"Predicting the risks of thrombosis and bleeding remains a critical challenge in modern medicine. Conventional coagulation tests provide limited information, measuring only the start of clot formation, about 5% of the total process. To address this, global coagulation assays (GCAs) like the Calibrated Automated Thrombogram (CAT) and Overall Haemostatic Potential (OHP) have been proposed as more accurate measures of haemostatic function. CAT assesses thrombin generation, while OHP evaluates fibrin generation and clot lysis.\n\nPreliminary research highlights the potential of GCAs, especially in combination, to predict cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, as well as recurrent venous thrombosis in those with previous venous thromboembolism. It's also crucial to understand how cardiovascular risk factors and changes in these factors influence biomarkers. Evaluating disease and lifestyle biomarkers, such as the intake of anti-inflammatory diets high in omega-3 fatty acids, will be part of this project to identify important relationships.\n\nFibrinolysis has emerged as a key factor in these risk prediction models, warranting further investigation. Establishing reference intervals for these novel biomarkers is essential for clinicians and scientists to accurately diagnose abnormalities. This project aims to:\n\nDevelop normative range data for various GCAs across all age groups.\nEvaluate the relationship between biomarkers, cardiovascular disease, and risk factors, including lifestyle markers.\nRefine risk prediction models for bleeding and thrombosis using existing biobank data.\nImprove and standardize key GCA methods for future clinical use.\nFurther understand the coagulation pathway, particularly fibrinolysis, and its interaction with novel biomarkers like vaspin and extracellular vesicles involved in atherosclerosis and inflammation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"329999        Other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified\n400399        Biomedical engineering not elsewhere classified\n321003        Nutrigenomics and personalised nutrition\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Natalie Borg, Elena Ivanova (School of Science), Denver Linklater (School of Science), Graeme Moad (CSIRO), Ranya Simons (CSIRO)","title":"Developing and Investigating Antiviral Mechanisms of Nanostructured Surfaces against Broad Spectrum of Viral Species.","description":"Due to the recent pandemic, the development of nanostructured antiviral surfaces to combat surface respiratory virus transmission has been of great interest. In this project, we will test a range of mechano-responsive nanostructured nanomaterials that show potential to inactivate viruses. The proposed biomimetic antiviral surfaces are analogous to mechano-bactericidal nanostructured surfaces that have shown robust capability to rupture and kill bacterial cells. We will determine which nanopatterns (in terms of geometry, height, density, and aspect ratio) are the most effective in inactivating viruses viruses that are taxonomically related to SARS-CoV-2 including what known as the chicken\u2019s coronavirus, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and foodborne virus: transmissible gastroenteritis enteric virus (TGEV).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310702"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Guiying Nie","title":"Study human placental development and pregnancy health","description":"The placenta is a transient yet critical organ that develops during pregnancy to nourish and protect the conceptus. It functions as the gut, lung and kidney of the growing fetus while these crucial organs are still developing, hence optimal development and function of the placenta is critical to fetal growth and well-being. In addition, the placenta produces hormones and other factors to influence the physiology of the mother to sustain pregnancy. \r\n\r\nUnfortunately, if the placenta doesn\u2019t develop or function properly, the fetus will be inevitably affected, and pregnancy complications such as fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia arise. However, we don\u2019t know a lot about human placental development. \r\n\r\nThis project will study placental development in the human. The study will leverage human placental stem cells, trophoblast organoids, and placental explants to investigate key processes of trophoblast cell differentiation and function. This project will also explore early detection\/prediction of preeclampsia. \r\n\r\nThe study will utilize techniques such as mammalian cell culture, unique models, immunofluorescence, ELISA, real-time RT-PCR, and latest molecular biology approaches such as the CRISPR-CAS9 technology. The results will provide important insights into human placental development and pregnancy health.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310199\r\n321599"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Steven Bozinovski, Christian Aloe, Vipul Bansal\r\n\r\n","title":"Developing treatment strategies for silicosis, a deadly fibrotic lung disease. ","description":"Silicosis is an irreversible and fatal occupational fibrotic lung disease. The high demand for domestic kitchen benchtops fabricated from engineered stone\u2014typically with >90% silica content\u2014has seen a wave of accelerated silicosis cases occurring in workers exposed to large amounts of silica dust. Alarmingly, silicosis can emerge asymptomatically; and there are no effective treatments or biomarkers to diagnose patients at an early stage. Consequently, radiographic changes of \u2018simple\u2019 silicosis consisting of small lung nodules (<1 cm) can rapidly transition to a \u2018complicated\u2019 disease characterised by large fibrotic masses termed progressive massive fibrosis. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) that reside within the alveolar space are frontline cellular responders to inhaled respirable crystalline silica (RCS). We have worked closely with our clinical colleagues at Austin health to demonstrate that AMs alter their phenotype under the influence of excessive iron levels in silicosis patients. \r\n\r\nIn this project, the successful candidate will work with a multi-disciplinary team to develop novel blood biomarkers using a recently established silicosis blood biobank. Mass spectrometry and raman spectroscopy techniques will be used to quantify silicate in well-defined patient cohorts. Furthermore, pre-clinical silicosis models will be used to evaluate the efficacy of iron-chelators as a novel treatment for silicosis. A broad range of techniques including histology\/IHC, lung function physiology, RNA sequencing and flow cytometry will be applied to comprehensively understand how iron chelators work. Our ultimate goal is to develop a treatment that is ready for the clinic and capable of having a transformative impact on the lives of silicosis sufferers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103 Respiratory diseases (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Steven Bozinovski,  Jonathan McQualter, Hao Wang","title":"Unravelling the role of the liver-lung axis during secondary bacterial pneumonia","description":"It was estimated that the Spanish influenza pandemic caused over 50 million premature deaths. What is less appreciated is that most deaths were caused by secondary bacterial pneumonia (SBP), which causes excessive lung inflammation and injury that can manifest into fibrosis and respiratory failure. SBP refers to events where respiratory viruses damage the lung mucosa and compromise host immunity, leading to escape of nasal bacteria into the lower airways. There is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms that drive susceptibility to SBP and use this knowledge to develop new therapeutics to reduce lung inflammation and injury.\r\n\r\nThe host response to acute infection is complex where inflammatory cytokines produced in the lungs spill over into the circulation and stimulate liver hepatocytes to produce an array of acute phase reactants. An important acute phase reactant is serum amyloid A (SAA), which normally serves a protective role by acting as a bacterial opsonin and chemoattractant for blood leukocytes. We have preliminary evidence to show that SAA levels are markedly increased in a pre-clinical model of SBP. \r\n\r\nIn this project, you will investigate why SAA is excessively produced and whether this response remains protective or transitions into a pathogenic contributor to fibrosis and respiratory failure. You will investigate innovate strategies that target SAA (antibodies, nanomedicines) as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat SBP. You will work with a multidisciplinary team and develop high levels skills in RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, tissue\/bacterial culture, ELISA, pre-clinical mouse models and Western Blotting.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103\tRespiratory diseases (100%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ross Vlahos, Simone De Luca, Steve Bozinovski","title":"Utilising mouse organotypic brain slices to halt cognitive decline","description":"The global prevalence of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases is on the rise, posing a significant burden for individuals, families, communities, and health systems. The occurrence of premature brain ageing is rising, largely driven by lifestyle factors such as diet, physical inactivity as well as poor air quality, including cigarette smoke and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). Microglia play a vital role in monitoring and regulating the generation of neurons and synapses by balancing immature and mature dendritic spines to maintain normal cognition. As the brain ages, microglia transition from a surveillant state to an activated state, along with dysregulated phagocytosis resulting in the accumulation of neuronal debris and toxic protein aggregates. Such chronic microglial activation promotes neuronal and synaptic loss and eventual cognitive decline.\r\n\r\nDespite Australia having \u201csafe\u201d levels of air pollution; TRAP and cigarette smoke exposure can cause detrimental lung inflammation and can induce cognitive decline. It is thought that the lungs transmit signals from air pollutant-induced chronic pulmonary inflammation to microglia, leading to their hyper-activation in the brain, triggering cognitive decline. Finding the mechanism underlying this axis may suggest a pathway to halt premature ageing and preserve cognitive function in individuals exposed to environmental pollutants.\r\n\r\nThis project will use organotypic mouse brain tissue cultures and human microglial cells to investigate the mechanism by which lung inflammation induced by air pollutants drives hyper-activation of microglial cells. \r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will be trained in several experimental techniques which include cell culture, immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, ELISA and Western blotting.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320902 \r\n320103 "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos, Bobbi Fleiss, Anita Quigley School of Engineering","title":"Cerebral organoids: precision medicine tools for cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders ","description":"The processes occurring in the brain that lead to cerebral palsy (CP) are poorly understood and treatment is ineffective in preventing or repairing the brain injury that can occur. Babies born preterm or growth restricted are at greater risk of sustaining brain injury that can subsequently lead to the development of CP. Animal models of preterm brain injury have been established and the pathology of the brain injury has been well characterised. However, despite this there are no widely available treatments to prevent or correct the brain injury.\r\n \r\nBrain organoids created using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from people with autism, epilepsy, Parkinson, and Alzheimer\u2019s disease are being used to study mechanisms underpinning brain dysfunction, and to screen potential patient-specific therapies. Therefore, we will adopt this approach to study specific mechanisms associated with brain development and injury in CP. \r\n\r\nIn this project, for the first time, we will generate brain organoids using iPSCs derived from the blood of infants at high-risk of CP due to preterm birth (in collaboration with Prof Atul Malhotra, Early Neurodevelopment Clinic, Monash Children\u2019s Hospital). We will also generate brain organoids using commercially available iPSCs derived from individuals with no known brain disorder. Brain organoids will be grown, and we will study their structure and function to identify the neural mechanisms that may contribute to the development of CP, with the intention of establishing a tool for future therapeutic testing. Throughout this project you will learn fundamental molecular research techniques including cell culture, immunofluorescence, and microscopy.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310102 Regenerative Medicine (incl. stem cells) 35%\r\n320903 Central Nervous System 35%\r\n321501 Foetal development and medicine 30% "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stella Liong, Stavros Selemidis (45%), Ross Vlahos (10%)","title":"The viral origins of cardiovascular disease in women","description":"Cardiovascular health during pregnancy governs the future risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. Respiratory viral infections such as influenza A virus (IAV) can cause cardiovascular complications during pregnancy, which have so far been an under recognised contributing factor to CVD. Our research group has shown that a major IAV disease process during pregnancy is the development of a \u201cvascular storm\u201d, characterised by excessive vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. It is thought that the physiological changes in immunity and cardiovascular adaptations that occur during pregnancy drives this increased vulnerability to respiratory viral infections. Although the acute effects of gestational IAV infection on maternal health have been well characterised, the long-term effects, particularly on the cardiovascular system is poorly understood. Furthermore, therapeutic interventions that can control viral-induced cardiovascular events during pregnancy could improve future cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, classical antihypertensive drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy due to foetal toxicity. Thus, new therapeutics which are safe during pregnancy and can reverse maternal cardiovascular complications will represent a new paradigm in therapeutic interventions to prevent future CVD risk. One candidate drug is aspirin, which we have shown to prevent viral dissemination into the peripheral vasculature and reverse viral-induced endothelial dysfunction during the acute stage of the infection. The aim of this project is to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the cardiovascular system during gestational IAV infection and how they contribute to the development of CVD later in life. The PhD candidate will also assess the efficacy of aspirin treatment during gestational IAV infection to prevent CVD risk later in life. The PhD candidate will have opportunities to learn how to perform viral inoculations in vivo, generate hypertensive mouse models, flow cytometry, multiplex profiling, immune cell depletion, adoptive transfer, qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISAs, Western blots, fluorescence microscopy, histology, and wire myography.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103 Respiratory diseases\r\n320101 Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases)\r\n320211 Infectious diseases\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stella Liong, Stavros Selemidis (45%), Ross Vlahos (10%)","title":"Respiratory infections in early life","description":"Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to respiratory infections during early life is associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders including cognitive impairment and schizophrenia in the offspring. Our research has shown that influenza during pregnancy is associated with neurocognitive impairments that resemble schizophrenia in mice, despite no direct viral infection to the offspring. Studies have also shown that prenatal vaccination against influenza virus to protect against atypical offspring behaviour. Recently, the gut microbiota has been shown to impact healthy neurodevelopment in the offspring through immune and neuronal crosstalk with the brain. Studies have shown that respiratory viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can modify the gut microbiota even in the absence of detectable virus in the gut. However, not all children who contract respiratory viral infections go on to develop neurodevelopmental disorders later in life. This suggests that there may be a cohort of susceptible children who are most at-risk of developing neurocognitive impairment following early life viral exposure. This project aims to: 1) elucidate the role of common respiratory viral infections (IAV, RSV, rhinovirus) during early life and how that affects neurodevelopment by assessing behaviour and immunological and neurological parameters in the brain and gut of mice; and 2) determine whether exposure to viral infections in utero (first hit) increases susceptibility to early life virus induced (second hit) cognitive impairment in adulthood. This study will unravel the impact of common respiratory viral infections during early life on healthy neurodevelopment in adulthood. The PhD candidate will have opportunities to learn how to perform viral inoculations, behavioural assessment in mice, flow cytometry, multiplex profiling, immune cell depletion, adoptive transfer, microbiome analysis, qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISAs, Western blots, fluorescence microscopy, and histology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103 Respiratory diseases\r\n320211 Infectious diseases\r\n320999 Neurosciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Apriliana Kartikasari\nExternal supervisors:\r\nShekhar Kumpta (Northern Health Hospital)\r\nPrahlad Ho (Northern Health Hospital)","title":"Thrombosis and coagulation: an enigma","description":"Thrombosis leading to complications such as cardiovascular disease remains the largest Global cause of mortality and morbidity. A major challenge is the lack of effective personalized biomarkers to predict thrombosis risk. In this project at the Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology (TIN) Theme, well curated patient plasma biobanks with collaborators and co-supervisors at the Northern Experimental Centre for Thrombosis and Research (NECTAR) Centre, at Northern Health Hospital will be explored using the latest molecular technologies, (including but not restricted to epigenetics, molecular spectroscopy, genomics) to help address this gap.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310504 (40%)\n310109 (40%)\n329407 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dr Bobbi Fleiss, A\/Prof Mary Tolcos, Dr Alice Johnstone ","title":"Regeneration of the brain following neonatal stroke","description":"This project will increase our knowledge of how we can use bioengineered hydrogels to repair the brain after neonatal stroke and explore the innate abilities of a species with regenerative abilities to uncover novel avenues for improving on our therapeutic strategies. \n\nStudy 1. Efficacy of a delayed hydrogel therapy for treating neonatal stroke in the rat. Current work shows the efficacy of a hydrogel deposited into the core of the lesion at 24-hours post-injury.  The hydrogel is constructed of a laminin peptide backbone, functionalised with an anti-inflammatory seaweed (Fucoidan) and a cell death inhibitor isolated from the Funnel Web spider (Hi1a). Additional work is needed on the delivery of the hydrogel at 3-days and 7-days post-injury as the delayed time points are clinically relevant. \n \nStudy 2. Develop a model of neonatal stroke in the Spiny Mouse (SpM) to explore the innate regenerative abilities in this species.  Data from our lab in the adult SpM show remarkable abilities of these animals to repair adult brain injury, and other groups have reported similar findings in other organs from this species. \n\nStudy 3. Comparison of the responses of ex vivo glia in the rat and SpM. We know the brains can repair better in the SpM, we wish to explore how. We will use culture microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes from the rat and SpM neonates and adults. Using established paradigms for immune activation and injury ex vivo we will measure markers of immune activation and differentiation, and undertake RNAseq in groups of interest. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"26\/07\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320606        Regenerative medicine (incl. stem cells) (30%) ; 321302        Infant and child health (40%) ; 490502 Biostatistics (15%) ; 310202 Biological network analysis (15%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sarah J. Spencer, Elisa Hill, Blanca del Rosal Rabes. School of Science","title":"Visualising gut immune cells as a window into gut health","description":"Gastrointestinal (GI) macrophages are known to be essential for combatting GI pathogens, as well as regulating GI motility under healthy conditions. However, it is not clear if these roles differ at different developmental stages of life or under different disease conditions to affect the execution of these roles. Life-stage, diet, and disease-specific changes in GI macrophages may reveal important context-dependent targets for amplifying immune efficiency and optimising GI motility. Additionally, such context-dependent changes could also be used as a unique biomarker for GI health. Published data indicate that macrophages are highly autofluorescent and this natural autofluorescence (AFL) could be used to reveal GI immune changes without the need for additional dyes. We will therefore characterise immune cell profiles and autofluoresence at different life stages and under varying disease conditions.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320407 (50%); 320999 (50%); "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos","title":"A novel antenatal therapy to correct neurological deficits in fetal growth restriction.","description":"Fetal growth restriction (FGR) occurs in 5-10% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. FGR is defined as the failure of the fetus to reach its genetic growth potential and can occur when there is an inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus because of poor placental function. Surviving growth\u2013restricted babies can have abnormal brain development and an increased risk of learning difficulties, intellectual and cognitive deficits, motor deficits, cerebral palsy and autism. \n\nWe have identified a novel thyroid hormone analogue that can potentially repair brain injury and reduce the morbidity associated with FGR. The aim of this project is to determine whether antenatal treatment with a novel thyroid hormone analogue will repair brain injury and improve long-term neurobehavioural dysfunction following FGR.\n \nThis project will use a guinea pig model of FGR where we ligate the uterine artery at mid-pregnancy to restrict blood flow and nutrient supply to fetuses. Controls are generated from pregnancies where the uterine artery is not ligated. We will then treat dams (ligated and non-ligated) with either vehicle or the thyroid hormone analogue. The fetal brains will then be collected and assessed using histological, immunohistochemical and molecular techniques. Separate cohorts of offspring (control, FGR, treated, un-treated) will be grown to adolescence and assessed using a suite of neurobehavioral tests. By the end of their candidature students will have expertise in small animal surgery and handling, neurobehavioural assessment, tissue collection, processing and sectioning, histology, immunohistochemistry, qPCR, image analysis, data analysis, interpretation, statistics and scientific writing.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"329093 Central nervous system (50%) ; 321501 Foetal development and medicine (25%) ; 321301 Adolescent Health (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Paul Wright","title":"Evaluating the dietary safety of Australian native foods","description":"As interest in Australian native products continues to grow world-wide, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are striving to be industry leaders in the production of their traditional foods that are being developed for commercial markets. To successfully gain market approval both within Australia and globally, food regulatory authorities require at least a documented history of safe use to indicate dietary safety. Moreover, many countries also require compositional analysis and safety data to further support their safe human consumption. However, safety data is lacking for many of these traditional food items and the history that surrounds their safe use has rarely been recorded in written form, but rather passed on through cultural practices and language.\n\nFor this project, the PhD candidate will have a strong desire to build and maintain working relationships with appropriate Traditional-Owners (TOs). The project will involve undertaking original laboratory research to develop safety evidence to support the dietary safety for prioritised Australian native foods. This will include the preparation of food extracts, chemical compositional analysis and nutritional profiling, as well as in vitro toxicity and safety screening tests. While working in collaboration with the National Measurement Institute (NMI) and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), the candidate will gain a high level of expertise in chemical analysis, dietary safety assessments and food regulation. This project will further develop the evidence base on the dietary safety of Australian native foods that are currently being developed for commercial markets, whilst also supporting TOs to achieve their commercial endeavours.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/03\/2028","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111506 Toxicology (incl. Clinical Toxicology) (50%) ; 110403 Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medicine and Treatments (25%) ; 030502 Natural Products Chemistry (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Simone de Luca","title":"Targeting neuroinflammation to treat cigarette smoke- and viral- induced cognitive dysfunction.","description":"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; emphysema) is a debilitating disease characterised by progressive airflow limitation. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD, with an exaggerated airway and systemic inflammatory response 1. This inflammation leads to oxidative stress, small airway fibrosis and mucus hypersecretion. Moreover, individuals with COPD have an increased incidence viral and bacterial infections or environmental stresses (AECOPD). The average person with COPD will experience two exacerbations per year, with 10% of these episodes requiring hospitalisation and an increased in-patient mortality rate 2, 3. It is now recognised that COPD does not only involve inflammation in the lung, but rather a more complex, multi-component disease that extends to the brain, however, the precise mechanism of pathogenesis is largely unknown. We have recently shown that cigarette smoking exerts diverse effects on the central immune system by altering the profile of the brains immune cells, microglia and cognitive function in a cigarette smoke-exposed mouse model compared to unexposed mice 4-6. We propose that the increased inflammation and oxidative stress observed in cigarette smoke-exposed lungs \u2018spill over\u2019 into the brain. We hypothesise that this inflammation and oxidative stress alters microglia, thereby inducing cognitive impairments. The present project aims to investigate whether targeting microglia can improve COPD-induced cognitive outcomes. This project will use validated preclinical models of COPD and AECOPD, and will provide critical pre-clinical data to develop treatment strategies to prevent or slow down cognitive dysfunction caused by cigarette smoking.  This project involves an number of experimental techniques which include immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, ELISA and Western blotting.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320999 Neurosciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rosita Zakaria, Ronda Greaves","title":"The link between breast milk vitamin D levels and the risk of acute respiratory infection in the first year of life.","description":"National data shows that a fifth of Indigenous infants born in the Northern Territory is hospitalised with an acute lower respiratory infection during their first year of life. Several international studies have reported an inverse relationship between cord blood vitamin D levels and infant respiratory infection. \nVitamin D's key role in Calcium absorption and bone mineralization is well described. Also, Vitamin D is required for innate and adaptive immune responses. These may be particularly important in the respiratory tract of the developing infant and perhaps relevant to the relationship between breast milk vitamin D levels and the risk of respiratory infection. Neonates and breastfed infants rely almost exclusively on maternal vitamin D. According to national population surveys, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in Australia ranges between 10-80% in different regions and races. Breast milk is an emerging matrix for vitamin D assessment of breastfed infants and their mothers. It is considered a more reliable indicator of infant intake than the assessment of maternal circulating vitamin D. \nThe aims of this proposed study are to investigate the presence of vitamin D metabolites in the breastmilk, quantify vitamin D levels, and determine whether breastmilk vitamin D correlate with the risk of acute respiratory infection in early infancy.\nHere is the list of research questions; \n1. Which vitamin D metabolites are present in breast milk?\n2. What is the optimum analytical procedure for the measurement of vitamin D metabolites in breast milk?\n3. Do vitamin D metabolites in breast milk correlate with infant\/cord blood\/maternal plasma vitamin D levels?\n4. What are the common decision limits for breast milk vitamin D?\n5. Is breast milk vitamin D level clinically significant?\n6. Is breast milk vitamin D correlated with the risk of acute respiratory infection in the first year of life? \nThe clinical samples will be sourced by external collaborators, and laboratory practices & analyses will be mainly supported by RMIT.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"3205, Medical biochemistry and metabolomics (70%) ; 3213, Paediatrics (20%) ; 4202, Epidemiology (& Biostatistics, 10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stanley Chan","title":"Understanding the \u201cobesity paradox\u201d in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)","description":"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is currently the 3rd largest cause of death in the world. COPD costs the Australian community over $8.8 billion per year and causes substantial morbidity and mortality1. Patients with COPD often suffer from cardiometabolic comorbidities, which increases their risk of death and reduces quality of life2. Prevention\/ reversal of cardiometabolic comorbidities not only is a primary goal in COPD treatment, but also would increase quality of life and survival in these patients2. \nDespite the renowned health risk in the general population, the unusual observation that overweight\/obesity may confer survival benefits in populations with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has given rise to the enigmatic term obesity paradox3.\n\nAdipose tissue functions as a lipid storage depot and plays an active role in cardiovascular health. This tissue may become dysfunctional during the development of COPD2,5, regardless of body weight changes6,7, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Meanwhile, emerging evidence from our laboratory suggests that adipose tissue dysfunction may worsen respiratory outcomes. This highlights that adipose tissue dysfunction and the increased risk of CVD may be present in COPD patients with or without weight issues.\n\nCVD is a common comorbidity in COPD and a major cause of death, and requires specific treatment8. However, CVD risk is often not described in studies of the obesity paradox9. Moreover, CVD in COPD is often underdiagnosis, particularly in the normal\/underweight populations2 resulting in patients receiving no treatment or incorrect treatment8. Despite the recognised association between adipose tissue dysfunction and CVD2, the cause of adipose tissue dysfunction in COPD remains poorly understood. Our preliminary data demonstrate increased levels of oxidative stress in dysfunctional adipose tissue of CS-exposed mice.\n\nThe aim of this project is to investigate whether adipose tissue dysfunction may be responsible for the obesity paradox in COPD. The student will learn several skills including in vivo disease models, laboratory analytical techniques including proteomic array, quantitative PCR, microscopy, histology, ELISA and Western blotting.\n ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320803 Systems physiology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos","title":"Unravelling the potential for mammalian brain regeneration ","description":"Humans, like most mammals, have limited capacity to regenerate tissue after injuries and damage, and this is especially evident in the central nervous system. On the other hand, species such as salamanders and axolotls can repair their brains and other organs, even after substantial damage, showing how evolutionarily divergent they are from us. This limitation in the ability of the human, or mammalian, brain to repair itself has severe consequences for individuals with traumatic brain injury, stroke and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease, each of which irreversibly damage the adult brain, without the potential for recovery. \n\nHowever, enhanced tissue repair capabilities have been discovered in a unique species of mouse, and our preliminary evidence suggest these capacities extend to the brain. This game-changing discovery is an unprecedented opportunity to study how this mammal achieves such remarkable neurological recovery while others, like us humans, simply cannot. Such a discovery has the potential to uncover novel targets that can then be exploited to repair damaged brain tissue in humans.  \n\nThis project provides an enthusiastic and highly motivated student with an interest in neuroscience and regeneration the opportunity to contribute to our world first discovery. The outcomes of this project will extend our understanding the basic cellular, genetic and functional responses that allow the brain of this species of mouse to repair itself. The student will join a team of researchers including post-doctoral fellows, research assistants and HDR students, and will therefore be well supported.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320903 Central nervous system (40%) ; 320606 Regenerative Medicine (40%) ; 320905 Neurology and neuromuscular disease (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Srinivasa Reddy Telukutla","title":"Gold-based drugs for the effective treatment of ovarian cancer","description":"Current treatments for ovarian cancer are largely toxic, and ultimately, ineffective for many patients. A current collaboration between Distinguished Professor Plebanski (Health & Biomedical Sciences) and Distinguished Professor Bhargava (Science) seeks to enable clinical progression for their novel class of gold-based drugs that show superior selectivity and activity for otherwise drug-resistant cancer cells, for the treatment of ovarian cancer (Mirzadeh et al., 2021, DOI: 10.1093\/mtomcs\/mfab039). As part of Professor Plebanski\u2019s team, the PhD candidates will contribute to determining the in vitro efficacy in ovarian cancer cell lines, organoids as well as immune cells from mice and humans. The lead drug candidates will be tested in a novel immunocompetent ovarian cancer animal model; a mouse model created by Professor Plebanski and Dr Andrew Stephens (Hudson Institute) whereby fluorescent labelling of cancer cells allow for real-time study of cancer growth and treatment (Wilson et al., 2018, DOI: 10.3390\/cancers11010032). Efficacy of the gold-compounds will be analysed by advanced live in-vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry. Testing in cancer organoids may further involve international collaborators at Bristol University, United Kingdom and\/or the Hudson Institute, who are leaders in the development of innovate organoids for cancer research. We are also interested in investigating the potential of gold-based drugs to modulate immune responses and thereby effectively contribute to cancer treatment. The preferred PhD candidates will have completed an Honours or Masters degree in immunology, pharmacology, biotechnology, molecular biology or related disciplines. Animal handling experience preferable. Two positions available.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340401 Biologically Active Molecules (25%)\r\n111502 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (25%)\r\n320409 Tumor immunology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos","title":"What shapes our brain? Understanding the processes that drive cortical folding","description":"The outermost layer of the brain, the cerebral cortex, is involved in higher-order functions such as cognition, language, and information processing. Growth and expansion of the cerebral cortex is considered an evolutionary modification of Mammalia and underlies the emergence of intelligence. One fundamental feature accompanying the growth of the cortex is the onset of surface folding, or gyrification - sulci (inward folds) and gyri (outward folds) increase the surface area relative to brain volume and define gross anatomical landmarks on the surface of the brain. The brain of humans and other higher-order mammals is structurally unique, with the cortical folding pattern being unique to the individual, somewhat like a fingerprint. We now have a clear understanding of when and where cortical folds occurs, but we do not fully understand what the basic mechanisms are that drive this process of gyrification. \n The overall aim of this project is to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that drive the complex process of gyrification in the brain. The specific aims are:\n 1. To identify the cellular and molecular drivers of cortical folding during brain development.\n 2. To develop an ex vivo model system for studying cortical folding and brain development.\n 3. To validate key genetic drivers of cortical folding using in vivo and ex vivo model systems\n Students will gain expertise in a range of techniques that may include magnetic resonance imaging and analysis, RNA sequencing, qPCR, organotypic slice culture, gene transfection, in utero electroporation, immunohistochemistry, image analysis, data analysis, statistics and scientific writing.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320903 Central nervous system (70%)\n 310102 Cell development, proliferation and death (20%)\n 310105 Cellular interactions (incl. adhesion, matrix, cell wall) (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nie Guiying","title":"Molecular understanding of endometrial epithelial cells for fertility treatment ","description":"Embryo implantation is a crucial step in initiating pregnancy, yet implantation failure occurs frequently and is a bottleneck in IVF treatment to overcome infertility. The endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) acts as \u201cfertile soil\u201d for the embryo to implant and grow, and during the implantation process the luminal epithelial (LE) and glandular epithelial (GE) cells of the endometrium exert different functions. However, research in the field has largely overlooked the difference between LE and GE, and to date it is not well understood how these two epithelial cell types differ in general and when remodeling for embryo implantation.\r\n\r\nEndometriosis is a chronic and painful condition, affecting ~176 million women worldwide. It is characterized by growth of endometrial-like cells (including endometrial epithelial cells) outside the uterus. On top of incapacitating pain, endometriosis is often associated with implantation failure and infertility, however, the underlying causes are not well understood.\r\n\r\nThis project will investigate the molecular characteristics of endometrial epithelia cells. It will first characterize LE and GE specific endometrial epithelial cells in women without endometriosis using human endometrial organoids and other techniques, and further investigate how they remodel differently in preparation for embryo implantation. The study will then investigate these two endometrial epithelial cell types in women with endometriosis. This project will provide new fundamental knowledge with translation potential for treatment of fertility. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310199 Biochemistry and cell biology not elsewhere classified (50%) \t\r\n321599 Reproductive medicine not elsewhere classified (50%)\t\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dr Natalie Borg, Prof. Stavros Selemidis, Dr Kylie Quinn","title":"The Mental Health Impact of Childhood SARS-CoV-2","description":"SARS-CoV-2 can cause cognitive and mental health damage in adults that lasts at least months after the initial infection. However, the potential for a long-term impact of the virus on children has been largely ignored. Children have proven highly resilient to the cardiorespiratory effects of COVID-19, which may be due to differences in their expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor by which the virus enters the host cell. These same differences in ACE2 distribution may make children highly vulnerable to cognitive and mental health effects of COVID-19 even in the absence of overt sickness. SARS-CoV-2 inhibits ACE2 when it enters the host cell. Our preliminary data show that just a single event of ACE2 inhibition in juvenile (23-day-old) rats leads to lasting anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour that persists into adulthood, and a long-term downregulation of neuronal and glial genes, particularly in the emotion-processing brain region, the amygdala. In this project we will develop this model to assess the effects of ACE2 inhibition across the lifespan, examining postnatal and adolescent-equivalent life stages in rats. We hypothesize that the long-term affective and cognitive damage associated with COVID-19 will be worse the younger it occurs. We will also investigate inhibition of transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), an additional host protein required for SARS-CoV2 entry that is currently being considered as a target to protect against COVID-19. Our study will reveal the potential for COVID-19 to have a critical impact on children, even in the absence of cardiorespiratory symptoms. It will change the conversation on healthcare approaches to children in this pandemic, highlighting the need for preventative and protective measures that consider children as a priority (e.g. vaccines, masking, air filtering). It will also provide crucial guidance on the child-specific risks of using ACE2- and TMPRSS2-inhibitors to treat COVID-19.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310114 = 33%\r\n320903 = 34%\r\n321302 = 33%\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisa Hill","title":"\u200bMicrobial metabolites: effects on inflammation pathways and behaviour in autism.","description":"Autism is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by stereotypical repetitive behaviours and deficits in social interaction and communication. In addition, children with ASD often experience gastrointestinal (GI) problems such as chronic constipation, pain, and diarrhoea that are more frequent and more severe than developmentally normal children. Gastrointestinal symptoms have been correlated to the severity of core ASD behavioural traits.\rSeveral gene mutations are associated with ASD. Many of these mutations alter the connections between neurons and subtly change nervous system function. Like the brain, the gut has an intrinsic network of neurons known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS regulates gut function, including motility, permeability and secretion. It is becoming increasingly clear that gut function is also influenced by the microbial community and metabolites produced inside the GI tract and that modify mood and behaviour via the gut-brain-microbiota axis may provide new therapeutic targets for treating neurodevelopmental disorders.\rObjectives: Elucidate the effects of gut microbial metabolites on: i) neuroinflammation pathways, neurodevelopment and behavior, and ii) GI inflammation and function in mouse models of autism.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"1\/1\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation;","forcodes":"110901 Autonomic nervous system\r060603 Animal physiology - systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geo","title":"A comprehensive study on radiosensitizer nanoparticles in X-ray brachytherapy and charged particle irradiation of brain cancer using Monte Carlo simulation, coupled with radiobiological validations","description":"This project aims:\n To set up a Monte Carlo simulation unit to investigate at the levels of dose enhancements produced by the presence of nanoparticles in radiation targets. Various nanoparticles will be included in this study such as gold, Iodine, Titanium dioxide  and Iridium. It will also broaden the research into various types and energy levels of radiations (x-rays, electrons, and protons). Further research will be done into the effects of particle size.\n Validation of the simulation results using phantoms and\/or in vitro research.\n Investigations on the influence of different dose rate beams on simulation and experimental results, including FLASH levels where dose rates exceed 40 Gy\/sec.\nThorough investigation, including both simulation and experimental studies, to determine the dose outside the fields and the associated detrimental effects on organs at risk during radiotherapy treatments. \nIntroducing an optimal treatment approach for irradiation of brain cancer using radiosensitizer agents.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5105502"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kristine Martin-McDonald","title":"Addressing adherence to nursing clinical prerequisites: Critical Action Research","description":"Australia, consistent with the global challenge, is facing a serious nursing shortfall of registered nurses. Health Workforce Australia (2014) predicted a shortfall of 85,000 nurses by 2025 and 123,000 by 2030. Given how the pandemic has exacerbated the nursing workforce crisis through high attrition rates, these projections would seem extremely conservative. At the undergraduate education level of nursing, students may not adhere to compulsory Work Integrated Learning (WIL) requirements such as vaccination and documentation deadlines. As a consequent students fail their first placement before they even begin. Progression in the program is delayed for up to a year, potentially causing emotional and financial stress. Alarmingly, this delay may increase the attrition from the course, thereby reducing the number of graduate nurses. Non-adherence also impacts the quality and availability of clinical placements, which are finite and difficult to source and last minute cancellations are damaging to the university's reputation. This PhD project aims to investigate the factors that influence the completion of prerequisite WIL requirements by first year Bachelor of Nursing students using critical action research to design, implement and evaluate interventions to enhance WIL adherence and provide best practice recommendations. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"393901 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Sophia Xenos, Kristine Martin-McDonald","title":"Enablers and barriers to the smooth progression through the BN Program in Australia: An Action Research Project","description":"With a worldwide shortage of nurses, the Australian Government is providing incentives to increase the number of nursing students in the hope of boasting the future workforce. However, many nursing students are not progressing through their Bachelor of Nursing (BN) course due to not meeting Work-integrated Learning Passport deadlines and therefore failing their first placement before they even begin. Failure to meet WIL passport deadlines amongst first-year undergraduate BN nurses is on the increase causing emotional and financial distress to students and staff.\r\nThe result is a delay in the student's progression for between six and twelve months with a high possibility of attrition in the first year of study.  The impact is also felt in hospitals and universities as clinical placements are increasingly difficult to source, with last-minute cancellations affecting the reputation of the university. The aim of this Ph.D. project is to find out the enablers and barriers to pre-placement Passport compliance using Action Research to propose possible interventions and make recommendations for future practice and protocols.  The interventions will be on an individual and systems level. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"20 Health; 2003 Provision of Health and Support Services; 200307 Nursing"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Leanne Sheeran","title":"Improving perinatal care: Towards integration of maternal health,  child development and mental health.","description":"In this project, you will focus on exploring and identifying factors contributing to a community based universal integrated perinatal care system.  Maternal,  Child and Family Health Nurses serve a diverse population in Australia with assessments and interventions provided within a community-based model of care. Unanswered questions about how integrated services can be better delivered in the community and evidence of factors that could contribute to scaling up interventions in special populations and settings in the community still need to addressed. Further, the feasibility and acceptability of interventions for women and their families need investigation to suggest better ways to tackle common early parenting concerns, including perinatal mental health conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420504 Mental health nursing 30%\n420505 Nursing workforce 30%\n420599 Nursing not elsewhere classified 40%\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Sonja Cleary","title":"Implementation of OSCE in health professional education.","description":"Incorporating Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) into the curriculum is becoming a valuable and acceptable tool to assess students' clinical competencies. The OSCE was introduced in medical education but has been introduced into many other health disciplines. The purpose of this project is to explore and identify factors contributing to the implementation of OSCE for undergraduate health education. Further, an exploration of the potential of OSCE to assess communication, interpersonal and student development needs will be considered to enhance the partnership between education and practice. \n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390110 Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy 100%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Sonja Cleary, Sophia Xenos","title":"Embedding WIL into health education and pathways for career readiness.","description":"Embedding WIL into health education and pathways for career readiness. \nEmbedding work-integrated learning (WIL) experience in undergraduate education has been increasingly emphasised to advance and enhance undergraduate students' employability.  With the changing demography of universities after covid and the growing popularity of vocational education in Australia, this study will explore and identify factors contributing to successful WIL programs within the undergraduate health program and suggest ways on how this could be enhanced, especially strategies that are needed to connect between High Education and Vocational Education to position pathway and international students well in the competitive employment market. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420599 Nursing not elsewhere classified 30%\n420505 Nursing workforce 20%\n390110 Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy 50%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang","title":"Relationship between prescribing and clinical, humanistic, and functional outcomes in older hospitalized patients","description":"The aging population presents a significant challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. With an increasing number of older adults requiring hospitalization, there is a growing need to understand the complex interplay between prescription medications and the outcomes experienced by these patients. \r\n\r\nCurrent literature has primarily focused on individual aspects of medication use or specific disease states, often overlooking the intricate relationships between prescribing patterns and the overall well-being of older patients during their hospital stays. To address this research gap, this PhD study seeks to investigate the connections between medication prescribing, clinical outcomes (such as disease management and adverse events), humanistic outcomes (including quality of life and patient satisfaction), and functional outcomes (such as physical and cognitive functioning) in older adults admitted to hospitals.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420301\tAged health care (40%)\r\n420314\tMultimorbidity (30%)\r\n420319\tPrimary health care (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Julie Stevens, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Effects of medicines and falls risk in aged care","description":"Falls and fractures are common in the aged care setting. Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, has been identified as a risk factor for falls in older people. Falls can lead to a cascade of physical, psychological, and socioeconomic consequences, significantly affecting the quality of life for older people. Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older people.\r\n\r\nThis project will involve four specific objectives\r\n1. Systematic Review on the Impact of Medicines on Falls in Aged Care\r\n2. Prospectively analyze the occurrence of postprandial hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, and their association with falls risk\r\n3. Investigate the risk of falls and mortality associated with the use of hypertensive medications \r\n4. Investigate the potential association between Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs), hypotension, and falls risk","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420301\tAged health care (40%)\r\n420314\tMultimorbidity (30%)\r\n420319\tPrimary health care (30%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR236\/MR236","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Evaluating AI-Assisted Feedback in University Education Using ChatGPT","description":"The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has led to the development of tools that support students\u2019 learning processes. One such tool is a customised GPT, a generative AI model designed to assist students in essay writing. Unlike traditional AI-based tools that provide direct answers or complete essays, this version of GPT offers structured, rubric-based feedback. It highlights strengths and areas for improvement, aiming to enhance students' writing skills while maintaining academic integrity.\r\n\r\nDespite the potential benefits of AI-assisted feedback, its effectiveness, perceived fairness, and impact on students\u2019 learning remain underexplored. This project seeks to assess students\u2019 perceptions of AI-generated feedback, focusing on its quality, usefulness, and role in improving writing skills. By evaluating the tool\u2019s performance across disciplines and institutions, the research will contribute to the broader discussion on AI\u2019s role in higher education feedback mechanisms.\r\n\r\nThe specific objectives are:\r\n\r\n1. Conduct a systematic review on existing AI-powered educational tools used for student assessment, writing assistance, and feedback generation.\r\n\r\n2. Design and develop a customized ChatGPT model that provides structured feedback based on grading rubrics. The student will conduct usability testing with students to assess its functionality and user experience. They will also compare the AI-generated feedback with traditional human feedback to evaluate accuracy, clarity, and fairness.\r\n\r\n3. Implement the ChatGPT feedback tool in pharmacy courses where students engage in written assignments. The student will collect survey and interview data to understand pharmacy students\u2019 perceptions of the tool\u2019s effectiveness and impact on their writing skills. They will also assess whether AI-generated feedback meets the specific needs of students in professional and technical disciplines like pharmacy.\r\n\r\n4. Conduct a Delphi study involving key stakeholders, including Students (users of the tool); Educators (those who provide traditional feedback); Assessment specialists (experts in grading and rubric-based feedback) and AI ethics researchers (ensuring fairness, bias mitigation, and transparency). The student will engage experts in multiple Delphi rounds to refine the AI tool\u2019s feedback structure, ensuring its alignment with best practices in education. They will then develop a set of guidelines for implementing AI-generated feedback in university education.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390110 - Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy (30%)\r\n390402 - Education assessment and evaluation (50%)\r\n420302 - Digital health (20%)\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thilini Thrimawithana, Leila Karimi, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Improving well-being and job satisfaction of pharmacists","description":"Work-related stress among pharmacists has been recognized as a considerable concern with serious implications for both pharmacists\u2019 well-being and their job satisfaction. It has been recognized that healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, suffer from high levels of stress, with almost 60% of all Australian pharmacists' stressors being related to workplace issues.  \r\n\r\nOur previous research highlighted the negative impact of workload on pharmacists' job satisfaction, and well-being (1). Additionally, we found that job satisfaction correlated directly to pharmacists\u2019 well-being. Coping mechanisms used by pharmacists range from adaptive strategies such as seeking social support, engaging in physical exercise, employing stress management techniques, to maladaptive methods like social withdrawal or substance use. Although, various studies have reported on coping mechanisms, limited research explore the role of these coping mechanisms in reducing work-related stress level or enhancing well-being in an interventional study.\r\nThis PhD proposal aims first to implement targeted coping strategies tailored to the unique stressors faced by pharmacists and secondly to evaluate their impact on well-being, and job satisfaction of pharmacists. This area of study aims to create supportive environments within pharmacy settings, empowering pharmacists to manage stress more effectively and fostering a healthier and more resilient workforce.\r\n\r\nReference:\r\nShahin W, Issa S, Jadooe M, Shmoae M, Yelegin M, Selvarajah S, Stupans I, Dunkley K, Thrimawithana T. Coping mechanisms used by pharmacists to deal with stress, what is helpful and what is harmful? Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Mar;9:100205. doi: 10.1016\/j.rcsop.2022.100205. Epub 2022 Dec 5. PMID: 36506648; PMCID: PMC9719933.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350507\r\n321403"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thilini Thrimawithana, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Enhancing safe use of complementary and alternative medicines","description":"Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs) are widely used by the public presenting both opportunities and challenges for consumer safety. Pharmacists, as frontline healthcare professionals, are pivotal in ensuring the safe use of CAMs. Responsibilities of pharmacists in enhancing safe use of CAMs include provision of consumer education, collaboration with other healthcare professionals to optimise care and reporting of adverse events associated with CAMs (1). However, our pilot studies have indicated that despite pharmacies being the primary source of CAMs, consultations with pharmacists regarding CAM safety were infrequent. Many consumers obtain CAM related information from web resources and general practitioners rather than pharmacists.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding the challenges and barriers in pharmacist-consumer interactions concerning CAMs is important. While existing literature has shed light on CAMs' safety and their potential interactions with conventional medications, a significant gap persists in safe use of CAMs.\r\n\r\nTherefore, this project is designed to comprehensively evaluate the role and challenges faced by pharmacists when advising consumers on safe CAMs usage and to develop targeted intervention strategies aimed at enhancing safe use of CAMs. \r\n\r\n1)\tUng COL, Harnett J, Hu H. Community pharmacist's responsibilities with regards to traditional medicine\/complementary medicine products: a systematic literature review. Res Soc Adm Pharm. 2017;13(4):686\u2013716. doi: 10.1016\/j.sapharm.2016.08.001. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420899 - Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine not elsewhere classified\r\n420317 - Patient safety\r\n321403 - Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ayman Allahham, Barbora de Courten, Thilini Thrimawithana","title":"Developing a novel formulation of carnosine with enhanced permeability","description":"Carnosine is a dipeptide which is available naturally in meat products. Carnosine is gaining popularity due to many studies that associate it with principally with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiglycation, anticarbonylation, calcium-regulatory, immunomodulatory and chelating properties and to the general human health (1) and to improve the control of glucose for diabetic patients (2).\r\nCurrent available products for carnosine are formulated in capsules, tablets or as powder in an L-carnosine or zinc carnosine. Carnosine, as a small peptide, demonstrate short blood half-life due to their susceptibility to enzyme cleavage and rapid renal clearance. Carnosine degrades significantly due to the encounter enzymes in the blood circulation in the blood circulation (3). Therefore, there is a need to formulate carnosine in a matrix that can provide extended protection with enhanced bioavailability (4, 5). A recent review by a group of researchers have reviewed the new formulations of carnosine and its derivative\/modification and their mode of action concluding that these a need to translate these studies to clinical practice (4). One of effective formulation strategies to reduce the renal clearance and to extend the stability of peptides in the circulation is conjugate them with polymers (6).\r\nTherefore, the aim of this project is to develop a new formulation of carnosine-polymer conjugate which can enhance its permeability and possibly can extend the bioavailability of carnosine in the blood circulation. The project aims to compare between the developed formulation and the current commercially available oral formulations in terms of in vitro dissolution, permeability and stability. The project will involve a validated method to analyse carnosine in all formulations as well as in vitro assessment of the dissolution and permeability profile of carnosine from these formulations. \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tCesak O, Vostalova J, Vidlar A, Bastlova P, Student JV. Carnosine and Beta-Alanine Supplementation in Human Medicine: Narrative Review and Critical Assessment. Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1770.\r\n2.\tCarnosine supplementation improves glucose control in adults with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial. Obesity, fitness, & wellness week. 2023:38.\r\n3.\tLi H, Wang D, Li S, Liu B, Gao L. Sustained Release of BSA from a Novel Drug Delivery Matrix - Bullfrog Skin Collagen Film. Macromolecular bioscience. 2004;4(4):454-7.\r\n4.\tBonaccorso A, Privitera A, Grasso M, Salamone S, Carbone C, Pignatello R, et al. The Therapeutic Potential of Novel Carnosine Formulations: Perspectives for Drug Development. Pharmaceuticals. 2023;16(6):778.\r\n5.\tGrasso M, Caruso G, Godos J, Bonaccorso A, Carbone C, Castellano S, et al. Improving Cognition with Nutraceuticals Targeting TGF-\u03b21 Signaling. Antioxidants. 2021;10(7):1075.\r\n6.\tWijesinghe A, Kumari S, Booth V. Conjugates for use in peptide therapeutics: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one. 2022;17(3):e0255753-e.\r\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"321004\tNutritional science\r\n321404\tPharmaceutical delivery technologies\r\n321405\tPharmaceutical sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim, Barbora de Courten, Julie Stevens","title":"Improving post-discharge medication adherence in CALD patients with cardiovascular diseases","description":"Australia is a culturally diverse country with 30% of the population were born overseas. Significant health disparities in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population groups exist compared with the rest of the population, in particular for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. It has been shown that CALD patients with heart failure have an increased risk of rehospitalisation and emergency department (ED) admission. \r\n\r\nPharmacists play a critical role in improving medication adherence and literacy. Pharmacist-led interventions in transitional care have been shown to have a positive impact in reducing inpatient readmissions and ED visits. However, there is a lack of culturally appropriate pharmacist-led intervention to improve medication adherence post discharge for CALD population groups.\r\n\r\nThis project has three aims. The first aim is to investigate the differences in readmission and ED visit 30 days post discharge between CALD and non-CALD patients who received acute hospital care due to stroke, heart failure and myocardial infarctio . The second aim is to co-develop pharmacist-led education tools and post-discharge pharmacy services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients who were discharged following admission after acute cardiovascular events. The third aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of this pharmacist-led education and follow-up service in promoting medication adherence and reducing readmission and ED visits in CALD population groups. This proposed clinical study will benefit the CALD community by empowering the participants to better manage their own health. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321403 Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice (60%)\r\n420603 Health promotion (20%)\r\n420605 Preventative health care (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"PIH - Preventative and Integrative Health","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang","title":"End-user acceptance of an electronic prescription pilot software for dental practitioners in Australia","description":"Background\nIn Australia, approximately 1.1 million prescriptions were dispensed in 2020. Historically, prescriptions were issued using the paper-based medium. However, electronic prescribing has been introduced to help patients to get medications more conveniently and reducing errors that may occur during the transition between prescribers to pharmacists. Currently, the dental profession has not adopted this initiative. This research will aim to assess the end-user acceptance of an electronic prescription pilot software for dental practitioners in Australia. \n\nThere will be four broad overarching objectives: \n\nObjective 1: To investigate the existing literature on electronic dental prescribing in Australia and Internationally.\n\u2022        Methodology - Utilising the PRISMA checklist, a systematic review\/meta-analysis will be undertaken to assess the current situation in electronic dental prescribing. \n\nObjective 2: To assess the current issues that extend to dental prescribing in Australia. \n\u2022        Methodology - Using the CHERRIES checklist, a web-based survey will be conducted to assess the current issues that extend to dental prescribing amongst dental practitioners and consumers. This will lay a foundation for the extent of the problems that stem from adopting electronic prescribing. \n\nObjective 3: To determine the factors required to develop a novel dental prescription software.\n\u2022        Methodology - Using the COREQ checklist, a focus group will be conducted to create a foundation for the novel software used for dental prescribing.\n\nObjective 4: To develop a novel software for dental prescribing.\n\u2022        Methodology - Using a pre-test and post-test methodology. A developed novel describing software will be utilised amongst the ten dental practitioners (prescribing end) and the ten pharmacists (dispensing end). Training will be provided, and it will be implemented for four weeks for them to adapt. Then, a survey will be conducted to determine their acceptance. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (50%)\r\n420308 Health informatics and information systems (25%)\r\n320399 Dentistry not elsewhere classified (25%)\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"PIH - Preventative and Integrative Health","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Barbora deCourten, Associate Supervisor, 30%; Julie Stevens, Associate Supervisor, 30% ; Senior supervisor: Dr Chiao Xin Lim, 40%","title":"Improving post-discharge medication adherence and safety for culturally and linguistically diverse patients with cardiovascular diseases","description":"Australia is a culturally diverse country with 30% of the population were born overseas. Significant health disparities in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population groups exist compared with the rest of the population, in particular for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. This is further complicated by a documented understanding that their cultural beliefs, religious\/spiritual beliefs, negative illness perception and low health literacy can all impact on their overall health management leading to poorer health outcomes. It has been shown that CALD patients with heart failure have an increased risk of rehospitalisation and emergency department (ED) admission.\r\n\r\nPharmacists play a critical role in improving medication adherence and literacy. Pharmacist-led interventions in transitional care have been shown to have a positive impact in reducing inpatient readmissions and ED visits. However, there is a lack of culturally appropriate pharmacist-led intervention to improve medication adherence post discharge for CALD population groups.\r\n\r\nThis project has three aims. The first aim is to investigate the differences in readmission and ED visit 30 days post discharge between CALD and non-CALD patients who received acute hospital care due to acute cardiovascular events. The second aim is to co-develop pharmacist-led education tools and post-discharge pharmacy services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients who were discharged following admission after acute cardiovascular events. The third aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of this pharmacist-led education and follow-up service in promoting medication adherence and reducing readmission and ED visits in CALD population groups. This proposed clinical study will benefit the CALD community by empowering the participants to better manage their own health.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice 321403 (60%)\r\nHealth promotion 420603 (20%)\r\nPreventative health care 420605 (20%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulosc, Bruno Schivinski, Nalin Aranchchilage ","title":"Understanding and Addressing Behavioral Addictions: The Role of Technology in the Modern Digital Era","description":"Behavioral addiction, traditionally linked to substance abuse, now includes problematic behaviors such as excessive gaming, gambling, and other online activities. However, poor conceptualization has led to debates about theoretical models and a risk of over-pathologizing common behaviors. This research seeks to clarify the symptomatic structure of behavioral addictions, track their development over time, and explore how modern technology influences these addictions. The study will utilize advanced statistical analyses to understand these patterns, offering insights into how technology both exacerbates and potentially mitigates addictive behaviors. The findings will inform future diagnostic criteria, evidence-based interventions, and psychoeducation initiatives, with a focus on the intersection of digital media use and behavioral addiction. A 90-day internship with CatholicCare Victoria will provide practical application of the research, bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world impact. By advancing the conceptualization of behavioral addictions, this research aims to enhance clinical practices and support public health initiatives in managing and preventing addiction in the digital age.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulosc, Bruno Schivinski, Nalin Aranchchilage ","title":"Examining the Impact of Digital Media Use Patterns on Teen Brain Development and Cognitive Functioning ","description":"Background: With the increasing use of digital media among teenagers, varying patterns of use are shaping their brain development and cognitive processes. This project seeks to investigate how different digital media habits influence the psychological and neurological development of teens, drawing on data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.\n\nAims: The primary aim of this study is to understand the psychological effects of digital media use on brain development and cognitive functioning in teenagers. By analyzing data from the ABCD study, the research will identify key psychological and neurological factors that are influenced by digital media use patterns, offering deeper insights into this growing area of concern.\n\nMethods: The study will employ advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to analyze the ABCD data, focusing on how different digital media use patterns are associated with changes in brain structure, cognitive abilities, and psychological development. The research will specifically examine the impact of these use patterns on areas of the brain linked to cognition and behavior.\n\nSignificance: This research will inform the development of psychological interventions and strategies aimed at fostering healthier digital media habits and supporting optimal brain and cognitive development in teenagers. By addressing a critical issue in developmental psychology, this study seeks to contribute valuable knowledge and practical applications. Additionally, a 90-day internship with CatholicCare Victoria will provide an opportunity to apply these findings in a real-world context, ensuring that the research has direct benefits for the community.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226\/MR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling","title":"Exploring Relationships Between Cognitive Impairment and Psychological Health Outcomes \nin Women with Chronic Conditions\n","description":"Chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) are considered somatic functional disorders or central sensitivity syndromes, which disproportionately affect women. These conditions present as not only physical symptoms, such as pain, tenderness and fatigue but also lead to significant cognitive and mental health challenges. Previous research has focused occupational functioning, personal relationships, coping, stress and depression. Additionally, some research has demonstrated cognitive impacts of these illnesses. However, the relationship between cognitive impairment and mental health outcomes within these populations requires further exploration. A mixed methods approach would enable a comprehensive examination of how cognitive difficulties (e.g. brain fog, short-term memory deficits and reduced attention\/concentration) and psychological health issues (e.g. stress, emotional exhaustion, and decreased quality of life) interact and affect women living with these chronic health conditions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520401 Cognition (25%)\n520302 Clinical Psychology (50%)\n520304 Health Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling","title":"Vicarious Trauma in Healthcare Providers Working with Victim-Survivors of Sexual Violence","description":"Vicarious trauma (VT) refers to the unique, negative, and cumulative changes that can occur for healthcare providers who engage in an empathic, caregiving relationship with victim-survivors of trauma. Prior research has conceptualised VT within constructivist self-development theory (CSDT). CSDT frames the provider\u2019s response to trauma as a complex interaction between salient aspects of the traumatic event, and the provider\u2019s own personal characteristics, including cognitive schemas and personal beliefs. In particular, healthcare providers who have a personal history of trauma may be more likely to experience VT when working closely with victim-survivors of trauma. The severity of VT symptoms by healthcare providers may be further compounded when working with victim-survivors of sexual violence, as opposed to other types of trauma. While prior research has demonstrated that quality of care can be negatively impacted by VT, it is still unknown whether having a personal experience of sexual violence impacts the quality of care provided to victim-survivors in healthcare settings. Given the higher risk of experiencing VT when working with victim-survivors of sexual violence, a key aim of this research is to examine whether this risk is further compounded by having a personal experience of sexual violence, and how this ultimately impacts the quality of care provided. A further aim is to investigate how VT can impact the quality of care provided to victim-survivors of sexual violence which is essential for developing more targeted and effective treatment strategies for this population and providing necessary support to healthcare providers. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical Psychology (50%)\n520303 Counselling Psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos","title":"Behavioral Addiction and the Role of Technology in Addictive Behaviors: The Sexual Behaviour Example\n\n","description":"This research project focuses on the intricate relationship between behavioral addiction and technology, with a particular emphasis on sexual behavior. The study aims to explore how digital platforms and technological advancements contribute to the development and perpetuation of addictive behaviors, particularly within the realm of sexual activity. By utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the project will examine the psychological, social, and technological factors that influence these behaviors, seeking to understand the underlying mechanisms that drive individuals towards compulsive use of technology for sexual purposes.\n\nThe research will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather comprehensive data, including surveys, interviews, and digital behavior tracking. The outcomes of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into the patterns of technology-mediated sexual behavior and offer evidence-based recommendations for interventions and preventive measures.\n\nA key aspect of this project is the practical application of its findings. An internship has been secured with CatholicCare Victoria, a leading provider of mental health and social services, where the candidate will have the opportunity to apply research insights in real-world settings. This collaboration with CatholicCare Victoria will not only enrich the research process but also ensure that the study\u2019s findings are directly aligned with the needs of the community, enhancing the overall impact of the project.\n\nThis research is expected to contribute significantly to the field of behavioral addiction, offering new perspectives on the role of technology in shaping addictive behaviors and informing the development of effective interventions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Gordon Ingram, Anh Nguyen, Mary Lam, Yang Yap","title":"Mental health risks and coping strategies in Vietnamese medical students ","description":"Students in high-pressure educational careers, such as medicine, can be at risk of mental health problems that adversely affect their studies and continue causing them problems later in life. They are often lacking in effective institutional support that can help them deal with these problems, especially in under-resourced countries like Vietnam. This research project aims to understand the experiences of medical students in Vietnam who suffer from stress, depression, and anxiety due to academic, financial, and social pressures, and provide concrete solutions for helping them achieve a balanced level of mental and physical health. The first step will include longitudinal mixed-methods research to understand the drivers of these mental health problems in Vietnamese medical students. The outcome variables of stress, depression, anxiety, and wellbeing will be measure using scales such as DASS-21, WHO-5, MHC-SF and CSI [physiological  measures too, e.g. wearables for sleep etc.] A wide range of moderating factors will be examined, including lack of economic resources, family pressure, lack of social support due to dislocation, health problems, alcohol and other lifestyle risk factors, time demands, sleep problems, and media use. We will also investigate the coping strategies that students have developed and develop ways of utilizing advice from members of the cohort who cope better with these problems. The results will feed into the development of a technology-based intervention to improve students' mental health, using positive psychological concepts such as self-compassion, gratitude and patience, and techniques such as mindful concentration, meditation and self-regulation.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"525203 Clinical & Health Psychology\n424206 Public Health \n393904 Specialist Studies in Education"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Russell Conduit","title":"Investigating empathy and ambiguous facial expressions: An eye-tracking study","description":"Empathy encompasses the ability to share and understand others' emotions. Empathetic individuals may exhibit a bias in recognising ambiguous emotions, often perceiving distress such as sadness or fear in ambiguous facial expressions. This bias might facilitate rapid recognition of others' pain and promote prosocial behaviour but could also lead to incorrect emotion attributions and affect interpersonal connections and mental health.\n\nThis PhD study will investigate interpretation bias in empathetic individuals towards ambiguous faces with subtle or contradictory emotional cues. The study aims to understand how empathetic individuals perceive ambiguous faces, using emotion recognition tasks, physiological monitoring and eye tracking technology.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520203 Cognitive neuroscience (50%)\n520207 Social and affective neuroscience (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robin Laycock","title":"Mechanisms of Face Processing during Real-Life Versus Online Social Interactions: An fNIRS and Eye-Tracking Study","description":"Faces provide a rich source of non-verbal social cues but have been studied almost exclusively by utilizing static photographs, offering only a limited understanding of how we perceive real faces, which are typically dynamic. This is important because viewing dynamic faces alters our brain activation and visual fixation patterns.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, real faces typically interact with us. How does the act of being involved in a social interaction, rather than passively viewing it, influence what we attend to?\r\n\r\nDespite the crucial role of vision in social perception, we have very little understanding of how our visual attention and associated brain responses are altered when viewing a face on a computer (e.g., during a Zoom meeting) compared with real-life social interactions.\r\n\r\nDo we process faces differently when they are a real-world person in front of us, compared with a face on a computer monitor? The field has overwhelmingly used computer-based tasks to examine face perception, which has limited inferences about visual attention during real social interactions. For example, knowing that a face can see you is a completely different social experience from watching a pre-recorded video of the same face.\r\n\r\nThis project will utilize neuroimaging (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) and eye-tracking to examine face perception in both virtual and real-life settings.\r\n\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\nJack, R. E., & Schyns, P. G. (2015). The Human Face as a Dynamic Tool for Social Communication. Curr Biol, 25(14), R621-634. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cub.2015.05.052 \r\n\r\nLaycock, R., Crewther, S. G., & Chouinard, P. A. (2020). Blink and You Will Miss It: a Core Role for Fast and Dynamic Visual Processing in Social Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Dev Disorders Rep, 7(4), 237-248. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40474-020-00220-y \r\n\r\nV\u00f5, M. L.-H., Smith, T. J., Mital, P. K., & Henderson, J. M. (2012). Do the eyes really have it? Dynamic allocation of attention when viewing moving faces. J Vis, 12(13), 3-3. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1167\/12.13.3","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320907\r\n520207\r\n520203"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos, Bruno Schivinski","title":"Digital Phenotyping","description":"Background and Aims\nMental health has been associated with individuals' use of internet applications, including gaming and social media. For instance, usage patterns in gaming and social media have been shown to provide reliable information about a user's offline mental health, including their current and prospective mental health risk.\n\nMethods\nTo address the limited knowledge in this area, this study will employ a series of tuned and untuned artificial intelligence (AI) classifiers to analyze longitudinal digital media and mental health data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Data in the US National Data Archive.\n\nFindings and Implications\nThe findings are expected to determine whether, and which, AI models can accurately and automatically identify mental health risk cases. This knowledge could have significant implications for mental health assessment, prevention, and intervention.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Leila Karimi","title":"Optimising Attention: A Rigorous Evaluation of Focus Bear App in ADHD and ASD Populations","description":"Background on disease burden of ADHD and ASD\nAttention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental conditions that significantly impact individuals' executive functioning, including attention regulation, task management, and productivity. These conditions pose substantial challenges in academic, professional, and daily life domains, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Despite the availability of interventions and support services, there remains a need for innovative solutions that effectively enhance attention and cognitive performance for individuals with ADHD and ASD.\nIntroduction to Focus Bear \nFocus Bear is an app designed to augment executive functioning for individuals with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Focus Bear provides AI powered tools to manage distractions and boost productivity. Tailored for those with attention-related challenges, it provides a unique solution to improve cognitive performance and daily productivity.\nResearch Proposal Summary\nThis project aims to develop a digital phenotype of inattention and empirically validate the efficacy of Focus Bear on improving attention. The validation process will use objective, data-driven measures, leveraging methodologies like mouse movement analysis and application usage patterns. This approach will not only substantiate Focus Bear\u2019s effectiveness but also contribute to the broader scientific understanding of digital interventions for ADHD and ASD.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"\u2022        200507 and 60% allocation\n\u2022        200409 and 40% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Christine Grove, Alexandra Marinucci","title":"Youth mental health: Exploring treatment preferences and barriers with young people, caregivers and educators","description":"Untreated mental health issues in youth often persist into adulthood, potentially causing ongoing distress, and challenges. Mental illness is frequently under-diagnosed and undertreated in young people. Effective recognition and treatment knowledge are crucial for facilitating treatment-seeking. Mental health literacy, which includes recognising symptoms, understanding causes and risk factors, and awareness of appropriate treatments, is essential for early identification and increased use of mental health supports. However, the evidence of school-based mental health programs is lacking, often delaying or preventing access to accurate knowledge and support. Caregivers, teachers\/schools, and youth play key roles in supporting help seeking, but youth mental health literacy in these groups is not well understood. This research aims to understand key components of mental health literacy among caregivers, teachers\/educators, and youth, focusing on successes, potential harms and program efficacy. It will seek to understand how youth mental health is supported along the continuum of thriving to struggling. It will also explore perceptions and preferences for treatment seeking and identify perceived challenges of school based mental health programs. The findings will inform mental health policy and service implementation.\n\nThere are numerous potential research avenues within this topic to investigate. This research is part of larger ongoing projects conducted by honours, master\u2019s, and PhD candidates. You will join a team of dedicated researchers engaged in the youth mental health field.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"170103 Educational Psychology (60%) \n170102 Developmental Psychology and Ageing (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos,  Bruno Schivinski, DSC|, School - Media & Communication\r\nhttps:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/contact\/staff-contacts\/academic-staff\/s\/schivinski-dr-bruno ","title":"Social Media Cyber-Phenotyping: A Text Mining Approach","description":"Text analyses of social media posts is a promising source of mental health information. This project will use natural language processing to explore distinct language patterns on X and reddit, related to users' self-reported well-being status.\r\n\r\nA sufficient number of social posts will be collected via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) over a period of six months and will be comparatively analysed, considering user behaviour, Linguistic Inquiry Word Count (LIWC), and sentiment analysis. \r\n\r\nUsers with self-disclosed diagnoses\/condition(s) will be classified to facilitate group comparisons via supervised machine learning models\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5203 Clinical and health psychology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226\/MR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling","title":"The role of social media in the formation of political beliefs in individuals with Schizophrenia","description":"The use of social media by politically motivated groups is widespread. In recent years, successful political campaigns have relied on sites such as Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) to garner support from the public. Likewise, alternative politics such as Marxism and nationalism have found space to thrive online. Algorithms used by social media sites to keep users connected have been accused of encouraging extreme ideas, sometimes due to a failure to restrict misinformation and disinformation. Exposure to such content potentially reforms political beliefs \u2013 an integral part of identity formed from socialisation. In the context of schizophrenia, it is now known that individuals living with the diagnosis interact with the internet differently to individuals without this diagnosis. Many of the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia would suggest that an interaction with politics online would be unique (e.g. those living with high levels of paranoia may interact with more conspiracy-related content). \r\nThe proposed study has the following aims (i) to explore the role of social media in forming the political beliefs of those living with schizophrenia, and (ii) to identify the relationship between symptoms of schizophrenia and political extremes, alternative political views, and vulnerability to misinformation. It is likely that this study will find that individuals living with schizophrenia have a unique experience interacting with political content on social media. However, the varied symptomatology of schizophrenia suggests that those whose disorder manifests with different symptoms may interact with politics on social media differently. This would mean that any proposed intervention for harmful aspects of the social media sphere \u2013 including exposure to misinformation - would need to be tailored to specific symptoms. This project will contribute to the understanding of the way in which individuals with schizophrenia interact with the political world with a view to reducing exposure to and belief in misinformation. In turn, this may reduce levels of marginalisation in this socially isolating disorder.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"520503 Personality and Individual Differences\r\n520401 Cognition\r\n520402 Decision making"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, Chris Powell","title":"Psychometric Assessment of a New Measurement of Belongingness","description":"A review of belongingness as a construct is vital, as even after three decades the concept has been described as \u201cbroad, vague and under-theorised\u201d (Ward, 2022). A precise and shared understanding of belongingness will facilitate the operationalisation of the construct as an entity distinct from the outcomes and antecedents with which it is closely related. This in turn may facilitate the refinement of both belongingness-centred theoretical perspectives and practical interventions. This study, therefore, will develop a new measure of belongingness and will examine the main predictors and outcomes of belongingness in work settings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520104 (50%)\r\n520304 (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Predictors of successful retention of new graduate nurses and transition to practice","description":"To meet the worldwide Sustainable Development Goal, the WHO has estimated that the world needs nine million additional nurses by 2030. In the Australian context, our national nursing shortfall has been recognised and is becoming more imminent. This research supports the strategic national research priority area of health by 'achieving better models of healthcare and services that improve outcomes'. The primary aim of our research is to identify and address systemic facilitators to the recruitment and retention of early-career nurses in order to build and sustain the health workforce of the future.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520104 Org psychology (70%)\n520105 psychological methodology and design (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"Predictors of judgement updating in response to political information of uncertain veracity","description":"Voting a politician into power requires people to predict the politician\u2019s future actions based on their current claims. Social media platforms are the most common sources of information both about and generated by politicians. Given that information is not verified on social media platforms in the way that it typically is in legacy media, the likelihood that users are exposed to political misinformation or fake news is very high. This undermines the quality of beliefs that voters form about politicians as well as creating a dubious decision-making environment.\nInterestingly, even when voters learn that claims made by their favoured politicians are false, this does not necessarily undermine their evaluation of their evaluation of the politician\u2019s overall truthfulness. Whether beliefs are revised seems to depend on many factors including the nature of the information that becomes available (for instance, political reputation is more resilient to a moral scandal, such as an extra-marital affair than a financial scandal, such as tax evasion; and whether the information is politicised), new consumption routines and, individual differences. However, a comprehensive model of factors (both individual and interactive) factors that predict whether an individual is willing to revise their initial judgements is yet to be developed. This would promote the development of tailored interventions to optimise decision-making. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"170106 Health, clinical and counselling psychology (25%)\n170202 Decision Making (50%)\n170113 Social and Community Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Research into clinical and clinical health psychology","description":"Clinical psychology focuses on using psychology theory to directly improve the lives of people, particularly those struggling with mental health and wellbeing issues. The clinical psychology research team invite PhD student interest and students with a particular project idea on topics related to clinical psychology research including interventions and improving our identification and understanding of issues around mental health and mental ill health in a range of populations. These topic areas may include (but not limited to) issues around mood and anxiety, adjustment, body image, eating and exercise behaviours, health psychology and clinical innovation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520310 (Clinical Psychology)\n520304 (Health Psychology)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Research into improving the mental health and wellbeing of Australian workers (organisational psychology PhD projects)","description":"This research theme aims to develop research that improves the mental health and wellbeing of workers and workforces. The projects in this theme include research on developing new psychometric scales to assist with better understanding workforce issues and mental health outcomes, investigating areas around psychosocial hazards at work and burnout as well as assessing interventions that specifically aim to improve workers mental health and wellbeing. Students will be able to co-design a research topic on their interest area within the scope of organizational psychology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5201 (Psychology)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Who cares for the carers? Validation of a self-managed AI-based burnout monitoring and\n preventing app among healthcare workers","description":"Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an upsurge in mental health issues among healthcare workers, especially frontline healthcare workers. Despite the proliferation of digital health applications in mental health, research on its use for burnout, wellbeing prediction and prevention in healthcare workers is limited. This research aims to propose an innovative, more accessible healthcare and service delivery model that mitigates burnout. An AI-based solution will provide early prediction of those at high risk of chronic mental health problems and\/or working in stressful situations and\/or remote health settings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520104 Org psychology (70%)\n520105 psychological methodology and design (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Gamers and Avatars: Does a video-gamer\u2019s connection with their game figure tell us about how they are in their real -world?","description":"This study aims to explore different profiles of individuals who engage in online gaming. Use of online games has increased substantially in recent years, as seen especially in younger populations. Over-gaming has also risen, which has multiple negative consequences, such as issues in schooling and socialisation. Additionally, online gaming with the use of customisable avatars can lead to issues in the gamer\u2019s sense of self-identity. This research aims to explore this, through investigating different profiles of gamers based on how they connect with their avatars. Furthermore, mental health and physical health of the user outside the game will be assessed. To achieve this, over 500 participants (12-85 years old) will be recruited to the study. Over 7 days, participants will be given online questionnaires to complete, as well as wearing a FitBit watch to collect data on their physical activity. Additionally, an application will be installed on participants\u2019 phones to monitor activity (screen time). After one week, the Fitbit will be returned, and the app will be removed from participants\u2019 phones. These procedures will be repeated every 6 months over 18 months total.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5203 Clinical and health psychology\n5299 Other psychology "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Karen Hallam, Peter Saunders","title":"Supporting women\u2019s mental health during the Artificial Reproductive Technology journey","description":"This PhD build on a body of research investigating the challenges facing women who are undergoing ART (for example IVF) treatments in efforts to conceive. Evidence indicates that this is a particularly challenging time for women in terms of biological, psychological and social impacts. This research will develop a modularized intervention that supports women during this intervention in a range of areas as identified by women themselves as their challenges. This research project will then require the development and testing of this intervention for a pilot group of women involved in this process.  The goals are to improve the mental health and wellbeing of women going through this difficult time and provide the foundation for a built intervention to be more widely rolled out and investigated.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520310 (Clinical Psychology 50%)\n520304 (Health Psychology 25%)\n321503 (reproduction 25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Karen Hallam, Leila Karimi","title":"Understanding the occupational challenges and support needs of Australian psychologists.","description":"Psychologists play an important role in the Australian health care system in both public and private contexts. Over the past ten years (and particularly during and post COVID 19), there have been many changes to the way we practice and its personal impacts, particularly as the mental health and wellbeing of the community worsens. This project has three goals:\n\u2022\tIdentify trends in workforce engagement, intent to leave the profession and reduced clinical loads in existing government databases to highlight potential challenges for the workforce and healthcare sector.\n\u2022\tSurvey the experiences of Australian psychologists to understand the concerns, pressures and constraints as well as motivators and facilitators that impact psychologists career considerations, mental health and wellbeing. \n\u2022\tResearch the impacts of these pressures on therapeutic parameters including therapeutic alliance, workload, burnout and career interruptions. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"350507 (workplace wellbeing 50%)\n520304 (Health psychology 30%)\n520310 (Clinical Psychology 20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling, Natalie Jovanovski","title":"Fake news or just what the doctor ordered? A psychological examination of how people navigate misinformation in \u2018healthy eating\u2019 social media communities","description":"This project aims to explore how people who occupy \u2018healthy\u2019 and \u2018clean\u2019 eating social media spaces navigate health information and misinformation. Misinformation is rapidly disseminated in online spaces, particularly on social media platforms. Since health-related guidance is most commonly sought online, the potential for negative impacts of misinformation is extensive. False and inaccurate information about health and eating  carries potentially serious consequences that can severely impact quality of life and increase mortality rates. Social media platforms are particularly problematic as special credence is assigned to information shared by one\u2019s  friend network, particularly when it is circulated in the context of closed groups. \n\nConflicting information about healthy food and eating practices abounds on the internet, especially in social media communities relating to \u2018healthy eating\u2019 and fitness. These spaces are often rife with contradictory advice about food, and have been seen to normalise \u2018clean eating\u2019 discourses that  some researchers have labelled disordered. Given that the social media landscape is a powerful place to spread health misinformation, this study seeks to explore how people who occupy social media spaces dedicated to \u2018healthy\u2019 and \u2018clean\u2019 eating practices navigate these spaces. How do they discern between conflicting sources of information, and interrogate the voices of authority underlying these messages? And how do they identify misinformation in these discourses, including the potential risks to their health?  Ultimately, this project will add to the bourgeoning literature in health psychology on misinformation and eating attitudes. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"170106 Health, clinical and counselling psychology (50%)\n170202 Decision Making (25%)\n170113 Social and Community Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling, Natalie Jovanovski","title":"Predictors of sharing and belief in online eating disorder misinformation.","description":"Misinformation is rapidly disseminated in online spaces, particularly on social media platforms. In the context of eating disorders, information is often sought through online support groups and hence proliferation of misinformation often occurs in these forums.  Exposure to misinformation, even on one occasion, can lead to the formation of false beliefs and once formed, false beliefs are difficult to nudge. False and misleading information about manifestations and management of eating disorders can significantly increase morbidity and mortality. Very worryingly, groups that are purportedly support groups (i.e. exist to promote recovery) may actually promote eating disorder-related behaviours, offering weight loss techniques and perpetuating myths such as extreme thinness as healthy. \n\nThe present study has the following aims: (i) to identify psychological and contextual factors that predispose individuals to develop false beliefs about eating disorders and to share eating disorder-related misinformation, and (ii) to develop and deploy interventions to reduce the spread of misinformation.  One mechanism that has been shown to be successful in reducing misinformation spread is debunking or pre-bunking. However, the optimal presentation of debunked (fact-checked) information is unknown and will be explored here by presenting information in different formats. Furthermore, it is unlikely that interventions conform to a \u2018one size fits all\u2019 approach, therefore a further aim is to develop targeted interventions. This project will significantly contribute to the understanding of the impact of misinformation in the context of significant health issues and to the development of interventions to combat the dissemination of misinformation.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"170106 Health, clinical and counselling psychology (25%)\n170202 Decision Making (50%)\n170113 Social and Community Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, Rapson Gomez","title":"Psychometric assessment of a new ADHD screening tool","description":"There is a disparity between the diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as defined by the DSM-5 and the ICD-11. Though screening tools have been developed and validated based on the DSM-5 criteria, no such measure exists for those of the ICD-11. This project will seek to address this shortfall by developing an adult rating scale of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in accordance with the ICD-11, to identify symptomology that warrants more detailed assessment. Additionally, the project will establish the psychometric properties of this new tool, including validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"529999 other psychology (50%)\n520599 social and personality psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, Rapson Gomez","title":"Cross-validity of a new ADHD screening tool","description":"There is a disparity between the diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as defined by the DSM-5 and the ICD-11. Though screening tools have been developed and validated based on the DSM-5 criteria, no such measure exists for those of the ICD-11. This project will seek to address this shortfall by developing an adult rating scale of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in accordance with the ICD-11, to identify symptomology that warrants more detailed assessment. Additionally, the project will establish the psychometric properties of this new tool, including validity, cross-validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"529999 other psychology (50%)\n520599 social and personality psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nikos Thomacos","title":"Unveiling Hidden Norms: Measuring Sexual Double Standards Amongst Young Adults","description":"This study will investigate (hetero)sexual double standards (SDS; Reiss, 1960), whereby men and women are judged differently for the same sexual behaviour, with greater permissiveness accepted for men. Specifically, these standards posit that women are evaluated more negatively than men for engaging in sexual behaviours and are more restricted in terms of their sexual freedom and ability to express sexual agency (Zaikman & Marks, 2016). Upon exploring young people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s experiences with sexual double standards, this study will aim to develop and validate a new scale for measurement of this phenomenon.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"525201 Applied & developmental psychology (50%)\n525205 Social & personality psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Russell Conduit, Marcel Takac","title":"Psychological Drivers Of Gambling-Like Behaviour During Speculative Investment","description":"Online connectivity has made gambling activities more accessible, whilst making new activities aligned with gambling much more accessible. These gambling-like activities include stock trading, cryptocurrency speculation, investment in digital objects such as non-fungible tokens and virtual real estate, speculatory investment in buying and on-selling physical goods (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153scalping\u00e2\u20ac\u009d), and engagement with lottery systems such as loot boxes during online gaming. Within Australia, the growing diversity of gambling modalities has also coincided with greater regulatory freedom for gambling advertising. This has created an environment that can be predicted to increase the prevalence of problem gambling within the community, placing individuals at greater risk of financial disadvantage, strained family relationships, poor mental health outcomes, and diminished wellbeing. Employment loss, criminal behaviour, and victimisation by scam gambling platforms are also potential consequences of the evolving gambling landscape. The proposed project aims to describe post-pandemic patterns of gambling behaviour and to evaluate the extent to which traditional psychological models of gambling remain applicable in the context of wider gambling accessibility and greater diversity of gambling-like behaviours. This will be accomplished using existing psychometric questionnaires and examination of qualitative data. The findings from this project will provide stakeholder organisations with updated data on gambling behaviour within the community, and inform the development of individual psychotherapeutic interventions as well as broader public health initiatives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Karen Hallam","title":"Nostalgia As A Potential Enhancer Of Attachment In Object Hoarding","description":"Hoarding is characterised by difficulties accumulating, storing, and discarding possessions, and results in a significant burden of care. The average age of diagnosis is approximately 50 years of age, so by the time a diagnosis is made, hoarding difficulties are likely to be entrenched. Despite the late age of diagnosis, signs of hoarding are often reported to have been present earlier in life. This provides an opportunity for investigating the personality traits associated with hoarding vulnerability, and for using this knowledge to develop preventative interventions. One personality trait of interest is predisposition to nostalgia, a sentimental attachment to the past. The proposed research aims to investigate the connection between nostalgia and hoarding using approaches drawn from personality psychology and cognitive psychology. This will allow current psychotherapeutic interventions for hoarding disorder to be strengthened and will inform preventative interventions for hoarding.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Simone Mizzi","title":"The Use Of Fashion As An Intervention For Social Anxiety","description":"Many people experience a problematic level of social anxiety that exerts a significant impact on their wellbeing. At a clinical level, social anxiety is able to be diagnosed as social anxiety disorder, and has been studied in connection with traits such as fear of negative evaluation and interpersonal rejection sensitivity, as well as phenomena such as loneliness. It is feasible that fashion may reflect and impact social anxiety, as the manner in which we clothe ourselves constitutes an observable form of self-expression, and may equally be the object of self-consciousness as well as personal empowerment. To date, few studies have investigated the connection between fashion and social anxiety, a fact that the proposed project seeks to address. The association between social anxiety and fashion will be examined through multiple research modalities, including questionnaire measures and experimental paradigms.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Simone Mizzi","title":"The Negative Impact Of Perfectionism On Workplace Mental Health","description":"Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a low-prevalence diagnosis describing a cluster of symptoms reflecting hyper-conscientiousness and perfectionism. Although OCPD is infrequently diagnosed, data on organisational culture and wellbeing across workplaces suggests that perfectionism is a major driver of burnout and life dissatisfaction when combined with unrealistic employer expectations. The proposed project seeks to examine the degree to which personality traits associated with OCPD pervade modern working life and are associated with workplace burnout, whilst also identifying helpful attitudes and self-care behaviours that protect against the negative impact of perfectionist standards. As few non-clinical means of measuring OCPD traits have been published to date, a secondary aim of the project is to develop a questionnaire measure of OCPD vulnerability suitable for large-scale data collection.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, School collaborator: Nursing","title":"Exploring the Effectiveness of transcendental and mindfulness meditation on Metabolic Syndrome: A randomized controlled trial","description":"Comparative study of effectiveness of transcendental and mindfulness meditation on Metabolic Syndrome: A randomized controlled trial \r\nBackground: Metabolic syndrome is one of the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which is the leading cause of premature death globally [1]. Currently available evidence supports that mental relaxation techniques such as meditations have been shown to improve blood pressure, insulin resistance and blood lipid profiles [2-6] .  \r\nResearch proves that meditation has positive effects on brain, autonomic nervous system and inflammatory cells. It has been found that meditation can increase the gamma-band activities, which is related to various cerebral functions[7]. Meditation increases the cortical thickness, more profound in elderly people [8]. Additionally, practicing meditation for a long time can increase the gray matter density of  the lower brain stem region [9]. This area of the brain stem regulates the cardiorespiratory control. These two findings suggest that meditation has cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects [9] along with cognitive, emotional and immunoreactive impacts on regular practitioners. Another study suggests that meditation reduces sympathoadrenal system activation, altering blood pressure and insulin resistance [4, 10]. Apart from that, meditation and relaxation techniques enhance expression of genes [11] associated with energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, insulin secretion and telomere maintenance, and reduced expression of genes [11] linked to inflammatory response and stress-related pathways-mechanism that trigger the metabolic syndrome [12] . Meditation can reduce the subclinical atherosclerosis. Studies found that meditation can reduce carotid artery atherosclerosis [13] and cause brachial artery vasodilatation [14].  \r\nHowever, there is no comparative study between different kinds of meditations on  metabolic syndrome on wider population [15]. Therefore, we aim to compare the effects of transcendental meditations and mindfulness meditation on various components of metabolic syndrome. \r\nMethod: This will be a randomized controlled trial. We will recruit adults 30-60 years old with moderate to higher risk of CVD, stratified by established WHO\/ISH CVD risk prediction tool. Participants will be randomized to one of the three groups. One group will learn and practice the transcendental meditation, the second group will learn and practice mindfulness meditation and the third group will be of a control group and will obtain a health education session about metabolic syndrome and CVD. \r\nExpected outcomes: The primary outcome of the study is blood pressure, secondary outcomes are fasting blood glucose level, insulin resistance, HbA1c, serum lipid profile, heart rate variability,ankle brachial index, depression and anxiety level (STAI-X3 and QD-R), and quality of life (SF36).  \r\nConclusion: The study aims to generate evidence for the best meditation techniques to be recommended to patients with an increased risk of developing CVD. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5203"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robin Laycock","title":"Development of face perception and social cognition in preterm infants \u2013 a study using Functional Near Infra-red Spectroscopy","description":"Globally, preterm birth affects around 10% of deliveries and is a leading cause of neurocognitive impairment and educational underperformance. The preterm neurocognitive profile includes global and specific learning difficulties, executive dysfunction, inattentiveness, social difficulties and increased likelihood of autism. \r\n\r\nPreterm children are already vulnerable to difficulties in face perception. Such difficulties can have significant flow-on effects to broader aspects of cognition. Indeed, proficient skills in understanding and interpreting faces are critical for successful language and social development, due to their role in conveying non-verbal social cues. In addition, early face-deprivation (due to mask-wearing) during the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate the face processing difficulties in preterm children, leading to long-term significant effects, not only on brain development relevant to face perception, but also in downstream social and emotional difficulties in later years. \r\n\r\nThis project, a collaboration with Monash Newborn and the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, will address the problem with early and timely studies of these preterm children during infancy and early childhood, using cognitive neuroscience testing including functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and eye-tracking to assess face processing and social cognition, and correlate the results to neurodevelopmental assessment at 2 years of age. Early identification in infancy of atypical neurodevelopment would enable targeting of early interventions to improve outcomes for these children.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520203\r\n520207\r\n520101"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robin Laycock, Clare Smith","title":"Using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess the long term neurocognitive effects of concussion","description":"Brain injuries due to traffic accidents and falls are expected to be the 7th and 17th major cause of death, respectively, by 2030. Only severe cases of head injury receive close medical investigation, and many are assessed only by rudimentary behavioural observation or the subject\u2019s self-reporting.\r\nThis is of concern given that there is currently limited understanding of how the brain is affected by head trauma that occurs in contact sports such as AFL football. Hence there is an urgent need to be able to rapidly and accurately assess the effects of head impact on the brain. One promising approach to quickly and non-invasively examine brain function is through assessment of visual processing.This project will utilise behavioural psychophysics, eye-tracking and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) which is a non-invasive brain imaging methodology, in people with and without history of brain injury. Increasingly, neurocognitive testing is being utilised by professional athletes, though refinement of the best measures to accurately identify those with a concussion is needed. In addition, this research can help to uncover the neural and cognitive mechanisms associated with concussion, including the longer term effects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation;","forcodes":"320903\r\n520203\r\n520301"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mervyn Jackson, Patricia Melzer, Mark Lee, Noel Lythgo","title":"Research in cultural clinical psychology","description":"Cultural-Clinical Psychology exists at the intersection of two academic traditions: cultural psychology and clinical psychology. This represents the evolution of a new field whereby by psychologists seek to understand the ways in which culture shapes mental and physical health and well-being. The overall objective of this research program is to develop a university-wide research team to investigate cultural clinical psychology with a view toward providing a meaningful integration of the fields of clinical psychology and cross-cultural psychology in the next five years. There continues to be a pressing concern on the part of various cultural groups for the availability of culturally appropriate services from clinical psychologists. Further, clinical psychologists have the responsibility to advance sound research on the role of culture in psychopathology and to promote culturally appropriate clinical training and ethical practice. The ultimate aims of this research program are the advancement of scientific knowledge, the development of sound professional practice, the amelioration of human suffering, and the promotion of quality of life to a global world","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"5203"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Rehabilitation Sciences","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dein Vindigni, Danielle Baxter, Noel Lythgo, Azharuddin Fazalbhoy","title":"Force-time characteristics of spinal manipulation by pre-professional and professional manual therapists","description":"Force-time characteristics of spinal manipulation by pre-professional and professional manual therapists\r\nOverview\r\nAim: This study will investigate whether pre-professional students and professional manual therapists employ safe and effective techniques during spinal manipulation. This work will extend work currently being completed in an Honours research project. Methodology: This PhD program will extend the Honours work by significantly increasing the number of participants and including professional therapists. In addition, a force-sensing glove, in combination with the force sensing table will be used. Data will be collected through the use these systems which are currently available. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420109 Rehabilitation\r\n320299 Clinical Sciences not elsewhere covered\r\n42080 Chiropractic"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Rehabilitation Sciences","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Pranata","title":"Delivering high-value occupational low back pain care using novel technology","description":"This project aims to assess the potential and feasibility of a novel strategy to address an intractable health issue: low back pain, the leading cause of disability worldwide that costs the Australian community $9 billion annually - many of those affect manual workers whose work involve lifting. This research aims to investigate the feasibility of novel machine learning and biomechanical computational modelling to assess lifting techniques and spinal forces during lifting in people with low back pain. This information can assist in daily load monitoring and modulation that could decrease low back pain recurrence at work.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (50%)\r\n420106 Physiotherapy (25%)\r\n420109 Rehabilitation (25%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Rehabilitation Sciences","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amanda Kimpton, Leanne Sheeran","title":"Exploring the lived experiences of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic","description":"Chronically ill individuals' perspectives on the effectiveness\u2014or lack thereof\u2014of healthcare programs during the COVID-19 pandemic will be explored. The study will provide an \r\ninsight into the events lived by people suffering from chronic illness through weeks of lockdowns when accessing uninterrupted care was impacted. Extended experiences of people with chronic illness living in Western Melbourne will be investigated with the purpose of evaluating the current healthcare system from the perspective of the patient. The study will provide an opportunity to discover potential solutions to enhance the efficiency of community services supporting a vulnerable population of individuals with chronic illness at times of limitations.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420503 and 80% allocation\r\n420505 and 10% allocation\r\n420502 and 10% allocation\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski","title":"\u200bUnderstanding COVID-19 and improving our immune response to the vaccines.","description":"The Cancer, Ageing and Vaccines Laboratory is currently working to better understand the effects and long-term complications of COVID-19 on the immune system. We are also investigating the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in different populations, such as pregnant people and older individuals. We currently have four PhD project topics available, all of which will utilise clinical samples and working with clinical collaborators across Australia. Healthcare workers and Long COVID-19: This project compares the immune systems of healthcare workers that did, or did not, contract COVID-19, and how changes in their immunity may underlie long-term complications such as long COVID-19. Co-supervised by Prof. Katie Flanagan (Launceston General Hospital). COVID-19 and the development of autoimmunity: This project compares acute and mild COVID-19 patients over a time course to understand how the virus may be breaking tolerance and causing new autoimmune pathologies. Co-supervised by Dr. Kirsty Wilson (T cells). Improving vaccine immunity to COVID-19: This project investigates boosting immunity to COVID-19 with different vaccines to promote broad immune responses that recognize viral escape variants. It involves a multi-institutional large scale human trial to address these vital questions. Co-supervised by Prof. Katie Flanagan and Dr. Jennifer Boer (bioinformatics analysis). The impact of PEG on vaccine efficacy and adverse reactivity: This project investigates reactivity to PEG in mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, as well as other medical products and the implications on vaccine efficacy and potential to induce allergic reactions. Co-supervised by Dr. David Yu (antibodies and PEG) and Dr. Jennifer Boer (bioinformatics analysis). [1] Moody R et al., Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 8965; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijms22168965\n[2] Hatmal et al., Cells 2020, 9(12), 2638; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/cells9122638\n[3] Hensen et al., PNAS 2021, 118(41) e2109388118; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.2109388118","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"BHI 1 Chronic disease ; BHI 2 Bioinformatics; BHI 4 Drug discovery","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Clare Scott, Andrew Stephens","title":"\u200bUsing biobanks to study cancer targets and develop cancer vaccines.","description":"The Cancer, Ageing and Vaccines Laboratory seeks to understand cancer biology and immune responses and to translate these findings into real-world clinical benefits. As part of this research, the lab runs several clinical trials, such as SOLACE2, which is testing combination chemotherapies for ovarian cancer treatment [1, 2] and IOCT, which recently identified a key biomarker for diagnosis of ovarian cancer [3]. Most recently, is our collaboration with Professor Scott (WEHI) on the Stafford Fox Rare Cancers trial. This trial seeks to understand why people diagnosed with three or more cancers have a much better survival rate than those diagnosed with one or two cancers. The project will study biobanked samples from these \"super survivor\" individuals to test if they have specific health characteristics, set at just the right level to control or knock out their cancer. One key goal of these trials is to identify the key functional targets for the immune response and leverage this to initiate development of personalised cancer vaccines. As part of this goal, the PhD candidate could choose to become involved in any number of aspects and Is welcome to discuss ideas and options with Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski. Across all projects, the PhD Candidate will use techniques such as germline\/tumour sequencing data, plasma analysis and work with patients\u2019 immune cells work to identify key functional targets. They may perform epigenetic techniques, DNA sequencing (HLA-typing and WES), transcriptomics and immunoassays such as ELISpots. [1] Scott et al., 2019, Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2019; 15 (S9) (104-212). doi.org\/10.1111\/ajco.13263\n[2] Madondo et al., Cancer Treatment Reviews. 2016; 42(3-9). doi: 10.1016\/j.ctrv.2015.11.005\n[3] Kampan et al., Scientific Reports. 2020; 10 (2213). doi: 10.1038\/s41598-020-59009-z","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"3\/1\/2025","ecp":"BHI 2 Bioinformatics;BHI 1 Chronic disease;BHI 3 Biomedical engineering;BHI 4 Drug discovery;","forcodes":"110709 Tumour immunology (50%) 111204 Cancer Therapy (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR234","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski","title":"Age-related immune dysfunction, inflammation, and nutritional status: implications to infections, cancers and vaccine response","description":"Previously, we and others have observed reduced vaccine efficacy in the elderly as well as increased susceptibility to infections and cancers [1]. Age-related immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and inadequate nutritional status may reduce our capacity to resolve infections and cancers, as well as to promote sufficient vaccine response. This project has been designed to pinpoint cellular and molecular epigenetic mechanisms that drive age-related immune-senescence and inflammation, critical to the decline in immune function and ability to respond to vaccines, infections and cancers in the elderly. Additionally, nutritional status measured by the dietary inflammation indexes and\/or plasma nutritional biomarkers will be measured to understand the influence of nutrition on the immune response. Here, we will use various cohorts from human trials, to unravel the role of immune dysfunction, inflammation, and nutritional status on modulation of infections-, cancers- and vaccine-generated immune responses in older individuals, and the epigenetic mechanisms that underlie such modulation. Underpinning the molecular epigenetic changes that drive the age-related immune dysfunction and inflammation, or are formed by the inadequate nutritional status will point towards molecular mechanisms that may be involved in suboptimal responses to vaccination in the elderly, as well as provide leads for novel therapeutic strategies. [1] Flanagan KL, Fink AL, Plebanski M, Klein SL. Sex and Gender Differences in the Outcomes of Vaccination over the Life Course.Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2017 Oct 6;33:577-599. doi: 10.1146\/annurev-cellbio-100616-060718.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321108 Molecular targets (25%) 320404 Cellular immunology (25%) 321099 Nutrition and dietetics not elsewhere classified (25%) 321109 Predictive and prognostic markers (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Ruchika Ojha","title":"Gold-based drugs for the effective treatment of ovarian cancer","description":"Current treatments for ovarian cancer are largely toxic, and ultimately, ineffective for many patients. A current collaboration between Distinguished Professor Plebanski (Health & Biomedical Sciences) and Distinguished Professor Bhargava (Science) seeks to enable clinical progression for their novel class of gold-based drugs that show superior selectivity and activity for otherwise drug-resistant cancer cells, for the treatment of ovarian cancer (Mirzadeh et al., 2021, DOI: 10.1093\/mtomcs\/mfab039).\nAs part of Professor Plebanski\u2019s team, the PhD candidate will contribute to determining the in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety, off-target effects (peripheral and immunity) and biodistribution of lead gold-drug candidate(s) and pharmaceutical formulation development. As part of working towards a Phase I clinical trial, the gold-compounds will need to be tested for efficacy in ovarian cancer cell lines, organoids as well as immune cells from mice and humans. Techniques for this part of the project will include proliferation assays, ELISAs, qPCR, Western blots, ICP-MS, flow-cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The lead drug candidates will be tested in a novel immunocompetent ovarian cancer animal model; a mouse model created by Professor Plebanski and Dr Andrew Stephens (Hudson Institute) whereby fluorescent labelling of cancer cells allows for real-time study of cancer growth and treatment (Wilson et al., 2018, DOI: 10.3390\/cancers11010032). Efficacy of the gold-compounds will be analysed by advanced live in-vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry. Testing in cancer organoids may further involve international collaborators at Bristol University, United Kingdom and\/or the Hudson Institute, who are leaders in the development of innovate organoids for cancer research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation; Advanced Materials;","forcodes":"340407 Proteins and Peptides (40%)\n321002 Food Properties (40%)\n300607 Food Technology (10%)\n320211 Infectious diseases (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Kirsty Wilson","title":"Enhancing the immune response using nanoparticles and assessing their vaccine potential in animal models of cancer and malaria","description":"Vaccines remain one of the most cost-effective medical interventions for the prevention of disease and are readily available for many diseases, however there is a need for vaccines to complex diseases such as malaria and cancer. Vaccines to complex diseases are more difficult to design and manufacture due to the complicated lifecycle of the pathogens that cause the disease, or the multifactor series of events that occur in not only the pathology of the disease but also the resulting immune response. Designing vaccines for complex diseases requires careful consideration of the candidate antigen and generally requires and adjuvant or alternative delivery system to enhance the immune response to the vaccine, particularly regarding inducing a T cell response. Our lab focuses on viral sized nanoparticles as adjuvanting vaccine delivery systems to improve both the antibody mediated and cellular immune response. These nanoparticles can either have the vaccine antigen attached to their surface, or be simply mixed with the antigen with a combination of other adjuvants to increase the vaccine response. We are interested in nanoparticles of different materials and compositions to compare to our standard biocompatible and non-inflammatory polystyrene nanoparticles in animal vaccine models, as well as their mechanism of action and how they interact with different cells of the immune system (i.e. with antigen presenting cells). Aims: This study aims to examine the immune response to vaccines using various nanoparticle formulations and adjuvant combinations and ex, aiming how they interact with cells of the immune system to generate a strong immune response, capable of protecting against severe diseases such as ovarian cancer or malaria. Hypotheses: Nanoparticles in the viral size range will target antigen presenting cells in the local lymph nodes to elicit a strong vaccine induced immune response dependent on the size and composition of the nanoparticle. We will be able to develop vaccines that effectively prevent an treat severe diseases for which currently there are no effective vaccines.\nMethods: Our laboratory uses new and standard cell biology\/immunology techniques to assess the phenotype and function of immune cells from animal models, including; multicolour flowcytometry (up to 20 simultaneous markers on cells), cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis (Luminex), IVIS imaging, as well as ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology\/immunofluorescence, proliferation and functional T cell assays. There is also potential scope to use RNAseq and epigenetic analysis of immune cell populations, and animal models of cancer and malaria..\nThe PhD candidate:\nThe PhD candidate will have Honours or Masters in either immunology, vaccines, microbiology, parasitology, biochemistry, or nanoengineering. Animal handling experience preferable. References: [1]. Wilson KL et al. Front Immunol. 15 (2019):331\n[2]. Wilson KL et al. Front Microbiol. 6 (2015):29\n[4]. Xiang SD et al. Vaccines. 29 (2015):875","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, April Kartikasari","title":"Epigenetics in immunosenescence: implications to cancer and infections","description":"Previously, we and others have observed reduced vaccine efficacy in the elderly as well as increased susceptibility to infections and cancers [1]. While age-related immune dysfunction has been extensively studied, underpinning the molecular changes that drive the age-related functional decline of immune cells has proven difficult. Many studies including ours have shown that epigenetic marks including DNA methylation and histone modifications play a fundamental role in determining cell function and identity. These marks are actively modulated by different conditions including stress, lifestyle, sex and age or vaccination [2-3]. This project will systematically map epigenetic changes that promote age-related immune dysfunction, in the context of human vaccination trials, as well as cancer human clinical trials. Specifically, as part of human clinical trial projects, this study will underpin molecular epigenetic mechanisms of immunosenescence that involved in cancer and suboptimal responses to vaccination in the edlerly, and may provide leads for novel therapeutic strategies. Aims This project is designed to understand cellular and molecular epigenetic mechanisms involved in both innate and adaptive immunosenescence that cause the decline of immune function. Specifically, this study will uncover age-dependent alterations in epigenetic marks that cause increased incidence of cancer and infections as a consequence of age, utilizing in vitro models, animal models and human clinical trials available in the lab. Hypotheses:\n\u2022 Epigenetic mark alterations due to aging promote dysregulation of immune cell function and may contribute to the increased incidence of cancer and infections in old people\n\u2022 Identification of the changes of epigenetic marks that contribute to the decline of immune function will provide new means of disease prevention and treatment.\nMethods:\nThe laboratory uses world-class big-data omics analysis of immune cells, including RNAseq, genome-wide epigenetics, multicolour flowcytometry, cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis, as well as classical immunological techniques, e.g. ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology, proliferation and functional immune-cell assays. The PhD candidate:\nThe preferred PhD candidate will have done an Honours or Masters in immunology, vaccines, microbiology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, molecular biology or a related discipline. References: [1]. Flanagan KL et al. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. (2017) 33:577\n[2]. Noho-Konteh F et al. Clin Infect Dis. 63 (2016):1213\n[3]. Kartikasari et al., EMBO J. 32 (2013): 1393","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Katie Flanagan, Jennifer Boer","title":"Metagenetic Approach To Analyze Vaccine Immunomodulation in The Elderly","description":"The human gut is a vast reservoir of genetic potential and we are learning more and more how it relates to human health and disease. The new generation of deep metagenomic sequencing, consists in simultaneous sequencing of multiple microbial genomes at once and has provided us with a wealth of information on the composition of complex communities in our gut. As different microbial genomes can result in vastly different phenotypes and functions in our gut, it is critical to understand the genomic variations that characterize the different strains that are present. We are currently working on a large-scale vaccine (DTP and influenza) human trial (n=600) in Tasmania in which we will map, as a world first, how innate immunity and innate training differs in humans based on age and sex, and how this affects responses to vaccines. We will be studying these aspects with a systems biology approach in which we will investigate weather the immunological changes in young and elderly are characterized with changes in the gut microbial composition. Currently big data provided by metagenomics next generation sequening (mNGS) is becoming a key driver for the advancement of precision medicine to personalize patient care. Therefore, to take full advantage of these complex datasets we will use bioinformatics to enable quicker and more comprehensive analysis.\nAims: By using a bioinformatics analysis pipeline we will investigate whether vaccination responses are affected by the microbiome profile, and whether it changes according to the vaccination sequence, or the age (young adults or elderly) or sex (male\/female) of the vaccinees.\nHypotheses:\n\u2022 DTaP vaccination modulates the microbiome, such as the influenza vaccine.\n\u2022 Baseline non pathogenic microbiome profile effects will differ between younger adults and the elderly, and females compared to males.\nMethods:\nBioinformatics pipelines to analyse big volumes of metagenetic data. The analysis pipeline will roughly use packages such as trimomatic, FastQ screen, centrifuge\/kraken and many more.\nThe PhD candidate:\nThe preferred PhD candidate will have done an Honours or Masters in either immunology, or vaccines, microbiology, bioinformatics, biostatistics or a related discipline. References: [1]. Chiu CY et al. Nat Rev Gen. 20 (2019):341\n[2]. Noho-Konteh F et al. Clin Infect Dis. 63 (2016):1213\n[3]. Fish E et al., Lancet. 387 (2016):1054","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Kirsty Wilson, Katie Flanagan, Stephen Robinson","title":"Mood and the Immune System In the Elderly\nBig Data and Systems Biology","description":"Vaccination is an ideal tool to protect against infections in vulnerable populations such as the elderly; however, vaccine efficacy declines with advancing age. Recent studies, including our on [1-3], show \u2018trained innate immunity\u2019, changes the way the immune system as a whole responds to subsequent environmental challenges, but how this changes with age has not been mapped. On the basis of our large-scale vaccine (DTP and influenza) human trial (n=600) in Tasmania we will map, as a world first, how innate immunity and innate training differs in humans based on age and sex, and how does this affect responses to vaccines. Importantly, DTP and influenza vaccine, given to the elderly together or sequentially, may prevent each other form working optimally. This study has thus policy implications for vaccine use in the elderly. Understanding the immune system of the elderly, will also underpin in-house development of more effective new generation synthetic vaccines based on nanoparticles. Aims The innovative human clinical trial in this project will define the innate immunological imprint following DTP vaccination, and its effect on the induction of subsequent innate and adaptive responses to the seasonal human influenza vaccine. It is designed to specifically study innate trained immunity and its modulation in the context of an aging immune system, and the effect sex on vaccination outcomes. Hypotheses:\n\u2022 DTaP vaccination modulates immunity to other stimuli, such as the influenza vaccine.\n\u2022 Baseline immunity and immune imprinting effects will differ between younger adults and the elderly, and females compared to males.\nMethods:\nThe laboratory uses world-class big-data omics analysis of blood immune cells, including RNAseq, epigenetics, multicolour flowcytometry (up to 27 simultaneous markers on cells), cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis (Luminex) as well as classical immunological techniques, e.g. ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology, proliferation and functional T cell assays. The PhD candidate:\nThe preferred PhD candidate will have done an Honours or Masters in either immunology, or vaccines, microbiology, bioinformatics, biostatistics or a related discipline. References: [1]. Flanagan KL et al. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2017 33 (2017):577\n[2]. Noho-Konteh F et al. Clin Infect Dis. 63 (2016):1213\n[3]. Fish E et al., Lancet. 387 (2016):1054","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Sara Baratchi, Elena Pirogova, Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Studying mechanobiology of cells using microfluidics","description":"This project aims to develop bio-microfluidic systems for studying the response of mechano-sensitive cells under customised physiological and pathological conditions [1-2]. The microfluidic system consists of a network of semi-circular channels coated with layers of endothelial cells to mimic the vascular systems. It also utilises self-sufficient pumps, valves and heaters to facilitate the release of chemicals (therapeutic peptides) at desired temperatures without the use of bulky, expensive external equipment [3]. The soft structure of the system allows for stretching of endothelial cells in repeated cycles. The cellular responses under the different external stimuli will be monitored and evaluated in real-time using inverted microscopy [4]. The project will be conducted in collaboration with biomedical and microfluidic experts at RMIT\u2019s School of Engineering. References: [1] Baratchi S et al., Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 21; 7(1):15942. doi: 10.1038\/s41598-017-16276-7\n[2] Baratchi S., et al., Trends Mol Med. 2017 Sep; 23(9):850-868. doi: 10.1016\n[3] Boyd-Moss et al., Lab Chip. 2016 Aug 16; 16(17):3177-92. doi: 10.1039\/c6lc00712k\n[4] Baratchi S et al., Cell Mol Life Sci. 2016 Feb; 73(3):649-66. doi: 10.1007\/s00018-015-2018-8. Epub 2015 Aug 20.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Afreen Huq, Ashenafi Biru, Alemayehu Molla","title":"Gendered Pathways in Digital Entrepreneurship: Exploring the Experiences of Women Founders in STEM Fields","description":"Project Description:\nWhile the gender gap in entrepreneurship remains a global concern (Tonoyan et al., 2020), women continue to be significantly underrepresented in STEM and technology-intensive entrepreneurial sectors (Agarwal et al., 2022). This underrepresentation is not merely numerical; it reflects entrenched institutional, structural, and cultural barriers that limit women's participation and contributions to innovation-driven economies (Brush et al., 2019).\nEnhancing women's participation in STEM entrepreneurship is critical for addressing persistent gender inequalities and fostering inclusive economic growth and innovation (Blackburn, 2023; Sharma, 2022). Women-led ventures in STEM not only challenge established gender norms but also contribute to employment, diversify innovation outcomes, and promote inclusive values within the entrepreneurial ecosystem (Armu\u00f1a et al., 2020).\nThis PhD project explores the experiences of women entrepreneurs in STEM, with a focus on, but not limited to:\n\u2022\tHow gender influences access to STEM innovation ecosystems and how women navigate structural, social, and institutional boundaries in the field. \n\u2022\tThe role of formal institutions and informal norms in constraining or facilitating women\u2019s entrepreneurial success in STEM, identifying pathways for institutional reform.\n\u2022\tThe adaptive and innovative strategies women entrepreneurs in STEM employ to succeed in male-dominated sectors.\nThis project is ideal for HDR candidates passionate about gender and entrepreneurship, STEM entrepreneurship, and innovation, and offers opportunities for qualitative and\/or mixed-methods research in global or local contexts. The supervision team includes specialists in gender and entrepreneurship, strategy and innovation, and information systems. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform\u2019s Innovative Impact Pathways & Championing priority area. ","sdg":"[\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-14","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350704"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Darryn Snell, Victor Gekara, Alemayehu Molla","title":"COVID-19 and the Impact of Automation and Digital Transformation on Workforce Development","description":"This PhD examines the impact of COVID-19 on the uptake of digital and automation technologies and the implications for workforce development. It has been suggested that COVID-19 would accelerate the uptake of automation and AI technologies as companies introduced physical distancing solutions and cost cutting measures (Seric and Winkler, 2020; Farshchi, 2020). These claims were speculative at the time but require closer examination, post event, given the impacts such rapid technological implementations would have for employees and skills demand. Using a range of qualitative social science methodologies, the project will develop an in-depth examination of the COVID-19 event, including the nature and extent of industry and government response in order to understand how specific organisations respond to changing skill and workforce requirements as they embrace digital transformation. The project will be guided by the following overarching research question:\nHow did the COVID-19 crisis influence firm-level technological uptake and what were the responses to changing workforce skills requirements and the overall implications for the workforce development strategies of these organisations?\nSuccessful PhD candidates will be expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of qualitative research methods and reasonable understanding of human resource management principles and practices as well as information systems. The project will be based in the School of Management but supervised by a highly experienced interdisciplinary team within the Skills, Training and Industry Research Network, which is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention, Justyna Dabrowska","title":"Digital Transformation across (Open) Innovation Ecosystems","description":"Digital transformation (DT) refers to a process where organisational actors engage in digital innovation and transform their organisations to respond to change in their business and technology environment(Rogers,2016). It was estimated that in 2018 companies world-wide spent $1.2 trillion on their DT with only 1% achieving or slightly exceeding the expectations (WEF,2018). Thus, mastering DT shows to be extremely challenging. Part of the challenge is that DT is not only about the implementation and understanding of the technology per se but about changing strategy, organisational structures and management concepts and exploring new value creation and capture logic with various players. It also requires not only intensive intra-organisational renewal, but also collaboration between heterogeneous partners from different disciplines throughout the value chain(Warner&Wager,2019). This type of collaborative environment is well described and supported by the Open Innovation paradigm (Chesbrough,2003;2019). The purpose of this HDR project is to explore how DT changes business logic in multiple and diverse industries and enables emergence and further development of innovation ecosystems. Through qualitative or potentially mixed method research approach the project will also explore organisational approaches to successfully coordinate digital initiatives as well as embed digital tools and methods to support complex strategic decision-making process and to explore and identify novel approaches of innovation ecosystem orchestration.\nThe project is particularly suitable for candidates with prior knowledge and\/or background in (open)innovation and technology management, strategic management. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers who have industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention, Justyna Dabrowska, Massimo Menichinelli, Olga Kokshagina","title":"Sustainable Innovations through Design and Behavioural Change for Ageing Population","description":"Influenced by technological shifts and industry transformation, challenges of Healthy Ageing are rooted in how humanistic principles (fairness and wellness) are integrated into conceptualisation, development and commercialisation of sustainable innovations for older people. The purpose of this HDR project is to explore the role of sustainable innovations for healthy ageing in the context of HealthTech, Smartcare, Assisted Living Technologies (ALT) and EdTech for the elderly. The project will focus on the elderly at the centre of the humanistic design process, and will aim to integrate behavioural frameworks as well as open innovation principles.\nThe project is particularly suitable for (but not limited to) candidates with prior knowledge and\/or background in (open)innovation and technology management, strategic management, psychology. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers who have industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention, Justyna Dabrowska","title":"Towards new value creation logic from university-industry collaboration","description":"In today\u2019s knowledge economy innovation does not occur in isolation. It is increasingly the result of an open process of collaboration involving multiple actors throughout the value chain. This phenomenon has been captured with the introduction of the Open Innovation paradigm (Chesbrough, 2003). Open innovation is a multi-faceted platform that includes the adoption of complex practices and the establishment of equally complex cooperation networks\u2019 configurations, involving multiple stakeholders and requiring sophisticated orchestration mechanisms. One such practice is represented by University-Industry Cooperation (UIC). Despite being challenging undertakings they are capable of generating strong channels for knowledge sharing including a very high potential to produce innovation outcomes. A high potential that is acknowledged to be still largely untapped (Mention & Torkkeli, 2016).\nThe purpose of this HDR project is to explore university industry collaboration from complex multi-stakeholder value creation logic. Through qualitative or potentially mixed method research approach the project will explore the role of stakeholders across the (non) linear innovation process, e.g. the role of competitors in shaping novelties. The project will also seek to understand the role of individuals and their behaviours (willingness to cooperate; behaviour-intention-action-attitude). The project is particularly suitable for candidates with prior knowledge and\/or background in (open)innovation and technology management, strategic management, IP. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers who have industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"MR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tim Bartram","title":"From brain waste to brain gain: Movement of self-initiated expatriate from emerging to advanced economies, an exploratory study","description":"The aim of this research is enhancing knowledge on the movement of self-initiated expatriates (SIE) from emerging to advanced economies, to understand their rationale for leaving their host countries, seeking permanent residency in the host country, or repatriating to their countries of origin. Advanced economies experience insufficiency of high qualified talent and the phenomenon of brain waste persist, still governments and international organisations have limited influence to incentivise drain gain from the evolving diaspora of skilled SIE talent from emerging economies. Drawing on participants from Colombia, Czech Republic and Malaysia who have moved to Australia, this article reports on the differences and similarities between the three countries. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350503 Human Resources Management (50%)\r\n350702 Corporate Social Responsibility (40%)\r\n350507 Workplace wellbeing and quality of working life (10%)\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Grosser","title":"Gender, business and human rights","description":"A unique opportunity to join a vibrant research community developing guidance for states and businesses on how to integrate gender issues in their implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The scholarship aims to bring feminist perspectives to the debate on gender, business and human rights, developing guidance for states and business on integrating gender issues in their implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This scholarship is an opportunity to contribute to an emerging research agenda at the intersection of gender research on organizations, and particularly business organizations, human rights, and feminist scholarship on corporate responsibility and accountability. The latter is a rapidly expanding field, which has yet to take a strong human rights perspective. Meanwhile, the launch of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011) has stimulated a new and expanding stream of research on business and human rights, however, this literature rarely discusses gender issues. Finally a further body of research investigates women\u2019s human rights globally, and related policy initiatives, but the role of business is not a central theme therein. Noting the rising prominence of gender equality as a human rights issue internationally, and growing interest in the role of business with respect to human rights, this scholarship enables you to contribute to the development of a new interdisciplinary research agenda on gender, business and human rights. It also facilitates contributions to women\u2019s human rights in a global context. You will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research team that contributes to policy development and practice with regard to integrating a gender perspective in the implementation of the three pillars of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: (a) The State Duty to Protect Human Rights; (b) The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights; (c) Access to Remedy.\nWe welcome applications from a variety of geographical and cultural contexts, and disciplinary and methodological perspectives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204 & MR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention","title":"Opening up for Open Innovation: Unveiling the cognitive characteristics of individuals","description":"Open innovation (OI) starts with mental representations of \u2018being open\u2019. The tendency towards being open is rooted in how and why individual processes external information \u2013this information in OI is beset with uncertainties \u2013 be laden with situations characterising emotional and psychological stress. Psychological stress is costly \u2013 economically and socially with implications for individual and organisational well-being.\nCurrent research on coping strategies in OI argues that interactions and exchanges in OI are socially constructed, however limited knowledge exists on how and why the social influences affect individual\u2019s cognitive processes in this context. To this end, research is needed to explore the cognitive characteristics of individuals in OI. Such an understanding can inform recruitment, engagement and environmental conditions conducive to OI objectives.\nMore specifically, research aimed at addressing the following questions remains providential:\nDoes being open to external knowledge hurt? \u2013 a neurocognitive approach could shed light on the effects of openness on brain functions related to psychological stress.\nDoes self-presentation tendency affect external information search and acceptance? \u2013 an experimentation approach could unveil how and why individuals engage in socially motivated cognitive renewal processes.\nHow do false memories affect the \u2018being open\u2019 psychological state of individuals in OI? \u2013 a mixed method approach could investigate the relationship between false memories and subsequent choices in OI.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention","title":"Regulatory sandboxes and innovation capabilities: An exploratory study","description":"FinTech as \u201ca new financial industry that applies technology to improve financial activities\u201d (Schueffel, 2016, p.45) is built upon a distributed model in terms of bringing technology closer and allowing the development of new services, encouraging customer value and centricity. FinTech brings an entire different logic that is causing fundamental changes in the structure and purpose of business, changes that the majority of incumbents are not ready to face (Nicoletti, 2017).\nNotably, 83% of financial institutions are expecting to increase partnerships over the next three to five years, 64% are currently engaging in partnerships with FinTech companies while 89% are expecting drastic changes in internal innovation efforts over the next three to five years (PwC, 2017). These developments have already signalled to regulators and policymakers that the current regulatory frameworks are not anymore compatible with this emerging financial technologies entrepreneurial environment (He et al., 2017). Extant literature is beginning to pay attention to the emergence and developments of regulatory sandboxes to provide flexibility and accessibility across the financial services industry (Lee, 2017), along with, providing foundations for sound competition within the financial industry (Noh, 2017). Anchored in this ongoing discussion around the relationship between FinTech and Regulation for Financial Innovation, this proposal by bringing multiple insights from key informants in financial services, aims at exploring how regulatory sandboxes can help in building long-term experimentation capabilities that are essential to innovation?\nThe outcomes from the project have implications for science and practice of innovation management. For science, it extends the state-of-the-art in by integrating governance theories with innovation practice. In doing so, the project will pave new paths for research on regulatory and ethical considerations in financial innovations (i.e. responsible innovation). For practice, the project is expected to deliver understanding of characteristics of FinTech entrepreneurs and start-ups when it comes to embracing openness during experimentation. In turn, it provides insights into the necessary conditions for improving effectiveness of regulatory sandboxes in driving financial innovations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management; Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Business Information Systems; Management","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alemayehu Molla, Ashenafi Biru","title":"Dynamics of FinTech Entrepreneurship Eco-systems","description":"The digital economy provides ample opportunities for organisations to innovate. These opportunities are particularly prevalent in the financial sector, where FinTech entrepreneurs continue to enter the market with innovative, efficient and more customer-oriented financial services and products than incumbents. FinTech entrepreneurs take advantage of the growing digital society, changes in consumer trends, deregulation and the proliferation of digital artifacts, infrastructure and platforms to enter into the financial services market with offerings that can disrupt, improve or enhance financial service types and delivery models. As FinTech entrepreneurship is a relatively recent phenomenon, the theoretical foundations to explain the processes through which entrepreneurial ecosystems emerge, change, and influence and be influenced by the activities of FinTech entrepreneurs remain underdeveloped. This PhD project investigates the formation and dynamics of FinTech entrepreneurial clusters in different regions of the world. The project draws insights from digital entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial eco-system theories to provide a more nuanced and rigorous understanding of FinTech entrepreneurship to strengthen existing and develop successful ecosystems in regions with limited successful FinTech start-ups. The project will apply both qualitative and quantitative methods. Successful candidates will be expected to have management, entrepreneurship and information systems background and a good foundation in mixed methods research. The supervision team includes specialists in entrepreneurship and information systems. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform\u2019s designing innovation ecosystems and platforms focus area.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bruno Schivinski, Vasileios Stavropoulos, Nalin Arachchilage","title":"Serious games and wellbeing","description":"Serious games are transforming mental health care by offering innovative, engaging ways to enhance well-being. By blending therapeutic techniques into game formats, these games provide accessible, effective mental health interventions. Beyond individual benefits, they build community resilience and reduce mental health stigma. Collaboration between academics, industry experts, and gamers is key to creating scientifically grounded, user-friendly games that drive positive change.\nThis project will delve into the mechanics that make serious games effective, spotlight opportunities for assessment and intervention, and discuss how to measure their impact on mental health. We\u2019ll also highlight the powerful social impact of these games and call for a unified vision between the Victorian game industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sally Storey, Julian Thomas","title":"Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in ADM: Australia in the Asia Pacific","description":"The PhD research project will be located in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S Centre) at RMIT Australia. The candidate will be part of the research team on \u201cCultural and Linguistic Diversity in ADM: Australia in the Asia Pacific\u201d. The project aims to better understand the landscapes of ADM (automated decision-making) across the region, including the role of NGOs, industry, government and other stakeholders; empower community members to participate in dialogues concerning diversity in ADM; and build capacity for community organisations in collective bargaining with public policymakers for inclusive and equitable ADM policies. \n\nThe PhD scholarship will fund a project that (1) focuses on national, regional, and local communities and actors in Asia Pacific, or culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia; (2) engages with \u201cdiversity\u201d and other key concepts in ADM concerning the impacts, politics and geopolitics of ADM development, such as language-specific models, applications, infrastructure in digital network and services, and their terms of reference in governance.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"470107 media studies (40%)\n470102 Communication technology and digital media studies (60%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alexandra Wake","title":"Listening to trauma: a journalistic exploration via podcast.","description":"This project is part of a larger ARC Discovery \"Australian Journalism, Trauma and Community\" which involves researchers across RMIT and Monash Universities. Working through RMIT's professional research symposium program, this opportunity invites experienced journalists to use their practice as the research to create original knowledge through a PhD. We expect that a podcast produced for this PhD will become a public outcome for the wider research project focussed on investigating the professional and personal costs of reporting on trauma for Australian journalists and the communities they engage with. The groundbreaking historical study of journalists exposure to trauma in Australia will generate new knowledge about the relationship between journalism and trauma.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"430302 Australian history & 470107 Media studies "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"T.J. Thomson","title":"Evaluating and bolstering the quality of local visual news","description":"Journalism is vital to the public good, but regional and remote communities lack the same access to local news as their urban counterparts. This is especially true for local visual news, which is often an afterthought despite its importance in creating high-quality news content, engaging audiences, and shaping public perceptions.\r\n\r\nThis project observes local journalists at work and evaluates their output against the needs expressed by their communities, thus facilitating a much-needed conversation between local journalists and audiences. In doing so, it defines what quality local visual news is, and through local newsroom briefings and events co-hosted with industry provides guidance on how journalists can best produce it. This project evaluates local visual news in key communities across the country, including several with higher-than-average Indigenous populations.\r\n\r\nAs a PhD researcher on this project, you should have experience in areas such as:\r\n\r\n\u2022 journalism studies and\/or experience as a journalist or media professional; and\/or\r\n\u2022 qualitative research methods (observations, interviews, focus groups; textual analysis); and\/or\r\n\u2022 visual communication\r\n\r\nThose from or with experience in regional\/rural areas of Australia are especially encouraged to apply.","sdg":"10 - Reduced Inequalities, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"470105 Journalism Studies (80%)\r\n470101 - Communication studies (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Professor Anna Hickey-Moody, Professor Katherine Johnson, Global Urban and Social Studies","title":"A study of the experiences of LGBTIQ religious high-school-aged youth","description":"A study of the experiences of LGBTIQ religious high-school-aged youth will be a significant part of an ARC \r\nDiscovery project\u2019s contribution to knowledge and will be carried out by the successful PhD candidate. This PhD exploring LGBTIQ religious youth is part of a larger study into the knowledges and practices about sexuality and religion that form the everyday worlds of young people who are religious. This is significant because of its nationwide, deep yet comparative approach to a key time in the development of a young person\u2019s identity. Expected outcomes include strategic health policy and curriculum development advice that responds to current debates around religious exemptions to anti-discrimination law and creates better education and health care for religious and LGBTIQ youth. Benefits resulting from better health care and education will include increased well being for religious LGBTIQ youth, conservatively religious and newly arrived youth communities in Australia. A fee waiver for international students will ensure the recruitment of the best candidate. The PhD student will focus on data from the state school research sites and will take responsibility for the analysis and dissemination of data relating to LGBTIQ religious youth. The student will be based at RMIT and co-supervised by CIs Johnson and Hickey-Moody.","sdg":"5 - Gender Equality, 4 - Quality Education, 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"200203 - Consumption and Everyday Life"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Larissa Hjorth, Ingrid Richardson (RMIT), Seb Chan (ACMI)","title":"Museum Digital Social Futures: Audience Living Lab as incubator for socially-engaged and situated media innovation","description":"This project is guided by the following question: How can we learn from the pandemic by connecting digital innovation to social practices that extend beyond the physical site of the museum to imagine new forms of socially-engaged situated media practice as part of the user experience journey? Working in collaboration with ACMI, RMIT and AMAGA, this project will explore how the museum can engage in resilient and creative ways that address digital social inclusion. Mapping museum experiences as they move across digital, social and material spaces and places\u2014especially when experience moves outside the physical site of museum into the home\u2014remains under researched. The project will further develop this pilot study to design and facilitate digital innovation in post-COVID museum audience experiences\u2014within both museums and domestic, household spaces. It will explore how the digital is experienced as social encounters across various sites, spaces and contexts. It is in this \u2018social\u2019 space that innovation, inclusion and impact lie.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 2 Playful and Material Encounters; DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable; DCP 4 Design and Creative Practice Industries","forcodes":"470102 - Communication technology and digital media studies (50%)\n470203 - Consumption and everyday life (50%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingrid Richardson, Marsha Berry, Rachel Wilson, Rebecca Young, Daniel Binns, Jay Daniel Thompson, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi, Natalie Hendry, Seth Keen","title":"Creativity, Learning, Digital Arts, and Design","description":"Creativity, Learning, Digital Arts, and Design positions research participants as \u2018creative agents\u2019 and authors of their own experience. This programme takes the question of research translation as a point of departure and creates experiences, artefacts, resources and texts through which participant\u2019s stories, perspectives, desires and subjectivities are presented in affective and accessible ways. Creativity, Learning, Digital Arts, and Design explores the potential of social practice and co-designed arts across a range of disciplinary spaces. Researchers explore issues relating to visibility, agency, voice, care, educational experience, screen and performance-based methods for progressive and transformational ethnographic research. This program places a strong emphasis on accessibility and social inclusion. Methods employed are designed to be inclusive, relevant in inter-cultural and cross-cultural contexts and ensure to facilitate distributed agency in ways that support and encourage participants. Research is both a vehicle for social change and a means of collaborative knowledge production.","sdg":"38445","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingrid Richardson, Haiqing Yu, Annette Markham, Leah Li, Tania Lewis, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Digital Domesticity, Sustainability, and the Everyday","description":"Digital Domesticity, Sustainability, and the Everyday examines the role of everyday life practices and homes as increasingly central hubs of digital engagement and smart infrastructure, and the implications of this for post-human experience and climate change. This research will centre on and in people\u2019s homes, lives and communities, using a range of possible approaches\u2014from digital methods to ethnography and beyond\u2014to foreground the rich and shifting relationships between practices, beliefs, technology and environments. Projects tend to focus on particular domains or interrelations, such as environmental activism online, e-waste and digital sustainability; the politics of smart homes and domestic robotics; the characteristics and complexities of relationships between humans and their digital personal assistants; the digitisation of food, and games, YouTube, post-television cultures and streaming services.","sdg":"44906","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Brunt, Catherine Strong, Patrick Kelly, Alexia Kannas, Steve Gaunson, Tami Gadir, Ramon Lobato, Huck Ying Ch'ng, Glen Donnar, Smiljana Glisovic, Maria Stratford, Shweta Kishore, Stayci Taylor, Adrian Danks, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi","title":"Performance and Identity in Screen, Sound, Music","description":"The theme aims to understand the importance of identity in screen, and\/or sound and\/or music. This includes how identity affects performance, production, dissemination and reception of cultural products. Aspects of identity that could be considered include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, age, dis\/ability and gender. This can incorporate the aspects of identity formation enabled through these cultural forms that are essential to community formation and positive self-reflections, as well as those that are exclusionary or that contribute to the maintenance of inequality in wider society. Projects within this theme aim to generate creative and inventive solutions to real-world problems which have the capacity to change social expectations about identity and increase representations of cultural diversity.","sdg":"44839","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 2001, 2003"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Meese, Haiqing Yu, Lisa Dethridge, Cathy Greenfield, Annette Markham, Ramon Lobato, Ellie Rennie, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi, Lucy Morieson, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca, Tania Lewis","title":"Automation and Social Futures","description":"Automation and Social Futures engages with the ethical, political, social, organisational, cultural and governance implications of machine learning, algorithmic decision-making and digital infrastructures. The research will investigate the intersection of technology and the human experience, using methods ranging from data analytics to close level ethnographic approaches. Possible areas of investigation include the complex interrelations between technology design and technologies in use; social media platforms; ethics and future automation of memory and heritage practices; impact of algorithms on identity; deep fakes and disinformation campaigns; autonomous vehicles; smart city infrastructures; blockchain as infrastructure; supply chain systems. This program places strong focus on building better potential futures for our communities by critically examining the politics and ethics behind both norms and governance around automated decision-making systems, especially important in times of continuous and rapid change.","sdg":"8","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingrid Richardson, Mark Gibson, Emsie Arnoldi, Rob Cover, Bruno Schivinski, Alex Wake, Scott Brook, Catherine Gomes, Michaela Jackson, Haiqing Yu, Lisa Dethridge, Cathy Greenfield, Marianne Sison, Annette Markham, Lukas Parker, Linda Brennan, Ramon Lobato, Michelle Aung Thin, Ella Chorazy, Huck Ying Ch'ng, Daniel Binns, Leah Li, Maria Stratford, Tania Lewis, Jay Daniel Thompson, David Fouvy, Chengju Huang, John Postill, Julie Bilby, Lucy Morieson, Annette Markham","title":"Digital media and the social","description":"This theme focuses on the ways in which digital media is an intrinsic part of the social. From the new forms of articulating and experiencing identity and community through social media and mobile devices, to the role of analytics and big data in the management of organisations and populations, research in this theme focuses on the emergent issues of trust, ethics, publics, planning, technology, and power. It is concerned with the role of digital media and communications technologies in articulating publics and communities, as well as the actions of agencies that would seek to manage, inform, influence, and listen to such groups. It has a further interest in critical methodologies across a range of interdisciplinary fields that have been used to explore the ways in which the social is reproduced and transformed by digital communications, including digital ethnography, sociology of the internet, science and technology studies, governmentality studies, and mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) network analysis.","sdg":"42684","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1505, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Brunt, James Meese, Catherine Strong, Mark Gibson, Kim Munro, Patrick Kelly, Alan Nguyen, Alex Wake, Scott Brook, Steve Gaunson, Tami Gadir, Ramon Lobato, Glen Donnar, Smiljana Glisovic, Djoymi Baker, Daniel Binns, Leah Li, Maria Stratford, Tania Lewis, Adrian Danks, Lucy Morieson, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Transforming Screen and Sound Industries in a Digital Age","description":"This theme investigates social, economic and industrial dynamics of screen, and\/or sound and\/or music culture. Research topics may include audiences, policy, labour, access, digital inclusion, participation, cultural diversity, sustainability and other issues related to the social contexts of cultural production, distribution and consumption. We invite proposals that consider one or more of these issues in relation to a specific media industry (or industries), in contemporary or historical contexts.","sdg":"9, 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1902, 2001, 2004"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Brunt, Catherine Strong, Lisa French, Kim Munro, Polly Stanton, Marsha Berry, Patrick Kelly, Alexia Kannas, Alan Nguyen, Steve Gaunson, Tami Gadir, Ramon Lobato, Rachel Wilson, Glen Donnar, Smiljana Glisovic, Rebecca Young, Djoymi Baker, Daniel Binns, Maria Stratford, Shweta Kishore, Stayci Taylor, Seth Keen, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Thinking Critically about Screen, Sound and Music as Creative Practices","description":"This theme investigates contexts, epistemologies, theories, methods, and methodologies to enrich understandings of the cultures of screen, and\/or sound and\/or music. This can be approached through a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to screen studies, popular music, filmmaking, screenwriting, history, curatorial practice, sound design, online media and other related fields, including through community, social justice or environmental lenses. Interdisciplinary approaches are also encouraged. These approaches can be applied to a range of genres, modes of engagement with content, theoretical perspectives or formats, including the digital and virtual.","sdg":"44776","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change \/ Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rob Cover, Catherine Gomes, Emsie Arnoldi, Olivia Guntarik, Haiqing Yu, Lisa Dethridge, Marianne Sison, Antonio Castillo, Huck Ying Ch'ng, Leah Li, Tania Lewis, Jay Daniel Thompson","title":"Digital Inclusion, Mobility, and Activism","description":"The research program examines the challenges and potentials of digital participation as this relates to access and inclusion, connectivity, networks and political activism, gig or micro work, and mobility and migration. Possible research methods include analyses of existing data sets, digital ethnography, critical pedagogical experiments, arts-based interventions, and working with communities to understand how digital technologies are mobilised for various political and personal purposes. Research seeks to explain patterns and practices that have built up around digital communities or activist practices, and to explore the outcomes and implications of disconnections and misalignments between technology design, everyday use, policies and norms. Possible areas of investigation include experimenting with groups to adapt or hack common digital tools to preserve cultural memory; building localized rather than universal interpretations of critical data literacy; bringing together policymakers and community members to make so-called smart technology designs more usable and relevant; the politics of tech communities; the outcomes of internet use for different groups; locative technologies and place.","sdg":"3, 5, 10, 16","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rob Cover, Bruno Schivinski, Emsie Arnoldi, Michaela Jackson, Catherine Gomes, Haiqing Yu, Marianne Sison, Lukas Parker, Ella Chorazy, Linda Brennan, Lisa Waller, Leah Li, Jay Daniel Thompson David Fouvy, Seth Keen","title":"Communicating for Health, Sustainable Environments and Community Wellbeing","description":"This theme encompasses research into communication and media applications in the areas of health and sustainability, especially where societal change is creating rapid transformations for communities and environments. The theme includes health and environmental communication campaigns, affective social media, gaming, crisis communications, and community advocacy. This theme includes multiple disciplinary threads from across media and communications, including journalism, social marketing for behaviour change, advertising, corporate responsibility and organisational ethics, strategic communications, and supports research in interdisciplinary teams with industry partners. The theme supports a diverse range of methodologies, including applied design and innovation, especially co-design and user experience research. Research in this theme covers a range of social issues such as equity, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, digital wellbeing, building individual, community and societal wellbeing and social change.","sdg":"40301","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Global Business Innovation, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1505, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Mark Gibson, Lisa French, Emsie Arnoldi, Scott Brook, Rachel Wilson, Ramon Lobato, Cathy Greenfield, Ellie Rennie, Gretchen Coombs, Daniel Binns, Robert Crawford, Chengju Huang, Julie Bilby, Lucy Morieson, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Cultural and Creative Industries","description":"This research theme focuses on the industry dynamics of the Cultural and Creative Industries. It defines the CCIs broadly - including the media industries (screen, music recording, journalism, publishing), arts and design, games and advertising - and is distinguished by a focus on industry features; such as policy and regulation: the impact of new technologies and digital platforms on production, distribution and consumption; cultural and creative work, employability and careers: creative hubs and ecosystems: social network markets and fields of creative production; cultural economy and entrepreneurship; and the history of the CCIs as modern industry and policy formations and, more recently, domains of government intervention, regulation, and industry advocacy. CCI researchers in the School have an interest in gender, labour, government policy, education, locative media, and the platform economy.","sdg":"44812","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Global Business Innovation, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 1904, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"James Meese, Bruno Schivinski, Alex Wake, Michaela Jackson, Catherine Gomes, Haiqing Yu, Marianne Sison, Lukas Parker, Ella Chorazy, Linda Brennan, Lisa Waller, Leah Li, Robert Crawford David Fouvy, Chengju Huang, Julie Bilby","title":"Social, Public and Marketing Communications","description":"This theme focuses on all forms of social, public and commercial communications; from advertising campaigns through organisational communications to news media and citizen journalism. It focuses on normative and critical accounts of the effects and efficacy of media communications projects and industries subject to processes of digital disruption, including the tensions between public, community and commercial interests and values. Research in this theme is often interdisciplinary and encompasses institutions, industries, stakeholders and individuals with a focus on contributing to the creation of public value, including building citizenship and public participation with mainstream as well as diverse groups. Topics and disciplines include Indigenous media, branding, public relations and strategic communications, social marketing and public value, organisational ethics, fact-checking and misinformation, public and citizen journalism, consumer activism and community advocacy; and media and communications for community development.","sdg":"41191","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Global Business Innovation, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1505, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media and Communication","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Scott Brook, Tammy Wong-Hulbert","title":"Vital Arts: Recognising transferrable skills learnt through informal arts education.","description":"This PhD project is embedded in the Australian Research Council Linkage Grant LP200301027 'Creative industries pathways to youth employment in the COVID-19 recession'. Working in collaboration with the chief investigators, the successful candidate will develop a project that recognises informal learning in arts contexts through completing a micro-credential. There is the opportunity for the PhD to be practice based and located in learning design. Our team warmly welcomes applications from candidates with experience in youth arts, learning design and online learning.","sdg":"4 - Quality Education; 5 - Gender Equality; 1 - No Poverty; 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth; 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 4 Design and Creative Practice Industries","forcodes":"200203 - Consumption and Everyday Life"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Carlin; Francesca Rendle-Short; Michelle Aung Thin; Melody Ellis","title":"Connecting Asia-Pacific Literary Cultures: Grounds for Encounter and Exchange","description":"This project aims to analyse and develop innovative creative practices to connect writers and evolve literary cultures in the Asia-Pacific region. It will elaborate, test, evaluate and communicate an evolving model for best practice in intercultural and transnational exchange, based on principles and processes of ethical encounter and exchange through creative practice. It looks at and builds upon the work of a successful pilot program, Writers\u2019 Immersion and Cultural Exchange (WrICE), which has developed an organic network of 59 writers across 13 countries. The model, premised on situating creative writing as a way of thinking, being and learning collectively, centres on methods of curating and facilitating collaborative residencies. The project asks: how might writers be supported to develop intercultural and international relationships that augment and transform their creative practices, and produce networks of cooperation across the Asia-Pacific? The PhD project is an opportunity for a creative writer with an established or emerging track record to extend their practice through collaborative and intercultural engagement with creative peers from across the Asia-Pacific. The PhD researcher will conduct creative practice-based fieldwork as a writer\/participant in the project, extending and challenging their existing creative practice. This is an opportunity to participate in and co-design a range of innovative exercises in creative and intercultural collaboration, alongside creative peers from across the Asia-Pacific, and to theorise and apply the collaborative and intercultural creative writing methods developed and explored through the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"190402 - Creative Writing (incl. Playwriting) (80%)\n(360201 Creative and Professional Writing (Creative Writing))\n200209 - Multicultural, Intercultural and Cross-cultural Studies (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Josie Vine, Brigid Magner, Ronnie Scott, Kim Munro, Jessica Wilkinson. Marsha Berry, Rebecca Hill, Bonny Cassidy, Antonio Castillo, David Carlin, Gretchen Coombs, Stayci Taylor, Linda Daley, Rose Michael, Peta Murray,  Stefanie Markidis ","title":"Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetics: Creative Ecologies and Imaginative Futures","description":"This theme looks at how writing and publishing can engage with other disciplines and knowledges to create new imaginings of histories, ecologies and futures. It invites a range of approaches, deploying fiction, nonfiction, poetry and\/or performance writing, along with hybrid forms such as the audio essay or poetic biography that complicate generic boundaries. It explores and interrogates how devices of speculation, imagination, poetry and fabulation can generate new perspectives and approaches to critical issues. These include questions of work and care, ecological and ethical futures, and the politics and poetics of fact and fiction as they relate to the way stories are told, policies devised, and worlds imagined.","sdg":"11, 13","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1904, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Brigid Magner, Ronnie Scott, Jessica Wilkinson, Olivia Guntarik, Rose Michael, Peta Murray, Zoe Dzunko, Antonio Castillo, David Carlin, Gretchen Coombs, Stayci Taylor, Stefanie Markidis","title":"Playful and Experimental Approaches to Creative Writing Methods","description":"How can creative writing methods including play, immersive practice, observation and deep listening reshape creative reinterpretations of the material world? Alternatively, how might formal methodological experimentation in creative writing contribute to new ways of knowing, doing or understanding contemporary realities? This theme encourages engagement with interdisciplinary ways of knowing, including play scholarship from ludology, psychology, literary studies or biology. By foregrounding playful and experimental research practices with poetry, fiction, nonfiction, digital literatures and performance writing, this research will enable innovative investigations of pressing material, social, ecological and cultural issues, as well as offer new insight into innovative methods and applications of creative writing and\/or literary studies.","sdg":"44868","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1904"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Josie Vine, Ronnie Scott, Rebecca Hill, Michelle Aung Thin, Bonny Cassidy, Antonio Castillo, David Carlin, Gretchen Coombs, Leah Li, Linda Daley, Rose Michael, Peta Murray, Stefanie Markidis","title":"Voice, Ethics and Power in Writing and Publishing","description":"This theme looks at how dynamics of power play out across bodies, time, narratives and institutions. Its focus is on ethical relations and how these may form the basis for socially grounded creative practices. Through practice-based and allied creative methods, it asks how stories come to matter: whose stories, what stories, how stories are shaped, framed and circulated. It invites critical engagement with theories of difference and relationality, including Indigenous, feminist, queer, critical race, decolonial theory and posthumanist theory. Equally, it is open to the bending of genres to explore transgressive and performative contours and cartographies. The theme invites and implicates diverse modes of creative practice, including the essayistic, poetic, performative and fictional","sdg":"5, 16","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1904, 2005"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Brigid Magner, Polly Stanton, Olivia Guntarik, Rebecca Hill, Rachel Wilson, Bonny Cassidy, Leah Li, Adrian Danks, Linda Daley, Rose Michael, Peta Murray","title":"Place, Location, Sovereignties and the Transnational","description":"This theme aims to explore the possibilities of place, belonging, language and the transnational, including Indigenous language revival and maintenance, through literary, screen and other creative works. Questions include: how can creative writing, screen and sound, and allied literary and creative practices, be used explore the complex relationships between place and sovereignty? How do place-stories and mediations contribute to a shared sense of identity, and how might they work to recalibrate settler-Indigenous relations? How do creative works authored by Indigenous writers and media-makers articulate and perform sovereignty? And how can literary\/screen\/sound practice transform how geographic places are experienced and defined?","sdg":"11, 15","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 1904, 2005"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard, Michelle Turner, Rita Peihua Zhang, Chenjunyan Sun, Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Mental health and wellbeing in construction","description":"There is a well-established and compelling evidence base showing that job-related characteristics in construction impact on the short- and long-term mental health of the workforce. The industry has high levels of burnout and construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than as the result of a work-related accident.\n\nThe RMIT Construction Work Health and Safety @ RMIT team has a strong track record in undertaking research into ways to protect and improve construction workers\u2019 mental health.\n\nThis work involves looking at ways to \n\u2022\tdesign work to reduce psychosocial risk, and well as\n\u2022\tcreate good quality jobs that enable workers to flourish\n\nGiven the implementation of psychological health regulations in many Australian jurisdictions and the growing interest in this topic, we welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area.\n","sdg":"[\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330205\tBuilding organisational studies"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rajagopala, Mary Myla Andamon, Andrew Carre","title":"Urban microclimate","description":"Climate change is significantly impacting cities and those who live and work within them. Hot temperatures are experienced more often and the risk of more frequent heatwaves and longer periods of extreme conditions are predicted to increase significantly over the next few decades. The impacts of heatwaves and extreme hot days are on public health, mortality rates, productivity, energy demand, economy and infrastructure. \n\nResearch topics under this area of focus include: Urban heat island and mitigation studies, outdoor thermal comfort, cooling interventions such as use of urban greenery, cool materials, shading etc. Research methods range from field measurements, surveys, micro-scale and meso-scale climate modelling and simulations, statistical analyses of collected data.\n\nProspective research candidates are expected to have experience and basic or intermediate level of proficiency in one or more of the research methods.\n","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mary Myla Andamon, Priya Rajagopalan, Jin Woo, Andrew Carre, Nigel Goodman, Matthew Francis","title":"Building Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)","description":"Buildings are major investments, not only during the design and construction stage but across their service lives with on-going operation and maintenance. Building owners and occupants are increasingly invested in maintaining adequate building indoor environmental quality that is acceptable and appropriate for intended occupants. IEQ issues have particularly risen on the agenda for governments and broadly, civil society due to concerns that changes to building design to adapt to the expected effects of climate change will have adverse implications on indoor environmental conditions. Achieving occupant comfort have consequent benefits to health, wellbeing, and consequently occupant performance and productivity.\n\nIEQ topics for research include thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation, lighting comfort\/visual quality and acoustic comfort across residential, commercial and institutional occupancies. Research methods range from on-site measurements, occupant survey, post-occupancy evaluation (POE), IEQ modelling and simulations, statistical analyses of collected data.\n\nProspective research candidates are expected to have experience and basic or intermediate level of proficiency in one or more of the IEQ research methods.","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330206 Building science, technologies and systems\n330203 Building industry studies\n330299 Building not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Won, Sarah Holdsworth, Ron Wakefield, Eric Too, Bambang Trigunarsyah, David Oswald, Pauline Teo, Sajani Jayasuriya, Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige, Vijay Rangrej, Tayyab Maqsood, Alireza Ahankoob, Behzad Abbasnejad","title":"Construction operational and dispute managements","description":"This area of focus addresses a wide range of challenges towards achieving automation in construction and the associated new wave of procurement and contract management reform. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), Modulation in Construction (MiC), offsite manufacturing, machine learning for automation in different forms of construction projects, contract administration reforms and new approaches for related disputes avoidance and resolution.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201 Automation and technology in building and construction\n330202 Building construction management and project planning\n330203 Building industry studies\n330205 Building organisational studies\n330207 Quantity surveying"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Holdsworth, Michelle Turner, Orana Sandri, Rita Zhang, Mary Myla Andamon","title":"Women in construction","description":"This team helps devise policies that aim to increase training and employment opportunities for women. They established an evidence base informed by the voices of women in trade and semi-skilled roles to inform targeted interventions aimed at improving gender equality in construction. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in enhancing the apprenticeship and traineeship programs for women in construction and building equality through the social procurement framework","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"5 - Gender Equality\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"330203 Building industry studies\n330299 Building not elsewhere classified\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Pauline Te, Sajani Jayasuriya, Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige, Peter SP Wong, Akvan Gajanayake","title":"Life cycle assessment for construction developments","description":"With the global trend of including Life cycle assessment has part of the mandatory requirements for every construction development, we courage students to contribute to this area of focus through developing carbon accounting solutions, supply and value chain management, evaluating the employment impacts and establishing business cases for social housing and infrastructure.","sdg":"[\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330202 Building construction management and project planning\n330203 Building industry studies\n330207 Quantity surveying"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Won, Ron Wakefield, Guillermo Aranda-Mena, Alireza Ahankoob, Behzad Abbasnejad, Tayyab Maqsood","title":"Immersive (AR\/VR\/MR) technology and Building Information Modelling (BIM)","description":"Build on the direction of Industry 4.0, connectivity technologies for real-time decision-making are no longer the vision but mission that must be accomplished. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in virtual\/augmented\/mixed reality and their integration to Building Information Modelling. Studies focused on the use of immersive technology and multi-dimensional applications of BIM for data analysis in construction operations, project management and professional trainings.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201 Automation and technology in building and construction\n330204 Building information modelling and management"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ron Wakefield, Guillermo Aranda-Mena, Sajani Jayasuriya, Matthew Francis,  Gavin Liu, Tom Simko","title":"Solar Energy Enabled Building\/ Community\/Urban Decarbonization","description":"Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in both building scale and urban scale of solar energy studies. Potential research topics include Building integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and its product performance (for e.g. fire safety and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient), Solar application design modelling, simulation and optimization, Technical feasibility and economic viability, virtual power plant, geospatial mapping and deep learning.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201 Automation and technology in building\n330206 Building science, technologies and systems"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Frank Boukamp, Ali Zolghadr, Guinevere Gilbert, Tayyab Maqsood, Salman Shooshtarian, Omid Haass, Tiendung Le","title":"AI applications in Project Management","description":"As the focus on and adoption of AI continues to grow, projects will increasingly depend on AI applications to ensure timely completion, meet accepted quality standards, and stay within budget. Prospective students are encouraged to propose PhD projects investigating the use of AI across various facets of project management, including planning, scheduling, monitoring, quality control, risk management, communication, and procurement. The supervisory team is highly capable and has an excellent reputation for supervising doctoral students to completion.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330202 Building construction management and project planning\n330203 Building industry studies\n330299 Building not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azizur Rahman","title":"Tools and techniques for reducing ergonomic risks through biopsychosocial evaluation","description":"Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary field that integrates knowledge from various disciplines such as biomechanics, psychology, and sociology to optimize human well-being and system performance. In recent years, the focus on reducing ergonomic risks has expanded beyond the physical aspects to include psychological and social factors, giving rise to the biopsychosocial model. This model emphasizes the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in assessing and mitigating ergonomic risks, particularly in the workplace. Effective risk evaluation tools and techniques are crucial for identifying potential hazards and implementing appropriate interventions that contribute to the overall well-being of individuals and the sustainability of work systems.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"330307 Ergonomics (60%) 420701 Biomechanics (40%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azizur Rahman","title":"Ergonomic Design and Development of Orthoses: A Pathway to Enhancing Mobility","description":"This PhD research project aims to develop orthoses by focusing on the ergonomic design and development. Through the application of cutting-edge technologies in industry 4.0 and 5.0 alongside comprehensive biomechanical assessments, this project seeks to create an orthosis that not only addresses the physical demands of the condition but also prioritizes the comfort and mobility of the users. By emphasizing ergonomics, the project endeavours to produce orthoses that are highly adaptable, allowing for custom adjustments to accommodate various degrees of freedom and ensuring a snug, comfortable fit for purpose. This project's main goal is to make a special kind of orthoses that's more comfortable and works better for the users who have a hard time moving their lower limbs the right way because of a specific condition.\r\n\r\nThe project will address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, including Good Health and Well-being, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequalities.\r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will work with industry partners (subject to availability) to identify specific use cases and requirements for the development of the ergonomic orthosis. The project will involve the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the prototype in real-world settings. The PhD candidate will also be expected to conduct research on relevant theories and models related to Industry 4.0 technologies, ergonomics, and human factors.\r\n\r\nThe expected outcome of the project is orthoses that are effective, efficient, and user-friendly, with the potential to improve safety, and inclusivity of people from different ages.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"330307    Ergonomics design (40%)\n420701        Biomechanics (40%) \n350507        Workplace wellbeing and quality of working life (20%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Oswald, Helen Lingard, Rita Zhang, Payam Pirzadeh","title":"A Framework for Improving Safety Performance of Construction Projects based on the Interaction of Lean Construction and BIM","description":"The construction industry's safety performance continues to be a problem across the world. There is a need for more innovative ways to reduce accidents and injury. This research explores the integration of Lean construction principles and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve safety performance in construction. While Lean construction and BIM can affect safety performance independently, it is hypothesized that to reach maximum safety potential, the application of Lean construction and BIM should be considered in an integrated way. There is a lack of research evidence on the interaction and integration of Lean construction and BIM for improving construction safety performance. Further research is required to bridge this knowledge gap, which is the focus of this study. This research aims to investigate the feasibility of integrating Lean construction and BIM to improve construction safety in Australia and to develop a framework featuring the interaction of lean construction and BIM from the perspective of improving construction safety. This research uses a mixed methods approach, including systematic literature review, case studies, survey, and framework development and validation. The results of this study can increase the understanding of construction practitioners about the significance of integrating lean construction and BIM for safety improvement. This innovative approach could identify a novel approach for improving construction safety practice and advancing theoretical understanding into reducing accidents in the construction industry.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Wong, Guillermo Aranda Mena, Rebecca Yang, Ron Wakefield","title":"Automation in Construction","description":"The vision of Industry 5.0 has prompted the construction sector to rethink how their practice can better align with the advanced technology to reduce the reliance on labour and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of project delivery. This project aims to devise pragmatic solutions to foster automation in construction designs and operations. It covers the implementation of technologies and concepts including Building Information Modelling (BIM), robotics, immersive technology, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), and digital twins. This involves a review of the current practice, an exploration the new approaches, and the development of the best practice guides to foster a sector-wide reform.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330201"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Pauline Teo, Helen Lingard, Rita Zhang, Peter Wong","title":"Mitigating Safety and Rework Incidents in Construction","description":"For several decades, rework and safety incidents are pervasive and recurring problems in construction projects (e.g., Love et al., 2016). Recent research undertaken revealed a significant positive relationship exists between quality and safety performance (Teo and Love, 2017).\nThe adverse consequences of rework have been widely reported, including damage to reputation, loss of productivity, and reduced profitability. Quality failure costs have been reported ranging from less than 1 to over 20% of a project\u2019s original contract value (e.g., Love et al., 2018).\nThe pursuit of an incident- and injury-free workplace remains an ongoing challenge even though considerable effort has been made to ensure the safety of workers. Several issues consistently contribute to this scenario including an organization\u2019s ineffective safety climate and culture, its poor absorptive capacity and an inability to subsequently learn, and the adverse behaviour of individuals.\nAnecdotally, it has been observed that the underlying conditions that contribute to the occurrence of rework in construction projects have been recognized as the main contributors to safety incidents (Love et al., 2016). However, many contracting organizations treat rework as part of normal operations and not does focus on this symbiotic relationship or are simply ignored. Love and Teo (2017) have found that workplace injuries and accidents are more likely to occur while rectification works are being performed. If rework can be reduced, then significant improvements in safety performance can be achieved.\nThis research will provide construction organizations with the understanding, knowledge and context that is needed to mitigate rework and develop safety performance indicators to ensure projects are delivered in accordance with pre-determined objectives.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Oswald, Trivess Moore","title":"The construction cladding crisis","description":"The Australian construction boom in high density residential building has put significant pressure on the industry to deliver high-quality products on time and safely. The acceleration in construction has led to new building techniques, higher resourcing requirements and policy changes to keep up with demand. This has led to a culture of significant building defects estimated to have affected most new residential buildings. Inappropriate cladding is a major defect that can detected in new medium and high-density buildings. In 2017, combustible cladding fueled the Grenfell tower fire in the UK that killed 72 people. The combustible cladding has also led to fires in Australia and overseas; with Australian authorities acting to ban such cladding. Years on from the Grenfell disaster, there is ongoing tension between policymakers, the building industry and owners about how to resolve the problem of combustible cladding. This PhD project would explore the manifestation of how defects have occurred within new residential buildings, with a focus on combustible cladding. It is envisioned a qualitative approach to the problem will be undertaken with use of interviews, observations and relevant documentation as data. The project will provide a contribution to knowledge by providing insights into the construction cladding crisis in Australia. This could help inform future construction policy and practice in order to avoid this issue recurring and to potentially save lives of the general public who are at risk living within unsafe buildings.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Christina Scott-young, Ken Farnes, Guinevere Gilbert, Tayyab Maqsood","title":"Resilient Transformation of Eary Career Project Management professionals","description":"Project management is an exciting and rewarding career, but projects can be demanding. Unexpected challenges and stresses can leave project managers and their teams feeling overburdened, overworked, or even burnt out. Burnout is a state of physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion caused by chronic stress. The COVID pandemic has brought additional stresses, disrupting conventional ways of working, adversely impacting physical and mental health, and causing social disconnection in teams. In this volatile environment, burnout is a real risk for project practitioners. Project managers and their teams need transformative ways to manage their stress. One effective strategy is to focus on building both personal and team resilience that allow them to withstand and bounce back from workplace stresses and to overcome the threat of burnout. This research project will explore i.) the major stressors that project managers and their teams experience individually and collectively, and ii.) identify the effective strategies that leaders, teams and individuals use to build their resilience, transforming them both individually and as a team. This project can be adapted to the research candidate\u2019s particular interests, and can be conducted using mixed methods, or by adopting either a quantitative or a qualitative research approach.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation, Social change","forcodes":"330205"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Omid Haass, Frank Boukamp, Tiendung Le, Tayyab Maqsood","title":"Application of IOTs within Australian Construction Industry","description":"IoT, or The internet of Things, describes a series of interrelated devices with unique identifiers, which can interconnect, interact and exchange data. These devices operate autonomously - without a requirement for human intervention - and therefore project the appearance of being self-aware, and able to make decisions. The Australian Construction Industry may potentially realise significant cost savings and improved safety levels if it were to utilise and leverage some of the benefits which this technology offers. The focus of this project will be primarily to evaluate the existing body of research, with a view to bring together varying approaches and findings. These will in turn inform findings, which will aim to provide quantitative data to make a compelling case for the adoption of these technologies into the Australian Construction Industry. The Project will include analyses of recent findings and data, to ensure applicability to the Australian context. This will be evaluated against any relevant data sets from international sources, to compare and contrast divergent trends to argue the case for, or against, the adoption of this relatively recent technology.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tayyab Maqsood, Tiendung Le, Farshid Rahmani, Salman Shooshtarian","title":"Framework and business case for developing a market place for selling and buying Construction and Demolition waste","description":"Construction and demolition waste is an ever growing problem in Australia. Landfill sites across Australia are at capacity. The Australian Government has been discouraging dumping waste in landfills by increasing levies on waste going to landfill and encouraging reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste.\nHowever, the definitions pertaining to classes of waste and the levies are not consistent across different states in Australia. There are different economic factors pertinent to a certain state that are at play which determines this levy in that state. The type of construction and demolition waste also depends on the nature of the industry. The project would focus on the waste generated by residential, commercial, rail and road infrastructure. With advances in technology, it is now possible to develop a platform that could encourage buying and selling of construction and demolition waste across different industries and across different states.\nThis project seeks to develop a framework and a business case underpinning the development of this trading platform. Using JIT (Just in Time) principles, buyers and sellers would be able engage in on-line transactions and be able to buy or sell the construction and demolition waste at various locations in a timely manner.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; 12-Responsible consumption and production","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures\/Social Change","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Effective measurement and management of health and safety performance on major construction projects","description":"Measurement of health and safety performance provides necessary information for proactive management of health and safety. Successful performance measurement requires developing and deploying valid and reliable indicators that provide useful information about the effectiveness and efficiency of health and safety management activities. \n\nThis work takes a holistic view on measurement and management of health and safety performance in construction. It will involve understanding and mapping the processes of health and safety performance measurement on multi-organisational major construction projects, identifying what combinations of indicators provide useful information for the management of health and safety performance at different project stages, and how this information is utilised during organisational decision-making","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"4 - Quality Education\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh, Rita Peihua Zhang","title":"Simplifying occupational\/work health and safety management systems","description":"Workplace safety management systems have been described as being overly bureaucratic, paper-based systems in which there is a great deal of duplication and inefficiency. Activities or paperwork that take time and resources but that are perceived to have no benefits in terms of safety risk reduction have been termed 'safety clutter' (Rae et al. 2018). This research will explore the perceptions of key stakeholders in the Australian construction industry about what activities are safety clutter, why and how safety clutter comes about, and whether they think that processes or documents could be eliminated, simplified or modified to reduce safety clutter. \n\nThe work will involve an experimental stage in which activities agreed to be clutter (by all stakeholders) will be simplified.\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"4 - Quality Education\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Robotics and work health and safety in construction","description":"Distinguished Professor Helen Lingard and Dr Payam Pirzadeh are part of a new ARC Research Hub for Human-Robot Teaming for Sustainable and Resilient Construction\u2019. \n\nThis new research hub and will improve resilience and sustainability by providing fundamental science, technology and socio-technical frameworks for intelligent robots and humans to work synergistically and safely toward shared goals in construction.\n\nThe work of the Hub will fall within 4 themes, each with its own research questions to answer: Technology, People, Business and Quality.\n \nRMIT will co-lead the \u2018People\u2019 research theme, which will explore:\n1. how the productivity and performance of the construction industry can be improved while considering the needs of the workforce, such as human preferences, human safety, and wellbeing \n2. how human-robot teaming (HRT) can improve work design for reduced risk of injuries and mental health impacts, and\n3. how HRT can improve diversity in the construction workforce, e.g. increasing the attraction of women and retention of older workers.\n\nWe welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area.\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201\tAutomation and technology in building and construction \n330203\tBuilding industry studies\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Climate change and construction workers\u2019 health and safety","description":"The Lancet Climate Change Countdown estimated that extreme heat exposure led to 295 billion hours of work lost globally, equal to approximately 88 working hours lost per employee per year. In Australia, outdoor workers (including construction workers) are at increased risk of work-related injuries during hot weather. In the context of climate change the health and safety of outdoor workers is an important emerging issue requiring research.\n\nWe welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard, Michelle Turner, Rita Peihua Zhang","title":"Work health and safety of women in construction","description":"Government policies in Australian jurisdictions seek to encourage more women into construction industry roles \u2013 and even require construction companies to meet targets for women\u2019s participation as a condition of tendering for government-funded construction work.\n\nHowever, women in construction report experiencing significant work health and safety risks when working in construction-based roles, for example, exposure to gender-based violence (including sexual harassment) and exposure to chemicals and hazardous substances that can affect reproductive health. Women are often impacted by work tools and personal protective equipment that are designed for men and not suitable for women\u2019s biometric characteristics. \n\nIf more women are to be recruited into construction industry jobs it is important workplaces, systems of work and equipment are safe and healthy for women.\n\nWe welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area.\n","sdg":"[\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"4 - Quality Education\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Property","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rebecca Leshinsky and Bambang Trigunarsyah","title":"Restitution for missing property - art, objects and land - consequent of genocide, war, natural disasters","description":"PhD and Masters by thesis opportunities for students interested in examining the socio-legal and economic ramifications for when property goes missing during war, genocide or man-made\/natural disasters. After these events, there may be a misalignment of ownership and possession of art, objects (chattels) or even land. It may be contentious as to whether such property was sold, abandoned, stolen and so on. These are uncomfortable conversations at the national and international levels. There are international treaties to be considered, sometimes local laws, as well as many lessons to be learnt from the horrific experiences from the Shoah (Holocaust), Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as earthquakes, tsunamis and other impactful man-made\/natural disaster events. These terrible experiences have advanced this area of enquiry but there is still much more knowledge to be acquired on the socio-legal and economic issues as they relate to genocide, war, man-made\/natural disasters. ","sdg":"17 - Partnerships for the Goals, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions, 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"3302"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard","title":"Exploring the role of AI technology in creating safe systems of work in relation to people and mobile plant in construction projects","description":"Managing the interface between people and moving plant\/machinery is a serious safety issue in the construction industry. Collisions between people and plant can result in fatalities or life-changing injuries. Despite the implementation of a range of control measures, e.g. physical barriers, measures for safe vehicle movement etc, incidents involving people and plant interactions still occur. McConnell Dowell is sponsoring a Masters by Research project to examine the potential for AI technology to be used in the development of safe systems of work in relation to the use of mobile plant in the construction industry. AI collision avoidance systems are being used in some construction workplaces. These systems can prevent incidents in real-time by detecting people close to moving plant and providing warnings, or triggering autonomous braking systems. AI systems also support the collection data regarding people and plant movements that can be mined and used for future planning and prevention actions. The project will involve working with construction companies, including McConnell Dowell, to understand how effective these systems are in preventing people and plant interaction incidents in construction projects.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"330202 (50%) \n350505 (50%)."},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard, Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Analysis of multi-level causes of high potential safety incidents in the Australian construction industry","description":"The project will apply complex systems theory-based models to understand the factors contributing to high potential safety incidents in the construction industry to inform effective risk control and prevention. \nHigh potential incidents (such as objects falling from height) are those that, in other circumstances, could have resulted in one or more fatality or someone sustaining life-changing injuries Though infrequent, when these incidents occur, it is critically important to understand what caused them in order to develop more effective risk controls and prevention strategies. The project will analyse data (made available through Multiplex Australasia) and apply systems theory-based models to map the factors contributing to high potential incidents at multiple levels (e.g. immediate incident circumstances, project factors and broader industry factors). The analysis will produce critical evidence to inform prevention of work-related death and serious injury in the construction industry. The student will be supervised by RMIT Distinguished Professor Helen Lingard and Dr Payam Pirzadeh and expert advice will be provided by industry construction health and safety experts, Mr Paul Breslin (OHS&E Manager, Construction & Development, Multiplex Australasia) and Dr Dennis Else (ESG Chair, Multiplex Global).","sdg":"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"330203 Building industry studies (50%) ; 420604 Injury prevention (50%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Property","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rebecca Leshinski, Judith Callanan, Chris Eves, Kwabena Mintah","title":"Technology innovations and their impact and disruption in the property and Built Environment sectors","description":"This project aims to explore the extent, value, cost and disruptive impact of new and future technological innovations in the various sectors of the property industry. The project will also investigate a range of operational aspects within the property sector that are now or in the future will be influenced by Big Data, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. It is intended that the research project will contribute to the advancement of knowledge to answer the how\u2019s and why\u2019s behind adoption and failure of adoption of technical innovations and digital transformation in the property sector","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies, Informations and systems","forcodes":"330299"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Property","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Karien Dekker, Judith Callanan, Andrea Sharam","title":"Social and Affordable housing in Australia","description":"Melbourne and Sydney are among the least affordable cities in the world when it comes to housing. A large majority of low income households in the private rental sector are experiencing housing stress \u2013meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. This is occurring at a time of historical under-investment in social and affordable housing. Housing price inflation has also contributed to declining home ownership rates, particularly among first home buyers. There is broad agreement that that low-income households require assistance, but no coherent, sustained policy strategy to address this need. Declining housing affordability is of intense public interest, but its causes and the preferred solutions are highly contested. To increase access to, and quality of social and affordable housing, many obstacles are to be overcome. A few examples: \u2022 Land values have been inflated by competition for centrally located sites and permissive planning schemes \u2022 Most public funding goes to existing home owners \u2022 Existing residents protest the development of housing in their neighbourhood \u2022 The taxation system encourages property speculation \u2022 And multi-residential construction costs are high. We invite HDR proposals that investigate one or more of the following topics: \u2022 Underlying causes of the lack of affordable housing (planning processes; financial, economic, policy and political issues) \u2022 Underlying causes of inadequate housing supply for low to middle income households (financial, economic, policy and political issues) \u2022 Effectiveness of measures to improve the quality and cost of housing (design, environmental sustainability, materials, construction processes \u2022 Innovative approaches to solving Australia\u2019s affordable housing problem","sdg":"10- Reduced inequalities; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures\/Social Change","forcodes":"330299"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rajagopalan, Mary Myla Andamon, Jin Woo, Nicola Willand","title":"Strategies for energy efficient housing in Australia under changing climates","description":"This project will explore the impacts of climate change on energy consumption and thermal comfort of residential buildings in Australia under a various climate change scenarios. The candidate will work with leading sustainability scientists at RMIT and CSIRO, using cutting edge numerical simulation tools and experimental data to help deliver the next generation of efficient and healthy residential building designs for Australia. The key objectives of the research project are as follows: \u2022Using simulation tools, determine the impacts of climate change on the energy consumption and potential for summer overheating of typical residential buildings under various Australian climate conditions;\n\u2022Identify the potential measures for reducing overheating of highly energy efficient Australian residential buildings under current and future climates; and\n\u2022Use these findings to develop strategies to help governments and industry deliver the next generation of efficient, healthy new and retro-fitted buildings to improve performance under current and future warming climates.","sdg":"7-Affordable and clean energy; 9-Industry, Innovation and Infratsructure; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies, Informations and systems","forcodes":"330206"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicola Willand, Nigel Goodman, Priya Rajagopalan, Jin Woo","title":"Indoor air quality in apartment buildings","description":"In the context of the trajectory to highly energy efficient dwellings and the trend towards higher density urban living in Australia, this Area of Focus addresses the nexus of lack of understanding of exposure to chemical pollutants in higher density housing.\nExposure to chemical pollution in housing is a function of material qualities of the dwelling, householder practices and the outdoor environment. Chemical air pollutants have indoor and outdoor origins. Indoor exposure may come from building materials, smoking, cooking or cleaning. Outdoor exposure may be linked to traffic fumes, industrial sites or bush fires. Exposure to indoor air pollutants can be minimised by source control, removal at point of release (e.g. exhaust over stove), natural and mechanical ventilation and air purification. Although exposure to indoor pollutants is ubiquitous, there is concern that exposure may be increased in 1. highly energy efficient housing, because of its increased air tightness, and 2. In higher density housing, as apartments tend to have fewer opportunities for natural ventilation, exposure may happen in common areas and there may be involuntary air exchange between dwelling units or across balconies.\nIn the context of National Construction Code moving towards higher energy efficiency and more stringent mechanical ventilation requirements, more knowledge is needed on the following topics to ensure householder health and wellbeing:\n\u2022 Interaction between dwelling quality, householder practices, indoor air quality and health outcomes;\n\u2022 Perspectives and practices of building professionals around building materials, air tightness and ventilation.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing; 7-Affordable and clean energy; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330206"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dorian Notman, Jose Silva, Chrystal Zhang","title":"Investigating the implementation opportunities of Advanced\/Alternative Air Mobility for delivering logistics support to remote and regional communities","description":"Logistics distribution in urban and densely populated areas can be optimised to enhance efficiencies while giving customers high levels of product availability at low overall transportation costs. However, as the distribution network moves away from these areas of high demand, the traditional models start to struggle with the extra operations costs and delivery lead times, issues that are passed on to the consumers in these areas. In areas classed as regional and remote (approximately 90% of Australia), these extra costs and limitations of product availability can lead to food scarcity and to economic disadvantage, factors that can significantly increase social disadvantage. Similarly, such regional and remote areas are particularly vulnerable to the negative impact of extreme weather, bushfires and the effects of global warming on traditional road-based operations. \n\nThis project seeks to identify the role that Advanced\/Alternative Air Mobility could play in increasing the security and resilience of consumer product supply to remote and regional communities. As part of this, the air systems, air operations, and ground infrastructure aspects of these implementations will be modelled to better understand the specific configuration of systems needed to meet the supply needs to these disadvantaged communities.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350901 air transportation and freight services (50%)\n400199 aerospace engineering not elsewhere classified (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dorian Notman, Jose Silva, Chrystal Zhang","title":"Investigating operations safety in emerging Advanced Air Mobility ground infrastructure environments","description":"Advanced Air Mobility is a developing field of aerospace engineering research, most of which has focussed on the development of the air systems and air traffic management technologies. However, as these systems mature to the point of certification and introduction, there is a need to evaluate and develop flexible ground infrastructures that support these systems in operation. Traditional airport ground operations safety has been identified as a topic requiring further research and the design and management of ground operations in the AAM field is even less developed and understood. \n\nThis project seeks to identify how these new systems can be safely supported by integrated infrastructure on the ground and whether traditional methods of ground operations safety management can be applied in the distributed AAM Vertiport environment of the near future. Without such research there is the significant risk that AAM ground operations may evolve in a manner that focusses on efficiency at the expense of safety. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350901 Air Transportation and freight services (50%)\n400199 Aerospace engineering not elsewhere classified (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation (Engineering)","programcode":"DR215","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Michael Jones, Simon Barter","title":"Durability of Hybrid Airframe Structures","description":"Modern combat aircraft typically employ composite skins over metallic sub-structures where the mehanical performance of this hybrid structure has not been fully characterised. This project will investigate durability and damage tolerance problems that can develop with the adoption of composite\/metallic hybrid structures for defence applications. Tasks will include the design and manufacture of a test rig capable of testing large hybrid structures as well as develop analytical models that can predict durability short falls in such structures. Correlation of experimental results, analytical methods and fleet findings will enhance the capability of the Royal Australian Air Force and other fleet operators to safely and efficiently ensure continued airworthiness of combat aircraft.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"\"400101 Aerospace materials (50%)\n400102 Aerospace structures (50%)\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation (Engineering)","programcode":"DR215","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Alberto Bernabeo, Lin Tian, Nhan Nguyen, Associate Lecturer\u2022 Undergraduate & Postgraduate, SBM\/ RMIT Vietnam","title":"Air Quality pollution monitoring, including landfills","description":"The ability to remotely detect and map chemical pollution in open air environments is a topic of significant interest to both defence and civilian communities with regard to environment, health and safety aspects of everyday life. \r\nIn this project we propose:\r\nObjective n.1: a multitasking experimental approach based on the integrated use of remote sensing, aerosol sampling and chemical speciation together with the use of drones\/tethered balloons equipped with aerosol sensors aimed at providing all the information which so far have been collected partially. \r\nObjective n.2: The study will also collect information about the 3D distribution of all the aerosol properties described before with the aim of determining and helping the vertical resolution of data from remote sensing.\r\nObjective n.3: The project will include the testing of aerosol probes aimed at producing aerosol size distribution useful firstly for the research purposes and secondly, but not secondarily, in an attempt of devising the potential for an application as a new on-board instrumentation to integrate flight safety equipment on commercial aviation airplanes.\r\nThe consequences of climate change (UNSDG 13. Climate Action) and weather conditions associated with industrial\/fossile fuels emissions for the transport sector have received relatively little attention. Still, it is widely known that transport systems on the whole perform worse under adverse and extreme weather conditions. This is especially true in densely populated regions, such as many coastal areas around the globe such as in Vietnam, where one single event may lead to a chain of reactions that influence large parts of the transport system. In terms of Sustainable Development, SBM will contribute collecting and sharing the data of the 18 Air Visual Air Quality Monitors installed around Ho Chi Minh City.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"330413\tUrban planning and health\r\n379901\tEarth system sciences\r\n410599\tPollution and contamination not elsewhere classified \r\n059999\tEnvironmental Sciences not elsewhere classified\r\n370199\tAtmospheric sciences not elsewhere classified\r\n401101\tAir pollution modelling and control\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ryan Kelly","title":"Designing Digital Technology to Enhance Human Wellbeing","description":"This PhD project explores the intersection of technology and human experience, focusing on innovative approaches to designing digital technologies that promote psychological, social, and physical wellness across different life stages and contexts.\n\nResearch Focus Areas\n- Human-Centred AI for Supporting Relationships and Social Connection\n- Technology Design for and with Older Adults\n- Immersive Technology for Digital Health\n\nMethodology\nProjects will employ methods including:\n- Critical analysis of existing academic literature, potentially including a systematic literature review\n- Interviews, questionnaires and participatory design workshops\n- Design and development of novel technology prototypes\n- Evaluation of prototypes through qualitative and quantitative methods\n\nExpected Outcomes\n- Innovative technological prototypes addressing wellbeing challenges\n- Theoretical frameworks for designing empathetic, human-centred technologies\n- Evidence-based guidelines for developing digital technologies\n\nCandidate Requirements\n- Strong Bachelors \/ Honours degree or Masters in Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Media, Psychology, Design, Computer Science, or a related discipline\n- Demonstrated interest in technology's potential to support human wellbeing\n- Strong human-centred thinking and research skills\n- Excellent communication skills, including in written work\n- Creativity and passion for designing transformative technological solutions\n\nThis project will be based in the School of Computing Technologies, offering opportunities for cutting-edge research and potential industry collaborations.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/3\/2028","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%) \n460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science ","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang","title":"Building an Aussie Information Recommendation System You Can Trust","description":"This project aims to address the escalating public distrust in online media platforms arising from misinformation, compromised user privacy, echo chambers, and community bias. Collaborating with a well-established Australian online media platform, the project expects to build Australia's inaugural trustworthy information recommender system by spearheading the design and development of cutting-edge misinformation filters, user-controlled privacy protection mechanisms, diversity-aware information recall algorithms, and community fairness-enhanced ranking algorithms. These technology advancements will seamlessly integrate into online media platforms to create a more reliable information dissemination environment and foster public trust.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 - Recommender systems (40%)\n460501 - Data engineering and data science (30%)\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ronny Andrade Parra","title":"How do mixed-ability gamers (gamers with and without disabilities) interact?","description":"With an estimate 3.24 billion gamers worldwide, videogames have become a cultural phenomenon. However, barriers to accessing video games still exist for people with disability. With about 15% of Australians aged 15-64 having a disability, it is crucial to understand how they engage with videogames, especially as games have been found to foster social connectedness [2].\n\nWhile existing literature has explored the experience of gamers who are blind, are neurodivergent, or have physical disabilities in isolation, less is known about the social aspects of gaming, especially in relation to mixed-ability gaming [1]. In this project, you will design, implement and study novel interaction approaches to foster social connectedness and encourage mixed ability gaming across gamers with and without disability, with a focus on how technology impacts in-game socialisation.\n\nReferences:\n[1] Gon\u00e7alves, D., Rodrigues, A., Richardson, M. L., De Sousa, A. A., Proulx, M. J., & Guerreiro, T. (2021, May). Exploring asymmetric roles in mixed-ability gaming. In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-14). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3411764.3445494 \n\n[2] Vella, K., Klarkowski, M., Turkay, S., & Johnson, D. (2019). Making friends in online games: gender differences and designing for greater social connectedness. Behaviour & Information Technology, 39(8), 917\u2013934. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/0144929X.2019.1625442 ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/9\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460801\tAccessible computing (40%)\n460703\tEntertainment and gaming (30%)\n460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos, Bruno Schivinski","title":"Unravelling the Impact of Privacy Violations and Digital Media Use on Teen Mental Health","description":"Background: The pervasive use of digital media among teenagers has led to a surge in privacy breaches, including online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft, all of which are taking a toll on their mental health. This project aims to delve into how these violations contribute to mental health challenges in teens who are heavily engaged with digital media, drawing on rich data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.\r\nAims: This study seeks to uncover the specific mental health impacts of privacy violations on teenagers immersed in digital media. By tapping into the extensive ABCD dataset, the research will pinpoint the critical factors that intensify these mental health issues, offering a nuanced understanding of this growing concern.\r\nMethods: Utilizing cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, this research will analyze the ABCD data to detect patterns and relationships between privacy breaches in digital media and negative mental health outcomes in adolescents. The focus will be on identifying the influence of online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft.\r\nSignificance: The insights gained from this study will pave the way for the creation of targeted interventions designed to foster safer digital media practices and enhance mental health support for teenagers. By addressing a pressing issue in today\u2019s digital landscape, this research has the potential to drive significant change. Additionally, a 90-day internship secured through CatholicCare Victoria will allow these findings to be implemented in real-world settings, ensuring that the research translates into tangible community benefits.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"\u2022\t450410 and 60% allocation\r\n\u2022\t450714 and 30% allocation\r\n\u2022\t460206 and 10% allocation\r\n\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nalin Arachchilage, Vasileios Stavropoulos SHBS,\r\nBruno Schivinski DSC","title":"Research Project Proposal: Online Privacy, Mental Health, and Gaming Addiction Among Australian Teenagers","description":"Objective: This research project aims to investigate the intersection of online privacy risks and the mental health impacts of online gaming disorders or addictions among Australian teenagers. Specifically, it will explore how privacy vulnerabilities in online gaming environments contribute to the development or exacerbation of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors.\r\n\r\nBackground: With the increasing popularity of online gaming among teenagers, concerns have grown regarding the potential risks associated with excessive gaming and the lack of privacy protections on gaming platforms. The interplay between these factors is not well understood, particularly in the context of Australian youth.\r\n\r\nData Sources: The study will utilize data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) and the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC). These datasets provide rich, longitudinal data on the health, development, and social experiences of Australian children and teenagers, offering a valuable resource for examining the long-term effects of online gaming and privacy risks.\r\n\r\nMethodology: The project will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of survey data from LSAC and LSIC with qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights into teenagers' experiences. The study will focus on identifying patterns of gaming behavior, privacy concerns, and mental health outcomes, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations.\r\n\r\nSignificance: Findings from this research will contribute to a better understanding of how online privacy risks intersect with mental health issues in the context of online gaming. The results will inform policy recommendations and the development of interventions aimed at promoting safer online gaming environments for Australian teenagers and the work of CatholicCare Victoria via a 90 days Internhsip.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"\u2022\t450410 and 60% allocation\r\n\u2022\t450714 and 30% allocation\r\n\u2022\t460206 and 10% allocation\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Novel Immersive Approaches to Information Seeking","description":"People search through digital information more than ever before. However, current search systems present information through a 2D search engine results page. In addition, opportunities to interact with the search results to understand underlying relationships in the retrieved data, are limited. The proposed approach will allow users to navigate information naturally and immersively, following users\u2019 interests and curiosity rather than being constrained by a search box and a ranked search results list.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to explore this unique interaction paradigm for effective and efficient interactive information retrieval through virtual or augmented reality, enabling a novel approach to defining user information needs, presenting results, and facilitating search reformulations.\r\n\r\nThe project can answer research questions, including:\r\n-What is the most effective way to visualise 3D information units (in virtual or augmented reality) to facilitate enhanced search interactions?\r\n-How do users formulate information needs, manipulate results, and navigate immersive information spaces?\r\n-How does immersive search versus traditional ranked lists impact users' navigation behaviours within an information space?\r\n-How do users with different levels of familiarity with immersive applications experience information?\r\n-How does the proposed approach compare to current search methods for exploring complex information needs?\r\n\r\nThe project will contribute to the field of interactive information retrieval by providing a novel approach to exploring information needs. Using virtual or augmented reality together with current advances in conversational interactions for information seeking will allow for more intuitive and natural navigation of information, which could lead to unexplored insights into how people interact with information.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460708 Virtual and mixed reality (40%) ; 460806 Human-computer interaction (30%) ; 461003 Human information interaction and retrieval (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Towards Intelligent Data-driven Software Engineering","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown outstanding progress with impressive performance over the last decade. AI techniques have been applied to solve numerous problems such as weather forecasting, movie recommending, autonomous driving, health applications, question answering, etc. The main ingredient of an AI algorithm is the data that is mined from problems that are same or similar to the problem to be solved.\nSoftware Engineering (SE) is a highly impact area with many interesting and important challenges. Besides, the amount of data generated by SE is generally large and cheap to collect (e.g., source code, software system logs, software reports). Therefore, SE is an ideal area where AI techniques can be applied.\nIn this project, we thus aim to develop novel AI-based techniques to solve various challenging problems in SE:\n+ configurable software performance prediction with a minimal number of measured data [1]\n+ intelligent incident management for software-intensive system including incident detection, incident identification, incident triage [2]\n+ software defect and vulnerability detection [3]\n+ etc.\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the chosen topic.\nReferences:\n[1] H. Ha, H. Zhang. \u201cDeepPerf: Performance Prediction for Configurable Software with Deep Sparse Neural Network\u201d, in Proceedings of the 41st ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 1095-1106, Montr\u00e9al, Canada, 2019.\n[2] Z. Chen, Y. Kang, L. Li, X. Zhang, H. Zhang, et al., \u201cTowards intelligent incident management: why we need it and how we make it\u201d, in Proceedings of the ACM Joint European Software Engineering Conference and Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (ESEC\/FSE), pages 1487-1497, 2020.\n[3] S. Omri, C. Sinz, \u201cDeep Learning for Software Defect Prediction: A Survey\u201d, in the Workshops of the 42nd ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 209-214, 2020.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461201 Automated software engineering (60%) ; 461103 Deep learning (20%) ; 461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221 ","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Further Advance Bayesian Optimization","description":"Bayesian Optimization (BO) is a powerful sample-efficient strategy for finding the global optimum of an expensive black-box functions [1]. The main idea is to fit a surrogate model on the previous function evaluations, construct an acquisition function based on the surrogate model, and then use the acquisition function to select the next data point to be evaluated. Its applications include but not limited to automated machine learning, experimental design, environmental monitoring, and robotics. Whilst being effective and efficient in solving many optimization problems, BO is still a relatively new research field and suffers various limitations [1]. For example,\n+ Existing BO algorithms do not work well with high-dimensional optimization problems\n+ Limited BO methods can be applied to solve optimization problems with discrete, categorical, and mixed variables.\n+ Limited BO methods can solve the multi-objective optimization problems.\n+ etc.\nThis project aims to advance the efficacy of BO algorithms by various techniques such as evolutionary methods (e.g., covariance matrix adaptation, particle swarm, multi-objective decomposition) [2], deep surrogate models (e.g., deep kernel, Bayesian deep learning) [3]. Apart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\nReferences:\n[1] B. Shahriari, K. Swersky, Z. Wang, R.P. Adams, N. de Freitas (2016). Taking the Human Out of the Loop: A Review of Bayesian Optimization. Proceedings of IEEE 104(1): 148-175.\n[2] A. E. Eiben, James E. Smith (2015). Introduction to Evolutionary Computing. Natural Computing Series, Springer.\n[3] Y. Gal (2016). Uncertainty in Deep Learning. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%), 460209 Planning and Decision Making (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Data Science (CT)","programcode":"DR221\/DR220","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Son Dao (son.daovutruong@rmit.edu.vn), Hung Pham (hung.phamviet2@rmit.edu.vn)","title":"Surrogate modeling and Machine Learning for science and engineering applications","description":"The research will focus on data-efficient machine learning (or surrogate modeling) techniques to solve complex problems in science and engineering. Potential research areas including extension and uses of machine learning algorithms such as generative models, neural networks, Gaussian Processes, Bayesian optimization, and more to solve challenging problems in science and engineering. The benefits of the research are as follows: (1) Fast design space exploration: compact scalable regression models for design automation, parametric studies, design space exploration, optimization, yield improvement, visualization, prototyping, and sensitivity analysis; (2) Quickly gain insight: knowledge discovery in sparse data sets, and knowledge extraction from large data sets; (3) Reduced computational time, thus, shorten time to market.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460207\r\n460501\r\n461199\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hiep Tran","title":"Gallium Oxide UV-C Detectors for Early Fire Detection","description":"Early wildfire detection remains a critical global challenge, especially in extreme environments where conventional sensors fail due to high temperatures or intense UV exposure. Gallium Oxide (Ga\u2082O\u2083), with its ultra-wide bandgap and exceptional thermal and chemical stability, offers a promising solution for next-generation sensors capable of detecting fire signatures\u2014such as UV-C emissions \u2014before flames escalate.\nThis project focuses on designing and fabricating highly sensitive Ga\u2082O\u2083-based photodetectors for early fire detection. You will explore Ga\u2082O\u2083 to enhance sensitivity and spectral selectivity, optimizing device architectures for rapid and reliable signal detection. The research will involve advanced material synthesis, precise device engineering, and performance testing under simulated extreme conditions. Leveraging state-of-the-art facilities such as RMIT\u2019s Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility and the Micro Nano Research Facility, you will work alongside internationally recognized experts in semiconductor device fabrication, electronic materials engineering, and advanced characterization techniques. Your contributions will help advance fire detection systems, with direct applications in environmental monitoring, disaster prevention, and climate change mitigation.\n","sdg":"[\"13 - Climate Action\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2027","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400909 Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (50%)\n401605 Functional materials (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Partridge","title":"Materials and Device Architectures for Neuromorphic Computing Advancements","description":"The rise of data-intensive technologies requires computing solutions that are energy-efficient and highly adaptable. Neuromorphic computing, drawing inspiration from the human brain\u2019s efficiency and parallelism, provides a promising approach to address the shortcomings of traditional systems. This project aims to advance neuromorphic technologies by strategically employing materials and developing device architectures, establishing a foundation for future intelligent systems.\nIn this research, you will concentrate on growing materials suited for neuromorphic applications, designing innovative device structures, and characterizing their properties to enhance performance. You will explore synthesis techniques such as thin-film deposition or nanostructure fabrication, and study how material composition and structural design affect functionality. Based at RMIT, you\u2019ll leverage state-of-the-art resources like the Micro Nano Research Facility and Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility, while collaborating with experts in materials science, device engineering, and computational modelling to drive progress in this field. This work holds potential to influence a wide range of emerging areas, from efficient computing platforms to adaptive technologies, giving you the opportunity to contribute to the next era of brain-inspired innovation.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2027","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400908 Microelectronics (35%)\n401605 Functional materials (35%)\n461104 Neural networks (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Stanley Luong","title":"Navigational assisted device for the blind","description":"This project will investigate methods which derived from a multi-discipline input from Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering to formulate solutions in term of hardware, software, algorithm to realise a practical device to assist blind people in daily navigation.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400999 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware not elsewhere classified (50%) ; 460304 Computer vision (25%) ; 460308 Pattern recognition (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora, Melbourne City","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development of novel dry particulate protein\/enzyme complexes (Protein Complex Engineering)","description":"Project Overview:\n The research integrates biochemistry, material science, and nanotechnology to develop particulate complexes that maintain protein\/enzyme functionality under diverse (e.g., heat stress) conditions. The project will investigate novel materials, formulations and procedures to create particles, for outputs aligned with both academic advancement and industry partners. Materials will be evaluated for size, morphology and structure-function (functionality) aspects using RMIT's state-of-the-art facilities. Experiments and analyses will include but not limited to spray drying systems (that use aqueous- and\/or organic solvent-based feeds), protein denaturation measuring systems (e.g., CD, FTIR), surface\/interface measuring systems, microscopy and microanalysis.\n Applicants should have a background in either chemistry, polymer science, materials science\/engineering or food technology (with strength in chemistry and engineering). We seek motivated candidates with a strong academic record and desire to excel in research and innovation ecosystem.\n Funding and Support:\n The studentship includes tuition waiver, a competitive stipend, and access to advanced facilities. Training in research methodologies, industry placement opportunities, and conference participation are provided.\n \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-07-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (34%)\n401609 Polymers and Plastics (33%)\n400406 Powder and Particulate technology (33%)\n\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Extending the shelf life of UHT plant protein beverages","description":"This Project is based at RMIT, Bundoora campus and will make use of world class food processing and research facilities. The project will be conducted with input and regular contact with supervisors from CSIRO and Sanitarium Health co. and  aims to improve understanding and overcome the negative effects of the secondary lipid oxidation products and Maillard reaction in UHT plant protein beverages. The expected outcome is a methodology to impede the negative impact of malodorous\/browning reactions in high protein UHT beverages. This may lead to the extension of shelf life of these products furthering export opportunities. The project also includes a 60 day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner in (Cooranbong, NSW) and a structured professional development and training program to develop your applied research skills.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300601        Beverage chemistry and beverage sensory science (50%)\n300602        Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mahsa Majzoobi, Raj Eri, Benu Adhikari ","title":"Dietary fibre: Enhancing the functional properties and health benefits ","description":"Fibre is the indigestible part of edible carbohydrates and plays a crucial role in maintaining human health. Examples of fibre include cellulose, pectin, beta-glucan, and resistant starch. Health professionals recommend a daily intake of 25-30 grams of fibre to stay healthy. Unfortunately, fibre consumption, particularly in Western diets, falls well below the recommended levels. This shortfall has led to an increase in diet-related health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.\nTo boost fibre intake, many food products, especially staple foods, are now being enriched with fibre. However, adding fibre to foods can be challenging, as it often negatively impacts the quality and sensory properties of the final products. Additionally, food industry is highly interested in cost-effective strategies to produce and utilise fibre such as fibre from food waste streams. \nThis project aims to address the following questions regarding fibres and their application in foods:\n1)        What is the difference between the fibre obtained from natural sources and those obtained from food waste streams? \n2)        How can we improve the functional properties of common fibres to create novel food ingredients?\n3)        What food processing strategies can enhance the health benefits of fibres?\nIn this project you will gain skills relevant to important areas of processing of biological materials into high-value ingredients for use in functional and healthy products, packaging and other applications. It will help you establish a track record relevant to the circular economy, sustainability and waste minimisation.\nThis project would suit people from a wide variety of backgrounds, including food technologists, food scientists, nutrition and chemical and process engineers.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology (20%) 300606 Food Sustainability (20%) 400405 Food Engineering (30%) 300602 Food Chemistry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Peter Torley, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Valorization of Food Processing Waste via 3D Printing Technology for Sustainable Food Systems","description":"Food wastage is a critical global challenge that threatens food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability, leading to resource depletion and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Agri-food processing wastes, which are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, present a valuable opportunity for reintegration into the value chain, aligning with the principles of a zero-waste circular economy. This research aims to explore the application of 3D food-printing (3DFP) technology for the valorization of low-value food processing waste from various streams, transforming them into high-value applications. The study will focus on optimizing ink formulations by incorporating hydrocolloids (e.g., alginate, carrageenan, pectin) and binding agents to enhance printability and stability. Additionally, it will assess the effects of ultrasound treatment and high-pressure homogenization on the physicochemical properties of the ink formulations. The research will also investigate the potential applications of the developed 3D-printed food products, including functional foods, novel food textures, and innovative food packaging solutions. By addressing these aspects, this research aims to contribute to sustainable food production systems, reduce food waste, and create novel, high-value food products through the integration of 3D food printing technology and food waste valorization strategies.\n\nReferences:\n1. Jagadiswaran, B.; Alagarasan, V.; Anandharamakrishnan, C. Valorization of Food Industry Waste and By-Products Using 3D Printing: A Study on the Development of Value-Added Functional Cookies. Future Foods 2021, 4, 100036. \n2. Muthurajan, M.; Veeramani, A.; Rahul, T.; Kumar, R.; Anukiruthika, G.T. Valorization of Food Industry Waste Streams Using 3D Food Printing: A Study on Noodles Prepared from Potato Peel Waste. Food Bioprocess. Technol. 2021, 14, 1817\u20131834. \n3. Feng, C.; Zhang, M.; Bhandari, B.; Ye, Y. Use of Potato Processing By-Product: Effects on the 3D Printing Characteristics of the Yam and the Texture of Air-Fried Yam Snacks. LWT 2020, 125, 109265. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"25% 300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing 50% 300606 Food sustainability 25% 300607 Food technology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Penny Brotja","title":"Extraction and Characterisation of Fiber from Unutilized Stems of Asparagus Grown in Australia and Its Application in Low-Calorie Food Products\n","description":"\"Extraction and Characterisation of Fiber from Unutilized Stems of Asparagus Grown in Australia and Its Application in Low-Calorie Food Products\nSupervisors: Professor Benu Adhikari, Dr Penny Brotja\nIntroduction\/Background\nIn the quest for sustainable food production and waste minimization, the unutilized stems of asparagus present a significant opportunity for valorisation. In Australia, where asparagus cultivation is prevalent, a considerable amount of stem waste is generated, especially the bottom part of the stem that is often discarded due to its fibrous nature. This research focuses on harnessing these discarded stems, aiming to extract valuable dietary fibers and explore their application in creating healthier, low-calorie food products such as candies, biscuits, and soft foods like custard. By focusing on this underutilized by-product, the project aims to contribute to the reduction of agricultural waste, enhance food nutritional value, and promote the development of innovative food solutions.\nResearch Questions\n1.        What is the most effective method for extracting dietary fiber from the unutilized stems of asparagus grown in Australia?\n2.        What are the key physicochemical and functional characteristics of the extracted asparagus stem fibers?\n3.        How can these fibers be incorporated into candies, biscuits, and soft foods like custard to produce low-calorie, high-fiber content products?\n4.        What is the impact of adding asparagus stem fibers on the taste, texture, and consumer acceptance of the developed low-calorie food products?\nObjectives\n1.        To establish an efficient extraction process tailored for the fibrous stems of asparagus, optimizing yield and quality of dietary fiber.\n2.        To thoroughly characterize the extracted fibers, focusing on their dietary value, functional properties, and suitability for food formulation.\n3.        To formulate and evaluate the sensory qualities of low-calorie candies, biscuits, and custards enriched with asparagus stem fibers.\n4.        To assess consumer acceptability and the potential health benefits of consuming these fiber-enriched, low-calorie food products.\nKey Steps\nExtraction\n\u2022        Develop and optimize a sustainable extraction protocol specifically for the fibrous stems of asparagus, possibly incorporating mechanical (e.g. wet milling) and enzymatic methods to maximize fiber yield and quality.\nCharacterisation\n\u2022        Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the extracted fibers to assess their physicochemical properties, including solubility, water-holding capacity, and dietary fiber content.\nFormulation\n\u2022        Create innovative recipes for low-calorie food products, including  hard foods (candies, biscuits) and soft foods, incorporating the extracted asparagus stem fibers.\n\u2022        Optimize formulations to ensure palatability, desirable texture, and nutritional enhancement without compromising taste.\nCharacterisation of Food Products\n\u2022        Analyse the nutritional profile, specifically focusing on dietary fiber content and reduced caloric value of the developed food products.\n\u2022        Perform texture and rheological tests and sensory evaluation and consumer acceptability tests to gauge the consumer preference of the fiber-enriched, low-calorie foods.\n\u2022        Conclusion\nThis proposal outlines a targeted approach to valorise the unutilized stems of asparagus grown in Australia, turning agricultural waste into a valuable resource for the food industry. Through this research, we aim to explore sustainable extraction methods, characterize the nutritional benefits of asparagus fibers, and integrate them into low-calorie food products, thereby contributing to waste reduction, nutritional enhancement, and the development of innovative food solutions that meet the needs of health-conscious consumers.\n\"\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"\"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (34%)\n300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (33%)\n300606 Food sustainability (33%)\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Julia Low","title":"Innovating Natural Food Colours: Exploring Protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexation for colour formation\n","description":"\"Innovating Natural Food Colours: Exploring Protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexation for colour formation\nSupervisors: Professor Benu Adhikari, Dr Julia Low\nBackground\nThere is an increasing demand for natural, safe, and visually appealing food colorants. Food colours of various types can be generated through interactions between food proteins and small molecular weight phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds, polyphenols, and naturally occurring dyes like gennipin and phycocyanin. These compounds offer not only vibrant hues but also potential health benefits, making them prime candidates for food colouring. The complexation of these phytochemicals with food proteins presents an innovative strategy to enhance their solubility, stability, and colour intensity. Furthermore, a novel area of research involves the complexation of proteins with phenolic-metal complexes, potentially opening new avenues for creating stable and unique food colorants. This research aims to explore these two pathways: forming complexes between proteins and small molecular weight phytochemicals to create food safe colours and investigating protein-phenolic-metal complexes for their unique colouring potential.\nResearch Questions:\n1.        How do specific food proteins interact with small molecular phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds, polyphenols, gennipin, phycocyanin to form stable, vibrant colour complexes suitable for food applications?\n2.        How can protein-phenolic-metal complexes be engineered to produce unique and stable colours, and what are the mechanistic foundations of these interactions?\n3.        What is the solubility, concentration-dependant colour intensity of protein-phytochemical complexes and protein-phenolic-metal complexes colourants in water and oil media?\n4.        What is the stability of these colourants during thermal treatment (pasteurisation, sterilisation and boiling)?\nObjectives:\n1.        To characterise the complexation process of above-mentioned small molecular weight phytochemicals with food proteins to identify combinations that yield stable and vibrant colours.\n2.        To develop and characterize protein-phenolic-metal complexes, assessing their potential as innovative natural colorants for food applications.\n3.        To determine the solubility of protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexes in water and oil, contributing to a broader application range in various food products.\n4.        To evaluate the colour intensity of the complexes as a function of phytochemical concentration, optimizing the conditions for maximum colour payoff.\nMethods and Characterisation:\nKey Steps:\n\u2022        Phytochemical and Protein Selection: Choose small molecular weight phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds, polyphenols, and gennipin, along with compatible food proteins based on their coloration potential.\n\u2022        Complexation Experiments: Conduct experiments to complex selected phytochemicals with proteins, optimizing conditions for colour stability and intensity. Additionally, synthesize phenolic-metal complexes before protein complexation.\n\u2022        Phenolic-Metal Complex Formation: Create stable phenolic-metal complexes as precursors for protein complexation, selecting metal ions that enhance colour properties without compromising safety.\n\u2022        Solubility Testing: Assess the solubility of both protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexes in water and oil, determining their applicability across different food matrices.\n\u2022        Colour Intensity Analysis: Measure the colour intensity of the complexes as a function of phytochemical concentration, using spectrophotometry to determine the optimal conditions for vibrant coloration.\nKey Characterisation Properties:\n\u2022        Spectrophotometry: To determine the colour intensity and stability of the complexes.\n\u2022        High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): To analyse the composition and monitor changes in the phytochemicals during the complexation process.\n\u2022        Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): To identify \"\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"\"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science 34 (34%)\n300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (33%)\n300606 Food sustainability (33%)\n\n\n\n\n\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Peter Torley, Arianna Dick Zambrano, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Plant-protein-based 3D printing","description":"Three-dimensional (3D) printing processing is an innovative technology that offers the convenience of on-demand and tailor-made food production by adjusting to consumers' sensory, nutritional, and physiological requirements. Among a range of food materials, plant proteins are a promising avenue for developing personalised plant-based meals, with soy protein being extensively studied due to its water absorption, emulsification, and gelling properties facilitating printability [1]. However, other protein sources, such as peas, fava beans and lentils, are gaining attention due to their low allergenicity and high nutritional value [2]. Yet, their printability presents significant challenges regarding ink development to ensure printing fidelity and stability. Hence, this study will explore the 3D printability of plant-protein pastes from varying sources, such as pea, fava beans, and lentils, compared to soybean protein. Plant proteins will be physiochemically characterised to understand their native printability potential. Then, the role of ultrasound on the protein techno-functionality and the addition of hydrocolloids\/crosslinkers on the rheological, mechanical, and microstructural properties of the ink will be assessed to enhance extrusion, deposition, and post-processing feasibility. Furthermore, this study will explore the potential applications of plant-protein pastes for value-added product development, potentially leading to new, innovative food products, such as regular-textured and texture-modified meat and fish analogues.\n\n[1] Yu et al. Effects of preheating-induced denaturation treatments on the printability and instant curing property of soy protein during microwave 3D printing. Food Chem. 2022; 397:133682. doi: 10.1016\/j.foodchem.2022.133682\n[2] Mittal et al. Challenges and Prospects of Plant-Protein-Based 3D Printing. Foods. 12(24):4490. doi: 10.3390\/foods12244490\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"25% 300604        Food packaging, preservation and processing\n50% 300606        Food sustainability\n25% 300607        Food technology\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Harsharn Gill","title":"Blending plant and dairy proteins for sustainable beverages ","description":"Plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs) have experienced significant growth in recent years due to various factors, including health benefits, heightened food security awareness, and the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly food sources. Products such as oat, almond, soy, coconut, pea, and others have gained popularity, with plant-based drink sales in the U.S. increasing by 61% between 2012 and 2018, while dairy milk sales have declined by 15% since 2012. However, despite this growth, plant-based drinks face challenges in replicating the unique flavor and texture of dairy products. Issues such as beany or nutty flavors and bitterness, especially in coffee, tea, or cooking applications, limit their acceptance. Additionally, while plant sources offer good quantity of protein, they lack the functionality and quality of dairy-based milk protein. Therefore, blending plant and dairy proteins to create hybrid products may offer opportunities to develop beverages with desirable textural and functional properties that appeal to consumers. This study aims to develop a hybrid ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage by blending dairy milk with plant-based alternatives such as soy, lupin, chickpea, and pigeon pea milk. The research will explore how varying levels of plant-based milk incorporation alongside cow milk affect probiotic survivability, functionality, and flavor compounds within the hybrid product. Additionally, changes in oral and gut microbiota post-consumption will be analyzed. Ultimately, this research aims to provide valuable insights into developing hybrid beverage formulations that promote sustainability and health in the dairy industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science (50%) 300607 Food Technology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Asgar Farahnaky, Mehran Ghasemlou","title":"Controlled self-assembly of plant proteins for sustainable food applications","description":"In response to the growing demand for sustainable protein sources for humans, this project aims to explore the technological landscape of plant-based alternative proteins as feasible replacement for animal-based proteins. Today, there is an increased interest among consumers in adopting plant-based diets given their additional advantages such as environmental sustainability, and high nutritional values.\nProteins which are well-known for their ability to modify their own macromolecular structures, play a crucial role in developing stabilized emulsions, foams, gels, thickeners, and food packaging. This PhD project particularly focuses on the complex mechanisms underlying the self-assembly of proteins, either alone or in conjunction with other bioactive compounds. Proteins can self-assemble in aqueous solutions into various forms such as films, hydrogels, micelles\/vesicles, and particles. The extraordinary adaptability of protein-based systems can be precisely fine-tuned to facilitate the delivery of a specific food ingredient. However, efforts to generate functional food formulations from plant-based proteins have been hindered by the absence of efficient methodologies to induce and control their micro and\/or nano structures. A deeper understanding of binding capability of plant-based proteins to food ingredients is urgently required to achieve efficient and stable delivery systems with tailorable functionality. This project seeks to comprehensively elucidate the self-assembly behaviour of plant-based proteins and their utilization in food industry for encapsulation, protection, and delivery of food-based bioactive compounds. To achieve this main objective, this project will attempt to engineer a protein-based system loaded with bioactive compounds and understand to what extent its self-assembly can be manipulated to control the release rate of a bioactive compound under different environmental conditions (pH, temperature, etc.). The insights gained from this project not only complement the molecular understanding of protein\u2019s self-assembly but also pave the way for the development of sustainable and functional food solutions with low environmental impacts.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300604 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Ravi Shukla","title":"Development and characterization of protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes for application in delivery systems and active packaging","description":"Introduction\/Background\n\nThe growing demand for sustainable and efficient delivery systems and active packaging requires innovations in materials. Binary complexes, such as phenol-metal and protein-phenol complexes, have been extensively studied intending to use them as bioactive delivery vehicles and components of active packaging. These complexes have shown promising properties including higher stability and bioavailability of encapsulated compounds. These binary complexes are also used to impact active function such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and also indicating compounds. A logical extension of this concept is to develop protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes. Such complexes can potentially offer synergistic advantages, combining the benefits of binary complexes through improved structural integrity, functionality, and interaction specificity. This project aims to develop and characterise ternary complexes, and thus advance the knowledge in the metal-organic framework or network area.\n\nHypothesis\nProtein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes can be synthesized which will possess finetuned structural properties and superior performance as encapsulating and delivery vehicles. They can be used as component of active and intelligent packaging.\n\nResearch Questions\nWhat is the optimum pathway to synthesise protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes of tailored properties?\nWhat are the structural characteristics of these complexes at molecular level?\nHow do these complexes behave when used as delivery vehicles?\nHow do these complexes behave when used as part of active packaging?\n\nObjectives\nTo synthesize protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes with targeted molecular and structural properties.\nTo characterize the structure and physicochemical properties of these ternary complexes \nTo evaluate the encapsulation efficiency, stability, and release kinetics of bioactive compounds encapsulated in these complexes.\nTo assess the applicability of these ternary complexes in active packaging to increase shelf-life a targeted produce.\n\nKey steps in methodologies:\nSynthesis of ternary complexes: Use representative and well-characterised proteins, polyphenols (e.g., catechin, quercetin, curcumin, gallic acid) and metals (e.g., cu, Fe, Zn, Ti, Se) as models to create ternary complexed and optimise the process of their creation.\nCharacterization: Use characterisation methods such as spectroscopy (NMR, FTIR), chromatography, and microscopy (SEM, TEM) to elucidate the molecular level structure of the complexes.\nEncapsulation and release studies: Determine the encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics of a selected bioactive compounds encapsulated using the ternary complexes as shell material.\nTesting active packaging function: Evaluating the stability of the complexes to be embedded in representative packaging (to create active packaging) and evaluate the physico-mechanical properties and efficacy of the resulting active packaging to extend shelf life of representative produce.\n\nReferences\nBaranwal, A., Polash, S.A., Aralappanavar, V.K., Bansal, V., Shukla, R.  (2024). Recent Progress and Prospect of Metal\u2013Organic Framework-Based Nanozymes in Biomedical Application. Nanomaterials, 14(3), 244.\nFurukawa, H., Cordova, K.E., O'Keeffe, M.,Yaghi, O.M. (2013).         The chemistry and applications of metal-organic frameworks. Science, 341(6149), 1230444.\nNkhili, E., Loonis, M., Mihai, S., El Hajji, H. (2014). Reactivity of food phenols with iron and copper ions: Binding, dioxygen activation and oxidation mechanisms. Food and Function, 5(6), pp. 1186\u20131202.\nLi, W., Han, S., Huang, H., Liu, X., Liu, F. (2024). Fabrication, characterization, and application of pea protein isolate-polyphenol-iron complexes with antioxidant and antibacterial activity.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (40); \r\n321002 Food properties (incl. characteristics and health benefits) (30)\r\n310699 Industrial biotechnology not elsewhere classified (30)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Benu Adhikari, Mehran Ghasemlou","title":"Advancing Food safety by Leveraging Metallic Nanoparticles for Controlled Delivery of Bioactive Compounds","description":"As the global population continues to grow, and the food resources become increasingly scarce, there is an urgent need for innovative technologies that can protect our limited food supplies without negatively impacting the environment. Nanotechnology offers a viable solution for the food industry by enhancing the safety, quality, and functionality of food products. One promising approach is the nanoencapsulation of bioactive food components, which can regulate the delivery of nutrients and nutraceuticals while helping to reduce the risk of foodborne microbial diseases. Metallic nanoparticles are among the most widely used nanocarriers in the medical field, due to their non-toxicity and biocompatibility. These nanoparticles possess large surface areas, customizable pore sizes, and excellent adsorption capabilities, making them ideal for the controlled and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds. Despite the growing interest in using metallic nanoparticles for encapsulation, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of how to use them to encapsulate, protect, and deliver food-based polyphenolic bioactives. This project seeks to bridge this gap by engineering a nanocapsule loaded with bioactive compounds and investigating their ability to regulate the release of these substances under varying environmental conditions, such as pH and temperature. This helps assess how well the nanoparticles control the release of the bioactive compounds over time. The chosen bioactives will be encapsulated within the porous structure of metallic nanoparticles. Additionally, this project aims to develop innovative packaging solutions designed to inhibit bacterial growth and prolong the shelf life of selected food items. This research has the potential to impact a wide range of fields, including food technology, packaging, and materials science, offering valuable insights and advancements for food technologists, packaging experts, and chemical and material engineers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300604 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Benu Adhikari, Mehran Ghasemlou","title":"Exploring Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Controlled Delivery and Preservation of Bioactive Compounds","description":"With the continuous rise in human population, depletion of food resources and emergence of new bacterial and viral infections, there is a global search for effective technologies to protect the limited food supplies without increased environmental pollution. Nanotechnology has provided unparalleled opportunities to the food industry, boosting the safety, quality, and functionality of food formulations. Nanoencapsulation of food bioactive components can control the delivery of the nutrients and nutraceuticals, helping to mitigate the risks of food-borne microbial diseases. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are one of the commonly used nanocarriers in the medical industry. MSNPs are deemed safe and biocompatible as a drug-delivery platform. Using MSNPs as a nanoplatform could have a great impact in the food industry due to their unique properties, such as large surface areas, adjustable pores, and superior adsorption capacity. These features make them an ideal candidate for developing controlled targeted delivery of bioactive substances. Using MSNPs for encapsulation purposes is a flourishing research area; however, there is a general lack of knowledge regarding their usage to encapsulate, protect, and deliver food-based polyphenolic bioactive compounds. This project aims to address this gap of knowledge by engineering an MSNP-loaded bioactive compound and understanding to what extent they can be tuned to control the release rate of a desired bioactive under different environmental conditions (pH, temperature, etc.). Given the scarcity of data on using MSNP-loaded bioactive compounds to protect highly perishable food products, this project also aims to design a new packaging system that can delay the bacterial growth and extend the shelf life of a selected food product. This project would be interesting for a broad variety of disciplines, including food technologists, packaging technologists, and chemical and material engineers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation, and processing (%100)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei, Zhiyu Wang","title":"Advanced 2D Nanochannel Membranes for Efficient Energy Harvesting ","description":"The development of renewable, clean, and sustainable energy remains a critical global challenge, driven by the increasing impacts of climate change and the finite nature of fossil fuel reserves.1 New nanomaterials (e.g. two-dimensional nanomaterials (2D): BN nanosheets, MXene, and graphene) have displayed considerable promise in enabling new energy harvesting due to their unique nanochannels and surface charges.2,3 Despite these promising attributes, the practical application of nanomaterials in energy harvesting is hindered by challenges such as poor nanochannel structure, low chemical stability, and high internal resistance. In addition, the dense pore structures of nanomaterial membranes that restrict ion transport and reduce energy conversion efficiency.\nThis project aims to address these challenges by creating advanced nanofiber membranes with 2D nanochannels. These nanochannels will exhibit strong mechanical and chemical stability, low internal resistance, and high selectivity for specific ions, enabling efficient ion transport and energy harvesting. ","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-01","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 40% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 30% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Selvakannan, Suresh Bhargava","title":"Development of Efficient Metal Catalysts for Ammonia Synthesis and Decomposition ","description":"Ammonia (NH\u2083) is a promising alternative for energy storage and transport, given its high hydrogen density, ease of liquefaction, and well-established handling infrastructure. While NH\u2083 is primarily synthesized via the Haber\u2013Bosch (HB) process, this energy-intensive method accounts for significant carbon emissions. A more sustainable approach integrates water electrolysis-driven H\u2082 production with an electrolysis-driven Haber\u2013Bosch (eHB) process. However, a major challenge remains\u2014current NH\u2083 synthesis catalysts require high pressures (15\u201330 MPa), which are incompatible with low-pressure (1.0\u20133.2 MPa) hydrogen electrolysis systems.\n\nThis project focuses on designing and developing advanced NH\u2083 synthesis catalysts that operate efficiently under mild conditions, enabling compatibility with renewable-powered electrolysis systems. By optimizing catalyst composition and reaction conditions, the project aims to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while enhancing NH\u2083 production efficiency. The outcome will accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy by facilitating large-scale, sustainable ammonia-based hydrogen storage and distribution.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-31","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601-Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)\n401607-Metals and alloy materials(20%)\n340305-Physical properties of materials(30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dawei Su","title":"Room Temperature High Energy Density Sodium-Sulfur Batteries","description":"The project aims to boost room temperature sodium sulfur batteries (RT-NaSBs) with low cost and high energy density based on the insight understanding of \u201cstructure (atomic and electronic levels) - performance\u201d relationship between sodium polysulfides, electrolytes, and electrocatalysts, which is a critical but rarely understood in developing a broader family of sulfur redox reaction electrocatalysts. The mechanisms discovered and electrocatalytic materials rationally designed in this project will advance knowledge in fundamental science and engineering to strengthen national research capacity. The anticipated goal of the project is bringing RT-NaSBs from lab to fab.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2027-03-31","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials (70%)\n401807 - Nanomaterials (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brendan Dyet, Kate Fox","title":"Engineering Lipid Nanoparticle Structures for Intracellular Delivery","description":"Lipid nanoparticles have been used for various biomedical applications, including delivery vehicles for drugs, genes, and contrast agents. A recent development can be seen in COVID-19 vaccines from both Pfizer and Moderna. Both vaccines utilise lipid nanoparticles containing a mixture of lipids and mRNA encoding virus\u2019 spike protein. Various mesophase structures formed by lipid self-assembly have been explored to further improve the performance of these nanoparticles. Several studies have demonstrated that mesoporous structures within the lipid nanoparticles can influence the drug release rate, the mechanical properties, and the interaction with cells. There are two key challenges that, if overcome, will significantly advance the applications of lipid nanoparticles. The first involves the generation of nanoparticles with customised mechanical and surface properties, and the second is related to the interaction between the nanoparticles and the cell membrane under physiologic conditions\noccurring in human vessels. \nThis ARC funded project will involve studying the structural properties of lipid nanoparticles, modifying particle stiffness by changing their composition and the self-assembly process. The relationship between nanoparticle structure and stiffness will be determined both through experimental and modelling approaches. Finally, interaction of nanoparticles with various mammalian cells will be studied to determine the ability to deliver bioactive agents into cells. The interaction between nanoparticles and cells will be studied under various flow conditions.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-04-01","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603\tColloid and surface chemistry (50%)\n510501\tBiological physics (30%)\n320604\tNanomedicine (20%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Liu","title":"Functionalized nanofiltration membranes for organic solvent separation and recovery","description":"The high capital and operating costs of the separation, recovery, and disposal of organic solvents in chemical and pharmaceutical industries account for 40-70% of the total process cost due to reactions and high-value products in organic solvents at the end of the process. (Chem. Rev. 2014, 114, 10735). Therefore, higher separation and energy efficiencies are needed to significantly reduce the cost of processing organic solvents mixtures for purification. Compared to conventional membrane technology, the organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) membrane, has been realized for more efficient solvent operations because of its excellent stability and high separation in organic solvents and good solvent permeance to improve the production process speed (Chemical reviews 2014, 114, 10735). Meanwhile, several reports have highlighted that limited ultrahigh permeance membranes will not improve the separation process (Science 2017, 356). Therefore, OSN membranes with a high solvent permeance and good separation performance have attracted interest from researchers for industrial applications. \n \nThis project will design a novel bio-inspired robust nanocomposite membranes with hierarchical architecture assembly of 1D nanofiber and 2D nanomaterials which display high stiffness and tensile strength sufficient for high efficient organic solvents separation and recycling. In addition, the separation mechanism will be deeply studied and the synthesis of 2D nanomaterials-based membranes will be optimized toward large-scale production for a wide range of industrial applications.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; \n400409 - Separation Technologies and 40% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samantha Grover","title":"Quantifying methane emissions from wastewater treatment to identify mitigation opportunities","description":"This project aims to quantify methane emissions from wastewater treatment plants. The expected outcomes are improved understanding of methane emissions from within the plant, their spatial and temporal variability, and how they contribute to the total emissions. This may reduce emissions of methane. The opportunity\n\u2022Admission to RMIT University PhD program\n\u2022A four-year scholarship valued at $47,000 per annum (2025 rate)\n\u2022A project expense and development package of up to $13,000 per annum\n\u2022Supervision by CSIRO, an industry partner and the host university\n\u2022A 60-day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner\n\u2022A structured professional development and training package\nThe CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a research training program, focusing on applied research that benefits industry by solving real-world challenges. It aims to produce the next generation of innovation leaders with the skills to work at the interface of research and industry in Australia.\n\nEligibility requirements\nThe student must:\n\u2022Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, or a New Zealand citizen.\n\u2022Not have previously completed a PhD.\n\u2022Enrol as a full-time PhD student.\n\u2022Be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that RMIT University has approved and, if required, comply with the host institutions' procedures.\n\nThe Ideal Student Skillset: \n\u2022Completed Honours or Master\u2019s degree in environmental science, applied maths, physics, chemistry, computer science, computational modelling,  earth science or similar.\n\u2022Strong programming skills.\n\u2022Experience in making gas flux measurements\n\u2022Excellent project management skills and attention to detail.\n\u2022Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.\n\u2022Strong communication skills and an ability to write high-quality technical reports and contribute to peer-reviewed academic publications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2026-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"370203 Greenhouse gas inventories and fluxes 80%\n400410 Wastewater treatment processes 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229\/MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Advanced Materials for Redox Flow Batteries","title":"Advanced Materials for Redox Flow Batteries","description":"As society transitions towards Net Zero, many industries, processes and products will need to be improved to reduce the waste produced and energy consumed. Circular economies, sustainable materials and green technologies are attracting greater interest when investing in renewable technologies. Renewable energy generation and storage will play a significant role globally towards this effort. Photovoltaics and wind provide an intermittent source that will need to be coupled with large scale energy storage to deliver base load energy supply.\n\nAs battery systems are developed and commercialised, there will be a specialisation of where these systems are used, which will be dominated by cost and availability\/sustainability of materials (i.e. critical metals), product lifetime, safety and waste management at end-of -life (i.e. recycling). In addition to the deployment of lithium-ion batteries (1 ), redox flow batteries (2) offer one of the cheapest costs for large scale energy storage which is also extremely safe and environmentally robust. Australia first vanadium redox flow battery was launched in South Australia in 2023.(ref 3 and 4)\n\nRedox mediators, compounds that are capable of accepting or releasing electrons, are desperately needed that are sustainable and easily recycled for commercial RFBs. The project will involve working with a multi-disciplinary team screening, designing, and testing new materials that are of interest progressing the fundamental science and of commercial relevance. We are looking for a student with Chemical Synthesis, Characterisation and Electrochemistry skills to be involved in this growth area working in a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers at the CSIRO\u2019s Clayton site in Melbourne.\n\nReferences:\n\n1. Zhao, Y; Pohl, O; Bhatt, A; Collis, G; Mahon, P; Ruether, T.; Hollenkamp, A. F. A Review on Battery Market Trends, Second-Life Reuse and Recycling. Sustainable Chemistry. 2021; 2(1):167-205.\n\n2. Zachary Deller, Z. Jones, L. A. and Maniam, S. Aqueous redox flow batteries: How \u2018green\u2019 are the redox active materials? Green Chem., 2021, (23), 4955-4979.\n\n3. Australia's first commercial vanadium-flow battery storage completed in South Australia - ABC News (https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2023-06-23\/vandium-flow-battery-south-australia\/102515616)\n\n4. Flow batteries, the forgotten energy storage device, July 31, 2023, C&EN Digital Magazine","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2027-12-30","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340503\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Organic chemical synthesis (20%) \n340103\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electroanalytical chemistry (40%) \n400804\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electrical energy storage (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood, Ravichandar Babarao, Babar Shabir, Muhammad Waqas Khan","title":"Designing Electrocatalyst for Direct Seawater Splitting for Hydrogen Production","description":"6 months working with a partner industry to test the catalysts in prototype electrolysers and may have an industry supervisor.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials 50% \n340305 - Physical properties of materials 30% \n400404 - Electrochemical energy storage and conversion 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam ","title":"Self-assembled, peptide-based new functional materials ","description":"The self-assembly of natural and synthetic peptides at the supramolecular level holds great potential for applications in material science, biology and engineering. Such peptides have become a focal point in molecular self-assembly research, capable of forming a range of nanostructures beyond traditional \u03b1-helixes, \u03b2-sheets, and random coils. These processes are largely governed by the amphiphilic characteristics of peptides and reinforced by non-covalent interactions, giving rise to complex nanoarchitectures that can adapt to changes in their environment.\n\nIn this project, we aim to synthesize beta-peptides, which we, along with others, have shown to self-assemble in unique ways forming remarkably robust, 3-dimensional architectures. By integrating additional small organic or inorganic molecules, we will explore new functionality and potential applications. We are seeking candidates with expertise in organic synthesis.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340503 Organic chemical synthesis (40%)\n340407 Proteins and peptides (30%)\n340308 Supramolecular chemistry (30%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Li Gao","title":"Ammonium-selective membranes to shift water industry into circular economy","description":"The project aims to develop ammonium-selective membranes which are urgently needed in Australian key industries for sustainable ammonia recovery. The project expects to construct the membranes to achieve desirable pore size and surface functionality for fast and selective ammonia transport. The developed membranes should make ammonia recovery from wastewater more effective and sustainable, leading to the healthy waterway and reduced energy for both ammonia production and removal. Recovered ammonia expects to produce valuable products, supporting agriculture industry and hydrogen economy. The developed membranes should enable water industry's shift into circular economy, providing significant economic and environmental benefits to Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials (40%)\n401807 - Nanomaterials (30%)\n400409 - Separation technologies (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haoxin Mai, Rachel Caruso","title":"Data-Driven Design of Perovskites for Photocatalytic Applications","description":"The growing demand for energy and the accompanying environmental pollution are two critical challenges we face in the 21st century. To address the energy crisis while protecting the planet, solar energy offers a compelling solution due to its abundance, renewability, and sustainability. One promising approach to harness solar energy is through photocatalytic reactions, which convert sunlight into chemical energy for various applications, such as producing hydrogen or carbon monoxide as clean fuels, purifying water through photodegradation of pollutants, inactivating bacteria, and enabling green synthesis of critical industrial precursors. Perovskites, with their versatile compositions and structural diversity, have shown great potential in photocatalysis. However, their industrial application is often hindered by low quantum efficiency and instability. To overcome these challenges, the development and optimization of highly efficient and stable perovskite-based photocatalysts tailored for industrial applications are urgently needed.\n\nThis PhD project aims to develop novel perovskite-based photocatalysts by integrating machine learning and experimental techniques. The student will carry out experiments to tune the chemical composition and morphology of perovskite materials to enhance specific photocatalytic activities, assisted by computational chemistry and machine learning models. This approach will deepen our understanding of how structural and elemental modifications influence photocatalytic performance, providing valuable insights for advancing perovskite-based catalysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 030308 Theory and Design of Materials (40%) Functional Materials (30%)  340601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei, Milad Laghaei ","title":"Advanced protective coatings for thermal energy management devices","description":"This project aims to develop new nanomaterial coatings and advanced plasma coating technology to address the\nglobal issue of e-waste caused by short lifespan thermal energy management devices (TEMDs) used in energy\n(solar, wind, oil), transport (aerospace, automotive, marine) and industrial (manufacturing, mining) sectors. The\nproject expects to overcome issues of erosion and corrosion of TEMDs and toxic coating methods by developing\nnew nanomaterial coatings and innovative plasma coating technology. This should provide significant benefits\nsuch as improved sustainability of TEMDs with improved corrosion resistance and durability, as well as new\nmanufacturing products and processes that have far reaching economic benefits for Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401807 Nanomaterials (45%)\n401605 Functional materials (35%)\n401805 Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood","title":"Fabrication of advanced catalytic electrodes for direct seawater splitting","description":"This Project will create effective catalyst materials and construct electrodes to generate hydrogen directly from seawater, suitable for industrial use. The expected outcomes include developing methodologies for the suitable ink formulation of active catalyst materials, optimisation of coating technique and implementation in an electrolyser prototype. This may result in a reduced reliance on freshwater for hydrogen production improving sustainability and decreasing resource costs","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials\n340305 - Physical properties of materials\n400404 - Electrochemical energy storage and conversion"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xavier Mulet, Rachel Caruso","title":"PhD Scholarship in Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide with Porous Materials and Systems","description":"Carbon dioxide is one of the key challenges of the coming generation. With emissions annually at more than 25GTons and rising, all options to reduce the concentration of Carbon Dioxide should be considered: this includes direct air capture of carbon dioxide. This PhD project is focussed on the development of carbon dioxide capture systems from the advanced material to the prototype demonstration. \n\nThe candidate is expected to have strong materials or chemistry background and demonstrated skillset as well as an interest in the elements required for scaling up into prototype systems that demonstrate real world performance. \n\nAim\n\nTo develop and validate new porous materials and materials composites that are able to capture carbon dioxide at atmospheric concentrations in real world conditions. The student will be expected to develop new materials and\/or composite systems that can capture carbon dioxide at low concentrations. The project aims to translate these materials into prototype systems and test applicability\n\n\nMethodology\n\nTo create new materials or material composites into functional form factors. Working in collaboration with the supervisory research teams, the student will test structure-property relationships to understand material performance and scale-up to develop laboratory scale prototypes to test the materials. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340207        Metal organic frameworks\n400401        Carbon capture engineering (excl. sequestration)\n340305        Physical properties of materials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Nhiem Tran, Calum Drummond","title":"Ionisable lipid complexation with mRNAs and polyelectrolytes for gene delivery","description":"Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have had a tremendous clinical success compared to all other nanoparticle drug delivery systems. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated LNP research and translation, especially in the delivery of genetic materials such as mRNAs, which hold more biomedical potential for the treatment of various diseases beyond the pandemic control for infectious diseases. However, fundamental understanding of the lipid-mRNA complexation mechanism is lacking, limiting future development of gene therapy. In particular, large size mRNAs are polyelectrolytes and their complexation and encapsulation into the current lipid nanoparticle formulations are complex and challenging. With the huge potential of CRISPR technology in gene editing and disease cure, study focusing on large size mRNAs is very much needed for the delivery of CRISPR Cas mRNA coupled with single guide RNAs.   \n\nThis project aims to investigate the complexation of large size mRNAs and polyelectrolytes as a model candidate with ionisable lipids and obtain mechanistic insights for the development of more stable and effective lipid nanoparticles for future gene therapy. It will include investigation of property \u2013 function relationship by following a work flow of lipid nanoparticle-mRNA formulation, characterisation of physicochemical and structure properties, and investigation of mRNA delivery in vitro. \n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 - Colloid and Surface Chemistry (50%)\n310607 - Nanobiotechnology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dawei Su, Baohua Jia, Tianyi Ma, Hamid Arandiyan, Xiaoming Wen, Rachel Caruso, Gao Li","title":"Solar-Energy-Driven Modular Floatable Device for Scalable Green Hydrogen Production from Wastewater","description":"The project will design and manufacture catalytic membranes that combine photocatalysis and photothermal effects to maximise solar energy utilisation. By using only natural sunlight and without relying on potable water, the project will produce floatable devices based on the designed catalytic membranes for simultaneous cost-effective green hydrogen generation from wastewater (targeted price of $2.5\/kg H2) and organic species degradation to purify the source wastewater (to add additional credit to the process). Expected outcomes are the new knowledge of temperature-dependence and in-built charge generation in promoting photocatalytic reactions, the insight into the synergy between photothermal and photocatalytic processes, as well as the development, scaled-up manufacturing, deployment and commercialisation exploration of composite catalysts and membranes incorporated floatable devices that are suitable for real-world application. The technology will develop new markets associated with efficient stand-alone hydrogen production directly from sunlight and remove the need for extra infrastructure associated with photovoltaics and water source purification. The technology will provide significant benefits to Australia's capability in wastewater treatment, clean energy generation, and hydrogen supply chains.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials\n401807 - Nanomaterials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yichao Wang, Vipul Bansal, Li Gao","title":"Real-time plant health monitoring sensor","description":"Agriculture and forestry experience significant annual economic losses, estimated at about $100 billion, due to the impact of both biotic and abiotic stresses. These challenges are intensified by global phenomena like climate change, global warming, and the greenhouse effect. To mitigate these impacts, it is essential to effectively monitor plant physiological conditions, which can help preserve vital resources such as soil, water, and nutrients while also reducing pesticide usage and boosting crop yields.\n\nThe objective of this project is to create advanced nanobionic sensors that can detect and monitor plant stress in real time. These sensors will offer immediate insights into the health and condition of plants, allowing for timely interventions to prevent damage caused by stress. Plants naturally release signalling molecules, facilitating internal communication that helps them identify and react to various stressors both within and outside their systems. These molecules include chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By embedding nanosensors within plant tissues or applying them externally as tattoo or wearable devices, these sensors will capture plant stress signals and transmit the data to portable devices like handheld thermal imaging cameras or Raman spectrometers.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects)        \n310607 - Nanobiotechnology        \n401605 - Functional Materials\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xavier Mulet, Ravichandar Barbarao, Gary Rosengarten","title":"Thermal Modelling and Testing of Porous Materials and Systems across length scales.","description":"Investigating the Thermal Properties of Porous Materials, including Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), \u2013 Integrating simulation, system modelling and experiments\n\nPorous materials including Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials with a range of applications, including gas storage and catalysis. Their unique structure\u2014comprising metal ions or clusters connected by organic ligands\u2014endows them with remarkable properties, including high surface area and tunable porosity. Understanding their thermal properties is crucial for optimizing their performance in all applications. This project aimed at investigating the thermal properties of MOFs through advanced simulation and system modelling techniques validating with experimental data.\n\nAim \n\nTo develop and validate computational models that accurately predict the thermal behavior of porous materials including MOFs and their composites To analyze the impact of different structural parameters and environmental conditions on the thermal stability and thermal conductivity of MOFs. To provide insights into how these thermal properties influence the performance of MOFs in specific applications.\n\nMethodology \n\nTo construct detailed atomic-scale models of selected MOFs and porous materials and to study thermal behaviour including thermal conductivity and thermal stability at various temperatures using classical molecular dynamics simulations.  Further density functional theory will be employed to calculate vibrational properties and heat capacities. \nThis understanding of the thermal behaviours of porous materials can then be integrated in thermal system models that are represent a real-world application application, with a focus on direct air capture of carbon dioxide and atmospheric water generation. There will be an opportunity to translate the model into a prototype system. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305        Physical properties of materials\n401204        Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) \n401602        Composite and hybrid materials\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nhiem Tran, Ewan Blanch","title":"Study cell-nanoparticle interaction using multiple techniques","description":"Lipid nanoparticles are promising candidates for a wide range of biomedical applications from drug delivery to gene therapies. In order to design more effective lipid nanoparticles, it is important to understand the interaction between the nanoparticles and cells. For example, lipid nanoparticles can be taken into cells via processes such as endocytosis. However, they can also fuse with cellular membranes and deliver a therapeutic cargo directly into the cell. The relationship between nanoparticles' structure and their uptake pathways is not well understood. Furthermore, different cells will likely interact with the nanoparticle through a different mechanism, making the relationship more complex. In this project, techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, and cryogenic electron microscopy and tomography will be used to study the interaction between lipid nanoparticles and various types of mammalian cells. Our goal is to use the obtained information to design more efficient delivery vehicles for nucleic acids such as siRNA and mRNA.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (40%)\n310105 Cellular interactions (incl. adhesion, matrix, cell wall) (20%)\n340101 Analytical spectrometry (20%)\n340605 Molecular imaging (incl. electron microscopy and neutron diffraction) (20%)\n\n\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Liu","title":"Bio-inspired functional nanofibers\/nanosheets membrane for wearable Zn-ion batteries ","description":"Currently, the issue of energy shortages has become a serious global challenge. Commercial lithium-ion batteries have been a promising next generation battery for energy storage. Yet there are several problems to be settled including the limit of lithium reserves in the earth, the safety risks (flammability) of separators piercing resulted from lithium dendrites, and environmental impact. To development of renewable energy with low environmental impact and to meet the increasing demand for flexible and wearable electronics, advanced flexible zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are a promising way to provide an alternative to apply in these aspects owing to their low-cost, high-energy density, inherent safety, and low environmental impact. Nevertheless, several challenges remain that need to be prioritized before realizing the widespread application of ZIBs, such as inevitable zinc dendrites, weak interfacial stability between Zn anode and electrolytes corrosion passivation. Therefore, this project will develop a new strategy to improve the stability of Zn anode for high performance of Zn-ion batteries with low-cost, safety, and low environmental impact to guarantee the sustainable development of human being.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; \n401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 40% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung, Vipul Bansal","title":"Molecular Simulations and Deep-Learning Predictions of Biomolecular Interactions ","description":"Biomolecular interactions in eukaryotic and bacterial membrane environments are vital for cellular function, survival, and pathogenicity. Understanding these interactions provides insights into cellular mechanisms and can inform therapeutic strategies. This project will employ state-of-the-art computational molecular modelling and biophysical simulations techniques to predict and identify specific interactions between biomolecules in the presence of lipid membranes. AI-driven deep learning methods will be used to predict the conformations of biomacromolecules, while complex cellular membrane environments such as bacterial cell walls will be constructed using a combination of mesoscale (coarse-grained) and all-atom models. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations will be used to quantify the binding affinity between molecular species within realistic cellular environments. Data acquired from structural modelling and simulations will be mined to identify optimal predictive descriptors for development of machine learning models, which will enable rapid in silico screening and identification of binding partners in biomolecular systems, with numerous potential applications in biosensing, antibody design, nanomedicine, and other fields. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340401 Biologically active molecules (50%)\n340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (50%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lily van Eeden, Lukas Parker","title":"Changing human behaviour to benefit nature (and people)","description":"This project is funded by a 2024 ARC Industry Fellowship titled \"Behaviour change science for nature conservation\". The two main partners are the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBG).\n\nAustralia has some of the highest rates of species extinction in the world. Human actions are driving much of the biodiversity crisis, and yet human action can also help solve it. This project seeks to harness an understanding of human behaviour to achieve nature conservation objectives.\n\nThe project will employ and build skills in behavioural psychology and systems-thinking, seeking to develop and test theories of change for achieving conservation through behaviour change interventions, working in partnership with government.\n\nThe project is likely to encompass some or all of the themes and approaches below, with some flexibility to accommodate the successful candidate(s) interests and skills:\n\n- Testing how models and theories of pro-environmental behaviour apply to target nature-friendly behaviours\n- Exploring relationships between target behaviours to develop behavioural \"spillover\" mechanisms\n- Identifying relationships between nature-friendly behaviour and human wellbeing\n- Interviews and qualitative data analysis\n- Development of surveys and quantitative analysis of survey data\n- Workshops with partner agencies to identify potential system leverage points\n- Evaluation of behaviour change interventions, delivered through DEECA, RBG, and other partner programs","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"410401 Conservation and biodiversity 60%\n520505 Social psychology 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babar Shabbir, Nasir Mahmood","title":"X-ray Sensing and Imaging Devices","description":"X-rays have revolutionized various fields. Today, they address challenging detection problems, including diagnosing illnesses, detecting high-density metal explosives, and identifying physical food contaminants. The predominant method, Single Energy X-ray technology, operates within the hard X-ray photon region of ~10 to 200 keV. This range is ideal for detecting hard materials such as high-density bones, metals, and stones, which effectively absorb hard X-rays. However, soft materials with low X-ray attenuation coefficients within this spectral region (10 to 200 keV) yield limited information. This limitation hinders the detection of soft materials in heterogeneous substances, such as soft human tissues, low-density metals, or low-density physical contaminants in food.\n\nTo address this challenge, this project aims to develop dual energy X-ray detectors capable of simultaneously detecting soft and hard X-rays with high sensitivity. By incorporating an additional spectral dimension, this approach promises to enhance the detection of both soft and hard materials. These detectors will be based on advanced materials, which will be predicted using deep learning techniques. These new sensors will improve the accuracy and efficacy of X-ray detection in medical diagnostics, security screening, and food safety.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"030702        Radiation and Matter (50%)\n020504        Photonics, Optoelectronics and Optical Communications (25%)\n029904        Synchrotrons; Accelerators; Instruments and Techniques (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babar Shabbir, Nasir Mahmood","title":"Accelerating Materials Discovery and Optimization Using Machine Learning","description":"The development of advanced materials is critical for numerous industries, including aerospace, automotive, and energy. Traditional material discovery methods are time-consuming and expensive, often involving extensive trial-and-error experimentation. Machine Learning (ML) offers a promising solution to accelerate this process by predicting material properties and suggesting new compositions with desired characteristics. The objective of this project is to create ML models that predict advanced materials with superior performance in areas such as strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"030307        Theory and Design of Materials (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Steven Bozinovski, Calum Drummond","title":"Deciphering lipid-RNA nanocarrier structure upon RNA complexation","description":"This project is an ARC Discovery project aiming to eludicate mRNA-lipid nanoparticle formulation and complexation mechanisms for developing next-generation mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines. \nThis project will systematically investigate the formulation-structure-functional relationship of mRNA-lipid nanoparticles by high-throughput screening of lipid nanoparticle composition and physiochemical properties, formulation optimsation with various model mRNAs, and comprehensive in vitro studies on nanoparticle-cell interactions. \n\nThis project would suit a HDR candidate with an interest in mRNA technology, nanobiotechnology and chemistry. The candidate would have an opportunity to learn skills in nanoparticle design and formulation, as well as a range of biophysical instruments including synchrotron based small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering, microscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and will the opportunity to visit Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO neutron facility, and synchrotron facilities overseas. The candidate will be supported in a multi-disciplinary research group that has a strong track record in the proposed research area and HDR completion. Our laboratory in School of Science at the city campus, together with the renowned RMIT facilities and centres, ensure essential resources required for the project.   \n\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603  Colloid and Surface Chemistry (50%)\n310607 Nanobiotechnology (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Stephen Headey, Natalie Borg SHBS","title":"Developing antagonists of MIF","description":"MIF is a cytokine involved in inflammation, cancer and host responses to viral infection. Inhibiting MIF could lead to novel treatments for these diseases. We are developing novel MIF inhibitors using computational docking and design along with medicinal chemistry. Potential inhibitors are tested in biophysical, enzymatic and cell-based assays that we have established in our labs. During this project you will learn medicinal chemistry synthesis techniques, computation docking and drug design and biophysical techniques such as SPR and protein NMR. The project would suit students with a background in organic chemistry.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"030304 -  Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry    75%\n111101 -  Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics  25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen, James Tardio","title":"Fundamental characterisation of high-phosphorus iron ores","description":"The main objective of this PhD project is to characterize various Australian and Indian iron ores to reveal the associations between P, Al and Si. The project will provide numerous research and development opportunities including cutting-edge chemical analytical and mineral characterisation techniques, as well as solution chemistry analysis, mineralogy analysis, electron microscopy, and synchrotron technology. The candidate should have experience in one or more of the following research areas: Minerology, Mineral Processing, Hydrometallurgy, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Geochemistry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Low-grade iron ore upgrade","description":"The objective of this PhD project is to understand the various types of matrix gangue minerals present in Australian and Indian iron ores, and to study the transformation mechanisms of their structure, their ionic conductivity, and their ion exchange properties during an upgrade process involving leaching of impurities. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baohua Jia, Han Lin","title":"Photothermal management with graphene metamaterials","description":"Environmental and industrial thermal management represents major global energy consumption and CO2 emission. This project aims to investigate a game-changing passive thermal management solution to tackle both heating and cooling problems without using any electricity. This is made possible by designing a nanostructured graphene metamaterial to either totally reject or totally absorb electromagnetic waves in certain spectral ranges. Expected outcomes include new design and fabrication strategies for novel photothermal films with high performance and cost-effectiveness. This is expected to lead to the development of novel energy efficient technologies for Australian industries, producing direct economic, social and environmental benefits.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605  Functional materials (50%) , 401809  Nanophotonics (30%), 401703  Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical) (20%), "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rachel Caruso, Tu Le, School of Engineering","title":"Designing electrocatalysts using material informatics","description":"The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to value-added fuels and chemicals requires active catalysts that have good selectivity. When considering long term industrial application of the catalyst it is important that they are stable and not expensive. In this project the synthesis of electrocatalysts will be guided by theoretical computations and modelling methods (e.g. DFT, machine learning), in which structure-property and composition-property relations will be revealed, and new electrocatalysts and optimised synthesis conditions will be identified. The predictions will then be tested through the synthesis and testing of the materials.\r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate should have a strong interest in materials chemistry, good understanding of crystal structure, as well as wet-laboratory skills. Candidates having knowledge about theoretical computations and modelling will be highly preferred. \r\n\r\nThe project sits within the ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 Theory and design of materials (40%)\r\n340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (40%)\r\n340604 Electrochemistry (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam, Andrew Hung ","title":"Developing lead small organic molecules with selective anti-cancer properties","description":"Inhibition of apoptotic proteins involved in cancer is a desirable approach. Small molecules from natural products are developed in addressing this strategy. Applying computational analysis, further derivatisation and optimisation of the small molecules can be achieved. Synthetically, microwave-assisted or traditional organic synthesis can be utilised to synthesise rapidly and in large quantities of the small molecules. In this project, small molecules will be used to screen apoptotic proteins and the potential compounds will be further derivatised and fully characterised using NMR analytical techniques. Thus, this project will result in compounds with promising activities as anti-cancer agents and potentially as therapeutic agents for cancer.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340504 Organic green chemistry (50%)\n340701 Computational chemistry (20%)\n340401 Biologically active molecules (30%)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Tardio, Hamid Arandiyan, Suresh Bhargava","title":"Research and development on waste water treatment processes","description":"The main focus of this project is to develop a novel process for treating industrial wastewater. Different processes will be explored including advanced oxidation based processes (including catalytic processes) and sorption based processes. Processes for upgrading waste that is recovered will also be explored.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400410 Water treatment processes"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Aaron Elbourne,  Paul Ramsland (paul.ramsland@rmit.edu.au) - Biology.","title":"Single-Molecular Sensing of Bacterial \u2013 Antibody Interactions","description":"Motivation\r\n\r\nUnderstanding the intricacies of antibody-bacteria interactions is paramount in deciphering the mechanisms employed by pathogens to be recognized by and evade the immune system. The dynamic interplay between antibodies and bacteria plays a pivotal role in the pathogen's ability to subvert immune responses, making it a critical area for investigation. This PhD project aims to gain new, nanoscale insights into the molecular tactics employed by antibodies to bind bacteria and how these bacteria can evade immune responses at the single-molecule level. Moreover, it will inform the development of targeted interventions, ultimately enhancing our understanding and capacity to combat infectious diseases with precision and efficacy.\r\n\r\nScope\r\n\r\nEmploying cutting-edge single-molecule techniques, including atomic force microscopy, magnetic tweezers, and optical tweezers, we aim to unravel the subtle forces and dynamics governing the interactions of antibodies with bacterial cell surfaces at the nanoscale. By delving into the realm of single-molecule studies, we aim to unveil new insights into the molecular tactics employed by bacteria to evade antibodies, offering a unique perspective that can inform the development of targeted interventions and strategies to bolster the immune system's defense against infectious agents. This research not only addresses fundamental questions in immunology but also opens avenues for the design of innovative therapeutics to counteract pathogen evasion and enhance our ability to combat infectious diseases effectively.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry 50%\r\n310607 Nanobiotechnology 40%\r\n401810 Nanoscale Characterisation 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tianyi Ma","title":"Catalytic Hydrogen Production: From Lab to Real World","description":"With the falling cost of renewable energy and the abundant availability of solar and wind resources, Australia is an ideal place to scale up green hydrogen production. The global hydrogen industry is expected to increase 40% by 2030, with Australia aiming to become a leading exporter of hydrogen, with potential export values of $5.7b by 2040. To accelerate the development of a hydrogen economy and transition to a decarbonised future, we need to produce \u201cclean\u201d hydrogen at under AU$2.00 per kilogram. Nanostructured materials have attracted considerable attention for photocatalytic H2 production due to their unique physical and chemical properties in comparison to their bulk counterparts. These diverse nanostructures such as nanocrystals, nanopores, nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, and other more complex hierarchical architectures with large surface areas, high surface to volume ratios, and numerous accessible catalytic active sites as well as efficient mass transport have been demonstrated to show extraordinary H2 production activity. Therefore, we will be working on the engineering of polarisation, chemical composition and morphology in promoting the specific photocatalytic activity of nanomaterials, which will enrich our knowledge on enhancing the nanophotocatalysis in structural and elemental aspects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 Functional Materials (40%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (30%)\r\n340601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Christofferson, Aaron Elbourne","title":"Biomolecular Interactions with Nanoparticles \u2013 Investigating the Protein Corona and beyond","description":"Motivation\nNanotechnology, particularly nanoparticles and nanosheets with nanoscale dimensions, has become a powerful tool for manipulating matter at the cellular level. These materials find applications in drug delivery, advanced diagnostics, cellular imaging, and cancer treatment, among other areas. Despite their wide-ranging use, there is still limited understanding of how nanomaterials like particles, sheets, and soft vesicles interact with cellular material, especially regarding protein corona formation\u2014a process where proteins adsorb onto the surface of nanoparticles, influencing their behavior and interactions within biological systems.\n\nScope\nThis research project aims to advance our understanding of protein corona formation and its effect on cellular interactions by developing new experimental and molecular dynamics methodologies. Specifically, we will investigate the intricate interactions between nanoparticles and biomolecules, such as proteins, and focus on how these structures alter interactions with the cell membrane.\n\nExpected Outcomes\nIn this work, we will focus on understanding protein coronas formed on nanoparticles of varying chemistries. To investigate these interactions, we will develop novel multiscale simulation methods and validate theoretical findings with tailored experimental studies. This will involve a variety of computational techniques, including ab initio calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and coarse-grain modelling, as well as advanced microscopic techniques, such as atomic force microscopy, confocal microscopy, and electron microscopy, to thoroughly characterize these systems. This comprehensive analysis will allow us to gain insights into how nanomaterials interact with proteins and other important biomolecules.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340701 Computational chemistry (80%)\r\n340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (10%)\r\n510405 Soft condensed matter (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xavier Mulet, Peter Sherrell, Joseph Olorunyomi, Gary Rosengarten; School of Engineering","title":"Creation of New Thermoelectric Porous Materials and Systems","description":"Waste Heat is a huge challenge in the global energy transition. We are developing new materials and system to enhance the conversion of heat to electricity. Using Advanced Materials we are developing new composites to address the Waste Heat problem. \r\n\r\nThermoelectric materials can convert waste heat into electricity. Materials and devices that have high efficiency, low cost, and are environmentally friendly are desirable to revolutionise energy generation. Functional composite materials based on porous structures including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), hypercrosslinked polymers, inorganic oxides and conducting materials are promising to deliver thermoelectric performance. Synthetic approaches but not limited to solvothermal approach, in-situ polymerizations, solid state synthesis, biomimetic encapsulation, and thin film fabrication are desirable in developing thermoelectric structures. Experience in materials synthesis and characterisation such as electrical conductivity, thermal characterisation, crystallographic techniques and electron microscopy are desirable.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305\tPhysical properties of materials (33%)\r\n401602\tComposite and hybrid materials (34%)\r\n401703\tEnergy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical) (33%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"Reactive small molecule sensing using 2D nanomaterials","description":"Reactive small molecules such as phosphine are commonly used industrially as fumigants to eliminate pests and microorganisms from bulk commodities and cash crops alike. Many of these fumigants are highly toxic and can only be reliably tested at >1ppm levels. To overcome this limitation, new sensing materials such as 2D materials and their heterostructures will be investigated to enable ppb level sensing, to improve worker\/operator safety. This project will focus on using density functional theory calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The project is a collaboration with Dr Michael Breedon at CSIRO and will involve working on the RMIT city campus and the CSIRO Clayton site. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510403\tCondensed matter modelling and density functional theory (70%)\r\n340108\tSensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (20%)\r\n300804\tHorticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kathryn Hassell, AQUEST Research Group (BFT)","title":"Ecological indicators for monitoring sewage pollution in streams and estuaries around Melbourne","description":"Untreated sewage inputs, in the form of sewer and septic leaks, and Emergency Relief Structure (ERS) spills may cause water quality impacts in waterways, however the extent to which such spills may cause ecological and human health impacts is less certain.  An evidence-based understanding of sewage discharge characteristics and how these impact ecological and social values will enable a more structured and strategic process for prioritising the investigation and management of sewage inputs. \n\nThis project will use an experimental approach to identify if a causal relationship can be established between sewage spill characteristics (duration\/volume\/frequency) and water quality, with potential ecological impacts.  Considerations such as temporal monitoring of some streams at risk of impacts from untreated sewage spills (hotspots), and assessments of dry weather (chronic) spill sites and wet weather spill sites will be included.  This design will enable differences in the ecological impacts from sewer\/septic leaks (chronic) and ERS (acute) spills to be assessed, and to establish if there is a way to differentiate spills impacts of short temporary and recoverable ecological effect and more permanent risk to the ecological population.  Multiple field sampling trips will be done to capture both wet weather and dry weather conditions at sewer spill sites. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"310304 Freshwater ecology (50%)\n410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring (25%)\n410201 Bioavailability and ecotoxicology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ewan Blanch, Saffron Bryant","title":"Cellulose aerogels as molecular nanosensors","description":"Cellulose is a polysaccharide formed from hundreds or thousands of beta(1\u21924) linked D-glucose subunits. A major component of plant and algal cell walls as well as the biofilms extruded by some bacteria, the physical and mechanical properties of cellulose have made it an important resource for thousands of years. More recently, cellulose has attracted interest as a nanomaterial due to its ability to form both crystalline and amorphous fibrils, cholesteric liquid crystals, hydrogels and aerogels. In this project we will develop cellulose-based nanomaterials and characterise their properties using a wide range of biophysical techniques, with the aim of investigating their potential as a new class of nanosensors. \n\nRequirements: A Bachelors (Honours) or Masters degree in Chemistry, Physics or a related scientific or engineering subject. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340302\r\n340603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aaron Elbourne, Saffron J. Bryant, Andrew J. Christofferson, Gary Bryant","title":"Nanomaterial Interactions with Model Cell Membranes","description":"Motivation: Nanotechnology, specifically nanoparticles and\/or nanosheets with nanoscale dimensions, has emerged as means of manipulating matter at the cellular level. Specifically, such materials have been used for drug delivery, advanced diagnostics, cellular-imaging, and tumour (cancer) treatment, amongst many other applications. However, the precise mechanism by which nanomaterials such as particles, sheets, and soft vesicles interact with cellular material remains poorly understood.\r\n\r\nScope: This research project will develop a fundamental and molecular understanding of how nanoparticles, and nanomaterials in general, interact with cellular materials, via the cell membrane.\r\nNanomaterials will be synthesised through various chemical and exfoliation techniques and introduced to model cellular membranes (lipid bilayers) in a systematic fashion.\r\n\r\nExpected Outcomes: In this work, model lipid bilayers will be self-assembled to explore surfaces and colloids in solutions. These bilayers act as representations of biological materials, such as cells, viral particles, and extracellular vesicles. The resulting bilayers will then be characterised using a suite of high-resolution microscopic techniques - Atomic Force Microscopy, Confocal, and Electron Microscopy, etc. - and molecular dynamics simulations. This will elucidate and assess the interactions of nanomaterials with lipid bilayers. Importantly, the specific interactions of nanomaterials with lipid bilayers influences a plethora of phenomena at the cellular interface. The experiments performed, and models constructed here will give a more accurate description of the effects of curvature of biological cells, providing fundamental insight into the interactions of nanomaterials with model lipid bilayers.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry 50%\r\n310607 Nanobiotechnology 40%\r\n401810 Nanoscale Characterisation 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood, Ravichandar Babaro, Ravi Shukla, Nicky Eshtiaghi","title":"Biocompatible materials for early disease detection and environmental application","description":"The fast evolution, higher demands, quick progression in science and technology, impacting our lives in several ways, increase the susceptibility of humans for disease, pollute the environment and increased toxic waste to freshwater.\r\nTherefore, protective measure need to be taken like 1) it is imperative to design effective and non-invasive probes that can detect the diseases at an early stage by detecting monomers, oligomers and protofibrils involved in these process, 2) introduced better and efficient targeted treatment methods like targeted drug delivery for the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer disease (AD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), etc. and 3) effective treatment of industrial wastewater to protect freshwater reserves for the survival of life especially.\r\nSeveral macroscopic methods based on conventional medical imaging techniques such as MRI, or NIR, imaging and microscopic systems based on two-photon excited or electron microscopy are developed for early disease detection. But designing a reliable and cost-effective strategy is a big challenge in the current scenario, however, utilizing nanodiagnostic tools and nanocarriers would solve this problem to some extent. Currently, available nanodiagnostic tool can detect amyloids biomarker either in vitro or in vivo depending upon physicochemical interaction with amyloid protein but extraction of information about their propagation is still a challenge. On the other side, nanocarriers have enhanced the targeted drug delivery to specifically improve the AD treatment, however, controlled release and behavior of a carrier in the cells is not explored well. Thus, along with developing new detection biomarkers and drug carriers, their toxicity should also be addressed.\r\nThis project aims to develop biocompatible multimodal probes based on carbon and inorganic materials for timely diagnosis of disease (like AD and T2D) and delivery of drug for their early treatment. Further, it will also assess the level of toxicity and impact of these carriers on cell metabolism proteomic analysis.\r\nThis project will also develop porous materials to examine how they affect the microbial distributions, biofilm compositions, and mutualism (among anammox bacteria, AOB, and denitrifying bacterial communities) for efficient operation of nitritation-anammox process for wastewater treatment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials 40%\r\n030306 Synthesis of Materials 30%\r\n0903 Biomedical Engineering  20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Aaron Elbourne, Applied Chemistry & Environmental Science\r\nBlanca del Rosal Rabes, Physics","title":"Unlocking Electrostatic Energy Harvesters: Towards Distributed, Wearable, and Implantable Electronics","description":"Mechanical-to-electrical energy harvesters are emerging as critical technologies to power small-scale electronic, electrochemical, bionic, and distributed systems. In particular, polymer-based devices have attracted great interest due to their high chemical stability and high efficiency in converting motion to electricity. \r\n\r\nThere are two ways by which polymers harvest energy; 1) piezoelectricity, which converts bulk deformation to electricity,[1] and 2) contact electrification (triboelectricity) [2] which converts interfacial friction to electricity. When these phenomena are combined, nearly 1000 V and uA current can be harvested from simple human movements.\r\n\r\nHowever, the mechanisms by which polymers generate interfacial charge are still the subject of vigorous debate in the literature.[3] \r\n\r\nWe have, for the first time, linked fundamental physical properties of polymers, including cohesive energy [4] and topography [5], to triboelectric charging phenomena.  While the elucidation of these macroscopic charging phenomena are powerful, nanoscale measurements have shown that the local surface charge can be over 1000x higher than the macroscale. \r\n\r\nThis project will explore how to we understand charging phenomena at the nanoscale, and how this can be expanded into the macroscale. The student will gain key skills in materials processing, nanoscale, optical, and vibrational characterisation techniques, polymer processing, electronic devices, and data analysis \u2013 providing key skills highly valued by employers.\r\n\r\nThis project involves team members across Applied Chemistry & Environmental Science and Physics as well as collaboration into the School of Engineering along with National and International Collaborative Partners.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/C9EE03059J\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/admi.202300323\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41570-019-0115-1\r\n[4] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsami.1c13100\r\n[5] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.nanoen.2022.107914 \r\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305\tPhysical properties of materials (25%)\r\n401810\tNanoscale characterisation (25%)\r\n401609\tPolymers and plastics (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Aaron Elbourne","title":"Advanced BioAFM for tissue engineering","description":"Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a highly versatile tool for characterizing biological systems, enabling live cell measurements with no requirement for fixatives or labels. Measuring and observing living stem cells in situ is highly important to understand how cells react and respond to their environment, and the knowledge gained can be used to design and control this environment for targeted outcomes. [1]\r\n\r\nAt RMIT we have a world-class bioAFM which is capable of biomechanical and biomolecular analyses of living cells, including the only FluidFM system installed in Australia. This project will primarily involve applying various bioAFM techniques to study living stem cells (quantitative imaging, functionalized probe scanning, viscoelastic probing), in addition to using the FluidFM for single cell biopsies and injection. Complementary biological techniques such as cell culture, biomolecular analyses (PCR, western blot, targeted assays), and fluorescent microscopy will be required, in addition to basic chemistry skills in preparing substrates or materials as required. \r\n\r\nThe supervisory team has extensive experience in AFM for a variety of applications,[2-4] and the HDR candidate will gain experience in a cross-disciplinary field of research using cutting-edge techniques. \r\n\r\n[1] A. Gelmi, C. Ibsen. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10 (1), 2021\r\n[2] S. Maynard*, A. Gelmi, et al. ACS Nano, 14 (12), , 2020\r\n[3] A. Elbourne et al. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 546, 2019\r\n[4] S. Collett, et al. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 592, 2021\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400302 Biomaterials 30%\r\n320606 Regenerative medicine (incl stem cells) 30%\r\n401810 Nanoscale characterisation 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Mahdokht Shaibani, School of Engineering\r\nXavier Mulet, Research & Innovation Portfolio","title":"FastCharge: Enabling High Rate Capacity Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices","description":"Electrochemical devices will underpin societal shifts away from fossil fuel use. In particular batteries and supercapacitors enable modulation of energy provided by fluxional renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. The key challenge in this area is mitigating energy lost during charging and discharging processes within these electrochemical devices. This project looks to develop new ways to improve the speed at which batteries and supercapacitors can store and release electricity, through the integration of mechanical and thermal energy harvesting systems. \r\n\r\nThe project will focus on integration of ferroelectric and thermoelectric materials into carbon-based electrodes and explore the recently discovered piezoelectric-like response of ionic liquids. \r\n\r\nThe student will gain skills in electrochemistry, energy storage devices, materials engineering, and energy harvesting systems \u2013 with skills of direct interest to a wide range of employers across the electric vehicle, electronics, and energy storage sectors.\r\n\r\nEmbedded in the city campus of RMIT University, students will have access to a range of world leading materials synthesis, characterisation, and testing facilities in a vibrant city environment. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303\tNanochemistry (25%)\r\n401605\tFunctional materials (25%)\r\n340604\tElectrochemistry (50%)\r\n\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"2D Materials for Low Energy Electronics","description":"Current electronic devices, such as laptops and computers, consume considerable amounts of energy, with the amount growing each year. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop low energy electronics that can contribute towards a sustainable future.  \r\n\r\nThe unique properties of nanomaterials and their inherent low dimensions make then suitable for components in electronic devices that operate using less energy. Two dimensional nanomaterials and their van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures are promising platforms for future nano-, opto- and piezo- electronic devices. Being able to combine the properties of individual layers can lead to enhanced features suitable for reducing energy consumption, allowing memory storage and facilitating catalytic reactions. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this project is to discover new 1D and 2D multiferroic materials that are formed either from monolayers or multilayer materials. As the number of possibilities for suitable candidate materials is enormous, a computational approach (based on density functional theory) will be used to accelerate the search for possible materials by theoretical prototyping of potential candidates before starting materials synthesis. The project will use several high-performance supercomputing facilities as well as AWS cloud supercomputing facilities.   \r\n\r\nSome relevant papers include: \r\n1)\tJavaid, Paylor, Tawfik, Spencer, \u201cTuning the Schottky barrier height in a multiferroic In2Se3\/Fe3GeTe2 van der Waals heterojunction\u201d Nanoscale 14 (2022) 4114\r\n2)\tTaylor, Tawfik, Spencer, \u201cFerroelectric van der Waals heterostructures of CuInP2S6 for non-volatile memory device applications\u201d Nanotechnology 34 (2023) 065701\r\n3)\tYaokawa, Ohsuna, Morishita, Hayasaka, Spencer, Nakano, \u201cMonolayer-to-bilayer transformation of silicenes and their structural analysis\u201d Nature Communications 7 (2016) 10657","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340701\tComputational chemistry (40%)\r\n510403\tCondensed matter modelling and density functional theory (40%)\r\n340305\tPhysical properties of materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"A new universal standard to assess the efficacy of sunscreens for human-free testing","description":"Sunscreens play an important role in protecting humans from the harmful effects of solar UV radiation. You would have seen an SPF (sunscreen protection factor) value listed on sunscreen bottles, which indicates its protective efficacy. But do you know that the current sunscreen testing standards require exposing humans to harmful UV radiation to get SPF values? This raises ethical concerns and results in an expensive and time-consuming test. \n\nThe project aims to develop a cost-effective human-free method to reliably test the performance of sunscreens in collaboration with the Australian regulatory bodies. This scientifically validated in vitro method could potentially become a new sunscreen testing standard and may influence government policies around sun safety. This could result in improved consumer products through regulatory surveillance of sunscreen products.\n\nThe research involves interdisciplinary fields of chemistry, nanotechnology, biology, and engineering to (i) develop a nanostructured skin-mimicking surface that can replace human skin, (ii) a robotic sunscreen spreading technique that increases reproducibility of tests, and (iii) a portable UV sensor that can determine the UV blocking effects of sunscreens. If you have an interest in one or more of these areas, this could be the project for you. \n\nThe project offers internship and collaboration opportunities with the Commonwealth Agency responsible for radiation safety (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency \u2013 ARPANSA) and Australia\u2019s leading organisation for skin cancer prevention (Cancer Council Victoria \u2013 CCV). \n\nRefer to our publication (https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.trac.2022.116724) for further information about this project. Publications of Chief Investigator are accessible through https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/04\/2030","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"Instrumental methods (excl. immunological and bioassay methods) 340105 (50%) ; Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) 340108 (25%) ; Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) 340301 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Selvakannan Periasamy, Suresh K Bhargava, Maciej Mazur,\r\nPetros Lappas","title":"Methane to hydrogen conversion with compact 3D printed catalytic reactors","description":"Hydrogen powered fuel cells and combustion engines hold the opportunity to decarbonise the energy, transport sectors and advance the hydrogen economy. Producing hydrogen on demand from natural gas alleviates the hazards associated the transportation and storage of hydrogen, two major technical challenges that delays the transition towards clean hydrogen for energy and mobility. The \u201con-demand\u201d hydrogen generation from natural gas using catalytic cracking of methane can be a potential option and the endothermic process can be driven by solar energy or waste\/induction heat.  The major promise of this process lies in the potential for simple process design and production of highly desirable fuel cell grade hydrogen  and valuable carbon nano materials as by-products. However, However, catalytic cracking of methane into hydrogen on-demand requires a stable coke-resistant catalyst, which can extend the lifetime of the catalyst without compromising the activity of methane cracking into hydrogen. \r\nThe aim of this PhD project is to develop a catalyst functionalized 3D printed open framework metal structures as new generation coke-resistant catalysts for the catalytic cracking of methane into hydrogen.  This PhD project will address the key research challenges in functionalizing the 3D printed metal structures using the nanostructured intermetallic catalysts, their characterization, coking behaviour, extensive catalyst screening and analysis. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601        Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (40%)\n340303        Nanochemistry (35%)\n401401        Additive manufacturing (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi","title":"Electrically conductive biomaterials for tissue engineering","description":"In the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering, stem cell fate is often controlled through physical or mechanical cues provided by passive biomaterial properties. Electrical stimulation has been demonstrated to direct stem cell differentiation in the absence of exogenous biochemical triggers down several phenotype pathways (osteogenic, neurogenic, smooth muscle, and chondrogenic).[1] \r\nConductive biomaterials, including organic conductive polymers, carbon allotropes, and hydrogels, have all been used to deliver an electrical signal to interfacing stem cells.[2] However, to date there has been no systematic study into how the electrical properties of conductive biomaterials may influence stem cell response.\r\n\r\nThis project will explore three classes of conductive, non-cytotoxic materials to stimulate stem cells; a metallic conductor, a semi-conductor, and pseudo-capacitive semi-conductor. The electronic properties of these materials and how they interface with biological systems will be explored using both electrochemical and biological techniques. This investigation will help improve the design of biomaterials for bioelectronic applications, and identify effective biomaterial properties.  \r\n\r\nThe HDR candidate will gain experience in a cross-disciplinary field, exploring at the interface of chemistry and stem cell biology. Skills in materials chemistry and electrochemistry will be required, including characterisation techniques such as electronic microscopy, AFM, Raman, impedance, and cyclic voltammetry, in addition to complementary biological techniques such as cell culture, biomolecular analyses, and fluorescent microscopy.\r\n\r\n[1] A. Gelmi, C. Ibsen. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10 (1), 2001125, 2021\r\n[2] Sherrell, P. C. et al. Advanced Functional Materials 2014, 24 (6), 769-776\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400302 Biomaterials (50%)\r\n320606 Regenerative medicine (incl. stem cells) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"Development of components for next generation rechargeable batteries","description":"Storage of clean energy is a key step in providing renewable energy solutions. Rechargeable batteries are vital tools to help this transition, however, the capacity of current Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is not sufficient for high energy density applications. Research is needed to enhance the performance of batteries by modifying their key components. Replacing the anode in LIBs with Li metal provides a theoretical ten-fold increase in capacity, but the electrolytes currently used are not compatible with Li-metal.\r\n\r\nThis project will examine alternative electrolytes for use in Li-metal batteries (LMBs). Quantum mechanical calculations will be used together with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to determine how the electrolyte reacts and decomposes on the electrode surface during the initial stages of formation of the solid electrolyte interphase layer. The relationship between the electrolyte structure and its function will also be determined. The project will use high-performance supercomputing facilities and AWS cloud supercomputing facilities. \r\n\r\nSome relevant publications include:\r\n1)\tDO Osborne, M Breedon, T Ruther, MJS Spencer, \u201cTowards Higher Electrochemical Electrolyte Stability: Lithium Salt Design Through in silico Screening\u201d J. Mater. Chem. A 10 (2022) 13254\r\n2)\tJ Clarke\u2010Hannaford, M Breedon, T R\u00fcther, P Johansson, MJS Spencer, \u201cSpectroscopic and Computational Study of Boronium Ionic Liquids and Electrolytes\u201d Chem. Eur. J. 27 (2021) p12826\r\n3)\tJ Clarke-Hannaford, M Breedon, T R\u00fcther, MJS Spencer \u201cStability of Boronium Cation-Based Ionic Liquid Electrolytes on the Li Metal Anode Surface\u201d, ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 3 (2020) 5497","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340701\tComputational chemistry (50%)\r\n510403\tCondensed matter modelling and density functional theory (30%)\r\n340305\tPhysical properties of materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravichandar Babarao, Nasir Mahmood, Xavier Mulet, Tu Le (School of Engineering)","title":"Metal Organic Frameworks: Highly Porous Materials for Co2 Capture and Hydrogen Storage","description":"The past decade has seen the emergence of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) or porous coordination polymers (PCPs) as potential candidate materials across a plethora of applications [1, 2]. MOFs are crystalline materials built from metal ions or clusters bridged by organic linkers to form one-, two- or three-dimensional structures. MOFs are porous materials that hold the world record for specific surface area and storage of gases. MOF research has become one of the fastest growing fields in materials science. More than 100,000 different MOFs have been reported and studied within the past decade and nearly 130,000 hypothetical MOFs have been designed based on different metal clusters and ligands [2]. However, their uptake by industry is hamstrung by a lack of knowledge of their in situ performance under realistic conditions and the stability of MOFs in different thermal, chemical and mechanical environments [3]. Understanding these issues is critical for MOF manufacturing, processing and performance. This project will focus on fundamental understanding of what makes MOFs stable in realistic conditions using state of the art computational techniques [4] and to exploit this new understanding to guide development of robust porous materials for capturing Co2 from different point sources and for hydrogen storage. \r\n\r\nWe seek chemistry\/physics\/engineering graduates who have some background in any of the following: atomistic modelling, in silico design of materials, programming, high-throughput screening, Monte Carlo methods and first principles calculations. The project involves close collaboration with experimentalist in the field of nanomaterials and device fabrication. Specifically, the project involves: (i) Develop in silico screening tool for pre-screening thousands of materials. (ii) Develop new descriptors based on the structure\u2013property relationship to identify materials that merit experimental characterisation. (iii) Use a combinatorial approach integrating modelling and chemical experiments to speed up the design cycle from laboratory testing to industrial use. (iv) Develop understanding of the stability of MOF materials in realistic conditions to find the best, robust materials for large-scale synthesis.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1]. J. Jiang et al. Chemical Society Reviews 40 (2011) 3599.\r\n[2] M. Rubio-Martinez et al. Chemical Society Reviews 46 (2017) 3453.\r\n[2]. C. E. Wilmer et al. Nature Chemistry 4 (2012) 83.\r\n[3]. A. J. Howarth et al. Nature Reviews, Materials 1 (2016).\r\n[4]. J. D. Evans et al. Chemistry of Materials 29 (2017) 199.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340207 Metal Organic Frameworks (40%)\r\n340703 Statistical Mechanics in Chemistry (40%)\r\n510403 Condensed Matter Modeling and Density Functional Theory (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei","title":"Construction of Two-dimensional porous hybrid Nanostructures","description":"Two-dimensional hybrid nanostructures play a pivotal role in advanced energy generation and storage technologies, offering significant advantages in enhancing the efficiency, capacity, and stability of energy storage devices such as supercapacitors. Their unique properties enable greater charge storage, while the presence of interconnected porous networks facilitates efficient ion transport, thereby reducing internal resistance. Furthermore, the tunable nature of these porous structures allows for the optimization of mechanical properties, making them particularly suitable for flexible and wearable energy storage applications.\nThis project aims to address these challenges by developing advanced porous hybrid nanostructures with precise control over morphology, thickness uniformity, and surface chemistry through an innovative  method. This novel fabrication technique eliminates the need for physical templates, drastically reduces processing times, and offers a simple, rapid, and scalable solution for producing high-performance porous nanostructures. By leveraging this cutting-edge approach, we aim to unlock new possibilities for next-generation energy systems, where improved charge capacity, faster ion transport, and enhanced mechanical flexibility are paramount.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-03-23","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 40% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 30% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kathryn Hassell, Mariela Soto-Berelov","title":"Detection of microplastics in urban waterways using spectroscopy and remote sensing","description":"Microplastics enter urban waterways through surface runoff, stormwater flows and wastewater spills. The breakdown of litter may also contribute to microplastics generation in aquatic environments. In this project we will characterise microplastics abundance and composition in different waterways throughout Melbourne by field sampling and analysis using spectroscopy methods.  We will also work with researchers from Geospatial Sciences using remote sensing methods for understanding sources of plastic to the environment and aspects of plastic movement, deposition and breakdown in freshwater and marine ecosystems.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Macreadie, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett","title":"Feasibility of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement for Climate Change Mitigation","description":"Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is a process aimed at combating climate change by increasing the ocean's ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO\u2082) from the atmosphere. This is achieved by adding alkaline substances, such as crushed minerals, to seawater. These substances react with CO\u2082, forming bicarbonate and carbonate ions, which are then stored in the ocean for long periods. OAE not only helps reduce atmospheric CO\u2082 levels but also can counteract ocean acidification, benefiting marine ecosystems. OAE is estimated to have potential to remove >1 billion tonnes of CO\u2082 per annum. This PhD will join our team who are studying OAE's feasibility, environmental impact, and the best methods for monitoring and verifying its effectiveness.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410101 Carbon sequestration science (70%)\n370203 Greenhouse gas inventories and fluxes (20%)\n370299 Climate change science not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hamid Arandiyan","title":"Silver and Metals Recovery from End-of-life Solar Panel Waste for Energy Applications","description":"This project aims to achieve the near-pure recovery of valuable metals, with a specific emphasis on silver, from rear contacts of solar panel types processed. Research project will employ innovative methods involving caustic\/peroxide (NaOH\/H2O2) or caustic\/formaldehyde (NaOH\/HCOH) to extract metallic silver from the acid leachate. The research will systematically explore different operating conditions, including temperatures and ratios, utilizing AI-integrated experimental design to identify the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective recovery route. \r\n\r\nConducting comprehensive investigations through diverse techniques, both physical and chemical approaches, will provide the candidate with extensive training. This exploration aims to pave the way for future enhancements in environmentally sustainable processes, specifically focusing on obtaining silver and recovering metals from end-of-life solar panel waste for energy applications.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy (50%)\r\n340604 Electrochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Enrico Della Gaspera, Amgad Rezk","title":"Piezo-Photonics - Using Sound to Enhance Photocatalyic Water Splitting","description":"Coupling motion and catalysis can enable huge enhancements in catalysis. [1,2] This comes from changes in mass transport, but also alteration in the electronic structure of catalysts. \r\n\r\nIf we can harness these effects, we can produce clean fuels with minimal emissions\/waste to help address the critical challenges as we transition away from fossil fuel energy technologies. \r\n\r\nThis work is enabled by our breakthrough work on piezoelectric polymers [3] and surface acoustic waves [2]. \r\n\r\nThe student will learn skills in electrochemistry, materials science, photonics, catalysis, and device engineering, providing key capabilities for the emerging national and international electrochemical industry.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/adma.202203849\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/aenm.202203164\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-021-23341-3","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"304601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (30%)\r\n401810 Nanoscale characterisation (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Joel van Embden, Daniel Gomez","title":"Metal Oxide Thin Films for Solar Water Splitting","description":"Solar water splitting is the direct conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases at room temperature using sunlight as the driving force for the reaction. Solar radiation is harvested by semiconducting materials acting as catalysts, and converted into chemical energy through the formation of valuable fuels, in this case hydrogen gas.\r\nThe aim of this project is to develop novel oxide nanomaterials in the form of thin coatings and to study their water splitting performances under simulated sunlight illumination. The candidate will explore innovative synthesis conditions for oxide catalysts including iron oxide, tungsten oxide, transition metal ferrites and bismuth vanadate, and study the role of crystallinity, morphology, nanostructure, and doping on the water splitting ability of these materials. \r\nThis multidisciplinary project is part of a broader research initiative partially funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), and involves collaborations with both local (CSIRO) and international institutions (University of Padova, Italy). The candidate will develop a deep understanding in the chemistry and physics of nano-semiconductors and related devices, learn advanced characterisation techniques and gain invaluable skills for their future career.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (50%)\r\n340606 Photochemistry (25%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Daniel Gomez, Joel van Embden","title":"Photo-activity of Atomically Engineered Semiconductor Nanostructures","description":"The interaction between materials and light is at the core of many technological applications such as solar cells, clean fuel generation (water splitting), photocatalysis, and optical gas sensors. In order for a material to successfully absorb and utilize the energy provided by light, its physical, chemical and electronic properties have to be carefully designed and optimised. \r\nThe aim of this project is to fabricate light-absorbing coatings for a variety of applications such as catalysis, energy generation and sensing. The candidate will explore the parameter space of specific techniques including Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD), Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR), and Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP). These techniques will be used to deposit nanomaterials including zinc oxide, bismuth sulfide, and ternary compounds such as vanadates and oxynitrides. These materials are of great technological and industrial interest for use in optoelectronics, catalysis and energy generation, thanks to their selective light absorption properties. Importantly, these techniques are scalable, enabling the translation of small scale devices into proof-of-concept, large area devices, validating the potential use of these materials within a broader industrial\/commercial landscape.\r\nThis highly multidisciplinary project is embedded within a broader research initiative partially funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), and involves collaborations with both local (CSIRO) and international institutions (University of Padova, Italy). The candidate will develop a deep understanding in the chemistry and physics of nanomaterials and related devices, learn advanced characterisation techniques and gain invaluable skills for their future career.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303 Nanochemistry (60%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Daniel Gomez, Joel van Embden","title":"Plasmonic Semiconducting Nanocrystals: Bridging the Gap Between Metals and Semiconductors","description":"Plasmonic semiconductors have recently emerged as attractive materials for several applications including transparent electrodes, chemical probes, infrared light concentrators and smart windows. They have the potential to bridge the optoelectronic gap between traditional semiconductors and metals, combining visible transparency, distinctive absorptions in the near infrared and high electrical conductivity. This project aims to develop recipes for doped metal oxide nanocrystals with enhanced optical and electrical properties which are also highly tunable. This will be achieved by combining cation doping, codoping with halides and hydrogen, promoting the formation of oxygen vacancies and tailoring the distribution of dopants within the nanocrystals. The main challenge is to find balance between the amount of charge carriers provided by doping that triggers the insulator-to-metal transition, and the structural\/electronic defects that are generated. The ability to achieve atomically designed nanoparticles, and to process them into nanocrystalline coatings will enable vital advancements in the fields of optics and electronics. \r\nThis highly multidisciplinary project is partially funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and will involve skills in nanomaterials synthesis, advanced characterisation and device fabrication. The candidate will gain expertise in high resolution TEM and related techniques (EDS, EELS), several spectroscopies (visible, infrared, Raman, and x-ray\/UV photoemission spectroscopies) and various electrical measurements. The skills developed during the PhD will be highly valuable for several career opportunities both within and outside academic research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (60%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lathe Jones, James Tardio, Suresh Bhargava and an Industry partner.","title":"Recovery of Nickel and Cobalt from Laterite Ores for Lithium Batteries","description":"Using nitric acid as a leaching agent, the direct nickel process can treat all types of nickel ore and produces a single flow sheet for a number of final saleable products. As an atmospheric hydrometallurgical process, the direct nickel process has an impressive recycle and return statistic meaning 95%+ of the nitric acid is re-used, therefore providing a good environmental incentive.\r\nThere are two types of nickel ore deposits; nickel sulphides and oxidic nickel laterites. Three primary processes are used to extract nickel from laterite ore. This research is an atmospheric hydrometallurgical processing route designed to treat all types of nickel laterite ores in a single flow sheet to produce a number of final saleable products.\r\nFundamental studies using a range of techniques (physical and chemical ) will give broad training to the candidate and allow future improvements to environmentally benign processes to obtain Ni and Co for the lithium battery market.\r\nThis project also allows close collaboration with the industry.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy (50%) and 340604 Electrochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Philipp Reineck","title":"Designing Electrostatic Polymers: From Mechanisms to Energy Harvesting","description":"Mechanical-to-electrical energy harvesters are emerging as critical technologies to power small-scale electronic, electrochemical, bionic, and distributed systems. In particular, polymer-based devices have attracted great interest due to their high chemical stability and high efficiency in converting motion to electricity. \r\n\r\nTthe mechanisms by which polymers generate interfacial charge are still the subject of vigorous debate in the literature.[1-3] \r\n\r\nWe have, for the first time, linked fundamental physical properties of polymers, including cohesive energy [4] and topography [5], to triboelectric charging phenomena.  While the elucidation of these macroscopic charging phenomena are powerful, nanoscale measurements have shown that the local surface charge can be over 1000x higher than the macroscale. \r\n\r\nThis project will focus on \r\n1) how we can process and design polymer interfaces at the nanoscale;\r\n2) how to engineer devices from these interfaces; and\r\n3) how we can use generated surface charge for sensing and chemical reactions\r\n\r\nThis project involves team members across Applied Chemistry & Environmental Science and Physics as well as collaboration into the School of Engineering along with National and International Collaborative Partners.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/C9EE03059J\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/admi.202300323\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41570-019-0115-1\r\n[4] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsami.1c13100\r\n[5] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.nanoen.2022.107914 \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305\tPhysical properties of materials (25%)\r\n401810\tNanoscale characterisation (25%)\r\n401609\tPolymers and plastics (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Joel van Embden,  Daniel Gomez, and others.","title":"RMIT CSIRO Masters: Development of robust methodologies for the reliable processing of transition metal XPS data and their application to the study of O defects","description":"Demand for high-end X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis has increased significantly in recent years and will continue to do so into the future. A main driving force is the development of more advanced materials and the optimisation of desirable material properties in many industrial applications and areas (biomedical, photovoltaics, catalysis, MOFs, carbon nanomaterials and fibres, sensors, batteries, corrosion protection, etc). As the complexity of these novel materials increases, so does the need to characterise a wide range of bulk and surface properties. Additionally, high-end instrumentation has become more widely available with more researchers given the opportunity to observe and study materials and features previously beyond their reach.  Consequently, methods of data processing need to be improved and made accessible to the growing, non-expert international community. The need is highlighted by the amount of poor quality XPS data and interpretation making it through the peer review process to publication [1]. Part of our research focus in recent years has been developing tools for non-expert users to avoid such pitfalls [2,3].\r\nXPS relies heavily on the development of sophisticated peak fitting protocols to help analyse complex spectral peak shapes and correctly assign relevant chemical states such as different oxidation states. Peak fitting of XP spectra is not trivial and examining the complex spectra of transition metals throws up a multitude of additional challenges. Attempts have been made in the past to develop methodologies to examine transition metals and account for a variety of processes that influence resultant XP spectra, including multiplet splitting, initial and final state effects. None of the resulting algorithms and protocols are perfect and so further work is necessary. One important application is the emerging interest in engineering and exploiting oxygen defects in metal oxide systems, for example in catalysis. XPS analysis of such systems is poorly understood, and we have identified a strong need for further development of the protocols for these materials. \r\nThis project will employ a Master student to investigate a variety of metal oxide (nano)materials, starting from simple binary compounds and then extending towards more complex compositions (ternary and\/or doped oxides). The project will leverage the extensive expertise in XPS of the CSIRO Surface Science team, as well as the capabilities in synthesis and testing of metal oxides of Enrico Della Gaspera at RMIT, providing a perfect supervisory team for this impactful project.\r\n\r\nReferences \r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1116\/6.0000685\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1116\/6.0000873\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.elspec.2021.147094\r\n\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340301 - Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (60%)\r\n401605 - Functional materials (40%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood","title":"Chemical design and development of functional catalysts for water-splitting","description":"Hydrogen has been referred as fuel of future with water as an oxidation product, no carbon and higher enthalpy of combustion than any other chemical fuel. Where, water-splitting is considered as the green source to produce hydrogen at large scale, which governed by the two main reactions oxygen evolution (OER) and hydrogen evolution (HER) reactions. Both of these reactions have their own limitations which hindered the large scale hydrogen production from water-splitting and required high cost rare earth metals to govern the reaction. Therefore, it is dire need of present time to develop highly efficient and functional catalysts that have the ability to catalyse OER and HER in same electrolyte\/seawater.\nThe composition and electronic structure defined the capability of a catalyst to catalyse the water-splitting, thus a good control over these features can bring higher surface area with more exposed active centres and higher ionic and electronic conductivities for better catalysis. To achieve these parameters several catalysts have been designed and develop through various methods but till today there is very limited catalysts that can perform seawater splitting. \nThus, this project aims to design the right compositions of various metallic and non-metallic components and develop advanced catalyst that can perform full water-splitting with minimum overpotentials in alkaline electrolytes. The catalysts will be developed on flexible and self-healing matrixes by facile chemical methods. Their individual catalytic properties will be explored prior to applying for full device development and quantitative measures will be used to determine the evolution of hydrogen. The candidate working on this project will have the opportunity to work for some time with partner industries to get more applied experience.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials 50% ; 340305 - Physical properties of materials 30%  ; 400404 - Electrochemical energy storage and conversion 20%  "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Charlotte Conn,  Nhiem Tran, Calum Drummond","title":"Oral delivery of mRNA","description":"This project will investigate lipid-based formulations for oral delivery of mRNA.  Oral delivery of mRNA has the potential to revolutionise mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines, removing the need for invasive injection-based delivery methods and reducing global inequities in access to lifesaving drugs.  This PhD project aims to investigate and develop innovative lipid-based delivery systems that enhance the stability and bioavailability of mRNA when administered orally. Building on recent advancements in nanotechnology, this research will explore novel formulations to protect mRNA from degradation within the gastrointestinal tract.  Both nanoparticle- and non-nanoparticle-based formulations will be assessed and optimised for mRNA encapsulation.  The stability of these formulations will be assessed and preclinical trials will be conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of oral mRNA formulations.  \nThe successful completion of this project will provide crucial insights into the challenges and strategies for oral mRNA delivery. It will pave the way for developing new therapies that are easier to administer and potentially increase patient compliance. Furthermore, the project will contribute to the growing field of RNA therapeutics, broadening their application in treating a variety of conditions.\nAn internship opportunity with a pharmaceutical partner may be available during this PhD project.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"14\/09\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"100709 - Nanomedicine (50%)\n340603 - Colloid and surface science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Liu","title":"Novel Hybrid Nanomaterial","description":"Advanced two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials and their nanohybrid are attracting interest for their novel physical, chemical and electrochemical properties. These properties may benefit important areas such as energy storage and thermal management. However, progress with existing 2D nanomaterials has been limited by their simple surface and structural properties, poor thermal conductivity, and fire retardancy, and mechanical instability. Without further advances, the great opportunity for 2D nanomaterials to assist in managing some of the world\u2019s pressing technical challenges, like provision of sustainable water and energy, will be hampered.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2028","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 50% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 50% allocation; \n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Low Temperature Co-\ufb01red Ceramic (LTCC) based Dissolved Oxygen Sensors","description":"Dissolved oxygen (DO) is an important index to evaluate water quality, and its concentration is of great significance in industrial process, environmental monitoring, and aquaculture. As DO change is a continuous dynamic process, the dissolved oxygen concentration needs to be accurately measured in real time. Low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology enables the fabrication of three-dimensional ceramic structures with embedded circuits, microchannel bends, and cavities This project will design and develop of a LTCC based micro\ufb02uidic electrochemical oxygen sensor for the real-time assessment of localized dissolved oxygen.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/06\/2022","ecp":"AM 2 Materials for Devices;","forcodes":"340103 Electroanalytical Chemistry (40%)\n340108 Sensor Technology (incl. chemical aspects) (40%)\n401605 Functional materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"In situ monitoring of the leaching of low-grade copper sulfide ores","description":"Column leaching experiments have been widely accepted and used to develop optimised heap leaching conditions for plant operations and to develop predictive leaching models. A systematic study of the impact of clays and fine particles on copper sulfide mineral leaching in laboratory and pilot scale columns will be conducted in this project. In situ, real-time and continuous monitoring of the leach process\/parameters, combined with thermodynamic simulation of leaching reactions, will provide a comprehensive approach to fully define the bulk, surface, and solution species involved in the leaching process. This data will enable an improved understanding of the leaching mechanism and kinetics.\rOverall this project will increase the fundamental understanding of the leachability and activity of low grade copper sulfide minerals, enabling (a) the development and optimization of innovative processing protocols for copper sulfide ores, especially those which have previously been considered too difficult to process, and (b) the development of new approaches\/protocols for acid prevention and mine waste management.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/09\/2026","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living;","forcodes":"091403 60%\r050299 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"2Machine Learning-Enabled Processing and Visualization of Dissolved Metal Ion Sensing Data","description":"In situ, real-time and continuous monitoring of leaching parameters, combined with thermodynamic simulation of leaching reactions, provides a comprehensive approach to fully define the bulk, surface, and solution species involved in mineral leaching and extraction processes. This data enables an improved understanding of the leaching mechanisms and kinetics. Electrochemical sensors represent an important subclass of chemical sensors in which an electrode is used as the transduction element. They must be targeted for meeting the size, cost, and power requirements of on-site real-time monitoring. CSIRO Mineral Resources has developed a chronoamperometric method for the determination of Cu2+, Fe3+ and Fe2+ concentrations in leaching\/bioleaching solutions for use with electrochemical sensors. The system needs further development and optimisation. This PhD Project will focus on providing a better understanding of the dissolved metal ion species present during the leaching of low-grade copper ores, and developing a real time data acquisition and self-recalibrating system for a long-life dissolved metal ion sensing technology using Machine Learning\r(ML) or Deep Learning (DL).","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"22\/10\/2022","ecp":"AMF 2 Advanced automation research and sensor and sensor network research;","forcodes":"401903, Hydrometallurgy, 60%\r401102, Environmentally sustainable engineering, 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Simulation of low-grade copper ore heap leaching performance to enable accurate copper recovery forecasting","description":"Heap, dump or dam leaching involves stacking of low-grade metal-bearing ore into a heap on an impermeable pad, irrigating the heap for an extended period of time (from months to years) with a chemical solution suitable for dissolving the valuable metals, and collecting the leachate as it percolates out from the base of the heap for further processing. This technique has been widely applied in processing of low-grade gold, silver, copper, uranium, and nickel laterite ores. However, in many operations the rate of metal extraction is slow - for low-grade copper ores it often takes two years or more to recover 80% of the copper. This PhD Project will focus on better understanding the chemical and hydrological processes of low grade copper ore leaching and developing simulation models to predict the column leaching performance of low grade copper ore.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"26\/10\/2022","ecp":"AMF 3 The development of industry 4.0 in the Australian context;","forcodes":"401903, Hydrometallurgy, 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava, Distinguished Professor Magdelina Plebanski","title":"Gold-based drugs for the effective treatment of ovarian cancer","description":"Current treatments for ovarian cancer are largely toxic, and ultimately, ineffective for many patients. The current collaboration between Professor Bhargava (Science) and Professor Plebanski (Health & Biomedical Sciences, SHBS) seeks to enable clinical progression for their novel class of gold-based drugs that show superior selectivity and activity for otherwise drug-resistant cancer cells for the treatment of ovarian cancer (Mirzadeh et al., 2021, DOI: 10.1093\/mtomcs\/mfab039).\rAs part of Distinguished Professor Bhargava\u2019s team, the PhD candidate will contribute to synthesizing organometallic gold and other metal complexes and building structure-activity relationships (SARs) based around targeted modifications of their patented gold-based drug candidate using innovative in vitro protocols to refine lead drug candidate(s). This will involve a novel comprehensive approach, including analyses of cellular fate such as reduction\/oxidation of gold-based drugs in diverse biological fluids, tumour cells, and tissues, the transport into and within cells, the main leaving ligands, and the major site of action. The candidate will be co-supervised by Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski on specific aspects of the project related to interaction with biological materials at the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences (SHBS).","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/01\/2025","ecp":"BHI 4 Drug discovery;BHI 3 Biomedical engineering;DCP 1 Resilience, Health & Care;","forcodes":"30% 111502 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics\r50% 039904 Organometallic Chemistry\r20% 030604 Electrochemistry"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sylvia Urban, Adjunct Colin Rix (RMIT), External collaborator Robert Brkljaca (Monash University)","title":"Chemical and Bioactivity evaluation of natural products derived from Australian\r\nPlants and\/or Marine organisms and an assessment of their suitability as potential\r\nlead therapeutic compounds.\r","description":"Natural products continue to represent an important source for the search of therapeutic drugs with about 50% of all new drugs having been either sourced directly or derived from natural product pharmacophores (1). With Australia being classified as one of seventeen megadiverse countries on Earth and having one of the largest marine exclusion zones in the world, the biodiversity, and the potential for discovering promising unknown pharmacophores is high. \r\n\r\nThe proposed research will involve the extraction of selected marine and\/or terrestrial organisms with the aim of isolating bioactive secondary metabolites. Any natural product isolated will be subjected to a complete structure characterisation as well as to biological activity evaluation. Column chromatography and HPLC will be the primary means of isolation and purification whilst NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry will be the two principle techniques used for structure characterisation and confirmation. All isolated compounds, once characterised, will have their antimicrobial and antiparasitic testing activity assessed through collaborative partners and evaluated for their therapeutic potential.\r\n\r\n(1). Natural Products as Sources of New Drugs over the Nearly Four Decades from 01\/1981 to 09\/2019. Newman D. J. and Cragg G. M. Journal of Natural Products (2020), 83, 770-803.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340502\r\n340109"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung, Sylvia Urban (sylvia.urban@rmit.edu.au), David Adams (djadams@uow.edu.au, University of Wollongong)","title":"Cone Snail Toxins and Marine Natural Products for Pain Treatment","description":"Neuropathic pain is characterized by the chronic sensation of physical pain in the absence of noxious external stimuli, and is a multifaceted disease involving dysfunction of a number of neuronal proteins, including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), voltage-gated sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) ion channels. Peptides derived from marine animals, such as the conotoxins extracted from the venom of cone snails, are useful research tools and promising drug leads for diseases related to these targets. A growing library of natural and synthetic conotoxins have been identified which exhibit selective potency. The main aim of this collaborative project is to use computational molecular modelling and simulation methods to identify the binding modes and specific inter-residue interactions between a range of conotoxin families and their known receptor targets, with especial focus on interactions between \u03b1conotoxins with nAChRs and the \u00b5-conotoxins with Na+ and Ca2+ ion channels. Simulations will also be used to examine the detailed mechanisms of their functional effects on their targets, while binding free energy calculations will be used to aid in the design of novel conotoxin analogues with enhanced selective potency against specific subtypes of target neuronal proteins. This project will ultimately aid in the production of novel conotoxin- based therapeutics with enhanced selectivity, potency, and efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain. Furthermore, the computational methodologies employed will also be used to investigate the potential bioactivity of other marine natural products on membrane protein targets of interest in pathophysiological conditions and infectious diseases.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (50%) \r\n340407 Proteins and peptides (20%)\r\n340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds (20%)\r\n340109 Separation science (10%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sylvia Urban, Donald Wlodkowic ","title":"Discovery of bioactive compounds from Australian marine organisms and plants using high-content in situ biotests","description":"The Indigenous people of Australia are one of the oldest existent societies on the planet and their experience with the native flora of Australia spans tens of thousands of years. So far only a small fraction of the traditional medicinal repertoire has been screened. With Australia being classified as one of seventeen megadiverse countries on Earth, the biodiversity, and the potential for discovering promising unknown pharmacophores is high. Added to this is the fact that Australia has one of the largest marine exclusion zones in the world. The potential for new bioactive compound discovery is significant.\r\nIn this project you will undertake the chemical investigation of either selected Australian plants and\/or southern marine organisms such as marine sponges, algae, or tunicates to discover potential bioactive compounds. The project will involve fundamental chromatographic techniques for compound isolation and spectroscopy such as NMR and mass spectrometry for structure confirmation. Extracts as well as isolated compounds will then be subjected to a battery of biotests using small model organisms such as zebrafish (Danio rerio). Biotests will include among others toxicity screening and high-content neuro-behavioural phenotyping.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340502\r\n340109\r\n310901\r\n310906"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung, Angela Yang (angela.yang@rmit.edu.au, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences)\r\nTom Karagiannis (karat@unimelb.edu.au, University of Melbourne)","title":"Epigenetic control mechanisms of dietary antioxidants and chromatin modifying compounds","description":"The medicinal properties of the leaves and fruit of Olea europaea (olive tree) have been known since antiquity, and consumption of olive oil has been associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Increasingly, there is interest in the biological properties of the molecular constituents of olives. For example, hydroxytyrosol has been shown to be a potent antioxidant and has anti-atherogenic and anti-cancer properties. However, the specific constituents responsible for various beneficial effects of olives, as well as their molecular targets, are not well known. Equilibrium between histone acetylation and deacetylation is essential for normal cell growth, and perturbations from this epigenetic control mechanism have been associated with various diseases. This project will focus on identifying the mechanisms of action of dietary olive on epigenetic control using molecular computational modelling and biophysical simulation methods to identify key molecular targets of specific bioactive components of olives, and to produce molecular-level characterisation of their mechanisms of action. The outcomes of this project will aid development of novel therapies derived from dietary compounds, which may have substantial advantages over synthetic drugs, including lower dosage requirements and reduced risk of adverse side effects. Furthermore, phytochemicals derived from other nutritional and herbal sources will be examined for their potential bioactivity. This project will also involve experimental validation of targets using in vitro binding and enzyme activity assays, identifying potential epigenetic effects in a clinical context. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (70%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (30%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung (Senior Supervisor)\rTom Karagiannis (external, University of Melbourne, karat@unimelb.edu.au)","title":"Investigation into SARS-CoV-2 proteins as targets for antiviral therapy","description":"Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 and since then, various public health measures have been implemented to reduce transmission. Several vaccines have now been made available and although they provide protection against severe illness from COVID-19, emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are of concern. In addition to vaccines, there is a clinical need to identify and develop effective antiviral therapeutics. In this project, computational in silico analysis will be used to investigate the binding characteristics of small molecules to various non-structural and structural proteins that are involved in viral entry and replication. This includes compounds from the EpiMed Coronabank Chemical Collection (~750 compounds), which has been developed by our lab and will be published. Computational molecular docking methods will be employed to screen compounds against target proteins and produce a list of potential lead compounds for further study. Traditional molecular docking is useful for the screening of libraries of compounds and for the identification of lead compounds however, the results reflect a static system. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can be performed to model molecular movements by taking into account temperature, solvent, and other cellular conditions. This allows for more accurate predictions of the binding properties of protein-ligand complexes in a dynamic system. Moreover, the potential inhibitory activity of candidate compounds can be validated in vitro and in vivo.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (70%) \r\n340407 Proteins and peptides (20%) \r\n310706 Virology (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung and Tom Karagiannis (karat@unimelb.edu.au, University of Melbourne)","title":"Investigation of DNA-targeted nanoformulations for diagnostic imaging and therapy","description":"The basis of this project revolves around the development and investigation of nanoparticles incorporating DNA minor groove binding bibenzimidazole such as, Hoechst 33258 and 33342. The versatility of DNA minor groove binding bibenzimidazoles extends to applications in oncology and for other diagnostic applications, beyond their typical use as DNA stains. For example, in the context of UVA phototherapy, a series of halogenated analogues designated ortho-, meta-, and para-iodoHoechst have been investigated. Phototoxicity involves dehalogenation of the ligands following exposure to UVA light, resulting in the formation of a carbon-centred radical. Another approach involves applications in nuclear medicine using analogs radiolabelled with I-123, I-124 and I-125, which would allow for therapeutic and diagnostic uses. Targeting to specific cells involves the incorporation of the ligands into nanoparticles decorated with peptides or antibodies, to deliver the halogenated DNA minor groove binding bibenzimidazoles. This project will involve both molecular modelling and wet lab studies. The aims will be to model peptide and receptor pairs for specific targeting via receptor-mediated endocytosis, to model the composition and stability of the nanoparticle formulations and to characterize the layer-by-layer composition of the nanoparticles. Molecular modelling will involve the use of freely and commercially available software such as Autodock Vina (molecular docking), Gromacs\/NAMD (molecular dynamics simulations) and Schroedinger Suite (visualisation, preparation and analyses). Characterization of nanoparticle formulations will be performed by infrared microspectroscopy at the Australian Synchrotron, confocal microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (50%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (25%) \r\n401807 Nanomaterials (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sylvia Urban, Adjunct A\/Prof. Colin Rix\n","title":"Natural Product Studies and an assessment of potential lead therapeutic compounds.\r","description":"The proposed research will involve the extraction of selection of marine and\/or terrestrial organisms with a focus on isolating biologically active compounds.The study will focus on the chemical diversity of marine organisms and the ethnopharmacology of Australian terrestrial organisms. Selected organisms will be targeted for extraction. Crude extracts of these organisms will be further fractionated using organic solvents and then further analysed via analytical HPLC to assess viability for further isolation. Often the fractions will be investigated further using hyphenated spectroscopic techniques such as HPLC-MS to quickly ascertain the nature of the secondary metabolites or natural products present. This is a rapid chemical screening method. Initially crude extracts of all marine and terrestrial samples will be subjected to a variety of chromatographic techniques followed by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for further purification. All isolated compounds are identified via a series of analytical techniques. Initially UV\/Visible spectra obtained via Photo Diode Array (PDA) detection from analytical HPLC will be utilised. This provides valuable information on whether the compound possesses a characteristic UV chromophore and can be an aid to quickly deducing a compound\u2019s structure class. A large array of NMR experiments and mass spectrometry are employed in the structure characterisation process. Through an existing collaboration with The University of Melbourne compounds that provide stable crystal structures can be analysed via X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to obtain a complete structure whilst those that show poor diffraction using XRD can be analysed at the Australian Synchrotron. All compounds isolated with be evaluated for their potential therapeutic activity against a series of assays including an assessment of their antimicrobial activity via existing collaborators.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340502"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen, Kim Dowling ","title":"Biotransformation mechanisms of uranium species and stability in mining site environment","description":"Environmental contamination with uranium has posed a significant problem owing to its radiological and chemical toxicity. Bioremediation is a promising technology in uranium contamination removal, because it is lowers in cost and environmentally friendly.\r\nIn this process, Uranium species are impacted by the bacteria type and the environmental conditions such as redox potential, pH and temperature, which in turn determine the solubility and stability of uranium precipitate\r\nIn this project, the PhD candidate will conduct research into uranium species transformation and modelling and gain intensive knowledge in uranium bioremediation mechanisms in mining site environment and mining site environmental science through spectroscopic and modelling approaches as well as collaborations with RMIT experts.\r\nThe PhD candidate will be provided with numerous research and development opportunities with the support of a panel of expert supervision team:\r\n\r\n1.\tRevealing the mechanisms of uranium species transformation and immobilisation in the mining site environment.\r\n2.\tThe development of new uranium (bio)remediation strategies and protocols to achieve long-term stability of immobilised uranium.\r\n3.\tCutting-edge chemical analytical and characterisation techniques: surface and spectroscopic analysis, electrochemical study, mineralogy analysis, and synchrotron technology. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"340603        Colloid and surface chemistry (25%)\n410303        Bioremediation (50%)\n401903    Hydrometallurgy (25%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samantha Grover, Karin Reinke, Akane Uesagi, Ewan Blanch, Jeff Shimeta","title":"High Carbon Soils: peatland restoration, organic recycling and regenerative agriculture","description":"Soils and climate change are connected. The Soil-Atmosphere-Anthroposphere Lab explores these connections to solve environmental problems in urban, rural and international settings. Techniques from soil chemistry, physics and biology as well micrometeorological approaches are applied in field and laboratory experiments in Australia and overseas. Peatland restoration in Australia and Indonesia, recycling and upcycling of urban organic waste, urban greenhouse gas fluxes and agricultural practises that enhance soil health and increase carbon storage are current foci of the Lab. Highly motivated and talented students are welcome to apply for postgraduate research positions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410604\r\n410605\r\n410405\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen, Kim Dowling ","title":"Uranium bioremediation in mining site environment towards uranium long-term stability","description":"Environmental contamination with uranium has posed a significant problem owing to its radiological and chemical toxicity. Bioremediation is a promising technology in uranium contamination removal because it is lower in cost and environmentally friendly.\r\nThe efficiency of U bioremediation is impacted by various conditions such as the bacteria type, redox potential, pH and temperature, etc. The traditional way of U bioremediation is to reduce it into UO2, which faces challenges in the mining site environment which is often aerobic and acidic. \r\nIn this project, the PhD candidate will conduct research into uranium bioremediation and process optimization. The PhD candidate will gain intensive knowledge in innovative processing protocols for uranium remediation in mine site conditions, column remediation, and mining site environmental science through hands-on experiments as well as collaborations with RMIT experts.\r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will be provided with numerous research and development opportunities with the support of a panel of expert supervision team:\r\n\r\n1.\tThe establishment of uranium uptake kinetics and stability in bioimmobilisation in response to environmental conditions of the mining site. \r\n2.\tThe development of new uranium (bio)remediation strategies and protocols to achieve long-term stability of immobilized uranium.\r\n3.\tCutting-edge chemical analytical and characterisation techniques: microbiology analysis, solution chemical analysis, mineralogy analysis and synchrotron technology.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (25%)\n410303 Bioremediation (50%)\n401903 Hydrometallurgy (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell","title":"Ambient Energy Harvesting towards Sustainable Chemistry","description":"Catalysis lets us create new chemicals, materials, and fuels. However, most catalysts use external energy to drive a given reaction from reactants to products. This energy is often either direct electrical energy (electro-catalysis) or light (photo-catalysis). However, we need more ways to reduce the energy consumption of catalysis. We\u2019ve started making strides in achieving this using advances in harvesting motion,[1,2] like that from bubble formation or water flow, using cheap, recyclable,[3] polymers, or using multifunctional energy harvesting materials. [4] \nThis project will develop integrated catalytic technologies with reduced energy consumption by capturing ambient energy such as motion and\/or heat. The candidate will work on developing new multifunctional materials and to fundamental understanding in interfacial science, electrochemistry, and materials engineering towards energy harvesting and catalysis.\nReferences\n[1] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. N. Skountzos, E. Goudeli, J. Zhang, V. C. Lussini, B. Imtiaz, K. A. S. Usman, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, J. M. Razal, A. V. Ellis, Nature Communications 2021, 12, 3171.\n[2] A. Linarts, P. C. Sherrell, K. M\u0101lnieks, A. V. Ellis, A. \u0160utka, Small 2023, 2205563\n[3] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. Goudeli, E. N. Skountzos, V. C. Lussini, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, A. V. Ellis, Energy & Environmental Science 2020, 13, 868.\n[4] A. Corletto, A. V. Ellis, N. A. Shepelin, M. Fronzi, D. A. Winkler, J. G. Shapter, P. C. Sherrell, Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2203849.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"304601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%) ; 401605 Functional materials (30%); 510303 Electrostatics and electrodynamics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Arsenic mobility mechanism in Bangladesh ground water","description":"Arsenic, a notorious bio-accumulating poisonous element, has been adversely affecting the health of millions of people in the Bengal Basin (Bangladesh and the West Bengal State, India) for the last thirty years. Bangladesh is an agricultural country with distinct seasonal variation and a young alluvial basin. The main objective of this PhD project is to understand the arsenic mobility mechanism in Bangladesh ground water and as a result to draw a new baseline of the overall recent arsenic scenario in the Bangel Basin. The key question of this research is: why and how arsenic is mobilized and becomes severe in the Bengal basin? Detailed case studies, hypothetical models and possible recommendation based on the experimental studies will be developed. Ultimately this project targets to find the safe aquifer level for arsenic free drinking water because arsenic-bearing water treatment technology is more expensive than finding the safe arsenic free zones.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":"039901 Environmental Chemistry (25%)\n040202 Inorganic Geochemistry (50%)\n030603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood","title":"Development of two-dimensional heterostructures as electrode materials for metal ion batteries","description":"Electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems are playing major roles in transforming our life style as being integrated in the components of electronics, electric vehicles (EVs) as well helpful in improving the intermittency of renewable energy production systems including fuel cells, solar cells, wind and tide by providing the platform for large scale energy storage. Among various EES systems, batteries and supercapacitors (SCs) are the main systems that can store energy at large scale, however, facing challenges regarding poor power and energy densities, respectively, which are mostly originated from the electrodes. In addition, problems with the long-term stability of electrode materials, degrade storage cells quickly, thus leading to the need of replacement after limited cycles. A restricted insertion of ions in bulk electrode materials due to intrinsically available limited lattice space causes slow charge-discharge, poor power density and failure of electrodes. While the energy density can be increased by maximizing ionic storage, bulk materials only offer finite number of intercalation sites and substantially their surface is not fully available for charge storage. Further, reversible intercalation of these ions results in the expansion and contraction of electrode materials. Such volume changes result in mechanical stresses enforced on electrodes that untimely produce cracks in electrodes or delaminate them from the current collectors. While on other side, some materials need to go through phase transformation that produces the redox inactive phases, and ultimately reduces the capacity. Thus, mechanical stresses and phase changes severely affect the efficiency and life cycle of these EES. So, in order to improve the stability and cycle life of any electrode material, their phase transformation reaction should follow a perfect reversibility as well as there should be enough space to accommodate the resulted stress that is the only case of atomic level reactions on planner surfaces.\n2D materials offer a rich platform to design new electrode materials to overcome the limitations of various energy storage devices, especially SCs and batteries. The current project will develop the heterostructures of these 2D materials with perfect face-to-face heterointerface at individual flacks. Both wet-chemical and physical methods will be used to develop materials to explore their performance for different battery chemistries like sodium, potassium, zinc etc.\nReferences:\n1. Jian, X.; Wang, H.; Rao, G.; Jiang, L.; Wang, H.; Subramaniyam, C-M.; Mahmood, A.; Zhang, W.; Xiang, Y.; Dou, S-X.; Zhou, Z.; Hui, D.; Kalantar-Zadeh, K.; Mahmood, N., Self-tunable Ultrathin Carbon Nanocups as the Electrode Materials of Sodium-ion Batteries with Unprecedented Capacity and Stability, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 364, 578-588. 2. Yousaf, M.; Wang, Y.; Chen, Y.; Wang, Z.; Firdous, A.; Ali, Z.; Mahmood, N.; Zou, R.; Guo, S.; Han, P. S. R., A 3D Trilayered CNT\/MoSe2\/C Heterostructure with an Expanded MoSe2 Interlayer Spacing for an Efficient Sodium Storage, Advanced Energy Materials, 2019, doi:10.1002\/aenm.201900567.\n3. Mahmood, N.; Alves de Castro, I.; Pramoda, K.; Khoshmanesh, Suresh, K.B.; K.; Kalantar-Zadeh, K., Atomically Thin Two-dimensional Metal Oxide Nanosheets for Energy Storage, Energy Storage Materials, 2019, 16, 455-480.\n4. Mahmood, N.; Hou, Y, Nanostructured Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries: Challenges and their Prospective Solutions, Advanced Energy Materials, 2016, 6, 1600374.\n5. Rehman, S.; Gu, X.; Khan, K.; Mahmood, N.; Yang, W.; Huang, X.; Guo, S; Hou, Y., 3D Vertically Aligned and Interconnected Porous Carbon Nanosheets as Sulphur Immobilizers for High Performance Lithium-Sulphur Batteries, Advanced Energy Materials, 2016, 6, 1502518.\n6. Mahmood, N.; Zhang, C.; Liu, F.; Zhu, J.; Hou, Y., Hybrid of Co3Sn2@ Co Nanoparticles and Nitrogen-Doped Graphene as a Lithium Ion Battery Anode, ACS Nano, 2013, 7, 10307-10318.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Gomez","title":"A photo-rechargeable quantum battery","description":"This project aims to develop the world\u2019s first quantum battery. Quantum batteries use unusual phenomena that arise from the behaviour of light and molecules to achieve superior performance when compared with conventional batteries. This project expects to generate new knowledge in quantum technologies and new patentable device prototypes. Expected outcomes of this project include development and optimisation of quantum batteries that can be charged with light for storing energy and powering small devices, such as LEDs. This should provide significant national benefits, such as creating novel quantum technologies and training the future Australian workforce.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805 - Quantum technologies\r\n401807 - Nanomaterials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Gomez","title":"Design of Soft 2D Plasmonic Photocatalysts for Artificial Leaves\r","description":"The project aims to fabricate soft 2D plasmonic photocatalysts with leaf-like structures and functions for solar-to-chemical energy conversion. The proposed 2D photocatalysts are expect to change the traditional way of design artificial photocatalysts. Expected outcomes of this project include fabrication of soft 2D plasmonic photocatalyst with large-area, ultrathin thickness, and high flexibility, understanding their plasmonic enhancement mechanisms, and construction of artificial leaves to perform the solar-to-chemical conversion, which can provide significant benefits, such as creating new-generation of soft energy devices and advance Australian expertise in photochemistry, self-assembly, and functional nanomaterials. A successful applicant has a Bachelors Degree in Science (or equivalent) in either  Chemistry or Physics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401805 - Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly\r\n401807 - Nanomaterials\r\n401605 - Functional materials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam, Ewan Blanch & Charlotte Conn","title":"Optimisation of small organic molecules for Alzheimer\u2019s disease","description":"Inhibition of amyloid misfolding is a promising strategy in the treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Small molecules and natural products are underdeveloped in addressing this strategy. Using microwave-assisted, one-pot, three-component, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, we have synthesised highly regioselective and stereoselective bis-spirooxindoles. Upon computational analysis, further derivatisation and optimisation of these structures are necessary. In this project, apart from synthesis and full characterisation using common analytical techniques, Raman spectroscopy and TEM imaging will also be included. These studies will lead to compounds which has the potential to be incapsulated in nanoparticles for targeting delivery. Thus, this project will result in compounds which have promising activities as anti-amyloidogenic agents and potentially as therapeutic agents for Alzheimer\u2019s disease","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340503\tOrganic chemical synthesis (50%)\r\n340401\tBiologically active molecules (20%)\r\n340101\tAnalytical spectrometry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam","title":"Organic molecules for redox flow batteries (RFBs)","description":"\"The recent advancement in charge storage with novel battery systems will finally make renewable energy a more viable alternative in generating power. [1] The concept of \u2018redox flow batteries\u2019 (RFB) was initially proposed by L. H Thaller in 1974. Since then, tremendous progress has been achieved with several types of RFBs such as all vanadium-, zinc\/bromine- and chromium\/iron-based batteries. A typical RFB system has two separate electrolyte tanks,[2] one for the anolyte and another for the catholyte. This configuration offers important advantages over stationary batteries as power and energy outputs are independent variables since power is determined by the reactor size and the amount of energy stored depends on the reactants chosen, their concentration and the size of the reactant tanks. [3] Additionally, RFB systems ensures the potentials at each electrode are close to the reversible potential for each of the half-cell reactions and side reactions or competition from the other half-cells are minimised. The penetration of RFBs into the commercial market is small primarily due to the cost: operation, maintenance, up-front capital and life-cycle costs. In addition to costs, system lifetimes of more than 15 years, high efficiency and cyclic durability are important for grid-level storage. These sorts of systems are dependent on expensive redox-active metals and precious metals electrocatalysts and are operated in caustic conditions.[4,5] A promising alternative is organic-based aqueous RFBs using redox-active organic reactants which are cheaper and can be structurally functionalised to improve voltage, rate capacity and energy density. This research proposal focuses on exploring organic electrode materials in the form of micelles to increase aqueous solubility, energy density, voltage and efficiency for aqueous flow batteries. The specific aims are to: 1. Design and synthesise aromatic conjugated organic compounds as small molecules and polymers that are highly soluble\/micelles in aqueous solvent. 2. Cyclic voltammetry analysis to determine the redox potential of the organic materials. 3. Measure the diffusion and electron transfer properties of the organic materials. 4. Measure the stability and efficiency of the organic compounds with prolonged charging\/discharging cycles using electrochemical methods in a flow battery.\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] J. Wu, Z. Lan, J. Lin, M. Huang, Y. Huang, L. Fan and G. Luo: Electrolytes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Chem. Rev. 115, 2136 (2015).\r\n[2] A. Z Weber, M. M Mench, J. P Meyers, P. N Ross, J. T Gostick, Liu Q. Redox flow batteries: a review. J. App. Electrochem., 41, 1137 (2011).\r\n[3] Q. Zhao, Z.Q. Zhu, and J. Chen, Molecular Engineering with Organic Carbonyl Electrode Materials for Advanced Stationary and Redox Flow Rechargeable Batteries. Adv. Mater. 29, 1607007 (2017).\r\n[4] K. Likit-anurak, K. Uthaichana, K. Punyawudho, Y. Khunatorn. The performance and efficiency of organic electrolyte redox flow battery prototype. Energy Procedia, 118, 54 (2017).\r\n[5] P. Leung, A.A. Shah, L. Sanz, C. Flox, J.R. Morante, Q. Xu, M.R. Mohamed, C.P. de Le\u00f3n, F.C. Walsh Recent developments in organic redox flow batteries: a critical review. J. Power Sources, 360, 243 (2017).\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340503\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Organic chemical synthesis (40%)\r\n\r\n340103\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electroanalytical chemistry (30%)\r\n\r\n400804\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electrical energy storage (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jampaiah Deshetti, Suresh Bhargava (School of Science), Ylias M Sabri (School of Engineering)","title":"Developing advanced materials for mercury capture in natural gas reservoirs","description":"The objective of this project is to develop polymer fluids that can be injected into a natural gas reservoir to capture mercury contaminants and prevent them being produced with the gas. The motivation for this is that trace levels of mercury (Hg) are present in many natural gas reservoirs which is an environmental hazard and it can also damage gas processing infrastructure. Existing methods for dealing with unwanted mercury production occur at topside facilities so the mercury is still produced. Therefore, methods that can retain the mercury in the reservoir offer great value so the aim of this project is to develop polymers that bind mercury in a reservoir environment. The assessment of the materials will be carried out with RMIT who are world leading experts in mercury analysis and CSIRO will provide expertise in material development and reservoir testing.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601 catalysis and mechanism of reactions (40%)\r\n401609 Polymers and Plastics (30%)\r\n340305 Physical properties of materials (30%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Enrico Della Gaspera, Rachel Caruso, Amgad Rezk (Engineering)","title":"Moving Catalysts: From Pollution Degradation to Hydrogen Production","description":"Catalysis will underpin the societies transition to a sustainable future over the mid-21st and 22nd centuries. From electrolysis of water or CO2, degradation of pollutants and microplastics in waterwaways. As Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Chemistry students \u2013 you\u2019re just as likely to end up working in an electrochemical or catalytic processing plant as a traditional fossil fuel powered plant. This project, is working to develop platform technologies to enable efficient electrochemistry applicable to the whole catalysis industry.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019re looking to integrate high performance catalysts (metals, semiconductors) with precision engineered energy harvesting materials (ceramics, polymers) that enable recycling of energy losses due to motion or heat \u2013 achieving this would lead to an improvement in baseline efficiency on the order of 33% for any catalytic device.\r\n\r\nThis project will focus on;\r\n1) Polymer engineering to create high efficient energy harvesting materials;\r\n2) Catalytic testing of semiconducting (2D and Metal Oxides) nanomaterials;\r\n3) Development of coupled energy harvesting-catalytic materials systems;\r\n4) Device testing in real world applications\r\n\r\nWe\u2019re actively recruiting students with a background in any of catalysis, polymer chemistry, interface science, ferroelectricity, triboelectricity, thermoelectricity, materials science, electrochemistry, and chemical engineering to build a team that works across different aspects of these challenges.\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n[1] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. N. Skountzos, E. Goudeli, J. Zhang, V. C. Lussini, B. Imtiaz, K. A. S. Usman, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, J. M. Razal, A. V. Ellis, Nature Communications 2021, 12, 3171.\r\n[2] A. Linarts, P. C. Sherrell, K. M\u0101lnieks, A. V. Ellis, A. \u0160utka, Small 2023, 2205563\r\n[3] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. Goudeli, E. N. Skountzos, V. C. Lussini, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, A. V. Ellis, Energy & Environmental Science 2020, 13, 868.\r\n[4] A. Corletto, A. V. Ellis, N. A. Shepelin, M. Fronzi, D. A. Winkler, J. G. Shapter, P. C. Sherrell, Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2203849.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"304601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (30%)\r\n510303 Electrostatics and electrodynamics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Tardio, Hamid Arandiyan and Suresh Bhargava","title":"Hydrothermal ferric nitrate hydrolysis \u2013 a key process for producing Electric Car Batteries","description":"The main aim of this project is to gain knowledge on the chemistry \/ chemical engineering occurring in a key stage of a relatively new process for producing Ni and Co from laterite ore. The aforementioned new process is of significant interest as it has the potential to be an economically viable process for the recovery of high purity nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate, alumina and iron oxide from laterite ores (ores that have not been commercially viable for the production of nickel or cobalt to date). The new process utilises an atmospheric pressure nitric acid leaching process, contrasting to previously attempted implementation of high-pressure leaching using sulphuric acid, allowing almost complete extraction of Ni and Co from the ore. An enhanced understanding of the underpinning chemistry of one of the key stages of the process \u2013 the separation of the iron containing compounds from the nickel and cobalt containing ore (laterite ore) - will contribute towards the development of a closed loop, environmentally friendly process to supply the Lithium Battery (LiB) market and high-tech markets with locally produced, value-added products.\r\n\r\nThe specific aims of this project will be to study hydrothermal ferric nitrate hydrolysis to hematite. This is a key stage in the process where iron containing compounds are separated from the ore. The main aims of this project are to\r\n\u2022\tDevelop a basic chemical understanding of ferric nitrate hydrolysis to Fe2O3 in nitric acid\r\n\u2022\tUnderstand role and deportment of solution impurities into the product Fe2O3\r\n\r\nResearch tasks\r\nThe main tasks for this project include:\r\nUnderstand the influence of key reaction conditions on the rate and extent of Fe2O3 produced \u2013 conditions to be investigated include temperature, stirring speed and composition solution\r\n\r\nDetermine if formation of insoluble silicate based compounds occurs as a side reaction \r\n\r\nCharacterise Fe2O3 produced \r\n\r\nUnderstand what factors influence type and level of impurities in Fe2O3 produced \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401904 30%\r\n340607 35%\r\n340211 35%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jang Mee Lee, Lathe Jones","title":"Cobalt leaching electrochemistry from Asbolane for secondary batteries","description":"Along with the proliferation of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) in commercial market to pursue net-zero society, huge research interest also has been paid to securing the high-quality Co element, which are critical in maintaining superior longevity of LIB system.  Australia has large Co-bearing nickel laterite deposits in Western Australia and New South Wales. Exploiting the efficient hydrometallurgical process to extract highly pure Co from the ore with minimized loss would create significant Economic Value Added (EVA).  Through this project, direct nickel process (DNi process) will be utilized to extract cobalt metal that uses nitric acid as a leaching agent.  As an atmospheric hydrometallurgical process, the DNi process has an impressive recycle and return statistic meaning 95%+ of the nitric acid is re-used, therefore providing a good environmental incentive. \r\nThis project aims to systemically leaching the cobalt metal from cobalt-rich ores such as Asbolane through sustainable DNi process. Along with this, it is aimed as well to investigate the leaching mechanism of the cobalt metal through in-depth fundamental studies.  These fundamental studies using a range of techniques (physical and chemical) will give broad training to the candidate and allow future improvements to environmentally benign processes to obtain cobalt for the lithium battery market.\r\nThis project also allows close collaboration with the industry.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"340211 Transition metal chemistry 30%\r\n401903 Hydrometallurgy 45%\r\n340604 Electrochemistry 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brendan Dyett, Charlotte Conn, Calum Drummond","title":"Crossing restrictive biobarriers with self-assembled lipid nanocarriers.","description":"The self-assembly of lipids into membranes provides the compartmentalization necessary for life. These layers act as gate keepers for transporting material into and out of cells. Understanding how nanoparticles\/nanocarriers may interact and traverse these layers is the key to unlocking advances in drug delivery technology. It is thought that self-assembled lipid nanocarriers may have potential advantages in their mode of action with biological membranes. Owing to their intrinsic curvature and biomimetic composition, this class of material may uniquely subvert typical cellular uptake mechanisms. These findings have future relevance to applications such as crossing the blood-brain barrier and gram-negative bacterial membranes, where typical uptake mechanisms are heavily restricted. This project will examine multiple aspects around the dynamic behaviour of nanomaterial at cell and cell-mimic surfaces. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nhiem Tran, Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Microfluidic generation of self-assembled lipid nanoparticles and their biological interactions","description":"The project aims to generate lipid nanoparticles using microfluidic technologies. It harnesses various passive and active mixing mechanisms to enable the self-assembly process between lipid molecules and water-soluble surface stabiliser under highly controlled conditions. This approach enables us to modulate the size, stiffness, and internal structure of lipid nanoparticles using microfluidic systems. The generated nanoparticles will be examined using small angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy techniques to quantify their properties. The project will also study the uptake of the generated nanoparticles by endothelial cells under tailored operating conditions. The project is multidisciplinary and links the fields of microfluidics, nanomaterials, and cellular biology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (40%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (20%)\r\n401210 Microfluidics and nanofluidics (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Steven Bozinovski, School of Health and Biomedical Science","title":"Developing organ-targeted lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery","description":"The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are a type of vaccines utilising advanced nanotechnology, i.e. lipid nanoparticles (LNP), for the packaging and delivery of the therapeutic mRNA molecules, which correspond to the spike protein on the virus. Since the launch of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccine products, lipid nanoparticle-mRNA technology has attracted tremendous research and industrial interests for developing new medical products not just for fight infections, but also for the treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer and genetic disorders. However, one of the main challenges for the current product is most of them will go to liver and spleen after intravenous injection. \r\n\r\nRMIT has world-class capabilities and facilities for high throughput and microfluidic lipid nanoparticle formulation, nanoparticle-biology interactions, and drug delivery including mRNA delivery. \r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop new LNP formulations enabling the organ-specific and cell-specific targeting and delivery of mRNA.  The project will systematically investigate the effect of lipid composition, composition ratio, and the physicochemical properties of the LNPs on the biological function and targeting of therapeutic mRNA. \r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will be trained in cutting-edge nanotechnology and exposed to world-class research facilities and environment. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Charlotte Conn","title":"Enhancing the Delivery of Natural Products to the Brain Using Lipid Nanocarriers","description":"Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects 44 million people globally.  While anti-inflammatory natural products such as resveratrol from red grapes and EGCG from green tea have been shown to be effective in delaying the progress of this disease, the inability of these and other drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a significant obstacle to the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.  The enhancement of drug delivery across the BBB has been explored with the introduction of nanocarriers based on lipids, polymers and metals.  The project will specifically investigate the efficacy of lipid-based nanocarriers to enhance the delivery of natural products across the BBB.  The encapsulation of the selected natural products within lipid nanocarriers such as cubosomes will be assessed, including using synchrotron-based techniques.  Spectroscopic and analytical techniques will be used to analyse the effect of encapsulation on the natural product.  An in vitro BBB PAMPA model will be used to determine the efficacy of these self-assemblies to across the BBB and release the drug content.  \n\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"06\/06\/2025","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"320604 Nanomedicine (50%) ; 340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Charlotte Conn","title":"Lyotropic liquid crystalline nanomaterials for encapsulation and delivery of siRNA","description":"RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics is a fast growing field with the potential to revolutionize current treatments for significant diseases including cancer, autoimmune dysfunction, and various genetic disorders. This technology relies on the repression of disease proteins using small interfering RNAs (siRNA), which can be designed for a specific disease. In the cell cytoplasm, siRNA are incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which identifies and degrades the complementary messenger RNA that is responsible for protein production. However, siRNA are large polyanionic molecules which are easily degraded by nuclease. In order to effect changes to the cell, they must be transported across the cell membrane and released into the cell cytoplasm. Lyotropic lipid nanoparticles consisting of cationic lipids are highly prospective delivery vehicles for siRNA. In excess water, lipid molecules self-assemble into nanoparticles with unique internal nanostructures. These materials have been studied as drug delivery vehicles due to their ability to incorporate both hydrophilic and lipophilic molecules. This project aims to study the influence of physicochemical factors such as surface charge, critical packing parameter of lipid molecules, and membrane curvature on the internal structure of the nanoparticles, and their ability to encapsulate and release siRNA. Extensive nanoparticle characterisation will be performed using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), and dynamic light scattering techniques (DLS). In vitro cytotoxicity and gene knockdown experiments will be carried out. This is a highly interdisciplinary project which would suit a student with an understanding of colloid and surface chemistry and\/or biomaterials.  ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"320604 Nanomedicine (50%) ; 340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rachel Caruso","title":"Machine Learning Discovery of Perovskite Materials for Optoelectronics","description":"Optoelectronic materials, including photoluminescent materials and photovoltaics, have substantial impacts on industry and our daily life. As outstanding optoelectronic materials, perovskites have been extensively studied, and have wide application in the fields of energy storage and conversion, luminescence and catalysis. Despite the development of the perovskites reported, none of these materials can simultaneously fulfil the major requirements for commercial application: 1) high efficiency, 2) low toxicity, and 3) high stability. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore non-toxic and stable perovskites with high performance. Due to the structural diversity, however, the number of the possible perovskites is almost infinite, and thus using the traditional laboratory-based trial-and-error strategy to screen the desired perovskites is inefficient and costly. Machine learning is a powerful tool to tackle these problems. Given a big material dataset with reliable data, machine learning techniques can bypass the sophisticated first principle electronic structure calculations, and predict a myriad of electronic, physical and mechanical properties. This PhD project will focus on exploration, synthesis and optimization of photoluminescent and photovoltaic materials, assisted by machine learning methods. The student will apply the advanced machine learning algorithms to build the model for the perovskites with various structures, and deploy synthesis and characterization including electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and light absorption, and fabrication of simple optoelectronic devices.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/04\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310607 - Nanobiotechnology (40%) ; 340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (30%) ; 310101 - Analytical biochemistry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajesh Ramanathan","title":"Sensors for fingerprinting of mammalian and microbial cells","description":"The collection of proteins and biomolecules at the cell surface, referred to as the surfaceome, plays an important role in identifying different cell types and cell states. This provides us with a unique opportunity to identify unique markers on the cell surface and can serve as critical starting point to identify disease markers. This ability to perform surfaceome analysis will complement our ability to perform genome and proteomic analysis. \n\nThis project will focus on developing a new colour\/fluorescence-based sensor for generating unique fingerprints of different mammalian and microbial cells. The project will employ catalytic nanoparticles that will be functionalised with different molecular recognition elements such as DNA aptamers, carbohydrate binding lectins, and antibodies. A sensor array will then be created to obtain a fingerprint for each type of cell. The sensor response will then be analysed using a suite of machine learning tools to identify markers of diseases such as cancer or the type of pathogenic microbe causing infection. This information will allow early interventions by creating effective treatment strategies. \n\nAn ideal candidate will have interest in nanotechnology, sensors and biomedical technologies. The candidate will work in the NanoBiotechnology Research Lab (NRBL) group and will be exposed to state-of-the-art materials characterisation tools, microbiology, and molecular biology techniques and develop skills for working in biomedical and nanotechnology sector.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310607 - Nanobiotechnology (50%) ; 401605 - Functional materials (30%) ; 320799 - Medical microbiology not elsewhere classified (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajesh Ramanathan","title":"Stimuli responsive dressings for antimicrobial and antibiofilm applications","description":"Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered a significant threat to the public health systems not just in developing countries but throughout the world. Infection with AMR leads to serious illnesses and prolonged hospital admissions, increases in healthcare costs, higher costs in second-line drugs, and treatment failures. WHO estimated that drug-resistant infections contributed to nearly 5 million deaths in 2019. The forecast for the future if no action is taken seems even worse. It is estimated that by 2050, AMR would claim 10 million lives per year globally and put at risk a cumulative US$100 trillion of economic output. In Australia, the estimated annual impact of AMR on the economy by 2050 will be between A$142 billion and A$283 billion.\n\nThis project will focus on developing stimuli responsive nanomaterials that incorporated into wound dressings. These nanomaterials will offer dual functionality of killing pathogenic organisms and actively enhance wound healing. These abilities would be controlled using external stimuli such as light illumination, magnetic stimulation etc. The project will also focus on understanding the mechanism of bacterial killing and provide fundamental knowledge about how such materials interact with biological systems. The overarching goal of this project will be to develop new strategies to control AMR pathogens. \n\nThe project will have opportunities to work with international collaborators on using such nanomaterials for controlling pathogens in dental implants. \n\nAn ideal candidate will have interest in nanotechnology and biomedical technologies. The candidate will work in the NanoBiotechnology Research Lab (NRBL) group and will be exposed to state-of-the-art materials characterisation tools, microbiology, and molecular biology techniques and develop skills for working in biomedical and nanotechnology sector. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/6\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340301 Inorganic materials - 40% ; 401807 Nanomaterials - 30% ; 310601 Biocatalysis and enzyme technology - 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajesh Ramanathan","title":"Stimuli responsive nanozymes as a viable alternative to natural enzymes for industrial applications","description":"Natural enzymes promote several catalytic chemical reactions in the body. Enzymes are used in the food, agricultural, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries to control and speed up reactions in order to quickly and accurately obtain a valuable final product. Enzymes are crucial to making cheese, brewing beer, baking bread, production of biofuels, biopolymers, and much more. One critical shortcoming of natural enzymes is their stability, especially in harsh reaction conditions. Additionally, the high cost of production, storage and transportation further exasperates the problem. Nanozymes are nanomaterials that mimic the catalytic activity of natural enzymes. Nanozymes are stable in harsh conditions, have low cost of production, storage and are easier to transport. Therefore, nanozymes hold promise to serve as direct surrogates of traditional enzymes. \n\nThe project will focus on developing new nanoparticles and assess their ability to mimic the catalytic activity of natural enzymes. A key aspect is the ability to control the catalytic activity of these nanoparticles using external stimuli such as light illumination, magnetic stimulation etc, which will allow on-demand tuning of the activity. The use of such stimuli will also enable a degree of selectivity of which product is produced during a catalytic reaction. \n\nAn ideal candidate will have interest in materials chemistry, nanotechnology and catalysis. The candidate will work in the NanoBiotechnology Research Lab (NRBL) group and will be exposed to state-of-the-art materials characterisation tools and catalysis reactions relevant to industrial sector. The project will allow the candidate to develop key skills to work in industrial catalysis and nanotechnology sector.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/12\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340301 Inorganic Materials (incl. Nanomaterials) (40%) ; 340309 Theory and Design of Materials (30%) ; 340305 Physical Properties of Materials (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Dr. Aaron Elbourne, Dr. Saffron Bryant, Dr. Andrew Christofferson, A\/Prof. Paul Ramsland","title":"Developing Biomimetic Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Vehicles","description":"Motivation\nNanomaterials have emerged as an effective means of drug transportation to living cells. Currently, Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field offering a range of applications in the fields of drug delivery, advanced medical diagnostics, cellular imaging, and cancer therapeutics. Lipid based vesicles have recently gained popularity due to their high biodegradability and biocompatibility. Their capacity to safely encapsulate and deliver antimicrobial drugs can be utilized to combat the global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Despite this potential, research concerning cell derived lipid vesicles remains at its infancy. This project can significantly contribute to the development of novel strategies of cellular drug delivery using microbial lipid-coated nanoparticles.\nScope\nThis research project will investigate the selective adhesion or uptake potential of lipid-coated nanoparticles derived from microbial cells. Nanoparticles will be synthesised by introducing chemically extracted microbial lipids to inorganic particles. The similarities in lipid composition allows for the diffusion of the coating against the cell membrane upon exposure, leading to effective drug release. The excellent tunability of the nanoparticles allows for both lipid coating and inner core modifications.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry 50% ; 310607 Nanobiotechnology 40% ; 401810 Nanoscale Characterisation 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"Synthesis, chemistry, and biology of unique 2-Dimensional (2D) nanomaterials","description":"2-Dimensional (or flat) nanomaterials have started to excite nanotechnology researchers as extremely thin flakes of nanoparticles show exotic properties that are absent in other shapes. A commonly known 2D material is graphene. But do you know that while graphene is considered useful due to its high conductivity, it also has many limitations? For example, an electronic device also needs semiconducting and insulating components that graphene cannot offer. Similarly, for different biological and chemical applications, 2D materials of different compositions will be required.\n \n Our team at RMIT is at the forefront of the revolution in 2D materials and seeking motivated candidates who are interested in the chemical synthesis of nanomaterials, accompanied by either their chemical or biological applications. Chemical applications include (i) photo-electrochemical water splitting to produce green energy, (ii) photocatalysis for environmental remediation, and (iii) optical sensors. Biological applications include (i) next-generation antimicrobial technologies, (ii) gene and drug delivery, and (iii) diagnostics of important targets in medicine, agriculture, food, and the environment. \n \n The project will be undertaken under a highly vibrant cross-disciplinary environment offered at the RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility. It is expected to involve local, national, and international collaborations depending upon the project's needs, including measurements at the Australian synchrotron. This project is geared towards making new fundamental discoveries in a topical research area. A suitable candidate should have a high motivation for research and any other relevant prior experience in nanomaterial synthesis and\/or biology will be a bonus.\n \n Refer to our publication to get some idea about our research activities in this area: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303 Nanochemistry (50%)\n 340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (25%)\n 340603 Colloids and surface chemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"Nanosensors for point-of-care detection of environmental, food, agriculture, and clinical analytes ","description":"The emergence of COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of efficient sensor technologies that can rapidly detect the source of the problem on-site. Unless a problem is timely detected, it cannot be effectively managed. The analytes of high importance include environmental pollutants; food contaminants and toxins; microbes that cause plant, animal, and human diseases; and metabolic, genomic, and proteomic markers of various human diseases. \n \n Our team at RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility is at the forefront of the development of advanced sensor technologies to detect these analytes using nanosensors. Our sensing platforms range from colorimetric and fluorometric detection systems to electrochemical detection. Depending upon your prior experience, a suitable project can be tailored in this area to match your interest. \n \n You will work with a highly cross-disciplinary team and develop expertise in (i) chemical synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials, (ii) synthesis of DNA aptamers for important target analytes, (iii) understanding nano-bio interactions, (iv) development of an appropriate nanosensor technology, and (v) application of machine learning and AI algorithms for analysis of complex sensory data. This comprehensive training is expected to prepare you for a successful pathway in the field of nanobiotechnology.\n \n The project is likely to involve industry partners, such as the Australian Biosecurity agencies who are interested in this research. A suitable candidate should have a high motivation for research and any other relevant prior experience will be a bonus.\n \n Refer to our publications to get some idea about our research activities in this area: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) 340108 (50%), \n Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) 340301 (25%), \n 340303 Nanochemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Colloidal lithography based nanostructures for numerous applications.","description":"To date there is a technological demand for the fabrication of structures where both the feature size and separation can be controlled at the nanoscale. Typically such structures are obtained by direct writing using electron beam lithography, but the method is sequential and thus slow and not cost-effective. An alternative\n \n strategy exploits the deposition of colloidal particles as masks for lithography. Colloidal lithography is a large-area, robust, parallel and cheap method, but conventional approaches have little control on the interparticle separation, typically yielding close-packed particle arrays. For instance, in biosensing applications, large separations compared to the feature size are necessary to avoid cross-talk between neighboring sensing spots. As another example, nanofabricated arrays of silicon nanowires have significant potential as platforms for cell transfection or as materials for optics and energy applications, but their diameter, height and lateral separation need to be finely tuned to achieve the desired final properties. In our group we harness and exploit the self-assembly of colloidal particles at a water\/oil interface to meet these challenges. After self-assembly at the liquid interface, the colloidal particle arrays can be deposited on a solid substrate for lithography. The technique allows in a single step to produce 2D patterns where the size of the features and their separation can be controlled independently and has been used to produce nanopore arrays, biosensing structures, nanopatterned hydrogels, porous polymer membranes and nanowire arrays out of different materials. This is an emerging field and the student will be able to produce a range of novel structures for applications ranging from gas sensing to solar energy harvestation, electrochemistry, catalysis and the like.\n \n References:\n [1] YM Sabri, AE Kandjani, SJ Ippolito, SK Bhargava, Scientific reports 6, 24625\n [2] YM Sabri, AE Kandjani, SJ Ippolito, SK Bhargava ACS applied materials & interfaces 7 (3), 1491-1499","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401807 - Nanomaterials (50%)\n 410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (25%)\n 340601 - Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nhiem Tran, Jiali (Maggie) Zhai and Calum Drummond","title":"Self-assembled lipid nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapeutics","description":"Cancer is a leading cause of the death and a major health problem in Australia. Currently, chemotherapeutics are widely used and still provide the best survival chance for cancer patients. Chemotherapy drugs, however, also damage normal cells in the body, leading to many side effects that have been limiting their effectiveness. To address these problems, nanomedicines, a drug delivery strategy based on nanoparticles encapsulating toxic chemotherapeutics, have emerged and held great promises for the next generation of targeted cancer treatment to reduce systemic side effects. Such drug delivery systems also offer other advantages including: (1) enhanced solubility of newly discovered, poorly soluble drugs, (2) controlled release of the drugs for enhanced bioavailability (3) protection of the drugs from degradation in the body to overcome biological barriers. Among the drug delivery systems that are being developed, self-assembled lipid nanoparticles stand out due to their customizable nanostructures and extensive porous networks. These features allow them to encapsulate and slowly release non-water-soluble chemotherapeutics.[1] We have also successfully attached antibodies to the surfaces of lipid nanoparticles to help them recognise cancer cells for targeted drug delivery.[2] This project aims to formulate multifunctional lipid nanoparticles that can provide sustained release and targeted delivery of anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, including paclitaxel, temozolomide, and dasatinib. Extensive investigation of structure \u2013 function relationship between lipid nanostructures and solubility and release of drugs will be performed in vitro and in vivo. First, advanced biophysical techniques such as small angle X-ray scattering, cryogenic transmission electron miscroscopy, HPLC will be employed. Second, biochemical assays such as bioconjugation, gel electrophoresis, ligand binding assays, in vitro cell viability and cell uptake assays will also be performed to confirm the recognition of cancer cells by nanoparticles. Last but not least, biological functions and therapeutic efficacy of the developed nanoparticles will be evaluated in vivo using ovarian cancer and\/or brain cancer xenograft models.\r\nThis project is a collaborative interdisciplinary project that offers training on lipid nanoparticle formulation, colloid and surface chemistry characterisation, and the evaluation of bio-nanomaterials in vitro and in vivo. References:\r\n[1]. X. Mulet, B. J. Boyd, C. J. Drummond, Journal of colloid and interface science 2013, 393.\r\n[2]. J. Zhai: Nanoscale, 2015, 7, pp. 2905-2913","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (50%)\n 320604 Nanomedicine (30%)\n 400302 Biomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences; Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Christofferson","title":"Modelling the stability of biomolecules in ionic liquids","description":"Most proteins and biomolecules have limited solubility and stability outside their native environment. This is a critical issue in many fields, exemplified by the Covid-19 vaccine, insulin and antibody needing to be stored at low temperature due to rapid degradation at higher temperatures. For researchers to be able to tackle these problems, we need solvents that increase protein stability and solubility. Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts which melt below 100 \u00b0C, and are thus liquid at room temperature. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are closely related, and formed by a eutectic of an IL and a molecular solvent. Certain IL solutions can be highly beneficial solvents for biomolecules, stabilizing enzymes and peptides, selectively extracting\/separating biomolecules, preventing insulin aggregation, suppressing and solubilising amyloid aggregates, enhancing protein crystal growth and control of crystal shape. However, an atomistic description of the effect of IL and DES constituents on the dynamic behaviour of the protein is required to bridge the gap between these experimental techniques to reach a deep understanding that will allow us to tailor designer solvents to the protein of interest. Molecular dynamics simulations have the potential to provide this information. Recent developments in polarisable and non-polarisable models of ILs and DESs allow for a greater degree of accuracy in the modelling of these solvents, although their compatibility in water mixtures and in combination with protein force fields must be verified. Likewise, protein models have improved dramatically in recent years and now can better account for partial disorder and polarisation.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340701 Computational chemistry (80%) ;  340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (10%) ; 510405 Soft condensed matter (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oliver Jones","title":"CSIRO-RMIT Masters Measuring aerosols and reactive gases in the atmosphere ","description":"The project is in collaboration with the CSIRO. It will include components of designing, constructing, calibrating and maintaining instrumentation for the observations of aerosols and reactive gases in ambient and indoor air.  These instruments will be applied in field measurement studies focused on understanding the impact of air pollution on human health and climate change. \r\n\r\nThe team conduct air quality monitoring to support research and long-term observations. Data are collected using a wide range of instrumentation, some of which are deployed continuously whilst others are utilised to respond to specific research questions or emergency incidents. CSIRO does not conduct regulatory air quality monitoring, instead focusses on novel technology, emerging challenges and new methodologies.\r\n\r\nExamples of the research projects that the student could work on:\r\n\u2022\tEngaging in field work to conduct air quality monitoring for the evaluation of interventions designed to protect the health of vulnerable populations.\r\n\u2022\tAssisting with deployment and data management of low-cost sensors to measure local-scale emissions and fine scale resolution of air pollutants.\r\n\u2022\tConducting laboratory-based calibrations of instrumentation, data management and quality control.\r\n\u2022\tConstructing a sampling inlet for a state-of-the- art on-line time-of-flight mass spectrometer to measure volatile organic compounds in seawater.\r\n\r\nThe project will involve:\r\n-\tLiterature search and familiarization with aerosol and reactive gases measurement systems\r\n-\tLearn how to service and problem solve issues with high grade instruments. \r\n-\tCoding for instrument communication and data acquisitions\r\n-\tApply the findings to real-world samples of ambient air\r\n-\tTraining visit to Kennaook Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Monitoring Station in Tasmania\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340105 - Instrumental methods (excl. immunological and bioassay methods) (50%)\r\n340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"MR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jessica Holien","title":"Protein-protein interactions to find novel therapeutics","description":"There are over 300,000 protein-protein interaction pairs so far identified in the human proteome, and it is unclear how many of these play a role in diseases. This project aims to develop and utilise network-based bioinformatic methods to understand how single protein-protein interactions cooperate in the cell to form complex protein-protein networks. These protein-protein interactions will form novel drug targets for a drug discovery pipeline, in order to find new therapeutics for diseases of unmet need.\r\nInterested candidates will be required have a minimum of basic coding\/computational techniques and some understanding of protein structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (60%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (20%)\r\n310201 Bioinformatic methods development (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231 \/ MR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic","title":"Persistence and Stability of Memories During Massive Brain Remodelling","description":"Project Overview\nMemory enables animals to store experiences crucial for survival, yet how memories persist through dramatic brain restructuring\u2014such as regeneration, metamorphosis, or neurogenesis\u2014is poorly understood. This project offers opportunities to investigate memory stability across major neural transformations in:\n\u2022\tPlanarians (complete brain regeneration after decapitation)\n\u2022\tHolometabolous insects (e.g., beetles, butterflies undergoing metamorphosis)\n\u2022\tCrustaceans (neural remodeling during growth and molting)\nCombining behavioural assays, advanced AI-driven analysis, and neuroactive drug screening, this research explores memory retention and potential storage mechanisms beyond traditional neural models.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop robust learning protocols using ecologically-relevant stimuli.\n\u2022\tExamine memory retention in different anatomical fragments and regions post-regeneration.\n\u2022\tAssess how neuroactive compounds (drugs, pollutants) influence memory stability during brain remodeling.\n\u2022\tImplement AI-powered analytics to classify and quantify decision-making, learned behaviors, and memory persistence.\n\nResearch Impact:\nThis project will challenge conventional neuroscience by exploring if and to what extend memories can survive massive brain remodelling. Findings will significantly advance neurobiology, cognitive science and animal behaviour research, providing new insights into the evolution of cognition.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates have backgrounds in biology, neuroscience or cognitive science interested in exploring memory persistence during extreme neural transformations. If you are passionate about unconventional memory models and interdisciplinary cognitive research, this PhD places you at the forefront of animal behaviour and neuroplasticity.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org ","sdg":"[\"15 - Life on the Land\",\"14 - Life Below Water\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n310906 Animal neurobiology (25%)\n310301 Behavioural ecology (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231 \/ MR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"Plastic pollution and climate feedback: A study through the lens of blue carbon ecosystems","description":"Plastic pollution and climate change are deeply interconnected global challenges. The generation of greenhouse gases at linear plastic production and use remains a critical barrier to achieving sustainable development goals and maintaining global climate targets. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes, are well-known for their capacity as nature-based climate mitigation. At the land-ocean interface, these fragile ecosystems act as burial places for plastics. However, it is yet to understand underpinning enough evidence of the consequence of accumulated plastic and microplastic on the overall climate benefits of these coastal blue carbon ecosystems. This project will assess the climate feedback on blue carbon ecosystems under different plastic pollution exposure scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"MR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri, Alexis Marshall","title":"Better Understanding of Papaya Phytophthora Rot","description":"Master by Research student opportunity\n\nOur group at RMIT School of Science along with Skybury Farms and other Australian papaya growers are starting R&D project on 'Better understanding of papaya phytophthora rot'\n\nPapaya Phytophthora rot leads to significant economic losses, impacting growers and consumers alike. Traditional management methods, including cultural practices and fungicide use, often fall short in curbing the disease's spread and its subsequent damage.\n\nIn the proposed project, we will build onto the existing partnership between RMIT and Skybury Farms to develop an integrated solution for effective management of phytophthora. To enable development of a sustainable phytophthora management strategy, we will consult with key stakeholders from Australian and global papaya industry including researchers from previous Hort Innovation funded projects. A comprehensive gap analysis of papaya phytophthora management will be followed by development of high-throughput method to quantify soil fungal load and genomic analysis to identify potential targets for effective disease management.\n\nYou will work alongside industry experts and leading papaya growers in Australia to develop solutions that will directly benefit Australian papaya industry.\n\nWe are inviting Expression of Interest from potential Master by Research candidates with experience and interest in molecular plant pathology. Interested candidates please email your detailed CV with relevant research experience and publications to nitin.mantri@rmit.edu.au. Applications will close by 15th November 2024.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300804        Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (75%)\n300803        Horticultural crop improvement (incl. selection and breeding) (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"BITS025F001452: Smart Marine Vessels for AI-Driven Plastic Clean-up","description":"Plastic pollution is a planetary problem. The Smart Surface Ships for AI-Powered Plastic Cleanup project aims to develop and deploy autonomous surface vessels equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) for efficient plastic waste detection and collection in water bodies. This initiative addresses the growing environmental crisis of plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and lakes by leveraging advanced robotics, machine learning, and sensor technologies. The primary objectives of this project are: 1. Autonomous Navigation & Operation: Develop AI-driven surface vessels capable of autonomously navigating through water bodies while avoiding obstacles and adapting to environmental conditions. 2. Plastic Waste Detection: Implement computer vision and deep learning algorithms to detect, classify, and differentiate plastic debris from other floating objects. 3. Efficient Collection Mechanism: Design and integrate a smart retrieval system that captures floating plastics without harming aquatic life. 4. Data Collection & Monitoring: Utilize onboard sensors to collect real-time data on plastic waste distribution, contributing to environmental research and clean-up planning. 5. Scalability & Deployment: Ensure modular and cost-effective designs for large-scale implementation across various water bodies. Methodology The project will follow a structured approach: \u2022 AI & Machine Learning Integration: Train deep learning models using datasets of floating plastics to improve detection accuracy. \u2022 Autonomous Vessel Development: Design and fabricate an energy-efficient, solar-powered surface vehicle with adaptive control algorithms. \u2022 Sensor & Computer Vision Systems: Employ LiDAR, cameras, and hyperspectral imaging for real-time waste identification. \u2022 Mechanical Collection System: Engineer an optimized robotic arm\/manipulator for efficient plastic retrieval. \u2022 Field Testing & Optimization: Conduct trials in controlled and real-world environments to refine AI models and operational efficiency. This innovative approach will significantly enhance plastic cleanup efforts, reducing marine pollution and contributing to global sustainability goals.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\",\"17 - Partnerships for the Goals\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"460205\tIntelligent robotics (50%)\n460306\tImage processing (30%)\n400904\tElectronic device and system performance evaluation (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"BITS025F001402: Modulation of soil microbiome by microplastics: implication for food security","description":"Background and aim: The pervasive presence of microplastics (plastic particles with <5mm in size) in soil from anthropogenic practises (such as modern agriculture) is a global sustainability issue. Microplastics and their associated additives can alter\/stress soil microbiome, potentially impacting the beneficial interactions between plants and plant-associated beneficial rhizobacteria, which are crucial for stress tolerance and nutrient uptake by plants\/crops. This research aims to investigate the interplay between microplastics, soil microbiomes, and plants, focusing on the modulation of beneficial plant-rhizobacterial interactions under microplastics-induced stress scenarios. The overall objectives of this PhD are to: 1) analyse the effects of microplastics on the diversity and composition of soil microbiomes; 2) assess how changes in soil microbiomes influence beneficial plant-rhizobacterial interactions; and 3) evaluate the role of these interactions in enhancing plant stress tolerance in the presence of microplastics. Methodology: This study will involve both controlled laboratory experiments and field studies and leverage multi-omics and advance molecular techniques. Soil samples will be collected from various agricultural sites with environmentally realistic microplastics contamination. A set of controlled experiments will be initiated in a greenhouse, where plants will be grown in soils with varying concentrations of microplastics. Soil microbiome composition will be assessed using high-throughput sequencing techniques, such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics. This analysis will provide insights of impact of microplastics on composition and functional potential of soil microbial communities. Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics study will be conducted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of the biological responses of soil microbiomes and plants to microplastics. A known model crop such as rice will be used for the plant-based studies. Inter-relation between microbial community composition and the fingerprint of dissolved organic matter in the rhizosphere will be performed to estimate whether the \u201cbelow-ground changes\u201d have far-stretching consequences on \u201cabove-ground\u201d plant performance, under the exposure of microplastics. Specific attention will be given to rhizobacteria known for their beneficial interactions with plants, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium spp.).","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"13 - Climate Action\",\"15 - Life on the Land\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"300207    Agricultural systems analysis and modelling (40%)\n310803\tPlant cell and molecular biology (30%)\n410501\tEnvironmental biogeochemistry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"BITS025F001436: Wetland plastisphere as a novel biotope","description":"Ubiquitous plastic pollution is a planetary problem. Wetlands (natural or constructed) can act sink of these problem. However, plastic within wetlands can generate a novel biotope called \"wetland plastisphere\". Wetland plastisphere that refers to the community of organisms that colonise plastic debris, represents a new biotic layer that warrants investigation. This new biotope is creating dynamic habitats that differ significantly from their natural counterparts. Certain microbes may break down plastics, while others may contribute to wetland nutrient cycling. Research into the wetland plastisphere is crucial for understanding the broader implications of plastic pollution on wetland biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling, microbial activity, and overall ecosystem functioning. It also raises important questions about how these biotope function and how they will respond to ongoing environmental changes. As plastic waste continues to accumulate in wetland areas, studying these unique biotopes may offer insights into potential remediation strategies and the resilience of ecosystems in the face of pollution. Overall, the project will investigate the composition and diversity of microbial communities in the wetland plastisphere and their role in nutrient cycling; evaluate how the presence of plastics in wetlands affects biogeochemical processes such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling; and provide recommendations for managing plastic pollution and enhancing biogeochemical functions in wetland ecosystems. Apart from regular protocols of wetland research, this project will leverage a wide range of microbial and molecular techniques\/approaches including multi-omics (i.e. Genomics, Transcriptomics, Metabolomics, etc) to gain insights of wetland plastisphere and their functions.","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"14 - Life Below Water\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (50%)\n410501 - Environmental biogeochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Alexis Marshall, Andy Ball","title":"Innovative sequencing methods for monitoring microbial consortia in engineered environments, such as wastewater treatment facilities.","description":"Significance: Biological wastewater treatment systems comprise a diverse range of naturally occurring microbes, which play a central role for the operation of treatment plants. Understanding these microbial consortia is crucial for improving the management and resource recoveries of biological wastewater treatment systems. \n\nOverview: Biological treatment systems such as the activated sludge process (ASP), anaerobic digestion (AD), granular sludge reactors and biofilters, all rely on complex microbial interactions. These biological systems perform functions, such as organic matter and nutrient removal, production of renewable biogas and pathogen reduction. However, due to the complexity of biological systems and technological limitations, some important microbes remain unidentified, or their roles unclear, despite decades of research. Furthermore, changes of microbial diversity over time are currently not routinely profiled and monitored. This limits our ability to troubleshoot and optimise these economically important processes. \n\nObjective: Together with the industry partner Melbourne Water, this PhD project will develop a new amplicon sequencing workflow for mixed microbial communities using long-read sequencing technologies (e.g. Oxford Nanopore). The candidate will design a novel primer pair targeting the 16S-ITS-23S ribosomal RNA operon region, offering enhanced taxonomic specificity and sensitivity for the detection and monitoring of bacteria and archaea in wastewater sludge. Furthermore, the candidate will develop bioinformatic workflows that enable routine processing of sequencing data and visualise the outputs of thousands of different microbes and their abundances over time. \n\nA top-up scholarship is available to the successful candidate (from WaterRA, https:\/\/www.waterra.com.au\/phd-scholarships). \n\nFurthermore, there are opportunities for internships at Melbourne Water. ","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-06-30","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310201 Bioinformatics methods development\n310203 Computational ecology and phylogenetics\n310606 Industrial biotechnology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic","title":"Decoding Minimal Minds: Proto-Cognition in Simple Lifeforms","description":"Project Overview:\nProto-cognition describes cognitive-like behaviors observed in organisms with rudimentary or no nervous systems, challenging traditional views that intelligence requires complex brains. Recent research reveals that simple invertebrates and even aneural organisms exhibit surprising abilities in learning, memory, and adaptive decision-making. Yet, these fundamental cognitive mechanisms remain underexplored.\nThis PhD project seeks to redefine cognition by characterizing proto-cognitive processes across diverse aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Using behavioral assays, AI-driven bioanalytics, and neuropharmacological methods, you will investigate how minimally cognitive organisms process information, learn, and adapt to environmental cues.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop innovative behavioral conditioning paradigms (habituation, associative, instrumental learning).\n\u2022\tInvestigate spatial memory, decision-making, and adaptive strategies in simple organisms.\n\u2022\tExamine how neuroactive chemicals, pollutants, and environmental stressors influence learning and memory.\n\u2022\tApply advanced AI analytics (behavioral clustering, unsupervised pattern recognition) to quantify proto-cognition and detect previously undiscovered behavioral motifs.\n\nInnovation & Impact:\nThis research offers groundbreaking insights into the origins of intelligence, informing neurobiology, evolutionary biology, behavioral ecotoxicology and drug discovery. It will establish new models for automated cognitive assessment and contribute significantly to animal behaviour research.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates are from biology, neuroscience, or cognitive science backgrounds, interested in exploring evolutionary principles of cognition and animal behavior. This PhD provides an exciting interdisciplinary opportunity for redefining the boundaries of cognition research.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org","sdg":"[\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"15 - Life on the Land\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n310906 Animal neurobiology (25%)\n310301 Behavioural ecology (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic","title":"Investigating Perturbations of Emerging Pollutants on Animal Behaviour","description":"Project Overview:\nPollution significantly threatens wildlife, yet its impact on animal behavior and cognition remains poorly understood. This PhD project explores how neuro-modulating contaminants disrupt multi-sensory processing, decision-making strategies, and proto-cognitive functions in aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Leveraging advanced AI-powered tracking and deep-learning-based behavioral analytics, you will investigate how pollutants influence sensory integration (e.g., thermotaxis, phototaxis, shelter-seeking), behavioral plasticity, and adaptive cognitive responses.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop behavioral assays using multi-sensory cues to detect early indicators of pollutant exposure.\n\u2022\tExamine individual and population-level behavioral plasticity across short-term, chronic, and multi-generational pollutant exposures.\n\u2022\tAssess how pollutants disrupt basal cognitive functions, affecting learned behaviors and decision-making.\n\u2022\tUse AI-driven analytical tools to detect behavioral anomalies and automatically quantify pollutant impacts.\n\nResearch Impact:\nThis research will provide crucial insights into neurotoxic effects on animal cognition, informing ecotoxicological assessments and conservation strategies. Findings will advance our understanding of pollutant-driven behavioral disruptions and their ecological consequences, benefiting behavioral ecology, cognitive neurobiology, and environmental monitoring.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates have backgrounds in ecotoxicology, animal behavior, ecology, neuroscience, or cognitive science. If you are passionate about exploring the ecological impacts of pollutants on animal cognition and behavior, this PhD project offers an exciting opportunity at the intersection of environmental and behavioral sciences.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org ","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"15 - Life on the Land\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n060201 Behavioral Ecology (25%)\n410201 Bioavailability and ecotoxicology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic, Jeffrey Chan","title":"Decoding Hidden Intelligence: AI-Driven Insights into Animal Behaviour and Cognition","description":"Project Overview:\nUnderstanding how lifeforms acquire knowledge, adapt, and solve problems is pivotal for advancements in neurobiology, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. Current animal tracking methods in behavioral studies are limited to simplistic approaches that struggle to capture nuanced behaviors like decision-making, spatial exploration, and problem-solving.\nThis project will develop innovative, fully automated AI-powered video-based tracking methods to accurately analyze complex behavioral traits across diverse species and experimental settings. Leveraging deep learning, high-performance computing (e.g., Apple M-series silicon), and integrative bioinformatics (Python and R), you will enable high-throughput, unbiased behavioral analysis using ultra-high definition, infrared machine vision systems.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop robust, non-invasive AI-based video tracking to annotate complex behaviors.\n\u2022\tTrain neural networks to classify behaviors (decision-making, learning, problem-solving).\n\u2022\tDeploy advanced models (RNNs, LSTMs, Bayesian inference, HMMs) for predicting behavioral shifts and detecting learning patterns.\n\u2022\tImplement unsupervised clustering for rapid analysis of diverse cognitive behaviours in non-standard animal models.\n\nInnovation & Impact:\nThis project will deliver next-generation capabilities for scalable, unbiased behavioral analysis with broad implications for neurobiology, neuroactive drug discovery, cognitive biology, and environmental studies such as behavioral ecology and ecotoxicology.\n\nCollaboration & Skills Development\nAs a PhD candidate you will work in close collaboration between the Department of Biology and Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. You will gain invaluable, hands-on experience across several cutting-edge domains.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates possess strong backgrounds in engineering, computer science, or AI, with proficiency in Python and a passion for interdisciplinary research at the interface of computational and biological sciences.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"15 - Life on the Land\",\"14 - Life Below Water\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (25%)\n461103 Deep learning (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"Fate of coastal wetland carbon under microplastic pollution","description":"Microplastic can release carbon-based substrates and contributes to carbon pools within coastal wetlands or Blue carbon Ecosystems (BCEs), like mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes. It is yet to explore how and to what extend microplastics impact blue carbon in BCEs, ultimately the capacity of BCEs of climate mitigation.  This PhD project will assess the bioavailability of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) in BCE's sediment and its contribution to the soil mineral-associated carbon pool. The release of any greenhouse gases from BCEs under microplastics will be assessed. The change of microbial community and their function along the way will also be checked. \nThis multi-disciplinary project can take advantage of a wide range of tools\/approaches, i.e., molecular fingerprinting of wetland carbon and plastic using FT-ICR-MS, MicroProfiling System, 2D planer optode, metagenomics, etc. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Martino Malerba, Peter Macreadie, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, Paul Carnell, Maria del Mar Palacios","title":"PhD Opportunity in Freshwater Systems and Climate Change Mitigation","description":"Freshwater systems are essential for food production, urban development, global cycles, and natural ecosystems. However, they face significant threats from urbanisation, pollution, and land use changes. There is vast potential to develop low-cost strategies to improve the management of freshwater systems, enhancing their productivity, sustainability, and capacity to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.\n\nIn line with Australia\u2019s commitment to tackling climate change and enhancing natural capital, this PhD project aims to generate new knowledge on Australia\u2019s freshwater systems \u2013 both natural and artificial. We are seeking motivated applicants to collaborate across diverse research fields. \n\nExample projects include:\n\u2022        Developing innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance wetland carbon sequestration.\n\u2022        Improving restoration monitoring outcomes using a range of metrics (e.g., vegetation\/seaweed, soil, greenhouse gas flux, spatial analyses, biodiversity, social impact\/benefits).\n\u2022        Quantifying the improvements in ecosystem services provided by wetland management.\n\u2022        Utilising AI with satellites, drones, and IoT sensors to automatically measure wetland benefits (e.g., carbon, biodiversity, water quality, and farm productivity).\n\u2022        Establishing citizen-science projects to promote sustainable wetland management.\n\u2022        Enhancing restoration methods to scale up wetland restoration efforts.\n\nWe welcome applicants from various backgrounds, including plant\/seaweed or animal ecology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, spatial analysis, engineering, environmental economics, social sciences, and information technology.\n\nJoin us in making a significant impact on the future of Australia\u2019s freshwater systems and their role in combating climate change.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"410405 (40%)\n410101 (30%)\n410303 (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Macreadie, Anirban Akhand, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, Maria Palacios, Gary Rosengarten, Xavier Mulet, Nasir Mahmood, Tianyi Ma","title":"Investigating the Feasibility of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement","description":"This PhD project will investigate the feasibility and implementation potential of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), an innovative strategy aimed at mitigating climate change by enhancing the ocean\u2019s capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide. The research will address one or more of the following five key dimensions:\n\n1) Access to Alkaline Materials: This involves assessing the availability and sustainability of alkaline substances, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, required for OAE at scale, with a focus on environmental and logistical considerations.\n\n2) Environmental Risks and Considerations: The project will explore the ecological implications of OAE on marine ecosystems. This includes understanding the impacts on biodiversity and marine life, and evaluating potential risks and benefits to ocean health.\n\n3) Financial Feasibility: A critical aspect of this research will be an economic analysis of the costs and benefits associated with OAE, including infrastructure, deployment, logistics, and long-term maintenance.\n\n4) Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Feasibility: The project will develop and test methods to accurately monitor the effectiveness of OAE, ensuring robust reporting and verification systems for carbon sequestration.\n\n5) Carbon Rights and Benefit Sharing: This dimension will explore the legal, ethical, and governance frameworks surrounding carbon rights, as well as equitable benefit distribution in the context of OAE initiatives.\n\nThis interdisciplinary project aims to contribute significantly to the global efforts of climate change mitigation through ocean-based carbon capture solutions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410101 Carbon sequestration science (70%); 370203 Greenhouse gas inventories and fluxes (20%); 090703 Environmental Technologies (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Maria Palacios, Paul Carnell, Lily Van Eeden - Applied Chemistry & Enviro Science","title":"Farmers and Freshwater Systems: Exploring Social Attitudes for Climate and Biodiversity Gains","description":"There is an untapped potential to develop low-cost strategies for managing freshwater systems to maximise their carbon and biodiversity benefits. In the future, governments could provide financial incentives (such as carbon or biodiversity credits) to encourage management actions that improve carbon drawdown, minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increase native wildlife. \n\nHowever, Australian landholders\u2019 views on managing freshwater systems remained largely unstudied. With most wetlands in Australia being on private properties, a critical gap exists in understanding what motivates landholders to restore these ecosystems. Understanding these motivations is important for developing effective conservation strategies and helping Australia meet critical climate and biodiversity targets.\n\nThis PhD project will generate new knowledge on Australia\u2019s natural and artificial freshwater systems. The project will engage with farmers to run surveys and citizen-science projects to understand attitudes toward sustainable management of freshwater systems.\nWe are seeking motivated applicants with experience in social sciences and who are willing to collaborate across diverse research fields.\n\nDesired qualifications:\n\u2022        Background in Psychology\/Sociology\/Anthropology\/ Human Geography or cognate discipline\n\u2022        A first-author publication\n\u2022        Proficient in academic writing\n\u2022        Experience in running social surveys\n\u2022        Experience in conducting in-depth interviews \n\u2022        Knowledge of Qualitative data analysis\n\u2022        Honours or Masters\n\u2022        Able to work independently\n\nJoin us in making a significant impact on the future of Australia's freshwater systems and their role in combating climate change.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410405 Enviro rehabilitation(40%)\n410101 Carbon sequestration (30%)\n441002 Enviro sociology (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Sara Long","title":"Using novel analytical tools to understand the fate and effects of emerging contaminants","description":"There is a vast array of emerging contaminants (including pesticides and pharmaceuticals and personal care products) that are discharged into freshwater ecosystems through a variety of ways including run off, accidental release, spills and stormwater. Not all chemicals are routinely measured in water and sediment in analytical laboratories, which limits our understanding of the presence of these chemicals in our waterways. Consequently, there is little information about the risk these chemicals pose to biota present in these systems, which restricts our ability to effectively manage and protect waterways for ecological and human health. \nTo gain a better understanding of the fate and effects of emerging contaminants, this project will first, identify high priority pesticides that are not currently measured in analytical screens; secondly, develop and optimise analytical methods to quantify these contaminants and then investigate the effects of these contaminants to local aquatic biota using traditional and novel ecotoxicological techniques.  Traditional techniques include acute and chronic toxicity tests with endpoints such as survival, growth and reproduction and novel techniques will include using metabolomics to identify small metabolite biomarkers of exposure and effect. Metabolomics endpoints are known to be more sensitive than traditional endpoints with effects being detected at lower chemical concentrations than responses such as survival and growth.  \nUnderstanding the fate and effects of emerging contaminants in waterways and developing suitable biomarkers of effect will enable better management and result in improved waterway health assessments.  ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2024-09-13","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410504 (50%)\n410402 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Thilini Thrimawithana, Health and Biomedical Sciences,\nJonathan Tran, Engineering","title":"Development of novel fungal biomaterials","description":"There are over 5 million fungal species but we have only described 5% and use even less. Fungal composites are emerging as a safer and more sustainable alternative to industrial materials such as polystyrene foam, wood and concrete. Our research group developed fungal composites using  agricultural plant waste for building and construction industries. This project will be focused on developing the fungal composites for novel applications including fire retardancy, sound absorbance, enzymatic degradation and medicine. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400302\tBiomaterials \n401106\tWaste management, reduction, reuse and recycling\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel, Peter Macreadie","title":"Microplastics-mediated dissolved organic matter on blue carbon mineralisation ","description":"Coastal wetlands consisting of tidal marshes, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows sequester and store \"blue\" carbon from the atmosphere and oceans and act as nature-based solutions to global climate change. The location of coastal wetlands at the land-water interface makes them an important sink of plastic and microplastics. Microplastics generate dissolved organic matter (DOM) called herein microplastics-mediated DOM (MP-DOM) via leaching and weathering. MP-DOM contain different carbon backbones (e.g., oligomers and\/or monomers) and labile and bioavailable plastic additives. However, the environmental reactivity of MP-DOM in coastal wetland sediment is yet to be assessed, limiting our understanding of how MP-DOM impacts coastal blue carbon cycling. This project will investigate the role of relatively bioavailable and labile MP-DOM in stimulating microbial respiration, mineralising blue carbon and subsequently releasing CO2. This study will consider both conventional fossil fuel-based and biodegradable plastics to seek their relative contribution to releasing MP-DOM on coastal wetland microcosms. The project will use the advance tools and techniques to assess the molecular fingerprint of MP-DOM and temporal behaviour of dissolved O2 heterogeneity caused by microplastics. Microbial network complexity and ecological stochasticity at different MP-DOM and associated CO2 emissions from wetland sediments will be assessed. Overall, understanding how microbial processes respond and adapt to MP-DOM will be necessary to predict the consequences of plastic pollution on carbon cycling within coastal wetlands.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (50%) \n410501 - Environmental biogeochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stacey Foong Yong, Ravi Shukla, Vipul Bansal","title":"Developing real-time monitoring tools to detect microbial pathogens in seafood","description":"The purpose of this research is to develop an effective and sensitive, real-time monitoring tool for detecting microbial contaminants in seafood, from farming to processing and supply chain process. Male specific coliphages (MSC) has been used as a surrogate viral indicator of fecal contamination that may provide microbial-source information for impacted environmental water. In this project, a real-time monitoring tool using MSCs as an indicator will be developed to monitor the contamination of bacterial pathogens (Vibrio and Listeria) and viral-foodborne pathogens (e.g. noroviruses, hepatitis A) in fish and seafood primary production (farm), processing and in the supply chain system. The importance of real-time monitoring is to provide fast detection of microbial contamination and indicating the source of contamination so that rapid response can be provided to ensure seafood safety. This project will involve establishing and validating the method to cultivate coliphage viral indicators and real-time PCR to study the correlation relationship between coliphages and microbial pathogens. The ultimate objective is to use the data obtained to develop an electrochemical biosensor for viral indicator for real-time monitoring foodborne pathogens and source of contamination to improve food safety management and prevent food recall due to foodborne pathogen contamination.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310604 Industrial Biotechnology Diagnostics (incl. biosensor) 30%\r\n340102 Bioassays 40%\r\n300605 Food safety 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri,  Vipul Bansal ","title":"Early detection of citrus graft-transmissible diseases to improve management","description":"The Australian and global citrus industries are under threat from graft-transmissible diseases of \r\ncitrus that can cause reduced yield, fruit quality or tree death. There are no cures and management strategies rely on prevention. The disease-causing agents may be present in plants without symptoms or symptoms may be delayed, but these plants are a source of future infections. Early detection of exotic diseases soon after they breach our borders is critical because delays in diagnostic results can impact the success of eradication. It is also important to detect diseases in propagation material before its use to ensure the planting of healthy orchards, the basis for a sustainable industry. This project aims to strengthen Australia\u2019s ability to combat graft-transmissible citrus diseases through improved knowledge of citrus pathogens and how to diagnose them. \r\n\r\nDetecting graft-transmissible pathogens can be difficult because field symptoms may be confused with other disorders and the pathogen may be present below detectable levels or unevenly distributed within the tree. It is important that diagnostic tests are specific to the target organism, sensitive, and efficient in terms of time and cost. It is important to ensure government and industry are armed with appropriate tools and knowledge to protect Australian citrus from diseases that threaten industry sustainability.\r\n\r\nThis project will be conducted in collaboration with leading citrus researchers from DPI NSW with the aim of developing deployable technology by end of the PhD. Ideally the PhD candidate would have background in plant biology, chemistry, biotechnology and\/or nanotechnology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300101 Agricultural biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) (50%)\r\n300409 Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Akane Uesugi","title":"Rapid adaptation to local aridity in invasive capeweed","description":"Understanding the mechanisms that allow populations to adapt and persist in the face of rapid environmental change is one of the most pressing topics of our time, as it is critical for the management and control of invasive species experiencing climate change. This project explores ecological and evolutionary hypotheses of local adaptation in invasive capeweed (Arctotheca calendula) in Australia. The invasive Australian capeweed is broadly distributed from wet southern coast to dry inland, and they have genetically diverged in several morphological, phenological, physiological and chemical traits that mediate drought resistance. This capeweed system provides an ideal opportunity to explore a range of questions related to adaptation in novel environments, including: 1) Does aridity drive parallel patterns of clinal divergence between native and invasive populations? 2) Does local adaptation drive niche shifts in the invasive range? The PhD project may involve: 1) field common garden experiments, 3) plant physiology and chemical analyses, and 5) molecular analyses. A strong background in evolutionary biology and ability to work independently in the field setting is desirable. \r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"310403\tBiological adaptation\r\n310406\tEvolutionary impacts of climate change\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Akane Uesugi, Mark Osborn","title":"Fire and weed invasion","description":"Fire plays a significant role in shaping plant communities. In Australian grasslands, fire has been used by Indigenous peoples to manage land for millennia and many native plant species are adapted to frequent fire management. A suppression of fire in the past two centuries has caused severe declines in native plant diversity, but recent efforts to reintroduce controlled fire has faced challenges due to a prevalence of exotic weeds that invade post-fire community. In collaboration with the City of Whittlesea, we have set up a long-term field experiment to understand the effect of frequent burning on native plant restoration. We aim to 1) monitor the impacts of fire on native flora recovery, and 2) investigate the mechanisms of invasive spread, particularly through alteration of soil quality and changes in soil microbial communities. The Ph.D. student involved in this project will conduct field surveys and experiments, and molecular characterization of soil microbial communities in combination with multivariate data analysis. The student should have a strong background in ecology, including fieldwork. \r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"050103 (0.8), 050101(0.2)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sampa Sarkar, Charlotte Conn, Sarvesh Soni","title":"Tailoring combinatorial lipid nanoparticles for intracellular delivery","description":"Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based bioactive delivery systems have become the most clinically advanced non-viral therapeutics delivery technology. LNPs can encapsulate and deliver a wide variety of bioactive agents, including the small molecule drugs, proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. However, as the physicochemical properties of small- and macromolecular cargos can vary drastically, every LNPs carrier system needs to be carefully tailored in order to deliver the cargo molecules in a safe and efficient manner. Recent advances in innovative lipid nanotechnologies for drug delivery have demonstrated promising outcomes for chronic infectious diseases. However, LNPs have not yet been tested broadly as potential delivery systems for intracellular infections such as world\u2019s deadliest tuberculosis (TB) infection.\r\nThe overall aim of this project is to advance and translate the fundamental knowledge in lipid nanomaterial science to develop a next generation tailor made \u2018Lipid Nano-Particle\u2019s platform\u2019 for an end-user-driven technology.\r\nThe specific objectives of the project are to:\r\no Design and develop a combinatorial and high throughput approach for the identification of biomimetic lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).\r\no Investigate the structural aspects of LNPs in encapsulating the bioactives and physicochemical interactions.\r\no Characterise the encapsulated bioactives in LNPs to establish structure-activity relationships.\r\no Evaluate the embedment and efficacy of the bioactives in in vitro models.\r\nThe outcomes will help the development of platform technologies enabling lipid nanocarriers to be customised for optimal performance of bioactives in therapeutic products.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"31 Biological sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jessica Holien","title":"Utilizing protein-protein interactions for drug discovery","description":"There are over 300,000 protein-protein interaction pairs so far identified in the human proteome, and it is unclear how many of these play a role in diseases. This project aims to develop and utilise network-based bioinformatic methods to understand how single protein-protein interactions cooperate in the cell to form complex protein-protein networks. These protein-protein interactions will form novel drug targets for a drug discovery pipeline, in order to find new therapeutics for diseases of unmet need.\r\n\r\nInterested candidates will be required have a minimum of basic coding\/computational techniques and some understanding of protein structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (60%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (20%)\r\n310201 Bioinformatic methods development (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Graham Dorrington, School of Engineering","title":"Plant resilience and adaptability for extreme environments","description":"This project aims to better elucidate and optimise plant growth for near-term space exploration. During future Moon\/Mars missions, the plants carried, will face extreme conditions that require resilience and adaptability mechanisms that are not well understood. For lunar missions, temperatures can fluctuate from -180 to 80 deg. C., posing biological and engineering challenges that need to be addressed. To grow plants on the Moon's surface, plants will also likely need germinate (or be resurrected) quickly, due to mission constraints. This project will require histological and genomic analysis of optimal adaptive plant mechanisms to support optimal species selection and preparation for a planned lunar mission. The outputs of this research will also help to inform best horticulture practice in severe conditions also encountered on Earth, e.g., in arid desert regions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310403\tBiological adaptation 80%\r\n330206\tBuilding science, technologies and systems 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Thilini Thrimawithana, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences","title":"Development of herbal medicines from Momordica cochinchinensis ","description":"Ethnopharmacology is the scientific study of traditional medicines. There are abundant opportunities to highlight and support efficacy of Asian medicinal plants used by locals including Cucurbits (gourds and cucumbers) which are one of the most economically important plant families for food consumption globally. One representative, Momordica cochinchinensis (gac), has high nutrition and health benefits, as well as bioactivity against diabetes and cancer. The plant is restricted to south-east Asia with vast genetic diversity and currently only the aril of the fruit is used despite all parts of the plant containing nutritional and medicinal benefits. This project will focus on upcycling opportunities of other parts of the plant including the seed, pulp and peel. The aim will be to develop innovations for medical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320604\tNanomedicine (40%)\r\n401106\tWaste management, reduction, reuse and recycling (40%)\r\n401611\tWearable materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravi Shukla, Vipul Bansal, Foong (Stacy) Yong","title":"Developing Molecular Nano-Biosensing Probes for Microbial Detection","description":"This cell and molecular biology centred project will develop new molecular recognition elements (MREs) to tag with Nanozyme biosensors for microbial detection. Project will delve with (1.) developing in house MREs for industrially important microbes, and (2). Evaluating their potential as tags for Nanozyme biosensors probes for generation of colorimetric response.\r\nThe PhD scholar will (i) develop MREs based on phage display libraries against microbes, (ii) combine the Nanomaterials (developed in group) with molecular recognition elements to build NanoZyme sensor probes, (iii) employ NanoZyme sensor probes to evaluate its applicability for microbial detection, and (iv) use advanced statistical tools to identify microbes in complex biological fluids.\r\n\r\nThe project will be carried out at the RMIT city campus in a highly cross disciplinary environment at the Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Facility. The project will involve collaborations with Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and research institutions across EU and India. The PhD scholar will use specialized techniques including molecular biology; spectroscopy (absorbance, fluorescence, FTIR, EDX, XPS); crystallography (XRD); cell biology (confocal, FACS, ELISA) and statistical analysis (cluster tools, discriminant tools, regression analysis). Overall, this project will provide a highly cross-disciplinary training across materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, cell & molecular biology along with high quality publications.\r\nReferences\r\n[1] Weerathunge, P., Ramanathan, R., Shukla, R., Sharma, TK., & Bansal, V. Anal. Chem. 86, 11937-11941 (2014).\r\n[2] Sharma, TK., Ramanathan R., Weerathunge, P., Mohammadtaheri, M., Daima, HK., Shukla, R., & Bansal, V. Chem. Commun. 50, 15856-15859 (2014).\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310607 Nanobiotechnoogy (40%); \r\n321108 Molecular targets; (30%)\r\n340102 Bioassays (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Paul Ramsland","title":"Development and Application of Nanoparticle Sensors for Carbohydrate Recognition by Lectins and Antibodies","description":"This PhD project aims to develop a sensitive and specific technique for detecting protein-carbohydrate interactions to better understand binding mechanisms. The technique is based on surface-enhanced Raman optical activity (SEROA), which uses nanoprobes to enhance the Raman scattering signal of target molecules, allowing for sensitive detection and structural identification.\n\nThe project will focus on two types of protein-nanoparticle (NP) systems: lectin-NP conjugates and antibody-NP conjugates. Lectins and antibodies are carbohydrate-binding proteins that have specificities towards different carbohydrate targets of relevance to health and disease. By linking lectins and antibodies to NPs, the objective is to create glycan probes for SEROA that can detect monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and glycoprotein targets.\n\nAdditionally, the project will involve determining X-ray crystallographic structures of antibody-carbohydrate complexes and computational simulations of these systems, which will facilitate the structure-function analysis of SEROA data obtained in this project.\n\nOverall, the development of a sensitive and specific technique for detecting protein-carbohydrate interactions has important applications in health and disease. By understanding the binding mechanisms of proteins and carbohydrates, we can gain insights into disease processes and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (50%) ; 310107 - Glycobiology (25%) ; 310112 - Structural biology (incl. macromolecular modelling) (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravi Shukla, Vipul Bansal","title":"Hybrid Metal-Organic-Frameworks for non-viral gene\/ drug delivery and enhanced cellular-uptake in cancer ","description":"Cancer remains a pressing health care challenge in Australia. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising platforms for cellular delivery and have been used for efficient delivery of therapeutic genes and drugs [1, 2]. This project will involve Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), MOF nanocarriers being developed in our group for gene therapy and drug delivery [2]. ZIFs will be used as non-viral vectors to encapsulate and deliver nucleic acids (NAs) and\/or drugs which will target the aberrant expression of the cancer biomarkers and immune check points in cancer cells. The project will focus evaluating their therapeutic potential. Following successful encapsulation, MOF@NA conjugates will be surface modified with cancer targeting probes being developed in group for specific and enhanced cancer cell uptake.\r\nA prospective PhD student with strong background knowledge of Analytical Chemistry and\/or Biology with some credible experience in nanomaterial characterisations and nucleic acid bio- conjugations techniques are encouraged to apply. Student will have ample opportunities to learn state-of-the-art cross disciplinary tools and techniques. In addition, student will be nurtured for research ethics, critical thinking, time & project management, and problem-solving skills.\r\n \r\nReferences\r\n[1]. Poddar et al. 2019, Small 15, 1970193 \r\n[2]. He, C., et al., J Am Chem Soc, 2014. 136(14): p. 5181-4.\r\n[3]. Poddar, et al. 2020, Chemical Communications 56, 15406\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310607 Nanobiotechnology (50%)\r\n310902 Animal cell and Molecular Biology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oliver Jones","title":"RMIT-CSIRO Masters Development of Pulsed Discharge Detector Gas Chromatography Systems","description":"The aim of the project is to develop a robust method to allow CSIRO to phase out all electron capture detector (ECD) methods, which have inherent HSE risks (radioactive sources). Currently, ECD methods are integral to CSIRO\u2019s globally important trace gas monitoring programs which serve to support Australia\u2019s reporting under the Montreal Protocol and through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The project will also contribute to the upgrade of the analytical instrumentation and capability that is currently underway in CSIRO GASLAB.\r\n\r\nThe ECD is one of the most sensitive and selective detectors available for gas chromatography. It is widely used in the trace gas analysis of halogenated compounds, many of which are ozone depleting substances, banned under the Montreal Protocol. \r\n\r\nA Discharge Helium Ionization Detector (PDHID, or simply PDD), uses a high voltage, low current discharge in helium to achieve ionization. The pulsed discharge excites helium atoms, when they relax to their ground energy level, they emit photons with enough energy (13 eV -17 eV) to directly ionize all molecules from the chromatographic column. A simple electrometer measures the produced current from the ionization process.\r\n\r\nThe project will involve:\r\n-\tLiterature search and familiarization with the PDD operation;\r\n-\tOptimization of the PDD-ECD for best signal to noise of selected halogenated compounds;\r\n-\tDesign and configure of a method for parallel detection of selected species on both detectors: PDDECD and 63Ni ECD;\r\n-\tApplying findings to real-world samples.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340101 Analytical spectrometry (50%)\r\n340109 Separation science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravi Shukla","title":"A non-coding RNA delivery system to modulate human gut cell transcriptome","description":"Mature microRNAs (miRNAs\/miRs) are 18-22 nucleotide protein-non-coding small RNA molecules that target messenger RNAs, mostly inhibiting protein expression. Several studies have demonstrated the regulatory role of microRNAs in obesity and diabetes. It is well known that microRNAs are packaged in exosomes and there is now sufficient evidence in the literature to demonstrate that obesity-associated exosomal miRNAs can modulate glucose and lipid metabolism when transferred to lean mice.  \r\nThis project, therefore, will employ multidisciplinary nanotechnology-based approaches to characterize, optimize and test a metal-organic-framework (MOF)-based smallRNA delivery system to target gene expression in human gut cells. This study highly leverages on existing data generated by us at RMIT and our collaborators at Western Sydney University. The PhD scholar will be engaged in developing knowledge building within the Sir Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Laboratory (RMIT University) and Diabetes & Islet Biology Group at the Western Sydney University School of Medicine. The PhD scholar will (i) assess different MOFs for smallRNA delivery, (ii) learn several high-end techniques to characterise the properties of MOFs, (iii) assess the delivery of smallRNAs (miRNAs) to human colonic epithelial cells using established in vitro systems, (iv) study the interactions of microRNA with gut gene expression, (v) create and test systems for oral delivery of microRNAs and (vi) test the system in a small animal or trans-intestinal model.\r\nA prospective PhD student with strong background knowledge of Analytical Chemistry and\/or Biology with some credible experience in nanomaterial characterisations and nucleic acid bio-encapsulation techniques are encouraged to apply. Student will have ample opportunities to learn state-of-the-art cross disciplinary tools and techniques available in RMIT and Western Sydney University through this collaborative project. In addition, the prospective student will be nurtured for research ethics, critical thinking, time and project management, and problem-solving skill","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310607 Nanbiotechnology (40%);\r\n321108 Molecular targets (30%);\r\n340102 Bioassays (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri, Rajaraman Eri, Sylvia Urban","title":"Development and characterization of honey-based products for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities","description":"Efforts to develop new antimicrobials have over the past two decades been woefully behind the rapid evolution of resistance genes developing among both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. As the pharmaceutical industry focused on discovering new agents for use against MRSA, hospitals in many parts of the world have seen the emergence of gram-negative pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae that are clinically resistant to almost all available antimicrobials. Although bioactive honeys are becoming significantly important to treat bacterial infections, we still lack knowledge of the entire spectrum of plant bioactive compounds transferred to the honey and there is potential to develop novel honeys with added properties. This project aims to develop and test bioactive honeys with enhanced antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties from selected herbal plants. Concurrently, the bioactive compounds from plants that are transferred to the honey will be comprehensively evaluated by testing leaves, flowers, nectars and honeys. Further, honey-based cosmetic products like creams, gels and foams will be developed. The project will provide Australians natural antibacterial cosmetic products with added antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and benefit farmers, beekeepers and dermatological companies.\r\nReferences\r\n[1]. Nguyen HTL, Kasapis S, Mantri N (2021) Physicochemical Properties and Effects of Honeys on Key Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Cholesterol Homeostasis in HepG2 Cells. Nutrients 13 (1), 151 \r\n[2]. Anand S, Deighton M, Livanos G, Morrison P, Pang E, Mantri N (2019) Antimicrobial activity of Agastache honey and characterization of its bioactive compounds in comparison with important commercial honeys, Frontiers in Microbiology 10, 263. \r\n[3]. Anand S, Deighton M, Livanos G, Pang E, Mantri N (2019) Agastache honey has superior antifungal activity in comparison with important commercial honeys. Scientific Reports 9: 181197. \r\n[4]. Nguyen HTL, Katopo L, Pang E, Mantri N, Kasapis S (2019) Structural variation in gelatin networks from low to high-solid systems effected by honey addition. Food Research International, 121: 319-325.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320203 Clinical microbiology. 420899 Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine not elsewhere classified. 340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri, Rajaraman Eri, Sylvia Urban","title":"Identification and Characterization of Medical Cannabis strains for cancer treatment","description":"Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Lately, there has been a lot of focus on plant-based medicine for cancer treatment to reduce side effects. Cannabis plant contains active components, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and others, more commonly called as cannabinoids. Recent evidence demonstrates that cannabinoids can powerfully regulate cell growth and differentiation. They have widespread actions and pharmacological activities in the brain as well as in the periphery, and therefore, cannabinoids have gained significant attention during the past few years highlighting their therapeutic potential. They were shown to possess anti-tumoral activity by decreasing viability, proliferation, adhesion, and migration of various cancer cells, thereby suggesting the potential use of cannabinoids in the treatment of gliomas, prostate and breast cancers, and malignancies of immune origin. There are many in vitro studies that provide evidence of anti-cancer properties of cannabinoids, but there are few in vivo studies and clinical trials. We are working with leading pharmaceutical companies to identify and characterise cannabis strains for treatment of various cancers. The project involves cultivation, breeding, comprehensive chemical profiling, and biochemical, histological, and genetic analysis. Students will work on one or more aspects of this project and receive training in using state-of-art technologies to characterise anti-cancer strains. The project has commercial focus with the view of translating the knowledge into a commercial product.\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tSchanknecht, E., Bachari, A., Nassar, N., Piva, T., & Mantri, N. (2023). Phytochemical Constituents and Derivatives of Cannabis sativa; Bridging the Gap in Melanoma Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(1), 859.\r\n2.\tMahmoudinoodezh, H., Telukutla, S. R., Bhangu, S. K., Bachari, A., Cavalieri, F., & Mantri, N. (2022). The transdermal delivery of therapeutic cannabinoids. Pharmaceutics, 14(2), 438.\r\n3.\tSingh, K., Nassar, N., Bachari, A., Schanknecht, E., Telukutla, S., Zomer, R., ... & Mantri, N. (2021). The pathophysiology and the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in prostate cancer. Cancers, 13(16), 4107.\r\n4.\tSingh, K., Jamshidi, N., Zomer, R., Piva, T. J., & Mantri, N. (2020). Cannabinoids and prostate cancer: a systematic review of animal studies. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(17), 6265.\r\n5.\tBachari, A., Piva, T. J., Salami, S. A., Jamshidi, N., & Mantri, N. (2020). Roles of cannabinoids in melanoma: Evidence from in vivo studies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(17), 6040.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321104 Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy). 420899 Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine not elsewhere classified. 340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Samantha J. Richardson, Jessica Holien, Bobbi Fleiss; SHBS\n","title":"Myelin development and repair - elucidating the role of transthyretin","description":"Transthyretin (TTR) is a protein that distributes thyroid hormones (THs) in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of vertebrates. THs regulate the growth and development of vertebrates, particularly in the central nervous system. In humans, insufficient THs during gestation can result in mental retardation, which is why TH levels are tested soon after birth. One process regulated by THs from gestation until adulthood is the myelination of nerve axons in the brain. Myelination is required for protection and for efficient signal transduction. Multiple sclerosis is a disease where myelin is damaged and does not repair properly. We have recently shown that mice lacking TTR have thicker myelin than normal (Alshehri et al., Sci Reps 2020). This project will elucidate the molecular mechanism by which TTR regulates myelination.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310102 30%\r\n320208 15%\r\n320903 55%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jeff Shimeta, Nathan Bott, Martin Leary","title":"Marine biofouling: fouling growth and anti-fouling technology","description":"Marine biofouling is the accumulation of living organisms on artificial surfaces in the ocean that has undesired ecological and\/or economic consequences, such as fouling of ship hulls and underwater infrastructure, and transfer or establishment of invasive species. Biofouling is composed of numerous species of bacteria, protists, invertebrates, and exudates. The nature and development of fouling vary greatly among types of surfaces, locations, and seasons. Studies of the settlement mechanisms and species assemblages are needed to better understand the fundamental ecology of marine epifaunal dynamics and to guide research on antifouling technologies. This project will investigate factor influencing the development of biofouling communities (microbes and invertebrates) and technologies to inhibit fouling. The student for this project should have a strong background in marine ecology and ideally molecular ecology (such as environmental DNA analysis). Students interested in researching antifouling technology should have engineering background in areas such as computing, design, and\/or micro-manufacturing, or at least a strong potential and motivation to learn in those areas.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"STS 4 Water","forcodes":"310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) (50%) 410299 Ecological applications not elsewhere classified (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Andy Ball, Ivan Cole, School of Engineering","title":"Application of nanomaterials for the remediation of environmental contaminants","description":"As the global population expands along with urbanisation, terrestrial and aquatic environments are increasingly being exposed to tens of thousands of chemical contaminants (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals, endocrine disruptors), many of which are deleterious to ecosystem and human health. Currently, detection and quantification of these contaminants is technically challenging involving extensive sample processing as well as trained personnel and expensive laboratory equipment. Consequently, in addition to environmental monitoring often being infrequent, there is usually a significant delay in terms of determining contaminant concentrations and therefore the implementation of any environmental management plan. In the past five years, nanotechnology has been playing an increasingly important role in addressing innovative and effective solutions to a vast range of environmental challenges. Through the application of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI), carbon nanotubes and nanofibers have been applied for the remediation of a variety of contaminants including chlorinated compounds, hydrocarbons, organic compounds and heavy metals. The use and development of nanomaterials (NMs) are understandably heralded as an environmentally beneficial technology.\nThis project will continue our work on developing nanomaterials for application in the environment for the detection and remediation of pollutants. The focus of the project will be on the detection of emerging environmental pollutants such as polyfluorinated and polybrominated compounds. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310607 (55%)\r\n410303 (45%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Andy Ball, Leadin Khudur","title":"Biotransformation of organic waste","description":"In this project the biotransformation of waste organic materials will be investigated. Among the wastes to be studied are industry wastes (e.g. grapemarc, mushroom waste) contaminated environments (oil polluted soils and waters). The project will develop innovation technologies leading to the utilisation of these waste streams currently going to landfill or polluting the natural environment, converting the waste to either bioenergy (e.g. biohydrogen) or to another value added product (e.g. bioplastics) , ensuring that the environmental contamination is reduced. The technology will be based around increased understanding of the activity and diversity of natural communities. Industry partners will be involved in the project to ensure translation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 (60%)\r\n410414 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Andy Ball, Kalpit Shah School of Engineering","title":"Developing tools for risk assessment and remediation of soil contamination","description":"This project will develop innovative tools for the remediation of soils contaminated with a range of traditional (e.g. crude oil, metals) and emerging (e.g. nanomaterials, poly-halogenated compounds). The project will utilise existing contaminated Australian soils and will evolve through the use of laboratory-scale mesocosm studies through to larger scale pilot studies along with the Laboratory of Microbial Life's extensive suite of advanced microbiological, analytical and molecular biology tools. Further the implications of any new remediation technology on the ecotoxicology of the remediated soils will be examined. This applied project will link closely with industry requirements.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410303 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri","title":"Management of plant pathogens using next generation nano-sensors","description":"Plant pathogens are a major limiting factor for sustainable vegetable production. Early detection of plant pathogens in nurseries and fields is crucial to effectively manage their spread or design strategy to eradicate them. Several molecular methods are currently used of detection of these plant pathogens. Although some of these methods show outstanding specificity and sensitivity, the major limitations of molecular methods are the requirement of specialised equipment, trained personnel, and laborious nature of the test that makes them non-feasible for in-field testing by farmers. In this project, the PhD student will be involved in developing a new specific, sensitive, easy to use, and portable detection platform based on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). For this, the PhD scholar will be involved in (i) glass house assays for pathogen infections, (ii) bioinformatics analysis to design molecular probes, (iii) developing new chemical synthesis strategies to fabricate nanomaterials with a control over their size and shape, (iv) functionalising the nanoparticles with recognition probes developed based on bioinformatics, (v) developing SERS substrates and (vi) optimising sensor performance for detection of pathogens in plants. On a need basis, the PhD scholar will be jointly based at RMIT Bundoora and City campuses to work across The Pangenomics Group and the Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility in a highly cross-disciplinary environment. The PhD scholar will use specialised techniques such as microscopy (SEM, TEM, HRTEM); spectroscopy (absorbance, fluorescence, FTIR, EDX, XPS); crystallography (XRD); statistical analysis (cluster tools, discriminant tools, regression analysis) and Raman spectroscopy. Overall, this project will provide a highly cross-disciplinary training across materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, plant pathology and microbiology, leading to several high-quality publications.\r\nReferences\r\n1. Rani A, Donovan N, Mantri N (2019) The future of plant pathogen diagnostics in a nursery production system. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 145:111631.\r\n2. Nejat N, Rookes J, Mantri N, Cahill D (2016) Plant\u2013pathogen interactions: toward development of next-generation disease-resistant plants. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, DOI: 10.3109\/07388551.2015.1134437.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"300101 Agricultural biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors). 300409 Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Nathan Bott, Paul Ramsland, Cecilia Power","title":"Development of in situ detection methods for myxosporean parasites","description":"Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) can experience loss of flesh quality when cooked due to infection with myxosporean parasites belonging to the genera Kudoa and Unicapsula. Whilst infection alone is generally not associated with fish mortalities, enzymes produced by these parasites can cause accelerated degradation of fish musculature 24-56h post-mortem (commonly referred to as \u2018soft flesh\u2019), negatively impacting product quality and the consumer experience. \r\n\r\nDue to a higher infection risk, commercial fishers receive lower prices for Kingfish and Mahi Mahi caught in northern NSW waters in comparison to those from cooler southern waters \u2013 impacting the economic return for commercial fishers.\r\n\r\nInfected fish show no external signs of disease, so infection cannot be identified visually. Current detection methods involve microscopy or polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which are time consuming, require expensive equipment\/trained personnel, and often result in the destruction of the fish, making them impractical for use by commercial fishers. There is a need for reliable, rapid, and cost-effective methods to identify fish infected with myxosporeans in situ and\/or when harvested.\r\n\r\nThis project will develop specific pathogen detection techniques using an isothermal reaction called recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and a lateral flow device (similar to a COVID-19 rapid test). This approach is transferrable to detection of pathogens in other aquaculture and fishing industries. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300503 Fish pests and diseases (30%)\r\n310407 Host-parasite interactions (30%)\r\n410304 Environmental biotechnology diagnostics (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri, Jessica Danaher, Lisa Dalton, Charles Brennen, Catherine Iposthopoulous","title":"A comprehensive clinical study of effect of dietary fibres in influencing general human wellness including gut health, energy metabolism, satiety and blood parameters","description":"It is well known that gut health governs a great deal of immune health and ultimately the sense of wellness, however treating a symptom with a medication alone may deny the opportunity to influence the root cause. A dysfunctional digestive system can lead to deficiencies of nutrient & mineral uptake or absorption, and the utilisation of complex fibres. Complex prebiotic fibres and insoluble fibres may provide avenues to functional products that contribute to delay a need for medicinal intervention or may provide support of the conventional medicine approaches. \r\nObjective  \r\nTo determine the impacts of a low dose (4 g \/day \u2013 2g twice daily) of virgin sugarcane based complex cell wall fibre supplement on wellness markers and microbiome for a general population.  \r\nApproach \r\n\u2022\tThis pilot study will investigate the effects of 12 weeks supplementation with fibre (2 g\/twice daily). Healthy adults (n = 40) will be recruited through a local medical practice with an attached nutrition clinic.  \r\n\u2022\tAssessment and sample collection to be carried out at T= -6 weeks, T = 0 weeks, T = 6 weeks, T = 12 weeks.\r\nMethods: \r\nParticipants will be assessed for all physiological. microbiome parameters alomg with health and wellbeing questionnaires\r\nTranslational value:\r\nThis study will provide much needed information about the health effects of dietary fibres which can be translated to products in additional to nutritional policy guidelines.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"90803"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Dayanthi Nugegoda, Vincent Pettigrove, Sara Long","title":"Developing novel toxicity tests and biomarkers for environmental pollutants","description":"Most chemicals approved for use in Australia are evaluated for their toxicity in the country of manufacture using Northern Hemisphere species. Many of these pesticides and industrial chemicals run off into local waterways affecting our native species. This project will evaluate the effects of environmental toxicants of concern on selected native freshwater, estuarine, and marine biota. Tests will be developed in the laboratory using OECD guidelines with Australian biota and results will contribute to the further revision of the Australian Water Quality Guideline. In addition, bioassays using biochemical and molecular techniques, including metabolomics and proteomics with native aquatic species will be developed and tested as biomarkers for evaluating the sublethal effects of these pollutants. Research will be conducted within the Aquatic Environmental Stress Research Group (AQUEST) laboratories on the Bundoora West Campus. School of Science at RMIT and\/or at the CSIRO Research Labs in Adelaide by arrangement with research collaborators of Professor Nugegoda. Local applicants should indicate which location is their preference.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410404\r\n410402\r\n410399"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Thilini Thrimawithana, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences","title":"The medicinal potentials of marine algae for health benefits","description":"The proposed research project is on the medicinal potentials of marine algae. Algae are simple chlorophyll-containing organisms that are ubiquitous and abundant in oceanic waters. Algae in general have numerous uses in multiple aspects such as biofuel, animal feed, food supplement, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is a sustainable resource with abundant availability, faster growth than terrestrial plants, require less land and nutrients. In Australia, there is an abundance of macroalgae on marine shores that are underutilised, which are often left to rot by the coastal shores. Marine macroalgae are generally safe and non-toxic to humans with bioactive compounds that promote health, including skin benefits. This project will be a development of previous research projects for critical analysis and upcycling of local macroalgae specifically health benefits including epidermal scarring, wound healing, anti-inflammation and anti-aging applications with value-added cosmeceutical end-products for commercialisation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300102 Agricultural Marine Biotechnology (50%)\r\n321405 Pharmaceutical Sciences (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri and Francesca Cavalieri","title":"DNA-free editing of plants: towards generation of stress-resistant plants","description":"Plants are sessile and face multiple biotic and abiotic stresses. These stresses severely affect crop yield and quality, thereby threatening global food security. Genetic improvement of plant stress resistance is essential for sustainable agriculture. Genome editing has been revolutionizing plant biology and biotechnology by enabling precise, targeted genome modifications. In this project CRISPR\/Cas9 mediated genome editing will be utilised to functionally validate and confer stress tolerance to commercially important agricultural crops. The main advantage of CRISPR\/Cas9 technology is its ease of use and low cost. Unlike ZFN and TALEN, which are dependent on protein engineering, synthesis and validation, here only the guide RNA needs to be designed. This single guide RNA (sgRNA) provides target-site specificity in CRISPR\/Cas9 system. Another advantage of CRISPR\/Cas9 system compared to the first-generation genome editing techniques is the ability of multiplex genome editing, i.e., targeting multiple genes using a single construct. Additionally, using the CRISPR\/Cas9 system transgene-free genome edited plants can be obtained in very few generations. Novel methods for delivery of the CRISPR\/Cas9 construct will be developed to enable accelerated generation of stress tolerant plants. The students will receive training in micropropagation, designing and delivery of CRISPR constructs as well as biochemical, molecular and physiological assays to characterise the edited plants.\nReferences\n1.        Nejat N, Rookes J, Mantri N, Cahill D (2016) Plant\u2013pathogen interactions: toward development of next-generation disease-resistant plants. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, DOI: 10.3109\/07388551.2015.1134437.\n2.        Badhan S, Ball AS, Mantri N (2021) First Report of CRISPR\/Cas9 Mediated DNA-Free Editing of 4CL and RVE7 Genes in Chickpea Protoplasts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22 (1), 396\n3.        Karmakar, S., Das, P., Panda, D., Xie, K., Baig, M. J., & Molla, K. A. (2022). A detailed landscape of CRISPR-Cas-mediated plant disease and pest management. Plant Science, 323, 111376.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"300105 Genetically modified field crops and pasture. 300409 Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"CRISPR-based field-deployable nano-diagnostics of biosecurity threats to Australia","description":"To retain Australia\u2019s unique biodiversity and geographical advantage, it is critical that our borders are protected from exotic pests and pathogens that may cause enormous losses to our agriculture industry and biodiversity. Accurate identification of such exotic species is an operational challenge due to the lack of highly sensitive and field-deployable methods for the rapid detection of such threats. \n\nOur team at RMIT\u2019s Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility is at the forefront of developing advanced nanosensor technologies to detect important target analytes. In collaboration with the Biosecurity Division of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), we are developing CRISPR-based diagnostics tools to accurately detect multiple plant viruses. Recent developments in nano-diagnostics and CRISPR technologies can enable accurate testing in the field.\nThis project will combine the strengths of CRISPR and nanotechnologies to develop a highly sensitive, field-deployable nano-biosensor diagnostic tool for the rapid, simple, low-cost, and accurate detection of multiple plant pathogens. \n\nThe PhD candidate will work at the interface of chemistry, molecular biology, agricultural sciences, and nanotechnology under the co-supervision of academic and industry partners to assist Australia in strengthening its sovereign capabilities. While most of the research will be performed at RMIT University, there will be internship opportunities to work at DAFF\u2019s Plant Innovation Centre (PIC) at its Quarantine facility.\nA suitable candidate should have a high motivation for research and any other relevant prior experience will be a bonus.\n\nRefer to our publications to get some idea about our research activities in this area: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2030","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (50%) ; 340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (25%) ; 340303 Nanochemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van","title":"Development of postbiotics for human health benefits","description":"Postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced by microorganisms during a fermentation process, such as microbial cells, cell constituents and metabolites. They can provide some advantage over probiotics such as avoiding the need of maintaining the microorganisms viable and stable in the products. Postbiotics is a new term in the \u2018-biotics\u2019 field therefore further study is needed to explore their application. In this project, a wide range of bacterial species, including strict anaerobic bacteria, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Bifidobacteria spp, will be isolated. Their fermentation components will be tested for their properties such as short chain fatty acid production, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, and their impact on Alzheimer\u2019s disease using tissue culture and then in a mouse model system. The use of postbiotics together with prebiotics to maximize health benefits will also be investigated. Within this project the candidate will learn various skills, including microbiology, immunology, tissue culture, animal work, next generation sequencing and bioinformatics. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/03\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310701 Bacteriology (50%) ; 420301 Aged heath care (40%) ; 310206 Sequence analysis (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van","title":"The effects of ingestion of eggshell membrane on healthy aging","description":"Eggs are an affordable source of high-quality protein and there is a rapidly growing domestic demand. Data from Australian Eggs shows that more than six billion eggs are produced in Australia every year. In addition to egg white and egg yolk, eggshell and eggshell membrane (ESM) have health benefits, but they are normally discarded as industrial waste, causing burdens on the environment and wasting a potentially valuable food source. ESM is rich in low digestible protein and might induce physiological responses similar to those induced by dietary fiber. However, its benefit has not been fully investigated. This project aims to evaluate the physiological impact of the ingestion of eggshell membrane on human health, especially in healthy aging. In vitro tissue culture assays and an in vivo mouse old age model will be used to assess the effect of ESM on the modulation of microbiota, metabolic health and immunomodulation. Within this project the candidate will learn various skills, including next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, microbiology, immunology, tissue culture, and animal work.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321002 Food properties (Food properties (incl. characteristics and health benefits)) (50%); 420301 Aged health care (30%); 310701 Bacteriology (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van","title":"Manipulating the gut microbiota for healthy aging","description":"Changes in gut microbiota during aging may result in health problems, but research on interventions to improve the elderly\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gut microbiota is scarce. The project aims to enhance our knowledge of the structure and function of the gut microbiota of long-lived people. The long term goal is to develop next generation probiotics that may promote healthy aging. In this project, the microbiota composition of the elderly will be investigated, and bacterial signatures of longevity will be identified. Bacteria with probiotic potential will then be isolated and their properties of persistence, immunomodulation, short chain fatty acids production, and their impact on Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disease will be assessed in a mouse model system. Within this project the candidate will learn various skills, including next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, microbiology, immunology, tissue culture, and animal work.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310701 Bacteriology (50%); 420301 Aged health care (30%); 310206 Sequence analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Akane Uesugi, Mark Osborn","title":"Bushfire and plant invasion: patters and mechanisms","description":"Bushfire is a major disturbance in Australian landscape, driving significant changes in the community structure of native vegetation and impacting native fauna. Although many native plant species relies on fire for regeneration, extensive bushfire could cause substantial loss of native biodiversity. Recovery of native vegetation may be further hindered by the invasion of alien plant species that outcompete native species. Since climate change is expected to increase fire frequency and intensity, understanding the patterns and mechanisms of post-fire weed invasion is imperative. This project aims to 1) quantify the level of post-fire weed invasions across Victorian woodlands and riparian forests3 that were impacted by 2019 bushfire, 2) identify environmental predictors that promote weed invasions, 3) monitor the impacts of invasion on native flora recovery, and 4) investigate the mechanisms of invasive spread, particularly through alteration of soil quality and changes in soil microbial communities. The Ph.D. student involved in this project will conduct field surveys and experiments, and molecular characterization of soil microbial communities in combination with multivariate data analysis. The student should have a strong background in ecology, including fieldwork.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"310302 Community Ecology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van, Rob Moore, Anna Walduck","title":"Investigation of the pathogenicity mechanisms of newly discovered Campylobacter pathogens","description":"Spotty Liver Disease (SLD) is a serious condition in poultry that can cause up to 15% mortality and a 20% reduction in egg production. The newly identified species Campylobacter hepaticus and Campylobacter bilis have been confirmed as the causes of SLD. Limited research has been done to understand the basis of virulence in these newly discovered pathogens.  This project will undertake fundamental research to understand the mechanisms of pathogenesis. Knowledge of key virulence factors may provide useful information for vaccine development.\r\n\r\nIn this project, bioinformatic analysis of the genomes of C. hepaticus, C. bilis, and their related species, C. jejuni, will be conducted to identify putative virulence factors. The role of these factors will be investigated by producing a panel of mutant strains and testing their virulence in organoid and tissue culture assays of bacterial invasion, as well as in the disease induction model for SLD in chickens. Site-directed mutagenesis for C. hepaticus and C. bilis will be developed using homologous recombination and\/or CRISPR approaches.\r\n\r\nWithin this project, the candidate will acquire skills in microbiology, bacterial genome editing, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, organoid and tissue culture, and animal work. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300304 - Animal protection (incl. pests and pathogens) (50%)\n310702 - Infectious agents (25%)\n300903 - Veterinary bacteriology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van, Mina Dokouhaki, Mahsa Majzoobi","title":"Valorisation of fermented food waste for sustainable bioproducts","description":"The global food industry generates a substantial amount of waste, which, if managed effectively, could become a rich source of bioactive compounds and valuable materials for sustainable product development. Fermented food waste, in particular, holds great potential for the recovery of bioactive peptides, polyphenols, fermentable sugars, and other high-value compounds. These residuals can be transformed into ingredients for functional foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other bioproducts, supporting both environmental sustainability and economic growth. \nThis project seeks to explore the valorisation of various types of fermented food waste, including vegetables, dairy products, bread. After the fermentation process, bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, will be isolated and characterised using advanced extraction techniques such as enzymatic hydrolysis, membrane filtration, and ultrasonication. In addition to bioactive recovery, the project will evaluate the potential of these food wastes for bioproduct synthesis, such as bioethanol and organic acids, using fermentation and biorefinery processes. The extracted compounds will be integrated into functional food formulations, contributing to the development of new products aimed at improving public health. \nThe project will utilise world-class analytical techniques, including HPLC, NMR, and UV spectrophotometry, to identify and characterise the extracted compounds. The candidate will have the opportunity to work with advanced technologies in both the food and biotechnology fields.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310603 Fermentation (20%); 310602 Bioprocessing (%20);  300602 Food Chemistry (30%);  300606 Food Sustainability (30%).\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Peter Torley, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Production of novel functional ingredients from low-value food processing waste stream","description":"Food wastage is a critical global challenge that threatens food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability, leading to resource depletion and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Agri-food processing wastes, which are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, present a valuable opportunity for reintegration into the value chain, aligning with the principles of a zero-waste circular economy. This research aims to explore the application of novel technologies for the valorization of low-value food processing waste from various streams, transforming them into high-value applications. The study will focus on optimizing ingredient formulations by incorporating various processing variables such as pH and temperature. Additionally, it will assess the effects of these techniques on the physicochemical, structural and functional properties. The research will also investigate the potential applications of the developed novel functional ingredients that can be utilised in food formulation. By addressing these aspects, this research aims to contribute to sustainable food production systems, reduce food waste, and create novel, high-value food ingredients through the novel energy efficient technologies and food waste valorization strategies.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 - Food Chemistry (30%) 300606 - Food Sustainability (30%) 300607 Food Technology (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Harsharn Gill","title":"Enhancing Hybrid Yoghurt: Dairy and Plant-Based Blend Impacts on Physicochemical Characteristics, Probiotic Viability and Functionality, and Microbiota Composition","description":"This study aims to investigate the impact of blending dairy milk with plant-based alternatives such as soy, lupin, potato, chickpea, and pigeon pea milk on yoghurt's nutritional and functional properties. Additionally, the potential impact of microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) on the physicochemical, textural, and sensory properties of hybrid yoghurt will be explored. Specifically, the study will examine how varying levels of plant-based milk incorporation alongside cow milk influence probiotic survivability, functionality, and flavor compounds within the hybrid yoghurt. Furthermore, changes in oral and gut microbiota post-consumption will be analyzed. Through comprehensive analysis and experimentation, this research seeks to provide valuable insights into developing hybrid yoghurt formulations that promote sustainability and health in the dairy industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science (50%)\r\n300607 Food Technology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stacey Foong Yong, Peter Torley, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Developing nutritional and quality shelf-stable ready-to-eat meals using retort pouch system","description":"Sustainable safe food supply and the demand for ready-to-eat meal has been growing strong in Australia and world-wide over the past few years. In Australia, the ready-eat-meal is expected an annual increase 0.1% over the next 5 years from 2024-2029, to $1.6 billion (https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\/au\/industry\/prepared-meals-production\/5478\/). The hectic work schedules and busy lifestyles, people nowadays prefer time efficiency in food preparation and sustainable food preparation. The demand has created research into developing new food technologies, new food ingredients, new food formulations, new agricultural techniques, and coupling with effective food safety quality management system to produce sustainable supply of safe ready-to-eat meals. In this project, the retort pouch technology and efficiency in food ingredients will be studied to produce nutritional, safe and quality ready-to-eat meals for sustainable food supply. The retort system, which is also described as commercial sterility, operates at high temperature and high pressure to inactivate microorganisms inclusive of spore formers that preserve food products for an average of 2 years of stability of shelf-life. Food product is packed in a retort pouch which is thermal stable and forming an excellent protection barrier from exposing food to air, light and moisture that accelerate food spoilage, and hence food waste reduction. Furthermore, retort pouch provides flexibility in portion control also assist in food waste reduction. The convenience of storage at room temperature, transportation and no food preparation requirement have gained its popularity among consumers and food supply chain system. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology\/food processing (40%)\r\n300606 Food sustainability\/Food packaging, Preservation, Safety(30%)\r\n300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science (30%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jayani Chandrapala, Tuyen Truong, Benu Adhikari","title":"Functionality Modification of Milk and Milk Products from Various Mammal Species","description":"Milk from various sources, including cows, camels, goats, sheep, and buffaloes, undergoes processing to mitigate potential risks associated with harmful microbial contaminants and enzymes. This processing is crucial for extending the shelf-life of milk while ensuring its safety and stability. Additionally, milk processing serves to produce secondary dairy products with a pleasing taste.\r\nAmong the prominent techniques used in dairy processing, heat treatment plays a central role. This method involves several unit operations, including the use of flow-through pumps and piping, heat exchange in heat exchangers, and homogenization. The application of these techniques induces various physicochemical alterations in milk. Interestingly, the impact of mechanical forces associated with heat treatment, particularly shear forces, is not extensively understood, even though milk is subjected to such forces during significant unit operations in commercial milk processing, like pumping, stirring, and homogenization. These shear forces exerted on protein molecules can disrupt their native structure, leading to unfolding, denaturation, and subsequent aggregation.\r\nThis research project aims to investigate the behaviour and structural modifications of native milk proteins in raw milk under various temperature and shear conditions that mimic common industrial applications. Shear forces will be generated using methods like Ultra-Turrax, Micro-Fluidization, High-Pressure Homogenization, and Ultrasound. The treated samples will be meticulously analysed through techniques such as Zeta sizer, Master sizer, Reverse Phase HPLC, Rheometer, FTIR, and Native and SDS PAGE.\r\nFurthermore, this study will assess the suitability of these treated samples under varying shear and temperature conditions for the production of secondary dairy products, including yoghurts, cheese, and dairy beverages with\/without the addition of functional ingredients.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 - Food Chemistry (30%)\r\n300606 - Food Sustainability (30%)\r\n300607 Food Technology (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri, Mahsa Mazjoobi, Asgar Farhanaky, Rohan Shah (SHBS)","title":"Dietary Fibres and their role in targeted human health applications","description":"Dietary fibres are complex carbohydrates that are found in plant-based foods and are not digested by enzymes in the human gut. They reach the colon where they are fermented by the gut microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. The fermentation of dietary fibres by the gut microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are important for maintaining the health of the colon in addition to Regulating the immune system, Helping to prevent inflammation and chronic diseases such as colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, Controlling appetite and metabolism, Improving gut barrier function, Supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is important to note that not all fibres have the same effects. For example, soluble fibres are more likely to be fermented by the gut microbiome, while insoluble fibres tend to pass through the gut unchanged. Additionally, different fibres may have different effects on the gut microbiome and its metabolites. In this PhD project, we propose to analyse different types of dietary fibres in terms of their solubility, chemical structures, physiological, enzymological differences, microbiome changes and relate to how each of these characteristics affect human health. This study will employ methods such as human tissue and organoid cultures, animal models, with a potential aim to conduct human clinical trial to investigate the effect of dietary fibres on human health. The proposal will result in exclusive dietary fibres targeted at specific human health conditions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300699: Food sciences not elsewhere classified\r\n321002: Food properties (incl. characteristics and health benefits)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Sylvia Urban, Ravi Shukla","title":"Extraction, identification and application of the major phytochemicals from the native Australian Quandong (Santalum acuminatum)","description":"The aim of this PhD research is to investigate the health promoting benefits and applications of the native Australian Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) fruit and seeds. The Quandong fruit and seeds have been traditionally used by Indigenous communities in Australia for various medicinal (Sakulnarmrat et al., 2014) and nutritional (Richmond et al., 2019) purposes. Quandong is a rich source of phenolic antioxidants which boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and protect against a number of diseases. The kernel contains a range of complex oils, which are recognised for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. This PhD study will adopt a multidisciplinary approach to determine the nature of the phytochemicals present within various parts (fruit and kernel) of the Quandong. This will include developing and optimising protocols for their extraction and assessing their health promoting potential. The major compounds will be evaluated for their bioactivity including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anticancer and\/or anti-aging (cytoprotective) assays. The storage stability of the most potent bioactive compounds be assessed and technologies for improving their stability will be developed. \r\n2.\tObjectives\r\nThe research proposal aims to achieve the following objectives:\r\n\u2022 Conduct a comprehensive review of the literature relevant to the topic (including chemistry and uses of the plant components)\r\n\u2022 Determine the phytochemical composition of both the fruit and seeds via application of extraction and fractionation methodologies followed by characterization using HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS and (NMR) spectroscopy to deduce structures.\r\n\u2022 Identify and assess the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, cytoprotective) properties of the (fruit and seeds) extracts through in vitro and in cell-line experiments.\r\n\u2022 Optimise the process of extraction of the most potent compounds and assess the storage activity; undertake stabilization\/microencapsulation if required.\r\n3. Methodology\r\nThe research will employ a combination of experimental and analytical techniques:\r\n\u2022 Collect representative quandong fruit and seed samples.\r\n\u2022 Determine the nature of the phytochemicals and their concentration using various analytical techniques (HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, and NMR).\r\n\u2022 Evaluate antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of the major and most potent phytochemicals identified including in crude extracts and enriched fractions.\r\n\u2022 Elucidate molecular mechanisms of action explaining for above-mentioned activities.\r\n\u2022 Develop\/optimise protocol to extract the identified (major) phytochemicals determine their storage stability and if there is a need to stabilise these. Develop stabilisation (e.g., microencapsulation technologies) if needed.\r\n4.Expected Outcomes\r\nThis research is anticipates generating several outcomes:\r\n\u2022  A comprehensive understanding of the phytochemical composition of the native Australian Quandong including the identification of key bioactive compounds.\r\n\u2022 Gain insights into health-promoting activities of major constituents of the Quandong fruit\/kernel.\r\n\u2022 Gain insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of identified (major) bioactive compounds.\r\n 5. Significance and impact\r\nThe outcomes of this research will contribute to the scientific knowledge surrounding the unique Australian native plant Quandong, including their fruit and seeds. The findings may lead to identification and utilisation of new heath promoting phytochemicals which could be used in functional foods, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.\r\nReferences\r\nSakulnarmrat, K., Srzednicki, G., Konczak, I. (2014). Composition and inhibitory activities towards digestive enzymes of polyphenolic-rich fractions of Davidson's plum and quandong. LWT, 57(1): 366\u201337.\r\nRichmond, R., Bowyer, M., and Vuong, Q. (2019). Australian native fruits: Potential uses as functional food ingredients. Journal of Functional Foods, 62, Article number 103547.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"450602\tAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander biological sciences (30)\r\n300606\tFood sustainability (30%)\r\n310101\tAnalytical biochemistry (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Protein interactions in UHT\/HPP processed plant protein systems","description":"Protein interactions in UHT\/HPP processed plant protein systems in relation to glass\ntransition temperature and effects on functionality the student will treat select high\nprotein grain and legume protein systems with temperature and high pressure to\nunderstand the protein interactions at the molecular level. Fundamental\nphysicochemical properties describing functional consequence of such interactions\n(e.g. glass transition temperatures) will be linked with structural and chemical\nchanges at molecular level and implications at larger time and distance scale will be\npredicted. Outcome: The science based models predicting attainable food quality\nattributes will lead to new plant based foods with desired taste and texture attributes","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication; Biomedical and Health Innovation;Advanced Materials","forcodes":"090801 Food Chemistry and Molecular Gastronomy (excl. Wine) (60%)\n090805 Food Processing (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Aroma development in plant protein based vegetarian foods","description":"Ultra-high temperature (UHT) processed liquid breakfast beverages represent a growth area in the convenience product category, which is an expanding market for plant protein based formulations. Plant proteins contain significant amounts of anti-oxidative vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fats assisting in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. They also have a relatively low environmental impact and cost when compared to more commonly used dairy proteins. However, consumer acceptance has been one of the biggest challenges for plant protein formulations, as they are linked with producing undesirable flavours. \r\nIt is unlikely that the off flavour that is observed in plant based food systems is an issue that is intrinsic to the proteins themselves. But rather, commercially available plant protein isolates  may have polar lipids bound to the proteins that are not removed by traditional solvent defatting. These lipids may then be oxidised during processing and subsequent storage of the foods, leading to the development of malodorous compounds, including; aldehydes, alkenes, and furan derivatives. Volatile development in plant based beverages will be monitored using headspace SPME fibre extraction in combination with GC\/MS and correlated with sensory analysis. The removal of bound polar lipids will be attempted via novel filtration and complexation techniques, with the effectiveness of the treatment evaluated immediately following production as well as over the shelf life of the beverage. Innovation along these lines will provide the Australian food industry valuable tools to extend the acceptable shelf life of their long-life UHT beverages.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%)\r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Binding of non-catalytic dietary fibre substrates to digestive enzymes","description":"This project aims to characterise potential interactions between dietary fibres and digestive enzymes with a view to understanding how interactions of non-catalytic dietary fibre substrates with digestive enzymes can slow down the digestion of energy-dense carbohydrates and other macro-nutrients. The project expects to generate new knowledge to select the type and quality of dietary fibre needed to achieve predetermined digestive characteristics in foods. This would provide significant nutritional benefits to general consumers and technological solutions to the Australian food processing industry.\r\nThe inhibition of enzymes with pharmaceutical drugs is a common approach for retarding the digestion of foods, however, this is not a preventive or holistic approach. It is well known that diet-based strategies to control intestinal enzymes' activity, such as the consumption of adequate levels of dietary fibre are effective at reducing the speed at which digestion occurs. The commonly held view is that the mechanism behind this is the increased viscosity of digestive fluid caused by soluble dietary fibre, which then impedes the kinetics of enzymatic transport and digestion. However, there is also evidence to suggest that interactions between dietary fibres and digestive enzymes also play a role in reducing their catalytic activity. \r\nAs such, dietary fibres dual effect of increasing digestive fluid viscosity and enzymatic inhibition via non-catalytic binding will be deconvoluted to give the Australian food industry enhanced formulation strategies to attenuate the rate of digestion of healthful and nutritious foods.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%)\r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low,  Charles Brennan, Gail Iles, James Collett (Health and Biomedical Sciences) ","title":"GRAVITASTE: Ecologically Valid Microgravity Analog for Food in Space ","description":"The current project seeks to advance sensory science by adopting an interdisciplinary, biopsychosocial approach to explore and address the unique challenges of human food consumption and perception in microgravity environments, such as those experienced during space exploration. By incorporating knowledge from biology, psychology, and social sciences, this project aims to improve astronaut well-being and facilitate the success of long-duration space missions.\r\n\r\nA primary objective is to develop a versatile and ecologically valid microgravity analogue that simulates the sensory experiences and environmental conditions related to eating in space. This analogue will serve as a platform for examining the impact of microgravity on taste, smell, texture perception, and overall food experience, as well as the interplay between these factors and various biometric indicators.\r\n\r\nThe project will utilise cutting-edge technologies, including virtual reality (VR)\/immersive screens and advanced sensory methods, to establish a highly immersive and realistic simulation of microgravity environments. We are seeking students with an interest in sensory science methodologies, perception sciences, and the application of understanding needs in microgravity environments.\r\n\r\nThe research team (up to 3 supervisors) will be assembled based on individual project requirements and discussions. This interdisciplinary team will bring together diverse perspectives and expertise, fostering innovation and contributing to the project's overall success.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"399602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science  50%\n510999 Space sciences not elsewhere classified 25%\n520108 Testing, assessement and psychometrics 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232 \/ MR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mahsa Majzoobi","title":"Microgreens processing for the production of emerging future foods","description":"Due to the shortcomings of animal products as a source of protein and bioactive compounds, there is a growing demand for novel, economical, environmentally-friendly, and easy to grow plant alternatives. Microgreens are exotic genre of edible plants which have gained popularity over the last decade. They are immature plants from herbs, vegetables, grains and flowers which contain substantially higher nutritional value than their mature plants with unique capacity to expand sustainable food production systems, help manage global climate changes and great potential to offer a viable and practical solution to fulfill the requirements of a healthy diet. However, their major technical issues including short shelf-life, low yield, high market price, and lack of large-scale food applications are yet to be solved. The main aim of this project is to reveal the nutritional value, bioactive compounds and food applications of microgreens as a new source of premium quality food to support public health, increase commercialisation and add-value to Australian plant products. Innovative and industrially-friendly food processing techniques such as ultrasonic treatments, high-pressure homogenization, pulsed electric field and their combination will be applied to obtain stabilised forms of bioactive compounds which will further be used in the development of new functional foods via various encapsulation routes. A wide range of world-class laboratory techniques including HPLC, UV spectrophotometry, FTIR, CD and NMR will be used to identify and characterise proteins and bioactive compounds of microgreens. This project will be done in collaboration with famous food and microgreen manufacturers in Victoria.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology (30%)\r\n300606 Food Sustainability (20%) \r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (20%) \r\n340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds (30%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Stimuli responsive on-off switching in bioactive-compound release from natural polymers","description":"The rate of bioactive compound diffusion, including vitamins, essential fatty acids and pharmacotherapeutics like peptides in glassy biomaterials is of considerable interest in the food and nutraceutical manufacture, and several theoretical models have been employed in relation to a predictive approach. Literature shows that the structure of biopolymer matrices (mainly protein or polysaccharide) is critical in the diffusion of bioactive components. Therefore, this PhD project would aim to characterise the thermomechanical behaviour of polymeric matrices in relation to their glass transition temperature (Tg). Among the predictive models of structural relaxation, the free volume theory of diffusion will be considered to treat transport phenomena within glassy polymers. Natural polymer matrices employed in the sustained release of bioactivity are water swellable in response to the changing physicochemical environment of the human gastrointestinal tract and swelling phenomena will be evaluated in relation to the molecular transport of bioactive compounds. Naturally occurring proteins or polysaccharides are nutritionally advantageous over the laboratory synthesized counterparts and offer avenues of sustained\/targeted release in response to changing acidity or saline environment. Their desirable and extensive swelling index for formulation design is accompanied by biocompatibility and biodegradability due to the ability to hold extremely high levels of water unlike their synthetic analogues. The aim of this PhD project, therefore, is to understand the diffusion mechanism controlling bioactive compound release from natural formulations of industrial interest in stationary and swellable boundaries that simulate gastrointestinal fluids for immediate application to formulations of industrial interest.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%)\r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development and characterisation of dairy mimetic products using algal protein","description":"This project will first determine the digestibility protein obtained from australian algal biomass implementing DIAAS method. In vitro method will be preferably followed. The project will formulate dairy mimetic products using algal protein as the sole protein source and using other common ingredients that are likely used in future food products.\nThe formulation protocol will consider both physicochemical stability, and sensory appeal.\nThe characterisation of sensory properties will involve standard hedonic sensory test. The descriptive tests will be carried out at Bega\u2019s sensory facility using trained panel. Commercially available plant-protein based dairy mimetic products will be used for comparison.\nThe technofunctional properties such as texture, consistency (viscosity), acid and temperature-induced gelling, water holding capacities will be determined and used to optimise the formulation as mentioned above. These parameters will also be used to optimise the process parameters involved including homogenisation, pasteurisation.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/12\/2022","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (40%) ; 300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (40%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Extraction and characterisation of protein from Australian algal biomass","description":"This PhD project will focus on optimisation of algal protein extraction process followed by characterisation of the extracted protein, specifically for Australian algal biomass. It will involve optimisation of extraction protocol to produce protein mass with protein content of >80%, w\/w target using three protein-rich algal species readily available in Australia. Dried algal biomass will be obtained through the funding company. Achieving >80 % (w\/w) protein content in extracted protein mass is challenging as currently reported protein content extracted from algal biomass, on average, is <70% (w\/w). Low protein content in algal proteins reported in literature is due to covalent conjugation of other non-protein compounds and pigments. Removing algal oil to a lowest possible level will be considred to minimse th fishy flavour. Removal of pigment from algal biomass will also receive important consideration. Once the proteins are extracted, the protein mass will be converted into powder. This dried protein mass will be used to determine the most important functional properties such as solubility in water, dispersibility (ability to rehydrate), gelling, emulsification, foaming and thermal stability. These properties are the most important for using these proteins as ingredients. Commercially available whey protein isolate (WPI) and soy protein isolate (SPI) will be used compare algal protein\u2019s technofuctional properties.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"04\/07\/2022","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (40%) ; 300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (40%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"MR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Functional Native Australian Fruit-based Food Ingredients via Fermentation","description":"The global demand for high quality functional natural ingredients opens great opportunities to use Australian native fruits as a rich source of nutrients and functional ingredients. At present, most of the Australian native fruits such as bush tomato,\u202fDavidson's plum, desert lime, finger lime, Kakadu plum, lemon aspen,\u202fmuntries,\u202fquandong, Tasmanian pepper berry, and Illawarra plum are traditionally eaten raw or are commonly processed into jams or preserves. They are a rich source of antioxidants with a mixture of lipophilic and hydrophilic molecules and phenolic compounds such as phenolic secondary metabolites, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and pro-anthocyanidins. At present, there are limited applications of powders obtained from these native fruits within the food and cosmetic products. However, the native food industry is still challenged in delivering native foods to the wider market. Incorporating fruit products into formulations presents significant challenges and may result in undesired rheological or physical effects in the end products. Isolating and extracting the nutritive and bioactive ingredients from native fruits could prevent these undesirable qualities by eliminating unnecessary components. Processing technologies that enable conversion to microbially safe and stable functional food and beverage ingredients whilst enhancing their unique flavours will greatly add value to these produces allowing increased distribution. A promising technology in this regard is fermentation, which enables stabilisation and conversion of horticultural produce into value added products with differentiated functional, nutritional and organoleptic attributes. This project is aimed at developing suitable fermentation processes for the stabilisation and conversion of selected native fruits into functional beverages and beverage ingredients enriched with antioxidant metabolites.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/03\/2022","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living;","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry - 60%\r300607 Food Technology - 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low, Marcel Takac (Health and Biomedical Sciences) The project will include external collaborators from Deakin University. ","title":"COSMIC-CUISINE: Supporting Astronaut Wellbeing with Multisensory XR in Isolated Environments","description":"This project aims to develop digital solutions that support the wellbeing of astronauts during long-duration space missions and in Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments on Earth. By creating meaningful, heritage-based, multisensory Extended Reality (XR) experiences, the project seeks to enhance quality of life during social isolation. It will focus on understanding sensory perception, emotional responses, and appetite responses in these environments.\r\n\r\nThe interdisciplinary approach, involving museums, heritage, and engineers, forms the core innovation of the project. The project will explore what is meaningful for Australian and different cultural communities as part of the \"Space is for Everyone\" initiative, emphasising the importance of diversity in the space sector. As the space industry grows, it is crucial to develop multifunctional wellbeing solutions to reduce health risks and aid crew members during long-duration missions.\r\n\r\nThe project's potential benefits include a better understanding of how immersive heritage experiences can support astronaut health and wellbeing, with potential applications for Earth-based isolated environments. This research aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 \u2013 Good Health and Well-being, and may benefit hospitals, asylums, retirement villages, prisons, and remote workplaces. By focusing on diverse cultural backgrounds, the project also promotes inclusivity and accessibility in the space industry. The project will include external collaboration and an interdisciplinary team. The research team (up to 3 supervisors) will be formed based on discussion of individual projects based on needs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science 25%\r\n299592 Food Nutritional Balance 20%\r\n520406 Sensory processes, perception and performance 25%\r\n430208 Intangible heritage 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri, Prof Charles Brennan, Prof Benu Adhikari, Dr Thi Thu Hao Van, Prof Catherine Ipothopolous","title":"They are what we eat: Dietary Fibres, Gut Health and the Microbiome","description":"Dietary fibres are complex carbohydrates that are found in plant-based foods and are not digested by enzymes in the human gut. They reach the colon where they are fermented by the gut microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. The fermentation of dietary fibres by the gut microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are important for maintaining the health of the colon in addition to Regulating the immune system, Helping to prevent inflammation and chronic diseases such as colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, Controlling appetite and metabolism, Improving gut barrier function, Supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is important to note that not all fibres have the same effects. For example, soluble fibres are more likely to be fermented by the gut microbiome, while insoluble fibres tend to pass through the gut unchanged. Additionally, different fibres may have different effects on the gut microbiome and its metabolites. In this PhD project, we propose to analyse different types of dietary fibres in terms of their solubility, chemical structures, physiological, enzymological differences, microbiome changes and relate to how each of these characteristics affect human health. This study will employ methods such as human tissue and organoid cultures, animal models, with a potential aim to conduct human clinical trial to investigate the effect of dietary fibres on human health. The proposal will result in exclusive dietary fibres targeted at specific human health conditions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300603\n300607\n320803\n321001\n321002\n321004"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development of responsive food structures through 3D\/4D printing of edible materials","description":"Three-dimensional (3D) printing of food has gained a considerable interest over the last decade. It is an additive manufacturing technique based on layer-by-layer deposition of edible materials to create unique geometry shapes [1]. The main printing techniques applied in food include extrusion-based, inkjet, binder jetting and selective sintering. In fact, 3D food printing is not a substitute for the conventional manufacturing of food in the current state of this technology. Currently, 3D food printing can find broad applications in the area of customised foods such as the production of food for military purpose, customised meals for people suffered from allergies, dysphagia, and nutrition intolerances. Three main aspects, e.g. properties of edible materials, printing process parameters and post-processing techniques, need to be considered when designing a 3D food structure [2]. Four-dimensional (4D) printing is a novel concept in which the 3D printing objects can change either shape, functionality or property if they are induced by external stimuli over time after printing. The main application of 4D can be the production of smart materials and biomaterials [3]. From the food perspective, there are many external stimuli that food undergoes during processing and storage, such as pH, temperature, time, and humidity. Food can also come into contact with ultraviolet light, electric current, magnetic field in the form of non-thermal food processing and preservation methods. Therefore, it is essential to understand the influence of process parameters and external stimuli on the properties of food materials that can be a choice of \u201cedible ink\u201d for 3D food printing. This project aims to develop a formulation of responsive 3D food structure that can be triggered by common stimuli in food such as pH variation and heat. The outcome of this project can lead to a pathway for 4D printing of food, which has great potential in the delivery of nutraceuticals and active drug compounds. References\n[1] Godoi, F.C., Prakash, S. & Bhandari, B. (2016) 3D printing technologies applied for food design: Status and prospects. Journal of Food Engineering, 179, 44-54\n[2] Le-Bail, A., Maniglia, B. C. & Le-Bail, P. (2020) Recent advances and future perspective in additive manufacturing of foods based on 3D printing. Current Opinion in Food Science, 35, 54-54\n[3] Momeni, F., Hassani, M., Liu, X., & Ni, J. (2017) Materials & Design, 122, 42-79","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400405 Food engineering (50%)\n300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Asgar Farahnaky, Benu Adhikari, Raj Eri ","title":"Reactive extrusion: preparation of nanocellulose using green technologies for food applications","description":"Cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on earth, and its derivatives, are being used in various fields including food formulation for a wide range of functionalities such as suspending, viscosifying, gelling, adhesiveness and film formation.\r\nIn all these applications, the particles size distribution of cellulose is critical aspect that determines its functionality. Hence, preparation of well-defined cellulose particles and powders using resource efficient processes is of prime importance. \r\nDue to consumer trends, food processors are moving towards using foods ingredients manufactured with greener technologies and less hazardous chemicals. This project aims to investigate the use of GRAS (generally recognised as safe) food ingredients for modifying and creating nano cellulose. This project will examine the use of reactive extrusion processing in combination with GRAS materials for preparation of nano cellulose streams. Process condition-structure-function relationships will be studied to develop an experimental model to guide produce nano cellulose of known particle size. Extrusion conditions such as temperature, screw speed, cellulose source, and the reactive materials (type and concentration) will be investigated. \r\nFor structure-function relationships, advanced analytical techniques such FTIR, X-Ray, DSC, Rheometery, NMR relaxation and electron and atomic force microscopy will be used.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%) Food Processing (50%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri","title":"Processing of carrot waste into wet functional fibre and nutrient concentrates for addition to foods and beverages","description":"Carrot processing waste problem\r\nAround 25-30%  of carrots or >27,000 tonnes p.a. are wasted as whole vegetable primarily because they do not meet supermarket appearance specifications (Pablo et al 2019).  However, carrot (Daucus carota) is also extensively processed into juice as it is recognised health drink containing a good source of beta carotene (Vitamin A), several Vit B\u2019s, fibre, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants as well as being a source of lutein (eye health), lycophene (heart health).  While drying produces excellent powder it adds cost, it can damage fibre hydration\/water holding capacity, and still has a sedimentation problem limiting its application back into juice. Carrot juice has high export value to Asian countries like Japan. Processing either the whole carrot to a juice, or capturing better value from the pulp fibre fraction, will add to the profitability of the industry and enhance sustainability. \r\nResearch needs\r\nThe unique chemical-free, wet extraction method, developed by Perth-based Whole Green Foods with its proprietary WINXTM  (Whole Ingredient Nutrient Extraction) technology \u2013 can make whole juice products where the insoluble fibre component does not sediment in the juice. \r\nOur Proposal \r\n\u2022\tCharacterise the physical, and food functional changes of carrot pulp fibre as a result of the WINXTM Process and subsequent wet and dry storage. \r\n\u2022\tCharacterise changes in the WINXTM fibre properties from sterilisation process options (e.g. heat v   dimethyl dicarbonate cold sterilisation)  to identify options that avoid the necessity to dry the product to a powder.\r\n\u2022\tMeasure the impact of the WINXTM process on digestibility using in vitro and fermentation\/gut health in a mouse model, leading to later human health studies. \r\n\u2022\tMeasure the sensory impacts of WINXTM product processing and storage. \r\n\u2022\tAssess functional application benefits of WINXTM carrot fibre wet concentrate as a food additive such as in meat or plant based meat products","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"090803\r\n090801"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Asgar Farahnaky, Peter Torley ","title":"Innovative functional\/health promoting food ingredients from plant protein manufacturing and food processing by-products","description":"Over the last few years due to industry and consumer demands, global plant protein production has increased rapidly, and it is projected to grow even further over the next decade. Plant protein production has a strong focus on pulses that contain large quantities of non-protein components such as starch and fibre and only about a third of their mass is pure protein. Therefore, large quantities of non-protein waste containing high value functional compounds is generated during plant protein manufacturing. Due to high global demand for plant proteins, it is expected that Australia will be aiming for transforming most of its locally produced pulses and the generated waste needs to be managed to stop food waste and minimise other negative environmental impacts.\r\nThis industry focus and applied project aims to investigate transformation of waste streams of plant protein production and other food processing by products using innovative approaches\/techniques in particular emerging green and chemical free technologies. It employs advanced processes along with latest analytical techniques to create and investigate novel food ingredients. \r\nThis project will have a strong focus on structure-function relationships of biopolymers and other functional compounds and create high value functional ingredients from by-products of plant manufacturing processes.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%) Food Processing (20%) Food Sustainability (30%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low, Jayani Chandrapala, Lisa Newman, Tuyen Truong, Arianna Dick\nand Charles Brennan\n","title":"SPACEBITES: Sensory Nutrition and Food Technology for Space Exploration","description":"As humanity ventures into the realm of space exploration, the importance of sustainable and nutritious food sources that cater to astronauts' sensory preferences becomes paramount. This interdisciplinary PhD project offers the opportunity for candidates to focus on either sensory nutrition or sensory food technology within the broader context of space exploration. \n\nFor sensory nutrition, the project will begin by examining sensory taste sensitivity and nutritional intake in different microgravity analog environments. The PhD will focus on comprehensive research on the human taste\/smell system and sensory dysfunctionality and adaptations in different eating environments. The understanding of nutritional intake such as appetite measures will aim to help develop nutritionally balanced and sensorially satisfying food products. \n\nAlternatively, candidates choosing to focus on sensory food technology will explore innovative methods for food production suitable for space requirements, including but not limited to developing technologies in food 3D\/4D printing. The research will involve understanding the physicochemical properties of different food ingredients, as well as the constraints and opportunities associated with different food technologies. \n\nUpon identifying their chosen focus, candidates will be supported by a research team of up to three supervisors, assembled based on individual project requirements and discussions. The outcomes of this project will contribute significantly to the advancement of food technology for space exploration, enhancing the health and wellbeing of astronauts on extended missions. The outcomes can also be applied for broader implications of other sensory dysfunctionality requirements such as addressing food development needs for smell dysfunctionality, older adults, etc.  \n","sdg":"2 - Zero Hunger, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing , 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology 35%\n300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science 35%\n321004 Nutritional Science 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low, Peter Torley, Tuyen Truong (RMIT Vietnam)\nand Yunis Khatri (RMIT Vietnam) \n","title":"Understanding sensory and consumer preferences for Australian and Vietnamese consumers ","description":"gained popularity in Australia in recent years, creating a demand for understanding Australian consumer preferences. To address this need, this research project aims to investigate and ","sdg":"2 - Zero Hunger, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300601 Beverage chemistry and beverage sensory science 35%\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science 35%\n350601 Consumer behaviour 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Lisa Newman, Julia Low and Jessica Danaher \n","title":"Enhancing Acceptance of Sustainable Foods in Preschoolers Through Sensory Play","description":"This PhD proposal explores the potential of sensory play (nutrition education), sensory science, and elements of food technology, such as 3D food printing, in enhancing the acceptance of novel sustainable foods among preschool-aged children. With the growing global population and the need for sustainable diets to reduce environmental impact, introducing sustainable foods to children is crucial. However, children are often unwilling to try new foods, and their food choices are influenced by their likes\/dislikes, knowledge, and skills, as well as their parents, caregivers, and preschool educators.\n\nThe project aims to develop and implement a multi-level intervention inspired by the socio-ecological model, targeting children, parents, and educators to improve the acceptance of sustainable foods. Sensory play, an approach that stimulates children's senses, will be used to familiarise children with sustainable foods and assess its influence on their willingness to try these foods. Parents and educators will receive education on the importance of sustainable diets and its potential impact on their acceptance of novel sustainable foods.\n\nBy incorporating sensory science and food technology, the project seeks to identify innovative ways to make sustainable foods more appealing and engaging for children, potentially increasing their willingness to accept and consume such foods. Ultimately, this research may contribute to developing scalable interventions that promote healthier and more sustainable eating habits in children, benefiting both individual health and the environment.\n","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 2 - Zero Hunger, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 4 - Quality Education","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300602  Food chemistry and food sensory science 35%\n300606  Food sustainability 30%\n321004 Nutritional science 35%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Comparative study of low temperature spray drying of plant and dairy proteins, and their hybrids ","description":"Milk proteins (caseins, whey proteins) are industrially produced and exported ingredients of Australian dairy industry. They are used in vast array of dairy products such as re-constituted milk, yoghurt, ice creams, biscuits, and other confectionary products.\n\nHowever, consumers are increasingly seeking proteins from plant and even algal sources primarily driven from the sustainability angle. Despite high nutritional value and high digestibility (DIAAS > 100) of diary proteins, their resource hungry nature and high cost associated with their production is increasingly coming into question. Currently, Proteins from a vast array of plants are also extracted and converted into powder form. Currently, high temperature spray drying (inlet temperature of 180-200 Celsius and outlet temperature of 80-90 Celsius) is commonly used to convert both dairy and plant proteins into powder form. Such temperatures are expected to negatively impact the native structure and ultimate function (e.g., solubility, emulsifying and encapsulating) of proteins.\n\nIn principle, freeze drying can be readily used to produce dairy and plant protein powders. However, freeze drying is a batch process, even in industrial scale, and has much higher operational and production time related cost. This is the reason, freeze drying is rarely used in food industry to produce protein powders.\n\nLow temperature spray drying, whereby higher-end temperature is confined to 50-60 Celsius, is emerging as an important alternative of producing high-quality protein powders. This technology can avoid the disadvantages of high temperature spray drying and freeze-drying processes mentioned above. It can be hypothesized that the protein powders produced from this technology will have desirable functional properties.\n\nIn the above context, this project aims to use PolarDryingTM technology that is now commercially available to be applied in to produce high value proteins to test its effectiveness in producing milk, plant and their hybrid proteins. It also aims to use commercially available low temperature spray dryer which combines the capabilities of dehumidifier and an interloop. The idea of drying hybrid proteins stems from the fact that it would be possible to produce hybrid proteins in the future. These hybrid proteins are expected to inherit the nutritionally wholesomeness of milk proteins and sustainability and low cost of plant proteins.\nThis project will have the following specific objectives\n1. Produce milk protein, plant protein and their hybrids using low temperature spray drying. This will also involve optimization of low temperature spray drying parameters\n2. Characterize the proteins obtained from objective 1 in terms of powder characteristics, solubility, emulsifying, foaming, and gelling properties\n3. Characterize the proteins obtained in objective 1 in terms of potential impact on their native structure (denaturation)\n4. Use the proteins obtained from objective 1 to produce either model milk, model yogurt or model ice cream to assess their applicability.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"27\/12\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"400405 Food engineering (40) ; 400406 Powder and particle technology (40) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Developing Biodegradable Packaging Materials using Fibers and lignocellulosic components of hemp ","description":"Synthetic polymers, especially those derived from polyolefins are ubiquitously used as packaging materials. However, their non-biodegradable nature and prevailing low rate of recycling means that development of fully biodegradable packaging alternative is a scientific urgency. Packaging materials derived and developed from renewable, yet inadequately utilised natural resources are true remedies to mitigate problem posed by non-biodegradable plastics. Plant resources can be used to develop biodegradable biopolymers which can then be used to manufacture packaging materials. The processing line used for producing conventional packaging materials (e.g. extrusion compounding, blow molding and injection moulding etc) can be readily used to produce hemp-based packaging. This avoids cost associated with the design of new equipment and entirely new processing line.\n\nIndustrial hemp is cultivated in many parts of the world, and it is also increasingly grown in Australia [1,2]. The fibers from plants such as hemp and jute traditionally are used to produce bags, ropes, clothes etc. There is a substantial body of knowledge in extracting and purifying cellulosic fibers from hemp [1,2,4]. However, flexible packaging such as shopping bags, pouches etc are not developed incorporating these fibers. Most importantly, sensitivity of hemp-derived components with environmental moisture are not adequately addressed. The non-cellulosic components of hemp fiber such as lignin has also immense potential to be used as active packaging material. This aspect is missing in current scientific literature. Most importantly, the mechanical, gas permeation and water repelling properties of flexible packaging containing hemp-based materials are not adequately studied to ascertain their performance.\n\nFor industrial scale production and application, it is essential that the hemp fiber (cellulose and pectin component) should be incorporated in synthetic yet biodegradable packaging materials to improve performance and to address sustainability. Some attempts are made to incorporate hemp nanofibers in polyethylene and polypropylene and the results are encouraging [3]. However, this type of hybrid is neither biodegradable nor recyclable.\nThis project is aimed at using the cellulosic (especially nanofibers) and lignocellulosic materials (lignin or its complex with cellulose from hemp stem) to develop biodegradable packaging materials and comparing their performance. It is hypothesized that the incorporation of cellulosic nanofibers and lignin from hemp with synthetic yet biodegradable polymer such as PBAT will produce flexible packaging materials with improved strength, flexibility and water vapour barrier properties. The outcome will broaden the application of poorly used part of hemp stem and value-add hemp farming business. The specific objectives of this project are as follows.\n\n1. Extract and characterize nanocellulose fibers and lignocellulosic materials (especially lignin) from different hemp cultivars grown using different nutrients (including silica or biostimulants such as complexes containing kelp and fish emulsion) with special focus on using them as packaging materials.\n2. Develop flexible packaging using whole of the hemp stem components (nanofibers and lignocellulosic materials and whole stem) and by hybridizing with synthetic yet biodegradable plastics (e.g. PBAT) and determine their physico-mechanical properties including water vapour and oxygen permeability and water repellence. \n3. Measure and quantify the biodegradability of packaging materials produced under objective 2.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (50%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development and characterisation of (dairy-plant) hybrid milks using Australian protein-rich crops","description":"Introduction\/Background Plant-based milk alternatives (mylks) have appeared in the market since the last decade and they are becoming increasingly popular. Their increased popularity can be attributed to plant-like fresh and unique flavour, healthy perception. These milk alternatives are also popularised by increasing vegan and vegetarian population and wider public worried about the perceived environmental impact and higher cost of production of cow\u2019s milk.\nAmong the plant-based alternative milks that are available in the market today, only soymilk has the equivalent protein content to cow\u2019s milk. However, the biological value of soymilk is nowhere close to that of cow\u2019s milk. Also, most soymilks contain added sugar which is not a healthy supplement. The protein, non-sugar solids, and micronutrient (calcium, zinc, iodine, vitamins B2, B12, D, A) contents in hitherto marketed plant-based alternative milks such as coconut, oat, flax, almond, hemp are unacceptably low. The digestibility (DIAAS value) of most of the plant-based protein and their milk is also unacceptably low. They don\u2019t meet the nutritional requirement of infant, elderly and even adult population if they are not judiciously fortified.\nDue to the lack of essential amino acids and low digestability (low DIAAS value) of plant proteins, it is essential that they are fortified with milk proteins and other micronutrients. There is also a need to ensure a suitable balance of polyunsaturated-saturated fatty acids in plant-based milk alternatives.\n\nDue to the above-mentioned reasons, this project proposes to develop hybrid or blended milks in which components of cow\u2019s milk and plant-based alternative milks will be blended by arriving at an optimum ratio. This approach brings in the best of both bovine and plant-based milks in terms of protein, (saturated-unsaturated) fat, micronutrients and would require minimum additional fortification. Such hybrid milk will also combine desirable flavour from bovine and plant proteins. \nThere is no hybrid milk in Australia, and it will be a first such attempt to create one. For this purpose, it is imperative to undertake a fundamental research on (a) thermal processability (b) stability and shelf-life (c) flowability, rheology, and flavour profile of the blended milks\nMaterials: Freshly produced cow\u2019s milk (from local manufacturer), plant-based alternative milk produced at the laboratory (using e.g. soy, peanut, hemp or other Australia-grown suitable protein-rich plants). \n\nObjectives\nIn the above context, this project has 4 main objectives. \n1.        Produce and characterise plant-based alternative milk using Australian grown protein-rich crops\n2.        Optimise the blending of cow\u2019s milk with plant-based alternative milk (objective 1) to produce best blended milk\n3.        Determine the thermal processability (LTLT and UHT pasteurisation) and flowability, stability (uniformity, absence of phase separation and precipitation) flavour, rheological property, sensory appeal of the blended milk. These parameters will be used for optimisation.\n4.        Determine the shelf-life of the blended milk using the shelf-life of cow\u2019s milk and plant-based milk alternatives as benchmark.\n\nCharacterisation\nThis project will use industrially relevant homogenisation system for blending and UHT unit for thermal treatment. It will used advanced rheometer and viscometer for flow characterisation. It will use sensory evaluation for taste, flavour and texture. It will use accelerated shelf-life testing to determine shelf-life.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (40) ; 300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (40) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Preparation, characterisation and application of functional peptides from Australian oilseeds","description":"Australia is producer and exporter of many oilseeds including canola, cotton seed, sunflower and flaxseed and others. The canola and cotton seed production comprised 90% of all oilseeds produced (2022). The monetary value of canola seeds alone was $6.1 billion in 2022-23. These facts indicate that, oilseeds significantly contribute to Australian economy.\nThese oilseeds are primarily used to extract oil. The remaining non-oil component (meal or cake) is considered as by-products and are primarily used as animal feed. These meals, contain up to 50% of protein (on dry basis) in the case of most of the oilseeds. Proteins from the meal of these oilseeds can be readily extracted to very high purity or an isolate (90% protein) level. Given these meals themselves are considered as by-product, extracting, and utilising the protein component will address the sustainability issue. Given the ever-increasing consumer interest in sustainably sourced alternative proteins, oilseed proteins will be valued and used as an ingredient of diverse range of food products.\n\nOilseed proteins are known to have deficient in a number of essential amino acids. Also, their digestibility is low as indicated by digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS). However, they can be utilised as ingredients, especially as emulsifiers, encapsulating shell materials, part of blended proteins with a degree of modification and removing allergenicity.\nThe applicability and value of the protein of the above-mentioned oilseeds can be greatly increased by systematically and consciously splitting their structure into peptides through enzymatic hydrolysis. The resulting peptides can then be used as ingredients of health foods as they will have increased digestibility, antioxidant and other health-promoting properties. The application of these peptides can be further broadened as emulsifiers, encapsulating shell materials and also part of edible films complexing, as required, with some other functional polysaccharides.\nObjectives\n\nIn the above context, this PhD project aims to undertake a controlled ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins of Australian oilseeds (canola, cotton seed and sunflower) to produce peptides. The structure of these peptides will be such that they will have retained some of the properties of the original protein at the same time avoided the undesirable taste. Comparative evaluation of the performance of these peptides will also form a core part of this study.\n\nApproach\/Methodology\nThe approach\/methodology will be developed as part of this PhD project and will involve accomplishing the following tasks.\n1. Extraction of protein: Proteins from freshly acquired oil seeds (canola, cotton, sunflower) will be extracted in house to achieve at least 70% protein content.\n2. Characterisation of protein: The molecular weight, amino acid profile and sequence of the extracted proteins will be determined to inform (to feed in) the enzymatic hydrolysis process\n3. Enzymatic hydrolysis: Single and\/or combination of proteolytic enzymes will be used to produce peptides of desired molecular characteristics. Nano (membrane) filtration will be used to recover and fractionate the peptides. The membrane size cut off and membrane processing parameters will be optimised\n4. Characterisation of peptides: Digestibility and other functional properties of these peptides will be assessed using standard in vitro method\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Peter Torley","title":"Designing safe food textures: compliance with the IDDSI protocol requirements","description":"Food and beverage textures are important to the enjoyment of eating and drinking, however some people need foods and beverages specifically designed to have textures that are safe for them to consume. For example, people with problems with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), need foods that have safe textures for their level of dysphagia. People with chewing difficulties may need foods that can be easily formed into a bolus for swallowing.\n This project will have multiple facets, so the student researcher will develop a variety of skills including:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Solid and liquid food texture analysis using laboratory testing equipment\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Development and validation of a force \/ distance \/ time instrumental testing procedure based on human practices\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Operator interpretation of testing protocols \u00e2\u20ac\u201c interpretation of supplied information and test result reliability\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Inter-relationship between food service operator physical attributes and testing outcome\n Following on from a highly successful research project in this area, this project will suit people from a variety of backgrounds including food technology, nutrition, physiology and psychology.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300607\n 300605"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou, James Baglin","title":"New criterion for efficient experimental designs","description":"The Design of Experiments (DOE) involves the systematic planning of tasks to explain variations in information, linking experimentation and modelling. Historically, DOE has been instrumental in improving product quality and reliability and is now widely adopted in various industries such as engineering, energy, pharmaceuticals, and architecture. It plays a crucial role in activities like new product development, manufacturing optimization, and process improvement. An effective DOE is essential for accurate data extraction, as it minimizes variance and eliminates bias, allowing for multiple factors and cost reduction, even in limited design spaces. Given the numerous optimality criteria and their distinct advantages, combining several into a new optimality criterion would be beneficial. This project aims to achieve this and compare different designs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490501        Applied statistics (20%)\n490503        Computational statistics (30%)\n490509        Statistical theory (50%)\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gang-Jun Liu, Benno Engels, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies","title":"GIS-based Modelling and Mapping of Terrain-influenced Urban Liveability","description":"Urban liveability can be influenced by many factors, including local residents' spatial accessibility to essential services and facilities. This research project aims at the development of a GIS-based approach for modelling and mapping the terrain-influenced spatial variation in spatial accessibility and urban liveability, especially across undulating urban areas. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330410 Urban Analysis and Development\r\n401302 Geographical Information System and Geospatial Data Modelling\r\n440601 Urban Geography"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gang-Jun Liu, Benno Engels, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies","title":"Monitoring and Modelling Urban Flooding Risks with Digital Geospatial Technologies","description":"Urbanisation and Climate change have increased urban flooding disasters globally.  Ability to identify key factors of increasing urban flooding risks and capacity for monitoring and predicting the variations of these factors, both spatially and temporally, are crucial for mitigating urban flooding risks, reducing flooding damages to urban infrastructures, and enhencing urban communities' liveability. Hence, this project aims to leverage the power of digital geospatial technologies to minimise the impacts of future flooding events on urban infrastructures and human activities across urban areas.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"370903 Natural Hazards (30%)\r\n401301 Geographical Information System and Geospatial Data Modelling (40%)\r\n440612 Urban Geography (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Suelynn Choy, Tam Dao, Brett Carter","title":"Improved ionospheric modelling for high precision GNSS","description":"Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have revolutionised various industries from agriculture to surveying and autonomous vehicles. Radio signals transmitted by GNSS satellites to receivers on the ground is significantly affected by the Earth\u2019s ionosphere. Within this layer of the atmosphere, charged particles alter the trajectory of the GNSS signals, introducing additional delays. Notably, the ionospheric delay is a major error source in GNSS particularly for high precision GNSS such as the Precise Point Positioning with Real-Time Kinematics (PPP-RTK).\n\nThe aim of this research is to develop an enhanced ionospheric model that can accurately account for the the ionospheric delay in real-time especially during ionospheric disturbed conditions. For high precision GNSS applications, cm-level accurate ionospheric corrections would be required. The Ginan GNSS processing software developed by Geoscience Australia is a potential tool for use in the research project. The project outcomes will contribute towards the improvement of high precision GNSS positioning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401305\tSatellite-based positioning (75%)\r\n510903\tMesospheric, thermospheric, ionospheric and magnetospheric physics (25%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Debaditya Acharya, Monica Wachowicz, Chayn Sun, Amy Griffin, Ruwan Tennakoon (Computer Science)","title":"Exploring long-term Visual Positioning Systems using machine learning","description":"The widespread availability of smartphones with high-quality cameras made indoor visual localisation (or positioning) accessible for critical applications, such as pedestrian wayfinding, emergency response, service robotics, and location-based services. One of the key challenges of the designed visual localisation systems is the lack of long-term localisation, where the arrangement of indoor spaces can undergo significant structural changes such as new construction, renovation or demolition. While the existing approaches can handle the changed appearance of a scene due to changes in illumination, objects (e.g. pedestrians) and occlusions, they fail to perform long-term localisation under structural changes. This project aims to utilise 3D models for detecting the structural changes in a building and for simultaneous updates of the 3D models. The 3D models can be derived from Digital Twins or Building Information Modelling (BIM). Subsequently, these updated 3D models will be used for performing uncertainty-based long-term visual localisation with improved precision. The challenges of long-term visual localisation approaches, such as domain adaptation, change detection and the need for extensive labelled data to train machine learning models will be addressed in the project. The experiments will contribute towards the knowledge of domain adaptation in computer vision and deep learning algorithms, in addition to improving the quality of life of the international community.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"460304: Computer Vision (50%)\r\n330201: Automation and technology in building and construction (20%)\r\n370403: Geoscience data visualization (20%)\r\n460205: Intelligent robotics (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Simon Jones, Karin Reinke, Mariela Soto-Berelov","title":"Fire detection and attribution using satellite earth observation","description":"Early detection of wildfires is vital for managing the risk and impact of fire upon human lives and infrastructure. The introduction of new geostationary sensors in the mid 2010's has created new opportunities for wildfire surveillance. Addressing this issue, geospatial researchers at RMIT University developed two new wildfire detection algorithms, utilising the \u201cbig data\u201d capabilities of the Himawari-8\/9 (H8\/9) satellites which capture images of the full disk every 10 minutes at key spectral wavelengths and other polar orbiting sensors. This PhD proposal will extend these techniques to investigate fire surveillance using such platforms and explore how these temporally rich data streams may be used to inform our descriptions of fire severity, particularly when coupled with more traditional satellite products such as NBR. Issues of smoke, scale (multi-resolution imaging and comparing in situ to image observations), fire radiative power, remaining fuel, tracking and canopy obscuration make for many and varied potential research questions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"401304 (50%)\n370402 (25%)\n300706 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Simon Jones, Karin Reinke, Mariela Soto-Berelov","title":"Future forests","description":"Forest resources and the services they provide play a vital role in the economy and across society in general. We live in an unprecedented era of environmental change. Wide reaching land use and land cover (LULC) modification and conversion affects land, water, and air resources on a global scale. Knowledge of LULC change is needed for a range of forest related activities including forest management, biodiversity monitoring, biomass estimation, carbon accounting, and climate change modelling. Change estimates are also used for mandatory and statutory forest reporting requirements at the state, national and international level. Methods used for change detection have evolved from mapping and identifying change between image pairs to sophisticated techniques based on dense time series image datasets. This research aims to map disturbance and recovery across Australian forests using multi-source satellite imagery incl.  spectral time-series, structural (LiDAR and SAR) and in situ information. It will help support state and federal land management agencies with spatial and a- spatial change maps and statistics. Currently, there is no national level forest cover change dataset for Australia. Instead, national estimates are produced by aggregating state level estimates, which are obtained using different sources of imagery and following different methods.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"401304 (50%)\r\n370402 (25%)\r\n300707 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Professor Simon Jones","title":"Using remote sensing to help unearth ancient cultural landscapes","description":"Using aerial photography, LiDAR, RADAR and\/or satellite imagery can aide in identifying archaeological and cultural sites. Traditional methods to find and identify these cultural sites are heavily reliant on excavation (Vilbig et al., 2020). This known as field walking, where archaeologists record visible surface material and analyse evidence of human presence and landscape use (Orengo and Garcia-Molsosa, 2019). This method is slow and risks damaging the site and archaeological data and findings (Vilbig et al., 2020). Due to the fast urbanisation of peri-urban regains in Melbourne, identifying cultural landscapes may not be identified by field walking as the y have the potential to be destroyed before cultural heritage management and archaeologists have a chance to survey the area use (Orengo and Garcia-Molsosa, 2019). This study aims to use data obtained from aerial imagery, LiDAR, RADAR and satellite imagery to help detect the location and size cultural landscape features. By integrating historical aerial and satellite imagery, this has the potential to help detect cultural landscapes that have been destroyed, partially destroyed or concealed due to urbanisation. RS technologies allow hyperspectral or infrared images to be analysed revealing findings that are unable to be seen by the human eye.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2034","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering) ; Urban Futures","forcodes":"090905 50% ; 210102 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"MR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham, Estrid He \/ SCT","title":"CSIRO-Masters: Knowledge discovery of scientific workflows","description":"The reproducibility of scientific workflows is critical in ensuring trust, confidence and transparency of results of experiments and modelling. The capture of provenance information for scientific workflows is foundational in achieving transparency and reproducibility. There has been an increased adoption of tools such as electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling that allow automated capture of these records. However, solutions and approaches which harmonise this provenance information across systems in a scalable and general way are lacking. Knowledge graph technology has proven to enable capture of concepts and relationships through mature tools and implementations. Provenance ontologies are well established in the community. While some prior architectures exist for implementing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows, robust implementations are not yet widespread in scientific practice. Thus, the opportunity is to leverage these technologies and ontologies to implement scalable knowledge graphs for discovery of scientific workflows harmonising provenance information across systems in real-world science projects. Specifically, this project will involve:\r\n-\tConstructing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows\r\n-\tDeveloping adapters and client libraries to allow easy recording of provenance of scientific workflows, e.g. electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling.\r\n-\tDeveloping relevant and effective queries and visualisations for knowledge discovery of scientific workflows \r\n-\tTesting and benchmarking the performance of different knowledge graph implementations, e.g. neo4j, GraphDB\r\nAn exciting prospect will be the application of this implementation to several CSIRO projects in different impact areas including Modelling national bushfire risk and resilience and Modelling interventions on the Great Barrier Reef and Hydrological modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\r\n460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\r\n401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Griffin","title":"Designing Predictive Bushfire Maps for Dissemination to the Public ","description":"The 2019-2020 bushfire season was the first time that fire spread prediction maps were disseminated to the public by emergency management authorities. These maps, developed from the outputs of bushfire simulation models, may help to inform individuals' protective action decision making. Currently there is a lack of empirical evidence about how these maps should be best designed to encourage appropriate protective action among residents of areas at risk, and to discourage maladaptive actions. This project will assess levels of comprehension of several potential designs and to understand how comprehended information informs intentions to take protective action through empirical user studies with end users.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"401301 Cartography and Digital Mapping (40%)\n 370903 Natural Hazards (40%)\n 330308 Fire Safety Design (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"MR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham","title":"Knowledge discovery of scientific workflows","description":"The reproducibility of scientific workflows is critical in ensuring trust, confidence and transparency of results of experiments and modelling. The capture of provenance information for scientific workflows is foundational in achieving transparency and reproducibility. There has been an increased adoption of tools such as electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling that allow automated capture of these records. However, solutions and approaches which harmonise this provenance information across systems in a scalable and general way are lacking. Knowledge graph technology has proven to enable capture of concepts and relationships through mature tools and implementations. Provenance ontologies are well established in the community. While some prior architectures exist for implementing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows, robust implementations are not yet widespread in scientific practice. Thus, the opportunity is to leverage these technologies and ontologies to implement scalable knowledge graphs for discovery of scientific workflows harmonising provenance information across systems in real-world science projects. Specifically, this project will involve:\n - Constructing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows\n - Developing adapters and client libraries to allow easy recording of provenance of scientific workflows, e.g. electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling.\n - Developing relevant and effective queries and visualisations for knowledge discovery of scientific workflows \n - Testing and benchmarking the performance of different knowledge graph implementations, e.g. neo4j, GraphDB\n An exciting prospect will be the application of this implementation to several CSIRO projects in different impact areas including Modelling national bushfire risk and resilience and Modelling interventions on the Great Barrier Reef and Hydrological modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\n 460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\n 401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Asha Rao,  Amy Corman","title":"Privacy Preserving Technologies for Securing Healthcare Data","description":"Sharing of health data for secondary uses such as research and public policy development has many benefits, but also risks if information about an individual's health record can be inferred. Ensuring healthcare data privacy preservation technology is designed to work as per requirements is essential. The requirements for correct functioning of these techniques includes training of both researchers and the individuals. Data is now gathered and possibly used to train AI models from various sources including clinical trials, participatory health-enabling technologies and other health\/medical-related records. These are in addition linked, for research, population disease surveillance, risk prediction etc. The increasing use of participatory health enabling technologies and integration of person-generated data with formal healthcare provider data, adds another layer of complexity. Thus, the design of healthcare privacy preserving techniques needs to be considered from all perspectives. The aims of this project are: Design of a process for testing of techniques used for privacy preservation of Healthcare systems. Design process for verification of functionality with ML based systems. Design and implement customized ML scenarios which providing protection with bounds on information leakage. The project will explore various mechanisms to evaluate suitability of the existing techniques and their vulnerabilities given a set of constraints. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-04-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4604 (30%)\n4611 (30%)\n461203 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Asha Rao,  James Baglin,","title":"Model based Design for ML based Devices for Healthcare","description":"Ensuring healthcare devices are designed to work as per requirements is essential. The requirements for correct functioning include latency bounds, measurement and analysis within constraints, data storage etc. The design of healthcare systems using Machine Learning (ML) based models is now gaining momentum. These ML models can be part of autonomously functioning devices. Even though functionality offered by ML models is desired, it is typically used as a black box. This makes it difficult to incorporate it in healthcare related applications as testing and verification of its functioning is time consuming. The aims of this project are: 1) Design process for testing of ML models within the constraints of Healthcare systems. 2) Design process for verification of functionality within constraints for ML based systems. 3) Design and implement customized ML model testing. Model based development of systems using ML. The project will explore various mechanisms to evaluate suitability of a given ML model given a set of constraints. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-04-30","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460102 Applications in Health (35%)\n460403 Data Security and Protection (35%)\n460503 Data models, storage and indexing  (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Yan Wang, Pavel Krupskiy","title":"Vine copula modeling of multidimensional ecological niche data","description":"Copulas provides a powerful mathematical framework for modeling complex dependence structures between variables. While widely applied in economics, finance, and neuroscience, their potential in ecology remains largely unexplored. Many ecological datasets exhibit tail dependencies, asymmetries, and non-monotonic relationships, which copula models can effectively capture. This research aims to expand the use of copulas in ecological niche modeling, an essential concept in ecology that describes species distributions in multivariate space.\nPrevious studies have applied elliptical, Archimedean, and simplified vine copulas to niche modeling. Yet, limitations persist, including reliance on simulation-based algorithms that fail to preserve the statistical properties of ecological data. Additionally, emerging factor copula models and structured factor copula models, which have demonstrated superior performance in other fields, have not been explored in ecology. These models offer a more parsimonious and interpretable approach to capturing complex ecological dependencies.\nThis research aims to develop advanced copula models for high-dimensional ecological data, refine copula-based ecological models with fewer assumptions, and extend the niche overlap concept to a multi-species framework. These advancements will improve species distribution modeling and ecological analysis.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2029-12-29","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490501  Applied statistics  (40%)\n490509  Statistical theory  (30%)\n410401 Conservation and biodiversity (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arathi Arakala, Mahshid Sadeghpour","title":"Echo Chamber Investigation and Identification Utilising Sentiment Analysis","description":"This project aims to to develop novel techniques that combine sentiment analysis approaches, network science measures of community and measures of user behaviour over period of time to predict user behaviour with regards to echo chamber engagement. By measuring sentiment analysis against other widely used techniques the hope is to see if sentiment analysis can be an effective tool. We are looking to understand:\n1. To what degree can sentiment analysis alone be a good predictor of the presence of an echo chamber?\n2. Can sentiment analysis be used as a predictor for user engagement in echo chambers? Can this prediction be enhanced by network community metrics?\n3.How does the sentiment of a user in an echo chamber vary over time? What trends are observed before and after engaging in an echo chamber?\n\nProject Outcome and Impact\nThis project will give insights into how users engage on social media to create echo chambers, how their behaviours are influenced on engaging with an echo chamber and if sentiment analysis coupled with traditional network-based metrics could help predict user involvement in an echo chamber. Such analysis will allow regulators and social media companies to design interventions that will promote balanced discourse and social interactions. This work contributes to ensuring that social media users have every opportunity to hear diverse perspectives on polarising socio-political events.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning\n490104 Complex systems\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stella Stylianou","title":"Exploring Machine Learning Techniques for Forecasting Trends in the Vietnamese Music Industry","description":"Time series forecasting is vital for predicting music trends, such as song popularity and genre shifts. Time series data, decomposed into trend, seasonality, and residuals, reveals underlying patterns. The Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model, with its autoregressive and moving average components, is a traditional choice. The Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model extends ARIMA to handle multivariate time series data.\nMachine learning techniques offer robust alternatives. Decision trees provide a clear, interpretable path for predictions, while Random Forest aggregates multiple decision trees to enhance accuracy and prevent overfitting. Additionally, newer methods such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM) offer advanced forecasting capabilities. LSTM networks are particularly effective for capturing long-term dependencies in time series data, while GBM models improve prediction accuracy by combining the outputs of several weaker models.\nThe goal of this project is to identify and evaluate the most effective machine learning techniques for predicting trends in the Vietnamese music industry. By exploring traditional models like ARIMA and VAR alongside newer techniques such as LSTM and GBM, the project aims to determine the best approach for accurate and actionable trend forecasting.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 Statistical theory (50%), 490501 Applied statistics (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stella Stylianou","title":"Ensemble framework for anomaly detection in high dimensional data ","description":"Outliers, or anomalies, are identified when their behavior deviates from the rest of the data or normal patterns. Outlier detection is the process of identifying these observations, and it has become a significant issue in data mining, decision-making, clustering, and pattern classification. \nIt becomes particularly challenging in such high-dimensional data. Most existing algorithms and traditional statistical methods fail to adequately address issues arising from a large number of features. The \"curse of dimensionality,\" complicates anomaly detection, as distance-based methods struggle to differentiate between normal and anomalous points when all data points appear similarly spaced.\nTo tackle the challenges of outlier detection in high-dimensional data, numerous researchers have proposed a variety of algorithms such as, neighborhood-based methods, subspace-based methods, and ensemble-based methods.\nThe main objective of this project is to identify the best approach for detecting outliers in high-dimensional datasets. In this study, ensemble methods will be developed for outlier detection, and these methods will be evaluated and compared with current methodologies using publicly available real-world and synthetic datasets. Furthermore, the researchers will refine the developed outlier detection technique and apply it in a case study.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490509 Statistical theory (50%) 490501 Applied statistics (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Parham Moradi","title":"Self-Supervised Anomaly Detection for Tabular Data","description":"Anomaly detection plays a crucial role in various applications, including transportation, healthcare diagnostics, environmental and industrial monitoring. Traditional anomaly detection methods often struggle with high-dimensional tabular data due to the curse of dimensionality, requiring manual feature engineering and predefined rules, which limit scalability and accuracy. In contrast, self-supervised learning (SSL) methods have shown promise by automatically learning complex features from unlabeled data. However, the unique structure and complexity of tabular data, combined with the need for interpretability, present significant challenges for existing SSL methods. This research proposal aims to develop innovative self-supervised models tailored for anomaly detection in tabular data, addressing challenges related to scalability, interpretability, and adaptability to diverse and multimodal datasets. By conducting a comprehensive study of various self-supervised approaches and optimizing them for the specific characteristics of tabular data, this project seeks to create models that not only improve detection accuracy but also offer transparent explanations for anomaly predictions. The outcomes of this research will contribute to more robust, scalable, and interpretable anomaly detection solutions, fostering greater trust and adoption in real-world applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490508 Statistical Data science (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Serdar Boztas","title":"Evaluating the Security of Significant Cryptographic Functions","description":"Systems of algebraic equations with randomly chosen variables are at the heart of cryptographic security ranging from hash functions to block ciphers to blockchain. The deterministic and randomized complexity of solving such systems of equations will be evaluated during this project. \n\nOne specific problem for investigation is the k-XORSUM problem:\n\nGiven k lists \n   L_1, . . . , L_k \n\neach containing binary vectors of length d, the goal is to efficiently find \n\none vector x_i from each L_i such that x_1+..+x_k = 0. \n\nEfficient means much faster than brute force while trading off time and memory. \n\nHow large should the lists be as a function of k and d? How small can we make the time complexity of the algorithm we develop?\n\nWagner [1] made the first algorithmic breakthrough in 2002 for k=4 or a larger power of 2. There has been significant additional work but progress has been slow. The notorious case is k=3, the 3-XORSUM problem where no substantial progress has been made over the last 20+ years and any progress would have a large impact. The best known complexity is O(n^2\/log n)\n\na tiny improvement over the obvious n^2 complexity of form all pairs of sums from the first 2 lists and look it up in the (sorted) third list.\n\nNew techniques which show great promise need to be  refined, implemented and tested at realistic cryptographic scales as part of this project. An application to the EQUIHASH proof of stake algorithm will be a direct result of improvements obtained in this project.\n\nThe methods used will be generic and will have applications to k-SUM problems in other groups and fields. In fact the problem is also related to computational geometry, such as finding triangles in graphs with few triangles.\n\n[1] D. Wagner, A Generalized Birthday Problem, Proceedings of CRYPTO 2002.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 machine learning (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haydar Demirhan","title":"Bayesian and Machine Learning Approaches to the Classification Problem","description":"Classification problem involves assigning subjects to two or more classes in a supervised setting. In this project, Bayesian and machine learning approaches will be developed to tackle the challenges of the binary or multi-class classification problem in large datasets. The main challenge is the imbalance in the proportions of true labels in the population.\n\nBayesian approaches have the advantage of interpretability and hypothesis testing, while machine learning methods can be more efficient than Bayesian approaches, depending on the size of the model and the dataset. Bayesian models offer a solution to the imbalance problem in the dependent feature. In this project, Bayesian and machine learning methods will be explored to tackle the classification problem, their advantages, disadvantages and performances will be assessed, and the development of new classification approaches will be considered. The applications will include large datasets with a large number of parameters. Therefore, the efficiency of the developed models will be a crucial consideration.\n\nSince this project requires intense coding to implement the methods considered, the candidate needs to have strong programming skills. Therefore, strong knowledge of R, MATLAB and\/or Python is required. Also, a strong knowledge of Bayesian modelling, statistical methods and machine learning methods is essential.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460308 - Pattern recognition (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arathi Ara, Sona Taheri ","title":"Supervised learning and network science analysis of bystander behaviour in gender-based online abuse  ","description":"The widespread use of social networks and the internet has made gender-based online abuse a significant threat to society, causing severe psychological, social, and physical impacts, including suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Bystanders, who witness online abuse without being directly involved, can either:\n-- Intensify the abuse through passive observation and engagement;\n-- Reduce the spread by interfering, reporting abuse, and supporting victims.\n\nThus, there is an urgent need for automated algorithms to label and analyse bystander behaviour, enabling early detection of abuse and developing interventions to encourage bystanders to support victims. To address research gaps and highlight the crucial role of bystanders in online gender-based abuse, this project aims to:\n-- Define online behaviour features that characterize a bystander\u2019s motivation for action or inaction;\n-- Develop novel techniques to label bystander roles in gender-abuse datasets automatically.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Discrete choice experiments with focus on applications","description":"Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are a research technique used to understand preferences by having individuals select from sets of alternatives, each characterized by different attributes. This method is based on random utility theory, which assumes that people choose options that maximize their satisfaction. DCEs are commonly used in areas such as health economics, marketing, and transportation to gauge consumer preferences, predict demand, and shape policy decisions. In health economics, for example, DCEs reveal patient preferences for various treatments or interventions, informing the development of more patient-focused healthcare models. In marketing, businesses utilize DCEs to pinpoint the most valued features of a product, helping in its development and market positioning. The versatility and strength of DCEs make them effective for understanding complex decision-making processes and converting them into practical insights. This project will not only investigate applications of DCEs across different fields but also contribute to the development of underlying theory, enhancing their utility and application.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509        Statistical theory  (50%)\n490501        Applied statistics  (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Definitive Screening Designs with Added Observation: Constructions, Properties, and Analysis","description":"Definitive Screening Designs (DSDs) are a class of experimental designs that efficiently explore multiple factors with minimal runs. They are widely used in engineering, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing for optimizing processes and identifying key variables. DSDs uniquely estimate main effects without confounding them with two-factor interactions or quadratic effects, making them valuable in early-stage experimentation.\r\nThis research investigates how augmenting DSDs with specific additional observations can enhance their resolution, aliasing structure, and overall efficiency. Rather than addressing missing data, the focus is on systematically modifying DSDs to improve their statistical properties and practical performance.\r\nBy incorporating targeted observations, the study aims to refine parameter estimation, increase robustness, and optimize design efficiency. It will compare standard DSDs with augmented versions to assess improvements in aliasing, estimation accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.\r\nThis research contributes to experimental design by advancing theoretical understanding, offering practical implementation strategies, and guiding practitioners in selecting optimal designs for high-dimensional screening experiments.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 Statistical theory  (80%)\r\n490501 Applied statistics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sona Taheri","title":"Clusterwise Linear Regression: Prediction Methods and Applications","description":"Clusterwise Linear Regression (CLR) is a widely recognized method for approximating data using multiple linear functions. It combines clustering and multiple linear regression techniques, making it useful for both approximation and prediction tasks across various applications. Utilizing homogeneous clusters in the input space can enhance the efficiency of CLR models, leading to improved prediction performance. Weighted CLR models, in particular, hold promise for developing accurate prediction algorithms. By employing nonsmooth optimization approaches, novel cluster-weighted CLR models can be formulated, potentially advancing the accuracy of CLR-based prediction algorithms.\n\nThis project aims to delve deeper into CLR techniques for prediction and introduce novel CLR models and methodologies. Specifically, the objectives include developing new models and efficient algorithms tailored to solve CLR problems for datasets with large numbers of data points and\/or numerous input variables. Additionally, the project seeks to introduce precise prediction methods based on CLR, generalize CLR models and algorithms by incorporating alternative elementary functions in place of linear functions, and explore new applications of CLR where it can serve as both an approximation and prediction tool.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning 35%\n490108 Operation research 35% \n490304 Optimization 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Melih Ozlen","title":"Modified BFGS Methods for Large-Scale Optimisation Problems","description":"The Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) method is renowned for tackling unconstrained optimisation problems by approximating the inverse Hessian matrix without second-order derivatives. However, its applicability to large-scale optimization remains limited due to memory and computational constraints. This proposed research aims to address these limitations by introducing novel modifications to the BFGS method tailored specifically for large-scale optimisation problems. The proposed methods will utilise techniques such as limited-memory strategies and adaptive updating schemes to enhance scalability while maintaining convergence properties and computational efficiency. The research involves theoretical analysis, algorithm development, and numerical experiments across diverse domains. The outcomes are expected to offer practical and efficient solutions for tackling large-scale optimisation problems, facilitating advancements in various fields.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\n490108 Operations research (20%)\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Stella Stylianou, Devindri Perera","title":"Multiple Imputation in Multivariate Analysis of Variance","description":"Missing data, also known as missing values, occur when data for specific variables or participants is not stored. Data can go missing for a variety of reasons, including incorrect data entry, equipment malfunctions, lost files, and many others. There is always some missing data in any data set. Researchers are frequently faced with the problem of missing data.\r\nThe reason for the missing data is important to consider because it helps you determine the type of missing data and what you need to do about it. Missing data can be classified into three types: Missing completely at random (MCAR)-Missing data are randomly distributed across the variable and unrelated to other variables, Missing at random (MAR)-Missing data are not randomly distributed but they are accounted for by other observed variables and Missing not at random (MNAR)-Missing data systematically differ from the observed values.\r\nThe methods for handling missing data in this study included listwise deletion, pairwise deletion, and multiple imputation. Listwise deletion was selected because it is the default approach used by most software packages, and absent a better method, is often the only viable technique for researchers using MANOVA with missing data. Multiple imputation is the process of estimating missing data several times in order to construct several complete versions of an incomplete data set. Multiple imputation consists of two stages: 1) generating replacement values, which are called imputations, for missing data and repeating this technique multiple times, resulting in multiple data sets with replaced missing information, and 2) analyzing and combining the many imputed data sets.\r\nMany studies in education and in health involve comparing group means using techniques such as analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).\r\nThe main objective of this project is to find the best approach to impute missing values to MANOVA. Moreover, researchers will study more about multiple imputation technique, apply imputation technique for a case study in the field of biostatistics, investigate a different mechanism for MAR data and develop algorithms to handle missing data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"FOR Code 1: 490509        Percentage: 40%\n                    FOR Code 2: 490501        Percentage: 40%\n                    FOR Code 3: 490508        Percentage: 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Optimizing Industrial Processes through Advanced Experimental Designs and\r\nMathematical Modeling","description":"Modern manufacturing depends a lot on industrial processes. These processes affect important things like product quality, production efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By using advanced experimental designs and mathematical modeling, we can make these processes better. This project is all about studying and applying advanced experimental designs in industries. We're looking at how they can improve processes, control quality, and make things more efficient. The research will focus on creating effective experimental designs, making mathematical models from the data we get, and checking how well these designs meet different theoretical criteria. The goal is to gain practical insights into using experimental designs in industries and how they can make things more competitive and sustainable.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"FoR code 1: 490509 (75%) \r\nFoR code 2: 490501 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Mahshid Sadeghpour, Arathi Arakala","title":"Self-Supervised Representation Learning for Privacy-Preserving Retinal Biometric Recognition","description":"Retinal image recognition is renowned for its high accuracy within the realm of biometric systems. There is good evidence that retinal biometric recognition is a highly accurate, but these results are based on datasets of the order of hundreds. The comprehensive investigation of retinal recognition systems has been impeded due to the scarcity of available data, in contrast to other biometric modes such as fingerprint, facial or iris recognition.\r\n\r\nTo facilitate the establishment of a resilient retinal recognition system, the imperative lies in the access to high-quality datasets containing retinal images on a large scale. The existing retinal image datasets are primarily gathered for medical applications and typically consist of a maximum of several thousand retinal samples. while these data can be considered a great asset for advancing medical purpose applications, they do not fulfil the biometric application requirements.\r\nThe objective of this project is to exploit the benefits of Self-supervised Learning approaches to train a deep neural network based retinal biometric recognition system using the existing retinal image datasets.\r\n\r\nknowledge extracted using these techniques needs to be evaluated based on ISO\/IEC 24745 standards for biometric template protection schemes to evaluate irreversibility and unlinkability of the extracted retinal biometric templates by the self-supervised feature extractor.\r\n\r\nThe candidate should have a strong mathematics and computing background including competence in linear algebra, calculus, engineering mathematics, and statistics. They should be capable of programming in Python and working with supercomputing platforms. There are no ethical issues associated with this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461106 semi- and unsupervised learning (25%), 461101 adversarial machine learning (25%), 460304 computer vision (25%), 460403 data security and protection (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Huong Ha, School of Computing Technologies ","title":"Some Foundations and Applications of Optimisation and Control Theory","description":"This project delves into the fundamental principles and diverse applications of optimisation and control theory which constitute the cornerstone of modern engineering and research.\r\n\r\nThe foundational aspect of this project revolves around a comprehensive exploration of optimisation theory, encompassing convex and non-convex optimisation, linear and nonlinear programming, as well as the mathematical underpinnings of optimisation algorithms. The study will also delve into control theory, examining its various branches, including classical, robust, and adaptive control, and their applications in system dynamics and stability analysis.\r\n\r\nIn the realm of applications, this project seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice, demonstrating the utility of optimisation and control theory across a diverse array of domains. Key application areas include engineering systems, healthcare, machine learning and data science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Andrew Eberhard","title":"Interior-Point Methods and Applications","description":"Interior-point methods (IPMs) have emerged as powerful tools for solving optimisation problems, ranging from linear and quadratic programming to semidefinite and nonlinear programming. This research aims to advance the understanding of IPMs by investigating their underlying mathematical foundations, algorithmic intricacies, and computational efficiency.\r\n\r\nThe project comprises two main thrusts: theoretical developments and real-world applications. The theoretical aspect involves a rigorous examination of convergence properties, complexity analysis, and sensitivity analysis of IPMs. By refining the theoretical framework, this research seeks to provide deeper insights into the inner workings of IPMs and contribute to their robustness and versatility.\r\n\r\nIn parallel, the project explores the practical aspect of IPMs across diverse fields such as engineering and data science. Real-world applications include portfolio optimisation, image reconstruction and power system optimisation. By tailoring and adapting IPMs to suit specific problem domains, this research aims to demonstrate their effectiveness and efficiency in solving large-scale optimisation challenges.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Andrew Eberhard","title":"Develop and Analyse Splitting Algorithms for Structured Inclusions and Optimisation Problems","description":"Methods for complex optimisation problems are mostly developed based on gradient descent steps, which are simple for implementation and scalability. Yet they often require a good starting point and correcting issues that appear along the optimisation process. An increasingly popular approach is the class of splitting methods which split complex problems into a series of simpler subproblems in order to exploit both visible and hidden structures. This project aims to develop and analyse splitting algorithms for structured inclusions and optimisation problems with applications to machine learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Andrew Eberhard","title":"Optimisation methods for machine learning","description":"Since conceptualised, mathematical optimisation has always been an effective tool in problem-solving and decision-making processes. Many real-life problems can be treated as optimisation problems, requiring the best solution among a set of possible ones. In the current era of big data, the explosion in size and complexity of datasets has greatly influenced the focus of optimisation research. However, existing methods and theories for large-scale problems have not yet taken full advantages of specific structures and hence, faced major difficulties in handling increasingly massive and distributed datasets. This work provides a deep understanding of structures of optimisation problems and complexity analysis of numerical algorithms in order to explore the frontier of research in big data optimisation and machine learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Stephen Davis, Simon Johnstone-Robertson","title":"Extreme Seasonal Spatio-Temporal Variation and the Ecology of Wildlife Disease","description":"Many human infections are zoonoses and the ecology of infectious disease in wildlife is often poorly understood. This is particularly true for host populations that exhibit extreme spatio-temporal variation triggered by seasonal events connected with breeding or the sudden appearance of attractive food sources. Two important examples of this in Australia are Common Carp potentially carrying Cyprinid herpes virus 3 and Little Red Flying Foxes potentially carrying Hendra virus. In both cases there are dramatic aggregation events that coincide with seasonal events. This project will explore the interaction between pathogen characteristics and extreme variability in the abundance and distribution of the host population with the broad purpose to improve the scientific basis for managing wildlife disease.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490102 Biological Mathematics (50%)\r\n420205 Epidemiological Modelling (30%)\r\n300503 Fish pests and diseases (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Andrew Eberhard, Alex Kruger, Geetika Verma, Thao Nguyen Hieu","title":"Regularity structures for first-order optimization methods and applications in imaging problems in industry 4.0. ","description":"Qualitative and quantitative understanding of complicated physical systems is at the core of every development of modern technology. Mathematical foundations of computational optimization tools play the key role in the analysis. The last few decades have witnessed an explosion of first-order methods for solving nonconvex optimization problems arising from various practical fields. Recent literature has indicated a huge potential of the metric regularity property and its siblings in analysing convergence and complexity of first-order methods. Meticulous investigation of regularity structures with the target of improving understanding of convergence behavior of expansive fixed-point algorithms will be the first research avenue. The expected findings would include sharper analysis tools for extending the convergence theory beyond the traditional framework of convexity and monotonicity. The project also targets more delicate characterizations of regularity notions which will allow researchers to challenge open problems in optimization theory. Further applications and improvement of the convergence analysis will be another research avenue of the project. The prospective outcomes of this research direction would further bridge the gap between what can be explained by the convergence theory and what is often observed in practice. The research is driven by practical problems arising in imaging, including machine learning algorithms for computer vision systems in autonomous production lines. The new research findings in Variational analysis and optimization methods will be applied to a wide range of real-world problems in imaging science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"010303 Optimisation\r\n0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing\r\n010203 Calculus of Variations, Systems Theory and Control Theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Associate Prof. Mali Abdollahian, Dr Sona Taheri, Dr Laleh Tavakoli","title":"Reducing Newborn mortality rate by identifying and modeling its Key Performance Indicators","description":"The World Health Organisation WHO has estimated that 4 million newborns die before reaching 4 weeks old, of which more than 95% of these deaths occur in developing countries. Birth weight is one of the most important indicators of neonatal survival. Birth weight is associated with several maternal and neonatal characteristics. A reliable estimate of fetal weight at different stages of pregnancy and identifying the most significant variables associated with it would facilitate intervention plans for medical practitioners to prevent the risk of low-birth-weight delivery.   The outcome of the proposed research would provide a useful administrative and scientific guideline for the expansion of the health services programs and for the effective distribution of limited government resources in rural areas, including an analysis of where further aid investments should be allocated to reduce the newborn mortality rate. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490501 Applied statistics (50%) ; 490503 Computational statistics (25%) ; 460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Minh Dao","title":"Distributed Optimisation with Applications to Federated Learning","description":"The rise of widely available and on-demand cloud computing platforms has provided an easily accessible and cost-effective model for distributed computation. However, most existing distributed optimisation algorithms essentially rely on adapting classical non-distributed algorithms into the realm of distributed optimisation. This project aims to develop, analyse and deploy new algorithms for distributed asynchronous optimisation that do not require a central coordinator to aggregate information from individual devices. The theoretical foundations for these algorithms will be base on an abstract framework provided by monotone operator theory. This approach allows for a unified treatment of algorithms across a wide range of problems including minimisation problems, saddle-point problems and variational inequalities. The newly developed algorithms will be applied to large-scale optimisation problems arising in federated learning.\r\n\r\nThe PhD student will work under the supervision of Dr Minh N. Dao (RMIT) and Dr Matthew K. Tam (UniMelb) within the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project \"Distributed Optimisation without Central Coordination\". The candidate will preferably have experience with at least one of the following areas: continuous optimisation, distributed optimisation, monotone operator splitting, non-smooth and variational analysis, or federated learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490108 Operations Research (60%)\r\n490304 Optimisation (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Hudson, Laleh Takakori, Marie Keatley","title":"Modelling complex time series using machine learning and time series probabilistic models: applications to surveillance and tracking. ","description":"Hybrid machine learning and time series methods will be developed to estimate and forecast the effects of climate change, for example droughts, and likewise for assessment of efficacy of health interventions, whether clinical, or public health such as pandemic surveillance. The methods will be applied to surveillance and large data with respect to (i) phenology (mapping natural species) or (ii) health state systems and time to events of disease etc. Comparison will be made to Bayesian methods for complex time series analysis and aggregation of effects.\r\n \r\nRecently initial work using Hidden Markov models (HMMs) have shown promise in relationship to modelling first flowering day (FFD) with respect to climate for species in Australia (PhenoArc, Climate Watch, Hudson & Keatley (2018, 2010), Keatley, Richards, Hudson (2022) @Phenology 2022). The focus of this project will be initially on developing hybrid Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) and creating and testing a phenological index.\r\n \r\nHMMs have had wide application to date in life sciences, finance, clinical science and in speech recognition.  We intend to align our approach with machine learning and Gaussian processes, to accommodate missing and often irregular time intervals and trajectories. The approach of this work is linking a probabilistic model and hybrid systems for feature selection to identify subgroups of species or individuals particularly at risk for exposure to climate and or infection.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n \r\nGerst KL, Crimmins TM, Posthumus EE, Rosemartin AH, Schwartz MD. How well do the spring indices predict phenological activity across plant species? Int J Biometeorol. 2020 May; 64(5):889-901.\r\n\r\nHudson IL, Keatley MR (eds) (2010) Phenological research: methods for environmental and climate change analysis. Springer, Dordrecht\r\n \r\nSaxena, K.G., Rao, K.S. (2020). Climate Change and Vegetation Phenology. In: Tandon, R., Shivanna, K., Koul, M. (eds) Reproductive Ecology of Flowering Plants: Patterns and Processes. Pp 25-39 Springer, Singapore.\r\n\r\nVotsi I, Limnios N, Tsaklidis G, Papadimitriou E (2014) Hidden semi-Markov modeling for the estimation of earthquake occurrence rates. Commun Stat Theory Methods 43(7):1484\u20131502\r\n \r\nYip CF, Ng WL, Yau CY (2018) A hidden Markov model for earthquake prediction. Stoch Environ Res Risk Assess 32(5):1415\u20131434\r\n \r\nZhang M, Jiang X, Fang Z, Zeng Y, Xu K (2019) High-order Hidden Markov Model for trend prediction in financial time series. Physica A Stat Mech Appl 517:1\u201312 ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 Statistical Theory\r\n490508 Statistical Data  Science\r\n490501  Applied Statistics"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Hudson","title":"Machine Learning (ML) and Deep learning (DL)  Augmented Causal Inference  (CI) - applications to image analysis, disease processes, data  linkage and  electronic health  records","description":"Causal inference (CI) [1] has been an attractive research topic for over 2 decades allowing an effective way to uncover causal relationships in real-world problems. There is a worldwide explosion in the volume and types of data available to support outcomes research, health economics, and epidemiology. Machine learning now brings renewed vitality to CI, also new ideas in CI area promise to promote new advancements in ML. \r\n\r\nML methods have traditionally been used for classification and prediction, not causal inference, even though prediction capabilities of ML are hugely accepted. It is noteworthy that machine learning for causal inference is still evolving [2]. For example, in natural language processing recently, researchers have paid increasing attention to enhance natural language processing tasks with causal inference. De-confounded lexical feature learning [3] aims at learning the lexical features that are predictive to a set of target variables yet uncorrelated to a set of confounding variables.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nPredictive analytics are rapidly being upgraded using machine learning methods to take advantage of this opportunity. But we are still left with the question of drawing causal inference from observational data. Can machine learning help? Minimally ML would be an effective for hypothesis generation, as ML core strength of identifying correlational structures in observational data. Whilst once identified, these structures can be tested with usual causal modelling approaches [4]. The current frontier remaining however is using machine learning (deep learning) to estimate causal models directly [5].\r\n\r\nThis project aims to find novel frameworks by which to strengthen use of DL with CI and vice versa i.e., strengthen use of Dl with CI and vice versa with applications to stochastic processes (COVID-19, diseases) and big data such as  electronic health records (ehRs) [6] and data linkage frameworks.\r\n\r\n\r\n[1] Guido Imbens and Donald Rubin. 2015. Causal Inference for Statistics, Social and Biomedical Sciences: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom\r\n\r\n[2] Pearl J, (2019) The seven tools of causal inference, with reflections on machine learning. Communications of the Association Computing Machinery, 62(30) pp 54\u201360 https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3241036\r\n\r\n[3] Reid Pryzant, Kelly Shen, Dan Jurafsky, and Stefan Wagner. 2018. Deconfounded lexicon induction for interpretable social science. In 2018 Conf of the North American Chapter of the Assocn for Computational Linguistics: Human Language Technologies, Volume 1 (Long Papers). 1615\u20131625.\r\n\r\n[4] M. Petersen, M. van der Laan Causal models and learning from data: integrating causal modeling and statistical estimation Epidemiology, 25 (3) (2014), pp. 418-426\r\n\r\n[5] M. Schuler, S. Rose Targeted maximum likelihood estimation for causal inference in observational studies Am J Epidemiol, 185 (1) (2017), pp. 65-73.\r\n\r\n[6] Sarwar, T, ... Hudson IL... Cavedon L.  (2022) The Secondary Use of Electronic Health Records for Data Mining: Data Characteristics and Challenges. ACM Computing Surveys Volume 55 Issue 2 March 2023 Article No.: 33pp 1\u201340 https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3490234.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning\n490508 Statistical Data science \n490501 Applied  Statistics"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Davis, Nitin Mantri","title":"Analysis of gene co-expression networks using local measures of dissimilarity","description":"Sequencing genetic material is one thing, interpreting it and understanding the role that each gene plays is quite another. A gene co-expression network is a simple, undirected graph, where each node corresponds to a gene and edges between pairs of nodes indicate a significant co-expression relationship [1]. Such networks are constructed from gene expression profiles generated from samples of biological material collected over time or under different experimental conditions. Edges in a gene co-expression network are formed by looking for pairs of genes which show a similar expression pattern across samples, i.e. the transcript levels of two co-expressed genes rise and fall together across samples.\rThis project will explore the use of local graph dissimilarity measures as a technique to identify where in the genome of a plant species two different strains of the plant diverge. Areas of high dissimilarity in the co-expression networks of strains of plant with different properties may provide biological insight because differences in co-expression networks translate into differences in sets of genes controlled by the same transcriptional regulatory program, or that are functionally related, or that are members of the same pathway or protein complex [1].\rThe project will use RNA-sequencing data from the laboratory of Associate Professor Nitin Mantri and will aim to assist in the understanding of (i) drought-resistance in chick-pea plants, and (ii) efficacy of medical marijuana for pain management in cancer patients [2]. In the case of chick-pea plants, the possible impact of the project is that it will allow researchers to compare the genetics of drought-resistant strains of chick-pea with sensitive strains to nail down the genetic differences and eventually improve food security in India. In the case of medical marijuana, the possible impact would be an improved understanding of how cannabis plants help cancer patients manage their pain and hence improve their treatment. References:\r[1] Weirauch, M.T., 2011. Gene coexpression networks for the analysis of DNA microarray data. Applied statistics for network biology: methods in systems biology, 1, pp.215-250.\r[2] Kramer, J.L., 2015. Medical marijuana for cancer. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 65(2), pp.109-122.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"010202 - Biological Mathematics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alice Johnstone, Bobbi Fleiss, HBS","title":"Bioinformatics analyses of tertiary phase glial in preterm brain injury","description":"Permanent brain injury in babies can result from exposure to an inflammatory insult combined with being born preterm (<37 of 40 weeks\u2019 gestation). Over their lifetime, these infants\u202ffrequently\u202fstruggle in academic and social settings due to cognitive and social deficits linked to their brain injuries. It is known that the cellular reactivity, termed the\u202ftertiary phase of injury\u202fpersists into childhood and adolescence after early brain injury and is also\u202fobserved\u202fafter multiple other forms of brain injury. These changes involve dysfunction of astrocytes and microglia and they sensitise the brain to further injury. By\u202fidentifying\u202fthese changes creates opportunities for novel therapeutic development.\u202fThis project will add to this field of research by\u202fidentifying\u202fthe signature of injury in a mouse model of preterm inflammatory brain injury. The student will be involved in isolation of glia from our mouse model of inflammatory preterm brain injury for the bioinformatic analyses of novel RNA-seq data for cell-specific, temporal and spatial transcriptomic changes. The integration of existing data and network exploration for pathway involvement in known pathways of cell function regulation will be key in\u202fidentifying\u202fthe nature of the changes. The identified glial signature will be validated at gene and protein levels in the lab to confirm and\u202fvalidate\u202ffindings.\u202f The preferred PhD candidate will have completed an Honours or\u202fMasters in bioinformatics, biostatistics, molecular biology, computer science, or a related discipline, and have a keen interest in neurobiology and development.\u202fThey will work closely with Dr Alice Johnstone, supported by Dr Fleiss and the laboratory technician.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310208: Translational & Applied Bioinformatics (60%) ; \r\n111403 Paediatrics (20%) ; \r\n110903 Central Nervous System (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Parham Moradi and Mahdi Jalili","title":"Temporal Attributed Network Clustering","description":"Despite the temporal-attributed nature of many real-world systems\r\nlike social and biological, and thus the applicability of temporal communities,\r\nvery few methods have been suggested for the Temporal Attributed Network\r\nClustering (TANC) problem due to its difficulty in extracting the vital information from temporal heterogeneous information, including structural connectivity,\r\nattribute similarities, evolution, and co-evolution processes. Therefore, in\r\nthis research, our goals are to develop and adapt popular machine learning techniques like Spectral, NMF, and deep learning to overcome the shortcoming of\r\nexisting methods and also open new paths for researchers in the TANC problem\r\nby introducing and solving new concepts and challenges like interdependency\r\nof heterogeneous information, interpretability of temporal communities in different\r\napplications, and space complexity in TANC problem. We will perform several experiments by suggesting appropriate evaluation metrics and gathering data sets from real-world systems to show the superiority of our models.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490508 Statistical Data science (40%)\r\n461199 machine learning (30%)\r\n400604 Network engineering (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori","title":"Systemic risk analysis in financial sectors using machine learning algorithms and statistical methods","description":"Recommender systems are designed to offer users a personalized set of recommendations or items based on their historical behavior on a given service. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship between the customer and the service, with the service's goal being to maximize user satisfaction and, in turn, revenue and customer retention. To enhance the predictive capabilities of marketing campaigns, we can employ machine learning, deep learning algorithms, and statistical models that are trained using historical customer data. Additionally, we may incorporate credit risk variables and employ more sophisticated product recognition strategies tailored to each customer, enabling us to identify the ideal customers for loan prospecting.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"490508 Statistical data science\r\n490501 Applied statistics\r\n490509 Statistical theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alice Johnstone","title":"Classification and Feature Selection for High Dimensional Biological Data","description":"The improvement of technology used in molecular biology creates an increasing amount of data. The purpose of which is to identify biomarkers, or features, related to the tissue, disease, or comparison of interest. However, classical methods were constructed for experiments where the number of observations (n) exceeds the number of features (p) under investigation. In molecular biology either due to the cost of methodology or ethical considerations in animal studies, typical experiments have a small number of n as biological replicates, where p can extend from tens of thousands through to millions of features under investigation. This project aims to explore and contrast different approaches for efficiency and accuracy of both classification and feature selection. Ensemble approaches will be created through a variety of combinations of multivariate statistics, machine learning and optimisation methods. Through the use of publicly available data, these approaches will be compared to current methodologies by evaluating models for accuracy and efficiency to determine appropriate recommendations for classification and feature selection. The preferred PhD candidate will have completed an Honours or Masters in statistics, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related discipline, and have a keen interest in molecular biology.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"310201 Bioinformatics method development (40%); 461199 Machine Learning (not otherwise specified) (30%) ; 490304 Optimisation (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori","title":"Evaluating the impacts of weather extremes on agricultural production","description":"The evaluation of the impacts of weather extremes on agricultural production, particularly with regard to wheat yield, is a significant concern for ensuring food security. However, given the complex multivariate structure within and between rare events, the identification of an accurate model for the risk associated with spatio-temporal structures of extreme atmospheric variables such as heavy rainfall, floods, and bushfires, poses a statistical challenge. One approach to addressing such extremes and dependence in space and time involves the use of multivariate regular variation processes. This project employs advanced statistical models to analyze the dependency structure of systemic weather risk, which can aid agricultural policymakers and financial managers in assessing potential risks. Furthermore, this study utilizes recent copula-based statistical models in the literature to forecast wheat yields for the upcoming years under various climate change scenarios. The findings of this research could be utilized to develop policies aimed at mitigating the impact of extreme weather events on the agricultural industry and to provide agricultural policymakers and financial managers with the information necessary to understand the potential risks.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490508 Statistical data science\r\n490501 Applied statistics\r\n490509 Statistical theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haydar Demirhan","title":"Fuzzy Approaches to the Regression Problem","description":"Regression tasks aim to explain the system that generates a dataset of interest through a dependent and a set of independent features or variables. The outputs of regression models are used for estimation and prediction tasks in a wide range of applied fields. However, the regression models depend on multiple assumptions that need to be satisfied to get reliable predictions. In that sense, they are always open to advancement to deal with the violations of regression assumptions. \r\n\r\nFuzzy approaches are based on transforming crisp numbers into fuzzy numbers, processing the fuzzy numbers using their membership values and defuzzifying the outputs into crisp numbers. Fuzzy regression approaches are based on the fuzzification of inputs, fitting models on fuzzy numbers and then producing crips numbers for predictions. Fuzzy regression models are applied in many fields such as solar and wind energy generation, wildfire event probability prediction, valuation of real estates, etc. \r\n\r\nIn this project, fuzzy regression methods will be explored, their advantages, disadvantages and performances will be assessed, and the development of robust fuzzy regression models will be considered. Opportunities for the development of fuzzy Bayesian regression approaches will be explored. The developed methodologies will be deployed for applications to renewable energy generation and climate change datasets.\r\n\r\nSince this project requires intense coding to implement considered methods, the candidate needs to have strong programming skills. In this sense, strong knowledge of R, MATLAB and\/or Python is required. Also, knowledge of machine learning methods and statistical methods is essential.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490501\tApplied statistics \r\n460204\tFuzzy computation\r\n461199\tMachine learning not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Baglin, Minyi Li, School of Computing Technologies","title":"Graphical Perception of a Dynamic Layered Grammar of Graphics","description":"Wickham\u2019s (2010) layered grammar of graphics, which built upon the original grammar of graphics by Wilkinson (2005), helped to reveal the underlying structure and connectedness among common statistical graphs. However, this original work did not extend to the use of interactive graphics, which Wickham identified as an important area of research. Interactive data visualisation allows users to select, explore, reconfigure, encode, abstract\/elaborate, filter and connect statistical graphics (Yi et al., 2007). Satyanarayan et al.\u2019s (2017) development of Vega-Lite was one of the first attempts to deal with extending the grammar to interactive graphs. Nonetheless, this work was \u201cheavily influenced\u201d by but not a true extension of the layered grammar for graphics. This research will aim to develop a \u201cdynamic layered grammar of graphics\u201d and evaluate how well it can explain mainstream interactive data visualisation. Furthermore, empirical research focused on the graphical perception of dynamic graphs has lagged behind the rapid development of technology used to implement it. As Cleveland (1994) reminds, \u201ca graphical method is successful only if the decoding process is effective\u201d (p. 20). Accordingly, this research will also develop and implement an experimental framework for testing graphical perception of dynamic graphics. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490599\tStatistics not elsewhere classified (50%)\r\n490501\tApplied statistics (25%)\r\n460807\tInformation visualisation (25%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri","title":"Optimisation models for home care","description":"Since the wide outbreaks of COVID-19, home care became critical for patients in need of health professionals, for elderly people and people living with disabilities to receive the services and help they need in a timely and safe manner. This project focuses on optimisation approaches to better plan home care arrangements including the routing of carers and scheduling of visits. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. The outcome of this project will enable providers of home care services to help more people with their limited resources and improve the quality of life who depend on these services.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108\tOperations research (80%)\r\n490304\tOptimisation (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri","title":"Optimisation models for the building industry","description":"Globally the building industry is having a challenging time due to the limited availability of resources and talent to build new housing, repair and service existing housing stock. This project focuses on optimisation approaches to better manage repair and service of existing housing stock using the very limited availability of tradespeople. This is a very complex problem including the project management of such activities taking precedence relationships, together with routing of the tradespeople and scheduling of visits. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. As a result of this project, the repair and service providers will be able to help more people in a timely manner with their limited resources and improve the lifetime of housing stock.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108        Operations research (80%)\n490304        Optimisation (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri, Karin Reinke","title":"Optimisation models for wildfire preparation","description":"Wildfires are becoming more frequent with climate change, and we need to be better prepared to minimise their impact on our lives and the environment. This project focuses on using optimisation approaches to prepare the landscape by minimising fuel, and its connectedness to contain or at least slow down the progress of wildfires. While doing so we have to be mindful of the environmental requirements as wildfires are an important part of the natural vegetation cycle. Prescribed burns also impact habitats that are critical for many threatened species, and these has to be planned very carefully taking biodiversity considerations into account. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. The results of this project will allow decision makers to make informed decisions to better utilise their limited resources to prepare for wildfires and achieve better outcomes for us and the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108\tOperations research (80%)\r\n490304\tOptimisation (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri","title":"Optimisation models for wildfire response","description":"Wildfires are becoming more frequent with climate change, and we need to be better prepared to minimise their impact on our lives. This project focuses on optimisation approaches to respond to an out-of-control wildfire to minimise its impact on human lives and infrastructure. An example of this is the Asset Protection Problem (APP), where the assets identified as critical are serviced right before the impact of fire to minimise the potential damage of the fire front going through. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. As a result of this project, decision makers will be able to respond in a more efficient manner to minimise the impact of wildfires.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108\tOperations research (80%)\r\n490304\tOptimisation (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"MR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joanne Hall, Kerri Morgan, Matt Skerritt","title":"Radio Mean Labelling of connected graphs for modelling telecommunication interference","description":"Telecommunication networks can be modelled as weighted graphs with nodes representing transmission channels and edges representing signals.  The Radio Mean Labelling of a graph represents the minimum signal strength that is needed in the telecommunication network to enable communication without interference \r\n\r\nThe radio mean labelling has applications in channel assignment for radio transmission and is used as a means of reducing interference between signals of transmitters that are geographically close.  This proposed research investigates the radio mean labelling of families of graphs that model telecommunication networks.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490404, Combinatorics and discrete mathematics (excl. physical combinatorics) 80%\r\n400608 Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave) 20%\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alice Johnstone","title":"Enhancing the biological signal from high dimensional single-cell transcriptomic data","description":"Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as an innovative method, with the potential to investigate biological heterogeneity at the cellular level, enhancing our understanding of immunity and disease. Due to technological limitations and biological variability, scRNA-seq data can be more complicated to identify biological signal from noise. As a result, despite the abundance of bioinformatics tools, robust methods for pre-processing and batch corrections are needed to ensure accuracy and reproducibility. To enable this the development of comprehensive benchmarking procedures to compare and evaluate methodologies and algorithms for data analyses pipelines is essential to make informed recommendations. This project will add to the field of bioinformatics by exploring batch-effect correction through both optimization and statistical approaches. This will include optimization of the objective function for batch effect using weighted K-means clustering with a particular focus on weights modification. Other algorithms including Fuzzy C-means clustering, regression approaches and machine learning will also be evaluated. In addition, this study will develop novel approaches to dimensionality reduction, through modification and adaptation of existing methods such as Principal Component Analyses, UMAP and t-SNE to develop more appropriate clustering mechanisms for scRNA-seq data. Finally, to improve the ability to make accurate comparisons of different methodological approaches, a benchmarking system for scRNA-seq data will also be established. Through the development and enhancement of computational models for scRNA-seq data this project aims to improve the ability to elucidate meaningful biological signals from high-dimensional data to enhance our understanding of disease and provide capability for personalized medicine.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"310201 Bioinformatic methods development (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Griffin","title":"Trustworthy Spatial Information (Multiple candidates)","description":"Spatial data is now mainstream. From public media to public policy, increasing availability of open source data and a plethora of platforms like Google, has made it (too) easy for everyone to\nharness spatial data to communicate and analyse the siting and distribution of almost any phenomena. This PhD topic is broadly interested in the use \u2013 and abuse \u2013 of spatial data, and how we might enable the production and presentation of more trustworthy spatial\ninformation. This topic can be applied in range of domains to enable and enhance science communication, e.g. land and property, environmental data, public health, gender, etc., and is expected to constitute a socio-technical investigation. The focus of the\nresearch can include investigating trustworthiness of the information itself and\/or representations of that information (i.e., visual tools like maps and other information graphics). Potential PhD students are expected to have relevant experience in the domains\nthey intend to work in and have some experience of both qualitative and quantitative research methods and an interest in pursuing research that integrates social and technical epistemologies.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (30%) ; 401301 Cartography and digital mapping (30%) ; 460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Composite Designs for Response Surface Methodology and Multiple Responses","description":"Efficient designs for response surface methodology have a broad application area from food science [1] to chromatography [2] and robotics [3]. A lot of these practical applications requires the modelling of processes with multiple inputs and outputs. The traditional design matrices are no longer the best option as their application in such cases would be either infeasible or extremely costly. The aim of this project is to investigate such situations, to develop new statistical methodology and to generate efficient design matrices for experiments qualified to collect useful data in a feasible and inexpensive way. This new approach will consider prior knowledge on the relationships between the input controllable factors and the output response variables. The mathematical and statistical properties on the resulting new designs matrices are to be investigated and their optimality under the given prior information is to be proved. The project also aims to design and develop the needed algorithms and implement them using the R language. All the mathematical and statistical tools that will be established in this project, as well as any new algorithms and any derived software, will be available to the research community. References:\r[1] https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/312317410_Applications_of_Respons_Surface_Methodology_in_the_Food_Industry_Processes\r[2] https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/24083458_A_Bayesian_Approach_for_Multiple_Response_Surface_Optimization_in_the_Presence_of_Noise_Variables\r[3] https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/226123694_Optimal_robot_placement_using_response_surface_method","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/02\/2022","ecp":"ISE 1 Data and Sensors;","forcodes":"490509 Statistical Theory (60%)\r490599 Experimental Designs and Bayesian Statistics (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arathi Arakala, Amy Corman, Asha Rao","title":"Enhancing Zero-Knowledge Server Functionality","description":"A zero knowledge server is one where data can be stored, operated on and processed without the need for decryption. Algorithms to build efficient zero knowledge servers for all the computational capabilities necessary for stored data, remain an open problem.\rMethods exist for searching both symmetrically [1,3], asymmetrically [2], and fully homomorphically encrypted [4] data without needing to decrypt the data first. Each of these methods has its own limitations in terms of efficiency, types of search query possible and levels of information leakage not consistent with a zero-knowledge server. This project aims to develop novel mathematical techniques to build zero knowledge search, update and computation capabilities for servers. The candidate should have a strong mathematics and computing background including competence in abstract algebra, number theory, cryptography and computational mathematics. They should be capable of programming in R or Python and working with supercomputing platforms. There are no ethical issues associated with this project.\rReferences:\r[1] D. X. Song, et al, \"Practical techniques for searches on encrypted data,\" Proceeding ISSP 2000, pp. 44-55.\r[2] Boneh, D., et al, Public Key Encryption with Keyword Search. EUROCRYPT 2004. LNCS, vol. 3027, pp. 506\u2013522. Springer, Heidelberg (2004)\r[3] Kamara S.,et al Structured Encryption and Leakage Suppression. Advances in Cryptology, LNCS, vol 10991. Springer, Cham. (2018)\r[4] Yousuf H., et al Systematic Review on Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme and Its Application. Recent Advances in Intelligent Systems and Smart Applications. vol 295. Springer, Cham. (2021)","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2022","ecp":"ISE 4 Cyber Security;SC 3 Transformations in digital society and economy;","forcodes":"460401 Cryptography (60%)\n460403 Data Security and Protection (20%)\n490401 Algebra and Number Theory (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haydar Demirhan","title":"Fuzzy Approaches to the Classification Problem","description":"Classification is one of the crucial topics in both machine learning and statistical modelling. In this project, the focus will be on unsupervised learning for clustering. Practical application areas of clustering range from health management to detection of spam emails or fraud transactions. Fuzzy approaches are based on transforming crisp numbers into fuzzy numbers, processing the fuzzy numbers using their membership values and defuzzifying the outputs into crisp numbers. In fuzzy clustering, the clustering is being done over fuzzy sets. The most basic fuzzy clustering method is fuzzy c-means clustering, proposed by Bezdek (1984). Other probabilistic and possibilistic clustering methods have also been proposed in the literature. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of implementation and clustering performance. In this project, fuzzy clustering methods will be explored, their advantages, disadvantages and performances will be assessed, and the development of robust fuzzy clustering approaches will be considered. Since this project requires intense coding to implement considered methods, the candidate needs to have strong programming skills. In this sense, strong knowledge of R, MATLAB and Python is required. Also, some knowledge of machine learning methods is required.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"490501 Applied Statistics (50%)\n490508 Statistical Data Science (25%)\n490503 Computational Statistics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Mali Abdollahian","title":"Analysis of extreme precipitation events using machine learning approach and time series techniques","description":"In recent years, extreme precipitation events have increased in frequency, resulting in significant economic and societal costs. Utilizing accurate precipitation data with high spatial-temporal resolution is advantageous for monitoring, analyzing, and identifying extreme precipitation events accurately. The advent of satellite precipitation products has provided researchers with unprecedented opportunities to estimate precipitation globally and with near real-time temporal resolution. However, satellite precipitation estimates may contain considerable systematic and random errors when compared to high-accuracy gauge precipitation observations. Consequently, this study aims to develop novel models of satellite-based estimates using machine learning algorithms to investigate the spatiotemporal changes in the magnitude and frequency of extreme precipitation events. Ultimately, this research will provide valuable insights to decision-makers and researchers in climate and hydrology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490508 Statistical data science (45%)\r\n380205 Time series analysis (30%)\r\n490501 Applied statistics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh tafakori and Mali Abdollahain","title":"Improving Software Reliability Predictions by Incorporating Learning Effects ","description":"In recent decades, the reliance on computer systems has significantly increased in our daily lives, and their presence has become pervasive. The failure of software systems, whether in routine applications or in critical ones, may result in significant consequences such as financial loss or even loss of human life. To ensure reliable software for real-world applications, the testing process is an essential step to detect and correct errors in the software product, thereby enhancing its reliability. In the case of safety-critical systems, high-reliability requirements are necessary, and specialized approaches have been developed to achieve this objective.\r\nSoftware reliability is a quantitative measure of software quality, and software reliability growth models (SRGMs) are commonly used to assess the reliability of software based on data obtained from the testing phase. These models are widely applied in various fields, including banking, telecommunications, military, embedded systems, and industrial systems. To enhance the accuracy of software reliability models, researchers have proposed several modifications to the assumptions underlying SRGMs. By including realistic assumptions or factors, these models can better describe the software behavior and failure process under different testing conditions.\r\nOne such modification is the incorporation of the learning effect, which arises from the testing staff's experience in identifying prior faults in the software during the testing phase. In this project, we aim to leverage the learning effect perspective to develop a more accurate model of software failure behavior. Specifically, we will use the two-parameter Lindley distribution to better model the learning effect and improve the accuracy of the software reliability model.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"  490501 Applied Statistics\r\n 490509 Statistical theory\r\n 490508 Statistical data science\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingeborg Koch, Sona Taheri","title":"Black-box Optimization for Hyperparameter Tuning and Feature Selection ","description":"Hyperparameter optimization is the problem of selecting a set of optimal hyperparameters for a learning algorithm. Hyperparameter optimization poses a substantial challenge in machine learning and finding the right combination of hyperparameter values is a key task in the learning process. Feature selection is the process of selecting a small subset of relevant features while still constructing learning models with sufficient or even optimal performance. Combining hyperparameter optimization and feature selection tasks is beneficial in learning process as optimizing over the combined spaces of hyperparameters and feature subsets allows exploring the joint spaces simultaneously, consequently computationally efficient. In addition, the optimal choice of hyperparameter configuration can depend on the specific features that are included and vice-versa. Thus, joint optimization can maximize the performance of a learning approach in a reasonable amount of time. \nThis project aims to combine the hyperparameter optimization and feature selection tasks. The joint tasks will be considered as a higher-level optimization problem, where tuning the hyperparameters and selection of the features are the decision variables, and the objective is optimizing the performance of the learning approach. Since an explicit analytical model of this problem is not easy to define due to not having enough information about a functional relationship between input and output values, we propose to formulate and solve this as a black-box optimization problem. The evaluation and comparison of the proposed approach with other similar methods will be performed using some real-world data sets. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning (50%) ; 490304 Optimisation (30%) ; 490108 Operations research (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andy Eberhard, Sona Taheri","title":"Divide and conquer approaches in (mixed) integer programming","description":"There are several places in discrete optimisation where there have been developed heuristics that are motivated by the ideas from feasibility methods such as \"Feasibility Pump\" (FP). The FP splits feasibility and integrality and seek consensus and is used for finding good feasible solutions of a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MIP). This project intends to investigate the problem classes and models formulated in MIP context. Novel MIP algorithms will be introduced by incorporating the divide-and-conquer approach and the heuristics motivated by the feasibility methods. The algorithms will be applied to real-world applications such as vehicle routing problems.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (50%) ; 490108 Operations research (50%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Experimental Designs and Applications","description":"Experimental designs plays an important role in industrial applications, process and quality control. The aim of this project is to generate experimental designs that are efficient and provide solutions to study industrial applications. The mathematical models will be develop based on the constructed design matrices. These experimental designs will be compared and evaluated under a number of theoretical criteria. Such designs may include the classical fractional factorial designs or more advance designs for response surface methodologies, Latin hypercube designs and Definitive alternative designs.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 (75%) ; 490508 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Davis","title":"Global Sensitivity Analysis of Stochastic Models","description":"There is an increasing expectation that mathematical models published in the fields of ecology, population biology and epidemiology will be accompanied by global sensitivity analyses that attribute a share of the variation in model outcomes to uncertainty in individual model parameters. Indeed, a suite of modern methods to perform global sensitivity analyses has emerged over the last two decades. Global sensitivity analysis differs from local sensitivity analysis by considering how model outputs vary across a well-defined parameter space where all model parameters are varying at the same time, rather than considering how model outputs depend on variation in a single parameter while all other parameters are fixed. Global sensitivity analysis techniques typically assume that the model is deterministic such that model outputs are wholly determined by the parameter values given to the model, and if the same parameter values are used to run the model again it will give identical results. Many mathematical models though are stochastic in nature such that the model will predict a range of outcomes due to an inherent random process that has been included in the structural design of the model, and considered to be an important feature. This is a different source of variation in model outcomes, distinct from the uncertainty arising from estimating parameter values. The project will first consider using the default Sobols\u2019 indices for stochastic models and then consider other, more efficient, approaches that make use of Fourier series to improve convergence. It is unclear whether the more efficient techniques can incorporate stochasticity. The methods developed will be applied to scenarios where stochastic models are most useful, e.g. minimum viable populations for conservation, incursions of non-native species, the early stages of an epidemic, epidemic elimination (e.g. rabies, polio).","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/01\/2030","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"010202 - Biological Mathematics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"MR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Asha Rao,  Sona Taheri","title":"Enabling cybersecurity solutions via optimization-based artificial intelligence and machine learning","description":"Increased use of public cloud services, the growing number of users, the huge uptake of Internet of Things (IoT), etc. all create new threats for cyber security, leading to enormous losses both in terms of monetary as well as manpower and time. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two of the most disruptive technologies with the potential of addressing these problems. However, the majority of traditional network security tools using these technologies, are inefficient and inaccurate as they are unable to deal with the large-scale nature of the rapidly evolving, diverse attacks on cyber security. This is called the curse of high-dimensionality (of the data) \u2013 basically, the number of features that need to be accounted for quickly becomes impossible to address. One way of addressing the high dimensionality is via optimization. Nonsmooth optimization (NSO) formulation of AI and ML problems, leads to a significant reduction of the dimensions, allowing better and more efficient extraction of the essential knowledge from the huge volume of data and information received.  This project aims to use NSO to strengthen AI and ML approaches to cyber defence and cyber security by detecting and predicting the threats and anomalies accurately and efficiently.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"461199 Machine Learning (20%) ; 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%) ; 490304 Optimisation (25%) ; 460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yan Wang","title":"Dynamics Point Processes in Ecological Modelling","description":"The world is undergoing rapid environmental change, including global warming, shifting climates, eutrophication, habitat loss and fragmentation, and shifting disturbance regimes.\n \n Both the distribution and abundance of organisms, which are fundamental components of ecology, are being severely disrupted by the rapid acceleration of these changes. Understanding variation and change in where individuals of given species occur is crucial for making predictions about future states of species populations and ecological communities.\n \n The project will explore the application of dynamical point process models from probability theory to ecology so as to determine their applicability to problems of explaining and predicting variation and change in distribution and abundance of organisms. In order to achieve this goal, the project will adapt, improve and advance the established theory, and apply the theory to a series of datasets consisting of configurations of individuals in space and time. The project will also develop and disseminate software to fit models and evaluate their performance.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490510 Stochastic Analysis and Modelling (40%);\n 490509 - Statistical Theory (30%)\n 410401 Conservation and Biodiversity (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Davis","title":"The economic impact of ehrlichiosis in Australia and related interventions","description":"An emerging infectious disease called Ehrlichiosis has recently been detected in Australia (Commonwealth of Australia n.d.). The disease occurs in dogs after having been bitten by a brown dog tick infected with the bacteria Ehrlichiosis canis. An infected dog may experience a range of symptoms including, but not limited to, fever, weight loss, anaemia, and nosebleeds that require veterinary treatment. If left untreated infection can result in death (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2020). First detected in May 2020, the disease is now known to be established in the north of Western Australia and Northern Territory. It has also been detected in northern South Australia. The national Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases recently concluded that elimination is infeasible and so appropriate strategies for disease management need to be considered. This project will involve constructing mathematical models for the spread of Ehrlichiosis and the economic costs associated with its management. This will contribute to the preparedness of Australia to successfully manage the disease in areas it is already established, and to prevent or estimate the cost of it spreading into new areas.\n References\n Commonwealth of Australia n.d., Ehrlichiosis in dogs, Commonwealth of Australia, viewed 14 September 2021, < https:\/\/www.outbreak.gov.au\/current-responses-to-outbreaks\/ehrlichiosis-dogs>\n Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2020, Ehrlichiosis in dogs (Ehrlichia canis), Government of Western Australia, viewed 14 September 2021, <https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/ehrlichiosis>","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"010202 - Biological Mathematics (50%)\n 111706 - Epidemiology (25%)\n 140208 - Health Economics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Andrew Eberhard, Alex Kruger, Geetika Verma, Thao Nguyen Hieu","title":"Regularity structures for first-order optimization methods and applications in imaging problems in industry 4.0. ","description":"Qualitative and quantitative understanding of complicated physical systems is at the core of every development of modern technology. Mathematical foundations of computational optimization tools play the key role in the analysis. The last few decades have witnessed an explosion of first-order methods for solving nonconvex optimization problems arising from various practical fields. Recent literature has indicated a huge potential of the metric regularity property and its siblings in analysing convergence and complexity of first-order methods. Meticulous investigation of regularity structures with the target of improving understanding of convergence behavior of expansive fixed-point algorithms will be the first research avenue. The expected findings would include sharper analysis tools for extending the convergence theory beyond the traditional framework of convexity and monotonicity. The project also targets more delicate characterizations of regularity notions which will allow researchers to challenge open problems in optimization theory. Further applications and improvement of the convergence analysis will be another research avenue of the project. The prospective outcomes of this research direction would further bridge the gap between what can be explained by the convergence theory and what is often observed in practice. The research is driven by practical problems arising in imaging, including machine learning algorithms for computer vision systems in autonomous production lines. The new research findings in Variational analysis and optimization methods will be applied to a wide range of real-world problems in imaging science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"010303 Optimisation\r\n0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing\r\n010203 Calculus of Variations, Systems Theory and Control Theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dawei Su, ","title":"2D materials designed for understanding and developing photocatalytic hydron evolution reaction","description":"Photocatalysis for water splitting is an essential green way of generating pure hydrogen. The photocatalytic processes are pivotal for advancing clean energy solutions due to hydrogen's high energy density, abundance, and zero carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels.\nThis project will explore 2D materials (such as the g-C3N4) as the water photocatalysis fundamentals, focusing on the HER and current technologies. It then investigates 2D materials decorated with transition metal single atoms for their potential tunable photocatalytic performances, aiming to leverage their unique structures to develop efficient and sustainable energy solutions.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"091205 - Functional Materials 70%\n 401807 - Nanomaterials 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yichao Wang, Vipul Bansal","title":"Plant sensor for real-time monitoring plant health","description":"Each year, agriculture and forestry suffer significant economic losses of approximately $100 billion due to combined biotic and abiotic stresses. Climate change, global warming and the greenhouse effect exacerbate the adverse effects of these stresses. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately monitor and assess plant physiological status to conserve soil, water and nutrients, reduce the use of pesticides and increase crop yield.\n\nThe project aims to develop nanobionic sensors capable of detecting and monitoring plant stresses in a timely manner. These sensors will provide real-time insights into plant health and conditions, enabling early intervention to prevent stress-induced damage. Plants release signaling molecules for cell-to-cell communication, allowing them to recognize and respond to different stressors both inside and outside the plant body. These signaling molecules include chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The embedded nanosensors, either within plant tissues or on the surface in the form of tattoo sensors or wearable sensors, will detect plant stress by intercepting these signaling molecules and communicating with portable devices such as handheld thermal imaging cameras or Raman spectrometers.\n\nThe project will be conducted within RMIT\u2019s Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Facility, directed by Prof. Vipul Bansal. This facility specializes in functional nanomaterials and point-of-care nano-devices for biomedical and agricultural applications. The devices developed in the facility are inexpensive, simple to use, extremely sensitive and capable of providing accurate and instant diagnoses.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (40%)\n310607 - Nanobiotechnology        (30%)\n401605 - Functional Materials (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yichao Wang, Vipul Bansal","title":"Boosting plant photosynthesis using nano-bio interactions","description":"Plants form the primary biomass on the planet, however, their photosynthetic efficiencies and potential biomass yield are compromised because they utilise only a portion of incident solar radiation and also have relatively low electron transport rates (ETRs). For improving these efficiencies, the discovery of chlorophyll f, a new type of chlorophyll that absorbs light in the far IR range of the light spectrum has been groundbreaking. Inspired by this finding, many researchers have used genetic manipulation to overcome the challenge of light absorption deficiency. Nonetheless, this technique is complex and specific to certain species and not universally applicable to all plants.\n\nThis project will explore a novel plant nanobionics approach to enhance photosynthesis by improving light capture and ETRs using plasmonic intercalation compounds of selected low-dimensional transition metal oxides (TMOs). These TMOs are non-cytotoxic and biocompatible, making them environmentally friendly. The study will develop oxide compounds as artificial antennas to capture extended optical wavelengths unavailable to natural plants. Additionally, the energetic hot electrons excited by plasmonic materials and injected into the plant system will be investigated to achieve unprecedented energy conversion from solar to chemical. The expected outcomes will provide a strong foundation for developing new plant systems with enhanced photosynthetic efficiency.\n\nThe project will be conducted within RMIT\u2019s Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Facility, directed by Prof. Vipul Bansal. This facility specializes in functional nanomaterials and point-of-care nano-devices for biomedical and agricultural applications. The devices developed in the facility are inexpensive, simple to use, extremely sensitive and capable of providing accurate and instant diagnoses.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional Materials (40%)\n310607 - Nanobiotechnology        (30%)\n340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei, Peter C. Sherrell","title":"Development of Novel Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Novel Batteries and Supercapacitors","description":"Batteries (e.g. Lithium-ion batteries) with high energy and power density have been widely used in portable electric vehicles and electric power storage devices. However, there is a serious concern about the availability of lithium for large-scale applications due to the limit of lithium reserves in the earth. On this occasion, the eco-friendly batteries and supercapacitors such as sodium- or zinc-ion batteries operable at room temperature have become the focus in the field of energy and environment, owing to the low cost and natural abundance of sodium and zinc. Consequently, new nanomaterials for batteries and supercapacitors need to be developed urgently. One of the main issues is to increase the energy density, which can be achieved via tuning the reversible capacity and operating voltages.\n\nThis project will develop novel nanomaterials with the extremely high thermal stability and favourable electrical insulativity to improve the specific capacity and cycling stability as well as other properties of batteries and supercapacitors. The know-how developed for Li-ion homologues will be transferred to new batteries\u2019 systems to optimize the selection of compositions. Different synthesis routes will be used to enhance solid solution domains and master the microstructure. The electrochemical behavior of new materials will be evaluated, and the mechanisms will be investigated through several techniques in the labs and in cooperation with the characterization platforms.\n ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 50% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 20% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei","title":"Novel Nanomaterials for water purification","description":"Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO), have successfully aroused much research enthusiasm and exhibited extensive prospect in separation fields due to its unique physiochemical properties, such as one-atom-thickness structure and enriched oxygenated functionalities. The laminated structure formed by stacking of GO nanosheets enables to create a lot of nanochannels for efficient mass transport. Meanwhile, the oxygenated functional groups not only endow GO with surface negativity and stable dispersibility, but also supply enriched favourable chemical reactant sites for a variety of further modification. Benefited from these properties, GO can be the preferential candidate in membrane fabrication for water treatment.\n \nHowever, a big challenge still exists to directly apply GO membrane in seawater desalination due to its poor ion rejection of small ions. In addition, it is still a great challenge to achieve high selectivity and low permeance of water desalination through precise d-spacing control of 2D membranes within sub-nanometer. In this project, we will develop functionalised 2D nanomaterial and their membranes with various functional groups to enhance metal ions and molecular sieving for water purification.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 50% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 20% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan liu","title":"The structure design and property investigation of 2D nanomaterials","description":"The development of renewable, clean and sustainable energy is becoming a major priority worldwide. Australia urgently needs to develop a sustainable green economy based on renewable energy resources (e.g., solar, wind and ocean energy) that will greatly contribute to national economic growth and environmental sustainability. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional (2D) hybrid nanostructures with new physical and chemical properties to address the critical challenges of controlling the functionalization of these nanostructures. Such control is essential for unlocking the potential of nanomaterials in key energy generation applications. The research will delve deeply into exploring and achieving breakthroughs in the range of properties that can be attained at the atomic level, a process that is complex and multidimensional. Therefore, the focus will be on designing sustainable materials, understanding their fundamental properties, and investigating the synthesis processes at the atomistic level, with the goal of targeting their practical application in energy harvesting.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; \n401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 40% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Haitao Yu","title":"Investigating physicochemical and toxic properties of lipid nanoparticles as prospective drug carriers","description":"Oral drug delivery is the most preferred administration route for the treatment of many diseases including chronic gut diseases for its ease of use, lower cost of administration, and better patient compliance. However, the challenge faced in oral drug delivery is poor bioavailability of conventional drug formulations due to a series of formidable biological barriers present in the gastrointestinal tract. The effectiveness of traditional drugs as well as emerging biomolecule drugs such as monoclonal antibodies is therefore often compromised. Nanoparticle drug delivery is a promising system for enhanced drug delivery. This project aims to engineer a library of lipid nanoparticles using newly developed ionisable lipids and cholesterol and PEG derivatives and assess the nanoparticle's physicochemical, structural and toxic properties. This project would suit a HDR candidate with an interest in nanotechnology and chemistry. The candidate would have an opportunity to learn skills in nanoparticle formulation, bio-nanomaterial proof of concept studies in vitro and in vivo, and a range of biophysical instruments including small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering, microscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and synchrotron-based techniques. The candidate will be supported in a multi-disciplinary research group that has a strong track record in the proposed research area and HDR completion. Our laboratory in School of Science at the city campus, together with the renowned RMIT facilities and centres, ensure essential resources required for the project.   \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saffron Bryant, Gary Bryant","title":"Cryopreservation of Reproductive Cells","description":"Cryopreservation of cells involves storage at very cold temperatures to minimise biochemical activity and prevent damage to the cells. However, the freezing process is damaging and requires cryoprotectants and tailored freezing protocols to enable cell survival.\nCryopreservation is particularly vital to assisted reproductive technologies for both humans and livestock. Unfortunately, post-cryopreservation success remains low which has time, financial, and emotional costs.\nThis project will involve developing novel cryopreservation protocols for reproductive cells and testing the outcomes of these on embryos, sperm, and oocytes. Techniques will include in-vitro fertilisation, toxicity assays, microscopy and embryonic manipulation and observation.\nThe key aim of this project is to optimise cryopreservation protocols for specific reproductive cells by tailoring a number of variables.\nThis project is ideal for candidates with a background in embryology or reproductive biology but would also suit broader biology graduates.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 Soft Condensed Matter (25%) 321599 Reproductive medicine not elsewhere classified (35%) 310199 Biochemistry and Cell Biology not Elsewhere classified (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Philipp Reineck, Jared Cole, Blanca del Rosal Rabes","title":"Near-infrared quantum emitters in diamond","description":"Fluorescent defects in diamonds \u2013 so called quantum emitters -  are at the heart of many emerging quantum sensing technologies, which are used in applications ranging from biomedicine to defence.\n\nThis project aims to develop near-infrared quantum emitters in diamond as a platform technology that may ultimately enable long-distance quantum networks, integrated photonics, and deep tissue biosensors based on diamond. The project is expected to generate the fundamental science required to discover new emitters and explore the potential of recently discovered emitters as near-infrared single photon sources and quantum sensors. The expected outcome is ultra-stable nanoscale light sources in the telecom range that bridge the gap between emerging diamond-based quantum technologies and mature near-infrared photonics and that may one day enable new biosensors for better health outcomes and quantum-assured communication for improved security.\n\nThe project will involve incorporating various elements into the diamond lattice via ion implantation, high-energy irradiation, and high-temperature processing of diamond samples. The optical and quantum properties of the fabricated samples will be investigated using state-of-the-art research facilities available at RMIT. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510203 - Nonlinear optics and spectroscopy 50%\n510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter 30%\n510805 - Quantum technologies 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 \/ MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne, David Broadway, Philipp Reineck","title":"Spin defects in 2D materials for nanoscale quantum sensing","description":"This project aims to study the optical and spin properties of atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride, a layered van der Waals materials made of atomically thin 2D sheets. These properties will then be leveraged to realise nanoscale quantum sensors that can measure magnetic fields with unparalleled sensitivity and spatial resolution. Specific project goals include the characterisation of new defects and their optical and spin properties in a range of samples, the development of methods to create the defects on demand with optimised properties, and the demonstration of sensing applications for chemical detection or for the characterisation of nanomaterials. Skills you will learn include constructing\/conducting optical microscopy experiments, programming a software interface to control an experiment, preparing\/characterising samples using state-of-the-art tools, and modelling of spin-photophysical systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805 Quantum technologies (40%)\n340304 Optical properties of materials (30%)\n401807 Nanomaterials (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hank Han, Maggie Zhai, Tamar Greaves, Calum Drummond ","title":"Developing bile salt and ionic liquid-lipid nanocomplex for oral delivery of nucleic acid","description":"Oral delivery of nucleic acids is a promising therapeutic strategy due to its higher patient compliance and convenience compared to injections. However, this approach faces significant challenges, including the degradation of nucleic acids in the stomach and their entrapment in the mucus layer and epithelial barriers. Additionally, low transfection efficiency in target cells hinders the effectiveness of this method. Lipid-based drug delivery systems have shown potential to address these issues, as lipids can be digested by gastrointestinal lipases and absorbed through the GI tract. Their efficiency, however, depends on factors such as lipase activity, pH, and bile secretion. To improve oral bioavailability, bile acids, ionic liquids, and their derivatives have been explored as absorption enhancers. They can form micelles, incorporate into liposomes or nanocomplexes, and promote transcytosis via intestinal transporters, enhancing nucleic acid uptake.\n\nWhile peptide-based gene therapies have been explored, poor permeability and low bioavailability highlight the need for better delivery systems. Nucleic acid gene therapy offers advantages like stability during formulation and sustained therapeutic effects through gene expression. This PhD project aims to develop salt-lipid-based nanocomplexes to improve the oral delivery of nucleic acids, enhancing their stability, permeability, and transfection efficiency. Key areas of the project include nanoparticle design and synthesis, stability and characterization, oral permeability testing, toxicity and safety assessment, and transfection studies. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)\n340699 Physical chemistry not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321404 Pharmaceutical delivery technologies (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alastair Stacey, Brant Gibson","title":"Scalable Fabrication of Diamond Quantum Microprocessors","description":"The foremost challenge confronting quantum computing at present lies in scalability, or the ability to extend quantum systems to the level needed to tackle the complex problems that are impossible with classical computers. Diamond has served as a leading material platform for quantum sensor, communication, and computer development for nearly two decades, with diamond quantum computers based on the nitrogen vacancy centre (NV) standing out as the sole solid-state devices showcasing non-trivial quantum algorithms and simulations at room temperature (RT).\n \nThe key challenge to realising scalable multi-qubit architecture is the precise fabrication of NV centres. Deterministic placement of NV centres at such high precision cannot be achieved using conventional \u2018top-down\u2019 nitrogen (N) ion-implantation techniques. We have recently shown NVs can be placed in a single atomic layer by (1) terminating the diamond surface with N, and (2) incorporating the N as NV into the diamond via epitaxial overgrowth.\n \nIn this multi-institutional industry-partnered project, the HDR student will work together in close collaboration with partners from LaTrobe University and Quantum Brilliance Pty Ltd (QB), to push the precision of this NV placement technique into the lateral dimensions on the diamond surface. They will develop methods that enable deterministic NV placement by placement of N-species on the single crystal diamond surface, followed by overgrowth. The HDR will characterise the adsorption of N-species to the diamond surface, develop overgrowth techniques using microwave assisted chemical vapour deposition, and characterise nitrogen retention and NV formation resulting from the overgrowth process.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805 Quantum technologies (50%)\n510407 Surface properties of condensed matter (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jared Cole, Jackson Smith","title":"Superconducting quantum circuit design","description":"Superconducting circuits are key to a range of quantum technologies, as they can be controlled electrically while also having low dissipation and long coherence times. A significant limitation of current circuit designs is the stability and movement of quasi-particles generated externally and within the chip, which reduce circuit performance. \nUsing advanced theoretical and computational modelling techniques, this project will study the dynamics of quasi-particles in superconducting circuits. The aim will be to characterise and understand existing designs, and then propose and analyse new designs which will control quasi-particle dynamics. Improved materials and designs will then be tested both at the University of Adelaide and Analog Quantum Circuits to calibrate and validate the theoretical models.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510404 (50%)\n510805 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tamar Greaves, Hank Han","title":"Controlling Protein Aggregation for Nanoparticle Development in Oral Drug Delivery","description":"This PhD project aims to develop innovative methods for using ionic liquids or salts to dissolve and desolvate food-based proteins, producing biocompatible protein nanoparticles. Advanced scattering techniques will be employed to fabricate these nanoparticles and develop formulations with enhanced permeability. The primary focus is on the oral delivery of insulin and bioactive compounds, with the ultimate goal of transforming oral therapeutic delivery systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603        Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)\n340699        Physical chemistry not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321404        Pharmaceutical delivery technologies (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Philipp Reineck","title":"Nanodiamonds for intracellular sensing","description":"The project aims to explore the innovative use of nanodiamonds as a versatile platform for intracellular sensing in stem cells. Stem cells possess remarkable regenerative potential, making them invaluable for tissue engineering and regenerating damaged tissues. However, understanding their intracellular processes and responses to external stimuli remains a challenge due to limited tools for precise monitoring.\n\nNanodiamonds offer a unique combination of properties that make them ideal candidates for intracellular sensing. Their small size allows for cellular uptake without causing significant cytotoxicity, and their chemistry can be tailored for specific sensing applications (i.e. magnetic fields, temperature, voltage). Moreover, their stable fluorescent and magnetic properties enable real-time, non-invasive monitoring of cellular processes at the nanoscale level.\n\nThe project will focus on optimizing nanodiamond-based sensing platforms, leveraging nanodiamonds' inherent sensitivity to intracellular changes, such as temperature or redox potential. This will allow for real-time monitoring of stem cell responses to environmental changes and stimulation protocols, thus enhancing our understanding of their regenerative potential and enabling improved control over their fate.\n\nThis is an interdisciplinary project at the intersection of nanotechnology, stem cell biology, and biomedical engineering, aiming to establish nanodiamonds as powerful tools for intracellular sensing. As such this project would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"401809 Nanophotonics (Nanotechnology) (50%)\n320606 Regenerative medicine (incl stem cells) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Bryant","title":"Improved sperm motility following cryopreservation: a multi-species study","description":"Sperm motility is vital for reproductive success of many species, and assisted reproduction using cryopreservation of sperm is vital not only for humans, but for livestock production, and preservation of endangered species.\n\nThis project we will use the technique of Differential Dynamic Microscopy (DDM) to assess motility in semen from a range of species. DDM was first used to study motility by the Soft Matter group at Edinburgh University, in collaboration with Bryant at RMIT. That group went on to show the utility of the technique in bacteria and other organisms as well as bull semen, and we have recently reviewed the applications to biological systems.\n\nThis project will focus on applying DDM to the measurement of motility in sperm before and after cryopreservation. There are two key aims to the research:\n1)\tDevelop better cryopreservation methods for sperm from species where recovery rates are low (these include native species, pest species and non-mammalian species).\n2)\tBetter understand changes to motility following cryopreservation: Questions include: how does the degree of circularity of spermatozoa trajectories affect fertility; how does sample dilution affect circularity and speed; Is there a time dependence for motility following cryopreservation?\n\nThis is an experimental project, but for those with strong physics and programming skills, there is the opportunity to develop more refined analysis techniques.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/03\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 (50%)\n510501 (25%)\n321599 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne, David Broadway, Brant Gibson, Andrew Greentree","title":"Solid-state radiofrequency-optical quantum transducers","description":"The project is a close collaboration with two companies, Diamond Defence and Phasor Innovation, with internship opportunities available. It aims to develop radiofrequency (RF) receivers and spectrum analysers based on quantum materials acting as RF-optical transducers. These transducers rely on optically active quantum spins housed in a wide bandgap material to convert an input RF signal into an optical signal, thereby electromagnetically decoupling the RF input from the detection electronics. The quantum-based technology developed in this project has thus the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional semiconductor-based RF detection technology which suffers degraded performance and even damage when subjected to high power signals during jamming events. Two specific quantum materials will be explored in the project: diamond containing nitrogen-vacancy spins, and hexagonal boron nitride containing isotropic spins. The project will involve realising lab demonstrators and prototypes of the proposed quantum RF receivers and spectrum analysers, including designing the RF delivery, optical readout, signal processing, and software interface, and evaluating and optimising their performance. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805        Quantum technologies (50%)\n400909        Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (30%)\n400913        Radio frequency engineering (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Greentree, Brant Gibson","title":"Quantum tensor gradiometry for navigation and anomaly detection with diamond","description":"Quantum tensor gradiometric navigation is an emerging technique for advanced navigation.  The core idea is that the use of particular tensor identities from a small network of vector magnetometers can mitigate the effects of platform rotation and vibration noise.  At the same time, advances in quantum diamond magnetometry have made diamond a promising platform to realise tensor gradiometry with the advantages of low SWAP and precise vector alignment due to the crystallographic properties of diamond.  With our partners, Phasor, we seek to create the world\u2019s first diamond-based quantum tensor gradiometer.\nThis project will explore and benchmark diamond-based quantum tensor gradiometers against other magnetic navigation solutions.  This will involve rigorous modelling of measured and expected noise signatures include sensor and platform noise.  Also important will be to develop suitable methods for map matching and sensor fusion with expected classical sensors, such as inertial measurement units.\nWe will also consider the properties of a quantum tensor gradiometer in magnetically dynamic environments.  This is important when considering the effects of realistic noise signatures, such as atmospheric and oceanographic noise, and also the presence of unmapped magnetic anomalies.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805        Quantum technologies 50%\n401303        Navigation and position fixing 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Philipp Reineck, Brant Gibson","title":"Hybrid quantum sensing materials based on fluorescent nanodiamonds","description":"Fluorescent colour centres in diamonds are at the heart of many emerging quantum sensing technologies, which are used in applications ranging from biomedicine to defence. \nThis project aims to incorporate diamond quantum sensors into other materials like glasses and polymers to add sensing functionality to optical fibres and polymer-based bioscaffolds. The project involves the processing and characterisation of fluorescent diamond particles, their integration into glasses and polymers, the fabrication of hybrid functional materials like glass and polymer fibres, the characterisation of the created hybrid materials, and the development of these materials towards quantum sensing applications. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510203 - Nonlinear optics and spectroscopy (20%)\n510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter (30%)\n510805 - Quantum technologies (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Partridge","title":"Reservoir computing at the edge for next generation sensing and diagnostics","description":"Neuromorphic systems mimic behavioral and functional aspects of biological neural systems, such as those found in the brain. They offer greatly increased efficiency and adaptability when compared with our current von Neumann computers. They also present the opportunity to perform computational tasks near or within sensing devices for \u201cedge computing\u201d, with applications as diverse as personal health monitoring and space-based measurement systems.\n\nIn this project you will develop and use experimental and theoretical skills to build, test and optimize neuromorphic systems known as reservoir computers. These will be used to explore high efficiency edge computing with inputs from nearby or integrated mechanical, optical or biological sensors. You will work within, and be supported by, a team of internationally recognized experts in device technology, surface science, chemistry, and theoretical modelling. During the project, you will develop advanced functional materials and neuromorphic devices, making use of the world leading electronic and materials characterization tools available at the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility and the Micro Nano Research Facility.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"490206 Statistical mechanics, physical combinatorics and mathematical aspects of condensed matter (50%), 461104 Neural networks (25%), 519901 Complex physical systems (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dougal McCulloch","title":"Synthesising novel phases of carbon by shear-induced phase transformations","description":"The record hardness and high refractive index of diamond-like carbons make them critical in a diverse range of applications from automated machining to quantum optoelectronics. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials  (40%), 401605 - Functional materials  (30%), 510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brant Gibson, Andrew Greentree","title":"Diamond RF spectrum monitoring","description":"An opportunity exists for a PhD student to work on a theory project, relating to the use of diamond for RF spectrum monitoring. Diamond containing the nitrogen-vacancy colour centre has emerged as one of the most important solid-state quantum materials. Working closely with experimental physicists and our industry partners, you will explore the use of nitrogen-vacancy colour centres as material for monitoring weak radio-frequency signals. This work sits at the intersection of quantum science, photonics, materials science, and RF engineering. You will participate in regular team meetings and benefit from the supportive, interdisciplinary environment at RMIT University. You will have a degree including research experience (e.g. Honours, Masters, or equivalent experience) in a discipline related to the project, with preference given to graduates from Physics or Engineering backgrounds. You will be encouraged to present your work at conferences and team meetings, as well as to publish and\/or patent your results.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"020404 - Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Condensed Matter; Superconductivity (40%)\r\n020504 - Photonics, Optoelectronics and Optical Communications (35%)\r\n100505 - Microwave and Millimetrewave Theory and Technology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova","title":"Laser-synthesized nanomaterials for new biological applications","description":"This project is part of Australia-France Network of Doctoral Excellence (AUFRANDE) aufrande.eu in a PhD program at both Aix-Marseille and RMIT Universities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401805 Advanced Materials Manufacturing and Fabrication (50%)\r\n400305 Biomedical and Health Innovation (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicolas Menicucci","title":"Theoretical Quantum Information and Quantum Computing","description":"Quantum technology harnesses the surprising features of quantum mechanics for practical applications like advanced computing and secure communication. This challenging PhD experience in theoretical quantum physics will put you at the forefront of an exciting field. As a PhD student with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T), you will have connections with the flagship organisation for Australian research in quantum computing, comprising 8 Australian unis and more than 30 international partner organisations. For more information, please contact Prof Nicolas Menicucci.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"510805 Quantum Technologies (50%)\r\n510803 Quantum information, computation and communication (30%)\r\n510804 Quantum optics and quantum optomechanics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Bryant, Philipp Reineck","title":"Advanced characterisation of complex nanoparticles using scattering techniques","description":"Nanoparticles are of growing importance for a range of applications including drug delivery, Lubricants and Biosensors. While traditional research has focussed on homogeneous spherical nanoparticles there is growing interest in the possible applications for complex nanoparticles, including a range of shapes (rods, disks, plates, prisms etc) and a range of complex morphologies (core-shell particles, multi-layered particles, clusters etc).\n\nWhile imaging methods can be used to characterise some of these particles, generally they rely on sample preparation which can change the shape and\/or size, especially for soft particles. Moreover, many of the applications are for particles suspended in water or other solvents, so the characterisation of their properties in suspension is critical.\n\nWhile characterising of spherical particles is standard, methods for the characterisation of complex particles are much more limited. Recently we have developed techniques for improved characterisation of a range of particle morphologies using scattering techniques (light, X-ray and neutron). However, the experiments and analysis required are very specialised, and not yet suitable for use outside of research settings.\n\nThis project will advance this research by developing improved and simplified experimental and analysis methods for the characterisation of complex nanoparticles in suspension. Experiments will use advanced scattering techniques at RMIT, as well as international X-ray and Neutron scattering facilities. In addition, the project will involve experiments at the National Measurement Institute (NMI) in Sydney to apply complementary techniques. There may also be the opportunity for an extended internship at NMI.\n\nThis project would be suitable for a physicist, physical chemist or engineer with an interest in optics and scattering. The research will require an understanding of scattering theory and solid programming skills.\n\nTo discuss this project further please contact: \nProf Gary Bryant (gary.bryant@rmit.edu.au)\nPhilipp Reineck (philipp.reineck@rmit.edu.au)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510405 (50%)\r\n340603 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tamar Greaves, Andrew Christofferson & Calum Drummond","title":"Protein solubility and stability in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents","description":"Most proteins have limited solubility and stability outside their native environment. This project will aim to develop new solvents to improve and control the solubility and stability of proteins. These solvents will be aqueous and neat solutions of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents. This project will involve characterisation of protein solubility and stability using a broad range of techniques including spectroscopic and scattering. This will be done in conjunction with designing, developing and characterising new solvents, including their physicochemical and solvation properties.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Blanca del Rosal, Philipp Reineck, Brant Gibson, Sarah Spencer, SHBS","title":"Lifetime imaging for non-invasively tracking brain inflammation and injury","description":"Microglia are immune cells in the central nervous system that respond to changes in brain health when inflammation or injury occurs. Microglia display a bright autofluorescence (AFL) that offers unique potential as a biomarker of changes in brain health, since autofluorescence is extremely susceptible to changes in cell metabolism and function. Microglia are also present in the retina, so they may be visualised non-invasively through a retinal scan. In this project, we use advanced optical microscopy and coherent vibrational spectroscopy techniques to characterise the AFL of microglia in the brain and retina of healthy and diseased animal models. These techniques include advanced time-resolved microscopy, both under single- and multiphoton excitation, nonlinear Raman spectroscopies (Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) and Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy, SRS) and short-wave infrared imaging and photoluminescence spectroscopy. We will develop analytical methods, including two-dimensional phasor plotting of lifetimes, to quantify the effect of disease in microglial AFL and the correlation between changes in the brain and the retina. These will serve to establish a set of imaging parameters that can provide information on brain health through retinal imaging. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400304\r\n320903\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova, Denver Linklater, Phuc Le","title":"Design and characterisation of surface topography and architecture of advanced biomimetic functional coatings ","description":"It is well known that surface topography can imbue material surfaces with remarkable properties, but the ability to control surface structure on large surface areas remains a challenge and requires new approaches. The overall goal of this project is therefore to provide further understanding of the mechanistic processes that allow assembly of substantially durable films. Key skills in this area are application of surface analytical techniques to probe the nanostructure and architecture of surfaces. The knowledge generated in this project will assist in the development of advanced coating.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401807"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova, Zoltan Vilagosh, Denver Linklater, Elena Pirogova, SoE","title":"Study of the mechanism\/s of biological effects of low-power radiofrequency emissions","description":"This project is part of RMIT University node under the Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR), which is a Centre of Excellence funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia since 2005. ACEBR\u2019s remit is, among other things, to conduct cutting-edge research into potential health effects associated with exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by telecommunications devices, such as 5G. The ACEBR board is comprised of senior Australian academics with expertise ranging from mechanisms (e.g., how does RF-EMF affect the body), to experimental animal research (e.g., does RF-EMF cause pathology in mice) and experimental human research (e.g., does RF-EMF cause symptoms in those who report being \u2018electro-hypersensitive\u2019). Importantly, the ACEBR board has substantial experience addressing this issue in terms of both national and international science evaluation, including roles within the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). \r\nThis project aims to explore the mechanisms by which radiofrequency emissions could affect basic biological structures and processes, through both theoretical modelling and in vitro research and determine whether the effect of low-power radiofrequency emissions on the human electroencephalogram is thermally mediated.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"511003 (50%)\r\n510501 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova, Zoltan Vilagosh, Denver Linklater, Phuc Le","title":"Design and fabrication of specific nanostructure geometries with enhanced bactericidal performance","description":"Design and fabrication of specific nanostructure geometries with enhanced bactericidal performance","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401801(40%)\r\n401805 (30%)\r\n401810 (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Philipp Reineck, Amy Gelmi","title":"Nanodiamonds for intracellular sensing","description":"The project aims to explore the innovative use of nanodiamonds as a versatile platform for intracellular sensing in stem cells. Stem cells possess remarkable regenerative potential, making them invaluable for tissue engineering and regenerating damaged tissues. However, understanding their intracellular processes and responses to external stimuli remains a challenge due to limited tools for precise monitoring.\r\n\r\nNanodiamonds offer a unique combination of properties that make them ideal candidates for intracellular sensing. Their small size allows for cellular uptake without causing significant cytotoxicity, and their chemistry can be tailored for specific sensing applications (i.e. magnetic fields, temperature, voltage). Moreover, their stable fluorescent and magnetic properties enable real-time, non-invasive monitoring of cellular processes at the nanoscale level.\r\n\r\nThe project will focus on optimizing nanodiamond-based sensing platforms, leveraging nanodiamonds' inherent sensitivity to factors like pH, temperature, and redox potential. This will allow for real-time monitoring of stem cell responses to environmental changes and stimulation protocols, thus enhancing our understanding of their regenerative potential and enabling improved control over their fate.\r\n\r\nThis is an interdisciplinary project at the intersection of nanotechnology, stem cell biology, and biomedical engineering, aiming to establish nanodiamonds as powerful tools for intracellular sensing. As such this project would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510204 (3-%)\r\n401809 (40%)\r\n310607 (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gail Iles, Brett Carter, Julie Currie","title":"Shielding materials and technologies for the protection of astronauts against space radiation","description":"Since 2020, humanity has maintained a constant human presence in space. This time has been spent in Low Earth Orbit (<450 km altitude) where there is still much protection from space radiation by the Earth\u2019s magnetic field. With humanity\u2019s quest to continue exploring the solar system, the Artemis program [1] will see the next humans land at the South Pole of the Moon as a precursor to permanent bases on the Moon and Mars via the Lunar Orbital Gateway. Without the protection of the Earth\u2019s magnetic field the radiation environment is significantly different in these new locations [2].\r\n\r\nSuitable materials for space transportation vehicles and planetary habitats to shield humans against solar energetic particles and Galactic Cosmic Rays will need to be developed. Shielding can either be passive [3] or active [4], however, any effective solution will need to remain lightweight and therefore affordable for launch. \r\n\r\nThis project will involve modelling the response to radiation by novel materials using GEANT-4 and the OLTARIS database [5] and constructing active shielding prototypes for radiation testing in the laboratory.  There will be opportunities to use space radiation analogues [6] at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Sydney & Melbourne).  Interested students should have a strong interest in experimental physics, space science and instrumentation.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510906 Space Instrumentation (50%)\r\n510904 Solar system energetic particles (25%)\r\n510404 Electronic and magnetic properties of condensed matter; superconductivity"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saffron Bryant, Gary Bryant, Tamar Greaves, Aaron Elbourne","title":"Improved cryopreservation of cells and tissues","description":"Cryopreservation of cells involves storage at very cold temperatures to minimise biochemical activity and prevent damage to the cells. However, the freezing process is very risky for cells, and requires cryoprotectants and tailored freezing protocols to enable cells to survive and not dehydrate or burst. There are currently few successful cryoprotectants, and few cells which can be successfully frozen, so there is a strong need for a wider variety of cryoprotectants [1].\r\nThis project will involve developing novel molecules as potential cryoprotectants, including ionic liquids [2], deep eutectic solvents and sugar based synthetic molecules [3] and then testing these on mammalian cells. Techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, toxicity assays and confocal microscopy will be used to optimise cryopreservation procedures.\r\nThe key aim of this project is to optimise the cryopreservation of specific cell types by tailoring numerous variables including cryoprotectant type, concentration, addition method, and cooling and warming rate.\r\nThe project would suit candidates with Biophysics, Physical Chemistry or Biology backgrounds.\r\n[1] Raju et al., BBA \u2013 General Subjects 2021, 1865, 129749. DOI: 10.1016\/j.bbagen.2020.129749\r\n[2] Bryant et al., J. Coll. Interf. Sci. 603 (2021) 491\u2013500. DOI: 10.1016\/j.jcis.2021.06.096\r\n[3] Raju et al., Chem. Phys. Lip. 2020, 231 104949. DOI: 10.1016\/j.chemphyslip.2020.104949\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 Soft Condensed Matter (25%)\r\n310199 Biochemistry and Cell Biology not Elsewhere classified (75%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Broadway","title":"Quantum sensing of 2D magnetic materials","description":"This project aims to develop and apply quantum microscope techniques to image magnetism in 2D materials. Initially, the student will be involved in the experimental realisation of these quantum microscopes, learning or applying knowledge and skills in optics, quantum physics, and condensed matter physics. Secondly, the student will use this platform to interrogate magnetism in novel 2D magnetic materials.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510402 - Condensed matter imaging (50%)\r\n510404 - Electronic and magnetic properties of condensed matter; superconductivity (30%)\r\n510401 - Condensed matter characterisation technique development (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tamar Greaves,  Andrew Martin, Qi(Hank) Han","title":"Rheological properties of ionic liquids gels","description":"Ionic liquids are designer solvents which are also salts. They are showing potential as use as solvents for biological applications, where there is a large need for new solvents to address current limitations. In particular, ionic liquids can be used to modify the stability and solubility of proteins, and provide new options for protein crystallisation, and delivery of protein crystals for serial crystallography.\r\nThis project will focus on the rheological properties of ionic liquids, including their mixtures with water and with additives to form low to high viscosity media.  This will provide fundamental knowledge currently lacking in the literature. This project will also try select solvents for use with stabilising protein crystals for use in injector systems for characterising proteins at the Australian Synchrotron. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 Soft Condensed Matter (75%)\r\n510501 Biological Physics (25%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Valentina Baccetti, Jared Cole","title":"Computational thermodynamics of neuromorphic systems","description":"Neuromorphic systems are computational systems that are designed to mimic the behaviour and functionality of biological neural systems, such as those found in the brain. Differently to traditional platforms, based on the Von Neumann architecture, neuromorphic systems manipulate information (that is perform computations) and store it using artificial neurons. For this reason, neuromorphic systems are designed to be more flexible and more adaptable, and are particularly efficient in performing machine learning tasks such as image recognition, pattern detection, and decision making. While several implementations of neuromorphic already exist, a comprehensive general model has not yet been formulated that would allow for a precise analytical (or semi-analytical) description of their dynamics. In this project you will use computational thermodynamics and field theory tools to models and forecast the dynamics of neuromorphic systems composed of memristive devices. During this project, you will work with a team of experts in classical and quantum thermodynamics, and will learn the ropes of statistical mechanics, stochastic thermodynamics and classical field theory. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"490206\tStatistical mechanics, physical combinatorics and mathematical aspects of condensed matter (50%)\r\n461104\tNeural networks (25%)\r\n519901\tComplex physical systems (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jared Cole, Jackson Smith, Valentina Baccetti, Salvy Russo","title":"The quantum mechanics of computers and electronic devices: designing the technology of the 21st century.","description":"In the 20th century, quantum mechanics was a theory that was hard to understand but seemed to work unreasonably well. In the 21st century we are harnessing quantum physics and nanotechnology to build new types of computers, high efficiency solar cells and electronics with ultra-low power consumption. To do so requires developing new mathematical models and advanced computational approaches. This project will involve working with leading researchers and quantum technology companies to develop these tools, and use them to design cutting edge new technology. You will join a dedicated and talented team of scientists working on a range of problems in this area, and collaborating with many groups nationally and internationally. During your PhD you will develop high level mathematical and coding skills, as well taking your presentation and writing skills to the next level. Former members of this group go on to work in a range of mathematical and computational modelling fields. These include working in research (both academic and government) on topics as diverse as climate modelling or advanced laser development, as well as working in the growing quantum technology industry. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510404, 510805, 400912"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne, Brant Gibson, Andrew Greentree, Philipp Reineck","title":"Spin defects in 2D materials for quantum technologies","description":"This project aims to study the optical and spin properties of atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride, a layered van der Waals materials made of atomically thin 2D sheets, and to realise nanoscale quantum sensors based on these systems. One of these defects is the boron vacancy, which corresponds to a missing boron atom in the boron nitride lattice. The boron vacancy defect has an electronic spin that can be optically initialised and read out, and as such it forms an ideal system for quantum technologies in particular to realise quantum sensors, i.e. sensors that can detect magnetic and electric fields with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. Specific project goals include the creation of boron vacancy defects optimised for sensing applications, the characterisation of new defects and their optical and spin properties, and the demonstration of sensing applications for chemical detection or for the characterisation of nanomaterials. Skills you will learn include constructing\/conducting optical microscopy experiments, programming a software interface to control an experiment, preparing\/characterising samples using state-of-the-art tools.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340304 Optical properties of materials (30%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (30%)\r\n510805 Quantum technologies (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toby Allen","title":"Computational Biophysics - Ion Channel Mechanisms","description":"This PhD project, to be carried out within the Computational Biophysics Group headed by Prof. Toby Allen, provides an opportunity for a talented student to undertake their Ph.D. on a project funded by the Australian Research Council and the National Institutes of Health (USA). The Computational Biophysics Group employs and develops advanced physical and chemical simulation approaches to explore problems associated with membrane charge transport. Ion channels are proteins that control the movements of ions across cell membranes, enabling electrical activity in the body, such as heartbeat and brain activity. These studies require the development and application of advanced computer simulation methods to explore the mechanisms underlying the activation and ion conduction of ion channels, based on newly-solved protein structures from X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. We are seeking to understand the physical mechanisms explaining the actions of different potassium- and sodium-conducting ion channels in the body. This project has established experimental collaborators in the USA, Denmark and Australia, and uses state of the art supercomputing resources, including NCI, IVEC, Melbourne Bioinformatics and local CPU and GPU clusters. This project will develop methodologies to solve for the fundamental physical mechanisms of these important biological devices using statistical mechanical methods on supercomputers. This project is most suitable for students with:\n\u2022 an Honours degree (or equivalent Masters by Research) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, biology, biomolecular engineering or related discipline.\n\u2022 research experience involving theory and\/or computation in condensed matter\nphysics, physical chemistry, computational biology or related techniques.\n\u2022 a strong desire to study biological problems using physical and chemical\nmethods, and passion for molecular science and modern supercomputing.\nSample references:\n* C. Fan, N. Sukomon, E. Flood, J. Rheinberger, T.W. Allen, C.M. Nimigean. 2020. Calcium gating uncovers ball-and-chain inactivation in a potassium channel. Nature. 580:288-293. * E. Flood, C. Boiteux, B. Lev, I. Vorobyov and T.W. Allen. 2019. Atomistic simulations of membrane ion channel conduction, gating and modulation. Chemical Reviews. 119 (13), 7737-7832 (with journal cover).\n* See also: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=gsyU9coAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"029901, 020405, 030699, 060112"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toby Allen","title":"Computational Biophysics of Membranes, Ion Pumps and Cholesterol","description":"This PhD project, to be carried out within the Computational Biophysics Group headed by Prof. Toby Allen, provides an opportunity for a talented student to undertake their Ph.D. in ARC-funded molecular biophysics research. The Computational Biophysics Group develops advanced physical and chemical simulation approaches to explore problems associated with membrane charge transport. Ion pumps and channels are proteins that drive electrochemical gradients and regulate the movement of ions, enabling electrical activity in the body. Our studies require the development and application of computer simulation methods to explore the mechanisms of ion pump and channel function. This project has established experimental collaborators in Australia and Denmark, and uses state of the art supercomputing resources at NCI, IVEC, Melbourne Bioinformatics and local CPU and GPU clusters. Cholesterol may have evolved in animals to optimise the function of proteins in their cell membranes. A prime candidate is the Na+ ,K+ -ATPase (the sodium pump) that provides the driving force for basic functions such as nerve and muscle activity. Without the sodium pump, multicellular animal life would be viable. Data shows that pump activity is massively enhanced by physiological levels of cholesterol. One aim of the project is to determine how cholesterol and cholesterol-altered membrane properties affect pump activity. We are developing computational methodologies to solve for the mechanisms of pump function using statistical mechanics and supercomputers. This project is most suitable for students with:\n\u2022 an Honours degree (or equivalent Masters by Research) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, biology, biomolecular engineering or related discipline.\n\u2022 research experience involving theory and\/or computation in condensed matter\nphysics, physical chemistry, computational biology or related techniques.\n\u2022 a strong desire to study biological problems using physical and chemical\nmethods, and passion for molecular science and modern supercomputing.\nSample references:\n* L.J Mares et al, TW Allen & R Clarke 2014. Identification of Electric-Field-Dependent Steps in the Na+,K+-Pump Cycle. Biophysical Journal. 107:1352\u201363. With cover and editorial.\n* C. Fan, N. Sukomon, E. Flood, J. Rheinberger, T.W. Allen, C.M. Nimigean. 2020. Calcium gating uncovers ball-and-chain inactivation in a potassium channel. Nature. 580:288-293. * E. Flood, C. Boiteux, B. Lev, I. Vorobyov and T.W. Allen. 2019. Atomistic simulations of membrane ion channel conduction, gating and modulation. Chemical Reviews. 119 (13), 7737-7832 (with journal cover).\n* See also: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=gsyU9coAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"FOR 029901, 020405, 030699, 060112"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toby Allen","title":"Computational Molecular Neuroscience and Pharmacology","description":"This PhD project, to be carried out within the Computational Biophysics Group headed by Prof. Toby Allen, provides an opportunity for a talented student to undertake their Ph.D. on an ARC-funded molecular biophysics project of medical significance. The Computational Biophysics Group employs and develops advanced physical and chemical simulation approaches to explore problems associated with membrane charge transport. Ion channels are proteins that control the movements of ions across cell membranes, enabling critical electrical activity such as heartbeat and brain activity, and are chief targets for drugs and anaesthetics. Our studies require the development and application of computer simulation methods to explore the mechanisms of ion channel function and modulation by drugs for a range of neurological and cardiac diseases. This project has established experimental collaborators in Australia, USA and France, and uses state of the art supercomputing resources at NCI, IVEC, Melbourne Bioinformatics and local CPU and GPU clusters. It includes studies of the effects of different families of compounds on different ion channels, including potassium and sodium channels, as well as ligand-gated ion channels in the brain. e.g. Understanding the actions of general anaesthetics has been the goal of over 150 years of scientific and medical studies. We would like to understand how protein switches (ligand-gated ion channels) are activated by binding molecules to generate electrical signals in the brain and then how anaesthetics block or enhance these switches, leading to loss of sensation and the ability to feel pain. This project will develop computational methodologies to solve for the pathways and energetics underlying ion channel activation and modulation using statistical mechanical methods on supercomputers. This project is most suitable for students with:\n\u2022 an Honours degree (or equivalent Masters by Research) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, biology, biomolecular engineering or related discipline.\n\u2022 research experience involving theory and\/or computation in condensed matter\nphysics, physical chemistry, computational biology or related techniques.\n\u2022 a strong desire to study biological problems using physical and chemical\nmethods, and passion for molecular science and modern supercomputing.\nSample references:\n* B Lev et al & TW Allen. 2017. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). 114:E4158\u201367. (News story: www.rmit.edu.au\/news\/all-news\/2017\/may\/supercomputer-study-unlocks-secrets-of-brain-and-saferanaesthetics ).\n* C Boiteux, et al & TW Allen. 2014. Local anesthetic and antiepileptic drug access and binding to a bacterial voltage-gated sodium channel. PNAS. 111:13057-62. With editorial.\n* C. Fan, N. Sukomon, E. Flood, J. Rheinberger, T.W. Allen, C.M. Nimigean. 2020. Calcium gating uncovers ball-and-chain inactivation in a potassium channel. Nature. 580:288-293. * E. Flood, et al & T.W. Allen. 2019. Atomistic simulations of membrane ion channel conduction, gating and modulation. Chemical Reviews. 119 (13), 7737-7832 (with journal cover).\n* See also: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=gsyU9coAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"FOR 029901, 020405, 030699, 060112"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicolas Menicucci","title":"Gravity and quantum-limited measurements with a fundamental minimum length","description":"Do you have outstanding skills in advanced mathematics? Are you interested in quantum physics, general relativity and fundamental physics? If so, you may be right for this project. RMIT Physics, in conjunction with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T), is looking for an exceptionally high-performing student to perform advanced theoretical work in relativistic quantum information (RQI). This highly challenging PhD experience will offer you the chance to work on world-class research combining quantum information theory with key aspects of quantum field theory and general relativity.\rThis project aims to investigate the effects of a fundamental minimum length on the nature of gravity and on how accurately we can make measurements in our world. The key challenge is to combine our best theories of fundamental physics to model what happens at ultra-short distances. This project will generate new knowledge at this interface by using a novel approach inspired by information theory. The expected outcomes are new connections between fundamental limitations on measurements, the nature of gravitation, and ultra-small-scale quantum physics. The benefit of this work is breaking the logjam in answering the most important open question in all of physics: how to unite quantum theory and gravitation.\rNote: This PhD project is open to candidates who demonstrate an exceptionally high aptitude for advanced mathematics.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"3\/1\/2023","ecp":"No ECP alignment","forcodes":"020603 - Quantum Information, Computation and Communication 40\n010505 - Mathematical Aspects of Quantum and Conformal Field Theory, Quantum Gravity and\nString Theory 30\n020602 - Field Theory and String Theory 30"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rick Franich","title":"Motion Management in Radiotherapy using Surface Mapping and AI Image Generation","description":"This project will apply machine learning (ML) techniques to the generation of 3-D image models of moving internal anatomy for patients undergoing radiation therapy for tumours with high mobility. The aim is to combine pre-treatment 4-D CT imaging and skin\/surface mapping into a predictive model that can locate the tumour target during radiation treatment delivery, and enable avoidance of nearby organs at risk, using surface imaging alone. This will improve upon current practice that requires repeated radiological imaging during the course of treatment, along with the associated radiation exposure.\n\nPre-treatment planning of radiotherapy to moving tumours affected by respiratory and cardiac motion is informed by 4-D CT imaging of internal anatomy. Contemporary radiation therapy increasingly uses surface imaging to supplement or reduce the use of radiation for imaging, particularly for patient positioning and setup. The goal is to answer the Research Question:\n\n\"Can real-time optical surface imaging be used via machine learning to infer intrafractional motion in therapies where surface motion is a good surrogate for tumour motion without changes to the radiotherapy process?\"\n\nThis project will be conducted in close collaboration with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and co-Supervised by a leading PMCC Medical Physics researcher.\n\nThe project will use a combination of (i) actual clinical data from radiation therapy patient treatments including X-ray projections and Cone Beam CT imaging acquired at each treatment fraction, and (ii) digital twin XCAT 'phantoms' to simulate 4D CT, Surface Guidance mapping and X-ray projection data where the ground-truth anatomy and motion is known, for a variety of patient morphologies and applied breathing patterns.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 \/ MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gail Iles","title":"Lightweight Ground Penetrating Radar devices for operation in space","description":"The Artemis program is an international human spaceflight program with the primary goal of returning humans to the Moon at the lunar South pole. Launch vehicles, lunar landers, human habitats and a crewed lunar orbiter spacecraft are all planned for launch and operation during the 2020\u2019s. Australia is a member of the Artemis program after signing the Artemis Accords in 2020.\nEstablishing a permanent human habitat on the Moon will require a number of scientific investigations and technological advances. One option is to utilise old, underground lava tubes as locations for crew to live and work. Although some mapping of the Moon has been undertaken from orbit using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), precise detail and location of lava tubes and their entrances remains unknown. Better maps could be obtained by conducting GPR surveys directly on the lunar surface. GPR equipment which utilises magnetic antennae is perfect for space missions which require lightweight, size-limited components, however, technology is still in the prototype phase. This project will involve development of a lightweight, lunar GPR device capable of operating in the harsh conditions of space and on the lunar surface. A proven ability in electromagnetism, signals processing and device construction is essential. An interest in space hardware is preferred. Students will design, fabricate and test GPR devices, simulate GPR responses and conduct GPR field tests in space analogue locations.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"AM 3 Materials for Extreme Conditions;AMF 2 Advanced automation research and sensor and sensor network research;","forcodes":"510906 Space Sciences; Space instrumentation (50%)\r510905 Space Sciences; Solar system planetary science (30%)\r370602 Geophysics; Electrical and electromagnetic methods in geophysics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dougal McCulloch","title":"Synthesising novel phases of carbon by shear-induced phase transformations","description":"The record hardness and high refractive index of diamond-like carbons make them critical in a diverse range of applications from automated machining to quantum optoelectronics. \n\nThis project seeks to develop new super-hard and tough carbon materials leading to more efficient cutting tools for industry and for the extraction and processing of minerals. The new diamond-like carbon materials are expected to have excellent barrier properties that could benefit the Australian medical device industry by extending the service life of implants, leading to better quality of life for Australians.\n\nThe results of our research into phase changes in carbon is also likely to be of interest in extra-terrestrial studies. By exploring carbon solids under the extreme conditions found elsewhere in our solar system, including on the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn and their moons, we aim to promote Australia\u2019s culture as a scientific nation and help prepare humanity for future space exploration.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials  (40%), 401605 - Functional materials  (30%), 510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jim Partridge","title":"Laser ablation of super abrasive grinding wheels","description":"Grinding is utilised in advanced manufacturing when there is a requirement for high material removal rates, tight geometrical and surface finish tolerances and\/or difficult-to-machine materials are involved. High performance gears, bearings and tooling for the automotive industry are all examples of ground components.\rPreparation of the grinding wheel is vital to the performance of the final engineered component and the last step in preparation is known as dressing. Current wheel dressing methods typically fail to produce complex profiles, have long cycle times and are limited to features with radii exceeding 0.200 mm. A further limitation is that only wheels with conductive binders can be processed. For these reasons, laser ablation is increasingly being exploited in the fabrication of advanced grinding wheels. This project aims to develop a laser ablation-based machine tool for the dressing of super-abrasive grinding wheels. These grinding wheels will then be used in various advanced manufacturing settings. Project aims include (i) optimising laser and optic designs (ii) determining process parameters and ablation strategies which enable the preparation of super-abrasive diamond and cubic boron nitride grinding wheels. To achieve these aims, knowledge will be gained in the areas of ultra-short pulse lasers, laser optics, precision control systems, CNC programming, materials science and advanced microscopy and metrology.\rThe MSc student will be involved in achieving these aims. With the lead project investigators, they will acquire skills in advanced manufacturing, modelling and materials science\/engineering. The project is industry-linked and supported by experienced academics with world-class facilities for advanced manufacturing and materials research. The project is likely to lead to the offer of an ongoing position upon completion.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/04\/2022","ecp":"AM 3 Materials for Extreme Conditions;AMF 1 Manufacturing across scales and functions;","forcodes":"401602, 401605, 401699"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne","title":"Quantum microscopy for advanced material characterisation","description":"The project aims to develop and apply new microscopy techniques that exploit quantum sensors based on spin defects in solids. Firstly, the student will be involved in the experimental realisation of these quantum microscopes, learning or applying knowledge and skills in optics, quantum physics, and condensed matter physics. Secondly, the student will apply these instruments to image and characterise the properties of new nanomaterials, in particular two-dimensional magnetic materials, acquiring\/applying skills in nanofabrication and materials science.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/10\/2022","ecp":"Advanced Materials","forcodes":"020401 Condensed Matter Characterisation Technique Development (50%) 020402 Condensed Matter Imaging (25%) 020404 Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Condensed Matter; Superconductivity (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 \/ MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Bryant, Tamar Greaves, Saffron Bryant","title":"Interactions between lipid membranes and cryoprotectants","description":"Cryopreservation of cells involves storage at very cold temperatures to minimise biochemical activity and prevent damage to the cells. However, the freezing process is very risky for cells, and requires cryoprotectants and tailored freezing protocols to enable cells to survive and not dehydrate or burst. There are currently few successful cryoprotectants, and few cells which can be successfully frozen, so there is a strong need for a wider variety of cryoprotectants [1].\nThis project will involve developing novel molecules as potential cryoprotectants, including ionic liquids [2], deep eutectic solvents and sugar based synthetic molecules [3]. The interactions between these molecules and synthetic cell membranes will be studied by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray and neutron scattering techniques [4], and related techniques. Experiments will also be conducted with cell cultures. Some of these experiments will be conducted using national or international Synchrotron or Neutron scattering research facilities. The key aim of this project is to develop a fundamental understanding of how cryoprotectants interact with membranes, including their permeability, toxicity, and location within the membrane, and to develop new, novel cryoprotectants.\nThe project could be at either Masters or PhD level and would suit candidates with Physics, Biophysics or Physical Chemistry backgrounds.\n[1] Raju et al., BBA \u2013 General Subjects 2021, 1865, 129749. DOI: 10.1016\/j.bbagen.2020.129749\n[2] Bryant et al., J. Coll. Interf. Sci. 603 (2021) 491\u2013500. DOI: 10.1016\/j.jcis.2021.06.096\n[3] Raju et al., Chem. Phys. Lip. 2020, 231 104949. DOI: 10.1016\/j.chemphyslip.2020.104949\n[4] Kent et al., Langmuir 2015, 31 (33), 9134-9141. DOI: 10.1021\/acs.langmuir.5b02127","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"BHI 4 Drug discovery; AM 3 Materials for Extreme Conditions","forcodes":"510405 (40%)\n340603 (40%)\n319999 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Greentree","title":"Measuring consciousness ","description":"Consciousness is one of the defining characteristics of the human experience. As artificial intelligences become increasingly sophisticated, it may soon become integral to the experience of artificial life also. Yet despite this, we still do not understand consciousness in human and non-human animals and have no way of measuring consciousness without reliance on subjective lived experiences. This thesis will attempt to define a scale for consciousness that can be applied to human and non-human animals, as well as emerging artificial intelligences. We will explore the existing human-based tests for consciousness and extrapolate these to non-human animals. By using this basis, we will devise psycho-physical measurements for consciousness and explore the biological and evolutionary basis for consciousness. While we are attempting to understanding consciousness, we will also ask whether proxy observations for consciousness inform our understanding of consciousness, or if instead they imply that consciousness is an illusion.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"500311 Philosophical psychology (incl. moral psychology and philosophy of action)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"Reactive small molecule sensing using 2D nanomaterials","description":"Reactive small molecules such as phosphine are commonly used industrially as fumigants to eliminate pests and microorganisms from bulk commodities and cash crops alike. Many of these fumigants are highly toxic and can only be reliably tested at >1ppm levels. To overcome this limitation, new sensing materials such as 2D materials and their heterostructures will be investigated to enable ppb level sensing, to improve worker\/operator safety. This project will focus on using density functional theory calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The project is a collaboration with Dr Michael Breedon at CSIRO and will involve working on the RMIT city campus and the CSIRO Clayton site. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510403        Condensed matter modelling and density functional theory (70%)\n340108        Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (20%)\n300804        Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (10%)"}],"college":{"1":"Business and Law","35":"Design and Social Context","53":"STEM"},"school":{"1":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","35":"Architecture & Urban Design","40":"Art","44":"Business and Law","53":"Computing Technologies","168":"Design","181":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","218":"Education","227":"Engineering","689":"Fashion & Textiles","700":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","719":"Graduate School of Business and Law","736":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","903":"Management","912":"Management; Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","913":"Media & Communication","936":"Property, Construction and Project Management","968":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","982":"Science"},"discipline":{"1":"Accounting","3":"Information Systems","4":"Business Information Systems","6":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT)","7":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Information Management","8":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Logistics and Supply Chain Management","19":"Supply Chain & Logistics","33":"Supply Chain Management","35":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","40":"Art","43":"Photography","44":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","52":"Finance","53":"Computing Technologies","54":"Interaction, Technology and Information","56":"Data Science","58":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","61":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","62":"Software Engineering","65":"Computer Science","67":"Information Technology","78":"Artificial Intelligence","83":"Cloud, Systems & Security","138":"Data Science and Artificial Intelligence","168":"Digital Design","169":"Communication Design","172":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","180":"Digital Design; Industrial Design","182":"Economics","218":"Education","219":"STEM\/STEAM","220":"Sociology of Education","227":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","258":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","338":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","403":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","418":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","552":"Environmental Engineering","557":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","559":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","688":"Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering","689":"Fashion & Textiles Design","690":"Fashion Enterprise","691":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation; Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering; Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","692":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise","693":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology","694":"Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology; Fashion & Textiles Design","695":"Textiles Technology","700":"Global and Language Studies","701":"Social Work and Human Services","704":"Criminology and Justice Studies; Global and Language Studies","708":"Digital Design; Social Work and Human Services","714":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","719":"Business","726":"Law","736":"Nursing","738":"Health Science","752":"Pharmacy","756":"Chinese Medicine","762":"Medical Sciences","764":"Medical Science","766":"Medical Radiations","782":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","785":"Digital Health","803":"Health and Biomedical Sciences","838":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","854":"PIH - Preventative and Integrative Health","856":"Psychology","891":"Rehabilitation Sciences","894":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","903":"Management","912":"Business Information Systems; Management","913":"Media","916":"Communication","918":"Communication, Media","930":"Media and Communication","931":"Writing & Publishing","935":"Writing & Publishing, Media","936":"Construction Management","951":"Project management","959":"Property","968":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation (Engineering)","971":"Data Science ","978":"Data Science (CT)","982":"Food Technology","994":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","1098":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences; Physics","1099":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","1180":"Geospatial Sciences","1191":"Mathematical Sciences","1253":"Physics"}},{"status":1,"result":[{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Accounting","programcode":"DR200","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Abdullahi Ahmed, Nirav Parikh, Daniel Richards","title":"Financial Literacy amongst Migrant Small Business Entrepreneurs","description":"Small businesses are significant contributors to the economic development of the country as they provide affordable goods and services to the population and jobs to citizens. More importantly, employees who get experiences in these businesses have an opportunity for self-employment sometime in the future. However, due to the low or inadequate financial skill of business entrepreneurs, the failure rate amongst small business is quite high. Hence, entrepreneurs require thorough financial knowledge for long term survival of their business enterprise. Prior research has found that small businesses started by owners who are migrants have lower failure rates and higher growth rates (Lever-Tracy et al., 1991) 1. In Australia, findings suggest that a significant number of successful small businesses are established by entrepreneurs who have immigrated from a non-English speaking background (Stanger, 1992). Furthermore, it has been found that financial literacy amongst males is higher than females, which can impact business successes (Al Tamimi and Kalli, 2009).\nThe primary aim of this project is to develop a better understanding of the reasons why migrant entrepreneurs have a higher success rate than locals with a focus on the financial literacy of entrepreneurs. Moreover, the research will address the question of gender inequality in the business environment by focusing on whether limited financial literacy amongst women affects their entrepreneurial skills. Research outcomes will provide insights into critical factors affecting business failures and assist policymakers in formulating policies that support programmes for businesses that are struggling to succeed.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Accounting","programcode":"DR200","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Yapa, Nava Subramaniam, Sarath Ukwatte","title":"Public sector accounting","description":"Although public sector accounting is positioned as a well-developed field of research, it has witnessed radical reforms in many developed countries (Broadbent and Guthrie, 1998, Goddard, 2010, Modell, 2013). In addition, the Asia-Pacific region (including Australia and New Zealand) has also witnessed significant public sector reform initiatives in terms of reforming the role of the state and its impact on public sector management; state\/private sector relationship; resource use and efficiency (UN, 2003). This study examines how public sector accounting standards can provide up to date information using accrual accounting for informed strategic decisions. Innovations in the public sector is critical for improving service quality and efficiency. While, the use of international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS) has largely evolved in the developed nations, their impact in emerging economies is still largely in the intermediate level. The IPSAS aim to support innovative governance practices.This project examines the public sector accounting in emerging economies including South and South East Asia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Theoretical Cybersecurity Risk Assessment for Large Language Models Advancing Towards AGI","description":"As large language models (LLMs) rapidly evolve towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), they present both immense potential and significant cybersecurity risks. This theoretical project aims to develop a comprehensive risk assessment framework for the evolving landscape of advanced LLMs, focusing on their progression towards potential AGI capabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-24","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Business Information Systems","programcode":"460499 - Cybersecurity and privacy not elsewhere classified (60%), 460406 - Software and application security (20%), 490199 - Applied mathematics not elsewhere classified (10%).","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alemayehu Molla","title":"Investigating the digital transformation of mobility services","description":"Mobility of people, goods and materials is a vital driver of economic activities globally. However, it is also accounting for nearly one-fourth of energy related global CO2 emissions. There is a need for solutions to transform mobility systems and reduce congestion in view of an increasing acceleration of urbanization and in order to achieve one of the sustainable development goals, i.e., access to safe, a\ufb00ordable and sustainable transport systems for all. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a digital innovation that aims to transform mobility. It represents a new idea for conceiving mobility and a new transport solution which merges different available transport modes and mobility services. This PhD project investigates how users faced with a mobility decision, account for a given set of features about a MaaS platform and then subsequently decide which mobility service to select. In particular, the focus will be on users\u2019 decision-making processes, on their rationality and adaptiveness. The project will draw insights from rational choice, transaction cost and inclusion model of environmental concern theories and quantitative data analysis. Successful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, and statistical analysis. The supervision team includes specialists in transport and information systems. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform\u2019s Organisational transformation and innovation capabilities enhancements priority area","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Business Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hepu Deng, Joan Richardson","title":"Intelligent Utilisation of Digital Resources in Higher Education","description":"Teaching and learning is increasingly becoming a more flexible, anywhere-anytime-based, digital resource-oriented personalized learning process leveraging the convenience and omnipresence characteristics of emerging technologies. This leads to the production and accumulation of a huge amount of digital learning resources in various repositions. With the growing demand on academics and the increasing expectation from students, how to effectively produce and utilize digital resources in an intelligent manner for providing students with personalised learning experience is becoming critical in higher education. This project investigates the perception and expectation of learners and academics on the intelligent production and utilization of digital resources for improving the delivery of teaching and learning in higher education. Drawing the insight from the technology adoption theory and the learning pedagogical model, the project will develop a systematic framework for facilitating the intelligent production and utilization of digital resources for improving the learning experience of students.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods and statistical analysis techniques. The supervision team includes specialists in information systems and e-learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT)","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kok-Leong Ong, Yee Ling Boo, Chao Chen","title":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven data synthesis \u2013 overcoming business challenges in data scarce environment","description":"Getting good data is a challenge for many businesses, especially when costs, time and resources are considered. As such, to implement effective AI driven solution remains a desirable goal but is out of reach for many businesses on a smaller scale. To effectively achieve scale in AI and machine learning deployment, data synthesis is needed to augment the lack of, or small amount of data samples available for machine learning (ML). In fact, it is estimated by Gartner that more than half of the data for future AI\/ML solutions will depend on synthetically generated data. This research will develop ways to intelligently generate synthetic data reflective of the real-world scenario using generative modelling frameworks. Approaches, such as VAE and GAN techniques will be considered as starting points to developing suitable methods for data synthesis under multimodal data types to fit common business use-cases. It is expected that the PhD student will identify the existing gap in current data synthesis methods, map out ways in which data synthesis can be evaluated and then develop solutions that can be operationalised within an organisation like Eliiza.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence; ISE 1 Data and Sensors","forcodes":"350301 - 100%"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Information Management","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Leveraging cutting-edge technologies to boost cybersecurity","description":"Due to the widespread use of small personal devices (like smartphones) and giant computer machines or services, the globe is now extremely network connected (e.g., cloud computing). Millions of data bytes are generated, processed, transferred, shared, and used every minute to produce results in certain applications. Therefore, protecting data, machines (devices), and users' privacy online has become of the highest importance to everyone, from private citizens to corporate entities to national governments [1].\rThe identification of zero-day malware, the classification of threats, and the execution of automated corrective measures can all be aided by artificial intelligence (AI) systems [2]. Given the increased number of tools available to developers who seek to construct AI scripts and software, hackers can use this technology to launch devastating cyberattacks. Cybersecurity organisations employ machine learning (ML) and AI to stop malware. However, these same technologies may also be widely utilised to break into networks and other devices. This project intends to create new attack detection architectures and algorithms through creative strategies combining AI, ML, federated learning, digital twins, and distributed optimisation. It is essential to have programming knowledge (e.g., Python, Matlab, or R).\rReferences\r[1] D. Dasgupta et al.\"Machine learning in cybersecurity: a comprehensive survey\" The Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation 19.1(2022):57-106.\r[2] F. Alhaidari et al. \"ZeVigilante: Detecting Zero-Day Malware Using Machine Learning and Sandboxing Analysis Techniques\" Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience 2022.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 4 Cyber Security; ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (50%), 460603 Cyberphysical systems and internet of things (20%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%), 490304 Optimisation (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Logistics and Supply Chain Management","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Enhancing supply-chain security using emerging technologies","description":"Numerous supply chain issues, such as the current COVID-19 outbreak, demonstrate the importance of more robust, collaborative, and networked supply chain management (SCM) for the world economy. Thus, a research framework for supply chain cybersecurity is essential for the business environment [1]. Manufacturing was the top industry targeted in 2021's SCM cyberattacks, according to the recently released IBM Security X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2022 [2]. A digital supply chain twin is a digital representation of the physical supply chain that includes lifecycle stakeholders, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and maintainers in the context of SCM.\rIn order to replicate SCMs (i.e., processes involved in the production and distribution of a product) in various industries, this project aims to design a blockchain-based Artificial Intelligence-enabled digital-twins framework with an integrated cybersecurity architecture. This framework will enable secure decentralised data sharing and management of DT components and their associated data to mitigate cyberattacks.\rIt is essential to have programming knowledge (e.g., Python, Matlab, or R).\r[1] S. Melnyk et al. \"New challenges in supply chain management: cybersecurity across the supply chain\" International Journal of Production Research 60.1(2022):162-183. [2] IBM, \"Combating new threats in a time of constant change\" 2022 [Online].","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 4 Cyber Security; ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (35%), 350909 Supply chains (30%), 460603 Cyberphysical systems and internet of things (15%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (10%), 490304 Optimisation (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka N. Halgamuge","title":"Safeguarding Solar Power Renewable Energy from Cyber Threats","description":"The world undergoes numerous challenges as energy demand overflows from commercial enterprises, businesses, and households. The ongoing global energy crisis highlights the pivotal role of renewable energy, boosting the urgency to transition to cleaner energy solutions [1]. By championing and investing in its advancement, we can reduce carbon emissions, lessen our dependency on fossil fuels, and pave the way for a more sustainable, secure, and eco-friendly energy landscape. \r\n\r\nThe increasing reliance on solar power renewable energy systems (SPRES) has produced scholarly attention focusing on its cybersecurity aspects. Historically, energy systems have been analog and isolated, whereas, with the integration of digital technologies, there is a paradigm shift toward connected and smarter grids, boosting the cyber threat landscape. While these systems hold significant potential for future energy consumption patterns, their complex security vulnerabilities remain under-explored [2, 3]. Integrating machine learning, deep learning, federated learning, AI, and blockchain technologies individually aims to address certain aspects of these vulnerabilities. However, a comprehensive and cohesive understanding of how these technologies can be synergised to create a holistic security framework still needs to be developed. Additionally, the trade-offs between blockchain integration and overall system performance and the real-time effectiveness of AI-powered intrusion detection in the unique context of solar power systems remain ambiguous and demand a rigorous investigation. \r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop a comprehensive security framework that integrates the cutting-edge technologies of blockchain, AI, machine learning, and federated deep learning, each offering unique benefits in enhancing SPRES security. These technologies are integrated to address the existing security gaps and anticipate and mitigate emerging threats essential to the rapid expansion of SPRES.\r\n\r\n[1]  COP26 Goals. [Online] https:\/\/ukcop26.org\/cop26-goals\/, 2021. \r\n[2]  J. Ruan et al., \u201cAn inertia-based data recovery scheme for false data injection attack\u201d, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 18(11):1\u20131, 2022. \r\n[3]  W. Qiu et al., \u201cCyber-attack detection: Modeling and roof-PV generation system defending\u201d, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 59(1):160\u2013168, 2023. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (40%)\r\n090608 Renewable Power and Energy Systems Engineering (30%)\r\n460603 Cyberphysical systems and Internet of Things (20%)\r\n460299 Artificial intelligence (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babak Abbasi","title":"Blockchain-based operations research for a fairer kidney exchange program.","description":"This project analyses the challenges in the existing kidney exchange program within Australia and across the Pacific. It will identify critical weaknesses and establish a blockchain-based platform that matches incompatible kidney donor and recipient pairs with other incompatible pairs across Australia and the Pacific.\nThe current kidney organ donation and transplantation systems present various obstacles and prerequisites regarding enrolment, matching donors with recipients, organ removal and delivery, and transplantation that are subject to legal, clinical, ethical, and technical limitations. Healthcare administrators use operations research techniques to optimize resource allocation and solve scheduling problems for allocating donors\u2019 kidneys. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of existing literature to examine the use of operations research for allocating donors\u2019 kidneys. It mainly includes three stages: provider-facing decision aids, system-level planning, and patient-facilitated wait times estimation. The most commonly used operational research techniques included Markov models, decision analysis models, optimization, and queuing models. The literature suggests that the current techniques lack in assessing the validity of model inferences and highlights the usefulness of more advanced operations research techniques in supporting decision-making for efficient kidney allocation, with the ultimate goal of reducing the gap between kidney supply and demand and improving population health. Consequently, a comprehensive organ donation and transplantation system is necessary to ensure an equitable and effective process that improves patient satisfaction and builds confidence. Blockchain technology has several potential applications in this area, including:\n\n1. Donor and Recipient Matching: Blockchain can improve the matching process between donors and recipients by creating a decentralized network that can accurately match donors and recipients based on medical and biological factors.\n\n2. Tracking and Traceability: Blockchain can provide a secure and tamper-proof method of tracking the movement of organs from donor to recipient.\n\n3. Data Management and Security: Blockchain can provide a secure and efficient way to manage patient data, including medical records and organ transplant information.\n\n4. Smart Contracts: Blockchain can facilitate the creation of smart contracts that can automate and simplify the organ donation and transplantation process, including the allocation of organs and financial transactions.\n\nIt should be noted that the use of blockchain in organ donation and transplantation is still in its early stages, and further research is needed to fully explore its potential. In this project, we will focus on evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of blockchain-based solutions in real-world settings. Based on findings from this analysis, a blockchain-based operational research platform for a fairer and more efficient kidney exchange program between Australia and the pacific for information and knowledge exchange will be established as part of the project\u2019s outcomes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"420308: Health informatics and information systems\n460499: Cybersecurity and privacy not elsewhere classified\n460908: Information Systems organisation and management\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"MR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shahriar Kaisar and Abebe Diro","title":"Unlocking the keys to equality and inclusion Opportunities and challenges for women in Australia\u2019s information security sector","description":"Currently, relatively little is about women\u2019s positions in the Australian security workforce. It has been widely observed, however, that women are strikingly underrepresented in this industry. In the wake of a growing global security staff and digital skills shortage, this equation is particularly unsettling. Thus, the expanding importance of the security sector across the economy, combined with an increasing awareness of the value of diversity and inclusive representation in professional contexts, points towards the need to examine the gender composition of the security industry in Australia","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350307 Technology Management\r\n350503 Human Resource Management\r\n350502 Employment Equality and Diversity"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Malka Halgamuge","title":"Utilizing Big-Data Analytics and AI for Cyber-Physical System Security Enhancement","description":"Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are complex, interconnected systems that integrate the physical world (smart objects) and the digital world to create a seamless environment and are considered an integral part of the Industry 4.0 revolution. Industrial control systems (ICS), smart healthcare, smart grids, and smart agriculture are some examples of CPS. Although CPS provides an excellent opportunity for remote controlling and monitoring, the interconnected nature of these systems also makes them vulnerable to an increasing number of cyberattacks, and the traditional security measures are inadequate to protect them. \r\n\r\nBig Data Analytics (BDA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have the potential to enhance CPS security by providing predictive and proactive measures to safeguard these systems against potential threats. The proposed research aims to investigate how BDA and AI can enhance CPS security through a comprehensive framework. As part of this PhD project, the student will investigate current state-of-the-art cybersecurity approaches for CPS protection and investigate how BDA and AI can further contribute to CPS security. \r\n\r\nThis project carries the potential for an internship opportunity.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"Impact of Digital Trust on Cybersecurity Governance, Value, and Compliance","description":"The rising number of cyberattacks worldwide highlights the importance of cybersecurity governance [1].  There is a need for more investigation into the influence of digital trust on an organization's value, governance, and compliance [2]. Also, it is essential to explore the impact of corporate governance elements on digital trust. In addition, significant research is required to determine the effectiveness of developing cybersecurity technologies and methodologies and identify the risks and ethical implications of their use.\n\nThis PhD project aims to develop cutting-edge methods for analysing the effect of digital trust on organisation value, governance, and compliance in cybersecurity, approaches to utilise new cybersecurity technologies that may enhance organisational security, a culture of cybersecurity, risk-based approaches towards creating a cyber-resilient environment, and address ethical considerations associated with their use.\n\nThis project carries the potential for an internship opportunity.\n\n[1] C. Dunn et al., \"Regulatory cybersecurity governance in the making: the formation of ENISA and its struggle for epistemic authority\", Journal of European Public Policy, 1\u201323, 2023.\n\n[2] L. Kluiters et al., \"The impact of digital trust on firm value and governance: an empirical investigation of US firms\", Society and Business Review, 18(1), 71\u2013103, 2023.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"26\/12\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (60%) ; 460908 Information systems organisation and management (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chao Chen","title":"Evaluating and Mitigating Security and Privacy Risks of real-world AI Systems","description":"This project aims to develop new practical risk assessment and mitigation methods for real-world Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems from security and privacy attacks whereby an attacker can steal sensitive information from AI models adopted by critical systems. This project expects to examine various attack models, create comprehensive and fine-grained privacy risk assessment framework, and develop utility-preserving mitigation mechanisms. Expected outcomes of this project include new tools to assess and mitigate security and privacy risks of real-world AI systems. This project hopes to provide significant benefits to Australia by improving the trustworthiness of AI models in national critical infrastructure, such as banking, health, etc.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460299 (60%) ; 460402 (20%) ; 460403 (20%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chao Chen","title":"Towards Responsible Enterprise AI","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the business world by enabling organizations to automate processes, enhance customer experiences, and improve productivity. However, the rapid adoption of AI has also raised concerns about its potential impact on our society. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it can unintentionally perpetuate biases, perpetuate discrimination, and threaten privacy rights.\n\nThe goal of this project is to advance the development and adoption of Responsible Enterprise AI (REAI). REAI refers to AI that is designed and used in an ethical, transparent, and sustainable manner in an enterprise setting. This project will focus on three key pillars of REAI:\n\nEthical AI: AI should be designed and deployed in a way that aligns with ethical principles, including fairness, accountability, and transparency.\nHuman-centered AI: AI should be designed to augment human capabilities and enable human decision-making, not replace it.\nTrusted AI: AI should be transparent, secure, and reliable, with built-in mechanisms for detecting and addressing errors and biases.\n\nThe project will aim to develop a framework for REAI. The framework will be informed by research on the ethical, social, and environmental implications of AI, as well as best practices for responsible AI development and deployment. The project will also involve the development the guidelines for AI governance in organisations.\n\nOverall, this project aims to promote the responsible use of AI in enterprise settings, ensuring that the benefits of AI are realised without compromising on ethical and social values. This project will sit within the Enterprise AI and Data Analytics Hub.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460299 (60%) ;  460911 (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201 \/ MR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Abebe Diro","title":"Ethical Frameworks for Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity","description":"This project aims to develop ethical frameworks for leveraging artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, addressing privacy, bias, transparency, and accountability concerns. The expected outcomes include increased awareness and understanding of ethics, the development of actionable frameworks, improved cybersecurity practices and policy recommendations for ethical use of AI in cybersecurity. The project has the potential to enhance business trust and reputation by promoting responsible AI use in the cybersecurity industry, and potentially reduce the financial impact of data breaches and cyberattacks. The project can also promote trust in technology and support broader social values such as privacy and fairness by protecting the privacy of individuals and prevent the misuse of AI systems. By ensuring that AI systems are transparent, unbiased, and accountable, the project can contribute to social values such as fairness and equity. The translation and adoption pathway for the research may involve collaboration with industry partners and policymakers to integrate the frameworks and guidelines into industry practices and regulations. By working with relevant stakeholders, the project aims to ensure that its outcomes are widely disseminated, adopted and become part of the broader AI ecosystem in cybersecurity. The project's ultimate goal is to create a more ethical and secure cyberspace for all. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"4604 Cybersecurity and privacy ; 4611 Machine learning "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yee Ling Boo","title":"Explainable AI and autonomous decision making ","description":"The increasing pervasiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is increasing in all facets of lives. Particularly in the contemporary business world, AI is being extensively used to support business managers in decision-making either in a primary or secondary role. The autonomy of AI systems ranges from semi-autonomous to fully autonomous. As the pace of AI autonomy advances using vast amounts of data and feature engineering, their appearance is getting opaquer and more incomprehensible for humans. This phenomenon generates an imminent need to develop mechanisms for enhancing the explainability of AI systems, especially for end users and those likely to get affected by such decisions. The PhD studentships will develop a framework to identify the analytical rationale behind AI systems. Through an extant review of academic and practitioners\u2019 literature, the first deliverable of the PhD will be a holistic summary of the current issues regarding the explainability of AI and its implications in autonomous decision-making. The second deliverable is expected to be a transdisciplinary experiment-based investigation where guidance from various disciplines such as computer science, data science, social science and organisational behaviour will be synergised to explore explainability of AI and its impact on autonomous decision-making in an organisational setting. The second deliverable is expected to develop the framework for autonomous decision-making through explainable AI. Lastly, the developed framework will be tested through various case studies. This PhD position will have internship opportunities with the AI hub\u2019s industry contacts. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/04\/2026","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"460902 Decision support and group support system (40%) ; 350301 Business analytics code (20%) ; 350303 Business Information Systems (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Information Systems","programcode":"DR201 \/ MR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sophia Duan","title":"Navigating the future of artificial intelligence in small and medium-sized enterprises","description":"Artificial intelligence (AI) is a ground-breaking technology that disrupts businesses, markets, and competition. It has the potential to increase global GDP by up to 14% by 2030, an equivalent of an additional $14 to 15 trillion in contributions to the world economy. AI has been increasingly used in organizations for improving decision making, streamlining business process, and enhancing customer experience, leading to improved business performance. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the Australian economy. They have yet to fully embrace AI due to their unique characteristics in technology adoption such as lack of technical expertise, inadequate capital, strong influence of the owner on decision making, and extreme dependence on business partners. Understanding the AI readiness of SMEs with the consideration of their unique characteristics is therefore critical for enhancing the capabilities of SMEs in the adoption of AI for achieving competitive advantages. This PhD project will develop a framework to assess the AI readiness of SMEs and help SMEs develop strategies to stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven world.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"29\/12\/2028","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350303 (50%) ; 460908 (50%)\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Charles La","title":"Application of Artificial Intelligence in Sustainable Procurement Reporting","description":"This project aims to develop an AI system using open-source large language models to automate and enhance the compilation of the Sustainable Procurement Disclosure Index (SPDI), launched by RMIT University in 2024. Currently, the index relies on manual extraction and analysis of sustainability-related information from corporate sustainability reports and company websites. It is built using commonly adopted Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicators relevant to procurement practices, mapped to specific GRI standards and disclosure activities. A five-star rating and a disclosure score are generated for each company to enable benchmarking.\nManual assessment is time-consuming, subjective, and prone to inconsistency. By applying artificial intelligence, particularly natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML), this project will streamline and standardise the information retrieval and scoring process. The AI-enabled SPDI will provide rapid, scalable, and objective evaluations of procurement disclosure across a wide range of listed companies.\nCrucially, the system will support the generation of sector-specific indices guided by the principle of materiality, enhancing relevance and comparability. It will also incorporate multiple validation layers, including cross-verification with third-party audits, public databases, and technology-driven checks such as anomaly detection to flag inconsistencies or potential misreporting.\nThis innovative, data-driven approach will improve transparency, accountability, and consistency in corporate reporting. It will support investors, policymakers, and stakeholders in monitoring sustainable procurement practices and promote responsible sourcing. The project contributes to advancing sustainability performance tracking and supports the case for mandatory disclosure aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production.","sdg":"[\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply chains\n461105 Reinforcement learning"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vinh Thai","title":"Data analytics-enabled innovation and port performance improvement in Australia ","description":"Australia is heavily dependent on international trade, and more than 99% of the country's import and export in terms of volume are going through her ports. The effectiveness and efficiency of the Australian port system is, therefore, essential to the country's import and export competitiveness. According to recent reports of the Productivity Commission, however, the performance of the Australian ports has be come a concern. Meanwhile, similar to other countries, there is a fast on-going digital transformation in Australia especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project therefore investigates how data analytics-enabled innovation can contribute to enhance performance in the context of Australia, and whether this may lead to long-term competitiveness.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350904"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Masih Fadaki","title":"Deep Artificial Intelligence and Its Applications in Supply Chain Optimisation under Uncertainty ","description":"Over the past decade, faced with escalating uncertainties on both global and national levels, numerous firms have embarked on initiatives to restructure and revitalise their supply chains, with the aim of enhancing their adaptability to fluctuations within the supply chain network. To achieve this, it is imperative to expand our comprehension of modern supply chain management practices and digital transformation strategies, fostering the necessary skills to design a robust and responsive supply chain. Mathematical modelling and supply chain optimisation methods boast an extensive history of aiding organizations in making well-informed, data-driven decisions amidst uncertainty. However, these techniques encounter limitations when the scale of the problem becomes overwhelmingly large, decision drivers fluctuate in non-stationary and unpredictable ways, and companies begin adopting big data frameworks. Additionally, conventional AI approaches such as supervised learning are constrained by the need for costly expert datasets, which are generally difficult to procure.\n\nThe heightened volatility and uncertainty in today's supply chains, coupled with the limitations of conventional optimisation and AI methods, underscore the importance of the present PhD project, which aims to design and implement deep AI solutions for various supply chains. Deep AI empowers supply chain practitioners to devise solutions for situations where expert knowledge is unavailable, and the fundamental assumptions of standard optimisation models are breached. Another notable aspect of this project is the versatility offered by deep AI, as the developed solutions can be effortlessly transferred to different supply chain domains without being restricted by a specific network configuration. Throughout the PhD journey, the candidate will delve into contemporary AI frameworks and subsequently create a customised solution to enhance key performance indicators in supply chain and logistics management.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/03\/2026","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamrul Ahsan","title":"Electric vehicles supply chain","description":"The high level of concern about environmental pollution and the energy crisis is accelerating the pace of development and acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs) in the transport sector. This transformation of the automotive industry towards electrification by means of EVs will disrupt the entire automotive supply chain and lead to a significant shift in the supply chain of EV components. It is estimated that by 2035, half of global car sales will be EVs. Governments around the world are providing various incentives, including tax exemptions, to encourage people to replace their existing internal combustion vehicles (ICVs) with EVs. \nEV production involves the supply chain of several critical parts and materials. Among the critical parts, battery technology (lithium-ion batteries or LIBs) is one of the key areas for gaining a competitive advantage in the EV sector. The production of LIBs also involves the supply chain of various raw materials, some of which are critical and subject to supply risks. While EVs appear to be a suitable option to improve sustainability, the processing of LIBs is a complicated task for the recycling industry and remains a key concern due to environmental risks. Building local capacity to manufacture and recycle these batteries is essential. Therefore, collaboration between government, academia, manufacturers, OEMs and the battery recycling industry is needed to implement successful circular economy strategies. Furthermore, servicing of EVs in a local market also requires skills and capabilities that are yet to be explored extensively.\nWe consider EV supply chain issues to be an emerging area of research to address a variety of challenges across the technology, sustainability, and supply chain domains.  We, therefore, encourage potential PhD candidates to consider the following research projects:\nResearch Project 1- Closed-loop supply chain management of Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in EVs\nThis research project will explore the various issues such as challenges and mechanisms of closed-loop supply chain management of LIBs, including disposal, recycling and reuse, and the role of different stakeholders in this regard.\nResearch Project 2- Supply chain challenges of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) production for EVs\nThis project aims at investigating the potential challenges that manufacturing supply chains of LIBs face in Australia and other countries. \nResearch project 3 \u2013 Aftermarket service supply chain challenges of EVs adoption\nEVs are vastly different from ICVs and will require different skill sets, know-how, and capabilities from that of ICVs to effectively handle the aftermarket service of EVs. This project aims to investigate the skills\/competencies and capabilities required for the transition to EVs aftermarket service in Australia and other countries. \nConsidering the nature of the problem, the study will be conducted using a mixed method: case study, survey, and content analysis. We are interested in an HDR candidate with a solid background in any of the above research methods and supply chain management discipline. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"20\/11\/2024","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply chains (80%) ; 350999 Transportation, logistics and supply chains not elsewhere classified (10%) ; 401105 Life cycle assessment and industrial ecology (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sharon Maleki Far","title":"FMCG Supply Chain Optimisation via Integrating AI and Supply Chain Technologies","description":"The Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry is seeking supply chain solutions to optimise its operations to fulfil customers\u2019 demands effectively and efficiently. The emerging supply chain trends in the FMCG industry consist of agility, technology, and sustainability. Real-time end-to-end visibility and cloud-based solutions can facilitate data-driven supply chain optimisation and decision-making processes. Advanced supply chain technologies can help the FMCG industry to transform from a traditional to a digital supply chain and enhance the efficiency of its operations.\nThis proposed PhD project aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technologies to optimise the FMCG supply chain operations. The objective is to determine the most appropriate approach and design to implement and integrate AI and supply chain technologies to optimise the efficiency and responsiveness of the supply chain in the FMCG industry while remaining sustainable. Successful candidates should have a solid background in quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistical analysis techniques. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected from FMCG companies to understand the current practices and challenges faced by the industry, identify the gaps, and determine the best supply chain solutions.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2027","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply Chain (40%) ; 460299 AI not elsewhere classified (30%) ; 490304 Optimisation (20%) 350702 Corporate Social Responsibility (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri","title":"Lean Supply Chain Designs to Reduce Food Waste for Business and Environmental Sustainability","description":"This project aims to develop sustainable supply chain designs to reduce food waste in agro-product supply chains. In order to design a lean supply chain design to enhance operational efficiency, the project will focus on these specific objectives: \u2022 Develop the process view to visualize and critically analyse the supply chain of selected agriculture produces and value-added products in both countries. \u2022 Develop the Value Stream Mapping and Optimization Models for analysing and comparing the supply chain configurations for streamlined configurations to reduce wastage. \u2022 Identify and analyse the technology adoption in different domain of supply chain such as harvesting, post-harvesting, transportation, and storage. \u2022 Prioritise the action plans for business and environmental sustainability using predictive analytics using Artificial Intelligence and optimisation models. \u2022 Design the supply chain configuration for banana and wheat for business sustainability using supply chain surplus and environmental sustainability analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350903 Logistics (60%)\n350909 Supply Chain (30%)\n330409 Transport Planning (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202 \/MR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shahrooz Shahparvari","title":"Supply Chain\u2019s Technological Transformation to Mitigate Disruptive Risks","description":"Supply chain management under emergency situations is becoming increasingly important as the world faces various types of disasters and disruptions including natural disasters, and pandemics, infrastructure failures, and political conflicts. The application of technologies integrated with optimization analytics in emergency supply chain management can help organizations quickly and effectively respond to these disruptions. This PhD research topic aims to explore the use of optimization techniques in emergency supply chain management to improve decision-making and response times during crises. The significance of this research topic lies in its potential to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency supply chain management. By utilizing optimization analytics, organizations can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency supply chain management by optimal planning of the use of limited resources and minimising the negative impact of disruptions on their operations and communities. This PhD research will provide valuable insights into the use of optimization techniques in emergency supply chain management and will contribute to the development of new and improved approaches to managing disruptions. The methods used in this research will include a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative methods, such as case studies and expert interviews, will be used. Quantitative methods, such as statistical analysis and simulation, will be used to test the effectiveness of various optimization techniques in various scenarios. Data collection will involve a review of existing literature on the use of optimization analytics, as well as the collection of primary data through case studies and expert interviews.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"28\/03\/2028","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350909 Supply chains ; 350999 Transportation, logistics and supply chains not elsewhere classified ; 460209 Planning and decision making"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ahmad Abareshi","title":"Drivers and Barriers to Localisation of Humanitarian Operations","description":"Every year, disasters result in an average economic loss of US$211 billion and claim 76,000 lives.         Climate change, population growth, patterns of economic development and political conflicts are among the critical reasons for the upward trend of disasters. Such challenges and the need for sustainable development motivated the United Nations (UN) to formulate a set of Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), including no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, clean energy, responsible production and consumption, and action against climate change. Humanitarian operations can play a vital role in achieving these 17 SDGs. International Humanitarian Organizations (IHOs) play an important role in saving lives and reducing human suffering among different players in humanitarian operations. However, there is always competition among IHOs for donations, and as a result, they may not be willing to cooperate and build a partnership that is not in line with one of the UNSDGs goals (SDG17). \nWhile IHOs are the largest recipients of donor funds, their capacities are limited. Hence, the role of local and national actors in increasing the global response capacity becomes more prominent. \nIn humanitarian aid, localisation (or localisation) gives more decision-making power and funding to organisations and people in countries affected by humanitarian emergencies. IHOs support localisation strategy for developing such capacity through which the local actors in humanitarian operations are empowered. In the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, IHOs and donors committed to enabling more locally-led disaster response. Although both IHOs and donors acknowledge the critical role of local actors, there is little progress in practice for several reasons at local and international levels. \nThis project aims to investigate the drivers and barriers faced by IHOs to localise their operations on preparedness and response stages of disaster cycle management. The project will also investigate how the strength of the identified drivers and barriers might change depending on the nature of the disaster, the type of organisation and geographical location. The project employs qualitative (interview) and quantitative approaches (questionnaire survey) and requires the involvement of donors, local and international humanitarian organisations, and government and non-government organisations.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"26\/12\/2025","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"350999 (100%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri","title":"Multi Criteria Decision Support Systems for Smart Logistics Cities","description":"This project aims to develop Multi Criteria Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) for Smart logistics Cities in Australia. The focus will be on the generation of a range of spatial indicators of city logistics performance, development of AI-driven decision support tools and the design of a spatial decision support system to improve the logistics efficiency and performance of smart cities. The project is driven by SDGs to help achieve socio-spatial inequality, facilitate greater accessibility to freight service nodes for businesses, and support carbon-neutral future. This comparative study will help benchmarking Australian cities against a set of sustainable development indicators. It will develop a novel integrated spatial multi-criteria hybrid decision support model that combines different multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods (e.g. Delphi, FARE, VIKOR and DEA) in the fuzzy environment with spatial data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"350903 Logistics (60%)\n350909 Supply Chain (30%)\n330409 Transport Planning (10%)\n\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"MR202 \/ DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Victor Gekara, Prem Chhetri, Darryn Snell, Babak Abbasi","title":"Changes, Challenges and Implications of Digital and Technological Transformation on the Organisation and Operations of Transport and Logistics Business","description":"The organisation and operations of business is undergoing significant transformation with the introduction of new and advanced technologies such as robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), advanced Information Communication and Technology (ICT) systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, while the transformations and impact have largely been studied through large-scale \u2018global\u2019 quantitative surveys, revealing overall trends, geo-contextualised, firm-level, in-depth studies have been few and rare. Utilising qualitative social science methodologies, the proposed PhD project will examine the nature of technological transformation in any, or combination of, industries within the transport and logistics sector from various perspectives, including:\n\u2022The kinds of technologies being adopted, the socio-technical influences on successful adoption and the associated organisational and operational implications,\n\u2022The impact on the nature and texture of work and workforce skills requirement, and\n\u2022The performance and productivity implications. Proposals may be developed with reference to any country or regional context.\nThe successful candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of qualitative social science research methods, including the use of different tools and programs to collect, analyse and present data. They will also demonstrate a strong command of English, both written and spoken.\nThe PhD will be supervised by a highly experienced multidisciplinary team of researchers in the Global Transport and Logistics Research Group, which is affiliated with the Global Business Innovation (GBI) Enabling Capability Platform (ECP).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shams Rahman, Muhammad Abdul Rahman, Kamrul Ahsan","title":"Circular economy and supply chain sustainability","description":"The current and traditional linear extract-produce-use-dump material and energy flow model of the modern economic system is unsustainable. Circular economy (CE) provides the economic system with an alternative flow model, one that is cyclical. CE is an approach aimed at transforming waste from a given process into a valuable input for another process, and where end-of-life products could be repaired, reused or remanufacturing instead of being discarded. CE is putting sustainability and closed-loop thinking at the heart of business models. The concept is currently being promoted by several nations including Australia. A recent study by the European Commission estimated that CE-type economic transitions can create 600 billion euros annual economic gains for the EU manufacturing sector alone. However, the scientific research content of CE remains largely unexplored. Under the CE platform, we will embark on the following two projects:\nProject 1: Waste-to-wealth\nThis project aims are to investigate critical barriers and drivers of potential value creation through waste management, recycle and remanufacturing, stakeholders in the waste management, resource recovery and circularity. The project will also look at the importance of organisational strategy and relevant government policy reforms for waste disposal and recycle towards positioning Australia towards achieving global competitiveness through utilising circularity (CE) concepts. Project 2: Recapturing value through returns management\nTraditionally, product returns and disposals were considered as cost centres. However, studies suggested that if managed properly they can be a source of competitive advantage or basis of value addition. Worldwide consumers product returns volume accounts for an estimated $642.6 billion annually which is around 8% of gross sales. Due to increased volume of product returns the management of product returns has become one of the major challenges for businesses today. Given the importance of product returns this study will conduct research on managing product returns for recapturing values though returns management knowledge areas such as returns and recall policy, returns process, customer service in returns, management of safety and risk. Our main interest is on returns related to the customer to business (C2B), or e-tail, multi-channel and omnichannel retail. We are interested in HDR candidate(s) who has the background in supply chain (Industrial engineering) discipline with good knowledge in research methodology and having working knowledge either in quantitative or qualitative research methods.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202\/ MR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Masih Fadaki","title":"Equitable Capacity Allocation Decisions in Supply Chain Design and Analysis","description":"Capacity allocation focuses on allocation of limited resources among competing activities with the intent of optimising an objective function. It is hard to imagine a product or service supply chain with no necessity for some sort of allocation mechanism: e.g., allocating airport gates to airlines, cranes to shipping companies in ports, available RAM to multiple programs, machines to scheduled jobs, rare blood type (O-negative) to patients, data packets to connected devices to a router, etc. From supply chain contract perspective, product\/service provider usually aims to either maximise the fairness in allocating capacities based on predefined criteria, or to minimise\/maximise the penalty\/reward of deviating from the agreed service level as per the terms of a service level agreement (SLA). In the wake of a disaster, the effective design of an equitable capacity allocation mechanism becomes even more complex as the level of supply chain uncertainties goes beyond the standard concepts of supply chain risks and disruptions. This project aims to cover a vast range of research initiatives to investigate the design of allocation mechanisms and policies for distributing limited capacity among competing activities in various models of product or service supply chains. This project is in line with the Global Business Innovation ECP as it aims to develop innovate governance mechanisms that efficiently and effectively contribute to the local and\/or global distribution of products and services, in particular under extreme level of uncertainty.\nCandidate attributes: Masters or Honours degree in Analytics, Supply Chain (Logistics) Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or Applied Mathematics with strong Analytical components.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Charles Lau, Shahrooz Shahparvari, Priyabrata Chowdhury","title":"Optimising last mile delivery through machine learning: Opportunities and challenges","description":"Last-mile delivery, which involves delivering goods from the warehouse to the customer, is a crucial aspect of modern-day e-commerce. This logistics function can be the make-or-break factor of many online retail businesses. It is one of the most challenging and costly parts of the supply chain due to various complexities, including traffic congestion, delivery time window, distance, and real-time tracking of goods. Machine learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that involves the use of algorithms to learn from data and make predictions. ML algorithms can be used to optimise last-mile delivery by predicting demand, improving route planning and scheduling, and enhancing customer experience. However, the use of ML in last mile delivery is still relatively new, and there is a need for further research in this area. This proposed PhD project aims to investigate the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of ML in optimising last mile delivery. A mixed methodology, including both qualitative and quantitative research methods will be adopted. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with logistics companies providing last-mile delivery service for clients to understand the current practices and challenges faced by the industry. The qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns. With the agreement of those logistics companies participating in the research, quantitative data of their actual operations will be collected from the databases of the companies for use in machine learning. The objective is to determine the most appropriate approach and design to implement machine learning algorithms in last mile delivery to optimise efficiency and responsiveness. The research will contribute to knowledge of AI application in logistics and supply chain management as well as practice in optimised urban logistics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350903 Logistics\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain & Logistics","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri","title":"Spatially Integrated Models to Improve Urban Freight Transport Systems","description":"The project aims to develop a \u201csustainable urban freight distribution,\u201d model which maximises the distribution efficiency, while minimising the environmental and social impacts, of the distribution of goods in urban areas. It aims to optimise the complete door-to-door logistics chain to enhance liveability of urban areas as places to live and work.\nResearch Problem\nUrban Freight Transport (UTF) is indispensable to the functioning of urban systems as it is required to replenish stocks of food and other retail goods in shops, to deliver documents, parcels and other supplies to offices and to remove household waste from urban areas. Although UFT has these important roles in the economic welfare of cities and therefore supports urban economies, it has a number of negative effects including road congestion, air quality, Greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution and public safety. Inefficiency in freight distribution in urban areas contributes to these negative effects. The logistics inefficiency in UFT can be improve by managing low load factors and empty running, reduced number of deliveries or unconsolidated distribution, and long dwell times at loading and unloading points. Technology-driven solutions to these challenges are required to reduce this inefficiency, which leads to additional costs for transport operators or users.\nProposed Output\nThis project will generate innovative spatially integrated solutions to improve urban freight transport by enabling economies of scale to be achieved through urban consolidation, to promote efficiency, and to enhance performance.\nThis project is aligned to the research priority of the Urban Future ECP to generate innovative spatially integrated big- data driven optimisation models\/tools to \u201cinform urban decision-making and to promote and advance the efficient design, planning and delivery of sustainable urban environments and services\u201d using Smart Cities Analytics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain Management","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babak Abbasi, Anne-Laure Mention","title":"Improving Blood Supply Chain Management","description":"Blood is limited resource collected from donors. Matching supply and demand of blood units is a challenge for healthcare systems due to several reasons including stochastic donation behaviour and demand uncertainty. In this project, innovative approaches are developed to consider uncertainty in decision making seen in blood management.\nResearch Question\nHow considering several sources of uncertainty in blood supply chain decision making can be considered to improve the resilient of the supply chain?\nProposed Output\nThis project will generate innovative solutions to promote efficiency and suitability of the blood supply chain. The decision support tools are developed that can be calibrated by real data and used by practitioners.\nThis project is aligned to the research priority of the Global Business Innovation ECP that will generate innovative supply chain and optimisation models\/tools to enhance organisational transformation and innovation capabilities","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"460603 Cyberphysical systems and internet of things (40%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence (20%)\n460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (20%)  \n4609 Information systems (20%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Supply Chain Management","programcode":"DR202","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prem Chhetri, Babak Abbasi, Ahmad Abarisi, Shahrooz Shahparvari","title":"Enhancing Emergency Response to Supply Chain Disruptions","description":"Research Question\nThis project aims to develop new optimisation service models to design and build adaptive emergency service networks, in terms of the optimal number, locations and capacity of emergency service facilities, to reduce operational costs and improve response time to emergency calls.\nHow can the delivery of public services be enhanced using logistics solutions and supply chain strategies to improve cost efficiency?\nWhat would the new optimal service delivery arrangements to help restructure and reorganise emergency service networks?\nResearch Problem\nAn effective and efficient response to emergency calls is a key challenge for emergency agencies such as fire, police and ambulance. Emergency response services are essential public agencies, which ensure the safety of people and properties. Prompt and timely response to calls for emergency services is critical as delays in the departure from the fire station and arrival at the scene can have significant consequences in terms of death, injury and damage to properties. In recent decades, fire Services Agencies are under considerable pressure to enhance public service delivery to achieve economies of scale, to promote efficiency, and to secure equity.\nProposed Output\nThis project will generate innovative market solutions to public services delivery to achieve economies of scale, to promote efficiency, and to secure equity. The geographic locations and social groups most at fire risk will be identified through innovative, spatially-integrated optimisation models to improve timely response to emergency calls, thereby helping reduce deaths and injuries, and property losses.\nThis project is aligned to the research priority of the Global Business Innovation ECP that will generate innovative supply chain and optimisation models\/tools to enhance Organisational transformation and innovation capabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"A\/Prof Roland Snooks, Prof Alisa Andrasek, Prof Tom Kovac, A\/Prof Paul Minifie, Dr Jan van Schaik, A\/Prof Adam Nash, Prof Nicholas Boyarsky, Dr Leslie Eastman, A\/Prof Charles Anderson, A\/Prof Katrina Simon, Dr Heike Rahmann, Dr Yazid Ninsalem, Dr Philip Belesky, Dr Ata Tara, Alice Lewis","title":"Advanced Technologies","description":"Research in Advanced Technologies explores what potential lies in emerging technologies for imagining, designing and developing new approaches to built forms and environments, new on-site operations, and for integrating data\/digital constructions with the physical and virtual. Investigating what the opportunities and barriers are to the wider application of these technologies, design research projects in this field engage with a range of advanced technologies and explore their development and operational deployment across the disciplines of Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, as well as material sciences, fabrication and manufacturing.\rResearch in this area includes (but is not limited to) exploration of computational design, robotics, robotic fabrication and manufacturing techniques, processes, and associated vision systems and real-time robotic control systems, machine learning, structural optimisation, Information systems, XR (extended reality), AR, VR and immersive environments, and Smart technology. Research can also engage with a range of tools within the broader field of generative practice to explore new design techniques that operate between modes of observation and spatial formation. These may take the form of explorations around parametric modelling, simulated environments, terrestrial scanning, material modelling and experimentation, software development, digital prototyping, and the fabrication of large-scale demonstrator projects.\rWithin this scope projects can be developed within the candidate\u2019s specific area of expertise and relevant sites, and can be in partnership with appropriate stakeholders and in collaboration with other related Schools within RMIT. Projects can also be pursued via the Applied Practice mode which can include collaborative work undertaken within specialised research groups led key research leaders. The generative design research conducted in Advanced Technologies will be developed through design projects where the \u2018real world\u2019 implications of this research can be tested and explored.","sdg":"9, 11, 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, Social Change, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102; Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411, Structural Engineering 400510"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Architecture Supervisors: Martyn Hook, Vivian Mitsogianni, Carey Lyon, Alisa Andrasek, Tom Kovac, Tom Holbrook, Nicholas Boyarsky, Eva Prats, Sand Helsel, Roland Snooks, Richard Black, Graham Crist, Paul Minifie, Anna Johnson, Jan van Schaik, Christine Phillips, Michael Spooner, Leanne Zilka, John Doyle, Emma Jackson, Ben Milbourne, Peter Brew\nInterior Design Supervisors: Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash\nLandscape Supervisors: Charles Anderson, Katrina Simon, Quentin Stevens, Anton James, Heike Rahmann, Kate Church, Bridget Keane, Heike Rahmann, Yazid Ninsalem, Philip Belesky, Ata Tara, Alice Lewis","title":"Generative Design Practice Research","description":"The Generative Design Practice Research mode of creative research crosses boundaries between professional and academic\/university-based research practices, and often between disciplines. This practice research approach enables practitioners to generate new kinds of practices - within a discipline, or through establishing new fields of practice - in response to challenges and concerns emerging in a changing world. Candidates might be early career, seeking to enter into a period of deep enquiry that transforms a set of practice-based interests into a more developed practice with a well-articulated emphasis, set of agendas and approaches. They might equally be mid- or later-career practitioners seeking to generate a new practice trajectory through a transformation of their established mastery. They demonstrate their findings publicly in ways most appropriate to the particularities of their practice research, usually through an exhibit, a written dissertation, and a presentation to examiners. This mode offers new knowledge in the form of previously unarticulated approaches to practice, informed by specific issues and challenges that direct their generative action.","sdg":"2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Architecture Supervisors: Martyn Hook, Vivian Mitsogianni, Carey Lyon, Alisa Andrasek, Tom Kovac, Tom Holbrook, Nicholas Boyarsky, Eva Prats, Sand Helsel, Roland Snooks, Richard Black, Graham Crist, Paul Minifie, Anna Johnson, Jan van Schaik, Christine Phillips, Michael Spooner, Leanne Zilka, John Doyle, Emma Jackson, Ben Milbourne, Peter Brew\rInterior Design Supervisors:Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash\rLandscape Supervisors: Charles Anderson, Katrina Simon, Quentin Stevens, Heike Rahmann, Kate Church, Bridget Keane, Heike Rahmann, Yazid Ninsalem, Philip Belesky, Ata Tara, Alice Lewis","title":"Reflective Industry Design Practice Research","description":"Reflective Industry Design Practice Research involves practitioners operating largely in a professional environment, generally with a peer-reviewed and award-winning body of work developed over 10 years or more. These practitioners have already developed recognised mastery in their field. They are invited to reflect upon the nature of that mastery within a critical framework, engaging them in reviewing the nature of their mastery, defining its enabling structures, its knowledge bases, and the implications of the nexus between these for emerging forms of research-led practice. They conclude by speculating through design on the nature of their future practice. They demonstrate their finding publicly, through an exhibit, a presentation to the examiners, and a written dissertation. Two kinds of knowledge are created by the research. One concerns the ways in which designers marshal their intelligence, to construct the mental space within which they practice design. The other reveals how public behaviours are invented and used to support design practice. This mode of research extends and develops the knowledge base of their profession, and thus its ability to serve society.","sdg":"2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Architecture Supervisors: Martyn Hook, Vivian Mitsogianni, Carey Lyon, Alisa Andrasek, Tom Kovac, Tom Holbrook, Nicholas Boyarsky, Eva Prats, Sand Helsel, Roland Snooks, Richard Black, Graham Crist, Paul Minifie, Anna Johnson, Jan van Schaik, Christine Phillips, Michael Spooner, Jan van Schaik, Leanne Zilka, John Doyle, Emma Jackson, Ben Milbourne, Peter Brew; Landscape Supervisors: Katrina Simon, Charles Anderson, Quentin Stevens, Kate Church, Bridget Keane, Heike Rahmann, Alice Lewis, Yazid Ninsalem, Philip Belesky, Ata Tara, John Fien, Esther Charlesworth, Leila Irajifar; Interior Design Supervisors: Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Olivia Hamilton, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash","title":"Cities and Environments","description":"Design research in this field can incorporate both generative and applied research modes to propose and produce designed propositions for cities and environments. Such design research investigates how existing environments can be reimagined to offer sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban futures, explores the ways and means of understanding and designing alternative solutions to configuring the urban\/biosphere fabric, and considers how these alternative configurations might benefit a multi-species ecology of inhabitants.\nIn this domain, design research projects can also consider how designers can collaborate with other development and built environment professionals to contribute to improved well-being and resilience in marginalized and displaced communities and in what ways and under what conditions the design of habitation and settlement infrastructure can contribute to wider education, health and livelihood goals for such communities.\nIn addition, research can include the exploration of the intersection between the economic, environmental and cultural dynamics of spatial production and engage with the politics of urban and rural transformation through design practice and modes of advocacy. This may include (but is not limited to): Transitional Economies - collaborations with community and stakeholders; Disrupted Landscapes - temporal \/ dynamic master planning; Landscape driven development models; and the development of evidence-based practice in shelter, infrastructure and settlement design for communities marginalized by the increasing frequency and severity of conflict, poverty, disasters and climate change. This field of enquiry also encompasses an engagement with and the exploration of Indigenous Knowledges and associated vernacular \/ ethno-architectures and place-making practices, as well as the development of sovereign relationships and alternative governance models","sdg":"2,3,6,7,9,11,12,13,14,15, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Urban Futures, Social Change, Information Systems","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Architecture & Urban Design","discipline":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","programcode":"DR207","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"John Fien, Esther Charlesworth, Leila Irajifar, Harriet Edquist, Christine Phillips, Charles Anderson, Nicholas Boyarsky, Alice Lewis, Suzie Attiwill, James Carey, Leslie Eastman, Olivia Hamilton, Roger Kemp, Adam Nash","title":"Cultural and Social Spatial Practices","description":"Research within this field engages with practices from the Arts, Ethnography, Design History and Theory, with a particular exploration of design for social change and cultural production. Major projects can be identified in the areas of design diplomacy, design for democracy, design for diversity and inclusion, design for affordable housing, ecological design, design for community development and cultural production. Design for social change encompasses working with social enterprises, NGOs, foundations, corporations and governments and includes concepts and processes such as social innovation, collaborative systems, co-design, co-production, curatorial practice and systemic change. A range of questions for research can underpin this field. In what ways and under what conditions can design and design thinking contribute to social change most effectively? How can collaboration across the spectrum of design methodologies and genres generate deeper and longer-lasting transformations? How could such collaborations be organized, funded, and implemented? How can the effectiveness of such collaborations be measured? What are the range of quantitative and qualitative metrics available for gauging sustained impact and value? How can programs and solutions be designed at a scale commensurate with the scale of the actual problems being confronted? What discourses within the design professions facilitate and\/or constrain the practice of design for social change? In what ways can design education contribute to positive discourses and discursive practices in design for social change? Research in this area may be undertaken through both thesis and\/or practice-based approaches, with lead supervision offered by staff with expertise in design for post-conflict and post\u2013disaster settings, design with remote and Indigenous communities, sustainability and resliency policy and practices, social transformation processes, public participation and cultural production.","sdg":"1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Urban Futures, Design & Creative Practice","forcodes":"Architectural Design 330102, Interior Design 330108, Landscape Architecture 330109, Urban Design 330411, Architectural History, Theory and criticism 330104, Sustainable Architecture 330110"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Art","programcode":"MR208 \/ DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Keely Macarow, Mark Edgoose, Irene Barberis-Page, Nicholas Bastin, Jazmina Cininas, Martine Corompt, Greg Creek, Vittoria di Steffano, Mikala Dwyer, Peter Ellis, Carolyn Eskdale, David Forrest, Ian Haig, Kirsten Haydon, Michael Graeve, Shane Hulbert, Nikos Pantazopoulos, Simon Perry, Dominic Redfern, Steven Rendall, Philip Samartzis, Kristen Sharp, Ben Sheppard, Sarah Tomasetti, Louise Weaver, Peter Westwood, Kit Wise, Sally Mannall. ","title":"Material Experiments","description":"Material Experiments encompasses studio-led research where the creative exploration is through contemporary art and craft practice research, with an emphasis on experimentation in and through material, visual, spatial, sonic, and temporal processes. Engaging the agency, methodologies and encounters of contemporary art and craft, our focus extends to the investigation of the properties of art objects, matter, and images and the politics and sustainability of materials in the transmission of ideas in contemporary culture. \r\n\r\nThe area supports critical, sensory, and speculative practices engaged in specialised and interdisciplinary research examining how transformative acts under domains of materiality and cultural production advance new manifestations of form and experience and interrelationships between meaning and making. We support projects that materialise critical dialogues mediating the social and the aesthetic, knowledge, and imagination. Researchers provide innovation within a rapidly changing and expansive field of contemporary art and craft practices, emerging technologies, and contemporary culture. \r\n\r\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\r","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"360301 Crafts\r\n360602 Fine Arts \r\n360604 Photography, video and lens-based Practice\r\n360104 Visual Cultures\r"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Art","programcode":"DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Pauline Anastasiou, Marnie Badham, Alison Bennett, Jazmina Cininas, Ray Cook, Martine Corompt, Peter Ellis, Kirsten Haydon, Alan Hill, Fiona Hillary, Tammy Wong Hulbert, Kelly Hussey-Smith, Pia Johnson, Laresa Kosloff, Keely Macarow, Clare McCracken, Grace McQuilten, Rebecca Najdowski, Daniel Palmer, Nikos Pantazopoulos, Simon Perry, Drew Pettifer, Dominic Redfern, Philip Samartzis, Kristen Sharp, Amy Spiers, Fleur Summers, Kit Wise, Sally Mannall.","title":"CONTEMPORARY ART AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION (CAST)","description":"Researchers in Contemporary Art and Social Transformation (CAST) critically engage with environmental, social, and public spheres with a particular interest in how artistic practices intersect with issues of equity, access, and democracy. Key themes include social practice and public art, creative care, ecology, and environment education, migration, and mobility, queer(y)ng practice, and fashion, art, and sustainability.\n\nCAST is a research group and hub for critical thinking, collaboration and the exchange of ideas, knowledge dissemination, practice-led artistic research and socially engaged art practice. CAST engages on local and international levels by collaborating with practitioners, communities, industry, and government partners. \n\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\n\nCAST: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/contemporary-art-and-social-transformation\n\n","sdg":"1 - No Poverty, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing,5 - Gender Equality, 4 - Quality Education,\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10 - Reduced Inequalities, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 - Climate Action, 14 - Life Below Water, 15 - Life on the Land, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions, 17 - Partnerships for the Goals","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"360602, 360103, 360603, 360104, 360604"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Art","programcode":"DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Keely Macarow, Marnie Badham, Alison Bennett, David Forrest, Shane Hulbert, Tammy Wong Hulbert, Kelly Hussey-Smith, Pia Johnson, Daniel Palmer, Drew Pettifer, Philip Samartzis, Kristen Sharp, Amy Spiers, Naomi Stead, Peter Westwood, Kit Wise, Naomi Stead, School of Media and Communications","title":"Curatorial and Cultural Production","description":"Research in Curatorial and Cultural Production spans cultural production, arts management, curatorial practice, public pedagogies, and arts education. The area considers key directions and links in relation to art institutions, government, community, pedagogies, and cultural transformation. The research explores new and emerging methodologies and theoretical approaches with a focus on Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. \n\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\n","sdg":"4 - Quality Education, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 17 - Partnerships for the Goals","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n  390101 Creative Arts, Media and Communication Curriculum and Pedagogy\n 350704 Entrepreneurship\n 420207 Cultural Theory\n 430205 Heritage and Cultural Conservation 210299 Curatorial and Related Studies not elsewhere classified\n 360499 Performing Arts and Creative Writing not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Art","discipline":"Photography","programcode":"DR208","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Keely Macarow, Alison Bennett, Martine Corompt, Vittoria di Steffano, Ian Haig, Alan Hill, Shane Hulbert, Pia Johnson, Kelly Hussey-Smith, Daniel Palmer, Nikos Pantazopolous, Rebecca Najdowski, Ray Cook","title":"Imaging Futures","description":"Research in Imaging Futures focuses on how photography and expanded imaging is integrated into emerging technologies that are changing how we see and experience the world. In work, leisure, health and art, photography and images are implicated in new ways of visualising and interacting with our bodies, environments, and cities. The ubiquitous nature of 21st century photography \u2013 together with new developments such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and extended reality is bound up with complex processes of social change. Imaging Futures supports studio-based, multi-disciplinary and theoretical research engaged in the social, cultural, and political impact of photography and new imaging technologies and processes.\n\nAll research in the School of Art begins from a recognition of working on unceded Aboriginal land, in the context of the Asia Pacific and global networked culture in a climate emergency.\n\nImaging Futures: https:\/\/sites.rmit.edu.au\/if-lab\/\n","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth,7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, 5 - Gender Equality, 4 - Quality Education , 10 - Reduced Inequalities, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13 - Climate Action, 14 - Life Below Water, 15 - Life on the Land, 17 - Partnerships for the Goals, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"360604 \n 360603 \n  360502 \n 360503 \n 360504 \n 360103 \n 470207"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peyman Khezr ","title":"Artificial Intelligence for Market Design","description":"This project investigates how artificial intelligence\u2014particularly reinforcement learning and deep learning\u2014can be used to design, simulate, and evaluate complex market mechanisms. The research will explore applications in auction theory, matching markets, and broader mechanism design problems, aiming to uncover optimal strategies in environments where strategic behavior and uncertainty are present. A key component of the project involves running experiments with human participants to study how people interact with AI agents in these markets, providing insights into the dynamics between human decision-making and machine learning-based strategies. This interdisciplinary work requires a strong foundation in game theory and microeconomics, proficiency in Python programming, and an interest in machine learning. Experience with AI frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch), experimental design, and human-subjects research is highly desirable but not essential.","sdg":"[\"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth\",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2029-12-31","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"380102\tBehavioural economics (30%)\n380304\tMicroeconomic theory (30%)\n389999\tOther economics not elsewhere classified (40%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Rayne, Kieran Tierney","title":"Exploring AI's Light and Dark Sides to Enhance Service Experiences","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed service experiences, offering unprecedented personalisation and efficiency. Yet, it also presents challenges, with unintended consequences often overlooked. This PhD opportunity delves into the dual nature of AI in services, inviting exploration of both its promise and potential pitfalls to reshape customer interactions.\r\n \r\nThe project is structured around three interconnected studies:\r\n1. Conceptual Foundations: Develop a theoretical framework examining the light and dark sides of AI in service settings, addressing the psychological, ethical, and practical implications of AI integration.\r\n2. Anthropomorphisation of Chatbots: Investigate how anthropomorphic design choices from cartoon-like avatars to logos to real-person representations influence user perceptions and behaviours. How might these designs, while engaging, lead to darker outcomes like overdependence or emotional manipulation?\r\n3. Reflective Service Experiences: Examine the impact of end-of-year service recaps (e.g., Spotify Wrapped) on customer satisfaction, loyalty, and data privacy concerns. Can such offerings enhance the customer experience while respecting ethical boundaries?\r\n\r\nThis project invites a motivated PhD applicant to employ experimental designs and advanced analytics to empirically explore these questions. Applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to both theory and practice, uncovering actionable insights to optimize AI-driven service experiences. Your work will be pivotal in navigating the delicate balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility, shaping the future of customer engagement.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350601\n350602\n350611\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Janet Roitman","title":"Value Production on Digital Financial Technologies: Achievements and Challenges","description":"This research project inquires into the role of financial technology platforms (fintech) in in Sub-Saharan Africa with the potential for comparative case studies in the Asia-Pacific. Specifically, the research focuses on key drivers of the extension of financial technology platforms in these contexts: cross-border remittances, mobile money, and new payments platforms. The research entails qualitative analysis and field research to provide an empirical account of this process. Fintech platforms facilitate intra-African and international cross-border transfers and lowers transaction costs. Following from that observation, the research will: 1) establish whether fintech platforms engender new financial products and debt instruments; 2) establish how fintech platforms are potential sources of actionable data for the development of credit scoring, new asset classes and investment-grade financial products. The research does not focus on financial inclusion. The research programme is focused on the potential development of assets denominated in local currencies as a crucial basis for local economic and financial empowerment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440404 Political Economy and Social Change (50%)\n441007 Sociology and Social Studies of Science and Technology (50%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bernardo Figueiredo","title":"Empowering older citizen scientists: codesigning more inclusive citizen science models for age-friendly environments.","description":"The overall aim of this project is to improve older adult\u2019s participation as co-researchers in citizen-science projects for age-friendly environments through the creation of a codesigned framework including guidelines, strategies, skills, processes, and illustrative cases that facilitate the inclusion of older adults in extreme citizen-science research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"Global Business Innovation"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bernardo Figueiredo","title":"A Methodology and a Program to Enhance Volunteer Engagement in Networks of Older Adults","description":"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350612 Social Marketing"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bernardo Figueiredo, Torgeir Aleti, Mike Reid\n","title":"Meaningful Play and Fun for ICT Use by Older Adults: A Strength-Based Approach\n\n","description":"Citizen science provides a direct avenue for involving older adults in co-research. Traditionally, it has focused on involving the public in different methods of data acquisition for the purposes of scientific inquiry (e.g., registering the quality of the air in a neighbourhood or counting species of plants in one\u2019s backyard). However, newer forms of citizen science, often called extreme citizen science, have expanded the public\u2019s participation from crowdsourcing data at all stages of the research process, including problem definition, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, study dissemination, and public action (English et al 2018, Figure 1). Extreme citizen science empowers participants to become co-researchers and decision-makers in scientific investigations (Rosas et al 2022). While there are a few projects involving older adults in traditional citizen science, the number of projects using older citizen-scientists in extreme citizen science are still limited. Issues of inclusion, exploitation, and lack of knowledge by professional scientists on how to engage with citizen scientists effectively and systematically have been pointed as barriers to the growth of citizen science (Lowry and Stepenuck 2021). There is scarcity in frameworks with guidelines, strategies, skills, processes, and illustrative examples that might make citizen science for older adults more scalable, helping researchers and older adults to work together more effectively (Serrat et al., 2020).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"350612 Social marketing"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sinclair Davidson","title":"Topics in Institutional Cryptoeconomics","description":"The project will specifically focus on the role of technology as a mediator of the relationship between older adults and their environment. Technology has been discussed as both an enabler and disruptor in ageing well. On the one hand, it is deemed as the most important factor in improving the quality of life in ageing societies (Hjorth 2021), on the other hand, technology is a divider: worsening differences in wealth, skills, access and equity (Fleming et al, 2018). Consequently, codesigning a framework that facilitates older citizen\u2019s increased participation in citizen science will need to take into account how these citizens relate to technology in their environments and how this engagement makes these tech-mediated environments more or less age-friendly.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/02\/2024","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"380109 Industry Economics and Industrial Organisation (33.3%) ; 380199 Applied Economics not Elsewhere Listed (33.3%) ; 389901 Comparative Economic Systems (33.3%) "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jingjing Zhang and Qin Wu","title":"The effects of multi-value prize uncertainty on contestant behaviour: an experimental study","description":"We will use a game-theoretical approach to model the behaviour of contestants in multi-value prize contests. This contest is characterised by an uncertain prize value that can take on multiple values with predetermined probabilities. This model can be applied in various contexts. For example, in blind auctions, which are commonly used for items like abandoned storage units, artworks and timbers, bidders bid with a range of values for the item. In sports competitions, athletes can earn money from both competition prizes and sponsorships. Sponsorship deals can be very lucrative, and the value of these deals can vary widely depending on the athlete\u2019s level of fame, the size and reach of the sponsor, leading to different final prize values. Other examples include a job offer with a range of possible salaries and benefits and a lottery prize where there are several different prize levels with varying probabilities of winning each prize. The model will incorporate uncertainty about prize values and asymmetry in contestants\u2019 valuations. We will theoretically analyse the effect of multi-value prize uncertainty on effort provision. Furthermore, we will investigate the cheating behaviour that often arises in contest settings including the multi-value prize setting. Additionally, we will conduct experiments to test our model predictions. This topic can be further extended to the multi-value prize contest with unknown probabilities as a follow-up study.  \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"380106   Experimental economics\n380102  Behavioural economics\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Business and Law","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong; Xiaolu Hu and Gaoping Zheng","title":"Green sentiment and corporate financial policy","description":"There has been tremendous growth in sustainable investment in global financial markets in the recent decade. Existing research in finance largely focuses on corporate decision making without considering investors' sentiment towards social good. Recently, the burgeoning literature on sustainable finance underscores investor sentiment towards an optimal balance between risk-return tradeoff and societal wellbeing. Firms adjust policies accordingly to cater to investors' green sentiment, which is a promising area of future research.\u00a0This PhD project will apply theory and principles in corporate financial policy to sustainable investment. This project aims to investigate impact of green sentiment on corporate financial policies. The focus will be on whether and how increasing green sentiment influences corporate managers' decision-making process and the associated impact on corporate outcomes.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods, principles of corporate finance, and a passion for sustainable finance. The supervision team consists of experts in corporate finance, sustainable finance and asset pricing.\u00a0","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350201"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computing Technologies","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ruwan Tennakoon, John Thangarajah, Steven Korevaar","title":"Machine learning and AI to Improve Targeted Radionuclide Therapy\n","description":"The project aims to enhance targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) by integrating PET imaging data with advanced AI-based dosimetry models. TRT leverages radiopharmaceuticals that home in on cancer cells, delivering a therapeutic radiation dose while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. By combining vast datasets on radionuclide energy deposition, PET-captured spatio-temporal distribution, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) data, the project seeks to refine the accuracy of internal dosimetry. This integration addresses challenges such as heterogeneous radiopharmaceutical distribution within tumours and the spatial resolution limitations of current imaging methods.\n\nKey scientific objectives include mapping IHC data onto Monte Carlo simulation models to reflect true cellular-level distribution and creating transparent, explainable AI frameworks. These models are designed to incorporate a human-in-the-loop strategy, allowing clinicians to adjust parameters based on patient-specific anatomy and physiology. Validation studies will be conducted to ensure that AI-derived dosimetry aligns with actual patient outcomes, thereby enhancing clinical trust.\n\nIndustry collaboration is a vital aspect of the project. In partnership with Cyclotek, one of the largest suppliers of PET radiopharmaceuticals in Australia and New Zealand, students will have the opportunity to engage in a six-month internship. This internship offers practical experience in understanding real-world applications of AI in PET imaging.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-07-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400304\tBiomedical imaging (40%)\n461103\tDeep learning (30%)\n460304\tComputer vision (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dana McKay","title":"How effective are online content creators at debunking mis\/disinformation?","description":"Recent surveys suggest that 45% of Australian adults seek information from YouTube when they need to make a decision, with the proportion rising to 60% among adults under 35. However, numerous studies have found that YouTube is rife with low quality information\u2014including conspiracy theories, misinformation, and outright falsehoods. Many independent content creators have positioned themselves as debunkers working to counter mis\/disinformation, but this phenomenon has not yet been widely studied. \n\nThis project is positioned as an exploratory examination of the people and communities involved in online debunking to understand the types of approaches being used and their effectiveness. The successful candidate will design and implement mixed-method studies to investigate online debunking cultures and practices with the aim of identifying and testing potentially effective strategies to counter mis\/disinformation.","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-31","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461002 - Human information behaviour (40%)\n461003 - Human information interaction and retrieval (40%)\n470102 - Communication technology and digital media studies (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michael A. Cowling","title":"Optimizing AI-Driven Personalized Learning and Teacher Professional Development for Foreign Language Education in China","description":"In the rapidly advancing field of educational technology, personalized learning is becoming essential for enhancing student outcomes. It significantly boosts motivation and academic performance (Li & Wang, 2020). In China, recent higher education reforms focus on aligning educational programs with individual student abilities, levels of knowledge, and interests. However, foreign language education still struggles with traditional teaching models that often fail to meet diverse student needs, resulting in less effective learning outcomes (Bhutoria, 2022). \n\nThis research will explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can optimize personalized learning in Foreign Language Education in China with a focus on Teacher Professional Development. The study intends to investigate how AI can adapt educational content to enhance both student motivation and cultural understanding, creating a more holistic learning experience. \n\nKey research questions include: \n- Identifying Effective AI systems:  \n        What AI systems are currently used for personalized learning in Chinese higher education, and how do they address diverse learning needs?\n        How can these applications be evaluated for their effectiveness, feasibility, and alignment with educational goals?\n- AI and Educator Development:  \n        How can AI help educators design personalized learning experiences that improve language proficiency and cultural understanding?\n        What strategies can enable educators to effectively use AI to enhance language learning and cultural appreciation?\n         \n     ","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-06-02","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460105 Applications in social sciences and education (80%)\n460906 Information systems education (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang","title":"Building an Aussie Information Recommendation System You Can Trust","description":"This project aims to address the escalating public distrust in online media platforms arising from misinformation, compromised user privacy, echo chambers, and community bias. Collaborating with a well-established Australian online media platform, the project expects to build Australia's inaugural trustworthy information recommender system by spearheading the design and development of cutting-edge misinformation filters, user-controlled privacy protection mechanisms, diversity-aware information recall algorithms, and community fairness-enhanced ranking algorithms. These technology advancements will seamlessly integrate into online media platforms to create a more reliable information dissemination environment and foster public trust.","sdg":"[\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2026-12-31","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 - Recommender systems (40%)\n460501 - Data engineering and data science (30%)\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ronny Andrade Parra","title":"How do mixed-ability gamers (gamers with and without disabilities) interact?","description":"With an estimate 3.24 billion gamers worldwide, videogames have become a cultural phenomenon. However, barriers to accessing video games still exist for people with disability. With about 15% of Australians aged 15-64 having a disability, it is crucial to understand how they engage with videogames, especially as games have been found to foster social connectedness [2].\n\nWhile existing literature has explored the experience of gamers who are blind, are neurodivergent, or have physical disabilities in isolation, less is known about the social aspects of gaming, especially in relation to mixed-ability gaming [1]. In this project, you will design, implement and study novel interaction approaches to foster social connectedness and encourage mixed ability gaming across gamers with and without disability, with a focus on how technology impacts in-game socialisation.\n\nReferences:\n[1] Gon\u00e7alves, D., Rodrigues, A., Richardson, M. L., De Sousa, A. A., Proulx, M. J., & Guerreiro, T. (2021, May). Exploring asymmetric roles in mixed-ability gaming. In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-14). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3411764.3445494 \n\n[2] Vella, K., Klarkowski, M., Turkay, S., & Johnson, D. (2019). Making friends in online games: gender differences and designing for greater social connectedness. Behaviour & Information Technology, 39(8), 917\u2013934. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/0144929X.2019.1625442 ","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-09-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460801\tAccessible computing (40%)\n460703\tEntertainment and gaming (30%)\n460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Automated Security Testing for Early Vulnerability Detection in AI-Driven Systems","description":"As AI-driven systems grow in complexity, they become increasingly susceptible to sophisticated cyberattacks. Traditional software testing methods often neglect security aspects during the early stages of development. To address this gap, there is a pressing need for automated approaches that seamlessly integrate security testing into the software development lifecycle, enabling early vulnerability detection. This project aims to develop automated test generation techniques to identify vulnerabilities in AI-based systems using techniques such as fuzzing and combinatorial testing to generate diverse security test cases. The proposed approach will be validated on real-world applications, such as autonomous vehicles. ","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2026-03-14","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (40%), 461208 Software testing (40%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Senuri Wijenayake","title":"Designing Inclusive Safety Features for Social Media","description":"Social media platforms often fail to adequately protect vulnerable users with their current safety features (reporting, blocking, filtering, content warnings, privacy controls). This project will develop innovative, inclusive safety features through participatory design methodologies to ensure digital spaces are accessible and secure for all users, particularly those disproportionately affected by online harassment and abuse.\nThe project aims to:\n\n- Critically analyse existing safety mechanisms and identify inclusivity gaps across major platforms\n- Investigate how diverse users (women, gender-diverse individuals, CALD populations, people with disabilities, older adults, youth) experience and navigate safety challenges\n- Employ co-design approaches with diverse stakeholders to develop solutions grounded in lived experience\n- Create and iteratively test prototypes accommodating different user needs, abilities, and contexts\n- Develop evidence-based policy recommendations that complement design interventions\n\nUsing mixed methods (co-design workshops, qualitative interviews, usability testing, prototype evaluation), the project will deliver:\n\n- Comprehensive frameworks for understanding inclusivity gaps in current safety features\n- Design patterns and guidelines for implementing inclusive safety mechanisms\n- Functional prototypes demonstrating novel approaches to social media safety\n- Policy recommendations for industry standards and regulatory frameworks\n- Implementation roadmaps for participatory safety design in digital environments\n\nCandidate Requirements:\n\n- Strong Bachelors\/Honours or Masters in Computer Science, Information Technology, HCI, Digital Media or related discipline\n- Experience with design\/prototyping tools (e.g., Figma)\n- Experience with participatory design research and qualitative analysis \n- Background in technology policy advantageous\n- Excellent communication skills for engaging diverse stakeholder groups\n\nThis project will be based in the School of Computing Technologies, with industry and policy collaboration opportunities.","sdg":"[\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%) 460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Neelofar Neelofar","title":"Automated Security Testing for Early Vulnerability Detection in AI-Driven Systems","description":"As AI-driven systems grow in complexity, they become increasingly susceptible to sophisticated cyberattacks. Traditional software testing methods often neglect security aspects during the early stages of development. To address this gap, there is a pressing need for automated approaches that seamlessly integrate security testing into the software development lifecycle, enabling early vulnerability detection. This project aims to develop automated test generation techniques to identify vulnerabilities in AI-based systems using techniques such as fuzzing and combinatorial testing to generate diverse security test cases. The proposed approach will be validated on real-world applications, such as autonomous vehicles. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2026-03-14","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (40%), 461208 Software testing (40%), 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiangmin Zhou,","title":"Multimodal Data Analytics for Disaster Management","description":"Natural Disasters have caused many fatalities in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and rural areas around the world. As the climate changes, global temperatures are increasing, natural hazard such as bushfires and flood are likely to occur more frequently and intensely. It is vital to analyse disaster situations for smart evacuation planning and decision making in disasters. When security officers receive hazard warnings, evacuation situation analytics helps predict human behaviour on response to warnings, predict evacuation behaviours of fire departments and user evacuation travel behaviour. However, the traditional sensor-based systems may be affected by weather conditions. This project will develop effective, efficient, and scalable techniques for disaster management using multimodal data analytics. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2029-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)\n460501 Data engineering and data science (25%)\n460510 Recommender systems (20%)\n460509 Query processing and optimisation(20%)\n460504 Data quality (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Software Engineering","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Neelofar Neelofar, Golnoush Abaei","title":"Automated Software Testing Using LLMs","description":"Software testing is a critical phase in the Software Engineering process, often consuming a significant portion of project budgets due to the effort involved in manual test generation. While Large Language Models (LLMs) have shown promising performance in various software-related tasks, including test generation, their practical effectiveness remains limited when applied to real-world scenarios.\n\nThis project aims to improve and automate the software testing process using pre-trained models of code and LLMs. Unlike existing approaches, this research focuses on assessing and enhancing LLMs' ability to understand the logic and semantics of the code under test. The goal is to generate high-quality test cases with strong assertions capable of effectively detecting bugs. Additionally, this work explores automated testing techniques to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2026-01-13","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"461208 Software testing, verification and validation (50%)\n461201 Automated Software Engineering (25%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (25%), "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiangmin Zhou, Jeffrey Chan","title":"Situation-aware Multi-sided Personalised Analytics in Spatial Crowdsourcing","description":"With the evolution of mobile communication, crowdsourcing has shown its irreplaceablity in our life. In 2021, Uber drivers completed 6.3 billion trips, a 26% increase year-on-year, 118 million users used Uber, generating $17.4 billion revenue, a 56% increase year-on-year. The Worldwide AI Spending Guide from International Data Corporation forecasts global spending on AI systems will pass $300 billion in 2026 with a 26.5% annual growth rate for 2022-2026, and the product recommendations are involved in two top AI use cases, accounting for 12% of total revenue. A large portion of online activities are for crowdsourcing services, from finance to education and health. Data-driven innovation including crowdsourcing is transforming Australia's economy and society, improving the growth and prosperity. It is timely to conduct research on advanced spatial crowdsourcing analytics for various applications.\n\nThis project aims to create a next generation recommender system that enables enhanced task allocation and route recommendation on spatial crowdsourcing platforms. The new Crowd-guided Advanced Spatial Crowdsourcing Analytics (CASCA) system will be effective, efficient, crowd-guided, and situation-aware. By enhancing the capabilities of platforms and optimising the service and route recommendation in offline-to-online digital marketing and sharing economy, significant economic and social benefits will be brought to government, society, enterprises, and users. \n\nScholarships are valued at $AUD35,886  per annum (plus increment) for three years. Tuition fees will be waived by the university. The positions are open now, and will be open until they are filled. There are up to 4 international PhD scholarships available. \n\nThis is an international collaboration project involving RMIT University (Xiangmin Zhou, Jeffrey Chan), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Lei Chen), and Athena Research & Innovation Center (Timos Sellis). ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)\n460501 Data engineering and data science (25%)\n460510 Recommender systems (20%)\n460509 Query processing and optimisation(20%)\n460504 Data quality (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Software Engineering","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Neelofar","title":"Assessing LLMs for Code-related Tasks","description":"This project investigates the reasoning capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) when performing code-related tasks, such as software testing, assertion generation and code completion. The primary objective is to assess whether LLMs understand code in a way that aligns with how programmers and testers reason about it, thereby assessing the correctness and justifiability of their decisions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2026-01-13","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461201, 461202, 461208"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ibrahim Khalil","title":"Predicting organisational cybersecurity risks with AI-driven threat intelligence and large language models ","description":"This project will explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) to predict organisational cybersecurity risks and mitigate threats in advance. The expected outcomes are an enhanced cybersecurity framework, better threat intelligence techniques and user-centric designs, and an adaptable solution. This may help businesses to identify cyber risks and prevent cyber incidents prior to happening and avoid financial losses and brand damage.   ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460402 - Data and information privacy (55%)\n460403 - Data security and protection (45%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Effective And Efficient Situation Awareness In Big Social Media Data","description":"Situation awareness helps understand the elements in the environment, the current situation, and project the future actions. Real applications like crisis management require the real time awareness of the critical situations. However, the services using traditional methods like phone calls can be easily delayed due to busy lines, transfer delays or limited communication ability in the disaster area. Social media-based situation awareness provides another feasible channel for crisis management, since critical events that cause great loss in live are commonly identified in social media.\nThis project aims to develop advanced techniques to analyse big social media data and more efficiently conduct critical situation awareness over online services. By enhancing the services and capabilities of crisis management users and reducing the loss in disasters, significant economic and social benefits will be brought to government, society, enterprises and social users.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (50%)\n460807 Information visualization (25%)\n460902 Decision support and group support systems (25%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Information Technology","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tri Dang, Ke Deng","title":"Classification for multiple data streams spatiotemporally and\/or logically associated","description":"Coming with 5G networks, it's not just going to be one stream of data but it's a flood of streams from an almost uncountable number of sensors. This enables the continuous information being collected in the finer spatiotemporal granularity such that the physical world change can be captured remarkably more smoothly. However, the scope of these stream data, the complexity of their relationship to describe a system or systems, the diversity of information collected by different sensors, the incorrect or missing readings of numerous sensors, and the higher expectation of data value and quicker responses requires new approaches. We will anticipate exploring the stronger correlation between data instances across streams if spatiotemporally and\/or logically coupled in spaces or in systems.\nThis project investigates the problem of classification on multiple data streams which are spatiotemporally and\/or logically associated in some spaces or systems, e.g., the data streams generated by social media users in a city, by the sensors deployed in different rooms of a smart home or in different stages of a production line. The multiple data streams may be homogenous or heterogenous (i.e., different streams contain different information and labels), static or dynamic (i.e., data sources are moving objects).  Each data stream has its own classification problem, e.g., emotion detection of social media users, condition detection of a room for light on\/off, and the working state detection of a system","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460511 Stream and sensor data (60%)\n460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (40%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aufeef Chauhan, Iqbal Gondal, Mojtaba Shahin","title":"Quantum-classic Hybrid Systems Integration and Quantum AI for Critical Infrastructure Security","description":"Quantum-classic hybrid system integration focuses on combining the strength of quantum computing with classic computing systems. Combining quantum components with classic components can help to solve complex problems such as optimisation and scheduling. This project will focus on the following research and development activities.\r\n\r\n(i) Explore integration of quantum computing systems with classic computing systems. This involves addressing issues such as communication latency, data transfer between classic and quantum components, and mapping of quantum algorithms to hybrid environments.\r\n(ii) Develop error correction and noise mitigation techniques to improve the reliability and efficiency of the quantum-classic hybrid systems.\r\n(iii) Explore the integration of algorithms such as quantum neural networks, quantum support vector machines and quantum reinforcement learning into classic machine learning workflows for data classification, clustering and optimisation problems.\r\n(iv) Breaking down complex problems in quantum and classic parts to split tasks between quantum and classical processors. Efficient scheduling and resource allocation techniques between the two paradigms will also be investigated.\r\n(v) Resource management and scheduling strategies for quantum-classic hybrid systems to achieve dynamic allocation of computational tasks, low latency, efficient communication and quantum-classic hybrid workflows.\r\n\r\n*This project has a scholarship available.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"4606 Distributed computing and systems software (30%)\r\n4611 Machine learning (30%)\r\n4604 Cybersecurity and privacy (20%)\r\n4612 Software engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Deng","title":"Evaluating robotic medical surgery with multimodal and responsible AI","description":"This system is jointly supported by CSIRO, RMIT University, and IMRA with the aim to revolutionize surgical training, ensuring consistent proficiency levels and improving patient outcomes. The significance lies in its potential to streamline training processes, reduce costs, and increase transparency in surgical proficiency assessments. The project deliverables include a robust AI system capable of analysing surgical videos, providing real-time feedback, and explaining evaluation criteria. This system will enhance surgical training by offering objective proficiency assessments, thereby improving the quality and safety of robotic surgeries. The project bridges the gap between academia and industry, leveraging cutting-edge technology to address critical challenges in robotic surgery training and patient care.\n\nThe project offers a unique opportunity for the PhD student to gain industry-relevant research experience while developing commercialization and innovation skills. The International Medical Robotics Association (IMRA) is a centre of excellence that embraces new technology, adapts to the changing education needs of modern surgeons, and delivers robotic surgical training. The engagement with IMRA include internship. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"080199 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing not elsewhere classified (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal, Sam Goundar","title":"Leveraging IoT, AI, and Satellites for Precision Agriculture in Vietnamese Tea Plantations","description":"This research project is at optimizing tea cultivation practices in Vietnam through the integration of IoT, AI, and Satellites. By deploying IoT devices, analysing satellite imagery, and developing AI models, the project seeks to enhance productivity and sustainability in tea plantations. Collaboration with local farmers will ensure the practical implementation of technological solutions, ultimately improving the efficiency and profitability of tea cultivation in Vietnam. The proposed IoT infrastructure will consist of a network of sensors deployed across tea fields to monitor soil moisture, nutrient levels, temperature, humidity, and pest activity. This data will be transmitted to a centralized platform where AI algorithms will analyze the information, providing actionable insights and predictive models for optimal crop management. Additionally, satellite imagery will be utilized to assess large-scale environmental conditions, detect crop health anomalies, and guide resource allocation with high spatial and temporal resolution. The contribution of this project lies in its holistic approach to precision agriculture, tailored specifically for the unique climatic and geographical conditions of Vietnamese tea plantations. By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, the research will enable farmers to make data-driven decisions, reduce resource waste, and improve crop yield and quality. Furthermore, this project will provide a scalable model that can be adapted to other regions and crops, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices on a broader scale. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, this study aspires to set a new standard for agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship in Vietnam's tea industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"100507 Smart Technologies - Internet of Things (35%)\n080602 Computational Intelligence (40%)\n090905 Agricultural Remote Sensing (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos STEM SHBS; Brunso Schivinski DSC","title":"Exploring the Intersection of Privacy Violations and Digital Media Use: Impacts on Teen Mental Health in Australia","description":"Background: The rise of digital media has led to increased privacy violations, such as online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft, significantly impacting the mental health of Australian teenagers. This project aims to explore how these privacy breaches contribute to mental health challenges among teens employing digital media, using comprehensive national datasets.\r\nAims: The primary goal is to analyze the mental health consequences of privacy violations among Australian teenagers engaged in digital media. The study will focus on identifying key factors that exacerbate mental health issues, utilizing data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) and the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC).\r\nMethods: Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques will be employed to analyze the LSAC and LSIC datasets. AI will help identify patterns and correlations between privacy violations in digital media and adverse mental health outcomes in teens. The research will specifically examine variables related to online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft.\r\nSignificance: The findings will contribute to the development of targeted interventions aimed at promoting safer digital media practices and improving mental health outcomes for teenagers. This research is particularly significant as it addresses a growing concern in the digital age. Furthermore, the project includes a 90-day internship secured through CatholicCare Victoria, allowing for the practical application of the research findings in a community setting, thereby bridging the gap between research and real-world impact.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\r\n450714 and 30% allocation\r\n460206 and 10% allocation\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Simulations to Study Responsible AI - ADMS GenAISim Project","description":"We are seeking an enthusiastic and excellent candidate to join our project GenAI Sim: Simulation in the Loop for Multi-Stakeholder Interactions with Generative Agents.   This is part of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence, Automated Decision Making and Society, which studies and proposes solutions to how automated systems affect society.   \n\nThe project aims to study multi-stakeholders situations and scenarios via generative AI and multi-agent simulations. The project team is interdisciplinary and has expertise and interests in behaviour modelling, machine learning, participatory and qualitative studies, and behavioural simulations.  The candidate will focus on the simulation and evaluation of the simulation to real life scenarios, hence we are seeking a candidate to join us that have either background in machine learning\/modelling or evaluation of such systems.  Particularly at least one of the following, but we still interested to hear from you if you have background in one but potentially interested in learning more about the others: \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest in machine learning, agent-based simulation and\/or user behaviour modelling; \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest with evaluation automated curation systems, e.g., recommender systems. \n\nDesirable, but not a limitation if you don\u2019t process the following:  \n  * Ability to do data processing and program in at least one programming language; \n  * Familiarity with running evaluations using user studies; e.g., crowd sourcing, surveys, A\/B testing. \n  * Familiarity with simulations. \n\n \nThe successful candidate will work with Associate Professor Jeffrey Chan, Dr Danula Hettiachchi and project members at the School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.  The position is funded for 3 years at AUS$34,841 per annum with possibilities to extend for another 6 months.  Please contact Associate Professor Jeffrey Chan at Jeffrey.chan@rmit.edu.au for questions or submission of application by Sept 18, 2024. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems (40%)\n461103 Deep learning (40%)\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Responsible AI - ADMS Automated Cultural Curation Project","description":"We are seeking an enthusiastic and excellent candidate to join our project Evaluating Automated Cultural Curation and Ranking Systems with Synthetic Data (https:\/\/www.admscentre.org.au\/evaluating-automated-cultural-curating-and-ranking-systems-with-synthetic-data\/).   This is part of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence, Automated Decision Making and Society, which studies and proposes solutions to how automated systems affect society.   \n\nThe project aims to study, evaluate and model human behaviour in automated systems, specifically digital cultural curation-based systems in news, media and streaming services.  The project will focus on responsible AI, particularly explaining automated curation, ranking and simulations of such systems.  The project team is interdisciplinary and has expertise and interests in behaviour modelling, machine learning, participatory and qualitative studies, and behavioural simulations.  As such, we are seeking a candidate to join us that have either background in machine learning\/modelling, evaluation of recommender, ranking or curation systems or using qualitative approaches in media studies.  Particularly at least one of the following, but we still interested to hear from you if you have background in one but potentially interested in learning more about the others: \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest in machine learning, agent based simulation and\/or user behaviour modelling; \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest in qualitative approaches to studying and evaluating media; \n  * Knowledge, experience or interest with evaluation automated curation systems, e.g., recommender systems. \n\nDesirable, but not a limitation if you don\u2019t have the following:  \n  * Ability to do data processing and program in at least one programming language; \n  * Familiarity with running evaluations using user studies; e.g., crowd sourcing, surveys, A\/B testing. \n  * Familiarity with simulations. \n\nThe successful candidate will work with Associate Professor Jeffrey Chan, Dr Danula Hettiachchi and project members at the School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.  The position is funded for 3 years with a stipend of AUS$34,841, with possibilities to extend for another 6 months.  Please contact Assoc. Prof Jeffrey Chan at Jeffrey.chan@rmit.edu.au for questions or submission of application by Sep 18, 2024. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 Recommender Systems (40%)\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (40%)\n470107 Media studies (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Danula Hettiachchi, Damiano Spina, Johanne Trippas, Falk Scholer, Lisa Given","title":"ADM+S Search Experience","description":"Evaluate how users search online using diverse queries and non-traditional interfaces and develop novel search systems. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 Information retrieval and web search (60%)\n460806 Human-computer interaction (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Senuri Wijenayake","title":"Investigating how people trust and respond to news on social media","description":"Social media has revolutionised news consumption, yet it has also amplified the dissemination of fake news. Moreover, this rapid spread of misinformation challenges the reliability of information shared on these platforms. Therefore, understanding how users perceive and react to news articles on social media is crucial for mitigating the spread of fake news and promoting informed consumption. \n\nThis project aims to investigate: \n\n1. Factors Influencing Trust: Explore how users determine the trustworthiness of news articles on social media, considering factors such as headlines, sources, comments, and popularity. \n\n2. Demographic Variances: Analyse how trust and response differ across cultural backgrounds, age groups, and other demographics. \n\n3. Psychological Influences: Investigate socio-psychological concepts like social conformity to understand their impact on perceptions of trustworthiness and response behaviors. \n\nThe project methodology can include mixed-method research approaches to collect data on user behaviours and perceptions regarding news articles, cross-cultural analysis and socio-psychological studies that incorporate psychological theories and methodologies to delve into cognitive processes influencing trust judgments. \n\nThe outcomes of the project can include insights into how users across demographics perceive and react to news on social media and design guidelines for social media platforms to enhance users\u2019 ability to discern between credible and fake news. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%)\n460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang,Haytham Fayek","title":"Efficient transfer learning across  domains and data modalities","description":"In the age of AI, transfer learning leveraging pre-trained Large Language Models (LLMs) [1] has dominated  natural language textual data processing and understanding.  LLMs for learning from multi-modal data have mostly focused on text and  image data modalities.  For many engineering applications however, temporal data and sequence data are widely used, from IoT sensor networks to healthcare physiological sensors.  There has been some research on developing foundation models for time series data [2], similar to training LLMs for textual data processing; training such foundation models requires huge volumes of data and computing resources. \n\nIn this project, we will investigate how to achieve efficient transfer learning across domains, tasks or data modalities.  We will investigate approaches to leveraging foundation models for data-efficient transfer learning [ ], as well as strategies for data-efficient and \u201csmall\u201d deep learning models, including strategies for pruning deep learning models [4]. \n\n[1] Min, B., Ross, H., Sulem, E., Veyseh, A.P.B., Nguyen, T.H., Sainz, O., Agirre, E., Heintz, I. and Roth, D., 2023. Recent advances in natural language processing via large pre-trained language models: A survey. ACM Computing Surveys, 56(2), pp.1-40.\n\n[2] Garza, A. and Mergenthaler-Canseco, M., 2023. TimeGPT-1. arXiv preprint arXiv:2310.03589.\n\n[3] Hu, E.J., Shen, Y., Wallis, P., Allen-Zhu, Z., Li, Y., Wang, S., Wang, L. and Chen, W., 2021. Lora: Low-rank adaptation of large language models. In ICLR.\n\n[4] Sun, M., Liu, Z., Bair, A. and Kolter, J.Z., 2024. A simple and effective pruning approach for large language models. In ICLR.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Beyond Query: Exploratory Subgraph Discovery and Search System","description":"This project aims to discover new relationships of users and compute their co-working performance in continuous time periods. The outcomes of the project are to design effective subgraph exploratory models, three novel types of subgraph search solutions, and devise a friendly exploratory subgraph search system for supporting the real-time network data analytics.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (60%)\n460509 Query processing and optimisation (40%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Karin Verspoor, Arthur Tang","title":"Large Language Model-Assisted Systematic Reviews of Research Evidence","description":"Systematic reviews are the gold standard in research evidence, particularly within the healthcare field. However, in the context of an ever-increasing volume of scientific literature, conducting systematic reviews has become an extremely time-consuming and arduous process. Automated tools are urgently needed to support retrieval, synthesis, quality assessment, and meta-analysis of research papers. While some progress has been made on systematic review automation and its component steps through information retrieval, natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, Large Language Models (LLMs) represent a valuable technology that may support significant advancements in this arena. This project will seek to explore how best LLMs and NLP can be deployed for systematic review automation, as well as examining the capabilities and limitations of generative AI.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"080107 Natural Language Processing (60%)\n080702 Health Informatics (20%)\n080704 Information Retrieval and Web Search (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lawrence Cavedon, Karin Verspoor","title":"Extending infection surveillance in cancer through adaptable and robust natural language processing models","description":"This project involves a collaboration with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to establish digital infection surveillance tools and portals. We have existing capabilities in the use of natural language processing (NLP) to detect invasive fungal infections in clinical data, specifically histopathology ad PET scan reports. In this project, we aim to build automated surveillance methods for other opportunistic infections, for example emerging respiratory viral infections (e.g. COVID-19, seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)), or cytomegalovirus (CMV)). The key NLP research questions relate to extending our prior work in three critical ways: (1) to incorporate non-text clinical data into the NLP model, i.e. creating a multi-modal model for infection detection (2) to evaluate and develop strategies for the robust transportability of models from one hospital setting to another, and (3) to leverage existing datasets and\/or models to rapidly pivot the NLP models to address new target infections.\n\nWe expect that the candidate will spend significant time at Peter MacCallum through an internship focused on clinical integration of the NLP tools into a clinician-facing infection surveillance portal.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"080107 Natural Language Processing (50%)\n080702 Health Informatics (30%)\n080109 Pattern Recognition and Data Mining (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Golnoush Abaei","title":"Improving Software Fault Prediction for Imbalanced Data","description":"Allocating a sufficient budget for software testing is crucial to ensure that the software is defect-free. However, as software grows in size and complexity, testing becomes more expensive, and some companies may not have enough resources to allocate toward it. To address this issue, many researchers have turned to machine learning methods to create software fault prediction models that can detect defect-prone modules, allowing for more efficient resource allocation during testing. While this is a viable solution, the effectiveness of machine learning models depends on various factors, such as data imbalance. There are several techniques in class imbalance research that can potentially enhance the performance of prediction models by processing the dataset before inputting it. However, not all methods are compatible with each other.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461208 Software testing, verification and validation (30%)\n461207 Software quality, processes and metrics (30%)\n461202 Empirical software engineering (20%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (10%)\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Software Engineering","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Golnoush Abaei, Mojtaba Shahin","title":"Automated generation of test oracles","description":"During software testing, a test oracle is commonly used to verify whether the behaviour of the system under test is correct. It enables the determination of whether the system is functioning as expected. With the increasing use of machine learning solutions in areas such as software testing, there is a possibility of developing an automated test oracle for many applications. However, machine learning-based test oracles' reliability is questionable, as software failure misclassification may occur. This could lead to inaccurate labelling of a class, which undermines the usefulness of the machine learning-based test oracle. Despite this concern, the behaviour of machine learning-based test oracles depends on the dataset and algorithms used for training. It is important to note that the challenge of identifying correct and incorrect behaviour in software testing is known as the \"Test Oracle Problem\", which exists beyond machine learning applications. This implies that machine learning methods can be used to develop a robust and reliable automated test oracle. Furthermore, the application of automated test oracles can also improve the efficiency of industry-specific workflows related to validation and verification.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461208 Software testing, verification and validation (30%)\n461207 Software quality, processes and metrics (30%)\n461202 Empirical software engineering (20%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (10%)\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Mahdi Jalili,Ali Moradiamani","title":"Electrification of Everything: Exploring the Impact on Energy Consumption, Costs, and Sustainability","description":"The urgent need to combat climate change has prompted a global shift towards electrification as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable energy practices. This research investigates the impact of electrification on energy consumption patterns and costs, leveraging explainable machine learning techniques such as decision trees, random forest and RNN to provide stakeholders with data-driven insights and decision support tools. Through the analysis of comprehensive datasets encompassing historical energy consumption data, electrification technologies, demographic variables, and policy interventions, the study aims to identify effective strategies for reducing carbon footprints and enhancing energy sustainability. Key outcomes\ninclude informed decision-making for stakeholders, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, advancements in energy efficiency, and increased community engagement and empowerment. By addressing these objectives, the research contributes to the broader goal of accelerating the transition towards a low-carbon future through electrification initiatives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460308 - Pattern recognition (40%)\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)\n461104 - Neural networks (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiangmin Zhou","title":"Securing eCommerce: Designing a Privacy-Preserving, AI-Driven Recommendation Framework","description":"The objective of this research project is to architect a secure framework capable of delivering precise machine learning-driven recommendations for both internal and external products, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding user privacy and security. The project will leverage cutting-edge privacy techniques and a hybrid recommendation engine, aiming to transform the landscape of product recommendation systems. This innovation is expected to result in a more personalized shopping experience that bolsters user trust in the eCommerce platform, aligning the project with the fields of security and artificial intelligence.\n\nThe framework employs advanced privacy-preserving techniques, including federated learning, differential privacy, and secure multi-party computation, enabling collaborative data analysis without exposing raw user data. A hybrid recommendation engine combines collaborative filtering, content-based filtering, and hybrid approaches to provide accurate and personalized product suggestions while safeguarding privacy. User-controlled privacy settings empower effective data management. The prioritization of user privacy enhances trust and loyalty, preventing unauthorized data access and breaches. The hybrid recommendation engine's precise product suggestions improve user satisfaction and drive business growth, with the framework designed for scalability and adaptability to accommodate future privacy and recommendation technology advancements.\n\nThis project collects data from the actual industry partner, New Aim, Australia's leading eCommerce company, serving nearly 50% of Australian families. The proposed framework and techniques will enable industry partners to fully leverage their proprietary data while complying with regulations and safeguarding personal privacy.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"080109 Pattern Recognition and Data Mining (50%)\n080303 Computer System Security (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Fengling Han, Huo Chong Ling (RMIT Vietnam)","title":"CSIRO Data61 Next Generation Emerging Technologies: Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning","description":"To address the increasingly striking discordance between its rapid growth and renewed awareness of privacy protection in this era of intelligence, this project focuses on the security of private and protection of sensitive information carried by the data with machine learning methods.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460403 Data security and protection\r\n330204 Building information modelling and management\r\n330206 Building science, technologies and systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li","title":"Multi-level and multi-stage optimisation in mining supply chain operations","description":"Mining typically has complex supply chains with many connected components. With increasing economic pressures and competition, mining companies started to rely on digital systems based on artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science to learn and optimise their production. However, each of these systems typically tackle only one part of the supply chain, and usually there is very little optimisation across the systems. Time frame introduced an additional layer of complexity, where these systems optimise only across certain periods, e.g. strategic, long term, medium term, short term or operational. Often there is a limited alignment across the time granularity.\n\nWe aim to research and improve multi-level and multi-stage supply chain optimisation through:\n1.        learning interaction patterns and best practices between two or more optimisation systems between supply chain silos (horizontal) as well as between time periods (vertical).\n2.        approaches to build these systems A) incrementally or B) as a layer across the existing optimisation systems. Incremental will build one system at a time, pre-planned. Second option aims to create an algorithm connecting systems that are already in production, building a master guiding layer across them.\n3.        effective methods to estimate incremental gains by building such multi-level optimisation as opposed to independent siloed optimisation.\n\nThe research is aimed at mining supply chains but can equally be applicable for other manufacturing supply chains.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490108 - Operations research\n460210 - Satisfiability and optimisation\n460203 - Evolutionary computation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Karin Verspoor, Jiayuan (Estrid) He","title":"Cross-modal information extraction of chemical knowledge","description":"Chemical knowledge is often expressed using multiple data modalities in scientific literature, each of which contributes complementary information, e.g., images for illustrating chemical structures, tables for summarizing experimental observations, and texts for describing chemical synthesis procedures. Comprehensive understanding of the described chemical knowledge requires combining all available data modalities. However, current models in NLP and machine learning tend to be limited to a single modality \u2013 focusing on e.g. either text or image processing. Where texts and images are combined, e.g. for report generation from images or for image retrieval or generation with a linguistic prompt, it is not for integration of information across the modalities, but rather to allow taking one data type as input and producing another as output. In this project, we seek to develop cross-modal IE techniques, which integrate information extracted from images, tables, and texts for accurate and comprehensive information extraction across these diverse sources of information.\n\nThe project is a collaboration with the international publisher Elsevier BV, and will involve extensive collaboration with the Elsevier teams, including the potential opportunity to spend time with them in Amsterdam or Frankfurt. It builds on a successful previous project collaboration known as ChEMU, which included running several community challenges\/shared tasks during 2020-2022.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460208 Natural language processing (40%), 460306 Image processing (40%), 340404 Cheminformatics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta, Allison Jing","title":"Using Physiological Cues to Improve Empathy in Mixed Reality Human-AI Interaction","description":"Emotion is a complex construct, and it varies from person to person. Understanding human emotion helps improve empathy between each other, which in turn builds positive social and work relationships. By combining Mixed Reality (MR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), we can address the research gaps in interpreting physiological signals with other communication modalities via AI agents and represent them through virtual MR interfaces and interactions targeting different individual needs.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to investigate how physiological signals such as eye gaze, facial expressions, GSR, and heart rate can be used as input and output to support empathy during human-AI interactions in a Mixed Reality environment. We will use VR headsets and GSR sensors as hardware combined with AI\/ML to understand how an AI agent can influence human emotion and behaviours in the XR world. An intelligent interface will be explored to create such an agent: We plan to explore both the avatarized agent (an interface associated with a human) and the ubiquitous agent (an interface that any form of visual, auditory or haptic format can represent). The signals will be used to capture the human\u2019s physiological responses, and an AI agent will provide sufficient instructions and guidance through an ML-trained algorithm. \r\n\r\n\r\nThe project attempts to answer an overarching research question (RQ): \u201cHow do psychological input and output enhance empathy during human-AI interaction in a Mixed Reality environment?\u201d In each stage, a smaller RQ will be answered as follows:\r\nHow do users usually express their emotions and feelings towards an AI agent?\r\nWhat type of MR representations, visual (avatar) or auditory (sound instruction), are preferred to play as an AI agent?\r\nHow do we adjust virtual avatars (e.g. real-human avatars, AI avatars) based on the roles (leader vs follower) they play in the task?\r\nWhat factors influence the usability of an MR-represented AI agent?\r\nHow do humans express emotion towards an AI agent compared to a real human in a virtual world (MR)?\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (50%)\r\n460802\tAffective computing (30%)\r\n460202\tAutonomous agents and multiagent systems (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham, Estrid He, School of Computing Technologies","title":"Enhanced geo-spatial data analytics with large language models","description":"Recent years have witnessed the remarkable success of large language models (LLMs), e.g., BERT and ChatGPT. Building upon deep learning architectures, these models are capable of learning effective and transferrable representations from data, exhibiting an enhanced comprehension of the semantic nuances of the input data, and ultimately, leading to exemplary performance outcomes in a wide range of benchmark linguistic tasks. This project aims to investigate the synergies between large language models and the domain of spatial-temporal data analysis, with a particular emphasis on integrating spatial, temporal, and place-based aspects into the framework of deep learning. This involves embedding spatial reasoning into language models to enhance their ability to comprehend and analyze spatial-temporal information. This project will aim to develop geo-spatial question answering systems, where users may ask spatial questions in natural language to exploit diverse geographic information resources, without a need to know how GIS tools and geodata sets interoperate. A crucial aspect of developing effective question answering systems for geo-spatial data involves endowing language models with the capability to retain positional information and comprehend spatial concepts. In addition, investigating the fusion of multi-modal data (such as texts and images) to enhance spatial question answering systems, which is particularly significant in the context of remote sensing, represents another key facet of this project. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\r\n460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\r\n401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sebastian Sardina","title":"Behavior Composition for Smart Manufacturing","description":"With computers now present in everyday devices like mobile phones, credit cards, cars and planes or places like homes, offices and factories, the trend is to build embedded complex systems from a collection of simple components. Thus a complex surveillance system for a smart house can be \u201crealised\u201d (i.e., implemented) by suitably coordinating the behaviours (i.e., the operational logic) of hundreds (or thousands) of simple devices and artifacts\u2014lights, blinds, a microwave, video cameras, robotic arms, etc.\u2014installed in the house. The Behavior Composition problem involves automatically building an embedded controller-coordinator to bring about a desired target complex system by suitably coordinating the available components.\r\n\r\nThe overarching aim of this project is to develop a behavior composition account that meets the needs of the manufacturing domain, by accommodating production of multiple items, probabilistic models of failure, smooth transitions between production recipes, true concurrent execution of devices in the plant, execution of multiple different production recipes in the same production plant, etc. The project involves both theoretical work in developing adequate representation models and practical work in devising effective computational techniques to solve the problem efficiently.\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n\r\n[1] Giuseppe De Giacomo, Fabio Patrizi, and Sebastian Sardina. Building virtual behaviors from partially controllable available behaviors in nondeterministic environments. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Automated Planning and Scheduling (ICAPS), pages 523-526,, 2014.\r\n[2] Giuseppe De Giacomo, Fabio Patrizi, and Sebastian Sardina. Automatic behavior composition synthesis.\r\nArtificial Intelligence Journal, 196:106-142, 2013.\r\n[3] Giuseppe De Giacomo, Alfonso Gerevini, Fabio Patrizi, Alessandro Saetti, and Sebastian Sardina. Agent planning programs. Artificial Intelligence, 231:64-106, 2016.\r\n[4] Paolo Felli, Brian Logan, and Sebastian Sardina. Parallel behavior composition for manufacturing. In\r\nProceedings of the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI), pages 272-278, 2016.\r\n[5] Lavindra de Silva, Paolo Felli, Jack C. Chaplin, Brian Logan, David Sanderson, Svetan M.Ratchev:\r\nSynthesising Industry-Standard Manufacturing Process Controllers. AAMAS 2017: 1811-1813\r\n[6] Paolo Felli, Lavindra de Silva, Brian Logan, Svetan M. Ratchev: Process Plan Controllers for Non- Deterministic Manufacturing Systems. IJCAI 2017: 1023-1030","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"460209 Planning and decision making (50%)\r\n460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Melih Ozlen, School of Science (Mathematics discipline)","title":"Hybridized decomposition methods for large-scale black-box optimization","description":"This research aims to develop effective and efficient techniques for solving real-world large scale black-box optimization (LSBBO) problems. Many real-world problems in decision making, engineering, and sciences can be formulated as optimization problems. With the advances of today\u2019s computing technology, we are becoming increasingly reliant on computer simulation and modeling to solve complex optimization problems. One key challenge we face today is that these problems are far more complex, very high dimensional (i.e., large scale), expensive to evaluate, highly-constrained, and difficult-to-define through mathematical formulation (i.e., black-box). One real-world example of LSBBO problems in the Australian context is the resource constrained scheduling problem of the Hunter Valley coal chain, which is the largest coal export operation in the world. Australia is the world\u2019s largest coal exporter, accounting for 29% of global coal exports [1]. Optimizing the logistics is of critical importance to the Australia coal export industry. Logistics solutions to reduce cost and increase efficiency are of the highest priority. When facing a large scale optimization problem like this, how do we decompose it into smaller and more manageable subcomponents? How do we reduce computational cost, and how do we go about learning the underlying pattern if the problems are black-box to some extent? Large scale black-box problems pose a serious challenge to existing optimization methods [2]. Though many effective optimization methods exist for solving small or medium sized problems, their performances do not scale well to large scale problems. This project will focus on examining a number of key characteristics of real-world LSBBO problems: black-box functions, highly nonlinear constraints, and expensiveness to evaluate. We will develop novel LSBBO algorithms especially competent in the following two aspects: decomposition and parallelization. This research will consider the merits of both meta-heuristics and mathematical programming [3] methods, and will advance the state-of-the-art in dealing with LSBBO. \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n\r\n[1]. G. Lim, C. Chua, E. Claus, and V. Nguyen, \u201cReview of the Australian economy 2011-12: A case of deja vu,\u201d Australian Economic Review, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 1\u201313, 2012.\r\n[2] E. Dolan, J. Mor\u00b4e, and T. Munson, \u201cBenchmarking optimization software with COPS 3.0.\u201d Mathematics and Computer Science. Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Technical Report ANL\/MCS-273, February 2004.\r\n[3] D. Bertsimas and J. Tsitsiklis, Introduction to Linear Optimization. Athena Scientific, 1997.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"080108 - Neural, Evolutionary and Fuzzy Computation 80%\r\n091599 - Interdisciplinary Engineering not elsewhere classified 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sonika Tyagi, Karin Verspoor","title":"AI Powered RNA Folding and Function Prediction","description":"A single-stranded RNA can fold over to form secondary and tertiary structures through the A-U and C-G base pairing.  The secondary structure of RNA can be highly complex as it is single-stranded and has a stronger ability to form hydrogen bonds with an extra hydroxyl group . The same sequence can fall into more than one type of structure. The structure provides binding domains for interacting biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins, which we refer to as the \u201cinteractome\u201d \r\n\r\n\r\nWe believe secondary structure is important for a ncRNA given the known mechanisms of action .  In this project we will test a hypothesise that the RNA exerts its function by interacting with RNA, DNA or protein interactomes, and we can fully understand their mechanisms in the regulation of disease genomes by solving the structural domains, and interactomes of the ncRNAs. \r\n\r\nData-driven approaches have been successfully used to resolve protein structures. In this study we will use similar Machine Learning modelling approaches will be used to resolve folding and their functional characteristics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4611 Machine learning (40%)\r\n310299 Bioinformatics and computational biology not elsewhere classified (40%)\r\n310509 Genomics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Andrew Eberhard, School of Science","title":"Prescriptive Analytics: Big Data and Machine Learning for Decision Making","description":"In the Big Data era, Data Analytics solutions have already proven to be invaluable tools in both business and scientific domains [1]. Descriptive and Predictive Analytics methods [2] are implemented in many commercial software products that are used by thousands of companies from different fields, like finance, healthcare, commerce and routing. Major firms like IBM, Google, Amazon, Oracle and Microsoft are investing billions of dollars in their analytics departments, while startups are trying to and a niche in the market with lightweight applications. The Big Data industry is transitioning from a Descriptive and Predictive approach to a Prescriptive one [2][3]. While the first is largely based on Machine Learning methods like clustering and regression, observing past data and making accurate predictions doesn't seamlessly translate into good decisions. The Prescriptive approach aims to provide optimal decisions, leveraging past and present data to build more powerful model for real world applications. There is a vast array of machine learning methods that can leverage huge quantities of data and generalize well in many different scenarios, with prediction errors that are close to zero and without making strong assumptions about the data itself.\r\n\r\nMulti-billion investments in hardware supports and distributed Data Warehousing solutions have led to the present situation in which there is a huge amount of data waiting to be leveraged for insight and preventive measures. The current challenge in Data Science is being able to process and use this information in an effective and productive way, across all application domains. The purpose of this research is to further study the interface between Machine Learning and Operations Research in the Big Data context. There is the need to understand how much data we can effectively use and if we can develop new approaches that can leverage data on a bigger scale. The same questions are even more relevant when posed with regard to heterogeneous data sources and high dimensional data. One particular scenario we plan to explore is data analytics in the age-care industry, since we have already got industry partner COTA Victoria with data made available. This research will aim to expand the current methodologies with regard to data-driven prediction and decision making with new solutions to be employed in the real world. \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n[1] N. Dedi\u0107, C. Stanier, \u201cTowards Differentiating Business Intelligence, Big Data, Data Analytics and Knowledge Discovery\u201d, Heidelberg: Springer International Publishing, 2017.\r\n[2] D. Bertsimas, N. Kallus. \u201cFrom Predictive to Prescriptive Analytics\u201d. arXiv:1402.5481. (2015).\r\n[3] D. Bertsimas, N. Kallus, A. Hussain. \u201cInventory Management in the Era of Big Data\u201d. POMS. (2016).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490108 - Operations research 50%\r\n080108 - Neural, Evolutionary and Fuzzy Computation 30%\r\n091599 - Interdisciplinary Engineering not elsewhere classified 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ruwan Tennakoon, John Thangarajah, Alireza Bab-Hadiashar - School of Engineering\n","title":"Transparent and Interpretable Deep Learning for Medical Image Analysis","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision have led to the creation of technologies that are gaining popularity as decision-support systems for medical diagnosis and intervention. These technologies have opened up innovative opportunities in areas like early detection of cancer risks. While Deep Learning has been previously used for medical image analysis, its application in real-world still remains challenging for several reasons:\r\n\r\n1) The deep learning models that have shown success in complex tasks require a large set of labeled data. While it is reasonable to expect such large datasets to be common for natural images, this is not often the case for medical images. In medical image analysis, it is challenging to get large datasets, and making detailed annotations is expensive.\r\n\r\n2) The AI (deep learning) models often act as black box models and do not provide enough rationale in how the model makes its decisions. This lack of transparency\/interpretability of the AI modes makes it difficult to gain the trust of clinicians and hence the adoption of AI systems in the medical field is slow.\r\n\r\n3) If a model trained in one setting is to be applied to another, then the common practice is to re-train the model with more labeled data from the second setting. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this project is to further the underlying technology for medical image analysis by developing capabilities in terms of data-efficient ML, model interpretability, and domain generalizability.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460304 Computer Vision (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haytham Fayek, John Thangarajah, Huong Ha, Azadeh Alvi, Jeff Chan, Juerg von Kaenel","title":"AI for Next-Generation Food & Waste Systems","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI for Next Generation Food and Waste System\u201d.   As part of this program, the School and our partners COSTA Group and AirAgri are seeking expressions of interest for PhD candidates to develop AI techniques to improve their business practice and services.  That includes but not limited to computer vision for helping mushroom grow and harvest, machine learning for production line optimisation, and vision and IoT enhanced modeling for farm management.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems\u00a0\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation\u00a0\r\n460210 Satisfiability and optimisation\r\n460304 Computer Vision\u00a0\r\n300604 Food packaging, preservation, and processing\r\n300607 Food technology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dhirendra Singh, Sebastian Rodriguez, Erica Kuligowski, SEng","title":"Community Evacuation Modelling in Fire Evacuations","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d.  As part of this program, the School and our partners GhD are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate and two Master by research candidates to work in the area wildfire evacuation, modelling and multi-modal and big data analytics.  The candidates will contribute to the enhancement of the WU-NITY community evacuation platform to enable its use in industrial applications in fire evacuations, including techniques to automatically take in multi-modal information to reconfigure the platform in real-time and compare with the evolving situation on the ground.\r\n\r\nThe candidate will be working with Dr Erica Kuligowski (lead), Dr Dhirendra Singh and Dr Sebastian Rodriguez, experts in fire evacuation and modelling. GhD is an international company and provides a range of engineering and professional services in several key sectors (Energy and Resources, Environment, Property and Buildings, Transportation and Water).  GHD is actively expanding its capacity to provide professional engineering and science services relating to community preparedness for wildfire events, evacuation planning\/design, evacuation management and post-incident recovery. GHD operates a dedicated technical service line for emergency and disaster management globally alongside our Digital and Advisory businesses.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems 50%\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haytham Fayek, Huong Ha, Azadeh Alvi","title":"Constructing 3D virtual interior design from 2D images and text","description":"The School of Computing Technologies and RMIT University has recently been awarded the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAIoT Empowering Industrial Digital Twin\u201d. As part of this program, the School and our partners Yep Innovation are seeking expressions of interest for PhD candidates to work in the area of AR, 3D reconstruction and computer vision in general. This project aims to develop advanced AI techniques to enhance the user experience of virtual inspection for the real estate industry.  The generative process needs not only to be able to produce high-quality immersive rendering but also to be low cost, without requiring intensive manual adjustment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460701 Computer aided design\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation\u00a0\r\n460304 Computer Vision\u00a0\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Harland, Ian Peake, Michelle Spencer, School of Science","title":"Designing and evaluating educational technologies","description":"Digital tools are now a fundamental aspect of education, and include a wide variety of technologies. An increasingly important such tool is immersive technologies, which enable synthetic worlds to be either explored as they are (virtual reality), or to have information superimposed on the user\u2019s view (augmented reality).  While the intuitive appeal of these technologies for education is clear, what is less clear is the most appropriate and effective way to deploy these technologies. In principle, it is possible to incorporate all learning activities, assessment and feedback into virtual worlds; in practice, analysing areas of likely success will provide much better use of resources.  The aim of this project is to investigate the design and effectiveness of immersive technologies in tertiary education, and in particular to identify disciplines, areas or activities in which immersive technologies produce significant improvements in engagement, learning outcomes or retention. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460604 Computing Education. This will also depend on the precise topic of the project. \n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Harland","title":"Goal-based reasoning in multi-agent systems","description":"Intelligent agents are gaining acceptance as a practical solution to many computing problems that require timely and goal-directed behaviour in highly dynamic domains. Such scenarios include air traffic control, onboard spacecraft diagnosis and entertainment such as games. Intelligent agents have been found suitable in such environments and scenarios due to their autonomy, which enables them to perform tasks without continual intervention by a human operator. This makes agents suitable for situations when a human may not be available to guide it (such as in a spacecraft scenario), or when a decision must be made quickly \u2013 this describes environments that are both highly dynamic and complex. Goals are one way in which agents are programmed. Common goals include perform goals, achievement goals and maintenance goals. Some of the challenges related to goals in intelligent agents are \u2013 how do we represent the different goal types, what is the appropriate behaviour of goals, how do we ensure consistency among goals, how do we resolve conflicts and support synergies, can we guarantee the success of goals, how do we measure success and partial completeness and so on. Researchers at RMIT have addressed some of these issues however there are many more challenges yet to be addressed in this project.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta, John Thamgarajah, Michael Dann","title":"Learning optimal control of games and machines in real-time","description":"Learning to control agents directly from high-dimensional sensory inputs is one of the long-standing challenges of reinforcement learning (RL) and machine learning in general. Most successful RL applications that operate on these domains have relied on hand-crafted features combined with linear value functions or policy representations. \r\n\r\nMore recently, several deep neural learning techniques have been proposed to automate feature representation at the cost of increased training times [1]. Video games represent an ideal testbed for (deep) RL techniques due to the high complexity and randomness of the environments and of the interactions presented to a player and their real-time nature. The challenge posed by video games has not been lost on the major ICT companies, such as Google and Microsoft, which have been researching and investing\r\nin games AI research [2][3]. \r\n\r\nIn addition to that, Elon Musk (founder of Paypal, Tesla and SpaceX) had invested in an OpenAI foundation [4] whose mission is to improve state-of-the-art machine learning research using several hundreds of videogames as testbeds. OpenAI has released Gym and Universe, open source software that can be used to benchmark new machine learning algorithms. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this project is to investigate novel approaches to reinforcement learning and, specifically, investigate the limitations and the advantages of combining deep learning with RL. Another important line of inquiry will concern whether specific class of games are more suited to deep\r\nreinforcement learning, and which other classes of algorithms could be combined with RL if deep learning is found to be not suitable.\r\n\r\nOur previous work in the area has included investigations of similar algorithms in a variety of different games, including classic arcades Super Mario [5], Pacman [6] and first-person shooters [7]. We intend to apply our work out on optimal control of video games to physical devices and machines including UAVs, drones, selfdriving cars and humanoid robots. In fact, preliminary results on the use of those techniques in auditory implants has led to positive results [8].\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n[1]. Human-level control through deep reinforcement learning. Mnih et al., Nature 518, 529\u2013533 (2015).\r\n[2]. Mastering the game of Go with deep neural networks and tree search. Silver et al. 529, 484\u2013489 (2016).\r\n[3]. Hybrid Reward Architecture for Reinforcement Learning. Van Seijen et al., available online at https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/1706.04208 (2017).\r\n[4]. OpenAI software systems, available online at https:\/\/openai.com\/systems\/.\r\n[5]. Integrating skills and simulation to solve complex navigation tasks in infinite Mario. Dann et al., IEEE Transactions on Computational Intelligence and AI in Games, 1-7 (2017).\r\n[6]. Learning options from demonstrations: A Pac-Man case study. Tamassia et al., IEEE Transactions on Computational Intelligence and AI in Games, 1-7 (2017).\r\n[7]. Combining Monte Carlo tree search and apprenticeship learning for capture the flag. Ivanovic et al., Proceedings of IEEE CIG (2015).\r\n[8]. Utilising reinforcement learning to develop strategies for driving auditory neural implants. Lee et al., Journal of Neural Engineering, 13, 1 \u2013 13 (2016).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461105\tReinforcement learning (70%)\r\n460703\tEntertainment and gaming (15%)\r\n460205\tIntelligent robotics (15%)\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ruwan Tennakoon, Alireza Bab-Hadiashar - School of Engineering;\r\nDebaditya Acharya - School of Science","title":"Learning Robust and Generalisable Models for Computer Vision Using Animation","description":"Artificial intelligence (AI) is critical for the expansion of intelligent services across sectors such as transport, agriculture, and medicine, to name a few. A limitation of current approaches to AI (e.g., Deep Learning) development is that they rely on the use of large, manually processed datasets which is labour intensive, especially for geometry related visual tasks such as extracting motion and 3D structure from images. One approach to minimise these costs is the use of animations; however, these tend not to map across well into the real environment. This project will look at how best to create AI solutions using animations for geometry related vision tasks, which does map well into the real world. Outcomes include an improved method for developing AI-based solutions for industry problems, with potential applications in driverless cars, manufacturing, and robot-assisted surgery. Our active engagement with Australian enterprises in automation will aid in the adoption of these new approaches to improve efficiency and reduce costs.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Chuah, W., Tennakoon, R., Hoseinnezhad, R., Bab-Hadiashar, A. and Suter, D., \u201cITSA: An Information-Theoretic Approach to Automatic Shortcut Avoidance and Domain Generalization in Stereo Matching Networks\u201d. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2022.\r\n[2] Acharya, D., Tennakoon, R., Muthu, S., Khoshelham, K., Hoseinnezhad, R. and Bab-Hadiashar, A.,. Single-image localisation using 3D models: Combining hierarchical edge maps and semantic segmentation for domain adaptation. Automation in Construction, 2022.\r\n[3] Tennakoon, R., Suter, D., Zhang, E., Chin, T.J. and Bab-Hadiashar, A., 2021. \u201cConsensus Maximisation Using Influences of Monotone Boolean Functions\u201d. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2021.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460304 Computer Vision (50%)\r\n401304 Photogrammetry and remote sensing (30%)\r\n460205 Intelligent robotics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta","title":"Next-Generation Augmented Training and Assistive Systems","description":"Computer based simulation and virtual reality systems have been used for developing training environments in areas such as emergency evacuation, military training, aircraft pilot training and others [1]. Although virtual reality provides an immersive environment, it has several limitations. The users cannot interact with the physical environment, and the training environment is not easily adapted to different physical spaces. Further, there is a significant cost in developing the physical models that the virtual reality system would require. In this project, we propose the use of augmented and mixed reality [2] to develop the next generation of training systems and present a framework for developing a fire evacuation training system that incorporates augmented reality, techniques for modelling human behaviour in such situations, intelligent virtual characters controlled by various artificial intelligence techniques, and interactive narrative generation to form the training scenarios.\r\nThe aim of this research project is developing a prototypical implementation of a next-generation training and\/or assistive system posed to solve critical problems in complex learning scenarios requiring physical interaction with the real world [3][6].\r\n\r\nThe key issues being addressed are:\r\n1. Reducing complexity in preparing and delivering real-world training sessions.\r\n2. Engaging trainees for extended periods of time, hence increasing the overall quantity of their learning experience at a reduced cognitive load [7].\r\n3. Immersing trainees deeper in their training experience, hence improving the quality and of their learning experience and\/or providing means to assist them in whichever task they might be engaging in.\r\n\r\nThe trainees will be wearing mixed reality (holographic) headsets [4], which will allow virtual reality objects not only to be superimposed to real objects, but to interact with them. This means that we would be able to model realistic physical interactions throughout existing rooms once the simulation of the scenario starts. The significance of such a next-generation training system will be enormous as it will apply to any domain or scenario where real-world training is required, but for which virtual reality is too expensive or problematic. Scenarios of interest include for instance evacuations, rescue and emergency situations; military and police operations rehearsals; exploration of dangerous or unknown locations; interplanetary missions [5]. References:\r\n\r\n[1. The VR book. J. Jerald, ACM Press (2016).\r\n[2] Augmented Reality: Principles and Practice. Schmalstieg et al., Addison-Wesley (2016).\r\n[3] Tangible Holograms: Towards Mobile Physical Augmentation of Virtual Objects. Available online at https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/1703.08288.\r\n[4] Microsoft Hololens device, see https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-au\/hololens.\r\n[5] NASA\u2019s Destination Mars. See https:\/\/blogs.windows.com\/devices\/2016\/09\/19\/hololens-experiencedestination-mars-now-open-at kennedy-space-center-visitor-complex\/#OVT4Pb4YlVwDtjVb.97.\r\n[6] Evoking empathy with visually impaired people through an augmented reality embodiment experience. Guarese, et al. Proceedings of the IEEE VR conference (2023).\r\n[7] The Evolution of Cognitive Load Theory and the Measurement of Its Intrinsic, Extraneous and Germane Loads: A Review. Orru & Longo. International Symposium on Human Mental Workload: Models and Applications (2019).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (50%)\r\n460806\tHuman-computer interaction (25%)\r\n460202\tAutonomous agents and multiagent systems (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fabio Zambetta, Johanne Trippas","title":"Novel Immersive Approaches to Information Seeking","description":"People search through digital information more than ever before. However, current search systems present information through a 2D search engine results page. In addition, opportunities to interact with the search results to understand underlying relationships in the retrieved data, are limited. The proposed approach will allow users to navigate information naturally and immersively, following users\u2019 interests and curiosity rather than being constrained by a search box and a ranked search results list.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to explore this unique interaction paradigm for effective and efficient interactive information retrieval through virtual or augmented reality, enabling a novel approach to defining user information needs, presenting results, and facilitating search reformulations.\r\n\r\nThe project can answer research questions, including:\r\n-What is the most effective way to visualise 3D information units (in virtual or augmented reality) to facilitate enhanced search interactions?\r\n-How do users formulate information needs, manipulate results, and navigate immersive information spaces?\r\n-How does immersive search versus traditional ranked lists impact users' navigation behaviours within an information space?\r\n-How do users with different levels of familiarity with immersive applications experience information?\r\n-How does the proposed approach compare to current search methods for exploring complex information needs?\r\n\r\nThe project will contribute to the field of interactive information retrieval by providing a novel approach to exploring information needs. Using virtual or augmented reality together with current advances in conversational interactions for information seeking will allow for more intuitive and natural navigation of information, which could lead to unexplored insights into how people interact with information.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460708 Virtual and mixed reality (40%)\n460806 Human-computer interaction (30%)\n461003 Human information interaction and retrieval (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards Intelligent Data-driven Software Engineering","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown outstanding progress with impressive performance over the last decade. AI techniques have been applied to solve numerous problems such as weather forecasting, movie recommending, autonomous driving, health applications, question answering, etc. The main ingredient of an AI algorithm is the data that is mined from problems that are same or similar to the problem to be solved.\r\n\r\nSoftware Engineering (SE) is a highly impact area with many interesting and important challenges. Besides, the amount of data generated by SE is generally large and cheap to collect (e.g., source code, software system logs, software reports). Therefore, SE is an ideal area where AI techniques can be applied.\r\n\r\nIn this project, we thus aim to develop novel AI-based techniques to solve various challenging problems in SE:\r\n+ configurable software performance prediction with a minimal number of measured data [1]\r\n+ intelligent incident management for software-intensive system including incident detection, incident identification, incident triage [2]\r\n+ software defect and vulnerability detection [3]\r\n\r\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the chosen topic.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] H. Ha, H. Zhang. \u201cDeepPerf: Performance Prediction for Configurable Software with Deep Sparse Neural Network\u201d, in ICSE, 2019.\r\n[2] Z. Chen, et al., \u201cTowards intelligent incident management: why we need it and how we make it\u201d, in FSE, 2020.\r\n[3] S. Omri, C. Sinz, \u201cDeep Learning for Software Defect Prediction: A Survey\u201d, in the Workshops of ICSE, 2020.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461201 Automated software engineering (60%)\r\n461103 Deep learning (20%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards the Trustworthiness of Machine Learning Systems After Deployment","description":"Machine learning (ML) systems are employed across sectors to assist humans in making important decisions. However, it is well-known that ML systems can be unreliable. ML systems work based on the assumption that the system's training data come from the same distribution with the data encountered in the deployment. But this assumption does not always hold in real life [1]. Thus, there is no guarantee that an ML system, which had an impressive performance during the development process, still performs well after deployment. It is therefore crucial that the trustworthiness of the ML systems need to be ensured after deployment, to prevent potential failures that may have severe unintended consequences.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop various techniques to ensure the trustworthiness of ML systems after deployment. Some directions that we're aiming towards:\r\n+ active testing of ML systems so that only a minimal number of ground-truth need to be used to evaluate the correctness of ML systems [2]\r\n+ monitoring ML systems performance to detect any issues with the ML systems' performance\r\n+ automatic retraining ML systems to ensure their performance satisfying users' requirements\r\n\r\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] P.W. Koh, et al. Wilds: A benchmark of in-the-wild distribution shifts, in the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML), 2021.\r\n[2] H. Ha, et al. ALT-MAS: A Data-Efficient Framework for Active Testing of Machine Learning Algorithms\", in RobustML Workshop at ICLR, 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%)\r\n461103 Deep learning (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dhirendra Singh, Sebastian Rodriguez, Erica Kuligowski SEng","title":"Using behavioural insights for the modelling of self-evacuation from bushfire\/wildfire","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d.   As part of this program, the School and our partners Strahan are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of bushfire evacuation modelling.   Reflecting human decision-making and behaviour in response to bushfire threat is central to the development of effective agent-based traffic models to enhance the safety of evacuation. Considerable excellent work has been done in Australia and internationally, but further progress is required. This project provides an opportunity to pull together the literature and experience to focus on the modelling principles and approaches for the development of a model.\r\n\r\nThe candidate will be working with Dr Dhirendra Singh and Dr Erica Kuligowski, world-class experts in bushfire evacuation modelling.   This will be in collaboration with Strahan Research, which is headed by Dr Ken Strahan, an expert in emergency management, particularly on household decision making in bushfires.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems 50%\r\n460207 Modelling and simulation 50%\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Timothy Wiley, John Thangarajah","title":"Social Robotics: Learning to Adapt to the Human need","description":"Social Robots are autonomous artificially intelligent robots that are designed to interact collaboratively with humans. The aim is to assist humans in performing tasks, such as service robots, wait staff and interactive tour guides. Social Robots have various advanced technically capabilities, however, they are heavily limited by the quality of human-robot interactions. That is, humans must trust and believe the robot is capable of being useful before they choose to interact with the robot.\u2028This project will investigate methods in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to design autonomous software that enables Social Robots to effectively collaborate with Humans over the long-term. This project will research topics including (1) Modalities of human-robot interaction such as speech, facial expressions, gestures, body language, audio queues, and wearable devices; (2) Algorithms for Life-Long autonomous learning and adaptation; (3) Algorithms for learning satisfying generalised social robot behaviours; and (4) Algorithms for refining individualised human preferences of long-term human-robot interactions. The project will be include both research into suitable AI algorithms, and in-depth user studies to investigate the human perspective.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460810 Social robotics (35%)\r\n460202 autonomous agents (30%)\r\n460205 Intelligent robotics (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova","title":"Agile practices and artefacts","description":"Application of Agile practices and use of the Agile artefacts should depend on the project's and company's needs, to improve communication within the project and as result the overall outcome. However, in real industrial projects, the choice might be also influenced by what the developers are used to use and by the limitations of their knowledge about the artefacts and practices. Cultural aspects (including both organisational and national culture) as well as increased shift to remote\/hybrid work mode might also play a role in this choice.\n This research will focus on (1) analysis of the aspects influencing the choice of Agile artefacts, and whether the project results might be improved by an extended decision support, (2) analysis of industrial perception of what Agile artefacts are especially useful and usable in remote settings.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460207 Modelling and simulation \n 460210 Satisfiability and optimisation\n 460304 Computer Vision \n 300604 Food packaging, preservation, and processing"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azadeh Alavi","title":"Application of AI to Medical Image analysis","description":"Application of AI in medical image\\video analysis (computer vision) play an important role in the modern medicine. AI-based algorithms are employed as assistive diagnostic tools to help clinicians to diagnose diseases, screen for abnormal conditions, and assign patients to targeted therapy. It is nontrivial to note, that one of the biggest challenges face in developing such tools lay in data gathering. That is mainly due to the required professional labor to procced with sufficient and accurate data labeling. Such process is time demanding and highly costly. Our particular interest is in application of AI in image analysis\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (computer vision) techniques for developing diagnostic tools as an assistive technology for clinicians. The potential student will work with medical images to detect, segment, and\/or classify the area of interest. Their focus would be on semi-supervised, unsupervised, and self-supervised methods that would enable the use of available un-labeled data.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing (75%)\n 010102 Algebraic and Differential Geometry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azadeh Alavi","title":"Application of AI to Medical Image analysis ","description":"Application of AI in medical image\\video analysis (computer vision) play an important role in the modern medicine. AI-based algorithms are employed as assistive diagnostic tools to help clinicians to diagnose diseases, screen for abnormal conditions, and assign patients to targeted therapy. It is nontrivial to note, that one of the biggest challenges face in developing such tools lay in data gathering. That is mainly due to the required professional labor to procced with sufficient and accurate data labeling. Such process is time demanding and highly costly. Our particular interest is in application of AI in image analysis\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (computer vision) techniques for developing diagnostic tools as an assistive technology for clinicians. The potential student will work with medical images to detect, segment, and\/or classify the area of interest. Their focus would be on semi-supervised, unsupervised, and self-supervised methods that would enable the use of available un-labeled data.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460304 Computer Vision (70%)\n 461103 Deep Learning (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haytham Fayek","title":"Deep Learning from Data and Prior Knowledge","description":"Deep learning is a powerful general-purpose approach to machine learning that is able to solve numerous and various tasks with minimal modification. Deep learning extends machine learning, and especially neural networks, to learn multiple levels of distributed representations together with the required mapping function into a single composite function [1]. Most deep learning formulations are mostly designed for learning and performing a particular task from a random initialisation using data available for the task at hand. This requires large datasets, many iterations through the given dataset, and large models that require vast computational resources to learn the task.\n This project is envisaged to investigate paradigms such as transfer learning, multi-task learning, continual learning, and meta-learning that leverage the notion of hierarchical distributed representations in deep learning to share knowledge across datasets\n and tasks, thereby learning from data available for the task at hand as well as prior knowledge learned from previous tasks [2,3]. The goal of this project is to develop models that quickly adapt to datasets or tasks with better generalization performance using less amounts of data.\n [1] LeCun, Y., Bengio, Y. and Hinton, G., 2015. Deep learning. Nature, 521(7553), pp.436-444.\n [2] Fayek, H.M., Cavedon, L. and Wu, H.R., 2018. On the transferability of representations in neural networks between datasets and tasks. Continual Learning Workshop, 32nd Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS), Montr\u00c3\u00a9al, Canada.\n [3] Fayek, H.M., Cavedon, L. and Wu, H.R., 2020. Progressive learning: A deep learning framework for continual learning. Neural Networks, 128, pp.345-357.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"4611 Machine Learning (25%)\n 461103 Deep Learning (50%)\n 461104 Neural Networks (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova","title":"Impact of Organisational Culture on the Requirement Engineering Activities","description":"Requirement Engineering (RE) is a socio-technical activity and it demands intensive communication with the stake- holders to elicit and model all requirements. As both national and organisational cultures influence the behaviour of the individuals and their work practices, they might also influence RE activities deeply. This research will focus on elaboration of a formal framework for identifying and analysing cultural influences that could impact RE activities: the aim is to apply the framework not only on the national culture level, but expand it to the level of organisational culture to provide a more nuanced approach. The proposed framework will help RE practitioners to systematically analyse and determine a set of national and organisational cultural influences in several cultures and organisations.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461205 Requirements engineering (70%), 460806 Human-computer interaction (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Babak Abbassi, Department of Information and Business Analytics, Business College","title":"Machine learning and large-scale combinatorial optimization ","description":"In the era of big data, abundance of data is readily made available for business to make sense of. These data contain rich information that can be extracted and learnt by using machine learning techniques, to facilitate better decision making. In this project, you will be expected to explore and investigate the interesting interplays between machine learning and large-scale combinatorial optimization methods. We are particularly interested to study how machine learning can be employed to enhance the efficiency aspect of an optimization method (whether it is a classic math programming methods or meta-heuristics), e.g., supervised learning can be used to substantially prune the search space of a large-scale combinatorial optimization problem [1]. Graph neural networks among others are popular machine learning techniques for solving challenging combinatorial optimization problems.  We are also interested in exploring optimization techniques to improve the performance of a machine learning model. For example, a deep learning model tends to have a huge parameter space, and the question is how to carry out effective optimization considering the very large search space.  For example, Neural Architecture Search (NAS) has been shown to be an effective approach.\r\n\r\n[1] Shen, Y., Eberhard, A., Sun, Y., Li, X., Ernst A.T. (2023), \"Adaptive Solution Prediction for Combinatorial Optimization\", European Journal of Operational Research, 309(3): 1392-1408, September 2023.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108 - Operations research (40%)\r\n461103 - Deep learning (40%)\r\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Son Hoang Dau, Zahir Tari","title":"Blockchain-Based Decentralized Storage Systems","description":"Traditional distributed storage systems behind popular data storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive require the customers to trust the service providers. This implicit trust assumption turns the service provider into a single point of failure and makes the customers data vulnerable to the ever-increasing risk of data tempering, data loss, data censorship, or privacy breaches (see, for example, [1], [2], [3]). The birth of blockchain (e.g., [4], [5]) as a novel and disruptive distributed ledger technology has enabled trustless storage systems (e.g., Filecoin [6], Storj [7]), which decentralize the task of data storage & retrieval to thousands of untrusted storage nodes. These nodes work together to provide the data storage services to the customers, operating under an incentive mechanism set forth by the blockchain software, which ensures that honest nodes are recognized and rewarded, while malicious or rogue nodes are identified and penalized. There is no longer any single point of failures and no need to trust any parties in the system.\r\n\r\nIn this project, we will investigate and develop novel algorithms, protocols, and systems that allow decentralized storage systems to work securely and efficiently, including designing new proofs of retrievability, proofs of storage, proofs of replication, and proofs of space and time. All these proof-of-something protocols form the backbone of decentralized storage systems, guaranteeing data availability, integrity, and privacy despite the unavoidable presence of untrusted storage nodes or malicious parties in the system. The communication and computational costs to operate a trustless system are currently very high due to the expensive cryptographic layer imposed on top. Therefore, improving the efficiencies of existing protocols and\/or developing better ones is crucial for decentralized storage systems to compete against the traditional ones. We will also explore efficient solutions to enable standard functionalities and convenient services in decentralized storage systems as with the traditional cloud storage systems.\r\n\r\nContact: potential candidates can send their CV and university transcripts as well as any other supporting documents to Dr Son Hoang Dau (Hoang) at sonhoang.dau@rmit.edu.au. \r\n\r\nReferences \r\n[1] (The Guardian) Dropbox data breach, 2012. https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2016\/aug\/31\/dropbox-hack-passwords-68m-data-breach\r\n[2] (New York Times) Cambridge Analytica and Facebook: The Scandal and the Fallout So Far, 2018. https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/04\/04\/us\/politics\/cambridge-analytica-scandal-fallout.html \r\n[3] (Wired) A New Google+ Blunder Exposed Data From 52.5 Million Users, 2018. https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/google-plus-bug-52-million-users-data-exposed\/ \r\n[4] Satoshi Nakamoto, (Bitcoin whitepaper) Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, 2008. https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/bitcoin.pdf \r\n[5] Vitalik Buterin, (Ethereum whitepaper), A Next-Generation Smart Contract and Decentralized Application Platform, 2014. https:\/\/ethereum.org\/en\/whitepaper\/ \r\n[6] Protocol Labs, (Filecoin whitepaper) Filecoin: A Decentralized Storage Network, https:\/\/filecoin.io\/filecoin.pdf \r\n[7] Storj Labs, Inc., (Storj whitepaper) Storj: A Decentralized Cloud Storage Network Framework, https:\/\/www.storj.io\/storjv3.pdf\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"460401\tCryptography\r\n460402\tData and information privacy\r\n460403\tData security and protection"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin, Sebastian Rodriguez","title":"Architecting AI-based Systems","description":"AI-based systems such as Machine Learning (ML) based systems and Deep Learning (DL) based systems are now used in every aspect of people's life [1]. AI-based systems are different from traditional software-intensive systems as they are more complex, include new and more stakeholders (e.g., ML developers, ethics experts, data engineers) with new and different concerns (e.g., ethics, model accuracy, explainability), and have new components (e.g., components with ML\/DL capabilities) [2-3]. Furthermore, AI-based systems are prone to several data challenges, such as lack of data and noisy data, and the performance of ML models may vary in production. All this makes engineering AI-based systems more challenging. Hence, the Software Engineering community has recently started revisiting or developing new software engineering practices (including architectural practices) for AI-based systems (SE4AI).\r\nThis PhD project aims to support architecting AI-based systems by conducting empirical studies and developing practical solutions, design principles, and tools. More specifically, this project provides a deep understanding of architectural concerns and quality attributes in developing and deploying AI-based systems and develops practical architectural solutions to design, evaluate, and monitor AI-based systems.\r\n[1] Jordan, M.I. and T.M. Mitchell, Machine learning: Trends, perspectives, and prospects. Science, 2015. 349(6245): p. 255-260.\r\n[2] Lewis, G.A., S. Bellomo, and I. Ozkaya, Characterizing and Detecting Mismatch in Machine-Learning-Enabled Systems., 2021.\r\n[3] Muccini, H. and K. Vaidhyanathan, Software Architecture for ML-based Systems: What Exists and What Lies Ahead. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461206 Software architecture (40%)\r\n461202 Empirical software engineering (10%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (20%)\r\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (20%)\r\n460202 Autonomous agents and multiagent systems (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova","title":"Automated analysis of Agile artefacts","description":"There are many approaches for automated marking of assessments, but they typically limited to questions that assume answers strictly fitting to a particular structure, e.g., some approached work well for checking programming code. However, when we need to provide quick feedback on artefacts like product\/sprint backlogs, Trello boards, etc., the situation is more complex. This project is focused on elaboration of a framework for analysis and assessment Requirements Engineering (RE) and Project Management artefacts, as well as providing corresponding feedback to students with the references what exactly material student has to re-watch\/re-read.    \nAnalysis of the artefacts might require application some AI approaches, e.g., ML where the model will be trained with each additional check. It might also apply some RE techniques for analysis of completeness. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460804\tComputing education (40%), 461205\tRequirements engineering (30%), Natural language processing 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin","title":"DevSecOps-driven Software Architectures","description":"The essence of the security practices proposed to implement DevSecOps (also known as the \u201cshift-security-left\u201d) is that security policies and practices should be injected into the development process of a project at the right level, at the right time and with the right automation [1]. While DevSecOps emphasizes that security should be maintained across the development lifecycle touching coding, design, deployment, and operations, a significant fraction of the research on software security conducted by the software engineering community focuses on secure coding and testing and applying security policies and measures in operations. On the other hand, security design flaws are constantly reported as one of the main reasons behind the security breaches of many software systems. In this regard, software engineers and organizations recognise the need to have \u201csecurity by design\u201d, which means software systems should be designed from the ground up to prevent or detect and respond to vulnerabilities [2]. Architecture design is critical to reaching the highest level of DevSecOps success. This PhD research project aims to provide practical guidelines and tools with empirical evidence that allow software organizations to develop, apply, manage, and evaluate security architecture solutions and mechanisms in DevSecOps environments, thereby increasing the chance of developing and delivering secure software systems in the age of DevSecOps.\r\n[1] Carter, K., Francois Raynaud on DevSecOps. IEEE Software, 2017. 34(5): p. 93-96.\r\n[2] Santos, J., et al., An empirical study of tactical vulnerabilities. J. of Sys. and Soft, 2019. 149.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461206 Software architecture (40%) \r\n460406 Software and application security (40%)\r\n461202 Empirical software engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maria Spichkova, James Harland","title":"Game-based learning of formal reasoning","description":"Software has an increasing impact on everyday life. Tasks such as navigation and banking heavily rely on software. A software error can lead to financial loss or even loss of human life, making correctness crucial for many safety-critical systems. This means it is increasingly important to be able to verify the correctness of software as it is developed. This is usually done by the use of formal methods (FMs), in which the behaviour of the software is modelled mathematically, allowing logical analysis of its properties. There have been some spectacular recent successes in this regard, such as the formal verification of a Linux kernel, which made heavy use of FMs.\n\nThis makes it vital for humans to understand formal models. Specifically we need to better understand how informal descriptions can be transformed into formal models, and how a software engineer can be sure that this transformation has been performed correctly. The aim of this project is to analyse possible solutions for this problem and to elaborate a game-based framework to assist in the understanding of difficulties in formalization. A potential solution is to combine real-world problems with puzzles based on famous stories and movies, or even magic tricks, thus making FMs and other aspects of STEM more appealing. This will enable uses to understand formal systems and their properties, and how solutions to formal problems can be solved automatically.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460604 Computing Education (50%), 461203 Formal methods for Software (40%), 461303 Computational logic and formal languages (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin","title":"Human Values and Human-centric Issues in Machine Learning-based Systems","description":"ML-based systems, and any other type of software-intensive systems, are expected to address, respect, and be aligned with various social and human aspects. Human values and human-centric issues are two social and human aspects that have recently gained significant attention in the software engineering community. Human values, such as transparency, inclusion, social responsibility, diversity, fairness, etc., are defined as \u201cwhat an individual or a society deems important\u201d [1]. Human-centric issues are defined as \u201cthe problems that diverse users face when using a software system, due to the lack of (proper) consideration of their specific characteristics, limitations, and abilities\u201d. Failing to address human values and human-centric issues in ML-based systems may bring problems and irreversible damages, ranging from user dissatisfaction to loss of life. Currently, there is a lack of understanding of how human values and human-centric issues are considered during the development and deployment of ML-based systems. The goals of this PhD project are:\r\n1. Develop a deep understanding of various human values and human-centric issues relevant to developing and deploying ML-based systems.\r\n2. Develop and evaluate well-established AI techniques to effectively detect, track, and classify human values and human-centric issues by mining source codes and their associated developer discussions, captured in code comments and issue tracking systems before human value violations impact society.\r\nReferences \r\n1. Schwartz, S.H., An overview of the Schwartz theory of basic values. Online readings in Psychology and Culture, 2012. 2(1): p. 2307-0919.1116.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461202 Empirical software engineering (30%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (20%)\r\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (20%)\r\n460803 Collaborative and social computing (10%)\r\n461103 Deep learning (10%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Shahin, Shabnam Kasra Kermanshahi","title":"Socio-technical aspects of Securing Machine Learning Systems","description":"AI-based systems have drastically changed software development. While there are some common characteristics between AI-based systems and non-AI-based systems, AI-based systems have unique characteristics, such as being more complex, having new and more stakeholders (e.g., data engineers) with new and different concerns (e.g., ethics, explainability), having new components (e.g., components with ML\/DL capabilities), and being prone to several data challenges [1-2]. These unique characteristics may require revisiting or developing new software engineering practices for AI-based systems (SE4AI).\r\nThe increasing application of AI-based systems in our life and society raises several concerns about the security and vulnerability of AI-based systems. While valuable efforts have been allocated to securing AI-based systems, less systematic and focused research conducted on socio-technical aspects of securing AI-based systems. It is argued that more research is needed to explore the role of human, social, and cultural factors in securing AI-based systems. This PhD project aims to investigate security in AI-based systems from the social-technical perspective. Specifically, this project will explore how and when developers should integrate and practice security in AI-based systems. How AI developers use security tools and security-related codes recommended by AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot). What social-technical factors impact AI developers while making security decisions?\r\n1. Lewis, G.A., S. Bellomo, and I. Ozkaya, Characterizing and Detecting Mismatch in Machine-Learning-Enabled Systems.2021.\r\n2. Muccini, H. and K. Vaidhyanathan, Software Architecture for ML-based Systems: What Exists and What Lies Ahead. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461202 Empirical software engineering (30%)\r\n460406 Software and application security (30%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (10%)\r\n460803 Collaborative and social computing (10%), 461103 Deep learning (10%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fengling Han ","title":"Peer-to-Peer based sharing renewable energy","description":"Energy shortage and global warming pose a challenge for power supply. This project aims to investigate Peer-to-Peer based sharing renewable energy. It will investigate the complex network theory and artificial intelligence technologies in batteries management, interaction between overlay network and physical network and prediction of batteries\u2019 state-of-charge in various application environments such as smart-grid and electrical vehicles. The topics may include, but is not limited to:\n\u2022        Optimization of Energy Storage\n\u2022        ICT-Based Energy Information System\n\u2022        Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Energy Sharing\n","sdg":"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"80605"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Dynamic malware clustering for threat intelligence","description":"Corporations and government departments maintain their threat intelligence facilities, where they collect new malware samples and analyse to extract intelligence. Typically, yarra rules are used to identify malware variants. Yarra rules-based method use pattern of instructions in the samples to identify the samples. Multiple yarra rules can be written and used to identify same sample. But these rules are very static and inflexible and could fail if the malware variants are changed. This project will investigate dynamic clustering algorithms to use as second stage in identifying the unknown samples and new families of malware. Project will further investigate to devise techniques to develop dynamic yarra rules for malware detection.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Falk Scholer","title":"New Approaches to Interactive Sessional Search for Complex Tasks","description":"Most people in developed nations use tools like Google and Bing many times every day with questions that range from the mundane through to the complex: \"What is the weather in Los Angeles today?\", \"How do I cook a lobster?\", \"How many French overseas territories are there in the Pacific, what are their populations, and what is the fastest way to get to each of them from Melbourne?\". While routine queries are now well-handled in search engines, more complex search tasks like the third example are still poorly supported, requiring the user to make substantial investments of time and effort, and with no certainty that the task will be successfully resolved. Exploratory search tasks are often open-ended, persistent, and multifaceted, but current search engines are ill-equipped to support complex information needs. In this project, we will devise new approaches to handling complex information needs and interpreting the intentions of users. We will create a system that steps well beyond current \"web search\", and provide better-quality answers and greater certainty of successful outcomes for complex information seeking tasks.\n Specifically, the goals of the project are:\n Aim 1: Understand and quantify query formulation behaviour both across users and within search sessions, to build insights that will allow us to model the way in which users represent complex information needs when engaging in search, and formalise the notion of state in the search process.\n Aim 2: Develop scalable techniques for modelling complex, interactive information needs, and operationalising these new approaches into stateful, interactive components which can be integrated directly into large-scale search engines.\n Aim 3: Design and deploy evaluation methodologies applicable to complex search tasks that reflect the implications of user state; to develop models that allow the effectiveness of search services to be scored at a session level, rather than only at a query level; and hence to allow more precise measurement of search system effectiveness, thereby directly supporting the development of future improvements to search techniques.\n References:\n [1] P. Bailey, A. Moffat, F. Scholer, and P. Thomas: \"Retrieval consistency in the presence of query variations.\" In Proc. SIGIR, pages 395-404, 2017.\n [2] R.-C. Chen, L. Gallagher, R. Blanco, and J. S. Culpepper: \"Efficient cost-aware cascade ranking in multi-stage retrieval.\" In Proc. SIGIR, pages 445-454, 2017.\n [3] N. J. Belkin, C. Cool, W. B. Croft, and J. P. Callan: \"Effect of multiple query representations on information retrieval system performance.\" In Proc. SIGIR, pages 339-346, 1993.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 (67.5%)\n 460806 (32.5%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Privacy preserving Federated phishing filtering using NLP and deep learning","description":"Emails systems have made the communication very easier but this medium of communication is also source of major cyber-attacks. In-fact email are considered a gateway for cyber-attacks at consumers and organizations. Phishing attacks are common on banking as well as other customers. Due to online reliance for education, retails, entrainment, business, banking, and critical infrastructure services. Phishing attacks have been common occurrences. Corporations could change their business models to attract more customers by guaranteeing online safety of their customers. One method could be helping customer to ward off phishing attacks by federating the knowledge of their customers by preserving their privacy. This project will develop privacy preserving federated phishing filter with the use of machine learning. Federated learning can be done in decentralized manner with the use of machine learning models, This project will investigate fusion techniques to federate the training models from thousands of customers and will preserve their privacy. This project could use federated learning, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) for email phishing detection.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n460407 System and network security\n460402 Data and information privacy\n\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Ransomware detection in Critical infrastructure systems ","description":"Ransomware is type of malware attack, which can encrypt the data, and demand ransom to decrypt the data. called Big Game Hunting is new form of ransomware attacks which gains unauthorised access to an organisation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s network, moves laterally and performs reconnaissance to access and identify business information to demand high amount of ransom. This is done with the use of network vulnerability tools to assess the architecture of the networks. This research will focus on attribution of the ransomware attacks when these attacks conducted with the use of off the shelf\/commercial tools. This project will develop techniques to cluster ransomware attacks for attacker attributions.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Remote condition monitoring ","description":"Incipient fault detection in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions requires robust features for accurate condition-based machine health monitoring. Accurate fault classification is positively linked to the quality of features of the faults. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the quality of the features before classification. This project will develop techniques to do real time processing of vibration analysis and will also study transformation of the vibration signal to imaging representation for fault detection.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zahir Tari","title":"Preventing Exfiltration of Sensitive Data by Malicious Insiders or Malwares ","description":"Data exfiltration is the unauthorized leakage of data from computers by sophisticated malware and malicious insiders. Data exfiltration is a serious problem since it may have catastrophic effect on businesses, governments as well as individuals if such exfiltration involves sensitive data. Examples include exfiltration of data involving business inventions, national intelligence, classified research, individual\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s credit card and biometric profile. Specifically, data exfiltration has resulted in huge economic losses as well as unprecedented breaches of national security. A study by the Ponemon Institute [1] reported that the average per-incident cost of reported data leakage by businesses was $4 million in 2015\/2016, and the number of reported data breaches surpassed all previous years [2].\n \n The aim of this project is to develop solutions to detect sensitive data exfiltration attempts by malwares, as well as human users, and block those attempts without affecting legitimate users\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 normal usage of computers.The specific objectives of this project are to develop:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Existing real-time identification techniques of sensitive data are not scalable for analyzing large amount of data generated by memory resident application. This project will develop efficient data representation and summarization techniques that will enable multi-granular searching of sensitive information from memory.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Some Malware can circumvent existing exfiltration detection mechanisms by loading small parts of sensitive data from file or by accessing dynamically generated sensitive data (e.g., from Email). This project will develop a meta-searching technique that will continuously monitor memory resident data to detect exfiltration attempts of sensitive data by malwares or insiders.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 A key limitation of existing techniques is malwares can circumvent existing detection mechanisms by partially loading sensitive data over a period of time from file or by accessing dynamically generated sensitive data (e.g., from Email). This project will develop a technique that can piece together the different parts of data (dynamically generated) accessed over a period of time by by process(es), to determine if those parts constitute sensitive data.\n \n References\n [1] L. Ponemon, \u00e2\u20ac\u01532016 Ponemon Institute Cost of a Data Breach Study,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Security Intelligence Institute.\n [2] DataLossDB, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Data Loss Statistics\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Retrieved 26 February 2017, from https:\/\/blog.datalossdb.org\/","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460402 Data and information privacy (50)\n 460403 Data security and protection (50)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zahir Tari","title":"Low-Latency High-Throughput Computational Models for Heavily Data-Driven","description":"The need to process a huge volume of data during in a small amount of time is dramatically increasing especially as the size of the data moves into Exabyte in the near [1]. While use of such applications was previously confined to the finance sector, it is becoming now prevalent in almost every industry where analytical processing over massive data sets can solve business problems. To meet such low-latency requirements of data mining and machine learning applications, datacentre providers must expand the computing capacity of the underlying infrastructure by exploiting graphics processing units (GPU) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) as new hardware accelerators, the so called heterogeneous datacentres. However, there is no mechanism that can appropriately project the complex characteristics of modern applications emerging in enterprise\/scientific domains into the available computing capacity of a system with hundreds or thousands of heterogeneous computers. Additionally, using existing resources allocation solutions in heterogeneous datacentres result in significant resource wastage [2][3].\n \n The general aim of this project is to investigate innovative solutions\/methods to control and to make use of the capabilities of the new hardware accelerators in a heterogeneous computing systems to substantially enhance the resource efficiency when running data-driven applications. The specific aims of this project are:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 To explore inference algorithms for modelling the complex interaction of different components of data-driven applications with the heterogeneous resources.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 To design resource allocation controlling algorithms that not only maximize the system performance, but also detect and resolve resources' bottlenecks.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 To equip the designed algorithms with adaptive optimal control tools for online tuning of corresponding parameters to effectively deal with modelling uncertainties in a datacentre as well as the sporadic rise and fall in the incoming requests.\n \n References\n [1] P. Lotfi-Kamran, B. Grot, M. Ferdman, S. Volos, O. Kocberber, J. Picorel, A. Adileh, D. Jevdjic, S. Idgunji, E. Ozer, et al., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Scale-out processors,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in ACM SIGARCH Computer Architecture News, vol. 40, pp. 500\u00e2\u20ac\u201c511, IEEE Computer Society, 2012.\n [2] R. Hameed,W. Qadeer, M.Wachs, O. Azizi, A. Solomatnikov, B. C. Lee, S. Richardson, C. Kozyrakis, and M. Horowitz, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Understanding sources of inefficiency in general-purpose chips,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in ACM SIGARCH Computer Architecture News, vol. 38, pp. 37\u00e2\u20ac\u201c47, ACM, 2010.\n [3] L. Keys, S. Rivoire, and J. D. Davis, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The search for energy-efficient building blocks for the data center,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in International Symposium on Computer Architecture, pp. 172\u00e2\u20ac\u201c182, Springer, 2010.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460611 Performance evaluation (60)\n460511 Stream and sensor data (40)\n\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Iqbal Gondal","title":"Blockchain for health Cyber Physical systems ","description":"The Internet of Things (IoT) can assist in continuous Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), although RPM architectures are complex with huge datasets and low power capacity. This project proposes a multi-tier End-to-End architecture for continuous patient monitoring with the use of Patient Agent (PA) with the use of blockchain. Intelligent PA would interact with Blockchain component to preserve privacy body area sensors for secure storage, processing and decision making. Project will investigate lightweight communication protocol for data security for continuous, real time patient monitoring architecture. The architecture will manage data entry into Blockchain to facilitate data sharing amongst healthcare professionals and electronic health records while preserving privacy. Project will investigate Blockchain architecture to select a Miner efficiently to reduce computational by minimize energy consumption. Project will investigate Blockchain based eHealth\n architecture having three layers: Sensing layer- Body Area Sensor Networks with the use of smartphone, Edge Networks devices one hop from data sensing IoT devices and Cloud or other high computing servers. Project will investigate strategies how a PA can replicate on the three layers to process medical data to ensure reliable, secure, and private communication.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460406 Software and application security\n 460407 System and network security\n 460402 Data and information privacy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Cloud, Systems & Security","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Son Hoang Dau, Zahir Tari","title":"Advanced Coding Techniques for Failure Recovery in Distributed Storage Systems","description":"In modern distributed storage systems, which consists of thousands of inexpensive and unreliable storage devices, failure has become the norm rather than the exception. Replication and erasure codes guard the stored data against software and hardware failures by adding an appropriate level of redundancy. Erasure codes are a favourable choice due to their lower storage overhead, their much higher read\/write throughputs thanks to parallelism, and their higher mean-time-to-failures, compared to replication. In fact, erasure codes are currently employed by a number of prominent companies such as Google, Facebook, Baidu, Yahoo, Backblaze, Amazon, and Microsoft, to protect their storage systems. However, erasure codes, most notably, Reed-Solomon codes, incur a very high bandwidth and disk I\/O during the process of repairing one failed storage node, which is the most frequent failure event. For example, it is required to access and download 2.56 GB in order to reconstruct only one data block of size 256 MB, encoded by a Reed-Solomon code, in the Facebook\u2019s f4 storage system [1].\n \n The aim of this project is to investigate advanced coding techniques that help speed up the failure recovery process of distributed storage systems. More specifically, the project objectives are:\n -to design new repair schemes for erasure codes that reduce the repair bandwidth, i.e. the amount of data to be downloaded from the available storage nodes during the failure recovery process; reduce the repair I\/O (the disk input\/output), i.e. the amount of data to be accessed at the available storage nodes during the recovery process; note that this can be greater than the repair bandwidth;\n -to evaluate the benefit of the new repair schemes via statistic models and implementations on open-source storage platforms (e.g. the Hadoop Distributed File System);\n -to enhance data confidentiality and integrity levels of the underlying erasure codes.\n \n The project addresses fundamental theoretical questions about the structure of erasure codes, in particular, Reed-Solomon codes, with respect to their repair capability and limitation, as well as tackles the practical problem of improving the recovery performance of distributed storage systems. We focus on reducing the repair bandwidth and the disk I\/O, the two most constrained resources during the recovery process. The proposed project builds upon our recent research, e.g., [2]-[6], in one of which we obtained a noticeable 30% reduction in the repair bandwidth for the Reed-Solomon code currently employed by Facebook\u2019s f4 storage system.\n \n References \n [1] S. Muralidhar et al., \u201cf4: Facebook\u2019s warm BLOB storage system,\u201d USENIX Symposium on Operating Systems Design and Implementation (OSDI), pages 383\u2013398, 2014.\n [2] S. H. Dau, X. Dinh, H. M. Kiah, T. L. Tran, and O. Milenkovic, \u201cRepairing Reed-Solomon Codes via Subspace Polynomials,\u201d IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, volume 67, number 10, 2021.\n [3] H. Dau, I. Duursma, H. M. Kiah, and O. Milenkovic, \u201cRepairing Reed-Solomon codes with multiple erasures,\u201d IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, volume 64, number 10, pages 6567-6582, 2018. \n [4] W. Li, H. Dau, Z. Wang, H. Jafarkhani, and E. Viterbo, \u201cOn the I\/O Costs in Repairing Short-Length Reed-Solomon Codes,\u201d IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT), 2019.\n [5] H. Dau, I. Duursma, and H. Chu, \u201cOn the I\/O costs of some repair schemes for full-length Reed-Solomon codes,\u201d IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT), pages 1700-1704, 2018.\n [6] I. Duursma and H. Dau, \u201cLow bandwidth repair of the RS(10,4) Reed-Solomon code,\u201d invited by the Information Theory and Applications Workshop (ITA), San Diego, California, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platforms","forcodes":"461301 Coding, information theory and compression\n 460605 Distributed systems and algorithms"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Further Advance Bayesian Optimization","description":"Bayesian Optimization (BO) is a powerful sample-efficient strategy for finding the global optimum of an expensive black-box functions [1]. The main idea is to fit a surrogate model on the previous function evaluations, construct an acquisition function based on the surrogate model, and then use the acquisition function to select the next data point to be evaluated. Its applications include but not limited to automated machine learning, experimental design, environmental monitoring, and robotics. Whilst being effective and efficient in solving many optimization problems, BO is still a relatively new research field and suffers various limitations [1]. For example,\n+ Existing BO algorithms do not work well with high-dimensional optimization problems\n+ Limited BO methods can be applied to solve optimization problems with discrete, categorical, and mixed variables.\n+ Limited BO methods can solve the multi-objective optimization problems.\n+ etc.\nThis project aims to advance the efficacy of BO algorithms by various techniques such as evolutionary methods (e.g., covariance matrix adaptation, particle swarm, multi-objective decomposition) [2], deep surrogate models (e.g., deep kernel, Bayesian deep learning) [3]. Apart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\nReferences:\n[1] B. Shahriari, K. Swersky, Z. Wang, R.P. Adams, N. de Freitas (2016). Taking the Human Out of the Loop: A Review of Bayesian Optimization. Proceedings of IEEE 104(1): 148-175.\n[2] A. E. Eiben, James E. Smith (2015). Introduction to Evolutionary Computing. Natural Computing Series, Springer.\n[3] Y. Gal (2016). Uncertainty in Deep Learning. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%), 460209 Planning and Decision Making (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson","title":"Systems for Automated Decision-Making","description":"We seek students to develop new approaches to fairness, actionable explainability, or socially considerate evaluation of ADM in recommender, search, or other ML based systems.\nSee more details here: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/students\/student-essentials\/information-for\/research-candidates\/enriching-your-candidature\/grants-and-scholarships\/postgraduate-by-research\/phd-scholarship-systems-automated-decision-making","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"080109\n080403\n080504"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards Intelligent Data-driven Software Engineering","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown outstanding progress with impressive performance over the last decade. AI techniques have been applied to solve numerous problems such as weather forecasting, movie recommending, autonomous driving, health applications, question answering, etc. The main ingredient of an AI algorithm is the data that is mined from problems that are same or similar to the problem to be solved.\nSoftware Engineering (SE) is a highly impact area with many interesting and important challenges. Besides, the amount of data generated by SE is generally large and cheap to collect (e.g., source code, software system logs, software reports). Therefore, SE is an ideal area where AI techniques can be applied.\nIn this project, we thus aim to develop novel AI-based techniques to solve various challenging problems in SE:\n+ configurable software performance prediction with a minimal number of measured data [1]\n+ intelligent incident management for software-intensive system including incident detection, incident identification, incident triage [2]\n+ software defect and vulnerability detection [3]\n+ etc.\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the chosen topic.\nReferences:\n[1] H. Ha, H. Zhang. \u201cDeepPerf: Performance Prediction for Configurable Software with Deep Sparse Neural Network\u201d, in Proceedings of the 41st ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 1095-1106, Montr\u00e9al, Canada, 2019.\n[2] Z. Chen, Y. Kang, L. Li, X. Zhang, H. Zhang, et al., \u201cTowards intelligent incident management: why we need it and how we make it\u201d, in Proceedings of the ACM Joint European Software Engineering Conference and Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (ESEC\/FSE), pages 1487-1497, 2020.\n[3] S. Omri, C. Sinz, \u201cDeep Learning for Software Defect Prediction: A Survey\u201d, in the Workshops of the 42nd ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 209-214, 2020.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"461201 Automated software engineering (60%), 461103 Deep learning (20%), 461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huong Ha","title":"Towards the Trustworthiness of Machine Learning Systems After Deployment","description":"Machine learning (ML) systems are employed across sectors to assist humans in making important decisions. However, it is well-known that ML systems can be unreliable. ML systems work based on the assumption that the system's training data come from the same distribution with the data encountered in the deployment. But this assumption does not always hold in real life [1]. Thus, there is no guarantee that an ML system, which had an impressive performance during the development process, still performs well after deployment. It is therefore crucial that the trustworthiness of the ML systems need to be ensured after deployment, so as to prevent potential failures that may have severe unintended consequences.\nThis project aims to develop various techniques to ensure the trustworthiness of ML systems after deployment. Some directions that we're aiming towards:\n+ active testing of ML systems so that only a minimal number of ground-truth need to be used to evaluate the correctness of ML systems [2]\n+ monitoring ML systems performance so as to detect any issues with the ML systems' performance\n+ automatic retraining ML systems so as to ensure their performance always satisfying users' requirements\n+ etc.\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\nReferences:\n[1] P.W. Koh, et al. \"Wilds: A benchmark of in-the-wild distribution shifts\", in Proceedings of the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML'21), pages 5637-5664, 2021.\n[2] H. Ha, S. Gupta, S. Rana, and S. Venkatesh. ALT-MAS: A Data-Efficient Framework for Active Testing of Machine Learning Algorithms\", in RobustML Workshop at ICLR'21, 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%), 461103 Deep learning (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Fair, Transparent and Explainable Multi-Party Recommender Systems","description":"Multi-party recommender systems are prevalent in society, e.g,, Netflix, Uber, Amazon. They involve multi-parties, e.g., rider, driver and the platform in Uber, which each have their own aims and ulities to maximise. In recent years, there is focus on making AI and automated decision making systems more fair to all parties, not only focusing on users or riders for example. In this project, we focus on fairness, transparency and explainablity, including:\n* studying and developing new algorithmic frameworks to incorporate notions of fairness in multi-party recommender systems;\n* developing mechanisms in multi-objective optimisation to better incorporate personal preferences for tradeoffs between the typically competing objectives of fairness, transparency and utility of the systems;\n* researching and developing new ways to explain recommendation results, which will likely need customisation to each of the different stakeholders.\n\n\nThe project will likely involve a combination of AI, machine learning, recommender systems, economics and FATE (Fairness, Accountability, Transparency and Ethics).","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 Recommender Systems (30%) ; 460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (50%) ; 461103 Deep Learning (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Multi-criteria Itinerary and POI Recommendation ","description":"Itinerary and trip recommendations are an important and frequent problem in real applications. It appears in multiple real applications, including tour itinerary recommendation and journey planning. In tour recommendation, an itinerary of places to visit and transportation schedules are recommended to tourists based on their interests and past travels [1]. Manually constructing these itineraries remains a challenging and time-consuming task for tourists. In journey planning [4], a trip from A to B using different transportation modes are recommended to users based on their preferences and transportation schedules. Both these applications are simultaneously a machine learning problem, e.g., recommending locations to visit, learning preferences and predicting traffic, and an optimization problem, e.g., scheduling under constraints. Solving this recommendation and scheduling problem requires a joint, integrated approach. To date, although there has been initial work done in itinerary recommendation [3] and multi-criteria journey planning [4], but minimal work in recommending itineraries that simultaneous incorporates preferences, predictions and learning, as well as schedule optimised tours that satisfies all constraints. In addition, there are little previous research that look at itinerary recommendation with multiple criteria, e.g. an itinerary that visits interesting places, but minimizes the time waiting for connecting transportation. In this project, the student will research novel approaches that recommends itineraries and journeys of multicriteria. This project focuses on multi-criteria itinerary recommendation, which will involve solving efficiency challenges (the problems are computationally hard) and researching how to effectively combine and integrate recommendation, prediction and optimization into a single framework for multi-criteria itinerary recommendation. References [1]. J. Borr\u00e0s, A. Moreno, and A. Valls. Intelligent tourism recommender systems: A survey. Expert Systems with Applications, 41, 16 (2014), 7370\u20137389. [2]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Itinerary Recommendation with Queuing Time Awareness, in Proceedings of ACM CIKM, (to appear), 2017. [3]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Tour Recommendation Based on User Interests and Points of Interest Visit Duration, in Proceedings of AAAI IJCAI, pp. 1778-1784, 2015. [4]. M. Haqqani, X. Li and X. Yu. An Evolutionary Multi-criteria Journey Planning Algorithm for Multimodal Transportation Networks, in Proceedings of ACALCI, pp.144-156, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (20%) ; 460510 Recommender systems (50%) ; 460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan  ","title":"Solving Hybrid Prediction and Optimisation Problems","description":"Itinerary and trip recommendations are an important and frequent problem in real applications. It appears in multiple real applications, including tour itinerary recommendation and journey planning. In tour recommendation, an itinerary of places to visit and transportation schedules are recommended to tourists based on their interests and past travels [1]. Manually constructing these itineraries remains a challenging and time-consuming task for tourists. In journey planning [4], a trip from A to B using different transportation modes are recommended to users based on their preferences and transportation schedules. Both these applications are simultaneously a machine learning problem, e.g., recommending locations to visit, learning preferences and predicting traffic, and an optimization problem, e.g., scheduling under constraints. Solving this recommendation and scheduling problem requires a joint, integrated approach. To date, although there has been initial work done in itinerary recommendation [3] and multi-criteria journey planning [4], but minimal work in recommending itineraries that simultaneous incorporates preferences, predictions and learning, as well as schedule optimised tours that satisfies all constraints. In addition, there are little previous research that look at itinerary recommendation with multiple criteria, e.g. an itinerary that visits interesting places, but minimizes the time waiting for connecting transportation. In this project, the student will research novel approaches that recommends itineraries and journeys of multicriteria. This project focuses on multi-criteria itinerary recommendation, which will involve solving efficiency challenges (the problems are computationally hard) and researching how to effectively combine and integrate recommendation, prediction and optimization into a single framework for multi-criteria itinerary recommendation. References [1]. J. Borr\u00e0s, A. Moreno, and A. Valls. Intelligent tourism recommender systems: A survey. Expert Systems with Applications, 41, 16 (2014), 7370\u20137389. [2]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Itinerary Recommendation with Queuing Time Awareness, in Proceedings of ACM CIKM, (to appear), 2017. [3]. K. Lim, J. Chan et al. Personalized Tour Recommendation Based on User Interests and Points of Interest Visit Duration, in Proceedings of AAAI IJCAI, pp. 1778-1784, 2015. [4]. M. Haqqani, X. Li and X. Yu. An Evolutionary Multi-criteria Journey Planning Algorithm for Multimodal Transportation Networks, in Proceedings of ACALCI, pp.144-156, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (50%) ; 461103 Deep Learning (30%) ; 461105 Reinforcement Learning (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li","title":"Optimization in dynamic and uncertain environments","description":"Traditionally optimization is carried out towards a single static objective, which does not change during the course of the optimization. In recent years, there have been increasing interests in using decentralized and spatially distributed evolutionary algorithms to handle an optimization task that changes its optima over time, e.g., dynamic vehicle routing and dynamic scheduling problems. We could take advantage of the parallel and distributed structure of a parallel evolutionary algorithm to deal with this kind of tasks [1][3]. Evolutionary Algorithms and its variants (e.g., Particle Swarm and Differential Evolution), particularly those exhibiting self-adaptive behaviours can be investigated for their effectiveness for such tasks. There has been very little research done in the past in using adaptive or self-adaptive techniques for tracking multiple optima in dynamic\/uncertain environments. Nevertheless, many real-world problems require more effective optimization techniques to handle environments with such characteristics [2]. [1] J. Branke, Evolutionary optimization in dynamic environments. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012, vol. 3.\n[2] Y. Jin, K. Tang, X. Yu, B. Sendhoff, and X. Yao, \u201cA framework for finding robust optimal solutions over time,\u201d Memetic Computing, vol. 5, no. 01, pp. 3\u201318, 2013.\n[3] Blackwell, T., Branke, J. and Li, X. (2008). \"\"Particle Swarms for Dynamic Optimization Problems\"\", in Blum, C. and Merkle, D. (editors), Swarm Intelligence - Introduction and Applications, Springer, 2008, pp.193 - 217.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"ISE 2 Automation and Intelligence; AMF 2 Advanced automation research and sensor and sensor network research; SC 3\u00a0Transformations in digital society and economy","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (40%)\n490108 Operations Research (30%)\n460203 Evolutionary Computation (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science and Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang, Fatemeh Shiri","title":"CultureAlign: Multicultural Safety Alignment for Inclusive Large Language Models","description":"Current safety research on large language models predominantly targets users from a few major technological hubs, often overlooking the rich tapestry of thousands of distinct cultures worldwide; this narrow focus can result in outputs that inadvertently violate social norms or legal rules in underrepresented communities. This 3.5-year PhD project seeks to pioneer globally inclusive LLMs capable of generating culturally appropriate, personalized content for a diverse range of demographic profiles by developing an innovative framework that combines the creation of an expansive multilingual dataset of culturally sensitive scenarios with advanced methods for detecting and mitigating violations of social norms and legal rules, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to explore cutting-edge techniques in natural language processing and machine learning while addressing critical challenges in AI safety and inclusivity and contributing to a paradigm shift in how global cultural diversity is integrated into the development of responsible AI systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460208 Natural Language Processing (80%)\r\n441007 Sociology and social studies of science and technology (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaodong Li, Yuan Sun","title":"Data Driven Combinatorial Optimization with Machine Learning","description":"With the rapid advancement in Machine Learning (ML) technologies, decision making is enabled to be more accurate than a human, with less time and effort. ML has been widely used in various applications, including solving combinatorial optimization (CO) problems. Since many combinatorial optimization problems in the big data era are usually not mathematically well defined, the current state-of-the-art algorithms are facing significant challenges. Applying machine learning algorithms has great potential to better solve this sort of combinatorial optimization problems. In this research, we will aim to develop a novel approach to integrating machine learning and combinatorial optimization techniques. We will investigate novel ways of applying machine learning techniques to provide better quality solutions to combinatorial optimization problems. We will attempt to take unique advantages of ML to develop a data-driven modelling approach, which has better generalization capability and is more robust and scalable across several combinatorial optimization problem domains","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Falk Scholer","title":"Finding High-Quality Answers in Community Question Answering Sites using Users\u2019 Comments","description":"One of the most popular place to ask questions and give answers is Community Question Answering (CQA) sites which give answers to many users on the Internet. The quality of an answer is an important attribute in the Community Question Answering (CQA) sites. While the benefits of CQA sites have been well-recognized, finding a best answer is still a challenge. This research aims to introduce a new model to improve the quality of answer retrieval on CQA sites.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Falk Scholer","title":"Interactive complex answer retrieval","description":"The research will focus on the task of complex answer retrieval (CAR). First of all, it will investigate a taxonomy of CAR tasks by examining questions of different complexity in community question answering (CQA) sites and user search logs. Further, it will compare the crowd-source evaluation of the CAR task with the conventional one and use the data for constructing a new evaluation testbed for CAR. Afterwards, it will compare performance of existing models and their variations on the obtained testbed. In the same manner, the project will try new approaches based on recently succeeded Deep Learning approaches in NLP and evaluate them. The project will also test a new unsupervised method to expand dataset for CAR from CQA platforms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221 \/ MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Sanderson, Yongli Ren","title":"Recommender Systems: ensemble learning to mitigate user preference change over time","description":"Recommender systems underpin the way that Netflix, Amazon \u2013 and a wide range of e-commerce sites \u2013 observe the objects and activities that users like and then recommend something new. While extensive research has been conducted in recommender systems, there are still many potential projects. The focus of this project is to enable recommender systems to better react to the continual change in user\u2019s preferences. The research question of the project will be\rHow to improve the accuracy of recommender systems by mitigating the problem of time drifting inputs using ensemble learning techniques?\rThe project will examine the following aspects\r\u2022 How will ensemble learning be adapted to manage user preference change?\ro Ensemble learning requires a set of single learners to build from. These learning will need to incorporate a forgetting mechanism to discard old user preferences and be self-adaptive. This is considered a major scientific and engineering challenge. Once adapted an ensemble learner will be constructed.\r\u2022 How is user preference change detected andmonitored?\ro There are two approaches to define how the learner will adapt: informed methods that detect the drift through triggering mechanisms and blind methods that implicitly are adapted to changes without drift detection. Both approaches will be examined in this project.\r\u2022 What are the performance criteria?\ro Here, we will focus on the criteria to obtain an unfailing system that handles user preference change. The requirements for such systems are autonomy (i.e. the level of human involvement), reliability, and complexity (i.e. time and memory consumption).\rReferences\r1. B. Kumar and N. Sharma, \u201cApproaches, Issues and Challenges in Recommender Systems: A Systematic Review,\u201d Indian J. Sci. Technol., vol. 9, no. 47, 2016.\r2. M. Taghavi, J. Bentahar, K. Bakthiyari, and C. Hanachi, \u201cNew Insights Towards Developing Recommender Systems,\u201d pp. 1\u201335, 2017.\r3. J. Lu, D. Wu, M. Mao, W. Wang, and G. Zhang, \u201cRecommender system application developments: A survey,\u201d Decis. Support Syst., vol. 74, pp. 12\u201332, 2015.\r4. I. Khamassi, M. Sayed-Mouchaweh, M. Hammami, and K. Gh\u00e9dira, \u201cDiscussion and review on evolving data streams and concept drift adapting,\u201d Evol. Syst., 2016.\r5. Y. Koren, \u201cCollaborative filtering with temporal dynamics,\u201d Commun. ACM, vol. 53, no. 4, p. 89, 2010.\r6. H. Liu, X. Kong, X. Bai, W. Wang, T. M. Bekele, and F. Xia, \u201cContext-Based Collaborative Filtering for Citation Recommendation,\u201d IEEE Access, vol. 3, pp. 1695\u20131703, 2015.\r7. Y. Kabutoya, R. Sumi, T. Iwata, T. Uchiyama, and T. Uchiyama, \u201cA topic model for recommending movies via linked open data,\u201d Proc. - 2012 IEEE\/WIC\/ACM Int. Conf. Web Intell. WI 2012, pp. 625\u2013630, 2012.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fengling Han","title":"Modelling and predicting for efficient management of energy routers ","description":"The evolution of energy supply is increasingly decentralized with renewable energy is generated at disperse locations [1]. Dencentralised renewable energy generation may bring new business model. \n\nDeployment of the peer-to-peer structure for managing the supply and demand of renewable energy is considered as the most efficient method [2, 3], and efficient battery management is the key factor to optimise the renewable energy utilization [4]. \n\nThis project aims at modelling the energy routers (rechargeable batteries) and predicting their health state. This may lead to fundamental change of the power supply model: from existing centralised model to peer-to-peer model which will yield a result that our communities power demand relies on locally available renewable energy source, thus reduce the carbon emission.\n\nReferences\n\n1. T. R. Casten and B. Downes. Critical thinking about energy: The case for decentralized generation of electricity. Skeptical Inquirer, 29(1) 2005.\n2. J. Aki, New blockchain-based renewable energy pilot to power 500,000 homes, Nasdaq News, June 2018.\n3. J. Abdella, Z. Tari, A. Anwar, A. Mahmood, F. Han. An architecture and performance evaluation of Blockchain-based Peer-to-Peer energy trading, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 12(4): 3364-3378, 2021.\n4. Y. Feng, C. Xue, Q. Han, F. Han. Robust estimation for state-of-charge and state-of-health of Lithium-ion batteries using integral-type terminal sliding-mode observers, IEEE Transaction on Industrial Electronics, 67(5), 4013-4023, 2020.\n5. D. Alahakoon, X. Yu. Smart electricity meter data intelligence for future energy systems: A survey. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 12(1), 425-436, 2016.\n6. N. Liu, X. Yu, C. Wang, J. Wang. Energy sharing management for microgrids with PV prosumers: A Stackelberg game approach. IEEE Transaction on Industrial Informatics, 13(3): 1088-1098, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/04\/2026","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460903, 460605, 400907 "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaoning (Maggie) Liu","title":"Privacy-Preserving Collaborative Learning Over Medical Data","description":"Recent thriving deep learning techniques have been fueling a wide spectrum of medical endeavors, ranging from the radiotherapy, clinical trial and research, to medical imaging diagnostics. Enterprises deploy such services via the neural network (NN) inference, yet confronted with rising privacy concerns on the medical data and the NN models.\n\nIn this project, we aim to design, implement, and evaluate a lightweight and privacy-preserving learning system tailored for medical data analytical services. The overarching goal is to ensure the privacy of both parties with cryptographic guarantees, while presenting efficient and lightweight secure deep learning systems. The design methodologies are: 1) devising lightweight and fundamental protocols that resort to advanced privacy-enhancing cryptographic techniques for secure computations; and 2) building secure and practical systems that harness the insights from systems, machine learning, and digital health.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460403 - Data security and protection (50%) ; 460402 - Data and information privacy (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaoning (Maggie) Liu","title":"Privacy-Preserving Crowdsourcing with Quality Assurance","description":"Private and quality-assured crowdsourcing refers to collecting, aggregating, and utilizing data from a large group of individuals while ensuring that their privacy and data quality are protected. In this approach, special attention is given to the privacy of the data contributors, as well as the quality of the data collected. The privacy of the contributors is protected by using techniques such as secure multi-party computation and differential privacy. Meanwhile, various measures such as data validation, quality control, and reputation systems are employed to ensure the quality of the data. The goal of private and quality-assured crowdsourcing is to provide decision makers with accurate and useful information, while maintaining the privacy of the individuals whose data is being used. By combining privacy protection and quality assurance, this approach is a powerful tool for organizations looking to leverage the collective knowledge and experience of large groups of individuals.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460402 - Data and information privacy (40%) ; 460407 - System and network security (40%) ; 460601 - Cloud computing (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zahir Tari","title":"Security and Scalability in Blockchain systems ","description":"This project can involve several PhD students and looks at coming up with a new generation of blockchain systems that will deal with the current limitations of the techology such as security and performance\/security. Specifically we are looking at\n- addressing cyber attacks at different levels, including smart contracts, consensus as well as at the storage level.\n- coming up with better consensus and storage mechanisms that can scale to very complex scenarios (e.g. dealing with millions of transactions)\n- addressing other critical aspects e.g. fraud in crypto systems\n- making existing blockchain systems greener, meaning thay should consume much less energy.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"23\/03\/2027","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460611 Performance evaluation  (40%) ; 460403 Data security and protection (40%) ; 460605 Distributed systems and algorithms  (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Combating misinformation on social media: from early detection to mitigation","description":"The project aims to design novel machine learning-based solutions to detect misinformation early and to mitigate its negative impact on social media platforms. This project would focus on social media data mining and develop novel machine learning technologies of supervised learning with minimal human supervision, human-in-the-loop machine learning,  explainable machine learning models, as well reinforcement learning. Expected outcomes of this project include a suite of data mining and machine learning models for automatic misinformation detection and mitigation on social media at scale. \n\nKeywords: misinformation, natural language processing,  text mining, machine learning","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Deep learning for clustering and anomaly detection","description":"Anomaly detection, or outlier detection, novelty detection, has been a standing research challenge. \nDeep learning has enabled anomaly detection for complex data types in many advanced applications. This project would devise deep learning models for anomaly detection in episodic time series data. In addition to anomaly detection, the models also aim to discover clusters via unsupervised learning.  \n\nKeywords: deep learning, clustering, anomaly detection ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Explainable and unbiased machine mining for healthcare","description":"This project will develop technologies for analysing textual data to improve quality of healthcare. The healthcare industry generates voluminous textual data, from electronic health records (e.g. clinical notes, care notes) to user generated contents on online health discussion forums. This project would devise machine learning models to mine such textual data can be used for prediction for diagnosis and prognosis of diseases, as well as quality and safety of healthcare. Explainable and fair machine learning models for healthcare prediction is another important focus for this project. \n\nKeywords: natural language processing, machine learning, digital health","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Nalin Arachchilage, Matthew Warren","title":"Enhancing privacy awareness of individuals in social media: an internal social marketing approach","description":"Understanding the behavioural change process of social media users to adopt safe privacy practices is vital to protect them from data breaches. This research project explores how the 7Ps (product, price, promotion, place, physical evidence, process and people) marketing mix, as part of an internal social marketing approach, can be used to understand and enhance individuals' privacy awareness of social media usage. This understanding could inform the design of social media (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram) to promote and maintain online privacy compliance. This study adopted an inductive qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with social media users in Vietnam. Responses are then categorized under the 7Ps marketing mix framework. Discussions are centred on social media users' experiences, their perceptions of privacy behaviour and awareness initiatives, and the impact of initiatives on compliance behaviour. \nThe key objectives of the project are:\n1.        Background and literature study on how the 7Ps (product, price, promotion, place, physical evidence, process and people) marketing mix, as part of an internal social marketing approach, can be used to understand and enhance individuals' privacy awareness of social media usage. \n2.        Developing a framework, based on the 7Ps marketing mix, to understand and enhance individuals' privacy awareness of social media usage. \n3.        Evaluate the users' understanding and enhancement of privacy awareness of their social media usage through the developed framework. \n4.    Develop informed design guidelines for social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram) to promote and maintain online privacy compliance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460904 Information security management (50%)\n460402 Data and information privacy (25%)\n460910 Information systems user experience design and development (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Xiuzhen (Jenny) Zhang","title":"Fair summarisation of opinions from user generated contents","description":"This project will develop novel technologies for generating fair summaries for user generated contents, such as online reviews, social media conversations and discussion forums. The project would explore state-of-the-art technologies for natural language processing, sentiment analysis, stance detection as well as multi-modal deep learning. The project would especially address the issue of biases in summarisation models. Expected outcomes of the project include a suite of machine learning and text mining algorithms for fair summarisation of user generated (multi-modal) contents.  \n\nKeywords: natural language processing, multi-modal machine learning, sentiment analysis","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Falk Scholer","title":"Information Access and Retrieval System Evaluation","description":"Test collections are widely used to evaluate IR system effectiveness by simulating users searching for a series of information needs [1]. Part of the simulation is a presumption that users will examine, in turn, the full text of each document retrieved. This is quite unlike an actual searcher who, after querying, scans a result page composed of summaries and selects documents to examine further. The summaries act as gate keepers to the documents behind. Summary quality and its impact on the ability of users to find relevant documents is critical to the success or failure of an IR system, yet this standard feature of retrieval interfaces has only been considered as part of the test collection approach to evaluation in a limited way.\nThis project will:\n1. Investigate and model user success at locating relevant documents when examining result summaries [2]. This work will be conducted across a range of search contexts and user groups. Variables will include: search task (task complexity, information need), collection (structured, unstructured), and user-specific (familiarity, interest, other demographic) features.\n2. Investigate the role of different measurement scales, including ordinal and magnitude-based [3], on assessing the usefulness of summaries.\n3. Develop and validate a novel evaluation methodology that incorporates the summary viewing step in the assessment of IR systems [4].\nReferences\n[1]. Ellen M. Voorhees and Donna K. Harman. TREC: experiment and evaluation in information retrieval. MIT Press, 2005.E.g. Y. Okada et al. Nature Materials 12 (2013) 707.\n[2]. Turpin, A., Scholer, F., J\u00e4rvelin, K., Wu, M., and Culpepper, J. S. (2009). Including summaries in system evaluation. In Proc. ACM SIGIR, pages 508\u2013515, Boston, MA.\n[3]. Maddalena, Eddy, Stefano Mizzaro, Falk Scholer, and Andrew Turpin. \"On Crowdsourcing Relevance Magnitudes for Information Retrieval Evaluation.\" ACM Transactions on Information Systems (TOIS) 35, no.3 (2017): 19.\n[4]. Ong, Kevin, Kalervo J\u00e4rvelin, Mark Sanderson, and Falk Scholer. \"Using Information Scent to Understand Mobile and Desktop Web Search Behavior.\" (2017).","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 (67.5%) ; 460806 (32.5%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tabinda Sarwar","title":"Using machine learning to study the human brain","description":"The human brain is one of the most complex and fascinating organs in the human body, and its study has been a major challenge for researchers. With advancements in technology and the availability of large datasets, machine learning techniques have shown great potential in helping us better understand the brain. The objective of this project is to develop machine learning models that can accurately classify brain MRI scans as normal or abnormal (in the presence of disease) and identify the regions of the brain that are affected. We will also investigate the relationship between various diseases and brain regions, and how they affect each other. We will utilize the publicly available dataset of brain MRI scans, including both healthy individuals and patients with various neurological diseases such as Autism and Depression. Different machine learning algorithms including deep neural networks will be utilized in the project. Using machine learning to study the human brain can provide valuable insights into the workings of this complex organ. By combining machine learning with brain imaging techniques such as MRI, we can develop powerful tools for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases. This study has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world suffering from neurological diseases.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/03\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4611 Machine learning (40%) ; 460102 Applications in health (30%) ; 110999 Neurosciences Not Elsewhere Classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science and Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fatemeh Shiri, Karin Verspoor","title":"Enhancing AI-Driven Clinical Decision-Making","description":"Advancements in AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) have the potential to transform clinical decision-making by improving diagnosis, prediction, and medical question-answering. However, challenges such as numerical reasoning, domain-specific knowledge gaps, and reliability concerns limit their effectiveness in real-world healthcare applications. This project aims to develop AI-driven solutions that enhance the accuracy, sensitivity, and trustworthiness of clinical decision-support systems. The research will contribute to improving AI's ability to process complex medical information, ultimately supporting more informed and reliable decision-making in healthcare.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460208 Natural language processing\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ryan Kelly, Nalin Arachchilage, Senuri Wijeyanake","title":"Enhancing Online Safety for Older Adults: Understanding and Preventing Scam Victimisation","description":"Older adults are disproportionately targeted by online scams. This PhD project will investigate the complex dynamics of how older adults engage with, respond to, and potentially fall victim to online scams, with the goal of designing safer digital environments.  \r\n\r\nThis project aims to investigate:  \r\n\r\n1) Existing Knowledge: Reviewing academic literature to understand the reasons why older adults are targeted for scams. \r\n\r\n2) Vulnerability Patterns: Understanding factors that influence older adults' susceptibility to various types of online scams.  \r\n\r\n3) Decision-Making Processes: Exploring how older adults evaluate trustworthiness and make decisions when encountering potentially fraudulent online content or interactions. \r\n\r\n4) Design Interventions: Developing and testing interventions that can effectively protect older adults without compromising their digital autonomy. \r\n\r\nThe project will employ a mixed-methods approach, potentially including interviews, experimental studies, co-design workshops and evaluation of prototype interfaces. \r\n\r\nExpected Outcomes include:  \r\n\r\n- Theoretical frameworks for understanding older adults' susceptibility to online scams.\r\n- Evidence-based design guidelines for age-appropriate online safety features\r\n- Practical interventions that can be implemented by digital platforms, service providers, and policymakers   \r\n\r\nCandidate Requirements: \r\n\r\n- Strong Bachelors \/ Honours degree or Masters in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline\r\n- Interest in technology use by older adults and\/or cybersecurity\r\n- Experience with qualitative and\/or quantitative research methods\r\n- Strong communication skills and empathy for working with diverse user groups\r\n\r\nThis project will be based in the School of Computing Technologies, with potential industry partnerships providing real-world application opportunities. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%) \r\n460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Estrid He","title":"Harnessing Large Language Models for Pragmatic Data Mining","description":"With the proliferation of digital information, extracting meaningful insights from vast amounts of textual data has become a critical challenge. This research endeavors to address this challenge by investigating how large language models, such as GPT-3.5 and other BERT-like deep learning models, can be effectively utilized to enhance data mining processes.\r\n\r\nThis project will develop innovative solutions for data mining problems, aiming to design models for extracting, categorizing, and summarizing textual information, with a special focus on pragmatic use of it -- its efficiency, scalability, and robustness. This project will also aim to investigate the application of text mining techniques for multi-modal data, combining both structured data sources and unstructured data (e.g., texts).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery\r\n461103 Deep learning"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Deng, Jenny Zhang","title":"Human-in-the-loop social media data mining to combat misinformation","description":"This project aims to address misinformation spread on social media by advancing social media data mining and machine learning technologies. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of human-in-the-loop machine learning utilizing new techniques to leverage human intelligence for human-machine collaborative systems for the detection and mitigation of misinformation on social media. Expected outcomes of the project include novel human-machine collaborative fact-checking, robust misinformation detection systems against adversarial attacks and machine learning-enabled misinformation mitigation. This should provide significant benefits in enhancing the integrity of the online information environment and the societal well-being of Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460806\tHuman-computer interaction\r\n460912\tKnowledge and information management\r\n460904\tInformation security management\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Data-driven brain network analysis","description":"The brain is a complex network of interconnected neurons, and understanding the structure and function of this network is essential for advancing our understanding of the brain and developing treatments for neurological disorders. This series of projects will develop new approaches for analysing and understanding brain network data and extracting insights into brain function. The data will be obtained from a variety of sources, including fMRI, EEG, and MEG, and will be processed using advanced data analysis and graph learning techniques. Potential research tasks include, e.g., multimodal integration of brain imaging data, computational modelling of brain networks, connectivity-based neuromodulation, network-level biomarkers of disease, developmental trajectories of brain networks, anomaly detection in brain networks, clinical applications of brain network analysis, etc.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (60%)\r\n461104 Neural networks (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia, Karin Verspoor","title":"Health data mining for predicting dementia","description":"Dementia is a debilitating neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Early detection of dementia can significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life, but the identification of at-risk individuals remains a challenge. As a process of analysing large volumes of health-related data to discover hidden patterns, relationships, and insights that can be used to improve healthcare outcomes, health data mining offers a promising approach to predicting dementia risk. The purpose of this set of projects is to develop and validate innovative machine learning models for predicting dementia risk based on health data mining. The data can come from various sources, including electronic health records, clinical trial results, insurance claims, and individual generated data. Some key challenges that will be addressed in these projects include, e.g., data quality, model efficiency, and privacy protection. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (30%)\r\n460102 Applications in health (30%)\r\n460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (40%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Knowledge-infused deep graph learning","description":"Knowledge-infused deep graph Learning combines knowledge representation and reasoning techniques with deep learning methods to learn from graph-structured data. In this approach, (domain-specific) prior knowledge, such as expert rules, ontologies, or taxonomies, is incorporated into deep graph learning models to improve their performance and interpretability. Some potential research topics in this line include, e.g., integration of multiple knowledge sources, multi-modal knowledge representation, handling noisy and incomplete knowledge, trustworthiness of knowledge graphs, knowledge-based model initialization and\/or pre-training, transfer learning across domains, explainability and interpretability of deep graph learning models. This research will explore the application (or applicability) of the proposed solutions in various domains, such as recommender systems, social computing, and disease diagnosis.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\r\n460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (30%)\r\n461106 Semi- and unsupervised learning (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Feng Xia","title":"Neuroscience-inspired graph learning","description":"Neuroscience-inspired graph learning is a rapidly growing field of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), which is inspired by the structure and function of the human brain. This approach involves developing algorithms that can effectively learn and process graph-structured data, such as social networks, biological networks, and knowledge graphs. By drawing on insights from neuroscience, we can develop algorithms that are better suited to handling complex, structured data, and that can make more accurate predictions and classifications. The objective of this research is to develop and evaluate new algorithms for neuroscience-inspired graph learning that can effectively learn and process graph-structured data. These algorithms will be evaluated against existing machine learning algorithms over a range of data sets. This research will explore the potential applications of neuroscience-inspired graph learning in a variety of fields. ","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 10 - Reduced Inequalities , 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460201 Artificial life and complex adaptive systems (40%)\r\n460506 Graph, social and multimedia data (30%)\r\n461104 Neural networks (30%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao","title":"Pricing the Data Assets in Next-generation Data Marketplace","description":"This project aims to design 'optimal' prices for data assets to maximize the mutual benefit of both sellers and buyers. Here, we focus on two scenarios: 1) across companies where money is an appropriate incentive; 2) across organizations but using the shared data as the incentive, such as hospitals exchanging medical data. The key intellectual questions are on how to design the market rules when the asset is data, which is freely replicable and can be combined in many different ways. A requirement of a next-generation data market platform is to be resilient to strategic participants.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460501"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao, Shixun Huang, J. Shane Culpepper","title":"AI for Instance-Optimized Database Systems","description":"For over 40 years, Database Management Systems (DBMS) have been a core technology to store all data required by large applications. Given our reliance on DBMS to store, search, and analyze data, and the enormous increase in the amount of data they must manage, it is crucial that new algorithms need to be created. Unfortunately, improvements in traditional core database algorithms such as indexing have not improved signi\ufb01cantly for several years, leading to the belief that it is a \u201csolved problem\u201d. However, instance-optimized AI\/ML techniques are now showing real promise in advancing core DBMS techniques, and this active area is called AI4DB. Under the topic of AI4DB, this project aims to investigate how to design learning enhanced data structures and algorithms to solve the following fundamental problems: indexing techniques, index selection, cardinality estimation, cost estimation, and query plan optimization.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460505"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao","title":"Machine Learning Enhanced Algorithms for Big and Dynamic Graph Data Processing","description":"This project will develop machine learning enhanced algorithms for a range of fundamental problems in large scale graph data processing and analytics, such as shortest path discovery, structural graph clustering, and densest subgraph counting. It will also devise instance-optimized algorithms for these fundamental problems in different forms of graph, where dynamic graph (whose structures keep changing over time) is a main focus.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460509 (50%)\n460506 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zhifeng Bao, J. Shane Culpepper, Hui Luo","title":"Responsible Data Preparation for Machine Learning","description":"With the increasing prevalence of online data markets, data preparation is an active topic to study how to discover relevant datasets, data cleaning and integration, datasets acquisition to either improve the accuracy of machine learning (ML) models, the efficiency of data selection, or the training efficiency of ML models. This project aims to advance the techniques in quality-aware data integration and cleaning, datasets discovery, datasets acquisition, and coreset selection.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 10 - Reduced Inequalities ","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460504"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Falk Scholer","title":"Interactive complex answer retrieval","description":"The research will focus on the task of complex answer retrieval (CAR). First of all, it will investigate a taxonomy of CAR tasks by examining questions of different complexity in community question answering (CQA) sites and user search logs. Further, it will compare the crowd-source evaluation of the CAR task with the conventional one and use the data for constructing a new evaluation testbed for CAR. Afterwards, it will compare performance of existing models and their variations on the obtained testbed. In the same manner, the project will try new approaches based on recently succeeded Deep Learning approaches in NLP and evaluate them. The project will also test a new unsupervised method to expand dataset for CAR from CQA platforms.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460508 (67.5%)\n 460806 (32.5%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science","programcode":"MR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham, Estrid He, School of Computing Technologies","title":"Enhancing discovery and use of hydrological data via knowledge graphs","description":"Access to hydrological data in Australia is currently limited in the way it is published, made available and managed. This presents friction in sourcing, use and reuse of fundamental hydrological data across applications like water availability and flood modelling. Data exists as static files and often requires GIS expertise to extract the required information for use in research projects e.g. monitoring stations, gauges, river networks, catchment boundaries, and related observations. The opportunity is to streamline access to the hydrological reference geographic features and observation data and integrate them in a way that allows inter-related information to be easily queried. This can be achieved via a knowledge graph of hydrological features, that is, a HydroKG. Knowledge graph technology has proven to enable capture of concepts, relationships and relevant data through mature tools and implementations. A HydroKG will provide the conceptual backbone for describing and relating fundamental hydrological concepts, such as, representing water bodies and their narrower types (like catchments, lakes) and river networks using readily available datasets such as the GeoFabric and HydroATLAS. This will enable hydrologists, researchers, and water managers with tools to query HydroKG to discovery and readily use hydrological information. An exciting prospect will be the application of this implementation to real-world applications in groundwater and surface water modelling. Specifically, this project will involve:\n - Constructing a knowledge graph of hydrological features and observation data in Australia and relevant APIs\n - Developing relevant and effective queries and visualisations for knowledge discovery of scientific workflows \n - Testing and benchmarking the performance of the HydroKG","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\n 460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\n 401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Digital Design","programcode":"DR235 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Teasley","title":"Neurodiversity and the museum: Enabling equitable digital access through design","description":"This PhD by practice will identify, prototype and test ways for Australia\u2019s museums, galleries, archives and libraries to improve the accessibility of their digital environments to people identifying as neurodivergent, using design methods such as UX\/UI, participatory design and co-design. The project, funded by the National Industry PhD program, will be delivered by a partnership between RMIT and the National Museum of Australia (NMA), supported by the Swayn Gallery of Australian Design, and includes 10-week placements with the NMA.\r\nDigital presence can enable organisations like the NMA to share knowledge at distance, supporting public literacy and widening audience participation. Australian galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) are increasing online content rapidly, growing regional and international audiences and creating pathways to societal and cultural impact. \r\nThe Disabilities Discrimination Act (1992) requires organisations to make all physical and digital products, services and environments \u2013 including online content \u2013 accessible to people with disabilities, including people who identify as neurodivergent. However, the GLAM sector has not systemically addressed its digital accessibility to neurodivergent-identifying audiences.\r\nResponding to this gap, this project aims are to identify and communicate global best practice, to develop and evaluate accessible digital content environments that are transferable and scalable, and to develop and share tools for co-creating accessible digital content formats. Outcomes may include a guide to best practice principles, transferable, adaptable content environments, and a design methods toolkit for use by digital teams and managers. Potential benefits include fuller access and greater participation in cultural heritage for people identifying as neurodiverse.\r","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"03\/05\/2024","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"330306\tDesign practice and methods (50%)\r\n330310\tInteraction and experience design (25%)\r\n430206\tHeritage collections and interpretations (25%)\r"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brad Haylock, Stephen Banham, Jenny Grigg, Neal Haslem, Andy Simionato, Laurene Vaughan, Noel Waite","title":"Typography and Design for Publishing","description":"The School of Design at RMIT welcomes candidates seeking to undertake research in Typography and Design for Publishing. Research in this area spans practice-based and theoretical approaches, and applied and speculative approaches. Studies broadly address matters of book typography, editorial design, type design and lettering, and commercial, independent or speculative publishing. Topics might include but are not limited to: the future of the book; book design methodology; innovations in publishing processes or modes of publishing; typography in the public sphere; and publishing as a critical practice. Researchers in this area might also take a design-led approach to questions relating to the sociology of books, publishing and reading, or to small-press and artist-book publishing. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"4,11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Banham, Marius Foley, Jenny Grigg, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, James Oliver, Toni Roberts, Andy Simionato, Nicola St John, Laurene Vaughan, Oliver Vodeb, Noel Waite","title":"Communication Design Research","description":"The School of Design at RMIT supports specialist research in the discipline of Communication Design and its subdomains or related fields, including but not limited to graphic design, interpretation design, branding, packaging and data visualisation. Research in this area might extend from a communication design standpoint into topics and domains such as design strategy, service design, design for social innovation, design for social change, design for community building, human-centred design, and inclusive design. Studies in this area may also examine discipline-specific pedagogies and practice methods. Candidates with a specialist focus in communication design research might conduct practice-based research or might deploy traditional research methods. Candidates might present practice artefacts and an exegetical dissertation for examination, or they may write a traditional thesis, subject to the particular focus of the individual research. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design), 120302 Design Innovation, 120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Auger, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Frank Feltham, Liam Fennessy, Judith Glover, Pirjo Haikola, Simon Lockrey, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Juan Sanin, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Malte Wagenfeld","title":"Industrial Design Research","description":"The School of Design at RMIT supports specialist research in the discipline of Industrial Design and its subdomains or related fields, including but not limited to product design, furniture design, ergonomics and product-service systems. Research in this area might extend from an industrial design perspective into topics and domains such as service design, design for social innovation, design for social change, safeness by design, human-centred design, sustainable design, and inclusive design. Studies in this area may also examine discipline-specific pedagogies and practice methods. Candidates with a specialist focus in industrial design research might conduct practice-based research or might deploy traditional research methods. Candidates might present practice artefacts and an exegetical dissertation for examination, or they may write a traditional thesis, subject to the particular focus of the individual research. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120305 Industrial Design, 120302 Design Innovation"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Teasley, Brad Haylock, Oliver Vodeb, Noel Waite, Jenny Grigg","title":"Critical, Historical and Theoretical Studies in Design","description":"This area of focus supports researchers undertaking studies in design history, theory and criticism. Topics might include: new modes of design criticism, new regional design histories, critical design historiography, and new theories of design. Critical design studies might take regional, feminist, decolonising, Indigenous, LGBTIQA+, or other, or variously intersectional standpoints to contribute to emergent discourses in design. New design histories may focus on people, places, themes or modes of practice that have been overlooked or under-recognised by research to date. Research in this area might also examine the modes by which design histories or theories are produced and reproduced, for example in education or publishing. Candidates in this area will typically present a thesis for examination, but may also undertake practice-based research, for example through curatorial practice. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"3,4,5,8,9,10,11,12,13,16,17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120301 Design History and Theory"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jaz Choi, Jonathan Duckworth, Troy Innocent, Rohit Khot, Gina Moore, Matthew Riley","title":"Design for Playful Interaction","description":"Play is a methodology for creative practice that traverses diverse disciplines, materials, spaces and modes of interaction. Knowledge and techniques from games and interaction design inform research on innovative cyber-physical systems that are captivating, transformative and productive. Application areas at RMIT School of Design include Human-Food Interaction (HFI), playable cities and care-full design. Contemporary concerns with food include technological, environmental, and social disruptions, ranging from food security to agricultural sustainability to rising obesity and diminishing commensality. Playable cities use creative technologies to situate citizens within experiences that allow them to re-imagine, reconnect and reinvent their world. Care-fully designing playful engagement embodies care as a matter of concern; its ethics and logic guides conceptual, methodological, and translational undertakings. We seek research candidates in this area who are passionate about exploring design for playful engagement through transdisciplinary research and practice in\/across different fields of design \u2013 including but not limited to interaction \/ experience \/ service. Interests and experience in co-creative, trans-disciplinary, practice-based methods are highly valued.","sdg":"2,3,11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Digital and Interaction Design\n190203 Electronic Media Art"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Areli Avendano Franco, Stephen Banham, Chris Barker, Joshua Batty, Ben Byrne, Jaz Choi, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Mick Douglas, Jonathan Duckworth, Frank Feltham, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Jenny Grigg, Pirjo Haikola, Jeff Hannam, Lawrence Harvey, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, Leah Heiss, Chris Henschke, Troy Innocent, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Mark Lycette, James Manning, Marcia Nancy Mauro-Flude, Christian McCrea, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, James Oliver, Thomas Penney, John Power, Matthew Riley, Toni Roberts, Juan Sanin, Andy Simionato, Nicola St John, Helen Stuckey, Li Ping Thong, Dan Torre, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Darrin Verhagen, Oliver Vodeb, Malte Wagenfeld, Noel Waite, Douglas Wilson, Shaun Wilson, Emma Witkowski, Ian de Vere","title":"Generative Practice Research in Design","description":"The Generative Practice Research mode of practice research in design crosses boundaries between professional and academic research. This practice-based research approach enables practitioner-researchers to generate new kinds of practices \u2014 within a discipline or across disciplines \u2014 in response to challenges and concerns emerging in a changing world and amidst transformations across practice domains. Candidates in this area might be early-career practitioners seeking to enter into a period of deep inquiry that transforms a set of practice-based interests into a more developed practice with well-articulated emphases, agendas and approaches. They might equally be mid- or later-career practitioners seeking to generate a new practice trajectory through a transformation of their established mastery. Research candidates in this area demonstrate their findings publicly in ways most appropriate to the particularities of their practice research, usually through an exhibit, a written dissertation and a presentation to examiners. This area of research focusses on the generation of new knowledge in the form of previously unarticulated approaches to practice, informed by specific issues and challenges that direct researchers' generative inquiries.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Stephen Banham, Chris Barker, Joshua Batty, Ben Byrne, Jaz Choi, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Jonathan Duckworth, Frank Feltham, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Jenny Grigg, Pirjo Haikola, Jeff Hannam, Lawrence Harvey, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, Leah Heiss, Chris Henschke, Troy Innocent, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Mark Lycette, James Manning, Marcia Nancy Mauro-Flude, Christian McCrea, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, James Oliver, Thomas Penney, John Power, Matthew Riley, Toni Roberts, Juan Sanin, Andy Simionato, Nicola St John, Helen Stuckey, Li Ping Thong, Dan Torre, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Darrin Verhagen, Oliver Vodeb, Malte Wagenfeld, Noel Waite, Douglas Wilson, Shaun Wilson, Emma Witkowski, Sarah Teasley, Deb Polson","title":"Reflective Industry Practice Research in Design","description":"Reflective Industry Practice Research in Design involves practitioner-researchers operating largely in a professional environment, generally with a peer-reviewed and award-winning body of work developed over 10 years or more. These practitioners-researchers have already developed recognised mastery in their field. In this area of research focus in RMIT School of Design, experienced practitioners become practitioner-ressearchers who interrogate their own practices in order to explicate and disseminate their disciplinary knowledge, defining its enabling structures, its knowledge bases, and the implications of the nexus between these for emerging forms of research-led practice. They conclude by speculating through design on the nature of their future practice. They demonstrate their findings publicly, through an exhibit, a presentation to examiners, and a written dissertation. This mode of research extends and develops the knowledge base of the design professions, and thus their ability to serve society.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Jaz Choi, Olivier Cotsaftis, Simon Curlis, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Pirjo Haikola, Neal Haslem, Brad Haylock, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Ross McLeod, Scott Mitchell, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, James Oliver, Toni Roberts, Michael Trudgeon, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Oliver Vodeb, Noel Waite, Juan Sanin, Sarah Teasley, Deb Polson","title":"Design for Social Innovation and Sustainable Futures\n","description":"Social impact relates to the capacity to create positive social change for communities, individuals and ecologies. In recent years, designers have been moving beyond engaging with consumer culture, instead exploring new forms of practice, including design for social innovation. In response to these informed narratives, designers must realise the potential of design as an agent of change to make a broader contribution to society, rather than to enhance marketability by influencing consumer behaviour. This area of research focus also responds to pressing concerns surrounding sustainability, arising from current rapid extinction of species, habitat loss and displacement of more-than-human communities, and recognises the moral and practical crises in design that have contributed to such conditions. Established research in the School of Design in this area of focus includes fighting food waste, design to support natural ecologies in the face of climate change, and designing against crime. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yoko Akama, James Auger, Jaz Choi, Simon Curlis, Jonathan Duckworth, Liam Fennessy, Marius Foley, Judith Glover, Pirjo Haikola, Neal Haslem, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Simon Lockrey, Scott Mitchell, Toni Roberts, Juan Sanin, Soumitri Varadarajan, Laurene Vaughan, Karli Verghese, Darrin Verhagen","title":"Design for Health, Wellbeing and Aging","description":"Design research has an active role to play in how society changes the ways people access and experience services and engagements, from the organisational through to the socio-political level. This area of research focus emphasises the importance of design in relation to health, wellbeing and aging. Researchers in this area explore the deployment of design to reimagine health, resilience and care. Candidates might draw on generative or applied practice research approaches in human-centred design, or upon product design, ethnographic approaches, co-creatives processes and iterative and reflective practices. Specific themes and areas of inquiry might include but are not limited to: serious games for health; interaction design for health applications; design innovation for sexual health; design for dementia treatment; and interaction design for mindful eating. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"1,2,3,4,5,8,11,16","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Auger, Olivier Cotsaftis, Liam Fennessy, Pirjo Haikola, Brad Haylock, Scott Mitchell, Andy Simionato, Laurene Vaughan, Oliver Vodeb, Jaz Choi, Toni Roberts, Sarah Teasley","title":"Speculative and Critical Design","description":"Speculative Design and Critical Design projects and practices interrogate the status quo in various ways, or propose variously unorthodox future scenarios. These modes of practice often explicitly challenge the current state of design itself: its narrowing pathways, prevailing assumptions, and corporate agendas. In this area of focus, RMIT School of Design welcomes researchers who deploy the principles, methods or ethics of critical and speculative design to interrogate received assumptions and practices in domains ranging from governance, politics, technological development, human interactions, and design practice itself. Research candidates in this area demonstrate their findings in ways most appropriate to the particularities of their research. Most researchers in this area of focus undertake practice-based research but theoretical inquiries in this field are also welcome. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120302 Design Innovation\n120303 Design Management and Studio and Professional Practice\n120304 Digital and Interaction Design\n120305 Industrial Design\n120307 Visual Communication Design (incl. Graphic Design)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Digital Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ben Byrne, Jonathan Duckworth, Jeff Hannam, Lawrence Harvey, Chris Henschke, Troy Innocent, Rohit Ashok Khot, Jordan Lacey, Mark Lycette, James Manning, Marcia Nancy Mauro-Flude, Christian McCrea, Jules Moloney, Gina Moore, Thomas Penney, John Power, Matthew Riley, Helen Stuckey, Li Ping Thong, Dan Torre, Laurene Vaughan, Darrin Verhagen, Douglas Wilson, Shaun Wilson, Emma Witkowski","title":"Digital Design Research","description":"The School of Design at RMIT supports specialist research in the discipline of Digital Design and its subdomains or related fields, including but not limited to games, animation, interaction design and user experience design. Specific areas of digital design research include cinematic Virtual Reality, Esports, embodied interaction, creative coding, audio essays, computational culture and performance. Studies in this area may also examine discipline-specific pedagogies and practice methods. Candidates with a specialist focus in digital design research might conduct practice-based research or might deploy traditional research methods. Candidates might present practice artefacts and an exegetical dissertation for examination, or they may write a traditional thesis, subject to the particular focus of the individual research. This area of focus welcomes researchers at all career stages.","sdg":"All","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, Urban Futures","forcodes":"120303 Digital and Interaction Design\n190202 Computer Gaming and Animation\n190203 Electronic Media Art\n190504 Performance and Installation Art\n200102 Communication Technology and Digital Media Studies\n200212 Screen and Media Culture"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Design","discipline":"Digital Design; Industrial Design","programcode":"DR235 \/ MR235","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lawrence Harvey, Darrin Verhagen, Ben Byrne, Jordan Lacey, Scott Mitchell, Joshua Batty, Frank Feltham, Jeffrey Hannam","title":"Sound, Music and Acoustics","description":"Developments in spatial sound technology from the mid- to late-20th century enabled the creation, delivery and research of complex acoustic environments. Whereas music and concert halls were once the privileged location of advanced human auditory experience, digital technology has greatly expanded the potential for new types of spatial sound and soundscapes. Applicants are invited to consider contributions to research areas that include: urban soundscape designs for multi-channel systems; evaluating urban soundscape designs and urban soundscape planning models; software projects for spatialised performance, installations or gesture control; spatialised performance\/electroacoustic performance practise; analysis of contemporary spatial compositions and installation practice; integrating 3D design softwares within spatial sound designs; and experimental acoustic design. Applicants must have intermediate to advanced skills in studio production to realise their research.","sdg":"3,9,11,12,13","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice, Urban Futures, Information and Systems","forcodes":"120104 Architectural Science and Technology\n120302 Design innovation\n190203 Electronic Media Art\n190504 Performance and Installation Art"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"The Intended and Unintended Impact of Policy for Adaptive Policy Management. ","description":"The project aims to advance knowledge about the intended and unintended consequences of policy on health and well-being. It expects to innovate through new methods and novel data to integrate policy evaluation into the policy cycle in a timely fashion to prevent harm from occurring. It also leverages technology to track policy effects in real time. Expected outcomes of this project include new knowledge and enhanced policy infrastructure using new methods and interdisciplinary approaches. Significant benefits include improvements to: (1) policy management by government departments; (2) the health and wellbeing of the Australians they serve; (3) our Partners' capacity to consult governments on how technology can assist policy management.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"380108"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bronwyn Coate","title":"Entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative industries ","description":"As a response to the perpetually challenging funding environment in the arts and cultural sector, cultural or creative entrepreneurship has been proposed as an alternative funding source allowing an independent living from creative practice. Cultural or creative entrepreneurship has been advocated by governments within the framing of cultural policy. However, the successful commercialisation of creative ideas and practice requires particular skills and competencies, distinct from creative talent, that may to an extent, be acquired. \r\n\r\nThis project will use approaches and insights from the disciplines of cultural economics and entrepreneurship to better understand creative entrepreneurship and how it is enabled (as well as barriers to its realisation) with a view  to informing policy designed to support innovation and sustainable growth in the cultural and creative industries. \r\nAs a sector in which underpayment and low income are the norm for most creative practitioners, this project is interested to explore how cultural and creative entrepreneurship can deliver benefits by both better supporting artists' livelihoods while contributing to the flourishment of the cultural and creative sector.   \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 4 Design and Creative Practice Industries","forcodes":"380199 Applied economics\r\n350704 Entrepreneurship\r\n470204 Cultural and creative Industries"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peyman Khezr, Babak Abbasi, AISSC ","title":"Auctions and bidding by demanders in last-mile delivery","description":"The aim of this project is to study appropriate auction design for a situation where individuals bid for the amount they are willing to pay for the delivery of a package with a given size. We are going to investigate the problem at three different stages. First, we use auction theory to study auctions that are suitable for the pupose of bidding in last mile delivery. Second we use operations research to study proper algorithms that optimise the last mile delivery both in terms of distance travelled and the value of the items. Finally we use lab experiments to test the methods with human subjects and provide further evidence regarding their performance. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"information in Society","forcodes":"380304 Microeconomic theory 20%\r\n380106 Experimental economics 30% \r\n350903 Logistics 20%\r\n490108 Operations research 30%"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zsuzsanna Csereklyei, Anne Kallies","title":"Energy Transitions in Electricity Markets","description":"Electricity generation landscapes are rapidly changing around the world. Advances and cost reductions in renewable electricity generation and storage technologies have fueled an unprecedented energy transition in the power generation sector. Electricity consumption is predicted to keep increasing worldwide, hand in hand with economic development, and a shift towards higher reliance on electricity in the energy mix, fueled by the electrification of ransport and industrial processes. This ongoing transition poses a major challenge to our electricity systems and markets, which were originally not designed to accommodate high levels of intermittent, low or zero marginal cost generation. Regulators are grappling to design and adjust market frameworks that can support a more sustainable, but also reliable and affordable electricity system of the future. These goals are however challenging, as the long-run economic and system stability implications of different market frameworks are not entirely understood. The proposed research projects either in the field of economics or law, will investigate the impact of different legal frameworks, regulations and incentive policies on electricity market economics and transitions. These may include but are not limited to the problems of market design and investment adequacy, placing economic value on dispatchability, flexibility, and the evaluation of capacity markets, optimal levels of horizontal and vertical integration, and examining the role of prosumers from a legal and economic perspective. The project will enrich RMIT ECPs capabilities on energy transitions and will develop interdisciplinary RMIT collaboration between economics and law. Its innovative offering addresses industry needs and provides the basis for ongoing work in this area. In particular, this research is aligned with the Information and Systems ECP, which is hosting the energy@rmit network, by 1) deepening our understanding of how regulation and market design influences the economic viability of new technologies and transitions ; 2) building collaboration with public and private sector partners (including regulators) to generate research-driven change and impact in value-driven innovation in electricity markets and create opportunities for energy@RMIT. Professor Sanderson, the ECP director is happy to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Informations and Systems","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Preety Pratima Srivastava","title":"Economic disadvantage and children\u2019s health, behavioural and educational outcomes","description":"There is significant evidence that children\u2019s developmental outcomes have long-term consequences for their educational performance and economic wellbeing in adulthood. A large body of research has shown that children growing up in poverty exhibit poorer cognitive, socio-emotional and health outcomes relative to children who are not economically deprived. Growing up in poor households or neighbourhoods and attending a disadvantaged school have been found to be associated with poorer child outcomes. Arguably, economic deprivation is a multidimensional measure of deprivation across a range of domains. Because of the importance of the early years of childhood for developmental outcomes, the timing of economic disadvantage is also important. Researchers have argued that poverty early in life has more detrimental long-term effects. This project aims to examine the relationship between family, neighbourhood and school level disadvantage and children\u2019s cognitive, socio-emotional and health outcome using a life course approach. It attempts to answer questions such as: What are the various domains of economic disadvantage and to what extent do they overlap? How and when does economic disadvantage influence children\u2019s educational, socio-emotional wellbeing and health outcomes? Is there a gender gap in the effect of economic disadvantage on children\u2019s outcomes?","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"140299"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lisa Farrell","title":"Investigating the importance of food waste and food insecurity as determinants of health and wellbeing","description":"This project will investigate the importance of food waste and food insecurity as determinants of health and wellbeing. While food waste and recycling habits at the household level has been researched the links between lowering food waste and health and wellbeing is not well researched. There are possible health benefits (i.e., from eating fresher food) and costs (i.e., from overeating to avoid wasting food) associated with lowering food waste and hence associated impacts on wellbeing. Further, understanding how food insecurity is related to food waste is important for health and wellbeing outcomes. Households suffering food insecurity may have different food consumption habits that may lead to different kinds of food waste and different health and wellbeing outcomes. Understanding food behaviours is essential for evidence based policy recommendations that promote a effective circular economy. The project will commence with an extensive review of the literature in this space. This will be followed by an econometric study of large population based household dataset within Australia and Internationally. This secondary data analysis will be complimented with a smaller detailed primary data collection focusing on survey data relating to the themes from the secondary data analysis. Clear policy recommendations will be sought for government, food poverty agencies and other stakeholders. This unique research project will see the you working alongside leading Australian organisations in the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (https:\/\/fightfoodwastecrc.com.au), a $120 million, 10 year, Australia wide, whole of value chain industry-led research collaboration","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change; Urban Futures","forcodes":"3801 (Applied Economics + 380108 (Health Economics) + 4206 (Public Health)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"MR203 \/ DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Caroline Chen, Daisy Chou and Gaoping Zheng","title":"ESG news, management behaviour and firm decision","description":"While environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information has received increasing attention in practitioner circles and among academics, the focus has been on internal ESG information quality and managerial decisions. The extent to which external ESG news matters for corporate managerial decisions needs further exploration. External ESG news may alter expectations of related corporate behaviours from investors, finance providers, customers, analysts and even regulators, which may alter managerial decisions. Besides examining the impacts of external ESG news on managerial decisions, this project also investigates the channels through which ESG news affects managers who may also display different behavioural biases. ESG consideration may affect various managerial decisions related to investments, finance, financial reporting, corporate governance, and digitalisation. These managerial decisions may also lead to different capital market reactions, which should be examined.\r\nThis PhD project will apply theory and principles in sustainable finance, behavioural finance and Fintech to corporate finance, governance and capital market. In particular, the focus will be whether and how increasing popularity in ESG information affects manager behaviours and firm decisions and further explore the related capital market consequences.\r\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in finance and economics, research methods, strong data analytic skills, and experience working with large datasets.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"MR203 \/ DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen, Thao Tran","title":"Internationalisation, Financial Integration and Bank risk","description":"The traditional portfolio theory argues that geographic expansion can lower bank risks if returns generated by additional assets are imperfectly correlated with those generated by existing assets. However, geographic expansion may hinder bank headquarters\u2019 capacity to monitor their subsidiaries and branches abroad, hence, yielding a potentially negative impact on overall bank asset quality. The recent global banking and financial crises have further reinvigorated the debate on the benefits of financial market integration. Financial integration may increase the risk of cross border contagion and thus the probability of widespread banking failures. As bank risk can have a first-order effect on financial and economic stability, mitigating bank risk has become a focus of many national and international regulations to avoid future financial crises. Much of the focus on such reforms has been on constraining banks\u2019 risk within one country. However, banks may engage in regulatory arbitrage, circumventing strict domestic regulations by taking more risk abroad. This raises the question of how bank internationalization affects the risk of individual banks, especially in the context of current financial integration. Our research project aims to address this critical research question. The study is expected to have important implications for policy makers on adjusting supervisory approaches and structures to the geographical scope of banking activities, reducing the likelihood of individual as well as widespread banking crises.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"Crisis and recovery in Australian cultural industries: measuring the impact of COVID-19","description":"This project specifically addresses an urgent crisis in contemporary Australian culture: the severe economic downturn in the cultural and creative industries caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project aims to generate vital new knowledge into the contemporary state of cultural and creative industries, giving policy makers a roadmap to recovery for Australian cultural life. The HDR scholarship being offered will contribute to a larger project being undertaken across a consortium of Universities that brings together leading researchers from a range of disciplines that share an interest in understanding the creative economy. The specific contribution that the HDR candidate will make towards the larger project offers some leeway depending upon the educational background and experience of the candidate. It is however, expected that as a scholarship provided through the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing that the candidate will have suitable qualifications from one of these areas broadly defined. The project embraces interdisciplinary methodology grounded in the study of cultural and creative industries and has both a quantitative and qualitative component. A central question that will be addressed by the project is: what has been the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian cultural production? A further related question is: how have the cultural industries, including artists and creatives, responded to the crisis? While a third aspect of the project will address: how audiences and the general public value the cultural industries in Australia? The successful candidate will be expected to contribute towards addressing one of these questions as part of their HDR studies. Note for panel: An ARC SRI application for this project has been submitted through Monash University (SR200200396). If the ARC application is funded there will be a HDR scholarship provided by the ARC that would go to Monash. This application and any resulting scholarship awarded would support a candidate based and supervised primarily here at RMIT. In the event the ARC application is not successful members of the project team still plan to undertake research (some of which has begun) on the impact and implications of COVID-19 for the cultural sector. Furthermore, within the BBL there is research underway that aligns with this project investigating the impact of external shocks on peoples economising behaviours.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice and Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Banita Bissoondoyal-Bheenick, Xiaolu Hu","title":"Firm Centrality and Credit Rating","description":"There is a nexus between the firm and the economy through the trading connections along with the supply chain. Hence, the economy can be seen as a trade network with topology characteristics, where trading entities work as nodes and trading between them act as links. Previous studies find that the position in the trading network plays an importance role that economic shocks propagate through trade links (Long and Plosser, 1983; Acemoglu et al., 2012) and firms in the centre of the trade link are exposed to more information. However, it is still unclear if these firms are associated with higher credit risk. The literature suggests that on the one hand, firms located in the centre of the trade network are exposed to higher systematic risk since they are more likely to be affected by shocks from their trading partners (Ahern, 2013) and on the other hand, central firms are more resilient to external shock through diversified trading relationship (Ramirez, 2017; Herskovic et al., 2020).\rThe PhD project will assess the relationship between a firm\u2019s position in the trading network and its credit rating as well as how the credit risk spread along the supply chain vary over time. Specifically, the candidate will use the US input-output tables (I-O table) and the topological method to identify the positions of US companies in their domestic trading network and investigate how this position affects their credit ratings. The candidate will further evaluate how a central firm\u2019s credit rating impacts the ratings of its trading partners.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods and data analysis skill. The supervision team consists of experts in asset pricing and credit risk. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 2 Organizational Transformation and Innovation Capabilities Enhancement; GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement; GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong, Di Mo","title":"The impact of digitalisation in financial markets","description":"The conversion of traditional finance to the digital era requires trading exchanges to be digitized and assets to be tokenized. The digitalization process is likely to give rise to additional risks, such as operational risks and technological risks, etc. It is crucial to understand these additional risks to adapt to fast-paced digital era in financial markets. This HDR project aims to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the digitalization process in finance around the world, and explore its implications for financial markets from regulatory, pricing, and risk management perspectives. It can be further extended to explore cross-country differences in the staggered implementation of digitalization in financial markets. This could assist policymakers in designing governance and risk management strategies to facilitate the digitalization process in finance.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods, principles of risk management, and advanced understanding of digital finance and financial technology. The supervision team consists of experts in investment, risk management and asset pricing. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance; GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement","forcodes":"350201"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong, Xiaolu Hu","title":"Behavioral shift and biases in sustainable investment","description":"There has been tremendous growth in sustainable investment in global financial markets in the recent decade. Existing research in finance largely focuses on investment decision making without considering investors' preferences for social good. Recently, the burgeoning literature on sustainable finance highlights investor preferences towards an optimal balance between risk-return tradeoff and societal wellbeing. This can have important effects on their investment making process. The related area in exploring the behavioral shift constitutes a promising area of future research.\rThis PhD project will apply theory and principles in behavioral finance to sustainable investment. This project aims to investigate the behavioral biases exhibited by investors in sustainable investment in different asset classes and the relevant price impact. The focus will be on whether and how increasing popularity in sustainable investment distorts investors' decision-making process and induces biased decisions and reactions to corporate events.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in quantitative research methods, principles of behavioral finance, and a passion for sustainable investment. The supervision team consists of experts in investment, sustainable finance and asset pricing. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance; GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement; GBI 1 Collaborative Design Approaches for Innovation","forcodes":"350201"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen","title":"Cybercrime Law and Financial Stability Around the World","description":"Attacks on information and communication technology systems (cyberattacks) are rising globally, and financial services continue to be the most targeted industry. According to a recent estimate by the IMF, average annual losses to financial institutions from cyber-attacks could reach a few hundred billion dollars a year. Successful cyber-attacks such as Wannacry in May 2017 or NoPetya in June 2017 have shown that cyber-attack can lead to severe disruptions and major damages for the targeted industries.\rTwo ongoing trends exacerbate this risk. First, the global financial system is going through an unprecedented digital transformation, which is being accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, the pandemic has heightened demand for online financial services and made work-from-home arrangements the norm. Central banks around the globe are also considering adopting digital currencies and modernizing payment systems. In this time of transformation, malicious actors such as cyber attacks can pose a growing threat to the global financial system, financial stability, and public confidence in the integrity of the system. Cybercrime law plays an important role in strengthening the resilience of financial system against cyber-attacks. Since the 1980s, countries around the world have enacted and enforced cybercrime law. However, the empirical evidence investigating the effectiveness of cybercrime law on financial stability is lacking. Our study attempts to fill this knowledge gap in the literature by examining whether cybercrime law promotes financial stability across 165 developed and developing countries during 1980 to 2019.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance;ISE 4 Cyber Security;SC 2 Transformations in mobility, migration and security;","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen","title":"Entrepreneurship and digital finance sources","description":"Financing has always been an important and puzzling topic not only for large listed corporations but also for entrepreneurial firms. Several theories, including the pecking order theory, the trade-off theory, asymmetric information, credit rationing and the life cycle theory, have been developed to address the capital structure choice of listed corporations. The extent to which these theories explain entrepreneurial firms\u2019 choice of finance is relatively underdeveloped (Frank and Goyal 2003; Lee et al. 2015). At the same time, in the last decade, many countries around the world have developed new ways for entrepreneurs to raise finance such as accelerators, incubators, equity crowdfunding and blockchain based techniques such as ICO. The entrepreneurial finance literature so far, however, is very segmented and focus exclusively on a single source of financing (mostly focuses on the \u201ctraditional\u201d bank debt financing and venture capital funding sources (i.e., Cumming and Groh, 2018)) while neglecting the dependencies and interconnections between the different types of financing instruments. This stands contrast with the practice that entrepreneurs raise funds from new sources or from a combination of different forms of finance. Hence, we need a better understanding of how these various (new and\/or traditional) sources of financing interact and how different combinations enhance entrepreneur\u2019s successful exit.\rAccordingly, our project will investigate whether entrepreneurial firm\u2019s finance choice affect firm\u2019s successful exit and how differences in international institutional settings affect entrepreneurial firms\u2019 finance choice and their success at the exit stage.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance;SC 3 Transformations in digital society and economy;","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong","title":"Digital Finance CRC (DFCRC) Industrial PhD Scholarship - Tokenisation of Environmental Markets: Specifically looking at the tokenisation of carbon permits and derivative carbon assets","description":"Digital Finance CRC (DFCRC) Industrial PhD Scholarship - Tokenisation of Environmental Markets: Specifically looking at the tokenisation of carbon permits and derivative carbon assets","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"380105, 380107"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Emawtee(Banita) Bissoondoyal-Bheenick, Angel Zhong","title":"Investor sentiment and Australian superannuation funds","description":"Investor sentiment describes investors\u2019 misinterpretation driven by mood, emotion and attitude that can potentially cause mispricing. Research in investor sentiment in Australia is in its infancy. This project proposes to construct a publicly available Australian Investor Sentiment index to price Australian stocks and measure voltility in the stock market. Further, the project assesses if sentiment index drives the intuitional investment of Superannuation Funds in Australia. One important set of institutional investors that requires significant attention are Australian Superfunds. Th retirement nest-egg of individuals is largely dependent on the investment held by Superannuation members. While a common theme in this area is de-risking as we go to different phases of life, it is well known we are faced with the problem of longevity and Australian Superannuation Funds hold a large proportion of investment in the equity markets, Hence, as an important institutional investor in this market, the project will explore how sentiment impacts the strategic and tactical asset allocation in equity both domestic and international over time.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, strong data analytic skills, experience working with large datasets, sound knowledge in asset pricing and funds management. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform (Collaborative design approaches for innovation and Organisational transformation and innovation capabilities enhancement).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Simon Pervan, Kieran Tierney","title":"Trading off benefits to self and other for sustainable consumption","description":"Achieving sustainable consumer behaviour presents many challenges for marketers but we play a critical role in helping to achieve Australia\u2019s as well as global sustainability goals. In a recent Journal of Marketing article, White, Habib and Hardisty (2019) present several propositions to suggest paths to overcoming these hurdles. This include the self-other trade-off where consumers must forgo benefits or incur costs for themselves to achieve external benefits for others or \u201call\u201d. Also, the problem of abstractedness where the outcomes of sustainable behaviour are unclear or difficult to determine.\nThis project invites a PhD applicant to examine one or more of these propositions to empirically examine the suggested relationships through experimental design and to propose additional theory for testing to understand the mediating processes of effects that show enhanced or diminished sustainable consumption habits.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Foula Kopanidis, Mike Reid","title":"Understanding Ecosystem influence on the Health and Wellbeing practices of Midlife Women.","description":"From a health and wellbeing perspective, middle age (45 \u2013 65) is viewed as a pivotal period in one\u2019s life course in terms of engaging in proactive behaviours and practices that influence healthy aging (Lachman et al., 2015; Steptoe, 2019). It is a population group that is under researched. Importantly, the \u2018feminisation of ageing\u2019 (Esser & Ward, 2013) means that increased emphasis is required to improve women\u2019s health and lifestyles, particularly as women encounter new sets of lifestyle challenges in their middle years and retirement (Tuohy & Cooney, 2019). Measuring behaviours in the context of health and aging that move beyond measuring single psychosocial or biological predictors (Fiacco, Mernone & Ehlert, 2020) have shown to align with positive health practices and behaviours (Aspinwall, 2010). This PhD project will recognise health and well-being as a dynamic, personal ecosystem that integrates a broader biological, psychological, and social perspective to better understand this cohort and the implications for service systems (Domegan, et al., 2016).\rThe successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate flexibility and openness in addressing real world and conceptual challenges around the ecosystem that influences women\u2019s health and wellbeing. Candidates will need a solid understanding of social marketing theory and practice and an ability to undertake mixed methods research including qualitative interviews, case studies, and quantitative survey. The project aligns with the Social Change Enabling Capability Platform (ECP) at RMIT University and the challenge of how can we understand and help shape possible futures for health and social support.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bronwyn Coate","title":"Behavioural Economics of Culture and the Creative Industries","description":"Culture and the arts (including the products of the creative industries and cultural heritage) generate not only value to producers and consumers but also have non-market effects on society such as externalities and public goods. Also, much consumer and producer decision making in the cultural industries inherently goes beyond rational choice, involving intrinsic and social motivations, personality, emotions, fashions and fads, social influence, intuition and instinct and many others.\nThis PhD project will use behavioural economics and psychology to better understand individual economic activity in the cultural industries. Behavioural approaches use different empirical methods to better understand individual decision making including experiments in the lab, field or online, as well as psychometric and psychophysiological measurement. It is envisaged that the successful candidate will use one or more of these in a multi-disciplinary approach to different aspects of cultural economic decision making. Potential examples include: artist motivations and personality, audience appreciation and affect, authenticity and art fakes and price discovery in cultural markets.\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, principles of psychology and\/or economics. The supervision team will include specialists from both cultural and behavioural economics. The project will be based within RMIT\u2019s Behavioural Business Lab that includes a vibrant PhD and researcher community and state-of-the art laboratory facilities in central Melbourne. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peyman Khezr","title":"Behavioural economics of the real estate market","description":"Real estate markets are a cornerstone of every economy due to their contribution to financial transactions, individual debts and assets. In the macroeconomy, house prices are often used as an economic barometer and construction industry activity is a known motor of the business cycle. While buying and selling houses are the most costly, infrequent and long-lasting decisions the average person makes in the economy, the process is rife with a plethora of irrational behaviours and psychological processes that have been much studied in other business and economic contexts. There is an urgent need to better understand real estate buyer and seller behaviour from the behavioural economic perspective because they have considerable effects on the outcome of individual financial well-being and the economic climate. This project aims to develop better theories of behavioural decision making in all aspects of real estate and to test these using empirical behavioural tools such as experiments and psychometric surveys.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bronwyn Coate, Sveta Angelopolous","title":"Creative placemaking: Understanding and measuring economic and social benefits from the arts and culture","description":"Creative placemaking to leverage the arts and culture as well as creativity more broadly, has featured in economic development policies targeted at geo-specific areas, including notably at localised community levels including Local Government Areas (LGAs), as well as broader regions and cities (e.g. cities belonging to the Creative Cities Network). Despite the prominence of creative economy strategies at various levels, evidence on the effectiveness of these policies in creating a sense of place is limited. How these policies translate to providing economic and social benefits also remains a challenge to policymakers and governments at various levels. Art and culture has often been associated with vibrant communities and its contribution to enriching wellbeing situates it in a unique category. As a public good, its value is difficult to identify and measure using traditional approaches and assumptions. Alternative ways to both conceptualise and produce evidence of benefits is needed. Furthermore, the potential of creative economy approaches to \u2018nudge\u2019 community behaviour that can improve resident well-being is largely unexplored relative to uptake in other policy areas such as health and the environment.\nSuccessful candidates will demonstrate flexibility and openness in addressing real world and conceptual challenges around creative placemaking that is informed by a range of disciplines including economics and relevant sub-fields such as cultural economics and behavioural economics, as well as cultural policy, sociology and human geography. Candidates will be expected to be have a solid background in research methods relevant to economics and\/or one or more relevant discipline areas related to the project. The project aligns with the Global Business Innovation and Urban Futures Enabling Capability Platforms (ECPs) at RMT University.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mike Reid, Kate Westberg","title":"Examining the Older Consumer\u2019s Experience of Aging and its Impact on Consumption Decisions","description":"In a survey by the Australian Human Rights Commission, 71% of Australians felt that age discrimination in Australia was common. Further, more than a third of Australians 55+ feel they have experienced age discrimination, including being overlooked by service staff and marketers more generally. Older Australians are both under-represented, and poorly portrayed in the media; there is a belief that the media has a significant influence on the negative perceptions of older Australians. This discrimination influences older Australians\u2019 self-worth and their experience of aging.\nGlobally, particularly in developed countries, Baby Boomers feel middle-aged, not old, and have cognitive identities younger than their chronological age. In Australia, 75% of older people feel 5-10 years younger than their chronological age. While it can be argued that this cohort is healthier, more active and have a younger mentality than previous generations of a similar age, the literature suggests that this younger perceived age may be a self-protection mechanism triggered by negative Western cultural attitudes towards age. This project will examine older Australians\u2019 experience of aging and the influence that aging has on their age identity and their role as consumers. It will examine how older people adapt to changing circumstances as they age, the impact of aging on their buying behaviour and consumption interactions and experiences and how these consumers confront and manage ageist stereotypes. The research will have implications for marketers and policy makers in relation to prompting social change to facilitate positive aging.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Meg Elkins","title":"Notions of value in the market for art","description":"How do we assess the value of an artwork? This seemingly simple question does not have a simple answer. Value can be related to the artist and the artwork itself. However, other notions of value exist such as social, cultural, historic and economic value. A related issue is authenticity and value since provenance plays a key role in, particularly, economic value (price). Recent developments in cultural economics have started to systemise how value may be created. Value creation is a dynamic process with multiple perspectives. Thus, untangling the relationships over time between types of value are critical to our understanding. This project will extend existing and develop new frameworks to understand value. The key research questions to be addressed include: How is value created? How can we measure it and how are different notions of value related? It is anticipated that a particular art market, such as the Australian Indigenous art market, be used as the focus of the project. The research will cut across a number of academic disciplines, literatures and approaches. The project is thus likely to be multidisciplinary and multi-method. The project aligns with research and innovation priority 4: \u201cdesign and creative industries\u201d of the Design and Creative Practice Enabling Capability Platform. This priority area seeks to move beyond creative industries and explore the role of the social impact (measuring and evaluating the often tacit and multisensorial dimensions of arts value). In particular, the project relates to the \u201carts and cultural heritage\u201d key application area.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Janneke Blijlevens, Bronwyn Coate","title":"Reconciling aesthetic value with economic value of artworks","description":"The discipline of empirical aesthetics has gained a lot of knowledge on how aesthetic principles\/dimensions (e.g., complexity, unity, variety) explain people\u2019s aesthetic appreciation or perceived beauty of artworks. For example, it is well known that people typically find artworks beautiful that are moderately complex, or with a variety in patterns while still being presented as a unified whole. These principles predict aesthetic appreciation very reliably across domains (paintings, music, product designs).\nHowever, aesthetic value does not necessarily translate to the economic value of artworks (pricing). Actually, aesthetic value and economic value are often considered irreconcilable. Most research on the economic value of arts focuses on factors external to the artworks (e.g., expert characteristics), with the exception of \u2018hedonic pricing models\u2019. In these models, next to artist factors (deceased\/famous), artwork specific factors are included such as size, and type (landscape\/portrait\/urban). However, aesthetic principles known to explain aesthetic value have been ignored in such models.\nIn this research, you will combine the disciplines of empirical aesthetics and economics to investigate how aesthetic principles are related to economic value of artworks using a combination of experiments and hedonic regression modelling. You will work with supervisors in empirical aesthetics and cultural economics from the RMIT\u2019s Behavioural Business Lab. The BBL includes a vibrant researcher community and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced researchers from the BBL, who specialise in behavioural and experimental research. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Constantino Stavros, Kate Westberg","title":"Sport\u2019s Social Impact: Exploring Opportunities to Enhance Community Health and Consumer Wellbeing","description":"There is considerable literature suggesting the ways in which sport contributes positively to society and have a significant impact upon social wellbeing. It can not only enrich the lives of fans and participants, but society at large. It is readily accepted, for example, that sport can promote and amplify equality, cohesiveness and peace within society. Sport participation is associated with positive health outcomes that promote wellbeing as well as facilitating the development of aspirational qualities such as teamwork, leadership and the pursuit of excellence. Increasingly many sport organizations have adopted a mandate to promote awareness and behaviour change around issues such as domestic violence and diversity. Initiatives that capture social impact in sport are necessary to gain social, political and financial support for sport governing bodies, especially in the form of sponsorship.\nThe successful candidate would be supported to explore opportunities for sport to promote positive social change in areas that will deliver the greatest value to society; to identify how this impact can be further cultivated; ultimately how these insights can be used to further advance community benefits; and the implications for sport management policy and practice at governing organisations, such as Football Victoria (the governing body of soccer in the state). The nature of this community impact may well be in physical or mental health, or a range of other areas. This work would feed into marketing planning to shape appropriate policy and resourcing decisions within the sporting body to enable community sport to maximise its social impact.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaolu Hu, Caroline Chen","title":"The impact of immigration policy on firm value","description":"This project aims to estimate the impact of immigration on firm value in Australia. Previous research on immigration mainly focuses on macroeconomics such as its impact on labour market, demographic changes, and GDP growth. There is sparse literature taking a microeconomics perspective and analysing how firms react to and\/or are affected by immigration, particularly immigration policies.\nThis project will fill in this gap and be the first to provide an insight into how immigration affects an economy through its impacts on the firms. It has far reaching significance for both Australian policy makers and other immigration intensive countries.\nThis project will investigate how general immigration and individual immigration categories affect Australian firm value. Additionally, to address the endogeneity issues, the impact of immigration policies \u2013 which are considered as exogenous shocks, will be tested using an event study methodology. Furthermore, this project will estimate how immigration influence Australian firm value through various channels such as: first, labour force composition which leads the change of human resources, labour productivity, management team, business relationship and innovations; second, financial activities transformation like financing sources, cost of capital, financial market size and liquidity; third, consumption\/demand that changes the product market.\nImmigration data will be collected from ABS, data.gov.au, DoHA and the state government websites. Immigration policy data will be manually collected from DoHA and stat government websites and a Python program can be coded to capture the key words. Firm level data will be collected from Thomson Reuters DataStream and SIRCA and Google Patents.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stuart Thomas, Sarah Sinclair, Ashton de Silva","title":"Using Home Equity to \u201cAge in Place\u201d","description":"Many retiree households want to age in their own homes. The ability to finance this choice through the use of housing equity is not well understood or widely used. Yet, it is likely to become an increasingly important part of retirement funding in the near future.\nThe key focus of this research is to explore how households might realise their desire to age in place using home equity. Globally, utilising equity in the home to support quality of life in latter years is not new or uncommon. Yet in Australia it is not typically regarded as being a standard option by retirees. Notably, the market for home equity products is small which may also be limiting the extent to which retirees see this as a viable option.\nUsing equity to facilitate aging in place is likely to be seen as a more viable option- especially for retirees that are asset rich but income poor. Utilising equity in this way will likely lead to service innovations (e.g., in health) that will require a careful and well-thought out regulatory approach. Scoping the likely trends and their (unintended) consequences will be important consideration of this investigation.\nThe research is intended to examine the following themes:\na)The supply-side dynamics of the aged care sector, including supported in-home care and residential care,\nb)The demand-side considerations including consumer perceptions and appetites for choice and flexibility of care to suit current, anticipated and unanticipated needs,\nc)The financing options available to support ageing in place.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Van Vu, Gaoping Zheng","title":"Social platforms and corporate activities","description":"While social platforms (e.g., social media and stock forums) have received increasing attention in practitioner circles and among academics, the extent to which information is transmitted via social platforms and how this type of information could affect firm activities is not well understood. So long as the information from social platforms influences the perception of various stakeholders (such as customers, analysts, investors, or even regulators), it could have implications for real corporate activities. \r\nThis PhD project will apply theory and principles in social media and information transmission and behavioural finance to corporate finance, governance, and capital market. Specifically, the focus will be on whether and how the information on social platforms affects firms\u2019 real activities. In addition, we also investigate the economic channels of this effect. The social platform could work as an external governance mechanism to monitor a firm\u2019s performance and affect the firm operating, investing, and financing decisions. It could also directly affect the managers to change decisions within the firm by improving the internal governance and boosting the corporate social responsibilities to improve reputation and affect the reaction in the capital market.\r\nThe successful candidate is expected to have a solid background in finance and economics or accounting research methods, strong data analytical skills using STATA, SAS or Python programming, and experience working with different datasets.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammad Safiullah, Van Vu","title":"The implications of board diversity for corporate outcomes","description":"This project investigates the effect of having a diverse board of directors on corporate outcomes. In particular, we contribute to the literature that studies the values that female directors bring to the company. Prior literature suggests that female directors provide better oversight over managers, thus improving corporate governance practices. However, there is mixed evidence regarding the impact of board gender diversity on corporate outcomes. In addition, how female directors bring about better management oversight and advisory effectiveness is still not well understood. We aim to shed further light on these issues in this research. \r\nThe successful candidate is expected to have a solid understanding of finance theories (e.g., having a bachelor's degree in a finance-related field). Some experience in programming skills (SAS or Stata) and research publications is preferable. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Di Mo and Daniel Chai","title":"Adaptive Market Hypothesis in financial markets ","description":"The Adaptive Market Hypothesis (AMH) aims to reconcile market efficiency. AMH reunites the concepts of behavioral finance with the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH). The theory states that investments pass through cycles of bad and good performance mainly because of changing market conditions such as competition in the industries, the flexibility of investors, and the number of opportunities to gain profit. Due to the instant changes in market conditions, information technologies and market regulations, it is expected that market efficiency experiences cyclical patterns which AMH predicts. \r\n\r\nMarkets are interconnected and as such both global and specific market shocks can impact different markets. AMH has been used to explain a wide range of market phenomena such as seasonal patterns in stock prices. Recently, AMH is considered a dominant theory over EMH in explaining why issues in corporate social responsibility are not in security prices. In this project, we will explore AMH in explaining investment behavior and patterns in a wide range of financial assets including equities, commodities, and exchange rates across international markets. For example, in the equity space, AMH can be used to explain patterns in stock market anomalies. In commodities, AMH can be used to evaluate the general effect of the impact of specific events\/shocks on commodity performance. The finding of this project aims to improve our understanding of patterns and investor behaviour observed in financial assets. \r\n\r\nSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in finance and economics, research methods, strong data analytic skills, and experience working with large datasets. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement","forcodes":"350202 Finance "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Chai and Di Mo ","title":"The effect of intangibles on firm performance  ","description":"Company financial reports provide useful information for fundamental analysis. If every asset is priced, then information from the balance sheet is useful. However, empirical studies show that most listed firms are priced much higher than their accounting values. This indicates that the value of firms has shifted from tangible assets, such as land, buildings, and machinery, and financial assets, to intangibles, such as human capital, processes, data, and innovation. This is particularly so in research and development (R&D)-intense industries such as health care and information technology and\/or in services sectors such as consultancy. \r\n\r\nThe project aims to investigate the importance of intangibles in pricing stocks in global markets. Intangibles have been looked at in a number of studies. The conclusion from the finance literature is that intangibles are important in determining firm values. However, asset-pricing implications of intangibles have received less attention and this project aims to address this limitation by investigating the impact of intangibles on firms\u2019 financial performance.  \r\n\r\nThe project will be extended to explore the relationship between intangibles and firms\u2019 actions in sustainability. This is because many intangible resources do not meet the criteria of assets and are thus not capitalized as assets, such as the social and environmental costs in sustainable development. Successful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in finance and economics, research methods, strong data analytic skills, and experience working with large datasets. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"GBI 4 Innovation Valuation and Impact Measurement; GBI 3 Innovation Governance and Performance","forcodes":"350202 Finance "},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Armin pourkhanali and Peyman Khezr","title":"Analysis of large-scale dynamical network: Case study of petrol station data","description":"The main goal of this study is to enhance our understanding of the energy industry, specifically the petrol station market, and to provide insights into the pricing and competition dynamics that exist within this complex ecosystem.\nThis project is a multidisciplinary effort that focuses on analysing the pricing strategies of petrol stations and interpreting the results using various modelling techniques. The aim of this research is to investigate the existence of competition between petrol stations located in close proximity to each other and to determine the extent of brand premium associated with different petrol station brands.\n\nTo achieve these goals, we will employ dynamic spatial panel models to analyse the petrol station data. Furthermore, we will evaluate the impact of external factors such as exogenous shocks, including price jumps and COVID-19 lockdowns, on the performance of petrol station networks. This study will utilize a range of econometrics and machine learning approaches to model the data.\n\nThe successful candidate for this project should have a solid understanding of data analysis (such as        AI and Data Analytics, economics) and be proficient in programming languages such as R, Python, or MATLAB. Previous experience in research publications is preferred. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Caroline Chen, Gaoping Zheng","title":"The two sides of crypto coins in the financial sector","description":"The markets for cryptocurrencies are burgeoning, attracting capital from every corner of the world as well as concerns on different aspects.  While there is some evidence indicating good investment returns from cryptocurrencies and supporting their role as a hedge and\/or safe haven, there are many concerns on whether cryptocurrency markets are becoming an unregulated playground for market manipulation, insider trading and money laundering. \nThis research aims to examine the use of cryptocurrency in the financial sector by using a mixed-method approach. This study will perform empirical analyses to identify the main users of cryptocurrencies, e.g., hedger, speculator, or market manipulator. In addition, surveys will be conducted with the relevant financial institutions and regulators to further analyze the adoption and the application of cryptocurrencies in the finance industry. Financial institutions and regulators play a crucial role in shaping the use of cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, other factors such as technological, economic, social, and regulatory factors and their impacts on cryptocurrency adoption and application should also be considered. The findings will provide insights into the current roles played by the cryptocurrency markets as well as the factors that need to be considered by the policy makers to shape these markets to their desirable uses. \n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"27\/03\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"350299 Banking, finance and investment not elsewhere classified (50%) ; 350204 Financial institutions (incl. banking) (25%) ; 350208 Investment and risk management (25%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ankita Mishra","title":"Income inequality and mental health in low- and middle-income countries","description":"Income inequality is a phenomenon that affects both high- and low-income countries. It has increasingly been at the forefront of global economic and political debates. Reducing income inequality within and across countries has become one of the core goals of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development (United Nations, 2015). With growing focus on mental health and wellbeing both in developed and developing nations, social scientists are now increasingly showing interest in the link between income inequality and individuals\u2019 mental health. However, most studies have focused on high-income countries while for low- and middle-income countries, the bulk of the literature looks at the association of mental health with poverty and other measures of deprivation. The literature on health and income inequality posits three hypotheses: \u2018neo-materialistic\u2019 hypothesis; \u2018social capital\u2019 hypothesis; and the \u2018status anxiety\u2019 hypothesis to explain their negative association. However very little work has been done towards testing these hypotheses to elucidate the pathways. For example, potential mediators of the income inequality- mental health relationship can range from education, healthcare infrastructures, social connectedness to status-oriented good consumption. In this project, we aim to conduct a deeper analysis on such mechanisms, focussing on selected low- and middle-income countries that have experienced high income inequality in the last decade. Importantly, we aim to provide important insights into the various mechanisms through which income inequality affects mental health.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"380108        Health economics (25%) ; 440404        Political economy and social change (25%) ; 440405 Poverty, inclusivity and wellbeing (50%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203 \/ MR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen","title":"Internationalisation, Financial Integration and Bank risk","description":"The traditional portfolio theory argues that geographic expansion can lower bank risks if returns generated by additional assets are imperfectly correlated with those generated by existing assets. However, geographic expansion may hinder bank headquarters\u2019 capacity to monitor their subsidiaries and branches abroad, hence, yielding a potentially negative impact on overall bank asset quality. The recent global banking and financial crises have further reinvigorated the debate on the benefits of financial market integration. Financial integration may increase the risk of cross border contagion and thus the probability of widespread banking failures. As bank risk can have a first-order effect on financial and economic stability, mitigating bank risk has become a focus of many national and international regulations to avoid future financial crises. Much of the focus on such reforms has been on constraining banks\u2019 risk within one country. However, banks may engage in regulatory arbitrage, circumventing strict domestic regulations by taking more risk abroad. This raises the question of how bank internationalization affects the risk of individual banks, especially in the context of current financial integration. Our research project aims to address this critical research question. The study is expected to have important implications for policy makers on adjusting supervisory approaches and structures to the geographical scope of banking activities, reducing the likelihood of individual as well as widespread banking crises.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"150201; 150203; 150299"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angel Zhong, Armin Pourkhanali","title":"The impact of digital finance on household consumptions in Australia","description":"As the world transitions from traditional finance to digital era (mobile payment and internet banking and shopping), it is critical to understand how digital finance affects household consumption. This project aims to better understand the challenges posed by digital transformation in financial markets. Expanding digital financial services underpins many human activities, and nowhere is it truer than in developed countries and large cities. The specific aim of this project is to examine impacts of the digital finance on household consumption and explore its mechanisms. We also aim to explore the impact of an exogenous shock (i.e. Covid pandemic) on digital financial service, and what can be learned from the exogenous variation.\rSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a solid background in research methods, strong data analytic skills, experience working with large datasets. For the candidate, this offers a unique opportunity to gain understanding and expertise in the research area of digital financial.","sdg":"3 Good health and wellbeing","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"STS 3 Energy","forcodes":"350202 finance (40%)\r350203 financial econometrics (30%)\r350205 household finance (30%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","discipline":"Finance","programcode":"DR203","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"My Nguyen, Gaoping Zheng","title":"Financial Technology Development and Financial System Stability in China","description":"Modern technology has led to increased globalization and interaction of financial markets, resulting in a more complex global financial system. While this complexity provides opportunities for development, it also leads to higher synchronization and unpredictable consequences, including economic imbalances. In response to the 2008 financial crisis, the financial industry began implementing innovative digital approaches, known as financial technology (FinTech), to provide better financial services. However, the implementation of FinTech threatens the sustainability of the global financial system, as it changes the financial system's architecture and creates potentially unstable and uncertain environments. Traditional participants in the financial industry have been forced to modernize their activities to remain competitive, but regulators are not yet able to withstand these new challenges, leading to increased uncertainty and turbulence. This project investigates the impact of FinTech development on financial system stability in China, a global leader in FinTech. It further analyses the effectiveness of institutional support by the Chinese government, such as the development of prudential standards and revision of the licensing regime for financial companies in mitigating the negative consequence of Fintech development on financial stability. Such understanding is crucial for policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders in China and other countries around the world.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Robyn Barnacle, Amanda Berry, Arnan Mitchell","title":"COMBS PhD scholarship in Equality Diversity and Inclusion in STEM","description":"We are excited to announce a fully funded PhD scholarship on diversity and inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This project offers a unique opportunity to investigate the research culture of a community of researchers engaged in frontier science from the inside. You will be working with an interdisciplinary research team located within the prestigious Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS). ","sdg":"5 - Gender Equality","funded":"","closedate":"2025-11-30","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"441007        Sociology and social studies of science and technology \n440710        Research, science and technology policy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"STEM\/STEAM","programcode":"DR209 PhD (Education)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amanda Berry, Arnon Mitchell Centre of Excellence COMBS","title":"PhD scholarship in Science Education and Outreach","description":"COMBS seeks expressions of interest from eligible graduates for a funded PhD in Education. This PhD project presents an opportunity to study how frontier science, in the context of optical frequency comb (COMB) technology, can be meaningfully introduced to school aged learners. The project sits within a nationally funded interdisciplinary research centre (ARC COMBS) of collaborating universities and industry partners. This PhD project will investigate how teachers can be supported to develop the confidence and knowledge to effectively bring the applications and discoveries of this frontier science into their teaching in a way that motivates and engages learners and contributes to the advancement of science education on a national scale.\n\nThe project can be shaped by the applicant\u2019s own interests and areas of expertise in consultation with the supervisory team, provided it is consistent with COMBS\u2019 mission. For example, the project may focus on particular target groups of students (e.g., primary, secondary, regional, girls, low SES), address specific aspects of the science curriculum (e.g., light, optics), or be more broadly directed to improving connections and understanding between the worlds of scientists and school students. The candidate should be willing to work collaboratively with a team of COMBS Chief Investigators \u2013 interdisciplinary researchers \u2013 some of whom will not be based in Melbourne. Experience in science\/STEM education research and its methods is highly desirable. COMBS is making a budget available for travel and other costs needed to make this a successful and meaningful PhD project.\n","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-03-03","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390113 Science Technology and Engineering Curriculum & Pedagogy\n390307 Teacher Education and the Professional development of Educators "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Sociology of Education","programcode":"DR209","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amanda Berry","title":"Planning for effective parent-school partnerships for students with a disability","description":"Fully Funded PhD Opportunity in Educational Research \u2013 Inclusive education\r\n\r\nThis is a unique opportunity to undertake a fully funded PhD (fees + living stipend) in educational research. The successful applicant will work with academics at RMIT\u2019s School of Education and with industry partner Noah\u2019s Ark, who are the project funders. The successful applicant will work between the University and the industry partner to design, develop and carry out the research project named below. \r\n\r\nNoah\u2019s Ark in partnership with RMIT University School of Education.\r\n\r\nTitle \u2018Planning for effective parent-school partnerships for students with a disability\u2019\r\n\r\nKeywords: parent-school partnerships, inclusion, disability, schools. \r\n\r\nThis fully funded PhD scholarship will investigate what factors facilitate an effective parent-school partnerships for students with a disability. Knowledge gained is designed to help school and families plan for effective partnerships, benefitting students with a disability.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, in scope, this project will: \r\n-\tinvolve students with a disability who are in receipt of NDIS funding as well as those awaiting funding\/a diagnosis entitling them to NDIS funding\r\n-\tinvestigate this topic in a mixture of regional and metropolitan primary schools in Victoria \r\n-\tideally involve schools in the Catholic Education and public education sectors in Victoria \r\nMethodology: Mixed methods and\/or qualitative. \r\n\r\nCommencement date: 30 September 2023.\r\n\r\nCompletion: 30 September 2026.\r\n\r\nThe candidate is required to successfully complete all HDR milestones as required by RMIT Policy. Exact dates for completion are scheduled by the School of Graduate Research (SGR).\r\nThe three milestones are: \r\n\u2022\tConfirmation of Candidature\r\n\u2022\tSecond Milestone Review \r\n\u2022\tThird Milestone Review.\r\nPlease refer to policy set out here: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/students\/my-course\/research-students\/milestones.\r","sdg":"10 - Reduced Inequalities,4 - Quality Education","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390407 Inclusive Education \r\n390411\tSpecial education and disability\r\n390201\tEducation policy"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Daniel Harris","title":"Creative Agency Research Lab","description":"The Creative Agency Research Lab is a thriving hub for multi-disciplinary studies of creativity across the educational life-course. We are an open community of researchers, educators, creative practitioners, and industry professionals who share a commitment to creativity as a catalyst for social change in response to global challenges. Our members are actively developing new ways to address the most pressing issues of our times, including climate change, socio-economic inequality, the mental health crisis, and rapid advances in science and technology. We specialise in co-developing creative pedagogies and methodologies in collaboration with communities, working closely with children, young people, and diverse communities of all ages to co-create educational benefit, impact, and transformation. As a seed bed for creative research and social innovation across educational, cultural, community, industry, and governmental sectors, the Creative Agency Research Lab offers a generative and radically inclusive space for re-imagining what education can be, do, and become in the 21st century. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1300"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"David Rousell","title":"Climate Change and Sustainable Education Futures","description":"The United Nations acknowledges that education is the single most important factor in effectively mitigating and adapting to climate change and achieving more sustainable futures across local and global scales. RMIT\u2019s School of Education has a longstanding commitment to the UN\u2019s Sustainable Development Goals and produces cutting-edge research which directly addresses Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and Goal 13 (Climate Action). The school\u2019s research on climate change and sustainable education futures is world-leading in its integration of multiple disciplines, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks, in many cases bridging approaches across the social sciences, art and design, the humanities, and physical sciences. This methodological diversity is essential to addressing climate change as a planetary-scale crisis which also manifests locally in highly specific ways. The complex implications of climate change effectively demand a re-imagining of the entire field of education, including how we think, live, practice, and understand educational systems and institutions, curriculum and pedagogy, teaching and learning, research and impact, justice and community-building under 21st century conditions. Research in the School of Education research is breaking new ground in facilitating this re-imagining through critical and creative research in collaboration with diverse educational communities. Our innovations in participatory research, co-design, and social practice have led to collaborative outcomes and impacts that reflect the values of children, young people, and communities whose lives and educations will be most severely impacted by climate change. Our researchers are active within leading national and international networks of knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of climate change education, and supported by close associations with other research entities across RMIT, including the Creative Agency Research Lab; Enabling Capability Platforms (ECPS) in Design and Creative Practice, Social Change, and Urban Futures; the Mapping Future Imaginaries (MFI) network as well as the newly established Climate Change Research Network (CCR-Net). ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1300"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Naomi Wilks-Smith","title":"Languages, Literacy and Schooling","description":"The School of Education at RMIT has a strong and innovation Languages and Literacy teaching and research team with a focus on the diversity of linguistic backgrounds that students bring to the teaching and learning situation. Our work brings together strong aspects of the evidence based and the science of reading whilst recognising and catering for the language worlds that students in an urban setting bring to the classroom. Recent theorising around translanguaging and the recognition of young children\u2019s linguistic expertise in languages other than English drives the research focus of the group. A further element of our work is linked to children as readers and the books and materials that they read. A focus on children\u2019s literature which represents to myriads of worlds that children bring to school drives our research and teaching focus. One project works with Teachers as Readers with a purpose for teachers to grow their appreciation of the importance of quality reading materials. A further focus of our work is the role of emotional and social learning through books and literacy materials in the early years.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1300"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Emily Gray","title":"Inclusive education, social justice and equity","description":"The School of Education has a long history of learning, teaching and researching issues of diversity, difference and inclusion. We have a deep understanding of formal and informal educational spaces which includes engaging with public pedagogies. This works takes place in collaboration with the Social Change ECP and other spaces within and outside of RMIT that are dedicated to social justice and equity. In an increasingly fractured world, it is important to interrogate the hopes and possibilities for social justice and equity and their relationships to education.  Education plays a vital role in addressing issues of inequality for minorities across the globe, and we seek to imagine different possible futures within which education writ large works to meet the needs of individuals and communities to ameliorate intersecting inequalities, and therefore to address social justice more broadly.","sdg":"1 No Poverty; SDG 4 Quality Education; SDG 5 Gender Equality; SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390201 Education policy\r390202 history and philosophy of education\r390203 sociology of education\r390302 Early childhood education\r390303 Higher education\r390304 Primary education\r390305 Professional education and training\r390306 Secondary education\r390307 teacher education and professional development of teachers 390406 Gender, sexuality and education\r390407 Inclusive education\r390410 Multicultural Education (excl. ATSI & Maori Ed)\r390411 Special Education and disability\r390412 Teacher and student wellbeing\r450201 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Naomi Wilks-Smith","title":"Learning and Teaching Across the Lifespan","description":"The School of Education at RMIT are leaders in educational research and innovation. Learning and teaching are central to our work which covers the lifespan of learning, including early childhood, primary, secondary, and adult higher educational and life learning. Our research focuses on supporting teachers and educators at all career stages to build resilient futures for themselves and the students and communities they serve. It often involves collaborations with industry partners, including place-based and school-based research which is sensitive to unique teaching-learning contexts, including in urban, regional, rural and remote locations. Research may also focus on global, international contexts. Our educational research values praxis-based pedagogy that drives research-informed teaching and teacher-informed research and utilises a variety of research methods to explore these. In an ever changing and uncertain world, teachers and educators need to be well prepared and equipped to support diverse student needs and futures. Our research broadly aims to contribute to ongoing knowledge and positively impact the directions of future teaching-learning practice, improving the education of learners and effecting transformative change in classrooms and schools.","sdg":"4 Quality Education, 5 Gender equality, 17 Partnerships for the goals.","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390102 Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development 390114 Vocational education and training curriculum and pedagogy 390115 Work integrated learning (incl. internships) 390301 Continuing and community education 390302 Early childhood education 390303 Higher education 390304 Primary education 390305 Professional education and training 390306 Secondary education 390307 Teacher education and professional development of educators 390308 Technical, further and workplace education 390401 Comparative and cross-cultural education 390403 Educational administration, management and leadership 390412 Teacher and student wellbeing"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Education","discipline":"Education","programcode":"DR209 \/ MR209","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tasos Barkatsas","title":"STEM, Industry 4.0 and the learning sciences","description":"The School of Education at RMIT has a strong STEM teaching and research emphasis, reflective of our position as a university with a reputation for being at the forefront of technology, design and innovation. Our STEM work and understandings continue to expand as society moves closer to the higher-skilled knowledge and service-based industries that directly contribute to the transition to Industry 4.0, which is characterised by new and emerging technologies and the opening up of global markets. Our research approaches view STEM as existing on a continuum with our applied research improving practice in the singular discipline areas of mathematics, science, design engineering and technology.  We contribute to a growing body of knowledge in interdisciplinary STEM and learning sciences, incorporating diverse areas of human endeavour such as, neuroscience, cognitive science, instructional design, computer science and innovative teaching practices.  Our research is grounded in approaches that are underpinned by attributes such as curiosity, creativity, higher-order thinking, problem-solving and innovation and contributes to the key 21st century skills of critical and computational thinking, reasoning, communication and collaboration. Through our research work, we seek to contribute to a society where all individuals can both comprehend and utilise STEM skills and knowledges to navigate their daily lives in increasingly complex working and living environments.","sdg":"8 Decent work and economic growth 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"90113 Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy\r390304 Primary education 390307 Teacher education and professional development of educators\r390401 Comparative and cross-cultural education\r390115 Work integrated learning (incl. internships)\r390307 Teacher education and professional development of educators\r390199 Curriculum and pedagogy not elsewhere classified\r390402 Education assessment and evaluation\r390109 Mathematics and numeracy curriculum and pedagogy\r390306 Secondary Education\r3901 Curriculum\/Pedagogy\r3903 Education systems\r3999 Other education\r390303 Higher Education"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/ DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng) ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chrystal Zhang, Dorian Notman, Jose da Silva","title":"Balancing Economic and Environmental sustainability in air service development-case of Australia ","description":"Despite of contributing approximately 2% to 3% of the global emissions, the aviation industry has become under heavy scrutiny of the respective authorities. Airports have the dual obligations of maximizing the socioeconomic positives while minimizing the environmental negatives (Desharnais, J. 2021). Despite of airports generating substantial positive economic impacts to its serving regions, their expansion to accommodate the growing demand is often impeded between economic benefits and sustainability outcomes. While airport\u2019s sustainable reports have mentioned Sustainable Flying practices (support decarbonizing in flying), most of the research conducted in this niche has been specific to either comparing aircraft fuel burn against airline\u2019s route network models (O\u2019Kelly, M.E. 2012), (Baumeister, S. 2017), (Rosenow, J. et.al 2017) or comparing different route network models (O\u2019Kelly, M.E.; Park, Y. 2023, Eskenazi, A.G.  et. Al 2023). To address this knowledge gap, this project intends to investigate 1) the barriers for maintaining a balance in economic and environmental sustainability in developing air services strategies at Australian International Airports, and 2) Develop a framework using parameters supporting a balanced economic and environmentally sustainable air services development. The proposed research will facilitate the key aviation stakeholders such as airports to develop concrete measures to contribute to the net zero commitment in response to Australia government\u2019s call in its Aviation Green paper. The project proposes to adopt qualitative approach with data to be collected in major airport across Australia. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350901        Air transportation and freight services, 40%\n410404        Environmental management, 40%\n330408        Strategic, metropolitan and regional planning, 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/ DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng) ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chrystal Zhang","title":"Promoting gender equality in global airline industry","description":"Gender imbalance in workforce has been documented in many industries including airline industry, where women take 5% of airline CEOs and 3% of the board members (IATA). Women are also underrepresented in technical professions such as pilots and aviation engineers, who takes 5% and 13% respectively (IATA 2021). The pandemic had an advert effect on gender disparities in global aviation industry, as women have borne the brunt of the pandemic's economic consequences, with a higher risk of being laid off or having their hours and salaries decreased (McKinsey Global Institute 2020). An increasing interest in examining gender equality issues helped shed light on our understanding of the gender matters, however, there is little investigation in global airline industry. To this effect, this project intends to examine the enablers and barriers that affect female\u2019s pursuit for a professional career and senior management role in global airline industry. Mixed research methods will be adopted. Qualitative data will come from semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions while quantitative data will come from a couple rounds of surveys with both industry professionals and public. Industry databases such as that of ICAO, IATA, ACI and aviation organisation\u2019s websites and various reports will be reviewed for secondary data collection. Content analysis and statistical analyses will be applied to the synthesized data. The prospective findings will be used to establish best practices in promoting gender equality across the industry. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350901, Air transportation and freight services\r\n350502, employment equity and diversity"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das, Raj Ladani","title":"Damage Tolerant 3D Printed Composite Materials for Engineering Applications","description":"Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing is emerging to be a promising and feasible method for manufacturing of continuous fibre reinforced polymer composites. The versatility in fabricating complex shapes along with desired multifunctional properties have led to increased application of 3D printing in a variety of engineering products in aerospace, automotive, biomedical and architecture areas. However, fibre-reinforced polymer composites manufactured by 3D printing processes often have lower mechanical properties, including damage tolerance and fatigue life, compared to those manufactured by conventional processes, such as the resin transfer moulding and injection moulding. This is usually caused by manufacturing induced deficiencies in the composite quality (e.g., fibre waviness) and defects (e.g, voids, fibre breakage, cracks, etc.) produced during the 3D printing process. A lack of sufficient knowledge and design tools in the failure and life time prediction implies that the composite structures are often over designed with a large factor of safety, and numerous tests are to be performed on prototypes for prediction of performance over the required life time.\n\nThe aims of the research are to develop efficient and accurate computational and experimental methodologies for characterising hybrid, multifunctional 3D printed fibre-polymer composites and explore novel techniques for enhancing the fracture toughness and damage tolerance properties in order to develop next generation 3D printed composites with high strength and toughness. \nThe project provides opportunities to collaborate with aircraft industries and research institutes in the UK and Germany. Knowledge and background in Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n\nThe key outcomes of the project will be new understanding of damage tolerance characteristics in 3D-printed continuous fibre polymer composites, and development and characterisation of novel concepts to enhance damage tolerance. The expected outcomes of this research will also incorporate well-validated computational analysis methods to predict failure modes, and quantify defect and damage produced in 3D printed fibre polymer composites. The models can be used to predict mechanical behaviour and residual strength and estimate fatigue life of 3D printed composite structures under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The modelling and optimisation tools will then be used in developing high strength composites with high durability and longer service life for critical engineering components.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 Solid Mechanics (25%)\n400101 Aerospace Materials (25%)        \n401602 Composite and Hybrid Materials (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Defect Analysis and Fatigue Life Prediction in Additively Manufactured Alloys using Machine Learning","description":"Additive manufacturing (AM) is widely utilized to create intricate and custom-shaped components. However, the process can introduce internal defects, such as lack of fusion, porosities, and unmelted particles, which significantly reduce the fatigue performance of the materials. The current fatigue assessment methods for AM alloys rely on empirical relationships between initial defect characteristics and stress\/strain states. These methods fail to account for the anisotropic evolution of defects and their interactions with fatigue damage.\n\nTo address this limitation, this project aims to develop an innovative fatigue damage model that incorporates detailed defect characteristics using machine learning and multiscale modeling. High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) will be employed to observe and quantify the dynamic changes of defects in AM Ni-based alloys with varying porosities and printing orientations during fatigue testing.\n\nThrough machine learning analysis, fatigue damage-sensitive defects will be identified and categorized based on various defect properties such as defect center, equivalent diameter, sphericity, and aspect ratio. This information will be used to create a fully connected deep neural network that correlates the 3D defect data with microscopic fatigue damage.\n\nTo simulate the evolution of defects and fatigue damage under mechanical loads, critical defects will be incorporated into a 3D representative volume elements (RVE) model. Multiphase phase-field methods will be employed in the RVE simulation to model the evolution and interaction of defects and fatigue cracks. The accuracy of these simulations will be validated against the defect evolution observed through CT imaging. This approach will introduce a novel tensorial variable of defects within a thermodynamically consistent modelling framework.\n\nFinally, a hierarchical artificial neural network will be introduced to integrate the damage-sensitive defect characteristics layer by layer into a macroscopic anisotropic fatigue damage model. This mechanism-informed fatigue damage model will enhance our understanding of the relationship between defects, damage, and performance in AM components.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401607 Metals and Alloy Materials (50%)        \n400102 Aerospace Structures (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das, Simon Barter","title":"Manufacturing Alloys with Refined Microstructure through Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) for High strength and Radiation Resistance","description":"It is well known that severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods such as equal channel angular processing (ECAP), high pressure torsion (HPT) and accumulative roll bonding (ARB) are capable of refining the grain size of a large range of alloys, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties such as yield strength and toughness. Moreover, a small grain size also results in increased interfacial area per unit volume of the material, as the grain boundary (GB) area increases with decreasing grain size. Since grain boundaries act as effective sinks for radiation induced defects such as vacancies and self-interstitial atoms (SIAs), the increase in GB area through grain refinement improves the radiation damage resistance of a material.\n\nThus, the SPD technique will provide a novel way of manufacturing materials with refined grains which will have potentially enhanced mechanical properties and improved radiation tolerance.\nThe aim of this project is to manufacture novel materials with high strength and radiation tolerance using SPD techniques, characterize them with advanced techniques such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), irradiate them with high energy particles such as He or heavy ions (e.g. Fe, Ni, Cr, etc.), and study the changes in mechanical properties due to the irradiation through nano-indentation in situ micro-mechanical testing.\n\nIon irradiation is the ideal irradiation mode as it is fast and allows the application of a high radiation dose within hours or days, in contrast with neutron irradiation, which can take years to achieve the same dose. Moreover, ion irradiation is much safer as it does not cause radioactivity in the samples in most cases, unlike neutron irradiation. The small scale testing technique is of crucial importance here as the ion-irradiated layer thickness ranges from a few hundred nm to a few microns, and it is essential to test only this affected volume in order to assess the changes due to ion-irradiation.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401401 Additive manufacturing (50%)\n080110 Simulation and Modelling (25%)\n401607 Metals and Alloy Materials (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Matthew Marino, Nick Brown","title":"Uncrewed Aerial System solutions for Humanitarian Action","description":"In 2021, there were 367 climate-related disasters, accounting for the lives of over 10,000 people and negatively impacting and disrupting the livelihoods of over 104 million people (CRED 2021). Engineers, and problem-solving capabilities are well placed to contribute to humanitarian action arising from disaster or conflict with complex emergencies requiring complex responses and consideration for long-term consequences (Davis and Lambert, 2002 p.1). Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, distributed ledger technologies, and uncrewed aerial systems are a type of engineering solution, increasingly used to support humanitarian and development efforts. However, the humanitarian sector is widely known to operate with stretched resources and capabilities which hinders its innovative ecosystem (Ramalingam et al. 2015), often inducing organisations to outsource R&D services or turn to commercial tools, which are not designed for the complexity of humanitarian and development contexts (Young & Jurko 2021). There are instances of AI-supported uncrewed aerial systems are speeding up the assessment and response after a disaster see Munawar et al. (2021) but there is still plenty of opportunity to develop solutions that are appropriate for application in humanitarian contexts. \nThis research project will develop Uncrewed Aerial Systems specifically for use in humanitarian action such as response. The project will have to understand the unique operating environments that UAS may be present, including robustness, this could mean ensuring medium to long-term observation and monitoring capabilities covering disaster-prone areas requiring durability against high winds (cyclone), ash (volcanic eruption\/bushfires), rain (flooding). The project can look at problems that exist, both for applications in emergency response and disaster management in Australia as well as internationally. \nObservation monitoring and feedback to operators and decision-makers on the bound is of key importance. The project could engage Research End Users such as Swoop aero, Zipline, UN OCHA and other humanitarian organisations.  \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400199"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Ladani, Everson Kandare","title":"3D Reinforced Multifunctional Fibre Polymer Composites","description":"Fibre reinforced polymer composites are susceptible to interlaminar and intralaminar delamination damage resulting from impact, fatigue or overloading. The delamination resistance of composite laminates can be improved by through-the-thickness reinforcement using various techniques including three-dimensional weaving, stitching, z-anchoring, z-pinning and tufting [1]. Through-thickness reinforcement using fibre tow or metal wires can enable multifunctionality in composites by promoting a wide range of mechanical, structural, electrical, thermal and sensing properties. Recently, 3D weaving and tufting using metal wires have been demonstrated to engender multifunctional properties to laminated composites, such as greater fracture toughness, higher thermal and electrical conductivity, damage sensing and joining properties [2-7].   \r\n\r\nThis project will investigate a new type of 3D reinforced fibre polymer composite containing shape memory alloy wires as through-the-thickness reinforcement to promote their multifunctional properties. In particular, the project aims to demonstrate a new functionality for composite materials to close delamination cracks using thermally activated shape memory effect of the through-thickness reinforcements. The project will systematically investigate the effects of the through-thickness reinforcement material, volume content, geometry, etc on the mechanical, structural, electrical, thermal and sensing properties of the 3D reinforced composites using experimental testing and finite element modelling. Mechanical properties such as interlaminar fracture toughness, fatigue resistance, tensile and compression strength of the laminated composites and their structural joints will be investigated. Microstructural characterisations will be conducted to identify the effect of through-thickness reinforcement on the microstructure of composite laminates. Damage tolerance studies will be conducted to assess the residual strength of impacted 3D reinforced composite laminates. This research will enable the creation of high-performance composites materials with multifunctionality for wide-ranging application.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Mouritz AP, Bannister MK, Falzon PJ, Leong KH. Review of applications for advanced three-dimensional fibre textile composites, Comp A, 1999;30:1445-1461.\r\n[2] Ladani RB, Pingakarawat K., Nguyen ATT, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Delamination toughening and healing performance of woven composites with hybrid 3D fibre reinforcements, Comp A. 2018,110:258-267.\r\n[3] Ciampa F, Ladani R, Knott G, Buns T, Foreman AD, Meeks C, Steele A, Cooper T, Phillips A, Mouritz AP. Shape memory alloy tufted composites combining high delamination resistant and crack closure properties. Comp A. 2021;147:106455.\r\n[4] Khor W, Ravindran AR, Ciampa F, Ladani RB, Limprapuwiwattana M, Whitton P, Foreman AD, Meeks C, Steele A, Cooper T, Rider A. Improving the damage tolerance of composite T-joints using shape memory alloy tufts. Comp A. 2023;168:107474.\r\n[5] Abbasi S, Ladani R, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Improving the delamination resistance of fibre reinforced polymer composites using 3D woven metal z-filaments. Comp Sci Tech. 2020;198:108301.\r\n[6] Abbasi S, Ladani R, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Boosting the electrical conductivity of polymer matrix composites using low resistivity z-filaments. Mats & Des;2020;195:109014.\r\n[7] Abbasi S, Ladani RB, Wang CH, Mouritz AP. Improving the structural properties of composite T-joints by z-weaving of continuous metallic filaments. Comp Struct. 2021;260:113509.\r\n\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"90102 Aerospace Materials (30%) , \r\n91202 Composite and Hybrid Materials (40%), \r\n91006 Manufacturing process and technologies (30%)."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abdulghani Mohamed","title":"Studying Bird Flight in Turbulence","description":"The project aims to discover how birds perceive and cope with turbulence in order to greatly increase the steadiness of aircraft flight through turbulent air. Initial research showed that by adapting novel sensors, inspired by the sensory functions of birds, the flight performance and safety in turbulence is significantly improved. As part of this proposal, other avian turbulence mitigation strategies will be discovered through wind tunnel experimentation in repeatable gust(s) and turbulence. The discovered avian strategies will be adapted for human-made aircraft, to enable ultra-stable flight in turbulence. The project will involve access to a detailed database of bird flight which offers an opportunity for analysing data for a variety of purposes related to adaption for aircraft. Project scope can be in different areas including flight control, biomimetic & bioinsipiration, machine learning, AI, robotics etc...","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Abdulghani Mohamed","title":"Turbulence Detection Sensor for Aircraft","description":"Small unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are flying sensory platforms, well-suited to autonomous surveillance. However their operational capability is severely limited in windy conditions. The undesirable aircraft motion caused by turbulence in the wind blur image data, curtail the number of flying days per year and result in aborted flights (e.g., crashes). Reducing the size of UAVs increases the challenges of holding a steady flight path. A patented, biomimetic technique of \u00e2\u20ac\u2122feeling\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 a way through turbulent air has demonstrated enormous promise, with far steadier flight being demonstrated than is possible with existing inertial-based stabilization: https:\/\/youtu.be\/m_2-bblBmQY . The technique involves sensing upstream wind gusts and providing control inputs to counteract the impending undesirable motions much earlier than current technology permits. To-date we have \u00e2\u20ac\u0153sensed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the upstream turbulent air using pressure probes forward of each wing. This PhD project proposes to build on this prior success, extending the technique to incorporate improved sensing using new, non-invasive sensors (e.g. micro LIDAR and \/ or RADAR). Key characteristics of upstream turbulence will be determined to permit evasive control movements in a far timelier manner than is currently possible. The systems will be evaluated via wind-tunnel flight tests of small UAVs in turbulent flows, followed by outdoor flight trials under a range of adverse turbulent winds. The aim of the research is to enhance autonomous flight by enabling ultra-stable flight of increasingly small UAVs in the presence of atmospheric turbulence through the optimisation of a turbulence detection and rejection system. Prerequisites: Holds a degree in any of Physics, Electronics, Telecommunications, or related fields.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Orifici","title":"Novel technologies for composite aircraft structures","description":"This project will develop novel technologies for aircraft structures using fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Aircraft structures present numerous complex design challenges, based around the need to enhance performance within a weight-critical context. The project will build on previous work that has investigated such aspects as: \n * bio-inspired features (e.g. hierarchical toughness and strengthening, control of fracture to mimic biological processes and mechanisms); \n * aircraft repair (e.g. bonded and bolted repairs, design optimisation, dissimilar adherends, damage tolerance and effect of defects, environmental effects)\n * postbuckling structures (e.g. skin-stiffener interface failure; interaction of damage mechanisms)\n * 3D printing of metals and composites (e.g. SLM printing for metal-composite hybrid joints; 3D printing of continuous fibre composites)\n * through-thickness reinforcements (e.g. pinned reinforced joints, novel bio-inspired pin features and pin types, effect and optimisation of pin insertion)\n \n The project will focus on quantifying the performance enhancement from the novel technology in comparison with traditional techniques, and the mechanisms driving performance enhancement at the different length scales. The project will also develop and apply high fidelity computational modelling to investigate and optimise the performance of composite aircraft structures","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andoh Michael Afful","title":"Autonomous Operations for Distributed Satellite Systems","description":"Distributed satellite systems (DSS) consist of two or more satellites working together to accomplish a goal that is otherwise infeasible with traditional monolithic spacecraft. Depending on the objective, different concepts for such systems have been designed and developed. They are mostly characterised by the distance between the satellites and the level of control accuracy. Examples of distributed satellite system architectures include constellations, trains, clusters, swarms, fractionated and federated satellites. DSS concepts are paving the way for new possibilities in science and space exploration; and new architectures are being explored and exploited using associated technologies to create the high level of adaptability, robustness, and autonomy required to increase the chances of success of operating in a largely unknown space environment. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) has been identified as having enormous promise within the satellite and space technology fields and may enable the achievement of various short- and long-term goals for space applications. The technology will go beyond automated planning and scheduling phase and include different mission phases, from conceiving the preliminary design to the mission operation phase. The goal of this project is to develop AI and Machine Learning (AI\/ML) software to explore autonomous operation for Space Domain Awareness (SDA). The project will seek to advance the understanding of model-based methods for hardware and physical processes to track the states of the system and detect deviations from nominal behaviour and data-driven approaches based on ML techniques. The project will explore DSS architectures for long-term formation maintenance and onboard autonomy for SDA and\/or Development of AI\/ML algorithms for DSS mission-planning architectures that incorporate technical, economic, strategic, legal, and regulatory constraints on the DSS system for space operations. Insights gained from this research will inform the future development of space system engineering and its associated cyber-physical architectures for SDA.\n \n References\n  E. Lagona, S. Hilton, A. M. Afful, A. Gardi, R. Sabatini \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Autonomous Trajectory Optimisation for Intelligent Satellite Systems Operations and Space Traffic Management\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Acta Astronautica, vol 194, pp. 185-201, 2022\n J. Guo, D. Maessen and E. Gill, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fractionated spacecraft: The new sprout in distributed space systems,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Guo, J., D. Maessen, and E. Gill, Fractionated spacecraft: The new sprout in distributed space systems. Vol. 8. 2009., 2009. \n W. YAO, X. CHEN, Y. ZHAO and M. v. TOOREN, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 A Fractionated Spacecraft System Assessment Tool Based on Lifecycle Simulation Under Uncertainty.,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 71-82, 2012. \n O. Brown and P. Eremenko, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fractionated Space Architectures: A Vision for Responsive Space,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in 4th Responsive Space Conference, Los Angeles, 2006. \n O. Brown and P. Eremenko, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Value Proposition for Fractionated Space Architectures.,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in AIAA SPACE Forum, 2006. \n J. Lafleur and J. Saleh, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153GT-FAST: A Point Design Tool for Rapid Fractionated Spacecraft Sizing and Synthesis,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in AIAA SPACE 2009 Conference & Exposition., 2009. \n A. Golkar and I. L. i. Cruz, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Federated Satellite Systems paradigm: Concept and business case evaluation.,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Acta Astronautica, vol. 111, pp. 230-248, 2015. \n I. Lluch and A. Golkar, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Design Implications for Missions Participating in Federated Satellite Systems,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, vol. 52, no. 5, pp. 1361 - 1374, 2015. \n J. A. Ruiz-de-Azua, L. Fernandez, J. F. Mu\u00c3\u00b1oz, M. Badia, R. Castella, C. Diez, A. Aguilella, S. Briatore, N. Garzaniti, A. Calveras, A. Golkar and A. Camps, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Proof-of-Concept of a Federated Satellite System Between Two 6-Unit CubeSats for Distributed Earth Observation Satellite Systems,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in IGARSS 2019 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andoh Michael Afful","title":"Autonomous Manoeuvring and Satellite Resilience","description":"Growing congestion in space has increased the need for spacecraft to develop resilience capabilities in response to natural and man-made hazards. Equipping satellites with increased manoeuvring capability has the potential to enhance resilience by altering their arrival conditions as they enter potentially hazardous regions. Reliance on space capabilities for defence and commercial operations and the global nature of space systems make it impossible to avoid overflying potentially hostile areas of the globe. Resilience through avoidance in space may be achieved by preventing the occurrence of hostile action. One way to prevent hostile action is to introduce uncertainty into the arrival conditions of space assets when they overfly potentially hazardous geographic regions. This uncertainty may be achieved by equipping space assets with enhanced manoeuvring capability that would allow them to modify their arrival conditions from those predicted by previous observations and orbit prediction algorithms. This project will develop manoeuvres to enhance resiliency and investigate the viability of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and optimisation techniques and tools to enable spacecraft autonomy.\n \n References\n E. Lagona, S. Hilton, A. M. Afful, A. Gardi, R. Sabatini \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Autonomous Trajectory Optimisation for Intelligent Satellite Systems Operations and Space Traffic Management\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Acta Astronautica, vol 194, pp. 185-201, 2022\n R. Burch, Resilient Space System Design: An Introduction, Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis, 2020\n M. Vasile, E. Minisci and K. Tang, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Computational Intelligence in Aerospace Science and Engineering,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine, vol. 12, pp. 12-13, 2017.\n P. Fortescue, Spacecraft Systems Engineering, 4th ed., West Sussex: Wiley, 2011.\n K. Thangavel, A. M. Afful, K. Ranasinghe, S. Hilton, S. Bijjahalli, A. Gardi and R. Sabatini, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Artificial Intelligence for Trusted Autonomous satellite Opeartions,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Internal Report, RMIT\/CPAS\/004-2021, Melbourne, Australia, June 2021","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Annie Liang","title":"Unmanned traffic management digital twin for drone-enabling future healthcare logistics systems","description":"With current technology, drones can improve patient survival, outcomes, and quality of life, particularly in remote areas lacking sufficient funds or relevant infrastructure. Compared to ground transportation, the speed, convenience and cost savings make them particularly applicable in emergency medicine. This research aims to study the digital infrastructure for the future healthcare logistic system to support a safe, on-time, and sustainable beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone delivery.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Using deep learning for predicting composites manufacturing process degradation","description":"The Resin Transfer Infusion (RFI) process, developed in the UK for the production of the Airbus A220 wing, has been heavily instrumented and a substantial quantity of data has been generated over the years. One parameter which needs to be carefully monitored, in the production of these wings, is the level of porosity in the resulting resin-infused non-crimp-fabric (NCF) carbon fibre reinforced composite structure. On occasion, a process degradation is observed through a commensurate increase in the measured porosity leading to part rejection when the volumetric porosity exceeds 2%. The aim of this project is to use deep learning algorithms to mine existing data and investigate whether it is possible to predict process degradation so that corrective measures may be implemented before the level of porosity exceeds acceptable limits. \n Objectives:\n - Develop suitable data infrastructure environment to be able to create any necessary metadata representations to allowing development of suitable analytic algorithms.\n - Undertake initial quality assessment of the data to investigate and address any missingness and inconsistencies using suitable imputation techniques.\n - Undertake investigative analytical approaches which will act to reveal any dependencies within the data, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s revealing any relationships.\n - Explore ensemble methods for improving the predictive performance and reducing variability of the model in close collaboration with the manufacturer in order to gain a better understanding of the relationship of the manufacturing process","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Enhancing the through-thickness thermal conductivity of carbon-fibre composite aerospace structures.","description":"This project is in collaboration with a major manufacturer of advanced composite aerospace structures. The predominant type of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites, qualified for flight, have relatively low through-thickness thermal conductivity compared to an aluminium equivalent. This reduces the efficiency of anti-icing devices, the majority of which are based on the extraction of hot air from the combustion chamber, which is fed through perforated piping to the inner surface of susceptible structures. The \u00e2\u20ac\u02dchot air bleed\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 from the engine reduces its efficiency and the required piping incurs a considerable weight and maintenance penalty. Wing leading edges are particularly susceptible to ice build-up which can lead to a rapid deterioration in aerodynamic performance, potentially leading to loss of aircraft control. Engine nacelle inlets also require anti-icing\/de-icing functionality since ice-build up in these regions will degrade the quality of airflow into the engine, degrading powerplant performance. Breakaway ice, ingested by the engine, may further result in internal structural damage. As powerplants and bypass ratios continue to become larger, so too does the nacelle structural weight and, consequently, the need to make these lighter. The move towards more electrification of on-board systems aims to do away with hot air bleed. The Boeing 787 is the first aircraft to use an electrothermal anti-icing\/de-icing system for its leading edges, incorporating a device developed by GKN. The engine nacelles still use a hot air bleed system, presumably as a result of the level of design and structural changes that would need to be made by the engine manufacturer, requiring a much greater level of airframe\/powerplant integration and co-development than is the current norm. Airframe\/powerplant integration has recently emerged as a priority for the industry as it recognises the rapid changes required to deliver aircraft with higher efficiency and, indeed, aiming towards net-zero tailpipe emissions. The aim of this project is to develop a composite material that provides a significant through-thickness thermal conductivity enhancement over current composite systems. Carbon nanotube enhanced composites have shown promise and this project will initially build on this work. A secondary challenging aspect of this work, contingent on progress on addressing the primary research question, is to consider the feasibility of simultaneously enhancing through-thickness thermal conductivity and surface (preferably not through-thickness) electrical conductivity for lightning strike protection.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Development of a reliable test for dynamic interlaminar fracture toughness measurements","description":"There is still much debate regarding the influence of strain rate on the apparent interlaminar fracture toughness of composite materials. A deeper understanding of this relationship is imperative if accurate computational models are to be developed which are truly predictive without the need of 'calibration'. Two approaches will be explored to cover a range of strain rates; one which uses a high-speed servo-hydraulic test machine (SHTM) and another which makes use of a split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB). Where strain rates overlap, comparative assessments will be conducted. The project will require the design and development of appropriate fixtures and specimens for Mode I, Mode II and mixed mode fracture testing. Computational analysis will be used to guide the design of the rig and specimens.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Brian G. Falzon","title":"Development of a reliable test for dynamic intralaminar fracture toughness measurements","description":"This project will explore the influence of strain rate on intralaminar fracture toughness Two approaches will be compared; one which makes use of compact tension\/compression (CT\/CC) tests, and a technique which exploits the size-effect law [20] where a series of self-similar double-notched specimens of different sizes are tested. Both approaches will be investigated and compared using a high-speed servo-hydraulic test machine (SHTM) and a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). One criticism of the CT\/CC approach is the difficulty in tracking the crack and the diffuse damage arising in CC tests (propagating kink-band). This is particularly pertinent for dynamic testing. High speed digital image correlation (DIC) will be used for tracking the crack. Moreover, CT\/CC specimens will be grooved to further ensure clear crack\/kink-band propagation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Cees Bil","title":"Improved Air Traffic Flow Optimisation using Weather Information","description":"This project aims to improve air traffic flow by optimising speed, altitude and heading based on given flight schedules. Flights are collaborative, they follow recommended speed, altitude and heading, so that the total fuel consumption over a given period is minimised. Standard conflict avoidance rules apply as well as given weather conditions enroute.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dorian Notman","title":"Aviation Safety Programs and their role in improving safety performance","description":"This sponsored PhD position based in Melbourne, Australia is for a suitably qualified and enthusiastic full-time student from an engineering or technical discipline. The industrial sponsor is the Flight Safety Foundation (Melbourne) and the project will involve significant time embedded within the sponsor. The project will also involve an internship within the FSF on related topics to develop the student\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s industrial experience and expertise. The topic is in the analysis of existing Aviation Safety Programs with a view to develop and incorporate enhanced risk management processes in line with contemporary Safety Management Systems for aviation organisations. Prior knowledge of, or experience in, Safety Management Systems, Safety\/Quality Management, Risk Management, Performance Improvement, Aviation Systems, and cognate areas will be valuable. This role will also involve a significant interaction with industry so excellent written\/spoken English and excellent presentation skills will be essential. \n The sponsorship involves a stipend from the FSF for living expenses (approximately AUD 33,000 per year for 3.5 years) and the tuition fees will be covered by RMIT. \n The student must be eligible for postgraduate study in Australia (https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/study-with-us\/international-students\/apply-to-rmit-international-students\/student-visas) and meet the programme entrance requirements (https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/study-with-us\/levels-of-study\/research-programs\/phd\/phd-aerospace-engineering-and-aviation-dr215%23admissions)\n The essential core skills will be in process design and data analysis. Specific techniques and methods can be developed during the project and this will be supported by RMIT. \n If this is interesting to you, check your eligibility at the links above. If you would like apply, contact Dorian Notman (dorian.notman@rmit.edu.au) for an initial discussion. The project will begin as soon as a suitable candidate is approved.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Matthew Marino","title":"Boundary layer augmentation of propellors for quieter and more efficient operation","description":"This project aims to enhance the performance of low Reynolds number propellers utilised in drones and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft by implementing boundary layer augmentation techniques. Low Reynolds number conditions, characteristic of these applications, often result in reduced propeller efficiency and increased noise levels due to the formation of a laminar separation bubble. This research seeks to address these challenges by investigating innovative methods to manipulate the boundary layer to reduce the bubble\u2019s adverse effects.\nThe project will involve a comprehensive study of boundary layer augmentation techniques, which may include passive methods such as specialised blade geometries and active methods like micro-jet or synthetic jet actuation. Numerical and CFD simulations will be conducted to analyse the flow behaviour and assess the effectiveness of different augmentation strategies. These findings will guide the design and optimisation of prototype propellers. Wind tunnel experiments will be used to validate each simulated concept.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400103 ; 400199"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Matthew Marino","title":"Engineering Drones for Novel Operations for Safety and Societal Advancement","description":"This PhD project investigates engineering strategies to revolutionise their utility and societal impact. Focusing on safety, sustainability, and growth, this research introduces novel engineering solutions that redefine drone usage.\nThis project will allow the candidate to research into the various aspects of drone operations and seek out solutions to current operational, engineering and performance problems. Anticipated contributions include expanded drone applications, heightened safety protocols, sustainability promotion, and profound societal enhancements. By generating sustainable engineering solutions, this research accelerates the integration of drones into civil society, paving the way for a safer and technologically advanced future.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400199"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Radiation Effects on the structure and properties of 3D printed ODS steels","description":"The recent acquisition of nuclear submarines by Australia, and the worldwide search for more efficient and safe nuclear reactor technologies for meeting future global energy demands, has renewed interest in developing high temperature radiation resistant materials. It is well known that radiation by neutrons and other high energy particles in a reactor can cause significant structural damage leading to mechanical property degradation and reduction in service life of a reactor.\n A class of high Cr ferritic steels with ultrafine grains and nanoscale precipitates, called Nanostructured ferritic alloys (NFAs) have been developed, which exhibit excellent creep and radiation resistant properties. The underlying principle behind these materials is that the enormous number of fine precipitates and grain boundaries provide an extremely large interfacial area which can act as a sink for radiation induced defects such as interstitials and vacancies. One of the major issues with producing these materials by mechanical alloying has been the inhomogeneity of the particle distribution of the second phase in the matrix. Such inhomogeneity can be severely detrimental to the radiation resistance and deformation characteristics of the alloys\n Therefore, in this project, it is proposed that ferritic alloys of similar composition and characteristics to those mentioned above will be produced, but via the alternative process of additive manufacturing using laser deposition. The main potential advantages of this method would be that, since it allows the use of alloy and oxide powders separately and enables the rapid solidification of extremely small amounts of material at a time, it would be possible to control the system better to produce a more homogeneous material. Different laser deposition parameters will be tried to obtain the best combination of creep and radiation resistance. These samples will then be irradiated with ion beams (as a surrogate for neutron irradiation), and examined using advanced electron microscopy techniques to study the microstructural damage caused thereby. They will further be tested by in situ micro-mechanical testing inside an electron microscope, allowing the assessment of property changes in the extremely small volume of ion irradiated material. The results will be analysed using advanced finite element and dislocation dynamics modelling.\n This project is expected to provide a new and improved method for producing creep and radiation tolerant structural materials for nuclear reactors in submarines and for power production. There will be both a theoretical and an experimental approach, which will contribute to overall understanding of the material system, thus paving the way for broader application of the techniques developed.\n The project provides opportunities to collaborate with the Department of Defence and with ANSTO, the premier nuclear science organisation of Australia.\n Knowledge and background in either solid mechanics, material science or finite element analysis, or in phase transformations, electron microscopy or mechanical testing will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n \n Collaboration: The project provides opportunities to collaborate with the Department of Defence and with ANSTO, the premier nuclear science organisation of Australia.\n \n Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge and background in either solid mechanics, material science or finite element analysis, or in phase transformations, electron microscopy or mechanical testing will be beneficial to undertake this project.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"091207 Metals and Alloy Materials  (50%) ; 091105 Ship and Platform Structures  (25%) ; 080110 Simulation and Modelling   (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vincenzo Muscarello","title":"Development of a Virtual Flight Laboratory for Structural Health Monitoring","description":"Development and maintenance of accurate and reliable structural health monitoring systems to ensure the safe and efficient operation of aerospace platforms is of ever-increasing importance. It is particularly essential for future aerospace vehicles having lighter and more flexible structures while being subjected to more extreme operating conditions acting over longer time periods than the current generation of vehicles. \n To provide significant improvements to vehicle performance and structural life management, RMIT University and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) are working on the development of a numerical flight simulation environment for assessing aerospace vehicle flight dynamics, in-flight load and stress distributions and aims to improve the Individual Aircraft Tracking capability.\n The FlightLab simulation tool will integrate aerostructural flight dynamics components through a state-space, plug-and-play architecture to support third-party software integration for system development, enabling:\n i) analysis of the vehicle's flight dynamics and simulation of complex manoeuvres;\n ii) evaluation of internal loads and stress\/strains in critical airframe locations;\n iii) prediction of structural failures supporting damage detection.\n The simulation environment will be designed to be modular and to incorporate heterogeneous subcomponents from different sources into the model. Intrinsic modularity will allow several advantages, including:\n 1) a broad range of approximation levels for each subsystem;\n 2) the possibility of using different sources of increasing sophistication to assemble models for the same component;\n 3) ease in model expansion to include additional components.\n Expected outcomes include an advanced methodology that enables accurate prediction of vehicle dynamics, through the development of high-fidelity Digital Twin models that can continuously monitor aerodynamic, structural, thermal, and other loading and forecast the structural health of the vehicle and the remaining useful life.\n \n [1] Levinski O., Verhagen W., Muscarello V., Scott M. J., Fayek H., Marzocca P., \"An Innovative High-Fidelity Approach to Structural Health Monitoring\" 20th Australian International Aerospace Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 2023.\n \n [2] Glaessgen, E.H., Stargel, D.S., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Digital Twin Paradigm for Future NASA and U.S. Air Force Vehicles\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Proceedings of the 53rd AIAA\/ASME\/ASCE\/AHS\/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, AIAA Paper 2012-1818, 2012\n \n [3] F. Saltari, C. Riso, G. De Matteis and F. Mastroddi, \"Finite-Element-Based Modeling for Flight Dynamics and Aeroelasticity of Flexible Aircraft,\" AIAA Journal of Aircraft, vol. 54, no. 6, pp. 2350-2366, 2017.\n \n [4] Guimar\u00c3\u00a3es Neto A. B., Silva R., Paglione P., Silvestre F., \"Formulation of the Flight Dynamics of Flexible Aircraft Using General Body Axes\", AIAA Journal, Vol. 54, no. 11, pp. 3516-3534, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vincenzo Muscarello","title":"Development of Control Laws for Whirl Flutter Suppression on Distributed Propulsion Aircraft","description":"Modern aircraft designs, such as electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles, often contain distributed propulsion systems (DPS) since electrification and hybridization simplify the integration of these systems and thanks to the benefits on aerodynamic efficiency. Nevertheless, several issues regarding aeroelastic response may occur on wings with DPS, which needs to be considered during aircraft design.\n From a structural dynamics point of view, even for a single propeller mounted on a flexible wing, aeroelastic phenomena such as whirl flutter may arise [1]. Whirl flutter requires one to consider the influence of rotating masses producing centrifugal, Coriolis, and gyroscopic forces\/moments in addition to aerodynamic loads. The instability is a whirl divergence that is the result of precession-generated aerodynamic hub forces. The precession is caused by in-plane aerodynamic forces that can destabilize the pitch or yaw degree of freedom of the wing\u00e2\u20ac\u201cpylon elastic suspension of the propellers [2].\n This project aims to develop Reduced Order Models (ROMs) of wing-propeller systems using linear aeroservoelastic tools [3, 4] and to design robust control laws for whirl flutter suppression. The control laws will be subsequently validated using more sophisticated simulation environments, based on nonlinear coupled multibody \u00e2\u20ac\u201c mid-fidelity tools [5].\n Expected outcomes include the capability to model complex aeroservoelastic systems to be enrolled in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) context, together with the design of robust control laws to prevent aeroelastic instabilities and to extend the aircraft flight envelope.\n \n [1] Bielawa R., \"Rotary Wing Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity,\" Second Edition, ISBN (print): 978-1-56347-698-3, AIAA Education Series, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2514\/4.862373 \n \n [2] Reed,W. H., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Propeller-RotorWhirl Flutter: A State-of-the-Art Review,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 4, (3), 1966, pp. 526 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 544. doi: 10.1016\/0022-460X(66)90142-8\n \n [3] Masarati P., Muscarello V., Quaranta G., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Linearized aeroservoelastic analysis of rotary-wing aircraft,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in 36th European Rotorcraft Forum (ERF 2011), 2010, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c10.\n \n [4] Muscarello V. and Quaranta G., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Structural coupling and whirl-flutter stability with pilot-in-the-loop,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Journal of the American Helicopter Society vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c16, 2021. Available: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4050\/JAHS.66.032003 \n \n [5] Savino, A.; Cocco, A.; Zanotti, A.; Tugnoli, M.; Masarati, P.; Muscarello, V. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Coupling Mid-Fidelity Aerodynamics and Multibody Dynamics for the Aeroelastic Analysis of Rotary-Wing Vehicles\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Energies 2021, no. 14, 6979. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/en14216979","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wim Verhagen","title":"Mixed Reality for Aircraft Maintenance and Sustainment","description":"Mixed Reality (MR) has in recent years proven its potential in improving efficiency of operations and sustainment in multiple application domains. MR merges elements of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to seamlessly blend real-world elements and virtual content, allowing for better information retrieval, task execution, control and (remote) support for complex tasks. MR therefore has several unique advantages over existing approaches towards sustainment tasks and has furthermore shown potential across a range of operational environments. In terms of impact, MR can deliver time savings, improved knowledge transfer and learning outcomes, and increased productivity. Despite significant interest in MR from a large variety of aerospace companies, academic partners and indeed Defence itself, MR has not yet penetrated the aerospace sustainment sector at significant scale, either nationally or internationally. Several practical and theoretical gaps remain to be addressed, including 1) achieving an increased understanding of learning and training performance using MR technology, 2) the identification and selection of appropriate performance measures to reliably capture the effectiveness of MR in various operational scenarios, 3) the integration of formal MR process representations in multi-criteria decision support models and approaches.\n \n This research aims to address the challenges highlighted above by developing and testing MR for representative maintenance decision processes under real-life conditions. This will be enabled by a systematic review, development, verification and validation of appropriate MR performance metrics in training and, ideally, actual sustainment scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wim Verhagen","title":"Structural Prognostics and Health Management for aircraft maintenance decision support","description":"Current approaches to aircraft maintenance are primarily reactive and driven by scheduled inspection intervals and preventive maintenance. However, there has recently been a major shift towards actionable and pro-active condition-based maintenance to significantly reduce fleet sustainment costs [1]. On a trajectory towards the realisation of aircraft Digital Twin technology, Next Generation (NextGen) aircraft programs [2] are beginning to adopt this new paradigm, known as Structural Prognostics and Health Management (SPHM). Although NextGen aircraft are designed and fitted with SPHM sensory networks, full exploitation of this hardware requires several rapid technological developments. This includes novel methodologies for i) intelligent sensor processing, systems integration and data fusion, ii) smart structural anomaly diagnostics, and iii) state-of-the-art aircraft prognostics techniques; iv) systematic decision support approaches for operational and tactical time horizons while accounting for internal and external sources of uncertainty, such as model uncertainty or resource availability constraints. Currently, detection, diagnosis and resolution of structural anomalies requires aircraft grounding and physical inspection, which reduces aircraft availability\/mission readiness and is expensive. Furthermore, prediction of future events is usually not supported or present at a relatively low degree of fidelity. Hence, driven by the SPHM concept, smart structural anomaly diagnostics and prognostics refers to rapid detection, localisation, tracking and prediction of these structural events, which would allow for pro-active decision support and thereby substantially increase availability and reduce sustainment costs. The candidate will join the RMIT aeroelasticity research group, who have been working towards the realisation of SPHM-based technologies in collaboration with Australian Defence Science and Technology for the past years. The aim of the PhD project is to make a major contribution towards SPHM and Digital Twin technology through the development of state-of-the-art smart diagnostics\/prognostics and decision support algorithms for NextGen individual aircraft tracking and health management. The research will harness a truly-multi-disciplinary environment, where both fundament and practical aspects of physics-based aerodynamic\/structural modelling, nonlinear system identification, data fusion\/analytics, machine learning and decision making models are integral components.\n \n References:\n [1] Kappas, J. and Frith, P., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153From HUMS to PHM: Are we there yet?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d 17th Australian International Aerospace Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 2017. [2] Fallon, T., Mahal, D., and Hebden, I., \u00e2\u20ac\u0153F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Structural Prognostics and Health Management An Overview\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, 25th SYMPOSIUM of the International Committee on Aeronautical Fatigue, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2009.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Damage Tolerant Hybrid Composite Materials for Applications in Critical Aerospace Structures","description":"Fiber reinforced composites are often considered and selected for weight-critical structural applications due to their high specific stiffness and strength. However, lack of sufficient knowledge in the failure and life time prediction methodologies implies that the composite structures are often over designed with a large factor of safety, and numerous tests are to be performed on prototypes for prediction of performance over the required life time. Residual strength degradation and fatigue behaviour of composite laminates are of vital importance to the damage tolerance design of structures. Cyclic loading causes adverse effects and leads to accumulated damage and degradation of residual strength in composite laminates. Predicting the residual strength of composite structures for both monotonic and fatigue loading has several advantages in the design of critical load bearing structures and components. The aims of the research are to develop efficient and accurate computational and experimental methodologies for characterising hybrid, multifunctional fibre metal laminate composites for aerospace components. This includes damage type, location, mechanisms under complex monotonic and fatigue (cyclic) loading and assessing their effects on the residual strength degradation and consequent fatigue life. Using this information, a parametric study will be conducted with different composite material parameters (thickness, lay-up, and types of fibre and matrix) in order to develop optimised FML composites with high durability and fatigue life.\n The expected outcomes of this research will be well-validated computational analysis methods to predict failure mode, and quantify defect and damage produced in fibre metal laminate composites. The models can be used to predict residual strength and estimate fatigue life of composite structures under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The modelling and optimisation tools will then be used in developing high strength composites with high durability and longer service life for critical aerospace components. The project provides opportunities to collaborate with aircraft industries and research institutes in the UK and Germany. Knowledge and background in Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n References:\n [1]. Shokrieh, M.M. and L.B. Lessard, Progressive Fatigue Damage Modeling of Composite Materials, Part I: Modeling. Journal of Composite Materials, 2000. 34(13): p. 1056-1080. [2]. Afaghi-Khati, A., L. Ye, and Y.-W. Mai, Effective Crack Growth and Residual Strength of Composite Laminates with a Sharp Notch. Journal of Composite Materials, 1996. 30(3): p. 333-357. [3]. Koo, J.-M., J.-H. Choi, and C.-S. Seok, Prediction of post-impact residual strength and fatigue characteristics after impact of CFRP composite structures. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2014. 61(0): p. 300-306.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"MR215","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Damage Tolerant Hybrid Composite Materials for Applications in Critical Aerospace Structures","description":"Fiber reinforced composites are often considered and selected for weight-critical structural applications due to their high specific stiffness and strength. However, lack of sufficient knowledge in the failure and life time prediction methodologies implies that the composite structures are often over designed with a large factor of safety, and numerous tests are to be performed on prototypes for prediction of performance over the required life time. Residual strength degradation and fatigue behaviour of composite laminates are of vital importance to the damage tolerance design of structures. Cyclic loading causes adverse effects and leads to accumulated damage and degradation of residual strength in composite laminates. Predicting the residual strength of composite structures for both monotonic and fatigue loading has several advantages in the design of critical load bearing structures and components. The aims of the research are to develop efficient and accurate computational and experimental methodologies for characterising hybrid, multifunctional fibre metal laminate composites for aerospace components. This includes damage type, location, mechanisms under complex monotonic and fatigue (cyclic) loading and assessing their effects on the residual strength degradation and consequent fatigue life. Using this information, a parametric study will be conducted with different composite material parameters (thickness, lay-up, and types of fibre and matrix) in order to develop optimised FML composites with high durability and fatigue life.\n The expected outcomes of this research will be well-validated computational analysis methods to predict failure mode, and quantify defect and damage produced in fibre metal laminate composites. The models can be used to predict residual strength and estimate fatigue life of composite structures under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The modelling and optimisation tools will then be used in developing high strength composites with high durability and longer service life for critical aerospace components. The project provides opportunities to collaborate with aircraft industries and research institutes in the UK and Germany. Knowledge and background in Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis will be beneficial to undertake this project.\n References:\n [1]. Shokrieh, M.M. and L.B. Lessard, Progressive Fatigue Damage Modeling of Composite Materials, Part I: Modeling. Journal of Composite Materials, 2000. 34(13): p. 1056-1080. [2]. Afaghi-Khati, A., L. Ye, and Y.-W. Mai, Effective Crack Growth and Residual Strength of Composite Laminates with a Sharp Notch. Journal of Composite Materials, 1996. 30(3): p. 333-357. [3]. Koo, J.-M., J.-H. Choi, and C.-S. Seok, Prediction of post-impact residual strength and fatigue characteristics after impact of CFRP composite structures. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2014. 61(0): p. 300-306.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Digital Twin and Machine Learning-assisted Thermal Management and Advanced Manufacturing","description":"The next generation of defence technology follows the technological trends which are currently being observed on a broader scale throughout the sector. This includes a major focus on weight reduction, improved safety, enhanced reliability and robust functionality and highly integrated intelligence-based systems including. The development of such state-of-the-art technologies in the defence space requires an integrated multi-disciplinary approach, with high-fidelity \u201cvirtual test\u201d numerical modelling being critical. This report discusses progress to date of a state-of-art modelling technology for a defence system, with a focus on high-flux conjugate thermal fluid dynamic simulation to capture the transient event for thermal management. A machine-based learning strategy to assist the modelling process will be developed in detail to broaden predictive modelling capability. In this project, student will engage with industry partner, Thales, one the leading defence manufacturing company in Australia and in the world. Regular training and onsite visit and discussion with the industrial engineers will be required and to provide student with unique research and practical training environment. \u2022 Candidates with backgrounds in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering are preferred with expertise in CFD, Matlab or thermal modelling. Experiences with modelling software like Ansys Fluent will be highly evaluated. Students with skill, expertise in machine learning are highly encouraged to apply. \u2022 Candidate should be an Australian citizen.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Graham Dorrington","title":"Experimental investigation of electric propulsion system intended for micro-satellite","description":"Experimental investigation of the performance of a robust, lightweight, high specific impulse electric propulsion system intended for micro-satellite low Earth orbit manoeuvring, using a thermal vacuum test chamber","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Raj Das","title":"Fire-retardant and lightweight composite materials for rolling stock carriages","description":"The adoption of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in the design of passenger and freight trains reduces the vehicle weight considerably, thereby increasing the payload and decreasing energy consumption and environmental damage. The use of FRP composites in the railway industry ranges from cellular\/sandwich materials for floor boards, laminates for loading-carrying structures to recyclable and biodegradable composites for the interior. However, the presence of highly flammable organic matrices in FRP composites, is one of the most limiting factors inhibiting wide spread adoption of these materials in rolling stock carriages. Polymeric components in transport vehicles have been identified as primary sources of combustible materials that initiate and sustain combustion, consequently presenting the risk of injuries to the passengers. The wide spread use of FRP composites in railway sectors can only serve to increase this fire risk. There is a lack of understanding of the flammability and fire resistance of FRP composites for railway applications. As such, there are growing concerns that current fire regulations may not adequately address the safety requirements and should be amended to be comparable to those prevailing in the aviation industry. This project aims to develop lightweight structural FRP composites exhibiting multifunctional properties including acoustic and thermal insulation, vibration damping and most importantly improved fire performance and fire structural resistance. Specifically, the proposed project will lead to the development of fire-safe and structurally-efficient composite materials for rolling stock carriages and a multi-physics numerical model with the ability to simulate the fire response of these structures under service conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"JJ Richardson, Ali Zavabeti","title":"Advanced Metal-Organic Thin Films for Next-Generation Technologies","description":"Imagine ultra-thin, high-performance coatings that could transform industries\u2014from cutting-edge sensors to sustainable energy solutions and next-generation wearable devices. A new class of safe, scalable metal-organic materials has recently been discovered, offering remarkable functional properties with immense potential for real-world applications.\n\nIn this PhD project, you will explore, design, and develop these materials to unlock their capabilities for advanced device applications. Your work could lead to breakthroughs in energy storage and production, wearable devices, bio-sensors, and a range of optoelectronic sensors. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge materials science, work with state-of-the-art synthesis and characterization techniques, and help shape the future of sustainable technology.\n\nIf you're passionate about innovation, materials discovery, and pushing the boundaries of science, this project is for you!","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2027-01-01","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 Functional Materials (50%)\n400902 Digital Electronics Devices (25%)\n400404 Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim","title":"Developing novel membranes for efficient removal of emerging contaminants in wastewater recycling","description":"Wastewater reuse is critical to addressing global water scarcity, yet conventional treatment processes struggle to remove trace micropollutants including pharmaceuticals (e.g., antibiotics), personal care products, micro- and nano-plastics. These contaminants pose significant ecological and human health risks due to their persistence and bioaccumulation and therefore limit usability of the recycled water. Membrane-based processes such as forward osmosis (FO) and membrane distillation (MD) offer energy-efficient alternatives for wastewater recycling. However, existing membrane processes face limitations in selectivity, fouling, and water flux, particularly for small and complex micropollutants. This project will focus on designing novel membranes (e.g., through new material composition and fabrication methods) and optimising the membrane processes to achieve high rejection of micropollutants, high water throughput, and strong antifouling capabilities. The focused membrane technology and targeted micropollutants in this study will be determined through a thorough literature review and investigated by the respective experimental programs that utilise commercial membranes as benchmarks. This project will advance membrane science by addressing critical gaps in micropollutant removal, directly contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6: Clean Water and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption). The developed membrane technology will facilitate sustainable wastewater treatment in industries and municipalities, mitigating environmental contamination and enabling safe water reuse. The project will provide the PhD candidate with the opportunity to collaborate with researchers at external organisations such as CSIRO Manufacturing. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2027-12-06","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410 Wastewater treatment processes (50%)\n401101 Separation technologies (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Zavabeti, Vikram Garaniya","title":"Atomaterials Discovery for Next-Generation Sensors and Sustainability","description":"Designing and configuring materials at the atomic scale presents an exciting pathway for developing next-generation smart functional materials for sensors and wearable technologies. This project aims to explore atomic-level manipulation to achieve tunable functionalities, with a focus on fundamental investigations into charge doping and interactions within materials. By uncovering these mechanisms, the project seeks to pave the way for advanced applications in emerging technologies.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 Sensor Technology (Inc. chemical aspects)\n401810 Nanoscale characterisations"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ibrahim Hakeem","title":"Resource recovery from organic wastes through co-digestion and thermal treatment","description":"The project will explore through experiments and theoretical modelling the maximisation of resource recovery from diverse organic waste streams including sewage sludge, food organics, garden organics, and trade waste by combining anaerobic digestion and thermal treatments. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403-50% \n400402-50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Zavabeti, Vikram Garaniya","title":"Process and Materials Engineering for Energy Conversion and Storage","description":"This project focuses on optimizing energy management and process design for energy and chemical production and storage, incorporating advanced materials and innovative methodologies. It aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and energy efficiency of novel materials and processes, offering an integrated approach to sustainable technologies. The project encourages collaboration across disciplines, providing opportunities for students in materials science, chemical engineering, and process simulation to contribute to cutting-edge research and technological advancements.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403 Chemical Engineering Design (50%)\n401605 Functional Materials (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vikram Garaniya","title":"Biofouling Management of Maritime Assets","description":"Marine biofouling of external structure surfaces and connected internal systems is a major concern in the maritime industry.  It causes significant detrimental effects on all seawater-immersed marine systems, including vessels, offshore rigs, wave-energy converters, undersea pipelines, and fishing nets. \n\nIt adversely affects marine vessels through the loss of speed, decreased manoeuvrability, increased fuel consumption (and thereby increased emissions of harmful gases), inefficient operation and damage to machinery reliant on seawater intake, increased frequency of costly and time-consuming biofouling remediation (e.g. dry docking), domestic and international translocation of invasive species, impact on acoustic sensor performance, and the increased vulnerability of warships and submarines from cavitation induced wake and broadband acoustic noise. The scope of this project is constrained to external biofouling.  It has been estimated that frictional drag resulting from external biofouling can reduce the speed of a ship by more than 10%, and a biofouled ship can burn 40% more fuel. The shipping industry needs a proper balance to prevent\/reduce biofouling on surfaces immersed in seawater yet maintaining designed performance parameters. \n\nThe project has the following three main interconnected tasks.\n\nHydrodynamic Performance Modelling: The candidate will develop a new methodology using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools to predict the performance degradation of vessels under various external marine biofouling conditions. The investigation will study the impact on parameters such as speed reduction, fuel consumption, harmful exhaust emission increase, and manoeuvrability. \n\nValidation and Testing: The candidate will conduct experiments to validate the numerical models and prepare the data for developing resilient design solutions. This ensures the practical applicability and effectiveness of the developed models. \n\nResilient Design Framework: The candidate will develop a framework for naval vessel designs that are resilient to biofouling and provide optimum hydrodynamic performance. The framework will be applied to a case study of a baseline hull and will include recommendations for application to novel hull designs, coatings and materials. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"4004 Chemical Engineering and 4011 Environmental Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vikram Garaniya, Kalpit Shah, Kevin Zhang, Mohammad Aminpour ","title":"Risk-Based Asset Integrity Management of Water Infrastructure","description":"1. Tentative Topic: Asset Integrity Management of Water Utilities\n\n2. Scope of Work: \n\u2022        Review the Available Approaches to Asset Integrity:  Conduct a thorough assessment of different asset integrity management strategies currently utilised in the industry. This includes identifying best practices, methodologies, and tools that ensure the reliability and safety of water infrastructure assets.\n\u2022        Examine Applicable Codes and Standards for Water Infrastructure in Australia and Victoria:  Investigate the relevant regulations, codes, and standards that govern the construction, operation, and maintenance of water infrastructure in Australia, specifically focusing on Victorian legislation. This will ensure compliance with legal requirements and industry benchmarks.\n\u2022        Develop a Probabilistic Degradation Model: Create a model that assesses the likelihood of degradation in water infrastructure assets over time. This model should incorporate factors such as environmental conditions, material properties, and operational loadings to provide a comprehensive risk assessment of asset deterioration.\n\u2022        Develop a Failure Model:  Design a failure model that identifies potential asset failure modes and analyses the mechanisms that could lead to these failures. This model should include both historical data and predictive analytics to understand how and when failures may occur.\n\u2022        Formulate a Consequence Model: Develop a consequence model that evaluates the ramifications of asset failures. This should consider factors such as economic impact, environmental effects, and implications for public safety, providing a holistic view of the risks associated with asset failure.\n\u2022        Construct an Asset Risk Model: Integrate the findings from the degradation, failure, and consequence models to create a comprehensive asset risk model. This model should quantify the overall risk associated with assets, allowing for informed decision-making regarding asset management.\n\u2022        Develop an Asset Risk Management System:  Establish a structured system for managing the risks identified through the asset risk model. This system should include policies, procedures, and resources needed to address risks and implement mitigation strategies proactively.\n\u2022        Test and Validate All Models:  Implement testing and validation processes for each model to ensure their accuracy and reliability. This may involve scenario analysis, back-testing with historical data, and peer reviews to confirm that the models function as intended.\n\u2022        Apply the Models in Practical Scenarios: Use the validated models in real-world applications to assess their effectiveness and practicality. Conduct pilot projects or case studies to demonstrate how these models can improve asset integrity management and reduce risks in water infrastructure.\n\n3. Objectives:\n\n\u2022        Develop an innovative risk-based asset integrity management system for water infrastructure. This model will incorporate advanced methodologies that identify and assess potential risks to ensure the long-term sustainability of water assets.\n\n\u2022        Apply this model effectively in order to minimise risks associated with water infrastructure. Enhance the reliability and safety of water delivery systems, ultimately safeguarding public health and preserving environmental quality.\n\n\u2022        Integrate data-driven decision-making processes that will allow for continuous asset integrity monitoring and evaluation. This will enable proactive maintenance strategies that extend the lifespan of water infrastructure.\n\n\u2022        Assess the impact of the developed system on operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that it provides a robust safety framework and contributes to overall resource management and optimisation within the water sector.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"4004 Chemical Engineering and 4011 Environmental Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh Veluswamy","title":"Sustainable graphite production from biomass","description":"Design a novel, eco-friendly, and cost-effective method of producing graphite from biomass and other waste feedstocks","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400403-50%\n400402-50%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Daniel Lester","title":"Efficient pipeline transportation of highly concentrated wastewater sludges","description":"The project expects to generate new knowledge about the complex flow of concentrated wastewater sludge which will enable predictive models to support the design and optimization of sludge pipeline transport systems. Expected outcomes of the project contributes toward developing a new toolkit that will enable wastewater treatment plants to design and optimize both existing and future pipeline systems. This will support the Australian wastewater industry to plan for future growth, increase throughput and efficiency, reduce environmental pollutants, and capital and operating costs. This project involves close collaboration with a research team with extensive experience in sludge rheology and fluid mechanic as well as Melbourne Water research team.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401211        Multiphysics flows (incl. multiphase and reacting flows), 40%\n401212        Non-Newtonian fluid flows (incl. rheology), 40%\n410404        Environmental management, 20%\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh Veluswamy","title":"Resource recovery from organics via hydrothermal processing","description":"Develop an optimized hydrothermal process for wet biomass conversion into quality bio-oil, focusing on increasing reaction efficiency and product yield.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400402 -25%\n400403- 50%\n400408- 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Nasir Mahmood","title":"Development of a Sustainable Pathways for Extraction of High Value Pure Materials from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) ","description":"Spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in Australia are increasing by 20 % annually. Approximately 5290 tonnes of LIB waste were generated in Australia during the 2017-2018 financial year, but only 320 tonnes were sent to upcycling facilities. This project aims to develop sustainable upcycling pathways for extraction of high-value pure materials from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This project will involve developing the upcycling process by utilising a range of organic acids and optimising it through laboratory scale testing. The process will start with the selective dissolving of Li-ion compounds from used batteries, followed by optimization of experimental variables like leaching temperature, time and acids concentration. In order to maximize the effective solubility of lithium-ion compounds for various combinations of organic acids, statistical optimization will be used to refine the promising routes. The effectiveness of the upcycling pathways will be assessed using a variety of analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410404        Environmental management (50%)\n400404        Electrochemical energy storage and conversion"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Nasir Mahmood","title":"Microplastic removal from waterways","description":"Microplastics are not detectable and removable through conventional treatment systems which is scary as a huge amount of these is being released into aquatic systems every day. Microplastics are a life-threatening pollutant not only for aquatic life but also have significant negative impacts on human health. It is such a dangerous pollutant as if even landfilled, it takes up to 450 years to be degraded. Thus, it is time to capture this pollutant efficiently and treated it properly to effectively save aquatic life and protect both human health and the environment.\nThere are many industries which require this sort of treatment to remove this sort of hazardous pollutant being released into water. Specifically, water utilities, food manufactures, packaging, health care, textile etc. are the major end users of this developed technology.\nRecently, our team developed adsorbents that can remove this undetectable hazardous microplastics from water through a simple adsorption process without leaving any fingerprint of secondary pollutants. This project aims to build on the previous success to expand the suitability of the adsorbent at industrial scales. \nThis project is suitable for those one who have passion to make a positive impact on human life and environment by contributing to the development of the adsorbent. MPs is a global issue and acquiring knowledge in this area provide a competitive edge in job market.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410404        Environmental management (50%)\n401605        Functional materials (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Maazuza Othman, Raj Parthasarathy","title":"Improving biogas from anaerobic digestion utilizing pre-treated sewage sludge (Thermal hydrolysis and wet oxidation of sludge)","description":"Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable environmental technology to recover energy and stabilise the biosolids from WWTP. However, hydrolysis is the rate limiting step for biosolids, leading to slow degradation and requiring long retention times. Many pretreatment technologies have shown to improve the kinetics of anaerobic biodegradation of sludge, accelerate the hydrolysis and enhance biogas productivity and affect the characteristics of digested sludge. Pretreatment technologies applied at industrial scale in WWTP include thermal hydrolysis (TH), ultrasound, high pressure homogenizers, electric-pulse and ozonization . TH (>100 \u00b0C) has shown to improve methane yields by 51-340% by enhancing sludge solubilisation, and improve dewaterability and achieve complete disinfection of treated sludge. On the other hand, wet air oxidation process (150-320 \u00b0C, at 20\u2013150 bar and with a residence time 15\u2013120 min) has shown to improve dewaterability, destruction of organic matter (92-95%) and biogas production (24-59%) of sludge. However, there is no comparison on the technical, energy and economic evaluation of WAOP and TH in the literature. Therefore, this project will provide required design data for WAOP process at industrial scale in terms of energy efficiency.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicky Eshtiaghi, Daniel Lester","title":"Sludge rheology and its impact on pumping and heating wastewater sludge ","description":"Due to increasing pressures from population growth and urbanization, climate change and decreasing land availability, there exists a strong global drive to significantly intensify the capacity of existing wastewater treatment plants. For tertiary treatment processes, this inevitably means a transition to processing of more concentrated sludges in e.g. anaerobic digesters, associated pipe works, pumps and heat exchangers. This transition represents a serious challenge, however, as the rheological complexity of these sludges rapidly change from slightly non-Newtonian (water-like) to strongly viscoelastic-plastic (gloopy and gooey) with relatively small changes in solids concentration. These fundamental changes in material properties present serious processing challenges and demand new approaches to the design and operation of sludge processing and transport. The complex rheology of concentrated sludges means that these challenges cannot be addressed naively by e.g. simply increasing pumping power or pipe diameter or surface area of heat exchangers. This project aims to develop new insights into the rheology and fluid mechanics of rheologically complex materials under laminar, transient, and turbulent flows and its impact on heat transfer. The project shall a new insight for the design, optimisation and operation of pipeline and associated infrastructure such as heat exchanger in concentrated wastewater sludges via experimental investigation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes 30%\n401211        Multiphysics flows (incl. multiphase and reacting flows) 35%\n401212        Non-Newtonian fluid flows (incl. rheology), 35%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdokht Shaibani, Torben Daeneke","title":"Investigating Failure Mechanisms in Commercially Relevant Lithium-Sulfur Batteries","description":"Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries offer significant promise due to their high energy density and the abundance of sulfur. However, their commercial viability is limited by performance and stability challenges, particularly those related to the degradation and failure of key battery components.\n\nThis collaborative project with Monash University aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that cause failure in Li-S batteries, focusing on issues such as polysulfide dissolution, sulfur cathode degradation, and the stability of the lithium anode. Through a combination of experimental work and advanced characterization techniques (e.g., electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, SEM, XPS), the research will seek to identify and mitigate the critical factors limiting the lifespan and efficiency of Li-S batteries.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"50% Environmental Engineering (4011), 50% Chemical Engineering (4004)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdokht Shaibani, Torben Daeneke","title":"Gallium\u2010based liquid metals for lithium\u2010ion batteries","description":"We invite passionate and motivated candidates to join our cutting-edge research project focused on revolutionizing lithium-ion battery technology. Our innovative approach leverages gallium nanodroplets as anode materials, synthesized using a proprietary method. These nanodroplets exhibit exceptional properties, making them ideal for high-performance battery applications.\n\nThis groundbreaking technology offers a robust alternative to traditional graphite anodes, promising superior energy storage capacity, extended cycle life, and rapid charging capabilities. Beyond performance enhancements, our solution addresses critical safety concerns and supply chain issues associated with graphite, paving the way for more reliable and sustainable energy storage solutions.\n\nJoin us in this exciting research journey to develop the next generation of lithium-ion batteries, with the potential to significantly impact the future of energy storage.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"50% Environmental Engineering (4011), 50% Chemical Engineering (4004)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"JJ Richardson","title":"Exploring the formation and application of metal-organic nanomaterials","description":"Metal-organic nanomaterials offer significant promise for the rational design of functional nanomaterials due to their hybrid metal and organic properties. We are currently synthesizing a variety of metal-organic nanomaterials including metal-phenolic networks, metal-organic frameworks, and coordination polymers for a range of applications, such as agriculture, medicine, and forensics.\n\nThis project will explore the rational design of metal-organic nanomaterials and their use in different applications depending on the engineered properties of the materials. An ideal candidate will have a diverse scientific background that does not need to be in an any specific discipline. Experimentation will range from advanced microscopy techniques to materials characterization and potentially biological assays.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh Veluswamy","title":"Conversion of Waste Materials into Value Added Carbon Nanomaterials","description":"This project will involve the fundamental investigations related to 1.) the screening of the most suitable catalysts\nfor the vapor deposition process and 2.) the process and reactor design to produce ultra-high purity carbon nanomaterials from waste materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400401 (carbon capture engineering) - 25%\n400402  (chemical and thermal process in energy and combustion) - 50%\n400403 (Chemical engineering design) - 25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Namita Roy Choudhury","title":"2D material based aerogel suitable for clean energy and water","description":"A group of two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials, have been extensively exploited for various applications, including electrochemical catalysis, energy storage, water treatment, and electromagnetic interference shielding. However, fabrication of three-dimensional architectures with a tailored porous structure and desired physical\/mechanical properties remains a major challenge. Using various nanofibrous polymeric materials and their concentrated dispersion, we aim to create entangled nanofibrillar network with excellent 3D printability. In this work, we will perform the fabrication of three-dimensional microporous aerogels by integrating polymeric nanofibers with MXene nanosheets via a 3D printing strategy. The 3D printed aerogels are expected to possess low density, high electrical conductivity, and excellent mechanical properties suitable for diverse applications. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400406 Powder and particle technology; \n400404 Electrochemical energy storage and conversion; \n400411Water treatment processes"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Namita Roy Choudhury","title":"Biomimetic hydrogel for adhesion and repair","description":"The project aims to create a strong biomimetic sticky gel platform prepared from the fusion of proteins and polymers which entail fast regulation of wet adhesion on diverse surfaces with the right level of stick but allows movement during repair. The expected outcome is a versatile adhesive platform to deliver the next generation of bioadhesives with tunable flexibility and wet adhesion. The interfacial rheology, photorheology and spectroscopic imaging will provide fundamental understanding of these bioadhesives for their use as soft electrode or implantable bioadhesive. The project should provide tremendous opportunities for this unique gel family application in tissue adhesion\/repair and as implantable bioadhesives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"401609 (50%), 091205 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Jue Hou, Felicity Roddick","title":"Algal Membrane Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery","description":"Nutrients (e.g., N and P) in wastewater are valuable resources which should be reclaimed. It is also essential to remove them from wastewater to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge, e.g., N <10 mg\/L and P <0.5 mg\/L for Victorian inland water bodies (EPA Victoria 1995). Algae can be used for wastewater treatment and resource recovery by taking up N and P, and removing chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) including pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the wastewater. However, this technology can be limited by the low concentration of algal cells in the system, and the difficulty in separating the tiny sized cells after the treatment. To maintain high cell concentrations and achieve high separation efficiency, algal bioreactors may be integrated with membranes, i.e., a algal membrane bioreactors (AMBRs). This project aims to develop an algal membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment and resource recovery through the assessment of the influence of various process variables and process optimisation. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410 Wastewater treatment processes (60%)\n400409 Separation\u00a0technologies (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim, Felicity Roddick","title":"Chemoinformatic tool for predicting removal of CECs in wastewater treatment lagoons","description":"Typically, 100-150 chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) enter municipal wastewater treatment plants. Of the 1,234 wastewater treatment plants in Australia, 737 are predominantly lagoon-based and 943 partly lagoon-based. Currently, it is not possible to predict the efficiency of CEC removal, and thus the risk associated with the treated water.\n\nSunlight-induced photodegradation is a major pathway for the removal of CECs, which are then further chemically or biologically broken down in aquatic systems. The photodegradation of most CECs in wastewater primarily occurs via indirect photolysis which is driven by secondary reactions between the CECs with four major photochemically produced reactive intermediates (PPRIs). PPRIs are generated by the sunlight excitation of photosensitisers, such as nitrates and dissolved organic matter, present in the water.\n\nOngoing work at RMIT has shown that indirect photolysis depends on CEC structure, as well as wastewater properties, temperature and sunlight irradiance, all of which vary over time. The different PPRIs react to different extents with various CECs, and PPRI production varies with these variables, leading to different extents of CEC photolysis.\n\nThe overall aim of the project is to develop a wastewater lagoon photolysis model to enable prediction of the photolytic removal of CECs during lagoon wastewater treatment.\nTo achieve this, the student will work with the project team to determine the relationships between different classes of CECs and wastewater characteristics, temperature, irradiance and PPRI production and their photolytic removal. The resulting model will be tested and validated in the project sponsor\u2019s lagoons.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes (80%)\n401106        Waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang, Kalpit Shah","title":"Processing complex fluid melts using advanced induction heating systems ","description":"This Project will develop a model of material dynamics and heat transfer within a commercial vertical induction heating reactor. This novel reactor gains significant efficiency by melting plastic on a larger scale than conventional extruders and avoiding preprocessing for \u2018hard to recycle\u2019 plastics. In-field measurements will explore the behaviour of the complex non-Newtonian fluids present in this system. This Project addresses a significant scientific knowledge gap in the understanding of the rheology and thermal behaviour bulk plastic melt-flows. This will deliver an accurate model of inductively heated polymer melt-flow processing in larger scale systems. A short horizon to very significant impact is likely. An expanded understanding of these very simple and efficient reactor systems will make available their greater added value with lower energy and capital expenditure demands both to the Australian recycling industry but also to the wider process design and 3D metal fabrication communities.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400402 Chemical and thermal processes in energy and combustion (60%)\n400408 Reaction engineering (excl. nuclear reactions0 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ganesh K Veluswamy","title":"Optimisation of aeration process for sewage treatment plant through oxygen enrichment","description":"The RMIT school of engineering funded PhD stipend scholarship will address challenges associated with existing aeration systems in wastewater treatment plants. The objective of this PhD program is to explore the fundamental science around oxygen transfer and intake during removal of BOD and COD in aeration process, through experiments and modelling.  This project will also develop an improved understanding around the relationship between oxygen concentration and sludge rheology. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"- 400404 Chemical engineering design (50%)\n- 400410 Wastewater treatment processes (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke, Ken Chiang","title":"Heterogeneous liquid metal catalysis","description":"Non-toxic, room temperature liquid metals have recently been discovered as an intriguing class of catalysts that are highly resistant to coking and deactivation. Recent examples of liquid metal catalysis developed at RMIT include the conversion of CO2 into solid carbon at comparatively benign reaction conditions. Here the liquid nature of the metallic catalysts offers a unique reaction environment that enables this challenging reaction without being compromised by coking. Similar reaction schemes for other industrially important small molecules such as CH4, NH3 and H2 are emerging as we speak. Interestingly, the activity of liquid metals can be tuned through alloy design, providing an ideal platform for creating highly active catalysts with tailored properties and selectivity. However, many of the design principles of molten metal catalysts are still unknown.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Bao","title":"Sustainable approaches to develop functional carbon nanomaterials","description":"Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable environmental technology to recover energy and stabilise the biosolids from WWTP. However, hydrolysis is the rate limiting step for biosolids, leading to slow degradation and requiring long retention times. Many pretreatment technologies have shown to improve the kinetics of anaerobic biodegradation of sludge, accelerate the hydrolysis and enhance biogas productivity and affect the characteristics of digested sludge. Pretreatment technologies applied at industrial scale in WWTP include thermal hydrolysis (TH), ultrasound, high pressure homogenizers, electric-pulse and ozonization . TH (>100 \u00b0C) has shown to improve methane yields by 51-340% by enhancing sludge solubilisation, and improve dewaterability and achieve complete disinfection of treated sludge. On the other hand, wet air oxidation process (150-320 \u00b0C, at 20\u2013150 bar and with a residence time 15\u2013120 min) has shown to improve dewaterability, destruction of organic matter (92-95%) and biogas production (24-59%) of sludge. However, there is no comparison on the technical, energy and economic evaluation of WAOP and TH in the literature. Therefore, this project will provide required design data for WAOP process at industrial scale in terms of energy efficiency.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410        Wastewater treatment processes (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Bao","title":"Development of carbon nanodot-based polymer composites","description":"This ARC funded project aims to study liquid metal catalysts in detail in order to unlock their full potential. This project is part of an ARC Discovery Project. The successful candidate will be working as part of a larger team and will be focusing on the experimental realisation of new catalysts. The successful candidate will be synthesizing liquid metal catalysts, conduct activity appraisal studies and conduct in-depth characterisation of these materials. The candidate will also be working with the broader team and conduct studies at the Australian Synchrotron.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Bao","title":"Droplet-based technology for controllable nanomaterial assembly and fabrication.","description":"The immobilisation of nanomaterials on various surfaces is essential to many industrial processes and applications, such as catalysis, printing, and sensing. The functionality and structures of the nanomaterials highly rely on the deposition process. This project will focus on developing a new platform for in-situ nanomaterial fabrication on the surface. \r\n\r\nSuch a platform is based on utilising surface nanodroplets as nanoreactors for confined nanomaterial synthesis and tailored microstructures. Surface nanodroplets are femtoliter in volume and are immobilized on substrates in contact with a surrounding liquid phase. The liquid-liquid interface between the droplets and the surrounding phase provides ideal sites to initiate the self-assembly of colloidal nanomaterials dispersed in the liquid phase. \r\n\r\nThis project will investigate how to obtain metal and nonmetal-based nanomaterial in droplet-based nanodroplets, compare the material properties with conventional methods and apply the obtained materials for energy and environment-related applications.\r\nIn this project, students will have opportunities to access the state-of-art nano\/micro fabrication facilities in RMIT and the wet lab in RMIT Chemical Engineering fully equipped with the various instrument for surface preparation and characterization. Besides the experimental skills in nanomaterials and colloidal interface, the students will have opportunities to gain knowledge in simulations and data processing through international collaborations.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jue Hou, Huacheng Zhang","title":"Membrane Separation for Mineral Extraction and Recovery","description":"Resource recovery and mineral extraction play crucial roles in meeting the ever-increasing demands of our society. Both processes have significant implications for the environment, economy, and sustainable development. Novel extraction and recovery methods and technologies are strongly desired to address the growing resource demands while minimizing waste disposal. The membrane separation process emerges as a promising candidate to revolutionize mineral processing, enabling high-efficient, clean, and continuous operations that reduce environment disruption, waste disposal, and chemical usage.\r\nThis project aims to utilize advanced porous materials, specifically metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), to fabricate membranes capable of high-selective ion transport and ion separation, leveraging their highly monodispersed pore sizes. The project will involve the fabrication and testing of membranes with different structures and composed of various advanced porous materials.\r\nBy undertaking this project, we expect to deepen our understanding of the relationship between selective mass transport and the geometry and pore size of advanced porous materials. This understanding has the potential to greatly benefit mineral processing, water treatment, environmental protection, sustainable development, and waste recycling efforts.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (Chemical Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huacheng Zhang, Jue Hou","title":"Bioinspired Light-Driven Ion Transporters for Efficient Energy Conversion and Storage","description":"This project to address this challenge and to create new artificial ion transporters with biomimetic structures to achieve light-driven active ion transport properties for efficient energy conversion and storage by developing new nanotechnologies and synthesizing new photonic, angstrom-porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huacheng Zhang, Jue Hou","title":"Engineering sub-nanofluidic membranes for efficient lithium-ion separation","description":"With the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in our lives, global lithium production has increased from 34,100 to 100,000 metric tons in the past ten years.1 Worldwide lithium demand will increase to 2,000,000 metric tons by 2030 due to increases in battery demand for electric vehicles.2 High-purity lithium sources such as lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for producing LIBs have been mainly extracted from lithium-containing rocks and brines by chemical-intensive separation methods.3-4 Moreover, the disposal of spent LIBs also discharges large volumes of waste and causes severe environmental pollution. This project aims to address the challenge of developing sustainable separation technologies for efficient lithium extraction and recycling by engineering sub-nanofluidic membranes with high Li+ selectivity and permeability using sub-nanometre porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as ion filters. As illustrated schematically in Fig. 1, flexible sub-nanofluidic membranes will be fabricated by MOF crystal engineering, polymerization, and functionalization. The proposed membranes can selectively transport lithium ions and reject other ions, enabling one-step selective lithium extraction from brines and seawater. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Namita Roy Choudhury","title":"Sustainable future for Tyre: 2D Material based Polymer composition design for 3D printing of Elastomer","description":"Elastomers are an important class of polymers that find applications in healthcare, aerospace, automotive, packaging and many other sectors. However, due to inherent physical, thermo-mechanical properties of elastomers, the additive manufacturing (AM) of elastomers\r\nremains challenging. Advanced functional materials are the key enabling materials for advanced manufacturing. Research on printable 2D materials based polymer\/elastomer composite development for 3D printing of tyre tread represents the biggest knowledge gap in the current developmental cycle.\r\nThe aim of this project is to develop a robust advanced materials and printing methodology enabled sustainable process for elastomer compositions  for tyre treading  that will enable efficient and reliable renewal of tyre in short time by machine learning driven printing method. This will be accomplished by developing novel 2D material based elastomer composition and processing techniques for tyre formulation, with advanced 3D printing method. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Sustainable Low-Cost Green Hydrogen enhancement using High Frequency Sound Waves","description":"The search for a more e\u00ef\u00ac\u0192cient means for the production of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source alternative to fossil fuels [1] has motivated renewed interest in water splitting through electrolysis to produce hydrogen. However, only 4% of hydrogen is produced through water electrolysis, where water molecules split when direct voltage bias is applied. While promising as a green energy technology, electrolysis is not widely used because of (a) the high catalyst cost (Pt\/Ir), (b) the need for highly corrosive acidic or alkaline electrolyte, (c) low yield and electrical conversion efficiency (~40 - 50%).\n \n A promising strategy we have pioneered [2, 3] within the Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL) at RMIT wherein high frequency (>10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations [4] in the form of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are able to drive efficient water splitting of electrolytes, through disturbing the water molecules to \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfrustrate\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 them, enhance electrochemical hydrogen production by more than a 10-fold. \n \n Within the project, the student will therefore continue to uncover more of the intriguing fundamental aspects of the sound wave coupling to water molecules and other electrolytes, test different acousto-electrochemical configurations, then move into building flow-through microfluidic devices to quantify and improve the hydrogen production efficiency. Students will also have access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication cleanrooms at the RMIT MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) and the advanced microscopy tools (atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy) at the RMIT Microscopy & Microanalysis Facility (RMMF).\n \n References:\n \n [1] Chornet, E.; Czernik, S. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Harnessing hydrogen\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nature 2002, 418, 928\u00e2\u20ac\u201c929.\n \n [2] Ehrnst, Y: Sherrell, P; Rezk, A; & Yeo, L. \"Acoustically\u00e2\u20ac\u0090Induced Water Frustration for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Neutral Electrolytes.\" Advanced Energy Materials (2022): 2203164.\n \n [3] Gallagher, J. Sound\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s good. Nat Energy 8, 7 (2023)\n \n [4] Rezk, A. R.; Tan, J. K.; & Yeo, L. Y. Advanced materials, 2016, 28(10), 1970-1975","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Sound Waves based Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Advanced Energy Applications","description":"As fossil fuels continue to deplete, recent surge of efforts has been dedicated to developing alternative energy storage and conversion devices with high energy and power densities. For example, supercapacitors should ideally possess high energy storage and long life. Nevertheless, their performance so far has been inadequate, particularly for large industrial uptake, where vast improvements are to be made particularly with the choice of electrode materials with large accessible surface area, fast ion transfer and stable electrode-to-electrolyte interface. Nanomaterials play a pivotal role in the advancement of the supercapacitors\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 architecture and performance, where a large pool of new nanomaterials have been recently discovered and therefore many researchers are on a journey to synthesise, and test tailored composite structures fulfilling the supercapacitor requirements. \n \n In this project, the student will be synthesising and testing a range of composite materials using our unique high frequency (10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations [1] in the form of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) through a nebulisation (spraying) technique \u00e2\u20ac\u201c an exciting technique developed in our Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL). The spraying method allows fast crystallisation of porous structures (i.e. Metal Organic Frameworks, MOFs [2]), or rapid synthesis of MXene quantum dots [3]) as well as intimate binding to conductive additive materials (i.e. Graphene). The student will also have access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication cleanrooms at the RMIT Micro\/Nano Research Facility (MNRF) and the advanced microscopy tools (atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy) at the RMIT Microscopy & Microanalysis Facility.\n \n References:\n [1] Rezk, A. R.; Tan, J. K.; & Yeo, L. Y. Advanced materials, 2016, 28(10), 1970-1975\n [2] Ehrnst, Y., et al, 2022. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 10(13), pp.7058-7072. \n [3] Alijani, H., et al., 2021. ACS nano, 15(7), pp.12099-12108","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Yang","title":"A Greener and More Sustainable Future Powered by Alcohol Fuels","description":"Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are emerging technologies that can convert the chemical energy in alcohols, e.g., methanol, ethanol, glycerol etc, directly into electricity without any pollutant emissions. In fact, alcohols are considered as more superior fuels to hydrogens for their ease of storage and transportation, and they can be made from renewable resources such as food waste, sugarcanes and grains. However, so far this technology is hurdled by the high cost and limited cell durability, which are mainly derived from the use of expensive noble metal catalysts. This project aims to devleop cost-effective liquid metal-based electrocatalysts with long durability to enable immediate commercialization of high-performance and durable alcohol fuel cell technology. Candidates working in this project will be a valued member in Liquid Metal Research Group, supported with a diversity of research expertise in materials science, catalysis, electrochemistry, and chemical engineering. They also can access RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities. The knowledge and the skills acquired, e.g., catalyst formulation and test, assembly of a functioning fuel cell prototypes, will make the candidates ready for both academia and industry sectors!","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Yang","title":"Producing Green Hydrogen from the Water","description":"Green hydrogen produced from renewable resources such as water is a critical enabler of the global transition to sustainable energy development with net zero carbon emissions. However, this technology is halted by its low efficiency and excessive energy consumption, making it less economically appealing. Developing efficient electrocatalysts could improve its energy efficiency, except for the catalyst itself, such as Pt and Ru, is pricy. This project aims to provide one alternative solution by developing the liquid metal-based electrocatalysts to promote sustainable production of green hydrogen at a reduce cost. The candidate will work within the vibrant and dynamic community of the Liquid Metal Research Group, focusing on synthesis of liquid metal-based catalysts and analyzing them using RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities such as the in situ XPS, TEM and Raman. Properties and catalytic efficiencies of the electrocatalysts will be studied. Fundamental understanding of the liquid metal-based electrocatalysts will be built. During working on this project, the candidate will also accumulate sound knowledge in materials science, electrochemistry, and catalysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nevena Todorova","title":"Molecular understanding of protein misfolding and aggregation phenomena","description":"The ability of proteins to fold spontaneously in their native structure or functional state is essential for biological function. Failure to fold in the native shape may lead to misfolding and aggregation of proteins into insoluble aggregates, known as amyloid fibrils. These fibrous deposits have been linked to debilitating and age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, Parkinson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, type-II diabetes and others. Molecular level insight into the interplay between protein sequence, structure, and conformational dynamics is crucial for the comprehensive understanding of protein folding, misfolding, and aggregation phenomena that are pertinent to the formation of amyloid fibrils implicated in these degenerative diseases. Computational modelling provides insight into protein behaviour at spatial and temporal resolution still largely outside the reach of experiments. An increased understanding of how various factors including temperature, pH, mutations and other external conditions, modulate protein folding, misfolding and subsequent fibril formation will lead to an improved understanding of the biophysics of protein folding and amyloid formation, and possible development of new therapies for a number of debilitating diseases. Such knowledge will enable the evaluation of these molecules in influencing disease processes and assess their potential for use as stabilising agents within protein-based pharmaceuticals or food formulations.\n \n References:\n [1] Nevena Todorova, Irene Yarovsky \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Enigma of Amyloid Forming Proteins: Insights From Molecular Simulations\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Australian Journal of Chemistry 72(8) 574-584","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Develop advanced injectable bioactive hydrogels for improving tissue regeneration","description":"In situ tissue engineering technology is promising in breaking the bottleneck of traditional tissue engineering technology by only using pure biomaterial scaffolds to in situ recruit surrounding cells and tissues into scaffolds to form regenerated tissue, taking advantage of the surrounding microenvironment as a natural bioreactor. As the only and key factor, the engineered biomaterial scaffolds for in situ tissue engineering requires specific biophysical and biochemical cues to direct endogenous cells to the injury site and modulate the behaviour of the cells. \n Injectable hydrogels have been playing a major role in tissue engineering as biomaterial scaffolds. However, in terms of the biochemical cues, most of the current hydrogels can only stimulate a certain phase of tissue regeneration by delivering bioactive substances, ignoring the facts that tissue regeneration is a dynamic process that involves several sequential phases working in coordination to ensure an optimal tissue regeneration. In terms of the biophysical cues, the nanoporous structure of traditional hydrogels is an obstacle for the infiltration of surrounding cells and tissues into the hydrogels and maintaining normal behaviour of the migrated cells, which significantly impede tissue regeneration. Thus, advanced injectable hydrogels with an ability of sequentially delivering therapeutic agents to each wound healing stage and macroporous structure are desired for advancing in situ tissue engineering. The current project aims to develop advanced injectable hydrogels simultaneously possessing sequential delivery ability and macroporous structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Anti-tumour effects of juxtamembrane 2 (JM2) mimic peptide and the Mechanism studies","description":"This PhD project investigates the effects of JM2 mimic peptide on various kinds of cancer cells and tissue forming cells and the mechanism to find a potential novel cancer therapy strategy and a novel tumour post-surgery treatment. The aim is to find the optimal concentration of JM2 on killing various kind of cancer cells but not damaging tissue forming cells and to elucidate the mechanisms.\n \n Recently, we have shown that juxtamembrane 2 (JM2) mimic peptide can suppress the growth of 4T1 breast tumours and melanoma tumours by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the proliferation of 4T1 tumour cells and melanoma cells. Further study indicates that JM2 can stimulate the mitochondria to gather near the microtubule-organizing centre of tumour cells and subsequently induce ROS-induced ROS release responses, which results in mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In addition, JM2 can arrest cell cycle in S phase by regulating the expression of cell cycle-related proteins and consequently is able to kill the cancer cells. Interestingly, we found that certain concentration of JM2 is cyto-compatible to non-cancer cells and even can stimulate migration of tissue forming cells. However, the effects of JM2 on other types of cancer cells and the mechanism through which JM2 mimic peptide kills cancer cells but not damaging the health cells is not clear. \n \n The successful candidate will be required to study the effects of JM2 on various kinds of cancer cells and tissue forming cells and investigate the mechanisms. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Chemical and Environmental Department, School of Engineering at RMIT University and be supervised by Dr. Haiyan Li and Dr. Jiali Zhai.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vikram Garaniya, Pier Marzocca","title":"Artificial Intelligence for the optimisation of the response of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) systems on ships ","description":"The PhD project aims to establish a link between system, electrode, and material degradation issues. Where possible, the project will also develop algorithms to define these connections. This will primarily be accomplished through laboratory studies and field measurements. \n\nAn extensive set of data will be collected, detailing potential distributions that vary spatially and temporally based on factors such as the geometry being protected, the types of protection methods used, the electrode type, and the nature of the substrate (conducted in Spain). From this dataset, artificial intelligence will be employed to predict potential variations in a given system and use the linkage algorithms to anticipate the likely material degradation that could occur. The scope of the project includes (but is not limited to).\n\n\u2022        Conduct a literature review on the current state of the art in applying machine learning (ML) to impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP). Identify gaps in the existing literature.\n\u2022        Define a practical case study with Navantia Australia to gather data on ICCP under real-life conditions.\n\u2022        Perform real-life tests and collect data. Additionally, conduct laboratory-scale tests on small specimens and gather electrochemical data on ICCP for various components.\n\u2022        Develop a physics-based model of ICCP and validate it through small-scale tests.\n\u2022        Combine the physics-based model with a data-driven model to create a physics-assisted ML model. Apply this model to Navantia's real-life case, refining and validating it as necessary.\n\u2022        Produce research papers, technical reports, and a PhD thesis. Present the results to Navantia Australia.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400404 Electrochemical energy storage and conversion\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aonghus McNabola","title":"Exploring the Impact of Urban water bodies on Air Quality and Heat Island Mitigation","description":"Urban waterfront spaces are the vitality cores of waterfront areas, offering people a respite from the fast pace and pressures of modern urban life. These spaces possess climate-friendly attributes and can significantly improve the well-being of urban residents. However, global warming and the intensification of urban heat islands have led to an increase in extreme weather conditions, harming outdoor thermal comfort and inhibiting enjoyment of water activities. In addition, high emissions from industries and transportation, particularly particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), have led to frequent haze events that negatively affect urban residents' health.\n\nThis study aims to explore the factors affecting the thermal environment and air quality in waterfront spaces, examine the interactions between urban water bodies and surrounding buildings, and investigate how these interactions jointly influence air quality and heat island effects. The study will also reveal the main determinants shaping these effects. The research will quantify the contribution of urban water bodies to heat island and air pollution mitigation (e.g., reductions in urban temperature, particulate concentrations, and pollutant diffusion efficiency), and analyze the relationship between water body characteristics (area, depth, shape, etc.), urban layout (building density, height, etc.), and the effectiveness of heat island mitigation and air purification. The study will also explore the potential of passive control measures and green infrastructure for the mitigation of UHI and air pollution in waterfront spaces. The ultimate goal is to provide design guidance for urban waterfront spaces.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"401101 Air Pollution Modelling & Control 50%\n401299 Fluid Mechanics and thermal Engineering not elsewhere classified (25%)\n370102 Air Pollution processes and air quality measurement (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jorge Paz-Ferreiro","title":"Innovative Biochar Materials for Soil Amendment","description":"Soil amendments with the use of biochar is not a new concept yet there are no optimized standards or methods available to assess the environmental and economic advantages of biochar for its commercialization [1]. The main objective of using biochar extensively in environmental management includes (a) soil improvement, (b) waste management, (c) mitigation of climate change, and (d) energy production [2]. Biochar technology seems to have a promising future. However, continuous research is essential for the development of this technology. This project will look at preparing innovative biochar for soil amendment using waste materials as precursors (biosolids, paunch waste).\n References:\n [1]. D.J. Tenenbaum, Environmental Health Perspectives 117, (2009). [2]. J. Lehmann and S. Joseph, Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology (Taylor and Francis, London, 2012)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jorge Paz-Ferreiro","title":"Use of innovative chars for the improvement of saline and sodic soils","description":"Soil salinization is one of the major causes of declining agricultural productivity in many arid and semi-arid areas. Excessive salt concentrations in soils, in most cases, cannot be reduced with time. Approximately one third of the land area in Australia has saline or sodic soils. The use of organic materials including compost has been trialled for the remediation of saline and\/or sodic soils. There is a gap of knowledge with respect to the use of chars (biochars or hydrochars) for the amelioration of saline\/sodic soils.\n References:\n [1]. Paz-Ferreiro, J; H Lu; S Fu; M\u00c3\u00a9ndez, A; Gasc\u00c3\u00b3, G. Use of phytoremediation and biochar to remediate heavy metal polluted soils: a review. Solid Earth 5, (2014): 65-75. [2]. M Qadir A Ghafoor G Murtaza. Amelioration strategies for saline soils: a review. Land Degradation and Development","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Novel catalytic micro-reactor fabrication and design for clean energy applications","description":"Micro-reactors offer excellent mass and heat transfer performance for extraction and multi-phase reactions. They provide a powerful tool for process intensification and micro scale processing. One of the important issues in catalytic micro-reactors is the immobilisation of the active catalyst within a micro-channel. The existing packed-bed reactors are not an efficient design as a reactor size is scaled down because of large pressure drop. In addition, the significant axial and radial temperature gradients can exist in the bed because of heat transfer limited on a packed bed. When the surface\n of the micro-channel is coated with the catalyst, the heat has to be transferred through the channel walls and the isothermal condition can be achieved. In addition, the catalyst-coated micro-channel provides a lower pressure drop compared with the granular catalyst packed inside the reactor. Thus, the overarching objective of this study is to prepare a micro-reactor with mechanically stable monolithic catalyst for (i) converting carbon dioxide (CO2) emission into higher value products, and\/or (ii) producing renewable hydrogen (H2) for clean energy applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"A novel catalytic system for the production of renewable hydrogen","description":"The continuous increase in population and industrial development, results in an increase in energy demand and green house gas (GHG) emissions. Expected growth in global energy demands further exacerbate GHG emissions concerns, and highlight the importance of developing alternative energy production methods. The utilization of hydrogen as an integral part of a clean energy production arrangement is presently considered a viable substitute to current energy production methods, and a significant addition to the economy. The production of high purity hydrogen from renewable feedstock can potentially be capitalized on to produce clean energy that can replace that obtained by fossil fuel combustion. This research aims to investigate the use of novel metal alloy catalysts to enhance the production of green hydrogen. This has a significant impact on the development of future hydrogen economy. \n The proposed research will focus on the development of novel metal alloy catalysts to convert renewable feedstock including waste, biomass, biogas and\/or landfill gas into hydrogen and high-value carbon. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, chemical adsorption and temperature-programmed reactions analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Developing novel catalysts for the production of low-carbon fuels","description":"The paradigm of using anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) as a building block for the synthesis of commodity chemicals has the potential to contribute to a sustainable growth of the chemical industry and reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The annual industrial conversion of CO2 into chemicals is approximately 1% of the CO2 emissions. On the other hand, the worldwide consumption of fuels is approximately two orders of magnitude larger than that of chemicals and the use of fossil fuels contributes ca. 60% of the total CO2 emission. Thus, chemically fixing CO2 back to components of the fuel pool has the potential to turn emission liability into economic value. This project aims to develop the basic design principles that govern the performance of metal catalysts for converting carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels and\/or higher-value products. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in understanding the reaction dynamics occurring at the catalyst interface and the composition-catalytic activity relationships through an experimental approach. The project will benefit key societal challenges of emissions reduction, sustainable development and waste utilisation. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, chemical adsorption and temperature-programmed reactions analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Machine learning-augmented design of advanced functional materials","description":"Liquid metals are rapidly emerging as a new frontier in catalysis. Unlike conventional solid heterogeneous catalysts, liquid metals consist of free-flowing ionised metal atoms that are surrounded by a fluid of delocalised electrons that make up the metallic bonds, providing them with a dynamic catalytic interface that is resilient towards deactivation. More importantly, in the presence of one or more dissolved metals, liquid metal alloys (LMAs) can provide novel catalyst design and reaction routes due to the unique properties of liquid-state metals and the modified structures. Recent successes have highlighted the tremendous potential of LMA catalysts for applications in carbon dioxide utilisation, hydrogen production, pollutant degradation and dehydrogenation. In view of the lack of unifying rationale design theory in the literature, it necessitates a systematic assessment of their catalytic activities under a set of consistent conditions. The aim of this project is to develop a tandem approach combining rapid catalyst testing with machine-learning algorithms in order to establish a theoretical understanding of the structure-catalytic activity relationships that will guide the future design of LMA catalysts. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, catalyst screening equipment, and computational techniques.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarathinam Parthasarathy","title":"Flow behaviour of non-Newtonian fluids mixed by submerged recirculating jets","description":"The project will study the flow behaviour of viscous non-Newtonian liquids in a vessel mixed by a submerged recirculating jet using electrical resistance tomography (ERT). The efficiency of processes involving viscous non-Newtonian fluids depends significantly on the extent to which the liquid is mobilised within the vessel. Adequate flow of liquid is critical to the success of the process as it enhances the rates of transfer processes and aids in maintaining physical and chemical uniformity within the vessel. The flow behaviour becomes complex for a non-Newtonian fluid with yield stress and shear thinning behaviour. Mixing such fluids at lower shear rates often leads to forming a well-mixed zone in the form of a 'cavern' or 'active mixing region,' surrounded by 'dead zones' or 'inactive regions' which are unmixed. Although it has been hypothesised that active regions and dead zones exist in yield stress fluids, this has not been studied widely. Conventional flow visualisation techniques cannot be applied to study the dead zones because the fluid is often opaque. In this project, electrical resistance tomography (ERT) will be employed to study the presence of active and dead zones. The project aims to determine the type of flow structures formed in yield stress shear-thinning liquids mixed by recirculating submerged jets. The objectives of the work are to \n1) determine if active volume\/cavern formation occurs in yield-stress non-Newtonian liquids by visualising local flow patterns using ERT, \n2) study the influences of jet velocity and jet nozzle location on the extent of active volume, and \n3) develop numerical models for predicting the active volume as a function of specific jet power input and effective liquid viscosity.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403 Chemical engineering design (70%) ; 400499 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR219 MEng (Environ Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim","title":"Design and optimization of a spongy super-hydrophobic material-based filtration process for oil spill clean-up applications","description":"Developing materials that are highly efficient at recovering oil to mitigate the environmental impact of oil spills is both crucial and challenging. This collaborative Masters by Research project between CSIRO Manufacturing and RMIT University aims to design and optimise the application of a novel spongy super-hydrophobic material for oil spill clean-up through small pilot-scale testing. The ultimate goal is to significantly improve oil filtration efficiency in Oil Spill Response, potentially revolutionising current practices and contributing to environmental sustainability. \n\nA hyper-crosslinked polymer-coated sponge (HPCS) was previously developed and successfully applied by CSIRO Manufacturing to remove crude oil from oil-in-water emulsions to improve oil spill clean-up processes. This research will advance the technology by scaling up the HPCS production and the filtration process to facilitate its future implementations. The project activities include formulating and fabricating functional sponges, optimising the product at a large scale, improving the filtration process, conducting system characterisation and preparing research papers for publication. \n\nA stipend scholarship will be provided to the successful applicant by CSIRO Manufacturing for two years. The candidate will be based primarily at CSIRO Manufacturing in Clayton for the duration of the project.  \n","sdg":"[\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-20","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400409\tSeparation\u00a0technologies (70%)\n401102\tEnvironmentally sustainable engineering (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Seungju Kim","title":"Design and optimization of a spongy super-hydrophobic material-based filtration process for oil spill clean-up applications","description":"Developing materials that are highly efficient at recovering oil to mitigate the environmental impact of oil spills is both crucial and challenging. This collaborative Masters by Research project between CSIRO Manufacturing and RMIT University aims to design and optimise the application of a novel spongy super-hydrophobic material for oil spill clean-up through small pilot-scale testing. The ultimate goal is to significantly improve oil filtration efficiency in Oil Spill Response, potentially revolutionising current practices and contributing to environmental sustainability. \n\nA hyper-crosslinked polymer-coated sponge (HPCS) was previously developed and successfully applied by CSIRO Manufacturing to remove crude oil from oil-in-water emulsions to improve oil spill clean-up processes. This research will advance the technology by scaling up the HPCS production and the filtration process to facilitate its future implementations. The project activities include formulating and fabricating functional sponges, optimising the product at a large scale, improving the filtration process, conducting system characterisation and preparing research papers for publication. \n\nA stipend scholarship will be provided to the successful applicant by CSIRO Manufacturing for two years. The candidate will be based primarily at CSIRO Manufacturing in Clayton for the duration of the project.  \n","sdg":"[\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-20","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400409\tSeparation\u00a0technologies (70%)\n401102\tEnvironmentally sustainable engineering (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri, Samuel Ippolito, Rajarathinam Parthasarathy, Torben Daeneke , Glenn Matthews, Mahdokht Shaibani, Hamid Arandiyan, James Tardio, Selvakannan Periasamy ","title":"Nanoengineering for Sustainable Waste Upcycling: Transforming Waste Materials into Value-Added Products","description":"The project endeavors to delve into waste upcycling, a transformative process that converts waste materials into valuable products, employing principles from materials science and engineering. Commencing with the identification of waste materials such as plastic, paper, and textiles, the project will formulate an upcycling process utilizing methodologies such as polymerization, pyrolysis, and other innovative techniques.\n\nSubsequently, the project will employ various materials science techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis, to characterize the properties of the upcycled products comprehensively. Evaluation will extend to mechanical, thermal, and chemical attributes of the products.\n\nIn its culmination, the project will conduct an economic feasibility assessment, considering the raw material costs, processing expenses, and market value of the upcycled products. Anticipated outcomes include the establishment of a sustainable upcycling process yielding valuable products from waste materials. These products will boast desirable properties, offering a sustainable remedy to waste management challenges.\n\nMoreover, the project aims to enrich the field of sustainable materials science by contributing valuable insights into waste upcycling. It holds the promise of providing a pragmatic solution, propelling the advancement of sustainable practices in material utilization and waste management.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303 Nanochemistry (50%)\n401605 Functional Materials (25%)\n400499 Chemical Engineering not elsewhere classified (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Nanoengineering approach in upcycling waste materials to value added products","description":"The project aims to explore waste upcycling, a process of converting waste materials into valuable products, using materials science\/engineering principles. It will begin by identifying waste materials such as plastic, paper, and textiles and an upcycling process will be developed using techniques such as polymerization, pyrolysis and other means. The properties of the upcycled products will be characterized using various materials science techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of the upcycled products will also be evaluated. Finally, the economic feasibility of the upcycling process will be assessed by considering the cost of raw materials, processing, and the market value of the upcycled products.\n \n The project's expected outcomes are the development of a sustainable upcycling process that produces valuable products from waste materials. The upcycled products will have desirable properties and offer a sustainable solution to waste management. This project will contribute to the growing field of sustainable materials science and provide valuable insights into waste upcycling. It will also offer a promising solution to tackle the significant concern of waste management worldwide.\n \n In conclusion, this project aims to develop an innovative approach to waste management through upcycling using materials science principles. The project's outcomes will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions to the pressing issue of waste management and provide valuable insights into the application of materials science principles in waste upcycling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 MEng (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Green hydrogen production assisted with high frequency sound waves","description":"The Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory at RMIT have made the surprising discovery wherein high frequency (10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are able to drive efficient splitting of pure (DI) water at low voltages. Within this project, the student will continue to uncover more of the intriguing fundamental aspects of the sound wave coupling to water molecules, working with a team that is building microfluidic devices to test and improve the hydrogen production efficiency. Ultimately, the project will involve building an efficient microfluidic hydrogen production system that is triggered by high frequency sound waves. \n\nThis project is appropriate for students interested in Masters in the following disciplines:\nChemical Engineering; Mechanical and Automotive Engineering; Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering; Biomedical Engineering;\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400499 Chemical Engineering not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarthinam Parthasarathy","title":"Laminar flow of thickened slurries in pipes","description":"Transport of thickened slurries such as mineral tailings, sludge, and coal mixture is challenging due to solids settling, pipeline fouling, and increased transport cost. Pumping costs can be reduced by transporting slurries under laminar flow conditions, but it has the risk of higher levels of solids settling. To minimise settling solids settling while transporting slurries under laminar flow conditions, slurry concentration and composition in terms of the fractions of fine and coarse particles in the slurry need to be optimised. This project aims to investigate the rheological and settling characteristics of slurries using a rheometer and electrical resistance tomography (ERT) and use the results to\n1) Optimise slurry composition and concentration to minimise settling,\n2) Relate the viscometric flow of a rheometer to the laminar flow in pipelines,\n3) Develop suitable model equations based on slurry rheology and settling to calculate the critical pipeline length required to transport slurry without settling under laminar flow conditions.\n\nThe information and model developed in this project will help predict the pipeline length required to transport slurries under laminar flow conditions and the pumping energy needed\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403  Chemical engineering design (50%) ; 400406 Powder and particle technology (40%) ; 400499 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ken Chiang","title":"Machine learning-augmented design of advanced functional materials","description":"Liquid metals are rapidly emerging as a new frontier in catalysis. Unlike conventional solid heterogeneous catalysts, liquid metals consist of free-flowing ionised metal atoms that are surrounded by a fluid of delocalised electrons that make up the metallic bonds, providing them with a dynamic catalytic interface that is resilient towards deactivation. More importantly, in the presence of one or more dissolved metals, liquid metal alloys (LMAs) can provide novel catalyst design and reaction routes due to the unique properties of liquid-state metals and the modified structures. Recent successes have highlighted the tremendous potential of LMA catalysts for applications in carbon dioxide utilisation, hydrogen production, pollutant degradation and dehydrogenation. In view of the lack of unifying rationale design theory in the literature, it necessitates a systematic assessment of their catalytic activities under a set of consistent conditions. The aim of this project is to develop a tandem approach combining rapid catalyst testing with machine-learning algorithms in order to establish a theoretical understanding of the structure-catalytic activity relationships that will guide the future design of LMA catalysts. The success candidate will work in a vibrant research group with other postdoctoral research fellows, and PhD\/Masters students. The candidate will have the opportunities to get trained on using a suite of advanced instruments including high resolution electron microscopes, X-ray equipment, catalyst screening equipment, and computational techniques.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400402 Chemical and thermal processes in energy and combustion (50%) ; 340601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Modulate small extracellular vesicles with biomaterials","description":"Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs, 50 to 200 nm in diameter) are functional vehicles secreted by almost all cell types, carrying a complex cargo of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The applications of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived sEVs (MSC-sEVs) have increased immensely in tissue regeneration and cancer therapeutics fields because their cargos can facilitate intercellular communications through transferring biologically active compounds to recipient cells. \n\nHowever, high dose requirements and uncontrollable biological function limit sEV therapy applications. In tissue engineering field, the effects of biomaterials on behaviour of MSCs have been widely studied and it has been proved that the chemical, structural and mechanical cues of biomaterials can significantly affect the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs. \n\nAs sEVs are the main secretome of MSCs, it can be hypothesized that biomaterials will also affect the behaviour of sEVs, including their biogenesis, secretion, and cargo, which will finally determine their biological function and applications. This project aims to decipher the effects of two types of biomaterials, electrospun membranes and ion products of silicate bioceramics, or their combinations, on the behaviour of MSC-sEVs. Specifically, the production yield and biological function of MSC-sEVs released from the MSCs cultured under different conditions will be studied. This study will shed light on the response of sEVs in systemic responses of MSCs to biomaterial stimulation, providing a new direction in developing strategies to modulate the behaviour of sEVs.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400311 Tissue Engineering (50%) ; 400302  Biomaterials (25%) ; 400399 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Seungju Kim, Jue Hou, Namita Roy Choudhury, Linhua Fan, Ken Chiang","title":"Superhydrophobic membranes for low-energy separation","description":"This PhD project aims to develop novel nanofibre membranes with superhydrophobicity using novel polymer chemistry and nanofibre morphology. Superhydrophobic membranes with water repellent properties are required for emerging processes such as membrane distillation (MD), for example to draw freshwater vapor from saline water, and membrane gas absorption (MGA).","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/08\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400409 Separation Technologies (50%) ; 400411 Water Treatment Processes (30%) ; 400401 Carbon Capture Engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leslie Yeo","title":"Mechanotransduction-Driven Cell Nucleus and Epigenetic Modulation","description":"High-frequency acoustics has emerged as a powerful tool for cellular mechanotransduction wherein short MHz mechanostimulation was shown to induce a cascade of cellular activities, including stem cell differentiation, vesicle trafficking and cellular reorganisation. Recent investigations have implicated the modulation of second messengers, which trigger various intracellular signalling cascades that, in turn, activates a plethora of transcription factors. Such effects have therefore opened up exciting possibilities for exploiting the platform as means for mechanotherapy.\n \n A detailed understanding of the mechanisms involved in such acoustic mechanostimulation is nevertheless lacking. Given the aforementioned observations, it is imperative that it has a profound effect on epigenome. There is limited understanding however on how it shapes epigenetic regulation. We will carry out experiments to study how molecular signals induced by the acoustic stimuli are transmitted from the cytoplasm to the nucleus to regulate the epigenome of mammalian cells by precisely tracking chromatic modulation and gene deregulation. More specifically, the project aims to\n 1. Understand cytoplasmic mechanotransduction in mammalian cells following high-frequency acoustic stimulation.\n 2. Analyse the effect of high-frequency acoustic stimulation on cellular chromatin remodelling.\n 3. Identify the genetic targets epigenetically modulated by the acoustic stimulation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leslie Yeo","title":"Immune cell activation through high frequency mechanostimulation for autologous immunotherapeutics","description":"There is a significant need for the production of functional\/activated immune cells for various clinical applications, including cancer immunotherapy. To date, ex vivo cultivation and production of functional immune cells primarily requires costly chemicals (e.g., ionophores, and inhibitors) or biochemicals (e.g., receptor antagonists or ligand biosimilars) that are often costly and toxic to the cells. As such, there is a critical need to develop new, cheaper and non-toxic methods for activating immune cells.\n\nImmune cells (e.g., T cells, monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells) are known to rely on mechanotransduction to differentiate and function. More importantly, effective immune response arise as the immune cells undergo actin-mediated migration to interact with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or transformed cells. Moreover, it has been recently noted that immune cells can respond to a variety of mechanical stimuli that directly affects receptors on their surface that allows them to discriminate between antigens and intracellular signalling.\n\nThis project builds on our recent advances on the use of high frequency (10 MHz) mechanostimulation to modulate second messenger calcium signalling, that, in turn, triggers various downstream signalling cascades to influence a variety of cell fates. In this project, we will, in particular, study the possibility of such mechanostimulation to improve monocyte activation. In doing so, we intend to demonstrate a cheaper, non-toxic and scalable platform for the production of functional immune cells. This will then constitute an ex vivo therapeutic strategy in which it is possible to harvest a patient\u2019s own immune cells, prime them in the laboratory and reinfuse them to the same patient as a means for boosting vaccine delivery along the same vision as autologous cell-based therapies.\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400307 Mechanobiology (40%) ; 320402 Applied immunology (incl. antibody engineering, xenotransplantation and t-cell therapies) (30%) ; 320699 Medical biotechnology not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400307 Mechanobiology (40%) ; 320402 Applied immunology (incl. antibody engineering, xenotransplantation and t-cell therapies) (30%) ; 320699 Medical biotechnology not elsewhere classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 MEng (Chemical Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Huacheng Zang, Jue Hou","title":"Responsive ion adsorbents for selective ion recovery","description":"Stimuli-responsive ion absorbents (SRIAs) with reversible ion adsorption and desorption properties have recently attracted immense attention due to their outstanding functionalities for sustainable separation applications. In contrast to traditional adsorbents that are mainly regenerated through chemical additives, SRIAs allow for reduced chemical and even chemical-free regeneration capacities, thereby enabling environmental-friendly and energy-efficient separation technologies. This project aims to fabricate single-, dual-, or multi-responsive ion adsorbents and apply these responsive ion adsorbents for sustainable water desalination, toxic ion removal, and valuable ion extract and recovery. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"MR217 MEng (Chemical Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan","title":"Effect of cellulose recovery from wastewater on microplastics removal in sewage treatment","description":"Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are transforming into water resource recovery facilities, with the aim of recovering resources from sewage and moving towards a circular economy. Recovery of cellulose and further adding value to the cellulosic fibres can contribute to the sustainability of wastewater treatment processes by generating new eco-efficient products while reducing energy and cost for wastewater treatment and reclamation.\n \n Currently, the physical process using rotating belt filters (RBF, mesh size <500 \u00c2\u00b5m) is considered the most practical cellulose recovery method. One of the potential benefits of the RBF process is that it can simultaneously remove the emerging contaminant microplastics (MPs) during the cellulose separation process. However, the effect of RBF-based cellulose recovery on MP removal has not been systematically studied.\n \n This project aims to gain more insights into the effect of the variables of the RBF process such as mesh size of the filter, wastewater flow rate, cellulose load, dissolved organic content, water temperature, initial MP concentration and the physical properties of filter cake on MP removal. The knowledge obtained from the project can help develop the integrated MP control in the RBF process, to improve the efficiency of MP removal while maintaining the efficiency of cellulose recovery, and eventually reducing the risks of MP on human health and the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"JJ Richardson","title":"Nanomaterials to stop infections in humans and plants","description":"This project focuses on the interface between biological systems, like plants, people, and microbes, and nanomaterials. A key aim is to understand fundamentals related to nanomaterial design and how the properties of nanomaterials influence their interactions with living things. This has implications for microplastics research, improved crop yields, preventing future pandemics, and developing new nanomedicines.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan","title":"Novel adsorbents for removing persistent organic pollutants from water and wastewater","description":"Emerging persistent organic compounds such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and many other micropollutants in water and wastewater are gaining growing attentions due to their toxic and bio-accumulative natures. Although many existing technologies are capable to remove them such as membranes, high cost and high maintenance requirement remain the limiting factor for these technologies for wide applications. The aim of this project is to develop novel adsorbents by utilising advanced functional materials, which can selectively remove the target organic compounds from the contaminated water, be easily recovered and reused and be integrated with pollutant destruction process. The project outcomes would lead to the development of low-energy and low-cost technologies for the control of the harmful organic compounds in water and wastewater, and mitigation of the risks of the pollutants on human health and the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan","title":"Modifying polymeric membranes with 2D nanomaterials for water purification applications","description":"Polymeric membranes are utilised widely in the water industry for producing ample high-quality water to meet the growing demand on freshwater supply, mitigating pollution of the water environment, and facilitating resource recovery. However, the issues including low chemical and mechanical stability, high fouling propensity and maintenance requirement, short life span, and high energy requirement remain for the conventional polymeric membranes and hence limit their wider applications. Potential applications of 2D nanomaterials have been reported in many areas such as electronics, optoelectronics, catalysis, sensors, and supercapacitors. There is growing interest in the modification of polymeric membranes using metal oxide and metal hydroxide nanosheets to fabricate the hybrid membranes that carry the desired characteristic. This approach is expected to help address the issues associated with polymeric membranes. Moreover, the modified membranes can be added with extra functions such as photocatalysis and self-cleaning, which would help broaden their applications in water and wastewater treatment. The project is aimed at fabricating the hybrid membranes through modification of several selected commercially available polymeric membranes with the nanosheets produced with suitable metal oxides\/hydroxides, or other nanomaterials. To gain an in-depth understanding of the modification approach and the product properties, the fabricated hybrid membranes and the unmodified membranes will be thoroughly characterised with advanced surface and material characterisation facilities at RMIT and an external research organisation. The most promising membrane(s) will then be tested with real water and wastewater under real-world conditions to evaluate their potential for large-scale applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mariam Ameen","title":"Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production from biomass waste via thermocatalytic processes","description":"This project aims to convert biomass waste into renewable aviation fuels also called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or Bio Jet fuel. Plants and animal-based waste oil is one of the most commonly produced wastes in the food industry which is difficult to degrade or utilize. The utilization of waste materials particularly waste vegetable or animal fats\/oils for sustainable and renewable fuel is more challenging in terms of catalyst development, process optimization and product quality assessment. Generally, SAF is produced via a thermochemical catalytic cracking reaction from hydrotreated vegetable oils or lignin-containing biomass which produces several side reactions, as the intermediates of C5-C14 hydrocarbons, polymerize or condense to C22-C44 long-chain hydrocarbons which lead to catalyst deactivation. We generally develop the most efficient catalytic system for the thermochemical conversion of waste biomass into value-added chemicals and renewable fuels. The detailed investigation includes process optimization and scaling up the process to meet industrial requirements in terms of the quality of products. We do have all the facilities for characterization testing of materials and products. We also encourage collaborations with biomass industries which are mainly dealing with the waste conversion to wealth.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mariam Ameen","title":"Conversion of Biomass Waste (Lignin) Materials into Renewable Drop in Liquid Fuels i.e. Biogasoline","description":"Lignin is one of the abundantly found waste materials and its valorisation is a big challenge. The challenge in using lignin for fuel-compatible molecules arises from the depolymerization of the lignin components to the selective range of gasoline hydrocarbons (C5-C12), which could directly be used as drop-in fuels or blended components. The project aims to investigate the novel technique for the depolymerization of lignin polymers into small products, i.e., aromatic and aliphatic molecules, which can be further catalyzed into the gasoline range hydrocarbons. The introduction of a novel technique which can depolymerize the lignin into small fragments, which can be upgraded further into fuel additives. Generally, bio-gasoline is produced via a thermochemical process, which is difficult to control due to several side reactions. This project expects that the implementation of several advanced techniques will reduce the reaction steps needed Moreover, there will be small fractions of other depolymerized lignin products, which could be upgraded into gasoline-range hydrocarbons. \n We have in-house facilities and laboratories for biomass processing and characterization techniques. Also, we are open to industrial collaboration. for HDR industry related internships. \n Reference: \n 1. Five-lump kinetic approach on biofuel production from refined rubber seed oil over Cu\/ZSM-5 catalyst via catalytic cracking reaction. Renewable Energy, Volume 171, June 2021, Pages 1445-1453\n 2. Biogasoline production from linoleic acid via catalytic cracking over nickel and copper-doped ZSM-5 catalysts. Environmental Research, Volume 186, July 2020, 109616\n 3. Production of gasoline range hydrocarbons from catalytic cracking of linoleic acid over various acidic zeolite catalysts, Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 26, pages34039\u00e2\u20ac\u201c34046 (2019)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mariam Ameen","title":"Ultrasound-assisted conversion of waste sugar materials into fuel additives using green solvents","description":"5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a fuel additive, a chemical platform that can be generated from cellulose through acid dehydration and used as an alternative to petroleum supplies to manufacture polymers, fuels or commodities. HMF has been listed by the US Department of Energy among the top 10 added-value bio-based chemicals as one of the derivatives of furan compounds.\n This project employed a new approach through the use of the ultrasound method and green solvents as additive or co-solvents. The ultrasonic method is implemented in the reaction mixture by ultrasonic irradiation. The synthesis of waste sugar materials into 5-HMF also is supported by kinetics and mass transfer studies.\n \n Reference: \n 1. Rosatella, A.A., et al., 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) as a building block platform: Biological properties, synthesis and synthetic applications. Green Chemistry, 2011. 13(4): p. 754-793.\n 2. Tuercke, T., S. Panic, and S. Loebbecke, Microreactor Process for the Optimized Synthesis of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural: A Promising Building Block Obtained by Catalytic Dehydration of Fructose. Chemical Engineering & Technology, 2009. 32(11): p. 1815-1822.\n 3. Zhou, C., et al., Conversion of glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in different solvents and catalysts: Reaction kinetics and mechanism. Egyptian Journal of Petroleum, 2017. 26(2): p. 477-487.\n 4. Grande, P.M., C. Bergs, and P. Dom\u00c3\u00adnguez de Mar\u00c3\u00ada, Chemo-enzymatic conversion of glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in seawater. ChemSusChem, 2012. 5(7): p. 1203-6.\n 5. Kuster, B.F.M., 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). A Review Focussing on its Manufacture. Starch - St\u00c3\u00a4rke, 1990. 42(8): p. 314-321.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarathinam Parthasarathy","title":"Polymer composite synthesis using end of life tyre (EOLT) char","description":"The disposal and recycling of end-of-life-tyre (EOLT) have drawn wide attention from academia and industry in the recent decade. As of June 2018, one company in Australia is licenced for pyrolysis of EOLT at a commercial scale to produce EOLT-pyrolysis char (EOLT-PC). Moreover, numerous pilot-phase plants that had been trialled are now defunct. However, the actual reuse rate of EOLT-PC remains low as it is still deemed unusable and destined to landfill. Thus, this project aims to develop the combined pyrolysis-vortex process to upcycle EOLT-PC. The process will produce high-quality char as additives in tyre and construction materials, in polymer composites, with modified physio-chemical properties. The project will leverage the advanced manufacturing, extensive material characterisation and materials performance testing facilities at UoM and RMIT University. The project will also help establish a proof of principle pilot plant that will be pivotal in integrating the developed technology at Bioplant.\n  \n The PhD candidate will be based at RMIT University and will have the opportunity to work closely with industry partners. The project will involve the development of various polymeric composites for different applications and undertaking a techno-economic assessment of the overall process that will be developed.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"Next generation electronics based on printed two dimensional materials","description":"This project involves the synthesis and characterization of atomically thin semiconductors, dielectrics and conductors. The developed materials will be investigated for their use in next generation low energy electronics, addressing the emerging need for energy efficient computing. Data processing and storage currently consumes about 3% of the world\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s energy production. This fraction is predicted to rise to above 30% by 2030, threatening current efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Two dimensional materials including 2D semiconductors, 2D ferroelectrics and piezoelectric are predicted to enable electronic devices which require orders of magnitude less energy than current silicon-based technologies. The project aims to produce these materials, characterize them and develop the first devices based on these newly emerging materials. The materials that will be investigated predominantly include post-transition metal compounds including gallium, indium and tin based materials. The materials will be produced utilizing liquid metal-based printing methods that have been developed in our research group. The synthesis of the materials is straightforward and scalable. The PhD candidate will prepare the materials and will then conduct a thorough characterization using multiple electron microscopy-based techniques as well as optical and electronic characterizations. The developed materials will then be integrated into traditional and emerging electronic device designs which will be fabricated utilizing state-of- the-art lithography techniques (ion beam, electron beam and photo lithography). \n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, physics, electronics, materials engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"Development of next generation liquid metal catalysts for CO2 reutilization","description":"Catalytic conversions are the foundation of today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chemical industry and enable many aspects of our daily lives. Catalysts find application in the production of fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and aid in the mitigation of harmful pollutants. Due to their global success, catalysts are now being intensely investigated to solve todays most pressing problems such as global warming, food security and providing green energy. This project focuses on converting CO2 into valuable products as well as solids that can be safely stored. Reducing CO2 is challenging and catalysts often suffer from the effects of catalyst poisoning and deactivation via coking. Recent advances in liquid metal chemistry have shown that room temperature liquid metals can overcome these limitations, leading to a new class of catalysts. The liquid state of these catalysts gives rise to self-refreshing surfaces and interfaces that effectively mitigate coking and poisoning. During this project, the candidate will synthesize new liquid metal catalysts and apply them in prototype reactions to convert CO2 into value-added products. The candidate will learn valuable synthesis techniques, explore the properties of the produced liquid metals using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities and will design catalytic reactors and prototypes. This project will be conducted within the vibrant liquid metal and catalysis research groups, providing ample opportunities for collaboration.\n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"Development of next generation liquid metal catalysts for ammonia production","description":"Catalytic conversions are the foundation of today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chemical industry and enable many aspects of our daily lives. Catalysts find application in the production of fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and aid in the mitigation of harmful pollutants. Due to their global success, catalysts are now being intensely investigated to solve today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most pressing problems such as global warming, food security and providing green energy. This project focuses on finding less polluting ways to produce NH3. NH3 is a key ingredient in fertilisers and is also considered to be an important hydrogen storage medium for the future hydrogen economy. Unfortunately, current NH3 production catalysts require very high pressures and temperatures, causing significant CO2 emissions. Recent advances in liquid metal chemistry have shown that room temperature liquid metals may offer new pathways to facilitate this reaction and could overcome these challenges. During this project, the candidate will synthesize new liquid metal catalysts and apply them in prototype reactions to produce NH3. The candidate will learn valuable synthesis techniques, explore the properties of the produced liquid metals using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities and will design catalytic reactors and prototypes. This project will be conducted within the vibrant liquid metal and catalysis research groups, providing ample opportunities for collaboration.\n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Torben Daeneke","title":"The chemistry and properties of liquid metals","description":"Liquid metals are an intriguing class of materials that is enabling novel applications and technologies spanning from functional electronics, biomedical devices, sensors to catalysis and the synthesis of nanomaterials. In recent years a range of novel alloys has been developed that are liquid at or near room temperature and that are non-toxic. Liquid metals are unique, since they combine the electric and thermal conductivity of metals with the fluidity that is usually associated with covalent solvents such as water or ethanol. Despite harbouring immense technological potential, very little is known about the chemistry that occurs within liquid metals. This project will investigate the fundamental properties of liquid metals using advanced electron microscopy-based techniques as well as synchrotron and neutron scattering experiments in order to reveal processes such as bond formation and chemical reactions within a molten metallic matrix. During this project, the candidate will synthesize new liquid metal alloys and will analyse their properties in detail. The candidate will learn valuable synthesis techniques, explore the properties of the produced liquid metals using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy facilities and will work with the broader team to understand how liquid metals can catalyse reactions. This project will be conducted within the vibrant liquid metal and catalysis research groups, providing ample opportunities for collaboration. \n \n Candidate Profile: This project is well suited for candidates with a background in chemistry, physics, materials science, chemical engineering and related disciplines. Projects can be offered at both Masters by research and PhD level.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Nanoengineering approach in upcycling waste materials to value added products","description":"The project aims to explore waste upcycling, a process of converting waste materials into valuable products, using materials science\/engineering principles. It will begin by identifying waste materials such as plastic, paper, and textiles and an upcycling process will be developed using techniques such as polymerization, pyrolysis and other means. The properties of the upcycled products will be characterized using various materials science techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of the upcycled products will also be evaluated. Finally, the economic feasibility of the upcycling process will be assessed by considering the cost of raw materials, processing, and the market value of the upcycled products.\n \n The project's expected outcomes are the development of a sustainable upcycling process that produces valuable products from waste materials. The upcycled products will have desirable properties and offer a sustainable solution to waste management. This project will contribute to the growing field of sustainable materials science and provide valuable insights into waste upcycling. It will also offer a promising solution to tackle the significant concern of waste management worldwide.\n \n In conclusion, this project aims to develop an innovative approach to waste management through upcycling using materials science principles. The project's outcomes will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions to the pressing issue of waste management and provide valuable insights into the application of materials science principles in waste upcycling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aonghus McNabola, Sara Moridpour, Vikram Garaniya","title":"Assessing the impacts of air pollution on commuter exposure to air pollution in Melbourne","description":"Air pollution poses a significant risk to public health worldwide and is known to be responsible for the premature death of 6.8 million people per annum. Exposure to high levels of air pollution can commonly occur in cities, in indoor environments and in transport settings. Exposure to air pollution of commuters in the transport arena has been extensively studied. However recent shifts towards electrification of transport (electric cars, trains, scooters, etc), and shifts in work practices (working from home) have resulted in changes to the air quality landscape.\n\nThis PhD project will examine the evolution of air pollution exposure in commuters in Melbourne considering factors of changed work practices and transport options. The project will assess the health impact of commuter mode choice and the impact of working routine patterns (i.e number of days at home vs in the office). The project will also assess mitigation options (Green Infrastructure, Transport Policy, etc) to address public health impacts using air pollution and transport modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"401101 Air Pollution Modelling & Control (25%). \n370102 Air Pollution processes and air quality measurement (50%).\n400512 Transport engineering (25%).\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Developing Solutions for Wastewater Heat Recovery in Australian Food Processing and Production ","description":"Significant amounts of energy are expended on heating water for various applications including the processing and production of food. This occurs in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and food processing plants. When this hot water is used it is discharged as hot wastewater, still containing a large portion of the energy embedded within it. Sending hot water to the sewer system is a significant waste of energy and unnecessarily contributed to the emissions of the food sector.\n\nThis project will develop solutions for the recycling of waste heat in wastewater from the Australian food sector. The project will include assessment of the available heat energy resources available in the Australian context and co-develop solutions with industry to recycle this heat, reducing the cost and environmental impact of water heating for food production. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401204 Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) (25%).\n401205 Experimental methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (25%).\n401106 Waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling (25%).\n400513 Water resources engineering (25%).\n401703Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical) (25%)."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Nanosensors for pollution monitoring and industrial process control","description":"Introduction:\n Chemical sensors play a critical role in environmental monitoring, energy, and industrial process control applications. In this project, we aim to develop a new generation of chemical sensors that are sensitive, selective, and cost-effective.\n \n Objectives:\n The primary objective of this project is to develop chemical sensors that can accurately detect and quantify a wide range of chemical species in environmental, energy, and industrial applications. Specifically, we aim to:\n \n 1. Identify the chemical species of interest in the target applications.\n 2. Develop novel sensing materials and designs to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity.\n 3. Characterize the performance of the chemical sensors using various analytical techniques.\n 4. Test the chemical sensors in real-world scenarios to evaluate their performance and reliability.\n \n Methodology:\n The project will begin by identifying the chemical species of interest in the target applications. These could include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), greenhouse gases, and other contaminants commonly found in the environment, energy, and industrial processes.\n \n Next, we will develop novel sensing materials and designs that can achieve high sensitivity and selectivity for the target chemical species. This will involve the synthesis and characterization of various sensing materials, such as metal oxides, polymers, and nanomaterials.\n \n The performance of the chemical sensors will be characterized using various analytical techniques such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The sensors will also be tested in real-world scenarios to evaluate their performance and reliability.\n \n Expected Outcomes:\n We anticipate that this project will result in the development of a new generation of chemical sensors that are sensitive, selective, and cost-effective. The chemical sensors will have a wide range of applications in environmental monitoring, energy, and industrial process control. The findings of this project will contribute to the growing field of chemical sensors and provide valuable insights into the design and development of novel sensing materials.\n \n Conclusion:\n This project proposes an innovative approach to chemical sensor development for environmental monitoring, energy, and industrial process control applications. The project's outcomes will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions to the pressing issue of environmental monitoring and process control. The findings of this project will also provide valuable insights into the application of chemical sensors in various industrial sectors, such as energy, chemical, and manufacturing.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng) \/ DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Felicity Roddick, Kathryn Hassell (School of Science)","title":"Integration of CO\u2082 capture with algal wastewater treatment for carbon fixation and resource recovery","description":"The global demand for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving sustainable wastewater treatment is becoming increasingly urgent. Traditional wastewater treatment processes often rely on energy-intensive methods that contribute to carbon emissions, while ineffective nutrient management leads to water pollution. To meet global climate goals and sustainable development targets, novel technologies must not only improve treatment efficiency but also offer solutions for carbon capture and resource recovery.\n\nThis PhD project aims to develop and optimise an integrated CO\u2082 capture and algal wastewater treatment system that maximises carbon fixation, nutrient removal, and resource recovery. By harnessing algae\u2019s potential for carbon sequestration and nutrient recycling, this project will create a scalable, sustainable process that aligns with circular economy principles. Although algal-based systems have shown potential in both CO\u2082 capture and nutrient removal, challenges remain in terms of system efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Limited research exists on the integration of these two processes at a large scale. This project will address these gaps by optimising the synergy between carbon capture and wastewater treatment using algae, with a focus on practical, industrial applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400401        Carbon capture engineering (excl. sequestration) (40%)\n400410        Wastewater treatment processes (40%)\n310699        Industrial biotechnology not elsewhere classified (20%)\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Building with smoke","description":"Carbon soot is one of the oldest materials known for its hydrophobic properties, robustness, and availability, making it an ideal material for use in various applications. The drawbacks, however, are the loose structural binding between constructing carbon nanoparticles and the amorphous nature of soot itself. In this project, the student will investigate a facile chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method that maintains the soot template structural integrity and enables its modification into a highly photoactive, self-cleaning titania fractal network. We have previously shown that such technique results in surfaces with small air pockets that are available on the surface combined with the salinization process producing TiO2 fractal network with superamphiphobic properties. Given the high surface area of the fractal network structure and titania\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s well-known photocatalytic activity, the designed surfaces can be assessed for their photocatalytic decoloration activities. Soot template derived TiO2 films can offer enormous potential in many different applications where self-cleaning and\/or high surface area and photoactive properties are required. When modified with other metal\/metal oxide decoration techniques, these surfaces could be highly active for catalysis and chemical\/biochemical sensing applications. The student will have an opportunity to explore a large combination of materials with different properties for a wide range of applications. This is an emerging field and the student will be able to produce a range of novel structures for applications ranging from gas sensing to solar energy harvestation, electrochemistry, catalysis and the like.\n \n References:\n [1] AE Kandjani, YM Sabri, MR Field, VE Coyle, R Smith, SK Bhargava, Chemistry of Materials 28 (21),\n 7919-7927","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haiyan Li","title":"Develop advanced injectable bioactive hydrogels for improving tissue regeneration","description":"In situ tissue engineering technology is promising in breaking the bottleneck of traditional tissue engineering technology by only using pure biomaterial scaffolds to in situ recruit surrounding cells and tissues into scaffolds to form regenerated tissue, taking advantage of the surrounding microenvironment as a natural bioreactor. As the only and key factor, the engineered biomaterial scaffolds for in situ tissue engineering requires specific biophysical and biochemical cues to direct endogenous cells to the injury site and modulate the behaviour of the cells. Injectable hydrogels have been playing a major role in tissue engineering as biomaterial scaffolds. However, in terms of the biochemical cues, most of the current hydrogels can only stimulate a certain phase of tissue regeneration by delivering bioactive substances, ignoring the facts that tissue regeneration is a dynamic process that involves several sequential phases working in coordination to ensure an optimal tissue regeneration. In terms of the biophysical cues, the nanoporous structure of traditional hydrogels is an obstacle for the infiltration of surrounding cells and tissues into the hydrogels and maintaining normal behaviour of the migrated cells, which significantly impede tissue regeneration. Thus, advanced injectable hydrogels with an ability of sequentially delivering therapeutic agents to each wound healing stage and macroporous structure are desired for advancing in situ tissue engineering. The current project aims to develop advanced injectable hydrogels simultaneously possessing sequential delivery ability and macroporous structure.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR217 PhD (ChemicalEng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rajarathinam Parthasarathy","title":"Scale mitigation in agitated slurry tanks","description":"Scale build-up in slurry vessels employed in the mineral processing industry costs the industry millions of dollars through increased capital expenditure, reduced capacity, and production loss during the de-scaling cleaning operations. Most of the available literature on scale minimisation focuses on applying chemical anti-scalants. However, it is currently hard to predict the extent of scale suppression that anti-scalants could achieve due to a lack of complete knowledge of scale inhibition mechanisms. Moreover, chemical anti-scalants are expensive and significantly increase operating costs. This project investigates the influence of fluid flow patterns and intensities generated by agitators on scale minimisation in single- and two-phase systems. The project will use an accelerated precipitation reaction to grow scales on the walls of the agitated tank, which can be dismantled for quantitative scale thickness measurements. A coordinated measuring machine would be employed to scan the surface of the tank wall for scale analysis. The project aims to investigate the influence of operating and geometric variables such as impeller type, baffles, inert solids concentration, particle size, impeller speed, and impeller number of impellers on the scale distribution on tank walls. In addition to experimental work, numerical modelling (CFD) will be employed to understand the relationship between the scale distribution and the fluid flow patterns within the vessel. The project's outcomes would have the potential to significantly reduce the downtime experienced by the mineral processing industry due to scale build-up, thereby increasing revenue due to increased throughput.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400403 Chemical engineering design (70%) ; 400408 Reaction engineering (excl. nuclear reactions) (20%) ; 400499 Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Erica Kuligowski, Matt Duckham","title":"Community Evacuation Modelling in Fire Evacuations (PhD position)","description":"RMIT University has been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d. As part of this program, the School and our partners GhD are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area wildfire evacuation, modelling and multi-modal and big data analytics. The candidates will contribute to the enhancement of the WU-NITY community evacuation platform to enable its use in industrial applications in fire evacuations, including techniques to automatically take in multi-modal information to reconfigure the platform in real-time and compare with the evolving situation on the ground.\n\nThe candidate will be working with Dr Erica Kuligowski (lead) and Dr Matthew Duckham, experts in evacuation and modelling. GHD is an international company and provides a range of engineering and professional services in several key sectors (Energy and Resources, Environment, Property and Buildings, Transportation and Water). GHD is actively expanding its capacity to provide professional engineering and science services relating to community preparedness for wildfire events, evacuation planning\/design, evacuation management and post-incident recovery. GHD operates a dedicated technical service line for emergency and disaster management globally alongside our Digital and Advisory businesses.","sdg":"[\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-05-30","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"460207 (50%) - Modelling and simulation \n400507 (50%) - Fire safety engineering\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ricky Chan, Ben Cheng ","title":"Intelligent monitoring of scour damages to bridge structures ","description":"Erosion of foundations due to fast-moving water (scour damage) is a common cause of bridge damage. Over half of our bridges are built over water and this is a significant concern. Scour damage is also very difficult to detect since they are underwater. In this project, we will investigate the possibilities of detecting scour damage using a sensor network. By observing changes in sensor reading, we may indirectly detect damages that are not visible during routine visual inspections. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400508\n400510\n400512"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chun-Qing Li, Sujeeva Setunge, Kevin Zhang, Jie Li, Usha Iyer-Raniga, Kate Nguyen, Chamila Gunasekara        ","title":"ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure","description":"ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure aims to transform the capability of civil infrastructure stakeholders to design, construct, operate and dispose of infrastructure in a carbon neutral way. By training industry-embedded PhDs and postdocs in the methodology and technology required to design out excess carbon of infrastructure in its whole life, this Centre expects to lead the world in sustainable infrastructure design, enabling a new generation of infrastructure design in Australia and internationally. \n\nFor further information, please visit the Centre\u2019s website on https:\/\/dfco2.org.au","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400508 - Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management\n400510 - Structural Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)\/ MR218 MEng (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sathees Nava, Kevin Zhang, Srikanth Venkatesan","title":"Developing Bio-Inspired Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) to Improve Resistance to Blast and Impact Loads","description":"In the modern era, ensuring the safety and resilience of infrastructure against dynamic loads such as blasts and impacts is a critical engineering challenge. Cross-laminated timber (CLT), an environmentally friendly and sustainable building material, has shown great promise in construction due to its lightweight nature, ease of use, and renewable sources. However, traditional CLT may not be robust enough to withstand extreme conditions like blast and impact loads, which are common in military, industrial, and high-security environments. To address this, we propose developing bio-inspired CLT that mimics natural structures, enhancing its resistance to these dynamic loads while maintaining the material's sustainability and structural efficiency. The primary objective of this project is to develop a new form of bio-inspired CLT with enhanced resistance to blast and impact loads. By drawing inspiration from biological structures known for their superior load-bearing and energy dissipation capabilities, such as the toughened, layered structure of seashells or the intricate fibre arrangement in bone. This research aims to enhance the structural properties of CLT to resist blast waves and impact forces more effectively. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510  Structural Engineering (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)\/ MR218 MEng (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sathees Nava, Kevin Zhang ","title":"Developing an AI-Based Framework to Assess the Post-Fire Status of Mass Timber Buildings","description":"The number of mass timber building (MTB) construction projects is increasing in Australia and globally due to their environmentally friendly attributes. Engineered timber products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (GLT), are key materials used in mid-to high-rise MTB construction. These products provide a high level of prefabrication and offer multiple performance benefits, including high in-plane and out-of-plane strength, stiffness, and superior acoustic and thermal performance. However, their combustibility poses a challenge to their application in taller buildings. To mitigate this, appropriate fire safety measures are implemented in high-rise constructions to delay the rapid spread of fire, typically confining the damage to the vicinity of the fire's origin. Despite these measures, localized fires can lead to delamination failures in the adhesive bonds of CLT and GLT, resulting in a swift reduction in structural strength and the potential for progressive collapse. This research aims to develop an AI-based framework to assess the post-fire condition of mass timber buildings, providing crucial insights into their structural integrity and safety following fire exposure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510  Structural Engineering (60%)\n 400508 Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ngoc San Ha, Yi Min Xie","title":"Innovative Bio-Inspired Concrete for Superior Mechanical Properties, Sustainability, and Resilience","description":"This project aims to revolutionize the mechanical performance and sustainability of concrete materials through innovative bio-inspired designs and eco-friendly manufacturing techniques. The project seeks to pioneer the integration of Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS), such as primitive and gyroid cells, into composite concrete materials, forming lightweight yet durable structures. These designs will be realized using advanced 3D-printed sacrificial moulds, providing a unique combination of strength, ductility, and energy absorption. The research will develop an eco-conscious concrete mix that reduces carbon emissions while enhancing mechanical properties, leveraging biomimetic methods. Rigorous testing, including uniaxial compressive loading, bending, and drop impact tests, will assess the performance of these bio-inspired materials under various stress conditions. Expected outcomes include a cutting-edge design methodology for high-performance concrete and a sustainable manufacturing process that reduces material waste and environmental impact. This project will deliver substantial benefits, including enhanced durability, resilience in extreme conditions, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and significant cost savings in construction and repair. The findings promise to set new standards for next-generation construction materials, particularly in critical infrastructure projects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400505 Construction Materials (100%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Filippo Giustozzi","title":"Asphalt materials for roads and airports","description":"This project focuses on the development and application of advanced asphalt materials for road and airport infrastructure. The aim is to enhance the durability, safety, and sustainability of asphalt pavements used in both urban roads and high-traffic airport runways. \n\nThe project encompasses several key components:\n1. Material Research and Development: Investigate new asphalt formulations, including modified asphalts and composite materials, to improve performance under varying environmental conditions and traffic loads. This involves experimenting with additives such as polymers and recycled materials to increase the resilience of asphalt against cracking, rutting, and thermal deformation.\n\n2. Performance Testing: Conduct rigorous testing of asphalt mixtures to assess their performance metrics, including resistance to wear and tear, water infiltration, and temperature fluctuations. These tests will simulate real-world conditions to ensure the materials meet or exceed industry standards.\n\n3. Application Techniques: Explore and refine application techniques to optimise the paving operations. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of different mixing and laying methods (i.e. WMA).\n\n4. Sustainability Assessment: Evaluate the environmental impact of asphalt materials and explore ways to enhance their sustainability through life-cycle assessment studies. This includes assessing the potential for using recycled materials and reducing the carbon footprint associated with asphalt production and application.\n\n5. Case Studies and Implementation: Implement and monitor the performance of new asphalt materials in selected road and airport projects via digital technologies (i.e. digital twins) and sensors. Gather data and feedback to refine material properties and application methods.\n\nThe project's outcomes aim to set new benchmarks for asphalt performance, leading to longer-lasting, safer, and more environmentally friendly pavements in critical infrastructure projects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400505 (50%)\n400512 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chun-Qing Li, Kevin Zhang, Sujeeva Setunge, Kate Nguyen, Jie Li, Usha Iyer-Raniga, Chamila Gunasekara","title":"Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure","description":"The ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure (\u201cDfCO2\u201d) will bring together expertise from 21 academic and industry partners from including universities, government authorities, professional associations, and industry partners. We aim to transform the capability of civil infrastructure stakeholders to design, construct, operate and dispose of infrastructure in a carbon neutral way. By training industry-embedded PhDs and postdocs in the methodology and technology required to design out excess carbon of infrastructure in its whole life, this Centre expects to lead the world in sustainable infrastructure design, enabling a new generation of infrastructure design in Australia and internationally.\n\nPlease visit https:\/\/dfco2.org.au for further information.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400508 Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management (60%)\n400510 Structural Engineering (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajeev Roychand, Jie Li","title":"An innovative concrete slab and flexible pavement system","description":"The aim of the project is to investigate the performance, feasibility, and potential benefits of using Rombus concrete slabs and flexible pavement systems in road construction and rehabilitation projects. In addition, it looks to carry out detailed structural optimisation using finite element analysis to optimise and enhance its structural performance. The project seeks to assess the structural integrity, durability, and sustainability of these innovative pavement designs compared to traditional methods. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianhu Shen, Mohammad Saberian, School of Engineering","title":"Hypoplastic-Constitutive Law for Evaluation of Stabilized Soils with Recycled Materials","description":"The dramatic growth of construction activities and urbanisation has increased the need for raw and virgin materials around the world. A large volume of solid waste materials is piled up in landfills, leading to environmental concerns. The waste materials can be recycled and reused for soil stabilization purposes such as slope stability, road embankments, pavement base, subbase and subgrade, etc. In addition, a reliable constitutive model essential for evaluating the stability of stabilised soils with recycled materials should be employed to describe their mechanical properties. There is a huge gap in the knowledge of hypoplastic constitutive models for evaluating the behaviour of stabilised soils with reclaimed materials.\r\n\r\nThe motivation for using hypoplastic equations over elastoplastic ones is that hypoplastic constitutive equations require fewer parameters and constants compared to the complex system of equations involved in elastoplasticity, which includes elasticity, yield criterion, plastic potential function, hardening laws, and other factors. Also, hypoplastic constitutive equations involve a single equation with a homogeneous function of degree one that relates the objective rate of the stress tensor to the rate of the deformation tensor. As a result, hypoplastic materials are easier to model and simulate compared to elastoplastic materials. \r\n\r\nIn this research project, shear band formation and hardening and softening behaviours of stabilised soils with recycled waste materials will be investigated by hypoplastic constitutive law. Also, the results will be compared with experimental data.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lei Hou, John Thangarajah","title":"Artificial Intelligence for Timber Structure Design Optimisation","description":"This PhD aims to tackle the critical challenges faced by the Australian timber frame sector, including timber structure design, cost efficiency, resource usage, sustainability, and productivity, through developing advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. \nWe encourage motivated students passionate about integrating advanced technology into structural engineering to apply. \n\nAnticipated Outcomes: \n \u2022 Conduct a comprehensive literature review on machine learning, genetic algorithms, and neural networks. Identify suitable AI techniques for timber structure design optimisation and provide a detailed report on selected AI techniques, their applicability, and potential synergies; \n \u2022 Develop an AI model incorporating reinforcement learning and deep learning to optimise timber structure design. The model should consider factors like financial effectiveness, material consumption, environmental impact, and work efficiency. An analysis of feature importance and model interpretability will be part of this task; \n \u2022 Validate the developed AI model using cross-validation and transfer learning in case studies. Develop practical guidelines for AI implementation, based on AI ethics and best practices\uff1b\n \u2022 A comprehensive AI model for intelligently optimising timber structure design.\nEssential Criteria: \n \u2022 First-class honours in Civil Engineering, Computer Science, or similar fields from a recognised institution; \n \u2022 Prior research experience in AI, machine learning, or structural engineering;\n \u2022 Publications in relevant fields will be an advantage;\u2022 Experience with data analysis and statistical software.\n\nSupervisors: \nSenior joint supervisors: Professor Kevin Zhang and Dr Lei Hou \nAssociate supervisor: Professor Jie Li ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"David Law","title":"Optimisation of Cathodic Protection of Reinforced Concrete Structures","description":"\"The majority of the infrastructure built today is made from steel reinforced concrete. As a result of this widespread use, the corrosion of steel reinforcement costs billions of dollars annually in repair and maintenance. It was estimated in 2010 that this corresponds to 3% of the world gross domestic product ($73.3 trillion). One of the most widely adopted repair techniques is impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) which has been shown to be an effective method of halting corrosion. ICCP operates by negatively polarising the steel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s potential in order to thermodynamically prevent corrosion from occurring. Research has shown that the application of ICCP also induces secondary changes in the local environment at the steel\/concrete interface. This is due to the removal of chloride ions from the vicinity of the steel coupled with the production of hydroxyl ions at the steel surface, resulting in the restoration of the steel passivity. Current standards state that initial polarisation of the steel can employ a current of up to 20mA\/m2. The aim of the application of ICCP being to reduce the corrosion rate to a minimal level. In the early years of the technology this current was maintained over the life of the ICCP system, however it is now general practice to reduce the current to the minimum level required to maintain protection as per the relevant standard. In addition to saving energy, lowering the applied current extends the lifetime of the ICCP system and reduces the likelihood of acid attack at the anode. Past studies on structures with ICCP systems have reported evidence of continued passivation and protection (based upon a number of factors including, steel potentials, corrosion rates and continued increase in potentials to more positive values even after the current has been halted. This ongoing protection is known as residual protection. Residual protection of structures has been observed to last for several years however it is not observed in all structures .While studies have confirmed the presence of continued protection, to date there has been no systematic study on which factors are critical to it. This project will investigate potential factors include applied charge density, duration of current application, total amount of charge passed, concrete chloride content and structure environmental conditions. This will provide information on the reaction kinetics, the electrochemistry of the steel concrete interface and the operation of ICCP systems. This project will involve the understanding of electrochemical process in the corrosion and protection of reinforced steel structures. The understanding of how these factors influence continued protection will contribute to the improved operation of ICCP systems over the long term.\n References:\n [1]. S. Bhuiyan, D. W. Law, P. Nicholls & C. Christodoulou, Investigation of Residual Protection of Steel following Application of Protective Current, Construction & Building Materials, 162, 503-511, 2018, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.conbuildmat.2017.12.049 [2]. ALEXANDER, M. & THOMAS, M. 2015. Service life prediction and performance testing - Current developments and practical applications. Cement and Concrete Research, 78, 155-164. [3]. ANGST, U., ELSENER, B., LARSEN, C. K. & VENNESLAND, O. 2009. Critical chloride content in reinforced concrete - A review. Cement and Concrete Research, 39, 1122-1138. AS2328.5 2008. AS 2328.5 Cathodic Protection of Metals; Part 5 Steel in Concrete. . Australian Standards. [4]. ASTM, C.-. 2009. Standard Test Method for Half Cell Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete. [5]. BHUIYAN, S., LAW, D. W., MOLYNEAUX, T. C. K. & NICHOLLS, P. 2014. The Impact Of The Interruption Of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection On The Steel\/Concrete Interface. In: GRANTHAM, M. (ed.) Concrete Solutions; 5th International Conference on Concrete Repair. Belfast. [6]. BROOMFIELD, J. P. 2007. Corrosion of Steel in Concrete, 2nd Edition, London, Taylor & Franc","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Uplift resistance of buried offshore pipelines in clay soils","description":"In recent times, there has been a rapid increase in the use of subsea pipelines to transport high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) hydrocarbons. Such pipelines are commonly buried in clay seabed to provide environmental stability, thermal insulation and mechanical protection. These buried pipelines, operating at high temperature and pressure, have a high tendency to buckle upward during its service life. Such upheaval buckling of pipes are traditionally restrained by using a rock dump and\/or backfill materials to prevent the potential failures. The use of rock introduces more stability to the pipeline during its upward expansion, but is less economically viable compared to the use of backfill material. However, there is uncertainty in the use of backfill materials, as determining the safe cover heights depends on several factors such as clay consolidation (time-dependent process), pipe operating conditions and racheting effects. This research project will investigate the estimation of uplift resistance of buried offshore pipelines in clayey soils and safe burial depths required to mitigate upheaval buckling. This research project will determine the factors affecting uplift resistance in cohesive (clayey) soils using large scale experiments and advanced numerical simulations. The results will be used to obtain the probability of failure for pipelines against upheaval buckling and to produce design guidelines for safe burial of pipelines in clay backfills.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Predicting the vulnerability of road pavements subjected to landslides","description":"Failure of coastal roads in Australia and worldwide can be significant due to cascading events such as flood or storm surge. One of the major causes for these failures was identified as landslides near the major road due to the floods and associated erosion. Even now, the authorities are unsure about the stability of the surrounding land and the vulnerability of road network under floods. Such damage to road networks would cost millions of dollars for remediation of the infrastructure, and more importantly, these cascading events can result in significant social cost as a result of damage to the community\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s transportation network. This project will look into assessing the vulnerability of road infrastructure subjected to floods. Flooding can induce damage to roads by a two-way damage mechanism. Firstly, the roads can fail due to washouts of embankments by scour phenomenon which can lead to landslide of the road subgrade (local slide). Secondly, the failures can be due to shear strength failures in cut-through slopes across roads (i.e. external slide). The soil conditions of subgrade and cut-through slopes will first be collected across a series of road network in Australia. Then, the hydro-mechanical numerical models will be developed to assess the effect of flooding induced hydro-dynamic forces on embankments and cut-through slopes. The major contribution to knowledge will be understanding of the floods which lead to failure. The developed models will be validated using case studies. A prediction model which can be used to assess the potential damage of roads during floods will be developed for in-place road infrastructure","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Assessing the leak-before-break in underground tunnels","description":"Construction of underground tunnels for needs such as transport, water supply, sewerage and telecommunication is an increasing worldwide demand. The reported statistics showed that many countries adopt underground tunnelling to facilitate their transportation systems due to limited above ground space and safe operational requirements. Such tunnels are buried in ground with soil\/rock which provides protection and support. However, these buried tunnels are often subjected to deterioration mainly due to weathering of rocks, corrosion of reinforcement and\/or degradation of concrete. Consequently, the leaks have become a common problem in these assets and management of these aging infrastructures has become a pressing issue for asset managers. Such failures can cause significant consequences in terms of economic loss to asset managers, public safety, damage to property and also have an adverse effect on the overall performance of the tunnels.\n \n The main driver for the failure of underground tunnels is the water flow through the surrounding material. Due to deep embedment conditions, most of underground tunnels could be assumed under submerged conditions and hence the water flow imposes major concern when assessing the condition of underground tunnels. The water flow will first induce scour\/erosion of the surrounding material, which can result a run off of fine particles from the soil\/rock matrix. The erosion will further cause to generate additional pathways for water flow (i.e. increases the permeability) due to particle run off. As a result of enhanced permeability in the surrounding material, additional water percolates on the surface of the tunnel. As most of the buried tunnels are ageing, there is high possibility that lining could possess cracks through which soil\/rock particle could run off with the leaking water. Such leaking is commonly identified as exceeding serviceability condition by asset managers who tend to adopt remedial measures such as cement grouting to fix the water leaking. Even though such practice could fix the leaking in short term, these cracks can still be active due to continuing deterioration, operation loads and material erosion behind the tunnel. As a result, cracks can propagate to a limiting condition (i.e. length & width) that could lead to exceed acceptable convergences or even to result catastrophic failures. This project will investigate the effect of cracks on the performance of buried ageing tunnels using numerical modeling. First, an advanced numerical model will be developed on the basis of randomly generated concrete meso-structure using user defined concrete damage plasticity model. The model will be calibrated using unconfined compressive strength tests on samples prepared at different concrete grades. The developed and calibrated model will be applied to capture the crack propagation of the tunnel lining which interacts with eroded rock\/soil interface under fatigue loading. The results will be useful to asset managers to understand the influence of existing visible cracks on the overall performance of the underground tunnel and to estimate the safe life before resulting unacceptable tunnel behavior.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dilan Robert","title":"Application of recycled waste materials in road construction","description":"Expansive soils in many areas of the world cause significant hazards to lightweight building foundations and highway pavements. These soils experience changes in volume due to seasonal moisture fluctuations by undergoing swelling during wet season and shrinkage during dry periods. If a pavement rests on expansive soil, longitudinal cracks may occur on its surface because of the seasonal volume change of the subgrade expansive soil. Moisture susceptible change characteristics of expansive soils always cause costly damages to buildings in terms of inclined cracks in claddings and instability of footings. Over designing of foundations and slabs to address this problem incur excessive expenses in addition to the overuse of natural resources. Consequently, the need for change in conventional foundation construction system is becoming a very important requirement to construct houses and buildings more sustainable and with a very low maintenance cost over the lifetime. This project will look into the use of recycled wastes in constructing roads and foundations in expansive soils.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Understanding the fate and control of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants","description":"Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are the major receivers of microplastics (MPs) prior to their release into open waterways. The major proportion of MPs are generated from textile fibres from washing machines and plastic commodities such as personal care products and cosmetics, these particles enter WWTPs through municipal wastewater discharge systems. Current studies focus on the removal of MPs (1 \u00c2\u00b5m to 5 mm in size) in primary and secondary wastewater treatment processes. Studies have demonstrated that these processes do not remove all MPs and that well over 100 million MP particles are released from WWTP each day. Concerningly, our preliminary data shows that the levels of nanoplastics (NPs) released into the environment after wastewater treatment due to water shear forces are at least 40 times greater than the levels of MPs. Notably, NP has potentially greater health impacts due to their greater surface area, enabling them to adsorb heavy metals and other toxic species, that are then consumed by humans, animals, and aquatic living organisms. Therefore, our researchers are solving this problem by (i) developing\/modifying the existing technology used in the primary treatment stage to remove NP\/MPs from wastewater so that this pollutant stop entrance to the next stages of the WWTPs, and (ii) developing a membrane-based platform for tertiary unit of the WWTP to remove NP\/MP with other impurities present in secondary effluent.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Controlling FOG Deposition and Corrosion in Sewer Lines: Insights into the Mechanisms and Control Strategies","description":"Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are a major problem in sewer systems, leading to blockages, corrosion, and other issues that can cause significant damage to infrastructure and the environment. Despite efforts to control FOG, the problem persists, and there is still a need for better understanding of the mechanisms of FOG deposition and corrosion in sewer lines, as well as effective control strategies. This proposal aims to investigate the mechanisms of FOG deposition and corrosion in sewer lines and identify effective control strategies. The study will involve laboratory experiments and field observations to examine the behavior of FOG in sewer systems, including factors that influence deposition and corrosion. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of better strategies for controlling FOG deposition and corrosion in sewer lines, which can help prevent damage to infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs, and protect the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"From Waste to Resource: Selective Recovery of Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future","description":"Critical minerals are vital for many modern technologies, but their supply is limited and difficult to extract. Waste streams, including mining waste, electronic waste, fly ash, and wastewater, contain significant amounts of critical minerals that can be recovered. Recovering critical minerals from waste streams can reduce environmental impacts, generate new revenue streams, and reduce dependence on imports. Our proposal is to develop physical-chemical and separation-based platforms to selectively recover critical minerals from different waste streams, promoting the circular economy and reducing the environmental footprint of critical mineral extraction.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Development of a novel catch basin insert basket to remove pollutants from stormwater","description":"The urban stormwater runoff volume is increasing with the increase in impervious areas due to rapid development. The surface runoff, along with gross and dissolved pollutants, accumulates inside the side entry pit and then infiltrates into the groundwater or passes onto the receiving water environment through the underground stormwater drainage network. However, gross pollutants can clog the underground pipe network system and increase the dissolved pollutant concentration of nearby water bodies. Various best management practices have been introduced to remove these pollutants, including gross pollutant traps, constructed wetlands, retention ponds, detention basins, grass swales, bio-filters, and catch basin insets. However, most of these technologies are not effective enough in stormwater treatment. As a result, minimally treated stormwater is rapidly discharged into ground and surface waters. The focus of the project is to develop a new catch basin insert basket to remove gross and dissolved pollutants and road-dusted micro-plastics from stormwater. The treated stormwater will then be released gradually to recharge a groundwater aquifer or released to surface waters in a manner that mimics the natural hydrologic cycle.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Erica Kuligowski","title":"Modelling Human Behaviour along the Bushfire Evacuation Timeline","description":"With global temperatures rising, bushfires are expected to increase in frequency and intensity in the coming years. Just in 2019-2020 alone, the bushfires burnt tens of millions of hectares, caused 33 deaths, and threatened and displaced hundreds of communities across Australia [1]. Since the 2009 Black Saturday fires, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) have emphasized evacuation as the preferred option to protect exposed populations from harm due to these fires and led the development of a handbook on evacuation planning for all hazards [2]. Additionally, the use of decision-making tools, like evacuation simulation models, are being used more frequently to calculate clearance times for communities, identify areas of congestion, and even test the benefits of certain traffic management solutions.\n However, it is difficult to plan for evacuation (or use any of the decision-making tools or models for evacuation) when the data on human behaviour in response to bushfires are limited [3]. This project focuses on collecting data on people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s response to bushfires using survey and interview methodology. Surveys and interviews have been used to study evacuation decision-making in bushfires, and in particular, the factors that influence people to decide to evacuate or not in a particular fire [3]. However, few studies have collected data on what happens after a household makes a decision to evacuate or not \u00e2\u20ac\u201c including the types of protective actions that they take; the time until actual movement to safety begins (i.e., also known as departure time); and the modes, routes and destinations chosen to reach safety (if evacuating). A student involved in this work will focus on 1) developing surveys and interview guides to collect data on a range of evacuation decisions and behaviours during bushfires; 2) use these data collection instruments to collect household response data from multiple fires across Australia; and 3) develop predictive models that identify the relationship between environmental, social and individual factors and behaviours throughout the evacuation timeline. The student would then work with researchers on implementing these predictive models into evacuation simulation platforms.\n References:\n [1] Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements: https:\/\/naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au\/ [2] https:\/\/knowledge.aidr.org.au\/media\/5617\/aidr-evacuation-planning-handbook.pdf [3] Kuligowski, E. (2020). Evacuation decision-making and behavior in wildfires: Past research, current challenges and a future research agenda. Fire Safety Journal, 103129. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.firesaf.2020.103129","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianhu Shen","title":"Monitoring Quality of 3D Constructed Buildings Through Digital Twin Models","description":"Different from conventional new buildings, there are layered patterns on any surfaces of 3D printed concrete structures. Those patterns are formed during the printing and curing process of concrete structures. Any abnormality during printing and curing process will result in some types of changes on the layered printing patters. A close monitoring of allowable variation of patterns from normal printing pattern will be a significant information to monitor the health of those newly 3D constructed buildings. Identifying the practical range for the allowable variation of the changes will be a significant further development for this new technology. \n The research project aims to identify the acceptable range of variation between the designed model and digital twins formed during and after the 3D printing process as to assist the monitoring the safety of the 3D printed buildings. The digital twin models are formed through computer vision by means of videos and images recorded during and after printing process.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianhu Shen","title":"Design Active Protective Structures Against Impact Loadings Caused by Extreme Weather","description":"Climate change affects everything. The chance of impact loadings on structures and human are greatly increased due to hail, flood, and strong winds. It is necessary to design an economic, effective, and eco-friendly defensive structures to reduce those negative impacts. One of such methods under extensive exploration is to utilize the design of smart structures and well developed 3D printing technology to build temporary defensive structures. \n This project aims to design new sustainable smart structures to save life against strong impact loadings during extreme weather conditions. Those smart structures could be used as decoration structure and will be self-adaptive to a defensive mode subjected to change of environments, i.e, water immersive, heavy wind, sufficient impact loading acting on them.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie li","title":"Development of sustainable and low-carbon concrete utilising different forms of recycled materials","description":"Recycling waste in concrete applications is an important step towards creating a closed-loop circular economy. Concrete is one of the world's most widely used construction materials, and its production requires large amounts of natural resources, including aggregates, water, and cement. Recycling waste materials such as demolished concrete, fly ash, slag, red mud, mining waste, and glass can help to reduce the environmental impact of concrete production by reducing the amount of virgin materials needed. By using recycled materials in concrete, we can conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, recycled concrete can often perform as well as, or even better than, traditional concrete. By incorporating recycled materials in concrete, we can support a circular economy where waste is seen as a valuable resource rather than a problem to be disposed of. This project aims to investigate different forms of challenging waste materials, treating them where required to make them compatible for their application in concrete to develop a sustainable, low-carbon concrete composite.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Li","title":"Development of innovative low-carbon pavement using recycled waste materials","description":"The civil and infrastructure sectors' increasing activities have led to a significant rise in quarry aggregate consumption. As a result, there is a heavy reliance on natural resources in civil engineering, which has led to large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions from virgin material extraction. Moreover, the construction sector, particularly road construction, generates a considerable amount of waste materials (almost half of the world's waste) through demolishing buildings and other infrastructure projects. This project aims to explore various recycled materials' potential applications in road pavement. An innovative low-carbon pavement stabilisation technology that utilises different waste streams will be developed.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Li","title":"Pile foundation in expansive soils","description":"Pile foundations are one of the most cost-effective methods of transferring the loads from superstructures to the underlying firm ground. However, the design of pile foundations in unsaturated expansive clays presents many challenges for geotechnical and structural engineers. These are primarily associated with the shrinkage and swelling that accompanies seasonal changes in soil moisture. Current design tools are only applicable to piles embedded in fully saturated soils. This project will develop a mechanistic approach to pile foundation design in expansive soils through scaled laboratory testing, field experiments and numerical analyses.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Li","title":"Impact of Trees on Ground Movement and Infrastructure Performance","description":"Planting and maintaining trees in urban areas are crucial for environmental sustainability. However, trees can also cause issues such as extracting excessive soil moisture near buildings, which can lead to settlement and structural damage. Current engineering guidelines given in Australian Standard AS2870 (2011) are not based on adequate field research and measurement. Consequently, attempts to design footings to resist the additional ground movement due to trees are often flawed, owing to poor understanding of the water demands of various tree species, wilting points and potential root development.\n This project aims to study the impact of trees on building performance, soil moisture patterns, and ground movement on clay sites in suburban areas. The results will be used to improve the AS2870 guidelines and guide the selection of street tree species for sustainable urban development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Digital Twin and Virtual Simulation for Efficient Energy Planning","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. As part of this program, the School and our partners Wu You Technologies are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of digital twin and virtual simulation for the purposes of efficient energy planning in the construction industry. \n \n The candidate will be working with Prof Kevin Zhang and Dr Lei Hou, experts in digital twin modelling in the construction industry. Wu You Technologies is a local company is with deep industry knowledge, decades of experience and networks in the architecture, engineering and construction sectors.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jeffrey Chan","title":"Modelling and Decarbonising Critical Infrastructure using Digital Twins","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. As part of this program, the Schools and our partners Mott MacDonald are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of digital twin methodologies to model critical infrastructure. This could include characterising the performance of critical infrastructure under a range of conditions and provide decarbonisaion options. \n \n The candidate will be working with Dr Mojtaba Mahmoodian, Prof. Sujeeva Setunge and Dr Juerg von Kaenel, experts in Civil Engineering and digital twin modelling. Mott MacDonald is an international company that have contributed to the development of many important national infrastructure in transport, energy, water and the built environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Automatic Condition Assessments of Civil Infrastructure","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. As part of this program, the School and our partners MacDonald Lucas are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of IoT enabled inspections and image recognition techniques to automate condition assessments of civil Infrastructure. The project will create a proof of concept for a digital twin of a facility to enable self-diagnosing and predictive modelling. \n \n The candidate will be working with Prof Sujeeva Setunge and Dr Mojtaba Mahmoodian, experts in IoT and automated assessment of civil infrastructure; and Dr. Azadeh Alavi, expert in computer vision. Macdonald Lucas is a SME that provides advice and services for civil infrastructure and have a long, on-going collaboration with RMIT University.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Mohammad Saberian Boroujeni","title":"Development of eco-friendly low-carbon pavements using waste materials, low-carbon\n binders and a nanopolymer admixture","description":"Renolith has been used for road applications in many countries for over 25 years. Several projects were completed very successfully in Australia until 2001, when it was withdrawn from the Australian market due to a commercial dispute between the patent holder and the distributor. The suitability of the product for road construction in the contemporary Australian context has not been examined. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation of the stabilization of pavement\u2019s wearing course, base, subbase and subgrade layers using the latest Renolith formula (Renolith 2.0) will be performed in this project. To this end, a series of experimental studies, including strength and stiffness tests, deformability analyses, microstructural and physicochemical analyses, and durability tests under various weather conditions (such as cyclic wetting-drying and freeze-thaw), will be conducted. Suitable soil\/aggregate materials will be selected based on market context and sustainability criteria, such as RCA, clay and in-situ materials (eg. Degraded unsealed roads). Compatibility with lowercarbon cementitious binders, such as OPC\/slag\/fly-ash blends will be evaluated. To limit the number of variables, binder and Renolith 2.0 admixture will be applied at rates recommended by the Organisation. We will collaborate with Grey Vort Pty Ltd on this project, as the company partially funded the project. The PhD applicant will have a chance to work in the company as an intern for 3-6 months. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400502 Civil geotechnical engineering (90%) ; 401902 Geomechanics and resources geotechnical engineering (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Development of Digital Twins for Intelligent monitoring and maintainance of civil infrastructure","description":"The traditional approach for monitoring and maintenance of civil infrastructure (e.g., bridges, ports, pipeline) is visual inspection and judgmental assessment. This approach is costly, risky and inaccurate. With advancements in technologies such as Internet of Things, 3D visualisation and artificial intelligence, more advanced methods can be developed for intelligent monitoring and maintenance of civil infrastructure. In this project the efficient use of Internet of Things including high tech sensors (e.g., wireless sensors, fibre optic sensors, etc) will be investigated. Methodologies to select the best type of sensors, optimise number of sensors and suggest the best locations for sensors will be developed. A fast Finite Element model of the infrastructure will be built and then sensor data will be used as an input for the FEM, to create a real-time FEM. The digital model (which is a digital twin of the structure) will be equipped with artificial intelligence algorithms (using machine learning) to suggest the best maintenance decision to the asset owner. The intelligent maintenance system can be developed for different type of infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels, ports, energy infrastructure, pipeline network, etc","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Development of digital twins to improve energy efficiency in buildings","description":"Buildings consumes approximately 40% of the total energy in developed countries. A huge portion of this energy is wasted due to lack of a good control and management of heating and cooling systems. To overcome these challenges, a digital twin tool to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort in residential buildings will be developed in this research. The technology integrates Internet of Things and artificial intelligence algorithms. The digital twin framework enables the creation of a virtual replica of a building\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s physical environment and helps facility managers to gain new operation insights, optimize energy use, and monitor building performance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mojtaba Mahmoodian","title":"Digital twin development for predictive corrosion management","description":"Many of civil engineering structures and infrastructures are made of steel. However, the major problem with steel is 'corrosion'. There are methods to prevent steel corrosion, but most of them are not efficient or are very costly.\n Billions of dollars are spent every year in the world due to the cost of steel corrosion. This research will develope a digital twin technology based on Internet of Things which can remotely collect data from a steel structure under corrosion, and then automatically analyze data and suggest the best maintainance action. Use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms will help to create an intelligent digital twin which can help the asset owner to make optimum maintainance decisions and also predict the remaining life the steel structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Synthesis of biochar\/nano-biochar for remediation of microplastic soil pollution","description":"The accumulation of microplastics (MPs, plastic particles < 5 mm) in the soil environment has become a growing concern in recent decades due to its various detrimental impacts on agroecosystems. The intrusion of MPs into agricultural land through plastic mulching, wastewater irrigation, application of sewage sludge, and atmospheric deposition causes alteration of soil physicochemical and biological properties of soil. MPs with different sizes and properties are also responsible for altering soil structure, bulk density, and water-holding capacity to hamper nutrient recycling and thus disrupt soil microbial activity. Hence, the trophic transfer of MPs through the food chain harms humans and other animals.\n Biochar\/nano-biochar (BC\/nBC) can enhance soil properties, plant growth, bioremediation of pollutants and pesticides, management of plant disease-pest, treatment of biosolid and wastewater, and assist in the mitigation of climate change through carbon sequestration (Chausali et al. 2021). However, several studies have revealed the higher removal efficiency of MPs via biochar from an aqueous medium (Wang et al. 2020, Wang et al. 2021, Elbasiouny et al. 2023), where little information on biochar (especially nano-biochar) application in remediation of MPs contaminated agroecosystem (soil-plant) are available. During experimentation, fabrication (from crop residues or other materials) and characterization of BC\/nBC and MPs with soil and plant will be studied first. Then most potential interactive behavior will be examined under different conditions like soil moisture, pH, and temperature. Simultaneously, the remediation percentage and other challenges will be investigated under controlled and field environments. \n Chausali, N., Saxena, J. and Prasad, R., 2021. Nanobiochar and biochar based nanocomposites: Advances and applications. J. of Agriculture and Food Research, 5, 100191. \n Elbasiouny, H., Mostafa, A.A., Zedan, A., Elbltagy, H.M., Dawoud, S.F., Elbanna, B.A., ... & Elbehiry, F., 2023. Potential Effect of Biochar on Soil Properties, Microbial Activity and Vicia faba Properties Affected by Microplastics Contamination, Agronomy, 13(1), 149. \n Wang, J., Sun, C., Huang, Q., Chi, Y., Yan, J., 2021. Adsorption and thermal degradation of microplastics from aqueous solutions by Mg\/Zn modified magnetic biochars, J of Hazardous Materials, Vol 419, 126486. \n Wang, Z., Sedighi, M., Lea-Langto, A., 2020. Filtration of microplastic spheres by biochar: removal efficiency and immobilisation mechanisms, Water Research, 184, 116165.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Water quality monitoring sensor data for operation and future improved design of Water Sensitive Urban Designs (WSUDs)","description":"Water Sensitive Urban Designs (WSUDs) have formed a part of integrated water management (IWM) in the Melbourne metropolitan region since the early 2000s when Melbourne Water (MW) launched several initiatives aimed at improving the water quality of the catchments discharging into Port Phillip Bay (Port Phillip City Council 2010). However, few studies exist on the performance of the engineered features in WSUD assets, e.g. wetlands and bioretention filters. There are also considerable variations between different Councils in terms of WSUD implementation policies (e.g. type and number of features in a given district). Moreover, Council boundaries rarely coincide with the water catchment boundaries. These may therefore suffer from a lack of integrated river basin management due to both the policy variability and local variations in land use.\n Existing water quality monitoring network has revealed significant data gaps and weaknesses both in the monitoring data collected by the State VWQMN network (i.e. in this region; MW or EPA data) and the volunteer (Waterwatch) networks. Temporal gaps are a particular issue as the current monitoring frequency (usually monthly) is simply too infrequent to capture the full range of events in these catchments. Spatial gaps exist especially in terms of the existing network failing to monitor the effects of WSUDs (i.e. support the hypothesis that WSUDs are improving water quality) due to an absence of suitable sites in these catchments. In the 2005 VWQMN assessment, most monitoring sites in the target catchments failed the standards for concentrations of both nutrients and heavy metals.\n It is our opinion that a clear requirement exists for a field monitoring based research project to collect high quality data from targeted assets and other monitoring sites (e.g. upstream of WSUDs) to add value to the current design and implementation strategies. In this regard, a suite of newly developed water quality monitoring sensors could be utilised to collect continuous data both from upstream and downstream locations of the targets. Based on these data, advanced modelling tool like SWMM can be standardised to evaluate the future design, construction, and management of those assets.\n References:\n 1. Port Phillip City Council, Water plan toward a water sensitive city, 2010; ISBN 978-0-9757763-7-7\n 2. Tjandraatmadja, G., Cook, S., Sharma, A., Chacko, P., Myers, B.and Pezzaniti, D. 2014 Water Sensitive Urban Design Impediments and Potential: Contributions to the SA Urban Water Blueprint Goyder Institute for Water Research Technical Report Series No. 14\/16, Adelaide, South Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Life cycle optimization of green building design, construction and operation: a multi-criteria approach for decision-making","description":"The construction industry plays a vital role in the Australian economy, contributing around 7% to Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s GDP (ABS 2010). Australia's per capita GHG emissions are the highest of any OECD country where building sector alone contribute to 19% of Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s total energy, and 23% of Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s total GHG emissions (ASBEC 2008). Buildings are built to last for several decades. Over such a long lifetime, operational use of the buildings with its heating and cooling has a significant economic and environmental effect, as like maintenance. Construction and disposal have a one-off effect, but this may also be significant. Even a small reduction in economic and environmental effects in any of the life cycle stages would be significant when the number of buildings is taken into account. This project will develop an integrated analytical framework for optimization of building design and construction. Currently a number of tools are in use to evaluate star rating of the buildings only to comply with local legislation. There is no provision to integrate cost-benefit analysis and performances of materials and methods to construct and operate a building to have a whole life cycle management perspective. In order to achieve a fully optimized building, the life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) along with star-rating would be integrated into the proposed framework. LCA and LCC will be based on whole building and whole life cycle basis, which would include construction, operation, maintenance, recycle and disposal phases. In order to integrate all these fragmented activities, an integrated tool will be developed to enable multi-criteria decision-making. A designer can easily navigate through the complex relationship of the design objectives and constraints to trade-off the various design options and their impacts on life cycle energy, cost and environment. A simple data input-output interface under the Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform will be proposed to analyze the bill of quantity (BOQ) of the building plan and various assemblages. All these will be subsequently used to evaluate the star rating, life cycle environmental impacts and cost. Finally, the optimization algorithms will be used to verify the potential economic, environmental and social savings that could have achieved without compromising project specific constraints. Optimization will evaluate all the results of alternative designs to come up with potential decision options.\n References:\n [1]. ABS (Australia Bureau of Statistics) 2010, Year Book Australia, 2009\u00e2\u20ac\u201c10, ABS, Canberra, <www.abs.gov.au>.\n [2]. ASBEC (Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council) 2008, Building A Low Carbon Economy With Energy Efficient Buildings, ASBEC, Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Muhammed Bhuiyan","title":"Forecasting and control of biofouling in water distribution system","description":"Biofilm growth, also known as biofouling on any submersed surfaces, is the unwanted attachment and growth of sessile microorganisms. Biofouling in water distribution system (WDS) can lead to a number of water quality issues, including chlorine demand, coliform growth, pipe corrosion, water taste and odour problems. While it is well-known that a number of physicochemical and biological factors contribute to biofilm formation, recent studies suggested that the surface roughness and the near-surface microfluidic conditions play a key role in the settlement of microorganisms and subsequent biofouling problems (Partha et al. 2013 and 2014. Conventionally, the biofilm growth problem in a WDS is being handled by different manual cleaning methods such as flushing, air scouring and swabbing to more abrasive methods. However, conventional pipe cleaning practices (e.g. flushing) have limitations in developing appropriate flow conditions to remove biofilms from wall surfaces. An aggressive cleaning method could aggravate the problem further by dislodging the encrustations of the pipe walls and accelerating the next stage biofouling. On the other hand, the excessive use of disinfectant (e.g. chlorine\/chloramine) to remove harmful microorganisms from water and pipe walls produces disinfection by-products (DBPs) which can cause potential health problems. To reduce excessive use of disinfectant and costly manual cleaning, the present study proposes a novel approach based on CFD analysis of the pipe geometries to forecasting biofilm growth potential areas. These critical areas in WDS will be protected by applying self-cleaning engineered surfaces. The introduction of CFD model parameters into an existing ANN model is expected to be effective in reducing excessive operational cost involving unnecessary monitoring and chlorine injection points. CFD analysis can also reveal precise mechanism of biofilm growth on pipe walls in relation to surface roughness and flow conditions.\n The proposed self-cleaning surfaces are microstructure-based synthetic patterned surfaces, capable of developing lotus-effect on the pipe walls, and are effective in controlling biofilm growth under specific hydrodynamic conditions. The microstructure-based synthetic patterned surfaces are non-toxic approach of biofouling control inside the pipe networks.\n References:\n 1. Partha Halder,..and Muhammed A. Bhuiyan, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153An assessment of dynamic stability of microorganisms on patterned surfaces in relation to biofouling control\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Biofouling: The J. of Bioadhesion & Biofilm Research, Vol. 30, Issue 6, pp. 695-707, 2014 (Impact factor 3.701 in 2013\/14); DOI:10.1080\/08927014.2014.914177\n 2. Partha Halder,\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and Muhammed A. Bhuiyan, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A novel approach to determine the efficacy of patterned surfaces for biofouling control in relation to microfluidic environment\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Biofouling: The J. of Bioadhesion & Biofilm Research, Vol. 29, 6, pp. 697-713, 2013 (cited by 3 - Scopus; impact factor 3.701 in 2013\/14); DOI:10.1080\/08927014.2013.800192","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Analysing Road Safety Strategies and Analysis and Modelling of Accidents for Different Road Users","description":"In today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world, traffic accidents are known as an important concern for many countries. In fact, safety is defined as a main concern on designing, maintenance and development of every transport system in these countries. The number of traffic accidents in Australia and Melbourne has decreased in recent years. However traffic crash always is a noticeable concern in transport research. According to Crash Statistic of Victoria (CrashStat) data 49,401 accidents are happened during 2008 and 2012 in Melbourne metropolitan area [4, 5, 6]. Analyzing the crash severity in this city shows that 1% and 34% of these accidents were fatal and serious injuries, respectively. In these accidents, cars (Passenger cars, utilities and vans) were involved in 81% of accidents, also motorcycles and bicycles involved in 7% of accidents. In addition, trucks, buses and trams involved in 3.5%, 1% and 0.4% of accidents, respectively. Analyzing the accident shows that 57% of these accidents are occurred at intersections and 60% of these intersections were without any controls. Identifying these locations with high number of accidents helps improve safety and decrease the number of accidents in these locations.\n \n Road safety still remains one of the main social and health issues in many countries. Understanding the underlying relationship between traffic crash severity outcomes and factors leading to more severe crashes is very important in addressing the problem of safety for different road users including pedestrians, cyclists, heavy vehicles, and passenger cars. This research aims to identify the main factors including road, drivers, and social-economic characteristics associated with crash severity outcomes in Victoria. Furthermore, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will be applied to identify crash hotspots. Understanding of contributing factors and crash hotspots will provide practical policies and strategies to enhance road safety.\n \n Social and economic factors are known as influencing variables for vehicle-pedestrian crashes. Literature shows that socioeconomic factors related to location of crash are usually applied for vehicle-pedestrian crash analysis. Moreover, limited study considered pedestrian living area neighbourhood to apply social and economic factors for vehicle-pedestrian crash modelling. However, it is not investigated that for vehicle-pedestrian crash analysis variables related to living area neighbourhoods are more important or location of crash.\n This research aims to reveals how factors related to living area neighbourhoods and location of crashes can influence on vehicle-pedestrian crash severity. Consistent with that broad aim, the following objectives are identified:\n \n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Extract and compare socio-economic factors related to pedestrians\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and drivers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 living area neighbourhoods and location of crashes.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Develop models to predict the frequency or severity of crashes for different road users.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Improving Access to Transport Systems and Enhancing Active Transport in Urban and Rural Areas","description":"A large number of research studies have identified that suburban areas of Australian metropolitans are suffering from significant transport disadvantages. More recent research indicated that increasing auto fuel prices and home loan interest rates intensify transport disadvantages in Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s suburban fringe. However, improving public transport accessibility in terms of service coverage and availability may result in a more reliable transport system as a whole [5]. The growing number of studies used land-use and design measures such as population density; land use mixing and connectivity. Six groups of land use factors are interconnected with transport including settlement size; urban density, land use mix; urban design; local accessibility to public transport and the provision of parking. More recently, transportation research has become concerned with built-environmental determinants of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153active transport\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, driven mainly by the need to reduce the negative side effects of auto-related issues. Active transport is commonly defined as trips made by non-motorized mode of transport such as walking and cycling. However, Use of public transport is considered within the definition of active transport as it often involves some walking or cycling to get connected from origins to destinations of trips. As discussed two fundamental urban features that impact travel choice and active transport, are the proximity of different land uses and connectivity between complementary activities e.g. work, and shop. The aim of this project is to develop a framework to integrate disaster mitigation strategies in transport system and enhance access to transport network during disaster. The project expects to develop innovative and practical accessibility measures to transport network during disasters. The project also presents strategies to enhance access to road network and public transport system during natural disasters. The expected outcome is a robust framework to measure how residents could access the road network and public transport system in natural disasters. This should minimise the costs associated with natural disasters and save lives. The results from this project should provide significant benefits to the Australia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s economy and society.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Optimising the Planned Maintenance of Transport Infrastructure","description":"Transport organisations have traditionally focused on construction\/expansion of transport infrastructure. After completing the expansion of transport networks, the emphasis has shifted from developing new infrastructure to intelligently maintaining the existing ones. In recent years, economical constraints have influenced budget allocation to transport sectors. This resulted in highlighting the development of maintenance management systems in transport sectors particularly in transport infrastructure. Maintenance management systems assist organisations in deciding when and how to maintain transport infrastructure facilities to minimise the maintenance cost\/time and diminish replacement activities. Many parameters involve ensuring that transport systems is operating to its safe and best practice standards. The condition of the transport infrastructure can influence the system operation either directly or indirectly. To keep the transport infrastructure in a reasonable condition and to obtain the most benefit out of its life cycle, a maintenance\/renewal regime is required. Providing a maintenance plan to recover the serviceability of transport infrastructure from damages and preventing further wear-out is essential for such large networks. Meanwhile, existing transport infrastructure optimisation models minimise the operating cost\/time of maintenance. They mainly ignore the cost\/time experienced by the users of that particular transport infrastructure and users of other transport sectors (e.g. road users). However, a systematic modeling\/optimisation approach which is general, efficient, and practically implementable will assist the transport industry in gaining consumers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 satisfaction as well as significant cost savings and operational benefits in the longrun. The broad aim of this research project is to optimise the planned maintenance tasks and timing for transport infrastructure by means of a state-of-the-art data collection coupling smart phones and traditional techniques. Consistent with that broad aim, the following objectives are identified: \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Develop a deterioration model to predict the transport infrastructure damage by a state-of-the-art data collection method using smart phone applications. \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Develop an optimisation model for planned maintenance activities that minimises the maintenance as well as users cost\/time at the same time.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Route planning and optimisation in Urban Areas","description":"Finding the shortest route in urban space for tourist buses is a complicated problem in the temporary world. Therefore, the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) is a problem that is essential that I need to research and apply the existing optimal solution. In my study, I investigate one solution, the Genetic Algorithm (GA), to solve the problem. Moreover, when this algorithm is implemented in Python language programming and combined with Google APIs to calculate the optimal distance between multiple locations, and then I consider the real-time traffic condition to solve TSP effectively and efficiently via Google Maps.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Moridpour","title":"Development of a modelling tool to optimise traffic management actions","description":"This project aims to develop a modelling tool to understand the car-following and lane changing patterns of passenger cars and heavy vehicles on urban freeways and highways and to predict the dynamic traffic congestion, incidents and traffic flow breakdown, occurrence of incidents and incident duration on urban freeways and highways during congestion. The key objectives of this project are:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2Developing a framework to predict traffic patterns, traffic congestion and the traffic flow breakdown under different traffic patterns during congestion.\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2Developing a framework to predict the occurrence of incidents, type of incidents and duration of incidents during congestion.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shiwei Zhou","title":"A Computational Framework for Designing High-performance Shell Lattices","description":"This project aims to design ultra-lightweight shell lattices that exhibit exceptional stiffness, strength, and energy absorption capacity, individually or in combination. It expects to advance material design by using innovative approaches to thin-film expression, finite element analysis, and optimization. Furthermore, it will enhance the understanding of the effective properties of porous materials composed of self-repeated cells.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shiwei Zhou","title":"Sectionwise Volumetric Additive Manufacturing and Its Computational Design","description":"This project aims to devise and prototype ultra-lightweight shell lattices with functional gradient properties and exceptional energy absorption capacity. It expects to generate new knowledge in computational structural design using innovative approaches to thin-film geometry expression, finite element analysis, and optimisation algorithms. Also, it will develop the understanding of ultrafast manufacturing of complex structures via printing them volumetrically.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Susanna Lin","title":"Application of Innovative Materials and Technologies in Precast Structures","description":"Precast structures have attracted a lot of research interests in recent years. Prefabricated structural components such as slabs, walls, columns and beams can be constructed and assembled in a short period of time. Better quality control and higher efficiency can be achieved in prefabrications of structural components, and the interruption to the environment and traffic can be minimised. However, the application of precast structures is still limited due to the lack of knowledge of their performance under dynamic loads, such as seismic and impact loads. This project will investigate the structural performance of precast elements\/structures under both static and dynamic loads. The advanced materials and approaches will be applied to solve the critical issues in precast structures so as to improve the performance of connections\/joints between segments, enhance energy dissipation capability, reduce displacement and reduce damage to the structures. For example, the high performance fibre reinforced concrete, FRP or rubber can be applied to connections as a substitute material or strengthening material, the precast segments can be made of or infill with advanced materials, and the innovative shape and arrangement of shear keys can be developed for assembling two segments with enhanced shear resistance. Both laboratory testing and numerical study are required for this project. Knowledge of engineering materials, structural analysis and fundamentals of computational mechanics is essential. The experience of numerical modelling is desirable.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Susanna Lin","title":"Investigation and Application of Advanced Materials in Engineering Structures","description":"Engineering structures might be subjected to extreme loadings during their service life, such as seismic loads, impacts and high temperatures, which may result in severe damage to the structures and cause tremendous casualties and property loss. The application of advanced materials, such as fibre reinforced polymer and fibre reinforced cementitious composite, has gained worldwide interest in recent years due to their superior characteristics. By using the advanced material as a substitute or retrofitting material, it is expected that the performance of engineering structures could be improved substantially. This PhD project will investigate the characteristics of a selected composite material and the performance of the structural component made of the selected material under the extreme loading conditions. Compared to the materials tested under static load and room temperature, very different behaviours are often observed for the materials under extreme loading conditions. For example, the cracking and spalling may occur in cementitious materials under high temperatures and lead to material degradation, whereas the material strength could increase significantly when subjected higher loading rates. In this project, the properties of the selected material will be tested and determined, considering various affecting parameters caused by the selected loading scenarios as well as the different material compositions. A constitutive material model may then be developed and employed in the structural analysis under the selected loading scenario. This project requires both laboratory testing and numerical study. Knowledge of engineering materials, structural analysis and fundamentals of computational mechanics is essential. The experience of numerical modelling is desirable.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Designing Innovative and Efficient Structures Using Topological Optimisation Techniques","description":"Novel and efficient designs of structures can be achieved by using topological optimisation techniques that are capable of maximising the performance of the load bearing system and minimising its weight. The bi-directional evolutionary structural optimisation (BESO) method, originally proposed by Professor Mike Xie and his team, has been developed for this purpose. BESO is based on the simple concept of gradually removing inefficient material from a structure and, at the same time, adding material to the most needed locations. Such a simple but universally applicable technique can be used to not only significantly reduce the weight and the associated energy consumption of aircraft and motor vehicles but also produce strikingly elegant structural designs of bridges and buildings. \n \n This PhD project is aimed at: (1) further developing the BESO technique and apply it to the design of innovative buildings, bridges and other structures and devices; (2) integrating the design optimisation method with additive manufacturing technology (including direct 3D printing and lost-wax casting) so that the optimised forms could be fabricated quickly, precisely and economically. \n \n The PhD candidate will be supervised by an internationally renowned researcher and practising engineer, Distinguished Professor Mike Xie, who is one of the most highly cited scholars in his discipline in Australia, with over 27,000 citations and an h-index of 77 (as of March 2023). The candidate will be interacting extensively with an outstanding team of researchers in the RMIT Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (https:\/\/www.cism.org.au\/).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Digital Design and Advanced Manufacturing of Customised Fa\u00c3\u00a7ade Panels and Structural Components","description":"This PhD project will explore emerging technologies in both digital design (including structural optimisation, form-finding, algorithmic design, and parametricism) and advanced manufacturing (including 3D printing, robotic fabrication, and hybrid processes) with a view to further developing and applying these technologies for rapid prototyping and, ultimately, economical production of customised fa\u00c3\u00a7ade panels and structural components for innovative\/iconic architecture. There have precedents of architects creating such forms using digital tools. However, the cost and complexity of construction have been limiting. New technologies in both design and manufacturing are offsetting these limitations, reducing time, cost and risk. Using advanced manufacturing technologies (including 3D printing and robotic fabrication) this project will attempt to produce a series of large-scale prototypes of innovative structures generated from the design optimisation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Optimal Design and Additive Manufacture of Novel Metamaterials for Exceptional Mechanical Performance","description":"The project aims to establish an effective and efficient computational framework for the topological design of novel mechanical metamaterials considering both geometrical and material nonlinearities. This will overcome a formidable bottleneck in practical applications of metamaterials which are mostly based on linear elastic assumptions. The expected outcomes will be a new methodology and an advanced engineering design tool that can be used for the development of new classes of metamaterials with exceptional mechanical properties (e.g. negative compressibility or negative Poisson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ratio) over a large strain range. Such novel metamaterials will have many important applications, particularly in biomedical and defence industries.\n \n The PhD candidate will be supervised by an internationally renowned researcher, Distinguished Professor Mike Xie, who is one of the most highly cited scholars in his discipline in Australia, with over 27,000 citations and an h-index of 77 (as of March 2023). The candidate will be interacting extensively with an outstanding team of researchers in the RMIT Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (https:\/\/www.cism.org.au\/).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yi Min 'Mike' Xie","title":"Innovative Structural Design and Additive Manufacturing","description":"This PhD project aims to conduct research on the theoretical development and practical applications of structural optimisation and additive manufacturing techniques. The topics can be related to: \n\u2022 Shape and topology optimisation of structures for a wide range of applications\n\u2022 Novel structural designs for free-form architecture\n\u2022 Additive manufacturing and robotic fabrication of complex-shaped structures\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2028","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis for Building Green Retrofit","description":"Global warming caused by carbon emissions-induced energy consumption has been recognized as the largest threat to future sustainable development. The building sector is a major contributor to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. Therefore, how to reduce building environmental impact has become an important research issue. Green retrofitting has been considered an effective solution for energy saving and carbon emission reduction in the short term, compared with new green building construction. There are many retrofitting technologies for green retrofit. To determine the best green retrofitting strategy, a comprehensive life cycle sustainability analysis becomes necessary. This research will investigate the current development in building green retrofit, explore the possibility to use new technologies and methods for sustainability analysis of building green retrofit over its life cycle and propose a sustainability analysis framework for building green retrofit in Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Developing an IoT System for Asset Information Management for Prefabrication Industry","description":"Building projects using prefabricated techniques can achieve high levels of performance from the collaboration between design development, manufacturing and logistics. In practice, however, methods that dominate the day-to-day exchange of asset information are predominantly based on 2D drawings, barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification tags. Such methods may hinder timely responses when changes or interruptions occur, leading to inaccurate inventory, prolonged lead time, late delivery and misplaced assets. The construction industry is seeking productivity growth and there is an immediate need for these issues to be tackled. The Internet of Things (IoT) has incredible potential for information management and helping the industry to deal with diverse prefabricated assets across the design, manufacturing, logistics and on-site construction phases. This project aims to develop a low-cost IoT system that is capable of efficiently gathering, archiving, displaying and sharing the information about production and logistics tasks of prefabricated assets. This project will also verify the feasibility and effectiveness using a real-life prefabrication construction project in which the SME and its business partners collectively participate. Eventually, the development will be made accessible to the Australian prefabrication industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Integrating BIM with System Dynamics for Simulating Building Life-cycle Environmental Impact","description":"With fast economic development, especially in developing countries, large amounts of natural resources are consumed for new buildings, including land, water, timber and minerals. Buildings also consume a lot of energy and generate large amounts of greenhouse gases during their life cycle. The consumption of resources causes many harmful local and global changes, such as deforestation, climate change and global warming. The built environment is responsible for 40% of world materials usage, a third of the energy consumed by the world economy and 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions, therefore, have been considered the main contributor to global warming. There is a need to reduce building life cycle environmental impacts.\n The integration of a BIM model with System Dynamics can help analyze a building\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s environmental impact at an early stage, and relevant sustainability trade-off analysis can be made using actual BIM data. The real building data can also be used effectively throughout its life cycle. The information extracted from a BIM model can be integrated with a System Dynamics model for the development of sensitivity analyses. The results can help make better decisions related to design, operation, maintenance and upgrading. This integrated model will help decision makers to find better solutions, improving a building\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sustainability performance in its life cycle. This research will provide a new data-sharing method between BIM and System Dynamics, and an integrated simulation model of the environmental impact a building makes throughout its life cycle.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongtao Tan","title":"Low Carbon Modular Housing in Australia","description":"The increasing global housing demand, along with the growing number of infrastructure projects, has seriously challenged the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Thus, modular housing offers a sustainable alternative method to traditional buildings. For example, modular housing can be relocated to another site, and the embodied energy can be preserved. Modular construction can also help to increase production efficiency and shorten the construction duration. With modern technologies, such as 3D simulation and visualization technology, modular housing can be simulated from design to demolition stage to optimize the design by considering a combination of the building envelope, heating, cooling, water heating and ventilation issues, and renewable energy. This research investigates the technical and managerial challenges in Australian modular housing, identifies energy-efficient technologies and practices for modular housing, and develops a framework for optimizing the design of low-carbon modular housing in Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kevin Zhang","title":"Digital Twin and Virtual Simulation for Efficient Energy Planning","description":"RMIT University has recently been awarded and leading the CSIRO Next Gen Artificial Intelligence program \u201cAI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure\u201d. As part of this program, the School and our partners Wu You Technologies are seeking expressions of interest for a PhD candidate to work in the area of digital twin and virtual simulation for the purposes of efficient energy planning in the construction industry. \n \n The candidate will be working with Prof Kevin Zhang and Dr Lei Hou, experts in digital twin modelling in the construction industry. Wu You Technologies is a local company is with deep industry knowledge, decades of experience and networks in the architecture, engineering and construction sectors.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Susanna Lin","title":"PhD Scholarships in Structural Engineering: Innovative Structural Design and Additive Manufacturing","description":"An exciting opportunity for two outstanding PhD candidates. The two PhD projects aim to conduct research on the theoretical development and practical applications of structural optimisation and additive manufacturing techniques. The topics can be related to:\n \u2022 Shape and topology optimisation of structures for a wide range of applications\n \u2022 Novel structural designs for freeform architecture\n \u2022 Additive manufacturing and robotic fabrication of complex-shaped structures\n The projects will be carried out in the Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (CISM). More information about the centre can be found from the following website https:\/\/www.cism.org.au\/","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Biplob Pramanik","title":"Synthesis of metal organic framework-based membranes for nano\/microplastics removal","description":"The aim of this project is to understand the fundamental science governing the removal of nanoplastics from waste water by developing an innovative dually charged metal organic framework based nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane. The project expects to lead to a breakthrough in our scientific understanding of how nanoplastics and other pollutants can be efficiently removed from wastewater using membranes. The expected outcome is a process that can be used to convert wastewater into freshwater suitable for household, industrial and agricultural use. Such removal could also be of significant environmental benefit, as secondary effluent is a significant source of nanoplastics entering the aquatic environment.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Erica Kuligowski","title":"Agent models of tsunami evacuation behaviour to improve planning and preparedness","description":"When tsunami strikes, it is imperative that people are able to swiftly evacuate the affected area. The commonly communicated advice is to head inland or to higher ground, but there are areas in New Zealand where distances to safe locations may be too long for some to evacuate safely on foot and the capacity of the road network is limited. In these cases, it is imperative to evaluate evacuation conditions for multimodal evacuation, i.e., evacuation involving different means of transportation (e.g. by foot and\/or vehicle). This evaluation requires multimodal evacuation models for tsunami evacuation. Most existing evacuation models typically focus on one mode for evacuation, i.e., either on foot or using a vehicle. The PhD research aims to explore the use of multimodal models for tsunami evacuation, which may involve building on existing models or the development of a new model. Once a multimodal approach has been selected, the approach will be used in a case study. The case study will involve simulations of tsunami evacuation for a tsunami prone area in New Zealand (location to be determined). Finally, the research will involve visualisation of simulation results, which may involve the use of Virtual Reality.\n The PhD research will require programming skills (e.g. Python, Matlab, Java, C++). Past experience of evacuation modelling, choice modelling, human behaviour modelling, traffic modelling and\/or Virtual Reality visualisation is a merit.\n The scholarship is part of the NZ MBIE Smart Ideas grant: \"Agent models of tsunami evacuation behaviour to improve planning and preparedness.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Sustainable and optimised processes for 3D Concrete Printing ","description":"The project aims to harness the potential of sustainable 3D printing technology for the construction of concrete structures, with recycled materials taking precedence. This technological trend offers numerous advantages, such as rapid construction, the elimination of formwork, the reduction of heavy labour, and a vast array of design options and freedoms. In response to the urgent challenges posed by rapid climate change, the development of sustainable solutions must be accelerated [1]. The project focuses on utilising 3D printing technology to aid in carbon capture, decarbonization, and waste upcycling [2], among other significant initiatives. Traditional cement-based building materials, which are notorious for their high carbon emissions, typically possess low tensile and flexural strengths. However, the project intends to overcome these limitations without the use of fibre reinforcement by adopting sustainable principles. This method reduces reliance on carbon-intensive processes and eliminates the time- and material-intensive manual process of mixing fibre reinforcement during construction. Through the use of eco-friendly and recycled materials, the project aims to increase the durability and strength of the cementitious composite while reducing its ecological footprint. Through the investigation of new printable materials and advancements in 3D printing techniques, the project aims to produce high-quality structures that adhere to sustainable building standards. The project's goals align with the urgent need for eco-friendly solutions in the face of climate change and the promotion of sustainable practises.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"24\/11\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Bioinspired composite materials: design and optimisation","description":"Traditionally, engineers have depended on high strength and high hardness monolithic materials (steel and ceramics) to achieve the required resistance to such severe loadings. Unfortunately, many of these properties tend to be mutually exclusive within individual materials. There are limited options exist to improve the performance of conventional materials, which often come at a cost of additional mass. Natural (or biological) materials are generally composites with spatially heterogeneous having unique characteristics that distinguish them from synthetic ones. The Project focuses on identification of deformation & failure mechanisms of the hierarchical structure of hard biological materials through different length scale, with emphasis on biomineralized marine organisms such as mollusk shells, radular teeth and crustaceans exoskeletons. Understanding the biological materials could lead to design of intelligent and resilient materials and structures enhancing the performance and damage tolerance.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"Innovative lattice structure for energy absorption","description":"The design of resilient structures and materials requires the use of e\ufb03cient energy-absorbing structures made of multiple layers. In actual excessive loading conditions, a large amount of kinetic energy imparted to the structures that need protection. These sacri\ufb01cial layers are responsible for the dissipation of the energy as well as ensuring the forces transmitted to the main structure are kept below acceptable levels. Recent attention has focused the need to design and construct lightweight structures that o\ufb00er protection to infrastructure. Foam-based materials, such as highly ductile metallic foams, have been implemented in the design and manufacture of sandwich structures. However, many of the \ufb01rst generation of core materials o\ufb00ered highly irregular cell structures, making safe design both di\ufb03cult and highly conservative. Lattice structures have been identi\ufb01ed as possible energy-absorbing core structures, which can o\ufb00er greater strength-to-stiffness ratios compared to traditional foams. Different advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing or micro\/nano-fabrication will be considered to build the novel lattice structure.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"15\/11\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran","title":"3D printing composite material and bioinspired structures","description":"3D printing is expected to revolutionize the manufacturing of composite structures. The conventional composite fabrication methods require expensive facilities and equipments, such as autoclaves and complex rigid molds, hindering the rapid application of composites in the aerospace and automotive industry. 3D printing or additive manufacturing enables the rapid fabrication of near-net-shaped complex 3D parts without expensive molds or tools. Broadening the applicability of 3D printing for manufacturing primary and secondary composite structures is a major goal for aerospace and automotive industry. 3D printing of short or continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastics using commercially available fused-deposition modeling (FDM) systems such as Markforged has received greater attention for manufacturing high-performance composite components. However, the mechanical properties of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composites fabricated by conventional FDM 3D printing are inferior to the composites manufactured using the conventional processes. This research project will investigate the effects of the FDM process on the mechanical performance of 3D printed CFRTP composites. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400510, structural engineering 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tariq Maqsood","title":"Stability of buildings in flash flooding conditions","description":"Floods have caused widespread damage in several Australian communities in the recent past. The fundamental cause of this level of damage and the key factor contributing to flood risk, in general, is the presence of vulnerable businesses and buildings constructed within floodplains due to inappropriate land use planning [1].\nWhile there is now a construction standard published by the Australian Building Code Board [2] for new construction in flood prone areas, there is a large proportion of existing building stock that has been built in flood prone areas across Australia. An in-depth understanding of the effects of floods is required for the assessment of risk and the development of mitigation strategies, particularly in the context of limited financial resources. \nThe objective of this PhD project is to develop an understanding of the likelihood of damage and total building loss in high velocity flash flooding and riverine environments.  The project will assess the thresholds that relate building stability to flood hazard parameters (depth and velocity) and its ability to withstand the forces exerted by water during flash flooding events for selected building types. \nThis PhD project will build up on the research undertaken by Geoscience Australia [3] to understand vulnerability of residential buildings to natural hazards and will align with the research outcomes of the flood mitigation project within Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400599"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tariq Maqsood","title":"Understanding the resilience of businesses to flood inundation","description":"Recent natural disasters In Australia highlighted the vulnerability of buildings and businesses to natural hazards. These disasters resulted in physical damage, monetary losses and community disruption (along with deaths, injuries and impacts on health and wellbeing). More than nine million Australians have been impacted by a natural hazard in the past 30 years and the cost of natural disasters is expected to reach $39 billion per year on average by 2050 (in present value terms) [1]. In Australia, floods cause more damage on an average annual cost basis than any other natural hazard [2]. In this respect, reliable information about the vulnerability of buildings and businesses to floods is crucial in order to reduce the impacts in future.\nThis PhD project intends to understand the resilience of businesses to flood inundation. This would include assessing direct property damage and loss as well as understanding the ability of different businesses to recover. The research will assess business interruption costs due to a range of severities of floods within different catchment types. The project would involve exploration of resilience of selected businesses and field survey work following flood events.  The project would assess the broader scale impacts of flooding to economy at a business district scale.  The project will identify cost-effective strategies through cost-benefit analysis to make businesses more resilient physically and to improve their ability to recover and to resume operations.\nThis PhD project is precisely aligned with the research priorities in Urban Futures within the Enabling Capability Platforms and will explore strategies for sustainable development and resilient economies in Australian floodplains. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400599"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani, Du Yong Kim, Branko Ristic","title":"Advanced Autonomous Maritime Sensor Arrays for Detecting Drone Targets (PhD)","description":"This project focuses on developing AI-driven planning and control methods to deploy and manage an autonomous maritime sensor array for detecting drone targets. The system will coordinate multiple sensor platforms equipped with multimodal sensors (sonar, acoustic, radar, and vision) to ensure robust detection and tracking across diverse environmental conditions. The research will develop novel algorithms to optimize sensor deployment, communication relays, and dynamic configurations under varying sea states and visibility ranges.\n","sdg":"[\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103\tDeep learning (50%)\n400607\tSignal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani, Kandeepan Sithamparanathan, Bisma Manzoor","title":"Distributed Cognitive Electromagnetic Systems (PhD)","description":"This PhD project investigates how multiple intelligent platforms, such as drones, ships, or aircraft, can autonomously sense, communicate, and adapt their (communication, sensing) behavior in shared and dynamic RF environments. You will explore how AI can enhance spectrum awareness, improve coordination between platforms, and maintain reliable operation especially in congested or contested RF conditions.","sdg":"[\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103\tDeep learning (50%)\n400607\tSignal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Enhancing Quantum Communication with Machine Learning","description":"This research aims to integrate advanced machine learning techniques with quantum communication protocols to significantly improve their efficiency, security, and robustness. By leveraging adaptive algorithms and dynamic optimization methods, the project will develop and refine novel quantum communication strategies. These strategies will be designed to dynamically adapt to varying conditions and potential threats, ensuring reliable and secure data transmission. The project will explore the integration of quantum communication protocols with advanced wireless communication systems to enhance data transmission efficiency and security. Additionally, it will focus on developing and optimizing quantum communication strategies through adaptive algorithms and dynamic optimization methods, contributing to the broader field of quantum engineering systems. The expected outcome is a set of cutting-edge protocols that enhance the performance of quantum communication networks, paving the way for the development of next-generation secure communication systems. This research will contribute to the broader field of quantum information science, offering practical solutions for real-world applications in quantum communication networks.\n\n[1]. Hoch, F., Caruccio, E., Rodari, G., Francalanci, T., Suprano, A., Giordani, T., Carvacho, G., Spagnolo, N., Koudia, S., Proietti, M. and Liorni, C., 2025. Quantum machine learning with Adaptive Boson Sampling via post-selection. Nature Communications, 16(1), p.902.\n[2]. Khatri, S. and Wilde, M.M., 2020. Principles of quantum communication theory: A modern approach. arXiv preprint arXiv:2011.04672.\n[3]. Koudia, S., Oleynik, L., Bayraktar, M. and Chatzinotas, S., 2024. Physical layer aspects of quantum communications: A survey. arXiv preprint arXiv:2407.09244.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400608        Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave) (30%)\n400912        Quantum engineering systems (incl. computing and communications) (35%)\n510803        Quantum information, computation and communication (35%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Partridge ","title":"Understanding the resilience of businesses to flood inundation","description":"The demand for secure communication in defence, aerospace, and data networks is driving the need for reliable and efficient semiconductor technologies. Gallium Oxide (Ga\u2082O\u2083), with its ultra-wide bandgap of 4.9 eV, offers exceptional electrical properties, making it a strong candidate for advanced secure communication devices.\nThis project focuses on optimizing Ga\u2082O\u2083-based devices to enhance communication security by leveraging their energy efficiency and robustness. You will grow high-quality Ga\u2082O\u2083 thin films using scalable techniques such as RF\/DC magnetron sputtering, design novel device architectures for secure communication, and characterize their structural and electrical properties. The research will examine how material synthesis and contact design influence device performance, with applications in secure optical communication and related technologies, aligning with the UN\u2019s goals for sustainable innovation.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400909 Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications)\n401605 Functional materials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorbani","title":"Conformal Active Beamforming Metasurfaces","description":"This project aims to create conformal active holographic metasurface antennas with beam steering capabilities. By developing novel design methodologies using discrete surface impedances and Voronoi surfaces, the project expects to highly simplify the design procedure, antenna structure, and active beam-forming electronics. By using advanced aerospace compatible manufacturing, the metasurface antennas will be made fully conformal on the aerospace structures. The expected outcomes of this project will build fundamental components for the next generation multi-functional telecommunications, defence, and space electronic systems. Such antennas will potentially improve the payloads on the airborne and aerospace equipment and improve communication quality and internet access in the rural and regional areas of the world. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400608"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bui Xuan Minh, Ke Wang, Guanghui Ren, Arnan Mitchell","title":"Development of photonic IC and electronic IC integration","description":"This project aims to develop the capability to unite integrated electronic circuits with integrated photonic components onto a single photonic-electronic integrated chip (PEIC) through the collaboration between RMIT Melbourne InPAC team with RMIT VN and VNU. We will demonstrate this capability by integrating electronic driver circuits, biasing controllers and electronic transimpedance amplifiers with photonic circuits to form a fully integrated photonic transceivers, and demonstrate these transceivers for high-speed data transmission and signal processing. We will achieve this through device-by-device hybrid integration approach, by selectively micro-transfer printing different electronic dies to a photonic chip.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400909"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bui Xuan Minh, Thach Nguyen, Kandeepan Sithamparanathan","title":"Sub-Terahertz and Ultra Low Noise Clock Synthesizer for 6G Technology","description":"Aiming to achieve superfast data communication above 1Terabit per second (Tbps), ultalow latency, enhanced network capacity and improved security, the next generation of cellular network technology 6G promises to be a game changer, driving the boundary of connectivity and unlocking new possibility for AI and cloud computing applications. However, the key challenge is the generation of the extremely low noise local oscillator (LO) at sub-terahertz bands. The most common methods employ the cascaded architecture to generate sub terahertz local oscillation signal. However, this method requires high power consumption and large chip area. Therefore, this projects aims to develop a single stage phase lock loop to generate the local oscillation signal above 100 GHz, with ultra low noise below 50 femto seconds RMS jitters, and power consumption below 30mW.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400901"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu","title":"Electric Motorbike Battery-Swap System Optimisation for Sustainability and the Creation of a Circular Economy","description":"With 8.5 million motorcycles (89% of the vehicle fleet), electrification in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) offers significant potential to improve air quality and public health. However, deploying charging infrastructure presents challenges, particularly given the city's limited space and electrical infrastructure. Battery-swap systems-where users exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones-offer a promising solution. This project focuses on designing and optimising such a system tailored to HCMC's unique needs, ensuring battery longevity and exploring circular economy opportunities for repurposing or recycling used batteries.\n\nThe first phase of the project will use digital-twin simulations and battery-aging models to optimise deployment strategies, balancing battery use across diverse duty cycles to maximise their lifespan. The second phase will explore technologies to enable a circular economy, using synthetic data to predict recycling and redeployment yields specific to HCMC's conditions. A new battery design will be proposed to align with local capabilities and future recycling requirements, fostering sustainable urban electrification.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"404017 Mechanical Engineering (40%)\n464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (20%)\n404007 Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ataur Rahman, Madhu Bhaskaran, Sharath Sriram, Taimur Ahmed","title":"Cyber secure, battery-free, and wireless wearable patch technology","description":"The project aims to investigate the technological and manufacturing challenges in wearables to integrate prominent high-frequency electrical, optical, and chemical signals on a single tiny patch. The integration expects to generate new multidisciplinary knowledge in wearables for real-time on-site and remote multisensory monitoring systems by using wireless, battery-free, and on-chip data encryption operation. It will develop cutting edge technology for the highest performance with the least amount of power and space in a challenging environment. The project is expected to provide benefits to national security and defence, agriculture, manufacturing, and human and animal health sectors with remote area accessibility.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401611, 401703, 460403"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorbani","title":"Microwave-based non-destructive assessment of metallic and concrete structures","description":"Concrete is a fundamental material used in many civil structures. As a heterogeneous material, concrete composes water, cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, and air. The chemical reaction of water and cement forms a binding agent between the aggregates forming a structurally dense compound. The specific portion of each constitutional component directly affect the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the concrete. Thus, detecting the constitutional properties of the concretes are of high importance in the structural health monitoring.\nMicrowave-based evaluation methods are of great interest among researchers and engineers because of their non-destructive and real-time response. Microwave signals can penetrate deeply into the dielectric materials such as concrete and return insightful information regarding the compositional materials and parameters such as stress, humidity, mechanical deformation, etc. The aim of this project is to design microwave-based non-destructive systems for online and real-time monitoring the concrete-based structures. The designed microwave systems will be self-contained capable of the structural health monitoring without the requirement of addition expensive measurement instruments such as vector network analysers (VNAs), etc. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"400608"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianzhen Ou, Baoyue Zhang, Guanghui Ren","title":"Spectroscopy technology using optical frequency combs","description":"Optical frequency combs, known for their precise and wide-range frequency measurement capabilities, offer transformative potential in enhancing the accuracy and resolution of spectroscopic analyses. This project will explore the integration of combs into various spectroscopic applications, focusing on bio imaging, medical diagnostics, and fundamental material research. This project is in line with the ARC centre of excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS). You will utilise the world most precise optical tool to achieve ultra-high resolution chemical sensing, imaging which have never been realised in the past. You will apply the conceived technique to demonstrate several nanomaterial research and spectroscopy using optical combs and the state of the art equipment at RMIT. The opportunity to integrate material science, silicon photonic technology and biomedical applications will be available in this project.\n\n ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400909        Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (50%)\n401605        Functional materials (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shruti Nirantar","title":"Lateral Emitters as Electron Source in Microwave Vacuum Electron Devices","description":"Vacuum electronics touches our lives everyday being active in civilian systems, defence, space, communication, and material characterisation systems. Recent advancements in manufacturing and nanofabrication have enabled the marriage between old vacuum electronics and state-of-art integrated circuits, RF and microwaves, material science, and quantum photonics.\nThe project focuses on scaling of planer nanoscale vacuum channel devices or empty-state devices to large-area arrays. Further, with innovative biasing arrangement will be used extract the horizontally emitted electrons in vertical space \u2013 creating an electron beam source which is flat.\nElectron source is a core component of any vacuum systems. They are, conventionally, arrays of vertical emitters. These vertical emitter arrays are plagued with complex fabrication, high-leakages, and capacitances limiting higher frequency response, high power, uniformity and reliability over large-areas. The proposed novel concept of flat electron source seeks to directly address these issues by creating a new-type of nanoscale, low-power flat electron sources that can be integrated in both conventional and novel miniaturised vacuum electron devices (VED).\nThe candidate will have to conduct extensive micro-nano fabrication, device characterisation in vacuum system, and material characterisations after undertaking required inductions and trainings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401804 - Nanoelectronics (40%), 401805 - Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly (40%), 400909 - Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Md Ataur Rahman, Madhu Bhaskaran ","title":"Self-powered Standalone Device for Monitoring Biosignals","description":"This project aims to investigate novel materials and techniques to harvest the waste energy from our body and radio frequency to power the wearable biosignals monitor. The biosignals monitor will be developed using ultra-low power electronic components on the flexible and stretchable substrate to realize the skin-mountable and sub-dermal implantable electronics. The energy harvesters will be mounted on the patch to develop battery-free, wireless, biosignals monitors such as electrocardiogram, blood oxygen saturation, and temperature. The techniques can be further implemented for monitoring hazardous materials in the environment and monitoring the health of plants and animals. The investigation will solve the following research question:\n\nResearch question 1: What are the materials and how to utilize them to harvest energy from our body temperature, movement, indoor light, and radio frequency?\nResearch question 2: How to develop miniaturized electronics that require very low power to run? Will the harvested power using the techniques from research question 1 be enough to power the biosignal monitor? \nResearch question: What will be the effect of skin impedance and curvature on the performance of the energy harvesters and the electronics?\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401611- Wearable Materials (40%)\n401703- Energy generation, conversion and storage (30%)\n460403 - Data security and protection (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Madhu Bhaskaran, Shanmuga Sundar Dhanabalan, Sharath Sriram\n","title":"Wearable Ultrasound devices for Neurosonography","description":"The development of wearable ultrasound devices for brain imaging, or neurosonography, presents a promising frontier in non-invasive neurological diagnostics and monitoring. This research aims to design and optimise a wearable ultrasound device capable of providing real-time imaging of brain structures and dynamics.\nThe device will leverage advanced ultrasound transducer arrays and signal processing to enhance image resolution and depth penetration, enabling detailed visualisation. The proposed research will focus on miniaturising the hardware, ensuring patient comfort, and validating the device's efficacy through validation studies.\nBy offering a portable and continuous monitoring solution, this technology has the potential to revolutionise the diagnosis and management of neurological disorders, making brain imaging more accessible, cost-effective, and widely applicable in both clinical and remote settings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - 40%\n400906 - 40%\n400308 - 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng), MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shruti Nirantar","title":"Empty state electronics - flat electron source for vacuum electron devices","description":"Vacuum electronics may sound like an ancient technology, but it touches our lives everyday being active in civilian systems, defence, space, communication, and material characterisation systems. Recent advancements in manufacturing and fabrication have enabled the marriage between old vacuum electronics and state-of-art integrated circuits, RF and microwaves, material science, and quantum photonics. \nThe project focuses on scaling of nanoscale vacuum channel devices or planer empty-state devices to large-area arrays. Further, with innovative biasing arrangement extract the horizontally emitted electrons in the vertical space \u2013 creating an electron beam source with is flat. \nElectron source is a core component of any vacuum systems which is conventionally the arrays of vertical emitters. These vertical emitter arrays have been plagued with complex fabrication, high-leakages and capacitances limiting higher frequency response, high power, uniformity and reliability over large-areas. The proposed novel concept of flat electron source seeks to directly address these issues by creating a new-type of nanoscale, low-power flat electron sources that can be integrated in both conventional and novel miniaturised vacuum electron devices (VED).\nThe candidate will have to conduct extensive micro-nano fabrication, device characterisation in vacuum system, and material characterisations after undertaking required inductions and trainings.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-06-30","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401804 - Nanoelectronics (40%), 401805 - Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly (40%), 400909 - Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Javad Tavakoli","title":"Generation, characterisation, and mechanobiological investigations of wear particles using a spinal implant-on-a-chip platform","description":"Spinal implants, including total disc replacements, rods, screws, and cages, are widely used to restore spine function with their bearing surfaces generating wear particles. Wear particles have been detected in intervertebral disc (IVD) periprosthetic tissue. Mechanical forces cause tears and structural defects in the adjacent IVDs and the proximity of periprosthetic tissues to the adjacent IVD tears likely leads to wear particle penetration accelerating their degeneration. While spinal implant wear particles have been linked to adjacent segment degeneration, yet their mechanobiological effects on IVD tissues under physiological loading conditions remain unknown. This project aims to bridge this gap by developing a spinal implant-on-a-chip platform to investigate the mechanobiological effects of wear particles on healthy IVD cells.\n\nResearch Aims:\n1-        Generation and Characterisation of Clinically Relevant Wear Particles\nDevelop standardised protocols for generating wear particles from various biomaterial types, using pin-on-plate technology or alternative wear simulation techniques informed by clinical data. Characterise particle size, morphology, composition, and biological reactivity to ensure relevance to in vivo conditions and clinical scenarios.\n\n2-        Development of a Jig-Integrated Microfluidic Organ Model for Mechanical Loading\nDesign, fabricate, and optimise a novel mechanical jig integrated with a microfluidic organ model to simulate physiological loading conditions. Validate the system by optimising cell culture protocols under mechanical loading that replicates routine daily activities, ensuring biomechanical accuracy and cellular responsiveness.\n\n3-        Mechanobiological Assessment of Wear Particle Effects\nInvestigate the impact of wear particles on cells under both physiological and pathological mechanical loading conditions. Assess cellular responses, including viability, metabolic activity, and inflammation to elucidate the interplay between wear debris and mechanical stress in IVD degeneration.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400303 Biomechanical Engineering (50%)\n400301 Biofabrication (30%)\n400307 Mechnobiology (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Javad Tavakoli","title":"Spinal implant-on-a-chip: investigating the biological impact of spinal implant wear particles on intervertebral disc cells","description":"Spinal implants, such as total disc replacements, rods, screws, and cages, are widely used to restore spinal function. These implants are made from biomaterials like metals, polymers, and ceramics, often in bearing combinations (e.g., metal-on-polymer), which can generate wear particles. Emerging evidence suggests that these particles may contribute to adjacent intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, alongside mechanical changes post-implantation. While wear particle effects have been extensively studied in hip and knee prostheses, their impact on healthy IVD cells remains largely unexplored.\n\nThis PhD project aims to investigate the biological effects of spinal implant wear particles using a physiologically relevant microfluidic organ model.\n\nResearch Aims:\n\n1- Advanced Organ Model Development and Cell Culture Optimisation:\nRefine and optimise a 3D microfluidic IVD model to replicate the complex native microenvironment, improving cell viability, functionality, and physiological relevance under controlled conditions.\n\n2- Optimisation of Cell Culture in the Presence of Wear Particles:\nEvaluate and refine culture conditions to study cellular responses to different wear particles, ensuring accurate simulation of in vivo conditions and optimising biocompatibility assessments.\n\n3- Comprehensive Biological Assessment of Wear Particle Effects:\nInvestigate how wear particles affect key cellular functions, including viability, metabolism, morphology, and inflammatory response, using advanced bioimaging, biochemical assays, and molecular analysis.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310105 Cellular interactions (60%)\n320216 Orthopaedics (25%)\n400303 Biomechanical Engineering (15%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Development of a smart charging framework for Electric Vehicles Leveraging Machine Learning Approach","description":"Background: With the increasing adoption of EVs, their charging demand put pressure on the grid, especially during peak hours. Further, Real- time information on available charging stations and charging times coupled with the continued growth of the charging station framework can help to mitigate the fear of range anxiety among EV users. Using AI, Smart EV charging emerges as a potential solution to improve the overall sustainability and efficiency of EV charging infrastructure, optimizing charge scheduling, forecast demand and reducing stress on the grid.\n\nSmart charging is an intelligent connectivity between smart charger and EV while ensuring when and how a power will be delivered to the EV through the charger based on the cost of electricity, its availability and the EV user\u2019s need. This helps to monitor, operate and manage energy consumption and has the potential to significantly contribute to the development of a more sustainable transportation future.\n\nObjectives and Working: a smart charging framework will be developed. When an EV is put on charge, the EV and the smart charger initiate communication. The smart EV charging platform starts the session with the optimum energy utilization, keeps track of the vehicle's battery charge, ends the session when the vehicle is fully charged, and driver pays the money according to their predetermined terms. It includes scheduling, forecasting, and dynamic pricing linked to EV charging. Accurate forecasting outcomes provide scheduling models with valuable data on system conditions. These models, in turn, provide optimal charge management and price signals, which are subsequently employed to enhance the forecasting model and improve prediction accuracy. Therefore, reliable forecasting results are essential to create the best EV charging strategy.\n\nMethodology: A smart charger (~ 5kW) will be developed, to achieve the smart charging, data will be collected on charging patterns of EV, price of electricity, peak usage time and grid capacity etc. The Machine learning models will be developed for the prediction of EV charging demand, grid load and optimal charging times etc. The relevant communication protocols and user interface will be developed. The proposed system will be tested with a small group of EV users. Finally, the complete system will be teste in real time using Hardware in loop setups.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805        Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (60%)\n460502        Data mining and knowledge discovery (40%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan","title":"Load modelling for future power grids with new energy technologies.","description":"Power grids are transforming all over the world with the integration of new energy technologies (NET), such as renewable energy resources and new types of loads [1]. In modern power systems, the proportion of power electronic converter (PEC) interfaced generation sources such as wind and solar are increasing significantly, with the consequential replacement of several large synchronous generators. Since these new sources are connected to the network by inverter interfaces instead of direct coupling of rotating machines, the increasing penetration of PEC-interfaced generation, loads, and storage devices is reported to affect changing the power system characteristics [2].","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan, Inam Nutkani","title":"Enabling technologies for grid integration of electric vehicles.","description":"The operational aspects of future power systems are expected to be influenced significantly by the increasing grid integration of electric vehicles (EVs). This PhD project will analyze the impact of EVs on future power systems and will investigate the enabling technologies to facilitate high EV integration into the electricity grid. Based on collected charging station data, this study is expected to analyze electric vehicle (EV) charging profiles from residential and public charging stations throughout the entire annual cycle to extract the loading patterns of different EV charging stations. The EV loading profiles will be overlaid on the grid loading profile to demonstrate the impact of widespread EV charging stations on the electricity network. Furthermore, this study will focus on the contribution of enabling technologies for alleviating system overloading and voltage violation issues in a power network. The EV enabling technologies could be but are not limited to, as follows: (i) load shifting, (ii) renewable integration, (iii) storage deployment, and (iv) system reconfiguration. The contributions of the EV enabling technologies on the grid loading and system voltage profiles will be quantified. The effectiveness of alternative enabling technologies at different network conditions will be identified.    \n\nFurthermore, a combined approach of controlled EV charging for grid benefit, proper utilization of renewable generation for environment-friendly solutions, and execution of demand response through dynamic pricing for customer satisfaction will be investigated in this research. This research proposes smart EV integration to the grid which can accomplish all-round achievements. MATLAB\/Simulink and DIgSILENT PowerFactory software platform will be utilized for the implementation and verification of the proposed algorithm. Successful implementation of the research will progress the highly desirable adoption of EV integration for a clean and sustainable future.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan, Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Probabilistic stability analysis of future power systems.","description":"The number of non-controllable parameters or uncertainties is increasing in electrical power networks. These uncertainties are mainly caused by the intermittency of renewable generation, natural load variation, EV charging-discharging and demand response in power systems. The increased share of intermittent generation is reported to have an adverse effect on the short-term operation and stability of power systems [1]. By typically considering the worst case scenarios, deterministic studies do not accurately reflect the status and capability of a power network and may lead to overly pessimistic and non-optimal techno-economic solutions [2]. That is why the uncertainties are needed to be modelled and assessed by using probabilistic techniques. To perform a probabilistic analysis of future power systems, the traditional approaches such as the Monte Carlo methods are computationally expensive and almost impossible to employ for a realistic power system [3, 4]. Hence the identification of computational techniques, which are advanced, efficient and accurate for probabilistic analysis of future uncertain power systems, is an ongoing area of research [2].\nThis PhD project will investigate the application of efficient probabilistic techniques to assess the operation of future renewable-rich uncertain power systems accurately. Efficient sampling techniques suitable for power system stability assessment will be explored in this research [3-5]. The accuracy and efficiency of different techniques will be evaluated about their applications to power system dynamic stability. In this aspect, appropriate dynamic modelling of power system components is expected to be performed in an electrical grid. The suitability of the applications of the selected method(s) for large-scale power systems will be validated in this research. Efficient identification of power system (in)stability issues will facilitate better operation and preventive control in power systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan","title":"Electric Vehicle Tariff and Feed-in-tariff Design for Smart Charger Implementation","description":"This PhD research focuses on developing an appropriate tariff design tool for supporting enhanced grid integration of electric vehicles (EVs). The widespread adoption of EVs will transform the operation of future electricity grids. The challenge is facilitating a fair tariff structure for EV charging and discharging. With a high EV integration scenario, EV tariffs and feed-in tariffs would play an important role in the operation of the electricity grid (similar to solar feed-in tariffs used to manage the electricity grid). \r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop algorithms based on fair market design mechanisms for EV tariffs and feed-in tariffs which would be implementable in both centrally controlled Australian NEM (national electricity market) and peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading schemes. Alongside this PhD project, the industry partner would develop apps and other user interfaces for product development to be coordinated with EV owners' home energy management systems and public EV charging facilities.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks and systems (80%)\r\n490510 Stochastic analysis and modelling (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Cesar Sanchez Huertas","title":"Improving heart attack diagnosis and outcomes through ultrasensitive and multiplexed photonic technology.","description":"Cardiac troponins are specific diagnostic indicators that are released into the circulating blood after a person experiences a heart attack. A variety of high-sensitive troponin tests exists in the market such as Abbot I-STAT and Roche Elecsys Troponin T. They enable their use in early \u2018rule-out\u2019 algorithms to exclude heart attack in patients presenting to the emergency centers with recent chest pain. However, it seems like sensitivity and time are not it all. Although they are sensitive and rapid, they are often not accurate enough to be trusted in the clinical setting given the high variability between assays. Due to this lack of harmonization, clinicians send the samples to be re-tested using conventional hospital facilities to reconfirm the test result, delaying treatment even more. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this research is to tackle these issues and improve the management of heart attacks using our ultrasensitive photonic technology. This technology integrates multiple biosensors in a finger-nail size chip, allowing us to analyse with high-precision cardiac troponin.. \r\n\r\nThe objectives of the project are:\r\n(i)\tOptimise a sensor surface modification protocol to increase the robustness and sensitivity of the assays.\r\n(ii)\tIdentify what antibodies will allow better performance to diagnose the onset of a heart attack as early as possible.\r\n(iii)\tValidate the biosensor using patient samples and compare the performance with conventional troponin tests.\r\n\r\n\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani","title":"Neuromorphic hardware for next generation processing platforms","description":"Neuromorphic hardware replicates the structure and functionality of the human brain using specialized computer systems. It integrates memory and processing units closely, enabling faster and more energy-efficient computations. These systems have the potential to advance AI, cognitive computing, and robotics by emulating the brain's capabilities in a compact and power-efficient manner. Developing neuromorphic hardware poses several challenges. First, designing and fabricating complex circuits that accurately mimic the behaviour of biological neurons and synapses is a considerable technical feat. Additionally, optimizing the hardware for efficient and scalable parallel processing while minimizing power consumption remains a challenge. This project theme aims to address some of these challenges through:\n- The application of neuromorphic models for wireless and satellite communications \n- The application of neuromorphic models for onboard satellite processing.\n- Develop novel hardware modelling approaches to capture the performance of neuromorphic devices.\n- Investigate the use of novel materials for applications in neuromorphic hardware.\n- The integration of sensing and neuromorphic processing\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461104 Neural networks (25%) ; 340304 Optical properties of materials (25%) ; 400607 Signal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rani, Glenn Matthews","title":"Increasing efficiency of Large Language Models for generating realistic and coherent images from textual prompts","description":"The recent improvements in generative AI with text-to-image and text-to-video synthesis have made great advancements in the field of computer vision. Diffusion models have greatly evolved as one of the fast-improving generative models for test-to-image generation, leading to creation of high-quality images. However, these models do not understand the contextual relationships between the diverse objects in the real-world and as a result, they do not generate realistic and accurate images. This limitation further increases in creating complete scenes rather than that of single objects. Generated content can fail to adhere to physical laws and reality, which makes the images appear unreal or unnatural. Failures often occur in in modelling complex real-world systems and defining relationships between objects. For example, if the given text is \u201can astronaut riding a horse\u201d, an AI model could generate an image of an astronaut in the space riding a horse.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to increase the efficiency and functionality of Large Language Models (LLMs) to deal with diverse and complex systems to create realistic images. Different techniques will be developed and tested as part of the research to generate images that are realistic, coherent and capture the context of the given text accurately. The proposed outcome of this study is to develop algorithms with high accuracy so that the end users using these LLMs for content generation could develop images of their own that are high quality and coherent with useful insights.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Efficient integration of electric vehicles into the grid","description":"The transport sector is responsible for 20% of global greenhouse emissions and electrification is a key solution to decarbonise it. Electric Vehicle (EV) uptake is expected to increase significantly due to policy (e.g. the introduction of National EV Strategy, April 2023) and market forces. Massive EV uptake requires the energy and transport sectors to aggressively prepare for charging and operational requirements to ensure that infrastructure can handle the transition. The energy sector, and in DNSPs, are not ready to integrate large EV fleets within the distribution grid. As reported by the Energy Networks Australia, the peak national body representing transmission and distribution businesses, \u201cAustralia's distribution networks were not designed for any significant uptake of electric vehicles and the consequential demand for charging\u201d. If not properly managed and coordinated, EV charging can put the already stressed national grid under even more pressure, resulting in higher energy costs and reduced fairness and equity in access to energy. On the other hand, EVs are mobile batteries, and they can support the grid through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) or Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capability. EVs can become virtual power plants on wheels by absorbing excess generation from rooftop Photovoltaics (PVs) and provide backup power for homes and the grid. \nThe challenge is to effectively integrate EVs with other distributed energy resources, such a rooftop PV and batteries, and unlock the potential of V2G-enabled EVs to support the grid, whilst maintaining reliability and affordability of electricity. Currently, there is no whole-of-system modelling framework considering techno-economic factors of EV-grid integration. This presents a significant gap in forecasting future scenario outcomes, particularly when considering the mass adoption of EVs, and the way it could interact with other clean energy movements. This project aims at developing data-driven and AI-based tools and technologies for efficient integration of EVs within the grid. This will support transition to clean energy and transport solutions, whilst maintaining reliability, security and affordability of the electricity supply.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Data-driven integration of distributed energy resources","description":"The energy-related emissions account for over three-fourth of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The world is at a tipping point in climate change, and accelerated action is urgently required to reverse the climate change impacts or at least avoid further worsening. Zero emission technologies, such Electric Vehicles (EVs), electrification of heavy industries and gas electrification combined with increased electricity generation from renewables are key solutions to reducing global carbon footprint.\n\nThere has been a lot of progress in legislating GHG emission reduction targets globally, and countries are taking action to address the climate crisis and transition to a low-carbon economy. Australia has recently legislated its 2030 target by committing to reduce GHG emissions to 43% below 2005 levels. The Commonwealth Government has also recently introduced the National EV Strategy, which includes several measures and government initiatives to boost the uptake of EVs. These positive steps, however, require an accelerated transition to clean energy, effective engagement with the community and industry via a user-centric design, and a strengthened grid that is supportive of a smooth transition to clean energy and transport, whilst ensuring reliability, security, and affordability of the electricity supply.\n\nAustralia\u2019s grid is undergoing a transition to more renewables and hosting more Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as rooftop Photovoltaics (PVs), batteries and EVs. This combined with \u201celectrification of everything\u201d (EoE) movement will help decarbonise both energy and transport sectors and meet Australia\u2019s emission reduction targets. However, smooth transition to a smart and digital grid, with increased share of renewables in the energy mix, faces several pressing challenges. This project aims at developing optimisation, machine learning and AI-based solutions and technologies for efficient integration of DERs into the grid.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalili","title":"Controlling complex networks with higher order interactions","description":"Critical infrastructure systems, such as power grids, communication and transport networks have an inherently limited flow-carrying capacity, which if exceeded results in congestion. \u201cCongestion control\u201d has been a problem of keen interest in different areas of science and engineering, as rapid urbanisation has strained infrastructural capacity of cities. State-of-the-art congestion control of Flow-Carrying Networks (FCN), such as those using model predictive control methods, formulate the flow dynamics to make predictions and calculate appropriate control actions. Yet, the persistence of chronic traffic jams on urban roads calls for the urgent development of methods beyond current congestion models and control practices. The limitations of most existing methods stem from i) the complexity of interactions within the system being simplified or ignored, and ii) the control system does not fully account for the perturbation of flow dynamics caused by its own actions. We see the solution to this in i) next-generation models of critical infrastructures systems with an accurate accounting of the complex pairwise and higher-order interactions between components, and ii) an innovative mathematical control system with the ability to control and learn flow-dynamics in real-time. To achieve this, we will develop ground-breaking theory and computational tools following the most recent modelling trends in network science. \n\nThis project aims to develop ground-breaking theory and computational tools for congestion modelling and control in FCN. We will develop mathematical network models integrated with Machine Learning (ML) techniques to simultaneously learn and control congestion dynamics in real-world FCN. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahdi Jalilu","title":"Machine learning for graph learning","description":"Many real systems can be modelled as complex networks where individual entities (modelled by network nodes) are connected through edges (links). Examples include power grids, transportation systems, computer networks, and online social networks. Real networks are often large, making their analysis a challenging task. Recently, several machine learning techniques and AI-based tools have been developed to facilitate network processing. This project aims at developing machine learning techniques for complex network analysis and control. Examples include representation learning, network embedding, congestion control, link prediction and recommendation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Moradi Amani","title":"Resilient and reliable complex networks: Application in future power systems","description":"Power grids are cyber-physical systems and can be modelled as network systems where individual units (generators, busbars and loads) are interconnected through physical and cyber links. Network components (nodes\/edges) may undergo intentional and\/or random failures. In catastrophic cases, a failure initiating from a small set of these components can quickly propagate through the whole network, leading to a cascade of failures that might force a deep whole-grid blackout. In the case of active distribution grids, the intermittence and uncertainty of distributed generation units impact the reliability of the grid. This project aims to provide computationally efficient tools and solutions for modelling power grids as complex networks and their resilience and reliability analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Moradi Amani","title":"Developing data-driven smart algorithms for active power distribution grids","description":"With the increased penetration of renewable-based Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the electric vehicle uptake, distribution grids are highly subject to voltage fluctuations due to back power feed from DERs or significant EV charging demand. Conventionally, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) have addressed this voltage issue by adjusting the taps of transformers. However, managing the naturally unpredictable renewable generation and the power consumption behaviour of technology owners requires advanced real-time algorithms. Real-time control algorithms should be applied to efficiently use the flexibility in active distribution grids, provided by local or community battery storage systems and EV charging process, in order to increase the quality of the delivered power, e.g. reduce voltage fluctuations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ali Moradi Amani","title":"Data-driven control of complex dynamical networks","description":"The \"Complex networks\" paradigm looks promising in analysis and control of large-scale systems. Complex systems can be presented using complicated, nonlinear and often uncertain models. Thus, classic control approaches my fail to manage these complex models or may result in conservative or computationally complex solutions. Although data-driven approaches have potentials to overcome this complexity, they are still at the beginning. The aim of this project is to develop data-driven control technique to manage a large-scale system modelled as a complex network.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Arman Ahnood","title":"Diamond electrodes for bimodal cellular control","description":"The objective of this project to develop a new tool for investigating intercellular communication. Currently, techniques for probing cellular functions are either well-suited to controlling a limited number of individual inputs or a large number of complete cells. This project aims to address these limitations by utilising cutting-edge fabrication techniques to create an optically controlled nanoscale array of diamond electrodes, capable of modulating a large number of single cellular inputs with precision. This technology would allow researchers to manipulate cellular processes with more control than ever before, potentially gaining insights useful for understanding brain function, memory formation, or cell death.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Arman Ahnood","title":"A Smart Surgical Tool for Precision Brain Tumour Removal","description":"Brain cancer has a very low survival rate even with proper surgeries and treatments, as complete surgical removal of cancerous tissue is almost impossible. Neurosurgeons aim to remove as much tumor as possible while preserving healthy tissue, but this is often not possible, leaving behind small cancerous tissues that can grow into more aggressive tumors. New surgical tools are needed to better distinguish between healthy brain tissue and cancerous tissue. \n \n In collaboration with neurosurgeons, this project aims to improve tumour removal during surgeries, by developing a smart ultrasonic aspirator that can detect tumours' glow more accurately than the naked eye. The current surgical tool, ultrasonic aspirators, does not have any sensing capability. You will be using cutting-edge micro and nanofabrication technologies, state-of-the-art optoelectronic sensors and circuits to develop a new tool capable of detecting tumour glows. The final phase of the project includes integration of the the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsmarts\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 with the ultrasonic aspirator and in-vivo benchmarking prior to the potential use during the surgery. This tool is likely to be offering several advantages over the naked eye. These include the ability to detect weaker light intensities, faster detection of light, quantifying intensity, and detecting small tumours. \n \n This project is suitable for a motivated and talented student with a background in physics or electronic\/biomedical engineering.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Arman Ahnood","title":"A novel platform-technology for long-term subcutaneous neurophysiology","description":"This project aims to develop a novel miniature device for subcutaneous and tetherless brain sensing. It addresses the lack of a device solution for brain sensing that combines ultra-long-term reliable sensing capability and small dimensions for minimally-invasive surgical placement. \n \n Working in collaboration with researchers at the University of Sydney, this project will employ cutting-edge microfabrication technologies at the RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cleanroom facilities, characterisation methods as well as electronics circuit development, to demonstrate a novel electrode architecture that significantly enhances the quality and reliability of recorded brain signals will be developed. \n \n The key objectives of this project are to further refine the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lead wire-free\u00e2\u20ac\u009d electrode architecture (see the link below) and the in-vivo evaluation of high-quality brain activity recording using a miniature implant without lead wires. This project would lead to a platform technology designed for subscalp anatomy with future use in various brain-machine interfacing applications relying on reliable, long-term and easy-to-implant systems.\n \n \n More info at DOI: 10.1039\/D1SD00020A","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"15\/02\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400308 - Medical devices (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Javad Tavakoli, Joanne Tipper","title":"Biomechanical impact of transfemoral drill hole characteristics on femoral integrity in hip replacement surgery","description":"Total hip replacement (THR) is a widely performed orthopaedic procedure to restore joint function and alleviate pain in patients with severe osteoarthritis or hip joint degeneration. However, during implant fixation, surgeons often drill unicortical or bicortical holes into the femur to secure components or attach auxiliary implants. These drilled holes may alter the femoral bone\u2019s mechanical properties, potentially leading to stress concentrations, microfractures, or implant loosening over time. Our research team have developed a unique surgical procedure that uses transfemoral preparation of the acetabulum, so that femoral retraction is not required. This PhD project aims to investigate the biomechanical effects of the transfemoral hole characteristics on femoral bone integrity following hip replacement surgery. Using finite element modelling (FEM) to simulate different hole configurations and validating these models with cadaveric femur specimens, this study will provide crucial insights to optimise surgical techniques and improve implant longevity.\n\nAims:\n1.\tDevelop and optimise a finite element model (FEM) to simulate the mechanical behaviour of the femur with different hole characteristics (e.g., size, depth, and location) specific to the developed THR procedure.\n2.\tExperimentally validate the FEM using cadaveric femur bones, assessing bone strength, stiffness, and failure mechanisms through mechanical testing.\n3.\tAnalyse the clinical implications of different hole characteristics, identifying optimal parameters that minimise stress concentrations, reduce the risk of peri-prosthetic fractures, and enhance implant stability post-surgery.\n\nHypotheses:\n\u2022\tThe size, depth, and location of the holes significantly influence the femoral bone\u2019s mechanical integrity post-hip replacement surgery.\n\u2022\tFEM simulations can accurately predict bone behaviour and failure patterns, which will correlate with cadaveric validation studies.\n\nMethodology:\n\u2022\tDevelop a high-fidelity FEM of the femur incorporating patient-specific anatomical data and simulating hip replacement surgical procedures.\n\u2022\tSimulate different hole characteristics and analyse stress distributions, strain patterns, and potential failure zones under physiological and non-physiological loading conditions.\n\u2022\tConduct mechanical testing on cadaveric femur bones with drilled holes, using techniques such as digital image correlation (DIC) and micro-CT scanning to assess damage propagation.\n\u2022\tCompare FEM predictions with experimental data to refine and validate the computational model.\n\nExpected Outcomes for the PhD Candidate:\n\u2022\tExpertise in advanced finite element modelling and biomechanics.\n\u2022\tHands-on experience with cadaveric specimen preparation, mechanical testing, and validation techniques.\n\u2022\tContribution to impactful research that informs best practice for hip replacement surgeries and implant design.\n\u2022\tOpportunities to present findings at international conferences and publish in high-impact journals.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-07-01","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400303 Biomechanical Engineering (70%)\n320216 Orthopaedics (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Nanobots for Cancer Detection","description":"Working with an industry partner","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400302 50%\n400308 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toh Yen Pang, Ben Cheng, Adrian Pranata","title":"Enhancing Rehabilitation through Extended Reality (XR) Systems","description":"The increasing accessibility and affordability of \"Extended Reality\" (XR) technologies, have led to a growing interest in their application within rehabilitation, particularly in home settings. \u201cXR technologies\u201d is a term that refers to all real-and-virtual combined environments and human-machine interactions generated by computer technology, such as augmented reality\/virtual reality\/mixed reality (AR\/VR\/MR) and wearables. \n\nDespite promising indications, current research reports mixed results regarding the effectiveness of XR technologies in rehabilitation after stroke. XR systems can be complex to set up and operate. Many studies lack detailed information on the practical aspects of using XR equipment in home settings, including installation, accommodation within the home and user acceptance. While XR technologies offer potential for personalised treatment, the current level of customisation has not been sufficient to address the specific needs and abilities of all patients, especially those with significant physical or cognitive limitations. Furthermore, patients' willingness and ability to engage with technology is crucial. \n\nThe future of XR systems in rehabilitation is promising, with ongoing advancements in technology expected to enhance effectiveness and usability. There is also a growing interest in integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide more sophisticated, personalised, therapeutic experiences. Addressing this potential necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing technological advancements, inclusive design practices, and a deeper understanding of diverse user needs.\n\nAim: To investigate the impact of XR therapy on biomechanical functions and rehabilitation outcomes, utilising affordable XR technology in a home-based setting, particularly for stroke patients.\n\nThis project represents an innovative approach to overcoming the current challenges to maximising the potential of XR technologies and systems in rehabilitation, aiming to improve clinical outcomes significantly. The successful PhD candidate will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team comprising experts from Biomedical and Mechatronics Engineering, Health and Biomedical Science, and Rehabilitation Science, particularly Physiotherapy.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics; \n400399 Biomedical engineering not elsewhere classified; \n329999 other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Harnessing Advanced Sensing Technologies for EEG Access in Challenging Environments","description":"Join our pioneering research group dedicated to enhancing access to electroencephalography (EEG) and related sensing technologies in critical care and prehospital settings. This PhD project aims to identify and overcome the practical barriers that limit the availability of EEG in challenging environments, ensuring that patients receive timely and effective neurological assessments.\n\nThe research will focus on developing innovative technologies and their applications for improving access to EEG, as well as validating these solutions in clinical settings. Candidates will explore a range of advanced sensing techniques designed to optimize the use of EEG in diverse healthcare scenarios.\n\nCollaboration with industry partners is a key aspect of this project, allowing for the translation of research findings into practical, market-ready solutions. We are particularly interested in candidates who have a strong interest in entrepreneurship and commercialization, as we believe that effective research should lead to tangible benefits for society.\n\nAs part of our interdisciplinary team, you will contribute to both theoretical advancements and practical implementations, working on various pathways to enhance access to EEG. If you are passionate about addressing real-world healthcare challenges and want to make a significant impact in the field of neurotechnology, we encourage you to apply. This is a unique opportunity to be part of an initiative aimed at revolutionising EEG access and application in critical healthcare contexts.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400305"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toh Yen Pang, Kate Fox","title":"Development of Digital Twins for Accelerating Medical Device Innovation","description":"The medical device industry is rapidly evolving, necessitating innovative approaches to design, development and regulation. Digital twins\u2014virtual replicas of physical devices\u2014offer an opportunity for significant advancements in this sector.\r\n\r\nThis research project focuses on the development of digital twins to enhance innovation in medical devices. The core of this research involves creating and implementing a digital twin framework using a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach. MBSE provides a structured approach for developing comprehensive models that represent all aspect of a complex system, including its functionalities, behaviours and interactions. This framework will facilitate more efficient and accurate design processes, the use of predictive maintenance, and lifecycle management of devices. Digital twins will be developed and utilised for advanced simulations, which will involve computational analysis and modelling, including Finite Element Analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Multiphysics approaches to predict device performance and reliability under various conditions, leading to safer and more effective devices. This project will also address key issues such as sustainability, usability, manufacturability and regulatory compliance (focusing on ISO13485) in the medical device lifecycle.\r\n\r\nAn integral part of this project is the collaboration with industry such as utilising internships, and creating other opportunities that allows for the practical application of research findings and the development of real-world solutions. The project will contribute to the field of medical device development, offering a more efficient, accurate and cost-effective design and testing, thereby accelerating innovation in healthcare technology development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Kate Fox, School of Engineering","title":"Additive Manufacturing Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering","description":"Tissue engineering applications often utilise 3D printing or additive manufacturing to create 3D scaffolds or structures to support cell growth and tissue formation. However, challenges in this area include adequate penetration of cells into a 3D environment, and using these 3D environments to promote stem cell differentiation into the desired tissue. This project aims to combine the fabrication of 3D constructs for tissue engineering with an applied external electrical field, to influence the differentiation of stem cells to specific cell phenotypes and to guide cellular migration into and through-out the 3D environment. \r\n\r\nRMIT has world-class facilities in fabrication and biomedical research (Digital Manufacturing Facility and the ACMD) which will support this project. This project is highly multidisciplinary, and as such would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. Experience in mammalian cell culture is not required; this will be a very multidisciplinary research project and will involve learning many new skills.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Kate Fox, School of Engineering","title":"Biomedical Cell Culture Devices for Custom Stimulation","description":"Applying external physical stimulus, such as electrical pulses or mechanical strain, can influence the differentiation of stem cells to specific cell phenotypes [1]. This is an exciting area of using stem cells for tissue engineering applications. However, screening and optimising the experimental parameters for external physical stimuli is conventionally very difficult, due to the vast number of possible permutations. This project will employ a combination of micro-fabrication and additive manufacturing techniques to build custom devices for investigating the influence of external stimulus on targeted stem cell differentiation. \r\n\r\nThe platforms need to be custom designed and made to incorporate the required features for different external stimulus protocols.  The candidate will learn how to perform additive and photolithographic fabrication techniques, as well as basic stem cell culture protocols. \r\n\r\nRMIT has world-class facilities in fabrication and biomedical research (Digital Manufacturing Facility and the ACMD) which will support this project. This project is highly multidisciplinary, and as such would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. Experience in mammalian cell culture is not required; this will be a very multidisciplinary research project and will involve learning many new skills.\r\n[1] A. Gelmi, C. Ibsen. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10 (1), 2001125, 2021\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dinesh Kumar","title":"AI for wound management","description":"While significant diabetic foot ulcers heal with regular wound management within 12 weeks, some of these can have delayed healing and require additional care, and it is essential for clinicians to recognize these in the early stages. The current state of the art is based on monitoring the ulcers over the first 4 weeks, and this can lead to 4 weeks delay. Our previous work demonstrated that it was possible to use thermal images of the ulcers to identify those that will have delayed healing. \n We are now looking for developing a device that can be used by the clinician to determine the healing trajectory of the wound. This will require combination of selecting the suitable hardware, developing the software and the AI model that can be used for this application.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4611-35% ; 4003-35% ; 4009-30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arash Vahidnia","title":"Enhancing the Security of the Renewable Rich Power Systems through Utilization of Advanced Control and Protection methods","description":"This project aims at addressing the important issue of energy security through implementation of advanced control and protection methods on various power system elements. The main focus of this project is to use Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) for developing advanced control algorithms to deal with the nonlinear nature of power systems and improve the system stability while the increasing penetration of renewable energy resources and their displacement of traditional rotational synchronous sources have increased the performance complexity and uncertainty of the interconnected power system [1, 2].\n In order to address the new challenges and avoid future catastrophic failures, it is important to adapt new technologies and control methods to improve the stability and security of the power systems. This proposed project extends the previous studies and findings to provide a more secure and stable power system for the benefit of network operators, stakeholders and consumers. The project is to develop and demonstrate significantly enhanced system security with particular focus on the reduced inertia systems with significant penetration of renewable based resources. [3-5].\n References:\n [1]A. Vahidnia, G. Ledwich, and E. W. Palmer, \"Transient Stability Improvement Through Wide-Area Controlled SVCs,\" IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 31, pp. 3082-3089, 2016.\n [2]A. Vahidnia, G. Ledwich, E. Palmer, and A. Ghosh, \"Wide-area control through aggregation of power systems,\" IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, vol. 9, pp. 1292-1300, 2015.\n [3]M. Chenine and L. Nordstrom, \"Modeling and Simulation of Wide-Area Communication for Centralized PMU-Based Applications,\" Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 26, pp. 1372-1380, 2011.\n [4]P. W. Sauer and A. Pai, Power system dynamics and stability: Prentice Hall, 1998.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arash Vahidnia","title":"Reliable and secure operation of electricity grids with high penetration of distributed energy resources and electric vehicles","description":"This project will develop a novel management mechanism for electricity distribution grids with high penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) such as rooftop PVs, battery storage systems and electric vehicles. The major practical challenge of effective integration of DER (mainly from wind and solar) with the main electricity grid is unpredictable (or difficult to predict) and very frequent intermittency in the generated electricity from these sources. The project will develop new flexible DER capacity and grid stability technologies that would optimally balance the electricity distribution system with even high levels of DERs and associated technologies such as storage systems as well as electric vehicles. This would allow designing new electricity grids with substantially increased share of DERs integrated with the main grid.\n References:\n [1] F. Shahnia, M. Moghbel, A. Arefi, G. M. Shafiullah, M. Anda and A. Vahidnia, \"Levelized cost of energy and cash flow for a hybrid solar-wind-diesel microgrid on Rottnest island,\" 2017 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC), Melbourne, VIC, 2017, pp. 1-6. \n [2] S. Najafi, S. H. Hosseinian, M. Abedi, A. Vahidnia and S. Abachezadeh, \"A Framework for Optimal Planning in Large Distribution Networks,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 1019-1028, May 2009.\n [3] N. Al Khafaf et al., \"Impact of battery storage on residential energy consumption: An Australian case study based on smart meter data,\" Renewable Energy, vol. 182, pp.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Carlos Teixeira","title":"Common-Mode Mitigation Techniques for Three-Phase Soft-Switched Dual Active Bridge Converters","description":"Dual active bridge (DAB) converters are the topology of choice to transfer energy in either direction between two galvanically isolated direct-current sources [1][2]. Compared to its single phase counterpart, a three-phase DAB converter offers the benefits of reduced AC link RMS and bridge switching devices turn-off peak currents as well as smaller DC bus filter requirements, essentially because of its inherent six-step modulation capability [1].\n However the six-step modulation strategy applied to this converter topology offers as side-effect a large common-mode component, which needs to be appropriately mitigated by hardware filtering techniques. The conventional approach to address the issue is to use sufficiently large common-mode filters to prevent undesirable circulating currents from occurring within the topology.\n The aim of this PhD project is to apply frequency domain analysis [2] to mathematically model the characteristic common-mode component typically present in this converter arrangement to then develop effective mitigation techniques which minimise the consequential circulating currents without requiring expensive over-dimensioned hardware. The project will be conducted at RMIT Power Electronics Laboratory Facility using a three-phase dual active bridge converter prototype built during the course of the project with the primary purpose of investigating common-mode issues and mitigation techniques.\n References:\n [1]. De Doncker, R.W.A.A.; Divan, D.M.; Kheraluwala, M.H., \"A three-phase soft-switched high-power-density DC\/DC converter for high-power applications,\" in Ind. Applic., IEEE Trans. on, vol.27, no.1, pp.63-73, 1991.\n [2] J. Riedel, C. Teixeira, D. G. Holmes, and B. P. McGrath, \"Identication of zvs soft switching boundaries for three-phase dual active bridge converters using harmonic analysis,\" in Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'15 ECCE-Europe), 2015 17th European Conference on, pp. 1-10, Sept 2015.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Carlos Teixeira","title":"Decentralised Phase Disposition Modulation of Modular Multilevel Converters","description":"The modular multilevel converter is an attractive topology for medium\/high voltage applications with large power conversion ratings because of its scalability to high operating voltages via the series connection of 2N commutation sub-modules (N per arm), its ability to operate from a single direct current supply without bulk bus storage capacitors, and its capability to synthesise switched waveforms with low harmonic content [1]-[3].\n Recent work has demonstrated that compared to the more traditional phase-shifted carrier modulation, phase disposition modulation of a modular multilevel converter provides superior harmonic performance [2][3]. However, as indicated in [2], the harmonic benefit of phase disposition modulation is only achieved when the strategy is implemented on a per-arm basis, and this requirement goes against the distributed and modular nature of this multilevel converter topology.\n The primary aim of this PhD project is to investigate practical controller implementation alternatives for achieving phase disposition modulation in a distributed manner while still benefiting from its superior harmonic performance. The project will be conducted at RMIT Power Electronics Laboratory Facility using a three-phase six-level modular multilevel converter prototype.\n References:\n [1]. H. Akagi, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Classification, terminology, and application of the modular multilevel cascade converter (MMC)\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 26, no. 11, pp. 3119 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 3130, Nov. 2011.\n [2] B. McGrath; C. Teixeira; G. Holmes, \"Optimized Phase Disposition (PD) Modulation of a Modular Multilevel Converter,\" in IEEE Trans. on Industry Applications, vol. PP, no. 99, pp. 1 1, 2017.\n [3]. C. A. Teixeira, Y. Sun, D. G. Holmes and B. P. McGrath, \"Design and implementation of finite state machine decoders for phase disposition pulse width modulation of modular multilevel converters,\" 2016 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), Milwaukee, WI, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Carlos Teixeira","title":"Identification of Zero Voltage Switching Boundaries of Three-phase Multilevel Dual Active Bridge Converters","description":"Three-phase dual active bridges (DABs) commonly have their interconnecting impedances built around three or five limb transformer cores, hence the per-phase coupling impedances of these transformers are inherently unbalanced, and so the zero voltage switching (ZVS) boundaries for the primary and secondary bridges become asymmetrical. Hence the effective ZVS region of a three-phase DAB is further constrained to the region of the first phase leg to reach its ZVS boundary, irrespective of the switching conditions of the other two phase legs [1][2].\n Besides allowing for switching devices with lower voltage ratings which benefit from smaller conduction and switching losses, multilevel three-phase DABs also offer additional degrees of freedom, which can be used to counteract the reduction of ZVS capability caused by practical three-phase impedance asymmetries [3].\n Previous work has applied frequency domain analysis to precisely and comprehensively identify the ZVS boundaries of three-phase dual active bridge converters [4]. The aim of this PhD project is to extend the methodology presented in [4] to now identify the ZVS operating regions of three-phase three-level DAB converters. The theoretical concepts developed in this work will be experimentally validated on a three-phase three-level dual active bridge converter prototype built during the course of the project.\n References:\n [1]. De Doncker, R.W.A.A.; Divan, D.M.; Kheraluwala, M.H., \"A three-phase soft-switched high-power-density DC\/DC converter for high-power applications,\" in Ind. Applic., IEEE Trans. on, vol.27, no.1, pp.63-73, 1991.\n [2]. C. A. Teixeira, J. Riedel, D. G. Holmes and B. P. McGrath, \"Extended soft switching operation of three-phase dual active bridge converters with unbalanced transformer impedances,\" 2016 IEEE 2nd Annual Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC), Auckland, 2016.\n [3]. N. H. Baars, J. Everts, C. G. E. Wijnands and E. A. Lomonova, \"Evaluation of a high-power three-phase dual active bridge DC-DC converter with three-level phase-legs,\" 2016 18th European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'16 ECCE Europe), Karlsruhe, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Francisco Tovar, Ayman Allahham, Thilini Thrimawithana, Naz Nassar","title":"Microfluidic-Based Liposomes for Enhanced Ocular Drug Delivery: A Multidisciplinary Approach","description":"Eye structure and functionality pose considerable obstacles to local drug delivery systems. Furthermore, the unique properties of biotherapeutic molecules, including their targeted pharmacodynamics and fewer side effects, have captivated researchers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 attention worldwide. However, an advanced responsive, controlled drug delivery system for such large and sensitive molecules is yet to be satisfied. This proposal explores the potential of microfluidic-based liposomes as a versatile, controlled ocular drug delivery system for biologics. By leveraging the advantages of liposomes in terms of controlled release, protection of the cargo, and targeting, along with the precision and slow release offered by microfluidics, we seek to enhance drug diffusion, and extend residence time while protecting the cargo, which should improve therapeutic outcomes, This project emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and pharmaceutical and pharmacological sciences in addressing the complexities associated with this endeavour.\n \n The research proposes designing microfluidic devices tailored for liposome synthesis, optimizing flow control and particle formation using cutting-edge techniques. Liposome characteristics, such as size, stability, and encapsulation efficiency, will be systematically evaluated. In vitro diffusion studies with an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) will assess drug release kinetics and pharmacodynamics. This tunable liposomal system addresses antibiotic resistance and has potential for various biologics targeting conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.\n \n Successful in vitro work and precise control enabled by microfluidics will advance the technology for pre-clinical animal studies. The interdisciplinary collaboration will yield a comprehensive understanding, driving field advancements, and enhancing patient care.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401801 Micro- and nanosystems ;  400403 Chemical engineering design ; 321404 Pharmaceutical delivery technologies"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Distribution Generations (DGs) Control and Management of AC and\/ DC Microgrids","description":"The world-leading economies have set ambitious mandatory targets for renewable deployment to meet their increasing energy demand and greenhouse gas emission targets. The deployment of renewable is usually realised through microgrids which are formed by clustering the alternative and conventional generation technologies, storage systems, and loads. Compared with the standalone deployment of renewable, microgrids offer several benefits, including optimal utilisation of resources, enhanced power supply reliability and power quality. Achieving these benefits, however, require proper control and management of DGs and microgrids. This topic has been extensively researched, and distributed and autonomous control schemes are found to be more reliable and cost-effective. However, recent research suggests that the grid-forming and supporting DGs and synthetic inertia play a significant role in the stable and dynamic operation of the power system and microgrid, which could be the new operational requirements for the DGs used in the power system and microgrid. The new operational requirements and control schemes for the conventional and emerging distributed generations (DGs) performance have not been thoroughly investigated. This project is to,\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Design and develop DGs, EVs and storage control to share power and provide grid-support services to enhance the supply power reliability and resilience in AC and\/or DC microgrid. \n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Design and develop the operational plan and management system to enhance supply power quality while maximising the economic benefits in AC and\/or DC microgrids.\n The project involves characterisation, mathematical and control model development of various DG systems for microgrid and power system application, frequency-domain and time-domain simulation analysis and their experimental performance verification under various scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Inverter Control Technology for Microgrid and Power System Application","description":"The future electric grids are anticipated to have a high penetration of renewable-based distributed generations (DGs) deployed in different forms, such as standalone, hybridized to form a microgrid, or interconnected with the utility grid. Extensive research has been carried out to achieve optimal DG design, control, and operation for various applications. However, with the increasing penetration of renewables, the control and operational requirements of DGs are still evolving with the emerging grid codes and standards. DG inverter topologies and their control for synchronization, synthetic inertia, and grid support services, with a reduced number of sensors, have not been fully exploited yet. The proposed project aims to develop inverter control technology for DGs to enhance system stability and resilience. \n The scope of work may include the mathematical and simulation model development of inverter control systems to evaluate their performance under different operating conditions and to develop new inverter control technology for the considered application. The project involves inverter system modeling, frequency domain and time-domain simulation analyses, and experimental verification of their performance for various conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Solar PV Generation and Loads - Model Development and Forecasting","description":"The leading economies around the globe have set mandatory targets for renewable deployment to meet their increasing energy demand and greenhouse gas emission targets. Conventional generation is being replaced with renewables, mainly solar PV, which is highly unpredictable and variable in nature. Moreover, load characteristics are changing as conventional fossil fuel vehicles are being replaced with EVs that are expected to have different load profiles. Accurate predictions and forecasting of solar PV generation and loads are crucial for power system planning and efficient and stable operation. Although significant research has been carried out on these aspects, accurate solar PV generation and load forecasting, load characterization, and model development, as well as their impact analysis on the network and power system operation, are the key topics of research to be explored in this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Inam Nutkani","title":"Adaptive Protection for AC\/DC Microgrids and Power System","description":"Renewable-based distributed generations (DGs) have been widely deployed in power systems in recent years. They are typically connected to the distribution network at various points. The distributed integration of DGs and their operating conditions significantly impacts power flow levels and directions, fault levels, and network protection. Similarly, microgrids are another effective way of generating power or integrating renewable energy with the power system. However, changes in network conditions following the DGs and load switching, as well as transitions of operation modes, raise protection issues in the microgrid system. Therefore, protection device settings need to be adjusted to accommodate the changes resulting from varying power flow, load\/DG switching, or mode transitions to maintain system reliability and safety.\n This project aims to develop autonomous and distributed adaptive protection schemes for AC or DC microgrids, including islanding detection and microgrid reconnection detection functions. The project involves the development of mathematical and simulation models for DGs and microgrids, fault characterization of different types of DGs and microgrids under various operating conditions, development of new protection schemes, and testing and verification in power system software such as Powerfactory.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Du Yong Kim","title":"Target detection and tracking using Machine Learning","description":"An area of interest aligned with a number of projects is the use of machine learning techniques to aid both in target detection and tracking. Three research paths could be explored. Firstly, the use of convolutional neural networks for detecting targets. Secondly, there are a number of potential uses of machine learning to aid in target tracking, including learning how targets manoeuvre and how to improve the separability of close-in targets. The third application is to use the raw radar data to both detect and track targets, i.e. a track-before-detect approach.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Glenn Matthews","title":"Investigation of Joint Time-Frequency Analysis for Separating Chemical Gas Sensing Events","description":"The field of acoustic wave devices is continuing to expand in the area of sensor technology due to their ability to detect minute environmental perturbations. Acoustic wave devices can be employed in the field of chemical gas sensing by applying a selective layer such as a metal oxide or polymer to the surface of the device which an analyte will react with. This reaction causes a change in electrical and\/or physical boundary conditions which can be quantified. \n \n Such changes can be correlated to the concentration of the analyte interacting with the device. As conventional practice measures only the resonant frequency of the system, a significant amount of usable data from both the time and frequency domain is neglected. The proposed research aims to investigate if Joint Time-Frequency Analysis (JTFA) can be employed to use this additional data to increase overall system performance when compared to existing techniques. \n \n This research will focus on the application of direct digital synthesis to produce sensor data in both the time and frequency domains which may then be used to separate the response mechanism of an analyte. The performance of acoustic wave devices are dependent upon a number of variables including the chemistry of the selective layer, topology of the device and the specific crystal orientation of the substrate. Due to this variable performance the proposed technique will be tested on several different acoustic wave platforms to characterise overall performance benefits and to identify its shortcomings in particular applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Glenn Matthews","title":"Collision Avoidance Radar Algorithm Development for Micro-Aerial Vehicles","description":"The aim of this project is to develop novel signal processing techniques (both theoretical and practical) that can be applied to FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar transceiver systems for Micro-Aerial Vehicle (MAV) collision avoidance and mapping. The current state of the art solution relies on existing (fixed design) radar transceivers. The issue with these types of systems is that they provide limited flexibility in terms of encoding the FMCW signal.\n \n Existing localisation systems typically rely on static information provided by the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite system which is limited to outdoor scenarios. If the MAV were to be deployed in an urban environment satellite signals could be occluded by buildings. The proposed algorithms to be developed would allow a customised radar system to be developed that can be successfully operated in both indoor and external environments as it does not rely on existing infrastructure. Furthermore, radar is not greatly affected by smoke and dust making it superior to other technologies such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR).\n \n In a typical radar system there are two outputs which represent the in phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the system which are typically disregarded in commercial systems. The relationship between these components can be used to obtain both the distance to the specified target as well as other characteristics such as velocity. By further processing of the I\/Q data, the type of environment and location of static objects (floor, ceiling and doorways) in the MAV environment can be identified.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hiep Tran","title":"Metal oxide semiconductors for electronic devices","description":"As electronics becomes more deeply embedded in everyday items, there is an increasing need to develop electronic materials that are more powerful, energy-efficient and flexible. Metal oxide, particularly the wide bandgap semiconductors are beginning to replace silicon in many applications, including solar cells, smart windscreens, high-resolution flat panel displays, and most notably in power electronics. High-quality metal oxide films are necessary for the development of these advanced electronic devices. In this project, you will grow a variety of metal oxide materials using physical deposition methods to study their properties such as mobility, carrier concentration, and resistivity. The project will also involve advanced materials characterisation, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) accessed via the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility (RMMF). These processes will advance our understanding of the characteristics and behaviors of these materials, thus enabling their implementation in applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Diamond Implant Technology","description":"It is essential that new materials can be generated for improved implant technologies. The industry standard, titanium, although bioinert, has a natural surface oxide which prevents integration between metal and surrounding bone. Diamond is known to possess biocompatibility and biostability.[1,2] Here, we will investigate the development of diamond implants. RMIT is at the forefront of optimising 3D printing technology for medical prototyping. It is expected that the new implant will provide an improved 3D scaffold capable of improving the biomaterial-bone interface. Skills: Understanding of surface science, materials, physics, electronics. Willingness to work on a collaborative interdisciplinary project. Some animal work may be required.\n References:\n [1]. Fox K, Palamara J, Judge R, Greentree AD. Diamond as a scaffold for bone growth. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine. 2013;24:849-61. [2]. Auciello O, Sumant AV. Status review of the science and technology of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD\u00e2\u201e\u00a2) films and application to multifunctional devices. Diamond and Related Materials. 2010;19:699-718.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Fox","title":"Tailoring the interface of dental implants","description":"Additive manufacturing of dental and maxillofacial implants has rapidly become a growing field. Due to the nature of the oral environment, the integration of any implant requires not just bone growth but interaction with soft tissue. This tissue mismatch requires an engineering solution. This project will work with an industry partner to develop an implant that can improve not only the implant-soft tissue interface but also provides antimicrobial properties to a challenging bacterial interface. RMIT has been at the forefront of 3D printing techniques that allow for the fabrication of personalised orthopaedic implants [1] and the supervisory team has developed innovative material solutions for improving the interface and treating gum recession.[2,3] The HDR candidate will gain experience in an interdisciplinary field that include surface and interface chemistry, materials science, nanoengineering, dentistry and biomedical engineering. The implants will be studied by various surface characterisation techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Subsequently, their bioactivity and toxicity will be studied by examining bone-forming cell viability, soft tissue growth and function on the implant surfaces. Moreover, the ability of the coating to resist bacterial colonisation will be assessed against common pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.\n References:\n [1]. Wang X et al., Biomaterials, 2016, 83:127-141\n [2] Rifai A et al. ACS applied materials & interfaces 2018 10 (10), 8474-8484\n [3] Rifai A et al. ACS applied materials & interfaces 2019 11 (27), 24588-24597","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kazi Hasan","title":"Assessment of Grid Compatibility of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Functionality","description":"Project Scope:\n The focus of this Ph.D. research is on enabling technologies for grid integration of electric vehicles. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) will significantly transform the operation of future electricity grids. The number of EVs on the Australian street is expected to be 2 million by 2030. While each EV battery would contain 40 to 80 kWh of energy, 2 million EVs will be able to serve 6 million homes for up to 24 hours. As it brings a lot of opportunity so is the challenge! The challenge would be facilitating the V2X functionality, whether X is the home, grid, another vehicle, or electrical appliance. The concerns include V2X connectivity, grid codes, interoperability of the charging platforms, communication standards, and access to cheaper bidirectional chargers. \n In the pursuit of those research challenges, this project aims to:\n (1) identify the best practices in V2X (level 2) chargers: \n (2) design and implement the V2X functionality by following the Australian grid codes: \n (3) assess the applicability of these bidirectional chargers in Australia and elsewhere: \n This research is designed to lay a platform for EV charger software and hardware development (with a particular focus on the V2G functionality) and help support industry partners to test the EV chargers against the grid connection requirements.\n Financial sponsorships:\n The procurement of this stipend is proposed to be supplied by Smart Lifestyle Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Smart microfluidic systems","description":"Microfluidic systems provide unique platforms for generating highly controlled flow profiles within miniaturized structures and are increasingly used for studying complex biological processes throughout our body, modeling diseases, and developing drugs. Despite these advantages, most microfluidic systems require external sensors for measuring various flow variables such as flow rate, shear stress, pressure, temperature, and chemical concentration. This increases the overall cost and size of the system, adds more levels of complexity to the system, and limits the widespread application of microfluidic technologies in biological laboratories. \n This project aims to address the abovementioned limitations by developing smart microfluidic systems. Such smart systems will be packed with a range of integrated commercial or customized miniaturized sensors utilizing piezoelectric, capacitive, optical, or chemical mechanisms for real-time measurement of flow rate, shear stress, pressure, temperature, and chemical concentration. Such sensors can be embedded in the polydimethylsiloxane elastomer block, which surrounds the microfluidic structure, or positioned onto the elastomer block similar to wearable sensors. Such smart microfluidic systems will be used for generating various physiological and pathophysiological flow patterns and will be used for studying the mechanobiology of the cells constituting human blood vessels.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Self-sufficient microfluidic systems for cell-based assays","description":"Microfluidic systems enable rapid diagnosis, screening, and monitoring of diseases using small amounts of biological samples and reagents. Despite these remarkable features, conventional microfluidic systems rely on bulky, expensive external equipment, which hinders their utility outside the research laboratories. A logical way to address this limitation is to move towards \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcself-sufficient\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 also known as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcself-contained\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 or \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcstand-alone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 microfluidic systems, which include all necessary components to facilitate a complete assay and can be operated with minimum training. \n This project aims to develop highly integrated self-sufficient microfluidic systems for conducting cell-based assays. The microfluidic system will be equipped with miniaturised pumps and valves for driving and control of flow through microfluidic structures as well as heaters to regulate the temperature. Target cells will be immobilised onto the predetermined locations of the microfluidic system under hydrodynamic forces. The immobilised cells will then undergo a combination of physical (flow-induced shear stress) and chemical (drugs\/inhibitor) stimuli to exhibit the desired cellular responses. The operation of the pumps, valves, and heaters will be controlled via a smartphone. The cellular responses will be monitored and evaluated in real-time using a smartphone interfaced with a portable microscope, LED, and photodiodes. The project involves the design, theoretical and numerical analyses, fabrication, and experimental analysis of self-sufficient microfluidic systems as well as biological assays.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models of the human cardiovascular system","description":"The human circulatory system is a complex system, composed of the heart at its center and a fascinating network of large to small vessels spanning throughout the body. The current animal and cell culture models do not recapitulate the functional properties of the human circulatory system, limiting our ability to fully understand the complex biological processes underlying various cardiovascular diseases. \n This project aims to develop microfluidic models to recapitulate the structural, biophysical, and functional properties of the heart and blood vessels. Such microfluidic models allow for exploring the complex mechanobiology of the cardiovascular system and mechanistic studying of cardiovascular diseases, with the ultimate goal of screening cardiovascular drugs. \n This project will provide a unique opportunity for you to develop multidisciplinary skills in microfluidics, microfabrication, biofabrication, fluid dynamics, and vascular biology, and collaborate with a team of biomedical engineers, vascular biologists, and clinicians.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"System Support Services from Demand Response Schemes","description":"Power grid dynamics are rapidly changing due to high-share of renewable energy resources (e.g. solar-photovoltaic, wind, and battery energy storage systems) and new technologies added to the power grid [1]. Therefore, innovative and flexible strategies are required to improve the grid stability and reliability. Loads in the power grid can play a major role by providing system support services to the power grid.\n \n In particular, if power grid loads are effectively managed during peak and off-peak periods, they can support the network stability, and these schemes are known as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcdemand response schemes.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 More specifically, the demand response schemes can provide frequency response and flexibility services to the power grid [2]. However, more research studies are required to exploit these services from the power grid loads. This project will explore various innovative approaches to provide system frequency support services via demand response schemes. \n \n References:\n [1] L. Meegahapola, P. Mancarella, D. Flynn, and R. Moreno, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Power System Stability in the Transition to a Low Carbon Grid: A Techno-Economic Perspective on Challenges and Opportunities,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d WIREs Energy and Environment, vol. 10, no. 5, Sep-Oct. 2021.\n [2] Yuan-Kang Wu, and Kuo-Ting Tang, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Frequency Support by Demand Response \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Review and Analysis,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Energy Procedia, vol. 156, pp. 327-331, Jan. 2019.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Real-Time System Stability Analysis of Active Distribution Grids via Micro-PMUs","description":"The dynamics of the power distribution networks are rapidly changing due to high penetration of distributed energy resources (e.g. solar-photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems) and electric vehicles in low-voltage and medium voltage distribution networks. Therefore, new stability issues are emerging in power distribution networks, such as oscillations and voltage stability [1]. Consequently, advanced monitoring and detection techniques are required to analyse and mitigate these stability issues in power distribution networks.\n \n The micro phasor measurement unit (PMU) technology offers ultra-precise measurements of power grid parameters [2], such as voltage and angles, which are essential for analysing and detecting stability issues. Therefore, by deploying the micro-PMU technology highly accurate stability analysis and instability detection algorithms can be developed to preserve the stability. This project will explore the real-time stability analysis techniques using micro-PMU data streams for power distribution networks.\n \n References:\n [1] S. Bu, L. G. Meegahapola, D. P. Wadduwage and A. M. Foley, \"Stability and Dynamics of Active Distribution Networks (ADNs) with D-PMU Technology: A Review,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, doi: 10.1109\/TPWRS.2022.3179488.\n [2] A. von Meier, E. Stewart, A. McEachern, M. Andersen, and L.. Mehrmanesh, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Precision Micro-Synchrophasors for Distribution Systems: A Summary of Applications,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Trans. Smart Grid, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 2926\u00e2\u20ac\u201c2936, Nov. 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"System Support Services from Demand Response Schemes","description":"Power grid dynamics are rapidly changing due to high-share of renewable energy resources (e.g. solar-photovoltaic, wind, and battery energy storage systems) and new technologies added to the power grid [1]. Therefore, innovative and flexible strategies are required to improve the grid stability and reliability. Loads in the power grid can play a major role by providing system support services to the power grid.\n In particular, if power grid loads are effectively managed during peak and off-peak periods, they can support the network stability, and these schemes are known as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcdemand response schemes.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 More specifically, the demand response schemes can provide frequency response and flexibility services to the power grid [2]. However, more research studies are required to exploit these services from the power grid loads. This project will explore various innovative approaches to provide system frequency support services via demand response schemes. \n \n References:\n [1] L. Meegahapola, P. Mancarella, D. Flynn, and R. Moreno, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Power System Stability in the Transition to a Low Carbon Grid: A Techno-Economic Perspective on Challenges and Opportunities,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d WIREs Energy and Environment, vol. 10, no. 5, Sep-Oct. 2021.\n [2] Yuan-Kang Wu, and Kuo-Ting Tang, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Frequency Support by Demand Response \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Review and Analysis,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Energy Procedia, vol. 156, pp. 327-331, Jan. 2019.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Combined Voltage and Frequency Support Ancillary Services Support via Virtual Power Plants","description":"The virtual power plants (VPPs) are receiving a strong attention due to its superior capability to coordinate distributed energy resources (e.g. domestic solar-PVs and battery energy storage systems) in an optimal manner [1]. VPPs are primarily designed to participate in the energy market, however the VPP could be designed to provide these ancillary services to the power grid. These ancillary services include voltage and frequency support services. However, only a limited number of studies have been conducted on ancillary services support from VPPs [2], and these studies have significant drawbacks, such as non-consideration of DER characteristics, non-consideration of the capability of network assets (e.g. transformers), and less emphasis has placed on system stability requirements. Moreover, these studies have considered either voltage or frequency support ancillary services from VPPs [3],[4]. \n The aim of this PhD research project is to develop combined voltage and frequency control strategies for VPPs to deliver ancillary services for power grids with optimal orchestration of DERs. The VPPs which have been designed using small-scale solar-PV and battery energy storage systems in LV distribution networks will be considered in this research. Frequency and voltage support ancillary services will be the primary focus of this research study. In addition, new strategies will be developed with a strong emphasis on other network requirements (e.g. stability and reliability) and constraints (e.g. network assets constraints). The effectiveness of the proposed strategies will be assessed via simulation studies conducted in power system software tools.\n \n References:\n [1] AEMO, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153AEMO Virtual Power Plant Demonstration,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Knowledge Sharing Report %231, Mar. 2020. [Online]. Available: https:\/\/aemo.com.au\/-\/media\/files\/electricity\/der\/2020\/aemo-knowledge-sharing-stage-1-report.pdf?la=en.\n [2] N. Etherden, M. H. J. Bollen and J. Lundkvist, \"Quantification of ancillary services from a virtual power plant in an existing sub transmission network,\" IEEE PES ISGT Europe 2013, Lyngby, 2013, pp. 1-5.\n [3] P. Moutis, P. S. Georgilakis and N. D. Hatziargyriou, \"Voltage Regulation Support Along a Distribution Line by a Virtual Power Plant Based on a Center of Mass Load Modeling,\" in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 3029-3038, July 2018, doi: 10.1109\/TSG.2016.2624633.\n [4] W. Chen, J. Qiu, J. Zhao, Q. Chai and Z. Y. Dong, \"Bargaining Game-Based Profit Allocation of Virtual Power Plant in Frequency Regulation Market Considering Battery Cycle Life,\" in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 2913-2928, July 2021, doi: 10.1109\/TSG.2021.3053000.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Dynamic Modelling of Microgrid","description":"The need for a reliable and secure smart electrical power system incorporating renewable energy sources is drawing much attention to the microgrid. Microgrids use a combination of inertial and non-inertial electrical power sources to serve consumers in the vicinity. An attractive feature of the microgrid is its flexibility. It can enhance service reliability to consumers by continuing to operate even when the utility grid is unavailable due to a grid fault or natural disaster. While these features of microgrids are attractive, they also create modelling and control challenges that are currently unsolved. When the main utility grid shuts down, the microgrid needs to ramp up generation to meet the local electricity demands. When the utility grid comes back on, the microgrid needs to re-synchronise with it for smooth operation. These transitions should be made automatically, immediately, and seamlessly. One major problem during such transitions is the voltage fluctuation and frequency deviations, especially in the presence of motor loads. These transient events are not well characterised by the current practice of state-space-based modelling of microgrids, making it a major theoretical and modelling limitation that constrains the potential of microgrids. This project will research these transients and switching events of microgrids to achieve a fundamental theoretical understanding of the non-linear processes that cause the transients and drive the voltage fluctuations and frequency deviations to establish the analytical and modelling frameworks for control strategies that can then manage these transients and switching events under both normal and abnormal utility grid operating conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Forecasting and State Estimation-based Predictive Control of Smart Grid","description":"Modern power grids are integrated with a large amount of intermittent and distributed generation sources, loads and various energy storage systems. Therefore, to realise a smart and resilient grid, more precise and enhanced observability and controllability of the grid are required. A good forecasting of future generation and loads, as well as a good estimation of the real-time state of the grid, is possible by applying novel forecasting and estimation techniques. This PhD project will focus on developing such novel forecasting and estimation technique, which requires minimum field measurements and weather data. It is expected that this novel technique will improve flexibility, protection, and load and generation congestion management in the distribution and transmission power grid. It is also believed that this project will help to develop intelligent algorithms for effective power system asset management in the context of voltage control, power quality and stability in the smart grid with the large penetration of distributed generation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Intelligent Energy Management in the Distribution Power Grid","description":"Residential loads play a significant role in the distribution power domain. Therefore, energy efficiency in the distribution power domain is essential. One of the critical components of this energy efficiency is the intelligent energy management system, which will include extensive use of sensors, optimum and automated control of the different types of loads, integration of renewable energy, e.g., PV systems, batteries and the ability to respond to real-time pricing to realise the modern smart grid. However, large integration of distributed resources like roof-top PV systems, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), and batteries can create significant technical challenges, notably grid voltage fluctuations, local reactive power management, and optimisation for optimisation two-way power flows, and integration with the real-time energy pricing. Therefore, this project aims to develop a novel and intelligent energy management system, which will be deployed via the Internet of Things (IoT) network architecture. The IoT will ensure that every component in the distribution power domain can exchange information with the central power system. New smart buildings and smart homes will be incorporated into the distribution power domain where renewable energy generation, electric vehicle charging\/discharging, and distributed energy storages will communicate and interact effectively with the central electricity grid to minimise the technical challenges.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Manoj Datta","title":"Optimisation of Renewable Energy Systems in Hybrid Microgrid","description":"When planning renewable-based hybrid energy systems and microgrid, multi-objective and multi-criteria optimisation and decision-making becomes an integral part. To find the optimal capacity of the system, performance and cost are optimised following a multi-objective optimisation process. One of the significant challenges in this process is the uncertainties related to the electric load demand and renewable power generation based on weather variations. Usually, two optimisation processes are used: deterministic and non-deterministic. Deterministic optimisations need to be better at including the related uncertainties in the process; on the other hand, non-deterministic ones rely heavily on time-consuming stochastic methods to handle uncertainties. This project aims to devise a robust optimisation method, which can include the related uncertainties and will not be time-consuming. This optimisation process will be applied to microgrids and hybrid energy systems, which could be completely stand-alone or grid connected. On an advanced level of development, the optimisation will also take into account unforeseen circumstances such as grid faults, short circuits, unexpected islanding, impractical power generation or load demand.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rani, Du Yong, Peter Saunders (School of Health and Biomedical Sciences) ","title":"Mental health monitoring in residential aged care using wearable devices","description":"Mental health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, particularly in older adults, where psychological and emotional health can significantly influence quality of life. Despite the recognition of multiple factors that contribute to mental health, such as sleep quality, social isolation, physical activity, and dietary habits, many interventions still tend to focus on a single element. This limited scope fails to address the complex, interconnected nature of these factors, especially among older adults who may face unique challenges like reduced mobility and social engagement along with various health complications. Recent advancements in wearable technology, such as smartwatches, provide an unprecedented opportunity to monitor a wide range of physiological and behavioral indicators in real time. These devices can track sleep patterns, physical activity, heart rate variability, and even social interactions, offering a holistic approach to mental health monitoring. For older adults, who may not frequently seek mental health care due to stigma or accessibility issues, smartwatches can offer a discreet and continuous means of monitoring mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.\nThis project aims to develop and evaluate a comprehensive mental health monitoring system for older adults in residential aged care, integrating data from smartwatches and advanced machine learning algorithms. By focusing on a broader range of behavioral and physiological markers, this project seeks to improve real-time mental health predictions, monitoring, offering personalized interventions to enhance mental health management and quality of life.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460307        Multimodal analysis and synthesis\n461199        Machine learning not elsewhere classified\n400399    Biomedical engineering not elsewhere classified\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Improvement of Speech Inteligibility Using Machine Learning","description":"The project aims to research a machine learning solution that provides a real-time recognition of words, sentences, and emotions of speakers with a very low speech intelligibility. The project addresses a fundamental research gap in an automatic recognition of a severely slurred (low-intelligibility) speech. Unlike a noisy speech which is usually caused by the presence of a background noise, a low-intelligibility speech is predominantly caused by speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s inability to perform adequate phonation and articulation during the process of speech production. A speech disorder can affect the way a person creates sounds to form words, as well as, decrease person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ability to convey verbally expressed emotions. Most common causes include vocal cord damage, traumatic brain injury (TBI), strokes, vocal cord lumps or paralysis, and spastic cerebral palsy. In many cases the condition cannot be treated and makes the person disable for life. People with speech disorders are unable to articulate their thoughts and convey acoustically coded feelings and emotions. Their speech is heavily slurred, and the intelligibility is so low, that outside of the closest family circle nobody can understand what they say. Speech-based online technologies, toys and computer games, call and support centres are beyond rich. This frequently leads to slower development of social skills, low self-esteem, anger, behavioural problems, social isolation, and in the severe cases development of depression. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) offer innovative technology solutions that can significantly improve lives of people with severe speech disabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Improvement of Speech Ineligibility Using Machine Learning","description":"The project aims to research a machine learning solution that will provide real-time recognition of words, sentences, and emotions of speakers with a very low speech intelligibility.The project addresses a fundamental research gap in an automatic recognition of a severely slurred (low-intelligibility) speech. Speech intelligibility in the context of this project is a subjective quality describing how clearly a person speaks, and how easy a normal-hearing listener can comprehend that speech. Unlike a noisy speech which is usually caused by the presence of a background noise, a low-intelligibility speech is predominantly caused by speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s inability to perform adequate phonation and articulation during the process of speech production. Insertion, deletion and repetition of phonemes reduces the intelligibility of speech signal. A speech disorder can affect the way a person creates sounds to form words, as well as, decrease person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ability to convey verbally expressed emotions. Most common causes include vocal cord damage, traumatic brain injury (TBI), strokes, vocal cord lumps or paralysis, and spastic cerebral palsy. In many cases the condition cannot be treated and makes the person disable for life. People with speech disorders are unable to articulate their thoughts and convey acoustically coded feelings and emotions. Their speech is heavily slurred, and the intelligibility is so low, that outside of the closest family circle nobody can understand what they say. Speech-based online technologies, toys and computer games, call and support centres are beyond rich. This frequently leads to slower development of social skills, low self-esteem, anger, behavioural problems, social isolation, and in the severe cases development of depression. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) offer innovative technology solutions that can significantly improve lives of people with severe speech disabilities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR239 MEng (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Real-Time Speaker's Voice Transformation","description":"Aim:\n The project aim is to research an efficient voice transformation method that will allow to convert the actual speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice into a voice of another person of different gender, age or ethnicity. Conversion into a different language will also be considered. The transformation will be performed in real-time which means with minimum delay, so the process is fully disguised. Depending on the user requirements, the software can be trained to simulate voices of generic speakers or particular individuals. \n Intelligence Capabilities and Significance:\n The project will provide an intelligence tool strengthening the operational capabilities of the National Intelligence and Security forces. Voice transformation devices play a critical role in hiding speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s identity. It is needed for protecting persons privacy, providing security to witnesses or victims in criminal investigations or hiding the identity of person providing sensitive information. Given the popularity of voice communication over Internet and mobile phones, voice transformation software can be used by the defence force, police or security officers to identify and incriminate social predators. It can be achieved by engaging into the conversation under pretence identity. It can be applied in many other operational scenarios when spoken negotiation plays a crucial role in providing protection or saving people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani, Du Yong Kim, Branko Ristic","title":"Machine Learning Methods for Autonomous Search of Radio Frequency Emitters Using a Swarm of UAVs (Master by Research)","description":"This project aims to develop advanced machine learning techniques for a swarm of autonomous UAVs to detect and locate radio frequency (RF) emitters in outdoor environments. The research focuses on scenarios where GNSS is unavailable and communication between UAVs is limited or nonexistent. Using multi-agent reinforcement learning, the UAVs will learn to coordinate, adapt, and optimize their search strategies in real-time.\n\nRequired Skills:\n(1) Programming and simulation: strong experience in Python or MATLAB.\n(2) Mathematical modelling: probability, optimization, or multi-agent interactions.\n(3) Machine learning: reinforcement learning, or multi-agent systems.\n(4) Signal processing: spectrum sensing, localization, or radio environment modelling.\n(5) Optimization and control: algorithm development for decision-making under constraints.  ","sdg":"[\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461103        Deep learning (50%)\n400607        Signal processing (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Real-Time Speaker's Voice Transformation","description":"Aim:\n The project aim is to research an efficient voice transformation method that will allow to convert the actual speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice into a voice of another person of different gender, age or ethnicity. Conversion into a different language will also be considered. The transformation will be performed in real-time which means with minimum delay, so the process is fully disguised. Depending on the user requirements, the software can be trained to simulate voices of generic speakers or particular individuals. \n Intelligence Capabilities and Significance:\n The project will provide an intelligence tool strengthening the operational capabilities of the National Intelligence and Security forces. Voice transformation devices play a critical role in hiding speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s identity. It is needed for protecting persons privacy, providing security to witnesses or victims in criminal investigations or hiding the identity of person providing sensitive information. Given the popularity of voice communication over Internet and mobile phones, voice transformation software can be used by the defence force, police or security officers to identify and incriminate social predators. It can be achieved by engaging into the conversation under pretence identity. It can be applied in many other operational scenarios when spoken negotiation plays a crucial role in providing protection or saving people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Margaret Lech","title":"Building Personal and Social Preference Models","description":"The project aims to develop machine learning models that will allow prediction of personal and social preferences. It will include models for preferences in musics, audio-visual arts, movies, computer games, fashion, food, as well as preferences of different social and learning activities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nuwantha Fernando","title":"Electrical machine design and manufacture for sustainable technologies","description":"The objective of the project is to utilize electrical machines to facilitate the implementation of sustainable technologies in either power and energy sectors or with application to ground or air transportation. Electrical machines that can meet the growing energy demands while minimizing their environmental impact. This project involves the design, simulation, and optimization of various types of electrical machines such as motors, generators, transformers, and power electronic devices using advanced tools and techniques. The focus is on improving the efficiency, reliability, and durability of these machines while reducing their size, weight, and cost. The project also involves the development of sustainable manufacturing processes that minimize the use of non-renewable resources and reduce waste and emissions. This includes the use of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient production methods, and recycling and reuse of materials. The ultimate goal of the project will be to contribute to the development and implementation of sustainable technologies that can address the challenges of climate change, energy security, and sustainable development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prof Dinesh Kumar","title":"AI for Affordable medical diagnostics for neurodegenerative and ophthalmology diseases.","description":"With the rapid growth of mobile phones and AI, there is the opportunity to use these for quality diagnosis and disease monitoring of patients without requiring them to travel to the clinics. We have developed software-based medical devices suitable for recognizing the number of neurological symptoms for detecting Parkinson's disease. \n The next step is to integrate multiple modalities to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of the disease conditions. This project requires the use of signal processing and machine learning to determine the inter-symptom relationship that will provide a means for monitoring the progress of patients with neurodegenerative disease. \n You will work closely with a number of neurologists and publish in technical and medical journals.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Prof Elena Pirogova","title":"Melt electrospinning writing as reinforcement scaffolds of biofabricated articular human cartilage (collaborative project with St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne)","description":"Cartilage injuries cause pain and loss of function, and if severe may result in osteoarthritis (OA). 3D bioprinting is now a tangible treatment option for the delivery of bioscaffolds capable of regenerating the deficient cartilage tissue. A hand held device, the Biopen, has been developed to allow in situ additive manufacturing during surgery. Given its ability to extrude in a core\/shell manner, the Biopen can preserve cell viability during the biofabrication process and biofabricate human hyaline-like neocartilage. As a necessary step toward the clinical translation, this project will develop a reinforcement scaffold to demonstrate that it is possible to biofabricate \n eocartilage with stiffness properties close to the native human tissue. The reinforcement structure will be fabricated using melt electrospinning writing (MEW) with polycaprolactone (PCL) which can be placed in the defect before in situ bioprinting.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Richardt Wilkinson","title":"Investigation into the non-linearities of Pulse-Width Modulation and their effects on current control of switching converters","description":"Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is fundamental to power electronics and has been studied since the 1950\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s [2]. PWM is used in many industrial and commercial products, ranging from motor drives to home theatre audio amplifiers. The inherent non-linearities for sinusoidal PWM (SPWM) has been studied for single-edge [1] as well as double-edge modulation [2] and ultimately affect the stability and efficiency of control loops in PWM-based converters. Recent work has demonstrated that it is possible to optimize naturally sampled PWM control loop design for switching converters using exact analytical solutions of the system and control loop differential equations [3]. This work still needs to be expanded for the symmetrical and asymmetrical regular sampling cases. A small-signal analysis method has recently been introduced to analyze the stability of the continuous-time PWM feedback loop. This method was demonstrated for the naturally-sampled single-edge PWM case [4]. The primary aim of this PhD project is to investigate the theoretical and practical implications of the nonlinearities of the PWM process and to derive practical design methodologies that compensate for these nonlinearities. The project will be conducted at RMIT Power Electronics Laboratory Facility using a single-phase three-level full-bridge converter prototype.\n References:\n [1]. H. D. T. Mouton, B. Putzeys, \"Understanding the PWM nonlinearity: Single-sided modulation\", IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 2116-2128, Apr. 2012.\n [2]. H. d. T. Mouton, B. McGrath, D. G. Holmes and R. H. Wilkinson, \"One-Dimensional Spectral Analysis of Complex PWM Waveforms Using Superposition,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 29, no. 12, pp. 6762-6778, Dec. 2014.\n [3]. T. Mouton and S. Cox, \"Fast and accurate simulation of bifurcations in naturally sampled PWM control loops,\" 2016 IEEE 17th Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL), Trondheim, 2016, pp. 1-6.\n [4]. T. Mouton; S. Cox; B. McGrath; L. Risbo; B. Putzeys, \"Small-signal analysis of naturally-sampled single-edge PWM control loops,\" in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 51-64, Jan. 2018.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Richardt Wilkinson","title":"Learning, competing, and decision-making machines","description":"The project will research a machine reasoning process regarded as a sequence of multi-stage algebraic manipulations of information, where information acquired by the previous stage is modified by the next stage [1]. The aim is to solve a complex problem by answering a sequence of simpler questions presented by each stage. This procedure is known as first-order logical or probabilistic inference [2]. More complex reasoning structures can be built by creating algebraic connections between basic inference units. The solution is then derived by the flow of information between these interconnected units. The first stage of the system will perform classical learning and inference based on features calculated directly from the data. The second stage learns and infers the final decision using related information generated at the first stage. Since both stages will be trained independently, the learning results of the second stage will not alter the learning results accomplished at the first stage. This important property will enable the generation of more complex, multi-channel and\/or multi-level machine reasoning systems consisting of algebraically connected basic two-stage units. \n In contrast to existing multi-channel and multi-modal classification systems [4], the proposed system will completely exclude all \u00e2\u20ac\u0153human-designed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d decision-making units, usually incorporating table look-up rules of conjunction, disjunction, or implication [3]. The inference of the new \u00e2\u20ac\u0153thinking\u00e2\u20ac\u009d classification structure will be based purely on information flow through algebraically interconnected classifiers. This is to ensure pure \u00e2\u20ac\u0153machine thinking\u00e2\u20ac\u009d rather than following a human-designed set of rules.\n References:\n [1]. L. Bottou, 2014, \"From machine learning to machine reasoning.\", Springer Machine Learning, 94(2) pp 133-149.\n [2]. J.P.E. Hodgson, \"First Order Logic\", Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, 1995.\n [3]. K.E.B. Ooi, M. Lech, and N.B. Allen, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Prediction of major depression in adolescents using an optimized multi-channel weighted speech classification system\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Elsevier, Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, Vol. 14, Nov 2014, pp. 228-239.\n [4]. M.N. Stolar, M. Lech and I.S. Burnett, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Optimized multi-channel deep neural network with 2D graphical representation of acoustic speech features for emotion recognition\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, ICSPCS-2014, Brisbane, Australia, pp. 1-6.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Richardt Wilkinson","title":"A multi-modal classification and decision-making system for the monitoring of mental states and fatigue levels","description":"The project will research a multi-modal decision-making system designed to monitor a person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mental state (stress, emotion, cognitive load) and fatigue level. It can be applied to pilots, car drivers, or control centre operators. The assessment will be based on independent predictions given by N classifiers, with each classifier making the assessment using a different modality of sensor data. For example, a four-channel system may have a channel assessing a person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state based on facial images, a channel making an assessment based on infrared pictures, a channel trained on pulse signals and a channel trained to make a prediction based on speech. A decision-making network will be trained to arbitrate between the outcomes from the N channels. This network will recognize the response pattern of the N channels and make a final assessment of the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state. \n Independent classification models will be trained for each type of modality to detect the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state. The outputs from different sensors will be transformed into a 2-D representation consistent for all different modalities. It will allow either a full training of a convolutional neural network (CNN) model or fine-tuning of a pre-trained image classification network such as VGG16, ResNet18, or similar. A decision-making neural network model will be trained to arbitrate between potentially different prediction outcomes given by network models working with different modalities. This network will be trained to recognise the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mental state not directly from sensor data but from combined responses of individual sensor channels. \n The multi-modal decision-making system will be tested in a real-time monitoring scenario where a second-by-second assessment of the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s state is generated. A demo to demonstrate the real-time performance will be created.\n References:\n [1]. H.M. Bui, M. Lech, E. Cheng, K. Neville K, I.S. Burnett, Object Recognition Using Deep Convolutional Features Transformed by a Recursive Network Structure, 2017\/3\/2, Journal IEEE Access. \n [2]. H.M. Fayek, M. Lech and L. Cavedon L, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Evaluating Deep learning architectures for speech emotion recognition\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Neural Networks, Special Issue 21 March 2017, pp. 1-11. \n [3]. Z Huang at al. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Speech emotion recognition using CNN\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, ACM 2014, November 3-7, 2014, pp. 801-804. \n [4]. W. Lim, D. Jang, and T. Lee, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Speech emotion recognition using convolutional and recurrent neural networks,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Proceedings of the Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference, Jeju, Korea, December 2016, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c4. \n [5]. Ian C. Bruce, Physiologically based predictors of speech intelligibility, Acoustics Today, 13,(1), 28-35.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robert Kapsa","title":"Engineering Muscle and Nerve Tissues for Functional Biomedical Outcomes.","description":"Muscle and nerve tissues can be made from the skin cells of people with dysfunctional tissues\/organs. These autologous (from the person from whom the cells were harvested) tissues can be used to restore function to the person with the tissue\/organ dysfunction either by integrating with mechatronic devices or by direct regenerative therapy for the dysfunctional tissue\/organ. This project investigates the use of cells to restore the function of dysfunctional muscle and neural tissue through integrated biomechatronic cellular devices.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samuel Ippolito","title":"Investigation of Machine Learning Analysis & Multivariate Analysis for Food Quality & Identification","description":"Machine learning algorithms have found applications in many different fields and have been shown to achieve high accuracy for predicting future patterns and relationships between different variables within a data set. The aim of this project is to explore different machine learning algorithms for both spectroscopic and machine vision data to assess the quality of raw materials used within the food products and agricultural industries.\n \n Current literature shows that different machine learning algorithms have been exploited in the field of infrared microscopy for extracting wavelength (i.e. feature selection) relating to important chemical groups within food based cereal grains. The extracted features can then be used for classification and the identifying sample outliers [1] as well as determine geographical origin and identifying genetically modified variants[2]. Similarly, machine vision techniques have been used to assess physical characteristics such as shape, size, moisture content, kernel hardness, as well as determine the presence of infestation, discolouration and other visual characteristics [3].\n \n The techniques developed in this project will aim to accurately classify food based cereal grains into different value grades, as well as determine the inclusion of common adulterants or if signs of spoilage are present. In addition, the data will be explored to determine the viability of using such techniques to predict important nutritional indicators such as protein and fat content of a given sample. This will be achieved by combining the use of machine vision with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Both machine vision and FTIR spectroscopy techniques are well suited to high throughput and automated sampling processes which require very little sample preparation. However, challenges regarding sample similarity on both the chemical composition as well as the visual and physical properties will need to be overcome [4].\n \n References:\n [1]Steven G. Buckley, \"Combining Broadband Spectra and Machine Learning to Derive Material Properties,\" Spectroscopy Volume 32, Issue 10, pp. 26\u00e2\u20ac\u201c31, 2017.\n [2]D. Cozzolino, \"Authentication of Cereals and Cereal Products\" in \" Advances in Food Authenticity Testing\", editor: G. Downey, Elsevier, Woodhead Publishing, Duxford, United Kingdom, pp. 441 - 457, 2016. (ISBN: 9780081002209)\n [3]P. Vithu and J. A. Moses, \"Machine vision system for food grain quality evaluation: A review,\" Trends Food Sci. Technol., vol. 56, pp. 13\u00e2\u20ac\u201c20, 2016.\n [4]A. Rupenyan, N. Sansonne, and F. Dell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Endice, \"Machine vision combined with near-infrared spectroscopy to guarantee food safety,\" Cereal Foods World, vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 140\u00e2\u20ac\u201c142, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samuel Ippolito","title":"UV-assisted solid-state gas sensors for non-invasive diagnostic applications","description":"Widespread screening for lung cancer by novel non-invasive methods can drastically increase early-stage diagnosis. This can improve long-term survival rates from less than 6% to 35% with the potential to reduce the yearly worldwide lung cancer mortality rate of 1.3 million by one third [1]. Among non-invasive screening methods, breath composition analysis is a low-cost alternative to blood analysis that can detect early-stage lung cancer [1]. However, its application to healthcare is currently restrained by the lack of portable technologies having sufficient selectivity and sensitivity for the real-time measurement of the marker molecules in complex gas mixtures such as the breath. Here, we will develop a novel gas molecule sensing technique to enable real-time measurement of breath markers. We will do this by exploiting the ability of plasmonic nanostructures to selectively absorb light and transfer its energy to drive chemical reactions on the surface of a nearby semiconductor nanoparticle. Integrating plasmonic light absorbers into highly sensitive (semiconductor) gas sensors [2] will provide a means to selectively promote oxidation or reduction of the target molecules. This will be achieved by tuning the light absorption wavelength to match the activation energy of the desired (gas sensing) reactions. Enabling selective measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human breath by low-cost semiconductor technology could revolutionize modern healthcare through early-stage diagnosis and self-monitoring of a wide range of medical conditions. \n \n References:\n [1] G. Peng, U. Tisch, O. Adams, M. Hakim, N. Shehada, Y. Y. Broza, S. Billan, R. Abdah-Bortnyak, A.\n Kuten, H. Haick, Nature Nanotech. 2009, 4, 669.\n [2] A. Tricoli, S. E. Pratsinis, Nature Nanotech. 2010, 5, 54.\n [3] A. Tricoli, M. Graf, S. E. Pratsinis, Adv. Funct. Mat. 2008, 18, 1969.\n [4] M. Righettoni, A. Tricoli, S. E. Pratsinis, Chem. Mat. 2010, 22, 3152.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samuel Ippolito","title":"Design of Nanosized ceria-based Materials for Catalytic Oxidation Reactions","description":"Nanostructured Ceria (CeO2) based materials have attracted significant interest in the present frontier research for their wide applications in heterogeneous catalysis. Particularly, the use of ceria in the domain of environmental catalysis is due to its superior chemical and physical stability, and a large number of oxygen vacancies (involving facile Ce4+\/Ce3+ redox chemistry) and their mobility, which are the main characteristic features of the fluorite-type oxides. Although, its inherent chemical properties such as high oxygen storage capacity and high oxygen mobility originating from facile Ce3+\/Ce4+ redox cycle dominate its use, its functional performance is further influenced by its size, morphology and structure, and surface area. The main focus of this project is to develop various ceria-based materials for different catalytic applications such as Hg0 oxidation, soot oxidation, and degradation of organic pollutants. Among these three applications, primarily, the Hg0 oxidation studies will be done thoroughly over different ceria-based materials under different flue gas conditions such as HCl, O2, HCl\/O2-mix, and NH3. Also an attempt will been carried out to expand the work to utilize the ceria-based materials for other well-known applications like catalytic soot oxidation and photocatalysis.\n \n This is a collaborative project with CSIRO and RMIT and will give the student opportunity to work with scientists from diverse backgrounds. \n \n References: Y. Shijian, G. Yongfu, Y. Naiqiang, W. Daqing, H. Hongping, Q. Zan, and J. Jinping Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2011 50 (16) 9650-9656.\n D. Jampaiah, K. M. Tur, S. J. Ippolito, Y. M. Sabri, J. Tardio, S. K. Bhargava and B. M. Reddy, RSC Adv., 2013, 3, 12963\u00e2\u20ac\u201c12974.\n A. A. Presto, E. J. Granite, A. Karash, R. A. Hargis, W. J. O'Dow and H. W. Pennline, Energy Fuels, 2006, 20, 1941\u00e2\u20ac\u201c1945.\n A. P. Jones, J. W. Hoffmann, D. N. Smith, T. J. Feeley and J. T. Murphy, Environ. Sci. Technol., 2007, 41, 1365\u00e2\u20ac\u201c1371.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shaun Cloherty","title":"Deciphering the neural code","description":"When we open our eyes we are immediately rewarded with rich visual information about the shape, colour, texture, location and motion of objects in our environment. Given the ease with which we process this information to guide our behaviour, we tend not to consider the computational challenges it poses. While modern optical sensors allow us to capture images well beyond the capabilities of the human eye, the task of using visual information to adaptively guide behaviour is one at which the human brain comfortably outperforms even the best artificial systems. This research program is aims to understand the circuit and cellular mechanisms that underlie this ability. Our long-term goal is to understand how the brain extracts meaning from sensory information and how it guides rapid decisions and complex behaviours. This knowledge may one day help us design machines that can interpret the world as well as we do, or to better interface sensors directly to the brain in order to overcome the natural limitations of our senses or to restore sensory and motor function impaired by injury or disease.\n \n The 'neural code' that underlies behaviour is embedded in the patterns of activity of neurons in large distributed brain networks. This project will involve decoding the spatiotemporal patterns of activity recorded across populations of neurons in multiple brain areas. This research will combine sophisticated experimental techniques for neural and behavioural recordings with a computational framework for analysis and data driven modelling of brain function.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/06\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"110903 Central Nervous System 40% ; 110906 Sensory Systems 35% ; 090399 Biomedical Engineering not elsewhere classified 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tariq Nazir","title":"Electrical insulation design and diagnostics for future electrical aircraft and space industry","description":"Electrification of transportation which includes aircraft and ships could contribute to controlling the greenhouse gas emission. Literature suggests that the aviation industry emits nearly 900 million tons with 2% to 2.5% of total global carbon dioxide emissions [1]. It is forecasted that air traffic would be 2.1 times higher in 2040 relative to 2019 with increased demand for passenger aircraft, cargo, and defence jets. Hence, a global consensus has been developed to reduce the carbon emission and electrification of aircraft (more\u00e2\u20ac\u0090electric aircraft (MEA), hybrid\u00e2\u20ac\u0090electric propulsion aircraft to all\u00e2\u20ac\u0090electric aircraft (AEA)) and transportation is popped up a future technology to achieve carbon neutrality targets. In 1996, Trans World Airline Flight crashed in the USA resulting in a deadly crash and an investigation suggested that it happened due to electrical insulation failure and potential short circuits of the electrical wires [2]. The reliable operation of the electrified aircraft system and the integrity of electrical insulation under space conditions will be highly critical for future electrical propulsion systems. This project aims to design novel electrical insulation and diagnostic method to tackle insulation challenges for future aerospace electrical components. The project aims are as follows.\n Aim 1: Designing hybrid and co-filled electrical insulation with lightweight inorganic fillers with improves thermal conduction performance.\n Aim 2: Develop an electrical non-destructive diagnostic method to investigate the electrical tracking and flashover performance of novel insulation.\n Aim 3: Exploring the thermal dissipation, dielectric, arc resistance, discharge resistance and flame-retardant prospects of insulation.\n \n References:\n 1. Jiang, Jun, et al. \"A review on insulation challenges towards electrification of aircraft.\" High Voltage (2023).\n 2. M. Borghei and M. Ghassemi, \"Insulation Materials and Systems for More- and All-Electric Aircraft: A Review Identifying Challenges and Future Research Needs,\" in IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 1930-1953, Sept. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR239 PhD (Biomedical Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Toh Yen Pang","title":"Wearable Devices for Continuous Auditory Feedback to Encourage Movement Awareness","description":"Physical rehabilitation is crucial for patients recovering from neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and stroke. However, traditional rehabilitation methods have limited effectiveness and can be challenging for patients with motor impairments. Wearable devices that provide real-time feedback have shown promise in improving patient engagement and outcomes.\n \n The objective of this project is to develop a wearable device that provides continuous auditory feedback to encourage movement awareness in physical rehabilitation, leveraging Industry 5.0 principles for personalized treatment. The specific objectives are as follows:\n 1. To evaluate the effectiveness of continuous auditory feedback in improving movement awareness in physical rehabilitation. 2. To develop a wearable device that enables personalized treatment options for people with neurological disorders. 3. To investigate the feasibility and usability of the wearable device in a controlled laboratory environment.\n \n This project is expected to contribute to the development of innovative wearable devices for providing real-time auditory feedback to patients during physical rehabilitation. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the device through experiments, develop a wearable device that enables personalized treatment options, and investigate the feasibility and usability of the device in a controlled laboratory environment. This will provide insights into the potential benefits and limitations of the device in clinical settings, ultimately enabling personalized treatment options that can be tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each user.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Du Yong Kim","title":"Target detection and tracking using Machine Learning","description":"An area of interest aligned with a number of projects is the use of machine learning techniques to aid both in target detection and tracking. Three research paths could be explored. Firstly, the use of convolutional neural networks for detecting targets. Secondly, there are a number of potential uses of machine learning to aid in target tracking, including learning how targets manoeuvre and how to improve the separability of close-in targets. The third application is to use the raw radar data to both detect and track targets, i.e. a track-before-detect approach.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"David Garrett","title":"Carbon Cybernetics: Next generation tools for neuroscience","description":"The successful student will work between RMIT and the National Vision Research Institute characterising a novel carbon fibre brain activity recording array. The project will involve fabrication of carbon fibre and diamond electrode arrays, microassembly and bench top characterisation, in vivo characterisation of array performance over extended time frames and post analysis of device safety and efficacy. A 50% scholarship is offered to the successful candidate.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Inverter Control Requirements for Stability Enhancement of Renewable Rich Power Grids","description":"Over the last twenty years, the power system dynamic characteristics have significantly changed due to the wide-scale integration of power electronic converter (PEC) interfaced renewables [1]. With this renewable power revolution, the conventional power generation plants, such as coal power generation stations are currently being rapidly decommissioned from the power network. The traditional generation plants typically provide ancillary services to power networks, such as frequency and voltage regulation. These ancillary services are essential to maintain power network stability and security. Many major blackouts have caused due to power system instability, and hence it is an important concern for the secure operation of the power system with high penetration of PEC interfaced renewables [1]. The power electronic converter (PEC) interfaced renewables are typically based on the grid following converter schemes. These converters essentially depend on the existing power grid's synchronism and dispatch energy to the grid without providing grid forming support to the network [2]. In addition, the grid-forming technology could also offer some voltage and frequency support services [2]. However, grid-forming controls are not sufficient to alleviate the emerging stability issues with PEC-interfaced generation, such as low short-circuit strength (SCS), low inertia, synchronisation and oscillatory stability issues [1]. The new grid forming technologies are emerging to tackle these challenges [3], however, the requirements for these two technologies have not been thoroughly investigated. The main objective of this research project is to assess the requirements for grid forming and grid following inverter control technologies to maintain grid stability under high penetration of PEC-interfaced sources. References\n 1. L. Meegahapola, A. Sguarezi, J. S. Bryant, M. Gu, E. R. Conde D., and R. B. A. Cunha, \u201cPower System Stability with Power-Electronic Converter Interfaced Renewable Power Generation: Present Issues and Future Trends,\u201d Energies, vol. 13, no. 13, p. 3441, Jul. 2020.\n 2. J. Rocabert, A. Luna, F. Blaabjerg and P. Rodr\u00edguez, \"Control of Power Converters in AC Microgrids,\" IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 27, no. 11, pp. 4734-4749, Nov. 2012.\n 3. Y. Jiang, A. Bernstein, P. Vorobev and E. Mallada, \"Grid-Forming Frequency Shaping Control for Low-Inertia Power Systems,\" IEEE Control Systems Letters.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lasantha Meegahapola","title":"Synchrophasor Data-Driven Stability Analysis & Control in Renewable Rich Power Networks","description":"Power network landscape is evolving rapidly with the large-scale integration of power-electronic converter (PEC) interfaced distributed renewable power generation. This ongoing evolution in power network infrastructure has given rise to new stability issues, requiring advanced monitoring systems to measure and control power grid to avoid any potential instability issues [1]. Concurrently, synchrophasor technology (also known as the phasor measurement unit (PMU) technology) has emerged as the next-generation power system measuring and monitoring technology. The accuracy, resolution and the fast data acquisition speeds are the main attributes which make PMUs more robust measuring systems for stability monitoring, analysis and control. Typically, a network of PMUs is used to observe the power network parameters at the power grid's critical locations. A PMU network capture and accumulates a large amount of data within a day (terabytes per day), thus require more robust data-driven algorithms to analyse these data in real or quasi-real-time to identify potential instability issues. Also, with the high penetration of power electronic converter based variable renewable energy sources, networks are more likely to be exposed to uncharted operating scenarios, potentially leading to instability. Although algorithms are designed to monitor and identify instability, they are limited to a specific stability category, such as voltage stability [2], oscillatory stability [3] etc. Thus, synchrophasor data-driven real-time holistic stability analysis and control algorithms are required to maintain power system stability. This project aims to develop new data-driven stability analysis algorithms from a holistic perspective to identify potential stability issues and then devise appropriate control actions to alleviate these stability threats.\n References:\n 1. L. G. Meegahapola, S. Bu, D. P. Wadduwage, C. Y. Chung and X. Yu, \"Review on Oscillatory Stability in Power Grids With Renewable Energy Sources: Monitoring, Analysis, and Control Using Synchrophasor Technology,\" in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 519-531, Jan. 2021.\n 2. C. Thilakarathne, L. Meegahapola and N. Fernando, \"A Modified Lyapunov Exponent based Approach for Real-Time Voltage Stability Assessment Using PMUs,\" 2018 8th International Conference on Power and Energy Systems (ICPES), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2018, pp. 104-108.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani","title":"Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Methods for Satellite and UAV Communications and Sensing\n","description":"Transferring information over a wireless medium has seen a steep improvement during the last 30 years, taking advantage of the increasing computational power of digital signal processors and their reduced cost. This has allowed the introduction of novel algorithms that operate near the theoretical limits under known channel and noise conditions. However, with more and more wireless devices joining the network, a vast problem in managing the limited radio resources and interference is becoming an increasing hurdle for today\u2019s wireless network. Novel methods in machine learning and neural networks combined with smart signal processing approaches hold a very promising approach to tackle several key problems:\n-\tInterference learning and mitigation in shared spectrum environment\n-\tRadio channel learning and adaptation in dynamic scenarios\t\n-\tRadio resources sharing methods and distribution using machine learning\n-\tCompensation for RF hardware imperfection \n-\tRF finger printing for increased security\n-\tAdaptive waveform design and optimization\n-\tCellular-to-UAV communications\n-\tSynthetic aperture radar signal processing\n-\tInterference mitigation in Synthetic aperture radar (SAR)\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Akram Hourani","title":"Next generation mega satellite communication networks","description":"With the significant reduction in satellite development and launch costs in recent years, the path to achieving true global satellite connectivity has now opened. Several major players, such as Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon, are currently deploying thousands of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to provide a direct-to-user coverage. Such \u201cMega\u201d constellation networks offer several key advantages, including: (i) Significantly reduced latency compared to GEO orbits. (ii) Higher spectral efficiency due to smaller coverage spots, resulting in higher throughput. (iii) Reduced free space path loss, leading to smaller and more cost-effective ground terminals and satellites. (iv) The potential to provide lower delays than fiber networks when utilizing intersatellite links (ISL). However, the deployment of such a massive number of satellites also brings forth numerous challenges such as: Spectrum availability, radio channel fluctuation, interference, intersatellite connection, jitter and topology optimization, network security, integration with terrestrial networks. This project theme aims to address some of these challenges through:\n-\tThe use of AI and machine learning for modelling Q\/V and THz (Terahertz) radio channel.\n-\tModelling delay and jitter in satellite networks\n-\tImproving inter-satellite connectivity using hybrid wireless optical \/ THz combination\n-\tSpectrum sensing and classification using advanced AI methods.\n-\tTraffic forecasting and network topology optimization for reduced network latency\n-\tSpoof detection and physical layer security\n-\tAntenna design and fabrication\n-\tAI-enabled wireless channel prediction and adaptation\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Enhanced 6G: Smart Wireless Networks for Seamless Connectivity and Efficiency","description":"Join this cutting-edge project revolutionizing radio signal propagation and information transfer with \"smart\" wireless environments. Using state-of-the-art beyond 5G and future 6G technologies, like Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) and Holographic MIMO, we aim to enhance energy efficiency and achieve fast, reliable wireless connectivity in 6G networks. While these technologies are emerging, fundamental modeling and analysis are essential to understand smart wireless network performance. Contribute to this project to develop new communication-theoretic and learning-based models, enabling practical implementation of these advancements. Our smart environments hold immense potential to offer \"greener\" and seamless wireless connectivity for mobile, autonomous, and IoT networks in the future. Join us now to shape the future of wireless communication.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Advanced Strategies for Enhanced Wireless Communication: Sensing and Communication","description":"This research endeavors to explore cutting-edge methodologies aimed at optimizing the performance of contemporary wireless communication networks. The primary focus is on mitigating the well-established challenges faced by mobile networks when operating in diverse and potentially hostile environments. By leveraging the capabilities of radio nodes to perceive and communicate via the radio spectrum, a decentralized network of nodes can collaborate to generate a comprehensive and intricate radio-frequency (RF) environment map. The core objective of this project is to devise sophisticated sensing and localization techniques to accurately map the RF spectrum, thereby enabling dynamic adaptations in communication system design. To achieve dynamic spectrum characterization, this project pioneers novel physical-layer detection, estimation, and localization approaches, utilizing cooperative and optimization-based strategies to dynamically assess spectrum occupancy. In addition, the project integrates state-of-the-art 6G technologies, such as Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs), in conjunction with machine learning methodologies, to achieve precise sensing and high-resolution localization within the intelligent wireless environment. These adaptive environments can dynamically adjust communication techniques and protocols at both the physical and network layers. Successful fulfillment of these objectives is anticipated to significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of wireless communication networks, bolstering their resilience against adversarial conditions. The research outcomes possess the potential to revolutionize wireless communication systems across a wide range of scenarios, offering new possibilities for future wireless networks, including cellular networks, internet of things (IoT) networks, and vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). \n\n[1]. F. Liu et al., \"Guest Editorial Special Issue on Integrated Sensing and Communication\u2014Part II,\" in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 2007-2010, July 2022.\n[2]. Z. Wang, Z. Liu, Y. Shen, A. Conti and M. Z. Win, \"Location Awareness in Beyond 5G Networks via Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces,\" in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 2011-2025, July 2022.\n[3]. H. Zhang et al., \"Holographic Integrated Sensing and Communication,\" in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 2114-2130, July 2022.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorabni","title":"Integrated microwave sensors for chemicals and biologicals analysis","description":"Microwave-based test and measurement methods are of high interest among engineers and researchers due to their low cost, non-destructive, and real-time response. Such advantages led to the development of microwave-based sensors and instruments for variety of applications from detection of mechanical movements, to sensors for identification of solid composites, chemical and biological agents. More specifically, microwave sensors for liquids identification have found increased attention because of their label-free detection, which is highly demanded for medical purposes and bioanalysis. The advances in the microfluidic technology in the last decade enabled analysis and manipulation of the liquid samples in the micro scales. The microfluidic technology has also been combined with the radio frequency circuits fabrication technologies resulting in the evolvement of microwave microfluidic sensors.\n\nThe microwave circuit and microfluidic network are fabricated separately and the attached to each other using an external package\/holder in conventional sensors. Such a package increases the total size of the device not appropriate for integrated platforms. This project aims to develop microwave microfluidic sensors using low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. This significantly reduces the overall size and results in more robust and accurate detection that is highly desirable for lab on chip applications. LTCC offers inherent advantages such as chemical inertness, biocompatibility, high-temperature stability, excellent RF dielectric properties, all these together seem to be ideal for a lab on chip platform. The recently established LTCC fabrication facilities at RMIT, will guarantee access to state-of-the-art infrastructure to achieve a successful design device over different iteration cycles.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorabni","title":"Liquid metals enabled tunable and reconfigurable microwave circuits","description":"The very rapid advances in the wireless communication in recent years is driven by a continuous increase in the number of wireless facilities, standards, and services. This necessitates the development of multi-standard and reconfigurable transceivers capable of changing their operation modes. Tunable circuits and components are essential building blocks of such systems. The tunable components are conventionally designed using solid-state components like varactors and PIN diodes or using the microelectromechanical (MEMs) devices. The solid-state components offer wide tuning ranges together with fast tuning speed. However, they suffer from nonlinearity and low power handling. The linearity is a very critical factor specially in the modern multi-carrier communication systems with large crest factors due to the non-constant envelop. MEMs devices offer better linearity with moderate power handling and lower insertion loss. However, MEMs are usually implemented as switches thus offer discrete tuning. Such challenges led the evolution of new tuning technologies such as liquid metals (LMs). The LMs-based tuning approach is promising in terms of linearity, and high power handling together with the possibility of continuous tuning. \n\nThis project aims is to investigate the design and implementation of liquid metals-based planar tunable and reconfigurable microwave components and circuits such as filters, phase shifters, power dividers\/combiners, and matching networks. With the aid of microfluidic technology, such devices are expected to address the significant challenge of linearity and power handling in the emerging reconfigurable multi-standard communication systems.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kamran Ghorabni","title":"Microwave properties of the soil","description":"The quality of soil is controlled by physical, chemical and biological components of soil and their interactions. The soil has physical, chemical as well as electrical properties. Color, texture, grain size, bulk density etc., comprise the physical properties; Nutrients, organic matter, pH, etc., comprise chemical properties while, electrical properties include dielectric constant, electrical conductivity and permeability. The concept of soil health and soil quality has consistently evolved with an increase in the understanding of soils and soil quality attributes.\n\nThe aim of this project is to investigate the relation between the relative permittivity of the soil and its quality. In recent literature, investigations have been held primarily through the means of time domain reflectometry (TDR). The relative permittivity of the soil has been analyzed in this method, however none have analyzed the relationship between the quality of the soil under investigation and its corresponding permittivity. The quality of soil is dependent upon many considerations. These include soil profile according to depth, differences in color, texture, structure and dispersibility of soil peds; pH levels, organic matter content\/carbon sequestration, porosity, salinity, moisture content and most importantly nutrients. Hence the aims of this project is to investigate soils termed as \u2018good\u2019, \u2018bad\u2019 and \u2018average\u2019 in accordance with their chemical nutrient profiles, and correlate these samples to the permittivity values measure; via the microwave waveguide cell and basic microstripline methods to characterize soil quality.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alberto Peruzzo","title":"Quantum Systems Identification and Control","description":"We seek an outstanding & enthusiastic PhD candidate to work on quantum control at the RMIT University node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology. Following our recent success in demonstrating novel techniques for quantum characterization and control, this project will extend the current capability by adding new theoretical and numerical methods to improve the state-of-the-art performance of real-world devices.  \n\nThe candidate will design, analyse, and implement novel techniques for modelling, identifying, and controlling quantum systems under realistic conditions, which will eventually be tested on quantum hardware. They will learn a wide range of techniques from theoretical quantum engineering to high-performance computing and machine learning.  \n\n[1] A. Youssry, R. J. Chapman, A. Peruzzo, C. Ferrie, M. Tomamichel, Quantum Science and Technology, 5(2). (2019) \n\n[2] A. Youssry, G. A. Paz-Silva, C. Ferrie, npj Quantum Information 6 (1). (2020) \n\n[3] A. Youssry, H.I. Nurdin, Quantum Science and Technology, 8 (1), 015018. (2022) \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510803 Quantum information, computation and communication (40%) ; 510805 Quantum technologies (40%) ; 400705 Control engineering (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell, Thach Nguyen","title":"Micro-nano fabrication for hybrid integration","description":"Active optical components in photonic circuits are weak or missing pieces of the current silicon photonic technology. Such pieces are needed for the generation, detection and manipulation of light on chips. InPAC have started addressing this roadblock by heterogeneously integrating functional optical materials, such as chalcogenide glass and emerging novel two-dimensional materials onto integrated silicon photonic platforms, providing an unprecedented electronic and photonic laboratory on a chip to study these materials and to utilize their unique properties, realizing integrated optical lasers, amplifiers, modulators and detectors for applications in defence, data communications and biotechnology. This project is to develop the novel hybrid integration platform in InPAC. The InPAC centre has a long success history on the integrated optics for different applications for more than three decades. Through this project, we will continue to elongate the legacy for other decades. Therefore, we need highly motivated students who have interest in micro-nano fabrication and using such optical platform to realise practical applications such as data communications, and biomedical sensing.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell","title":"Integrated photonic frequency comb source","description":"In many photonic applications, including wavelength division multiplexing ultra-high speed optical communications, optical signal processing, spectroscopy, the generation of high quality light sources with many different frequencies is often required [1, 2]. The brute force approach of using multiple discrete laser diodes to create optical frequency combs typically results in very high cost, complexity, energy consumption and footprint systems. Recently, integrated ultra-broadband optical frequency combs have been demonstrated that can produce over one hundred stable and high quality comb lines \u2013 each like a coherent laser source [3].\n\nThis project aims to investigate high-quality optical frequency comb sources that can be generated from a single integrated photonic chip using the new silicon nitrite waveguide platform being developed at RMIT [4]. The possibility of integrating the on-chip comb sources with other devices and components to form sophisticated integrated photonic circuits in single compact photonic chips for applications in signal processing, data communications and sensing will also be considered.\n\nThis project will be conducted within the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC, https:\/\/www.inpac.org.au\/) at RMIT. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realise practical solutions for real world applications. The integrated photonic chips will be realised using the state-of-the-art facilities at the RMIT Micro-Nano Research Facility (MNRF).\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell","title":"Photonic signal processing using broadband optical frequency comb","description":"Many applications, including radar mapping, precision synchronization, environmental measurement, imaging as well as the realization of advanced modulation formats for ultrahigh bandwidth digital communications, require the generation, analysis and processing of analogue RF signals in wide bandwidth. Processing wide bandwidth signals in the electrical domain is still challenging due to limited bandwidth of electronic circuits and introduction of digital quantisation noise. Due to the virtually unlimited bandwidth and ultralow noise available in the optical domain, optical signal processing is a very attractive alternative to electronic counterparts. Many signal processing functions have been demonstrated using optics; however, often multiple discrete optical channels with their own laser diodes must be used. This typically results in a very high cost, complexity and energy consumption and footprint. Recently, ultra-broadband optical frequency combs have been demonstrated that can produce over one hundred stable and high quality comb lines \u2013 each like a coherent laser source. This technology opens up opportunities to conceive practical and sophisticated photonic signal processors with small foot-print which can be robustly integrated into integrated photonic devices with no moving parts. This research project will investigate novel methods to implement high speed, reconfigurable optical signal processors using the integrated optical frequency comb source. You will investigate photonic techniques to manipulate signals in both the temporal and frequency domains. You will apply the conceived techniques to demonstrate several practical applications in wireless and optic fibre communications as well as radar and remote sensing using the state of the art equipment in the photonic laboratory at RMIT. The opportunity to integrate entire systems as a single compact photonic chips will be available in the final stage of the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Thach Nguyen, Arnan Mitchell","title":"Integrated photonic devices exploring novel phenomena","description":"Micro-technology has underpinned the information revolution, enabling exceptionally precise and almost incomprehensibly complex microelectronic systems to be mass-manufactured, reliably and at low-cost using standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) wafer processing. Integrated photonics has emerged as a successor to integrated electronics, enabling ultra-high speed information transfer through a single optical fibre [1]. Integrated photonics is also attractive to non-data transfer applications, with a particular emerging opportunity being bio-sensing. Our team at RMIT has pioneered research into an unusual phenomenon in integrated photonics, particularly in silicon photonics, called lateral leakage behaviour and bound states in the continuum [2, 3]. \n\nWe are seeking talented and passionate PhD candidates to join our team to explore this phenomenon in the emerging integrated photonic waveguide platform Lithium Niotate on Insulator (LNOI) [4] and to create new integrated photonic devices and circuits harnessing this phenomenon. The possibility of utilising the strong electro-optic and nonlinear effects of this waveguide platform to achieve high speed data modulation, programmable\/reconfigurable integrated photonic circuit, dynamic filtering functions will also be investigated.\n\nThis project will be conducted within the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC, https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/integrated-photonics-and-applications-centre) at RMIT. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realise practical solutions for real world applications. The integrated photonic chips will be realised using the state-of-the-art facilities at the RMIT Micro-nano Research Facility (MNRF).\n\n\nReferences:\n[1] Hochberg, M., Baehr-Jones, T. \u201cTowards fabless silicon photonics,\u201d Nature Photon, 4 (2010).\n[2] Nguyen, T.G., Ren, G., Schoenhardt, S., Knoerzer, M., Boes, A., Mitchell, A., \u201cRidge Resonance in Silicon Photonics Harnessing Bound States in the Continuum\u201d, Laser and Photonics Reviews, 13 (2019).\n[3] Nguyen, T.G., Boes, A., Mitchell, A., \u201cLateral Leakage in Silicon Photonics: Theory, Applications, and Future Directions,\u201d IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 26 (2020).\n [4] Boes, A., Corcoran, B., Chang, L., Bowers, J., Mitchell, A., \u201cStatus and Potential of Lithium Niobate on Insulator (LNOI) for Photonic Integrated Circuits,\u201d Laser and Photonics Reviews, 12 (2018).\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell, Guanghui Ren","title":"Programmable silicon photonics","description":"Silicon Photonics is an emerging technology which allows wires connected to silicon chips to be replaced by optical fibres. Silicon photonics has the potential to increase the performance of data centres and will eventually replace copper wires in computers. In addition, silicon photonics potentially can be used in many other applications, including bio-sensing, signal processing and quantum communications. Using the same manufacturing facilities as making integrated electronic circuits, sophisticated silicon photonic chips can be manufactured in high volume with low cost. Due to some unique material properties, many photonic components can be integrated in a small footprint, enabling the creation of compact photonic devices but with sophisticated functionality that cannot be achieved with other photonic technologies.\n\nAlthough many silicon photonic circuits have been demonstrated, most of these are in the form of purpose built application-specific designs that are only fit for a single purpose. The functionality of such devices are fixed when the devices are designed and fabricated. Changing the circuit functionality requires an entirely new device to be designed and fabricated. If photonic circuits can be made reprogrammable similar to Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in electronic devices, it would be easy, quick and low cost to prototype different photonic functions on the same device in which the circuit function is redefined by the users after the device has been fabricated.\n\nThis project aims to investigate technologies to allow the functionality of silicon photonic circuits being reconfigurable or programmable. You will learn about silicon photonics design and methods for fabrication. You will work closely with our team to develop technologies to change the configuration of a silicon photonic circuit. These technologies will then be applied to demonstrate reconfigurable\/programmable silicon photonic devices using traditional silicon photonic waveguide device topologies or our recently discovered lateral leakage effect. You will also have opportunities to collaborate and visit other world leading researchers in integrated photonics and silicon photonics in the Europe.\n\nThe project will be conducted within RMIT's Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC) directed by Distinguished Prof Arnan Mitchell. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realising practical solutions for real world applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Armandas Balcytis","title":"Integrated photonic chips Multi-dimensional lattices","description":"Integrated microelectronic circuits have revolutionised the electronics industry, and have transformed our lives. Replacing electrical signal with light, integrated photonic microchips can result in enormous improvements in data processing speeds with much lower energy consumption, meeting demands of many applications from information transfer and processing to sensing and environmental monitoring. However, current photonic chips often suffer from high loss, limited connectivity as well as sensitivity to manufacturing defects. \n\nResearch has theoretically suggested that by increasing the dimenionality of light interaction, new photonic components with unprecedented performance, overcoming the above shortcomings, can be created. However, this potential currently cannot be practically realised with existing photonic chip technology due to limited dimensionality of the practical photonic chips. This project aims to investigate photonic chips that can support multidimensional lattices to allow light to intect in extra dimensions beyond the spatial dimensions of a chip. \n\nThis project will be conducted within the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC, https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/integrated-photonics-and-applications-centre) at RMIT. This centre has expertise in integrated photonic chip simulation and design, fabrication and testing and packaging and interfacing enabling research from novel device concepts to realise practical solutions for real world applications. The integrated photonic chips will be realised using the state-of-the-art facilities at the RMIT Micro-nano Research Facility (MNRF).\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell, Thach Nguyen, Guanghui Ren","title":"Integrated Photonic Chips for Atomic Clocks","description":"The precise measurement of time plays a surprisingly important role in our every day lives.   Our smart phones can tell us our location to within a few meters and we take this for granted but it may be surprising to know that this functionality relies on multiple satellites each sending an extremely precise timing signal.   To achieve such navigation, we need a line of sight to several satellites simultaneously.  This is hard to achieve in built up urban environments or indoors and is impossible when underwater, undergound or in space.  To be able to navigate in these environemnts it would be a great advantage to have an ultra-precise clock that we can carry around with us.  Today\u2019s atomic clocks are large and expensive - they can be launched into space on satellites, but they are about the size of a fridge and a similar weight, and can cost over $1 million.   It would be a great advantage to realise ultra-precise clocks that have the size weight and cost of consumer electronics. \r\nThis project will explore the use of integrated photonic chip technology to realise all of the components of an atomic clock on a single chip.  It will be conducted within the context of the internationally recognised Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre working with a team of more than 50 people at RMIT University and beyond.  Through this project you will learn about both integrated optics technology and the science and technology of atomic clocks.  You will learn about the applications of this technology in defence and civilian applications and will see how advanced technology is created and translated to real world applications. \r\nNote: As this project is connected to a defence project, Australian Citizenship is a requirement. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kandeepan Sithamparanathan, Akram Hourani, Saman Atapattu","title":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Signal Processing for Communication, Sensors and Radars","description":"Signal processing and machine learning (Artificial Intelligence) in general can be applied in many fields such as communication, radar, health, and localization and navigation systems. The advancements in mathematical sciences and high speed computing had taken signal processing to a level where mostly all the technologies are depended on signal processing. In particular, we concentrate on signal processing for communication engineering, radar systems and localization and navigation focusing on various problems expected to be solved using signal processing solutions. In this project students develop novel signal processing algorithms using statistical signal processing techniques and analyse the system performance by means of rigorous mathematical analysis. The systems of interest to develop such signal processing algorithms include wireless communications, localization and navigation, sensor networks, and advanced radar systems. The application areas for the research may depend on any particular research projects that are running at the time and could range from 5G cognitive wireless communications, automotive and defence radar systems to global navigation systems. The prospective student is expected to have a solid academic and practical background in signal processing, random processes, probability and statistics and also good software skills for simulating algorithms and systems. \n\nReferences:\n[1] F. Tang, Survey on Machine Learning for Intelligent End-to-End Communication Toward 6G: From Network Access, Routing to Traffic Control and Streaming Adaption, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials\nYear: 2021 | Volume: 23,\n[2] E. Bj\u00f6rnson, et. al, Twenty-Five Years of Signal Processing Advances for Multiantenna Communications: From theory to mainstream technology,  IEEE Signal Processing Magazine ( Volume: 40, Issue: 4, June 2023)\n[3] H. Tan, et. al, Detection of Jamming Attacks for the Physical-Layer Authentication,  IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications ( Early Access )\n May 2023 , DOI: 10.1109\/TWC.2023.3272337\n[4] Felix, Resilient Machine Learning for Networked Cyber Physical Systems: A Survey for Machine Learning Security to Securing Machine Learning for CPS, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials\nYear: 2021 | Volume: 23, \n[5] W. Lui, et.al, Twenty-Five Years of Sensor Array and Multichannel Signal Processing: A review of progress to date and potential research directions, \n IEEE Signal Processing Magazine ( Volume: 40, Issue: 4, June 2023)\n[6]. S. Kandeepan, A. Giorgetti, Cognitive Radio Techniques: Spectrum Sensing, Interference Mitigation and Localization, Artech House, 2012 ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amgad Rezk","title":"Sound-Light-Electricity coupling in Atomically Thin Two-dimensional Materials for Broadband Light detection","description":"Photodetectors capture and convert light into electrical signals. There is a huge demand for miniaturised broadband photodetectors for emerging applications including autonomous self-driving cars, night vision, cameras, optical fiber communication, microscopes, and others. While atomically thin Two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides have shown great promise, these materials are often limited to detecting a narrow part of the wavelength spectrum. \n \n An intriguing strategy that this project explores within the Micro\/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL) at RMIT is the use high frequency (>10 MHz) nanometer-amplitude vibrations in the form of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) [1-3] to efficiently couple with 2D optoelectronic nanomaterials for an enhanced photosensitivity. The sound-light-electricity (i.e. Phonon-photon-electron) coupling is an intriguing effect that is not only expected to modulate the band gap of the 2D material, but also provides the requisite momentum for indirect band gap transition of the photoexcited charge carriers, to enable broadband photodetection beyond the visible light range.\n \n Within the project, the student will therefore continue to uncover more of the intriguing fundamental aspects of the sound wave coupling to different 2D nanomaterials to produce highly sensitive broadband optoelectronic devices. Students will also have access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication cleanrooms at the RMIT MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) and the advanced microscopy tools (atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy) at the RMIT Microscopy & Microanalysis Facility (RMMF).\n \n [1] Rezk, A.R., et al, 2016. Advanced materials, 28(10), pp.1970-1975.\n \n [2] Rezk, A.R., et al, 2016. Nano letters, 16(2), pp.849-855.\n \n [3] Rezk, A.R., et al, 2021. Advanced Science, 8(1), p.2001983.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amir Ebrahimi","title":"Liquid metals enabled tunable and reconfigurable microwave circuits","description":"The very rapid advances in the wireless communication in recent years is driven by a continuous increase in the number of wireless facilities, standards, and services. This necessitates the development of multi-standard and reconfigurable transceivers capable of changing their operation modes [1]. Tunable circuits and components are essential building blocks of such systems [2]. The tunable components are conventionally designed using solid-state components like varactors and PIN diodes or using the microelectromechanical (MEMs) devices. The solid-state components offer wide tuning ranges together with fast tuning speed. However, they suffer from nonlinearity and low power handling [3]. The linearity is a very critical factor specially in the modern multi-carrier communication systems with large crest factors due to the non-constant envelop. MEMs devices offer better linearity with moderate power handling and lower insertion loss. However, MEMs are usually implemented as switches thus offer discrete tuning. Such challenges led the evolution of new tuning technologies such as liquid metals (LMs). The LMs-based tuning approach is promising in terms of linearity, and high power handling together with the possibility of continuous tuning [4]. \n \n This project aims is to investigate the design and implementation of liquid metals-based planar tunable and reconfigurable microwave components and circuits such as filters, phase shifters, power dividers\/combiners, and matching networks. With the aid of microfluidic technology, such devices are expected to address the significant challenge of linearity and power handling in the emerging reconfigurable multi-standard communication systems.\n \n [1] E. G. Rodriguez, Reconfigurable transceiver architecture for multiband RF-frontends. Springer, 2016. \n [2]A. Ebrahimi, T. Baum, J. Scott, and K. Ghorbani, \"Continuously tunable dual-mode bandstop filter,\" IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 419-421, 2018.\n [3] S. N. McClung, S. Saeedi, and H. H. Sigmarsson, \"Band-reconfigurable filter with liquid metal actuation,\" IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. 3073-3080, 2018.\n [4] K. Entesari and A. P. Saghati, \"Fluidics in microwave components,\" IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 50-75, 2016.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amir Ebrahimi","title":"Near field microwave probe for skin cancer diagnosis","description":"According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, skin cancer causes more deaths than transport accidents in Australia. An average of two in three Australians are likely to develop skin cancer by the age of 70 [1]. Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer as it can metastasize and spread to other organs, leading to death. Research shows that the five-year survival rate of malignant melanoma can be around 99% if it is detected immediately after its outbreak [2]. \n \n The visual diagnosis of skin cancer requires a high level of experience and training. Meanwhile, diagnosis of early-stage melanomas is particularly difficult even for a skilled dermatologist. Thus, new technologies have to evolve to overcome the limitations of visual inspections. Microwave technology is a promising approach since the healthy skin and cancer can be distinguished with high specificity based on their dielectric properties. Cancerous tissues have a higher water content than health healthy skin tissue, resulting in a significantly higher absorption of microwave energy [3].\n This project aims to develop a near filed microwave probe for accurate and real-time detection of skin cancer. The probe will be designed and fabricated using the low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology offering a compact size. Furthermore, a high consistency between the dielectric properties of high-permittivity ceramic substrate and skin tissue, the probe can operate in direct contact with the skin when taking measurements. This allows microwave signals to better penetrate the skin and results in highly accurate detection results.\n \n [1] G. Mansutti, et. Al, \"Millimeter-Wave Substrate Integrated Waveguide Probe for Skin Cancer Detection,\" in IEEE Trans. Biomedical Eng., vol. 67, no. 9, pp. 2462-2472, Sept. 2020.\n \n [2] P. Mehta, et. Al., \"Microwave reflectometry as a novel diagnostic tool for detection of skin cancers,\" in IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., vol. 55, no. 4, pp. 1309-1316, Aug. 2006.\n \n [3 ]F. T\u00c3\u00b6pfer, et. Al, \"Micromachined 100GHz near-field measurement probe for high-resolution microwave skin-cancer diagnosis,\" in Proc. IEEE\/MTT-S Int. Microw. Symp. Digest, , 2012, DOI: 10.1109\/MWSYM.2012.6259671.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amir Ebrahimi","title":"Integrated microwave sensors for chemicals and biologicals analysis","description":"Microwave-based test and measurement methods are of high interest among engineers and researchers due to their low cost, non-destructive, and real-time response [1]. Such advantages led to the development of microwave-based sensors and instruments for variety of applications from detection of mechanical movements, to sensors for identification of solid\n composites, chemical and biological agents [1]. More specifically, microwave sensors for liquids identification have found increased attention because of their label-free detection,\n which is highly demanded for medical purposes and bioanalysis [2]. The advances in the microfluidic technology in the last decade enabled analysis and manipulation of the liquid samples in the micro scales. The microfluidic technology has also been combined with the\n radio frequency circuits fabrication technologies resulting in the evolvement of microwave microfluidic sensors [3].\n \n The microwave circuit and microfluidic network are fabricated separately and the attached to each other using an external package\/holder in conventional sensors. Such a package increases the total size of the device not appropriate for integrated platforms. This project aims to develop microwave microfluidic sensors using low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. This significantly reduces the overall size and results in more robust and accurate detection that is highly desirable for lab on chip applications. LTCC offers inherent advantages such as chemical inertness, biocompatibility, high-temperature stability, excellent RF dielectric properties, all these together seem to be ideal for a lab on chip platform. The recently established LTCC fabrication facilities at RMIT, will guarantee access to state-of-the-art infrastructure to achieve a successful design device over different iteration cycles. \n \n [1]A. Ebrahimi, J. Scott, and K. Ghorbani, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ultrahigh-sensitivity microwave sensor for microfluidic complex permittivity measurement,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Techn., vol. 67, no. 10, pp. 4269\u00e2\u20ac\u201c4277, 2019.\n \n [2] M. Mertens, M. Chavoshi, O. Peytral-Rieu, K. Grenier, and D. Schreurs, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dielectric spectroscopy: Revealing the true colors of biological matter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Microw. Magazine, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 49\u00e2\u20ac\u201c62, 2023.\n \n [3] F. Artis, T. Chen, T. Chretiennot, J.-J. Fournie, M. Poupot, D. Dubuc, and K. Grenier, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Microwaving biological cells: Intracellular analysis with microwave dielectric spectroscopy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d IEEE Microw. Magazine, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 87\u00e2\u20ac\u201c96, 2015.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baoyue Zhang","title":"Development of upcycling technology of wastes into high-end electronic nanomaterials and devices","description":"The world is facing a growing problem of waste management, as the volume of waste generated continues to increase with the growth of human population and consumption. At the same time, there is a growing demand for carbon-based nanomaterials such as graphene, which are essential components of cutting-edge technologies such as energy systems, sensors, and other electronic devices. The goal of this research project is to develop upcycling technology for transforming waste materials into carbon-based nanomaterials. Specifically, we will focus on the synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials from waste materials such as plastics, and electronic waste. By developing new methods for upcycling waste materials into graphene and its derivates, which can be further applied in consumer electronics, energy storage devices, sensors and beyond. This project aims to develop new technology to help build a complete circular economy across waste and advance electronic nanotechnology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baoyue Zhang","title":"Novel low-dimensional nanomaterials for full optical device applications","description":"This research project aims to investigate the nonlinear optical properties of 2D metal oxide materials and their potential applications in the fabrication of full optical devices such as sensors and switches. 2D metal oxide materials are a relatively new class of materials with unique electronic, optical, and mechanical properties that make them promising candidates for various applications in nanoelectronics, energy conversion, and optoelectronics.\n \n The nonlinear optical properties of 2D metal oxide materials will be explored through various experimental techniques such as second-harmonic generation (SHG). The ultimate goal of this research is to demonstrate the potential of 2D metal oxide materials for full optical device applications. The nonlinear optical properties of these materials can be harnessed to design new types of optical sensors, switches, and other devices that exhibit enhanced performance compared to existing devices. This research project will contribute to the fundamental understanding of the nonlinear optical properties of 2D metal oxide materials and will pave the way for their use in a wide range of applications in optoelectronics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianzhen Ou","title":"Upcycling of wastes into carbon-based high value products","description":"Our goal is to first develop a scalable conversion machine that transforms unsorted plastic wastes into graphene derivatives, which is a useful material especially in improving the performances of renewable energy storage devices. We will then create these value-added products in the form of electronic paste and apply them to supercapacitors for improving the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy systems featured with high power density, fast charging and discharging, and long cycle life. This approach will bridge the recycling industry with the energy storage sector in a low-cost manner. Each conversion will take within a few minutes, powered by an arc discharging that generates an extremely high temperature for a short time, cleaving all chemical bonds of plastics except carbon-carbon bonds. The remaining carbon elements are crystallized into graphene derivatives, while the rest vaporizes and exits the machine. To scale up production, we will use graphite-based fillers to ensure even heat distribution in the reaction chamber and maintain the conversion efficiency close to lab-scale results. Any gaseous by-products will be converted into value-added industry-grade salts by purging them into an alkaline solution. Additionally, we will test the feasibility of using converted graphene derivatives to fabricate supercapacitors and assess their electrical performances. Our project will benefit multiple users, including reducing plastic waste in landfills, improving renewable energy storage, and increasing the value of upcycled products.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng) \/ MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Md. Ataur Rahman, Madhu Bhaskaran, Sharath Sriram","title":"Electronic Somatosensors \u2013 Feedback Receptors for Artificial Skin and Eye","description":"Human skin and eyes consist of different receptors such as thermoreceptors sense heat or cold, Meissner\u2019s corpuscle senses touch, the nociceptor senses pain, the Pacinian corpuscle senses pressure, and the photoreceptor senses light. The receptors are the peripheral sensory nerves that detect noxious stimuli and generate rapid biomechanical warning signals to the central nervous system to avoid further damage from incoming harmful stimuli. The receptor accomplishes the complex task by the combination of four separate tasks known as threshold, relaxation, allodynia, and hyperalgesia behavior. By reducing the threshold and amplifying the response intensity, the receptor enables and enforces protective behavioral responses, such as withdrawal or avoidance of acute painful stimuli.\nThis project aims to investigate and develop a skin-like electronic receptor to detect optical stimuli and activate motor responses, mimicking human-like sensory perception. It aims to enhance humanoid robots' ability to react to the environment, making them safer and more efficient in industries like mining and space exploration. By bridging the gap between humans and robots, this technology enables advanced sensory capabilities for nuanced responses, ultimately improving human-robot interaction and expanding the range of tasks robots can perform.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401611 - Wearable materials, 400608 - Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave), 400909 - Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jianzhen Ou, Baoyue Zhang","title":"Upcycling hard-to-recycle wastes into value-add materials","description":"Plastic products are commonly used for packing because of their lightweight, low cost, high flexibility, and durability. However, the poor degradability and extreme longevity of most plastic products result in a severe mass of waste accumulation in landfills, causing significant pollution to the soil, air, and waterways. According to the government report in 2018, a total of 3.4 million tons of plastics were consumed in Australia, but 320,000 tons were recycled which accounts for 9.4% only mostly due to the massive cost of sorting plastic waste as well as a significant amount of unrecyclable types of plastics. The carbon contents of plastic and tyre wastes are generally >70%, making them low-costalternative resources and therefore alleviating the environmental impact. This project is to develop an innovative method of flash heating, to convert the plastic particles into value add carbon material such as graphene and its derivates. Compared withconventional pyrolysis which typically happens in hours, such a conversion here only occurs in less than 1-2 minutes,presenting high energy and production efficiency with promising prospect for practical use. The master by research student is required to participate the project development with the research team, involving both experiment and paper work.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baoyue Zhang","title":"Innovative technology of upcycling hard-to-recycle materials into value-add materials","description":"Plastic products are commonly used for packing because of their lightweight, low cost, high flexibility, and durability. However, the poor degradability and extreme longevity of most plastic products result in a severe mass of waste accumulation in landfills, causing significant pollution to the soil, air, and waterways. According to the government report in 2018, a total of 3.4 million tons of plastics were consumed in Australia, but 320,000 tons were recycled which accounts for 9.4% only mostly due to the massive cost of sorting plastic waste as well as a significant amount of unrecyclable types of plastics. The carbon contents of plastic and tyre wastes are generally >70%, making them low-costalternative resources and therefore alleviating the environmental impact. This project is to develop an innovative method of flash heating, to convert the plastic particles into value add carbon material such as graphene and its derivates. Compared withconventional pyrolysis which typically happens in hours, such a conversion here only occurs in less than 1-2 minutes,presenting high energy and production efficiency with promising prospect for practical use. The master by research student is required to participate the project development with the research team, involving both experiment and paper work.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-efficient scheduling in distributed server farms","description":"World-wide customer demands for various Internet services are dramatically increasing during past decades. A parallel growth has occurred in the IP traffic of data centers and the markets of computing and storage infrastructures. Rapid growth of heterogeneous network service requirements and wide deployment of network applications have driven fundamental changes to the Internet. Network virtualization has become one of the most promising methodologies for deployment in current networks to mitigate problems associated with legacy structures, which enables substrate physical networks to be shared by multiple Virtual Networks (VNs) customized to the requirements of various customers. \n \n This project aims to improve existing physical resource allocation algorithms in large-scale network scheduling problems that raised in modern data centers. Specifically, we focus on geographically deployed networks with wired components, and networked server systems located in big data centers. These problems are significantly complicated by enormous system sizes, heterogeneity of Internet services and substrate physical components and uncertainty of Internet demands. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as Markov decision process and queueing process), applied probability and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-efficient scheduling in distributed Data centers","description":"World-wide customer demands for various Internet services are dramatically increasing during past decades. A parallel growth has occurred in the IP traffic of data centers and the markets of computing and storage infrastructures. Rapid growth of heterogeneous network service requirements and wide deployment of network applications have driven fundamental changes to the Internet. Network virtualization has become one of the most promising methodologies for deployment in current networks to mitigate problems associated with legacy structures, which enables substrate physical networks to be shared by multiple Virtual Networks (VNs) customized to the requirements of various customers. \n \n This project aims to improve existing physical resource allocation algorithms in large-scale network scheduling problems that raised in modern data centers. Specifically, we focus on geographically deployed networks with wired components, and networked server systems located in big data centers. These problems are significantly complicated by enormous system sizes, heterogeneity of Internet services and substrate physical components and uncertainty of Internet demands. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as Markov decision process and queueing process), applied probability and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-Efficient Scheduling in Wireless Network Slicing","description":"In modern networks, mobile service providers (MSPs) are expected to simultaneously support vertical slices of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing wireless traffic driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. Wireless network slicing (WNS) technique, which is built based on network function virtualization and software defined network schemes, has been applied to consolidate wireless applications on substrate physical facilities with higher flexibility and lower cost. In particular, this project focuses on the trade-off between the energy efficiency and service level agreement of wireless networks with highly dense user population. The problem is complicated by the heterogeneity of mobile applications potentially sharing the same physical facilities, the difference between wireless facilities with limited service capacities, and the large population of mobile users. Stochastic processes and restless\/non-restless multi-armed bandit techniques, which have been studied with great potential in above mentioned fields [3] and have been applied to similar problems in prestigious publications [1][2], will be used as mathematical tools for modeling and analyzing. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as queueing process), network optimization and wireless communications, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.\n \n [1] J. Fu, B. Moran, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Energy-Efficient Job-Assignment Policy with Asymptotically Guaranteed Performance Deviation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, t IEEE\/ACM Transactions on Networking, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 1325-1338, Apr. 2020.\n [2] Q. Wang, J. Fu, J. Wu, B. Moran, M. Zukerman, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Energy-Efficient Priority-Based Scheduling for Wireless Network Slicing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, in Proc. IEEE Globecom 2018, Abu Dhabi, UAE, pp. 1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c6, Dec. 2018. \n [3] J. Fu, B. Moran, P. Taylor, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Restless Bandits in Action: Resource Allocation, Competition and Reservation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, INFORMS Operations Research, Mar. 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation in Wireless Network Slicing","description":"In modern networks, mobile service providers (MSPs) are expected to simultaneously support vertical slices of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing wireless traffic driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. Wireless network slicing (WNS) technique, which is built based on network function virtualization and software defined network schemes, has been applied to consolidate wireless applications on substrate physical facilities with higher flexibility and lower cost. In particular, this project focuses on the trade-off between the energy efficiency and service level agreement of wireless networks with highly dense user population. The problem is complicated by the heterogeneity of mobile applications potentially sharing the same physical facilities, the difference between wireless facilities with limited service capacities, and the large population of mobile users. Stochastic processes and restless\/non-restless multi-armed bandit techniques, which have been studied with great potential in above mentioned fields and have been applied to similar problems in prestigious publications, will be used as mathematical tools for modeling and analyzing. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of stochastic process (such as queueing process), network optimization and wireless communications, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Cooperative Resource Allocation for Internet-of-Things (IoT) \u2013 Reinforcement-Learning-Based Algorithms","description":"Rapidly increasing Internet traffic has motivated developments of various applications that enables Internet access everywhere and every time and concluded as Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems. Future IoT systems are expected to simultaneously support parallel accesses of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing numbers of wireless sensors\/receivers\/transmitters driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. We aim to balance the holding costs and the profits of the wireless access system, exploring a large number of widely deployed sensing and network devices in a cooperative manner. The resulting problem is significantly complicated by the scale of the communication system and the heterogeneity of devices and applications, where exact optimal solutions are usually intractable. We then resort to efficient heuristics with rapid reactions and eliminated performance degradation. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of signal processing, stochastic process (such as Markov decision process) and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jing Fu","title":"Cooperative Resource Allocation for Internet-of-Things (IoT) \u2013 Reinforcement-Learning-Based Algorithms","description":"Rapidly increasing Internet traffic has motivated developments of various applications that enables Internet access everywhere and every time and concluded as Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems. Future IoT systems are expected to simultaneously support parallel accesses of mobile applications to meet diverse service quality requirements, such as ultra-low latency, densely distributed users and high reliability. Meanwhile, explosively growing numbers of wireless sensors\/receivers\/transmitters driven by widespread mobile communication devices and increasing popularity of mobile applications. We aim to balance the holding costs and the profits of the wireless access system, exploring a large number of widely deployed sensing and network devices in a cooperative manner. The resulting problem is significantly complicated by the scale of the communication system and the heterogeneity of devices and applications, where exact optimal solutions are usually intractable. We then resort to efficient heuristics with rapid reactions and eliminated performance degradation. The prospective student is expected to have fundamental knowledge of signal processing, stochastic process (such as Markov decision process) and optimization, and good programming skills for large-scale simulations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kandeepan Sithamparanathan","title":"6G Wireless and Mobile Communication with Artificial Intelligence","description":"The next generation (6G) communication system has to surpass the previous generations in regards to the offered rate and achievable capacity with improved latency and energy efficiency. In this project the student investigates wireless communications and the network infrastructure that supports beyond 5G and 6G systems. In particular the access strategies, transmission strategies, scheduling strategies and network control and management strategies are to be investigated along with meeting the energy efficiency, throughput and latency. The prospective student is expected to have a solid academic background in wireless communications, mathematical analysis with good software skills for simulating communication systems. \n \n References: \n [1] Demos Serghiou; et. al, Terahertz Channel Propagation Phenomena, Measurement Techniques and Modeling for 6G Wireless Communication Applications: A Survey, Open Challenges and Future Research Directions, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 2022\n \n [2] Wen Tong; Geoffrey Ye Li, Nine Challenges in Artificial Intelligence and Wireless Communications for 6G. IEEE Wireless Communications, 2022 \n \n [3] Cheng-Xiang Wang;, et. al, On the Road to 6G: Visions, Requirements, Key Technologies and Testbeds, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 2023\n \n  [4]. S. Kandeepan, A. Giorgetti, Cognitive Radio Techniques: Spectrum Sensing, Interference Mitigation and Localization, Artech House, 2012","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kandeepan Sithamparanathan","title":"Space, Satellite and Unmanned-Aerial Communications with Intelligence","description":"The development of mega-constellation based satellite systems and the advancements in UAV based applications have prompted a lot of challenges related to communicating with the airborne stations at specific altitudes. In this project the students develop novel techniques and solutions for transmissions and the network infrastructure for space\/satellite and aerial based communications. In particular the students work on channel modelling, novel modulation and coding schemes, dynamic spectrum access solutions, intelligent radio access and resource allocations strategies. The prospective student is expected to have a solid academic background in communications theory, random processes, probability and statistics and also good software skills for simulating algorithms and systems. Any knowledge on airborne platforms and systems would be an added advantage to the research project. \n \n References:\n [1] B Al Homssi, A Al-Hourani, K Wang, P Conder, S Kandeepan, J Choi,Next generation mega satellite networks for access equality: Opportunities, challenges, and performance, IEEE Communications Magazine 60 (4), 18-24, 2022\n \n [2] S Kandeepan, L De Nardis, MG Di Benedetto, A Guidotti, GE Corazza, Cognitive satellite terrestrial radios, IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference GLOBECOM 2010\n \n [3] Ruoqi Deng, et. al, Ultra-Dense LEO Satellite Constellations: How Many LEO Satellites Do We Need?, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 2021\n \n [4] Dong-Hyun Jung; et. al, Performance Analysis of Satellite Communication System Under the Shadowed-Rician Fading: A Stochastic Geometry Approach, IEEE Transactions on Communications\n Year: Dong-Hyun, 2022","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Wang","title":"Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Sensors and Telecommunications","description":"Machine learning and artificial intelligence, such as deep neural networks, have great capability in recovering the received data from sensors and telecommunication systems. They can mitigate various types of impairments imposed onto the data. They are also capable of monitoring the performance of sensor networks and communication systems, to realise efficient resource allocation, network management, and predictive control. Machine learning algorithms (mainly focus on neural networks) will be investigated in sensors. One example to be studied is LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging. LiDAR has attracted substantial interests during the past several years. It is capable of obtaining the 3D representation of the target with high resolution and has a wide range of applications, including geography, atmospheric physics, laser guidance, agriculture, biology, and the recently emerging autonomous vehicles (such as the Google driverless car which is currently known as Waymo). Machine learning techniques can significantly improve the current spatial and angular resolution limitations in LiDAR, enhance the sensing of low signal-to-noise ratio objects, and realise intelligent LiDAR sensing and detection.\n Telecommunication system is another area to be investigated in this project. One target system is the radio-over-fibre (RoF) system, which is widely considered as a promising solution for future 5G fronthaul and backhaul, it suffers from severe fibre dispersion, ASE noise, and nonlinearity induced by modulation, fibre and optical detection. Preliminary results have shown that neural networks can suppress these impairments and improve the system performance considerably. Another target system is the optical wireless communication system, which is capable of providing over gigabit-per-second wireless connections. This project mainly involves studying machine learning (focusing on neural networks) algorithms and techniques, and investigating sensor networks and high-speed communication systems based on neural networks.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Wang","title":"Solid-State Silicon Integrated LiDAR \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Key Devices and Functions","description":"LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, has attracted substantial interests during the past several years. It measures the distance to a target by sending out pulsed laser lights and measuring the reflected signals. It is capable of obtaining the 3D representation of the target with high resolution and has a wide range of applications, including geography, atmospheric physics, laser guidance, agriculture, biology, and the recently emerging autonomous vehicles (such as the Google driverless car which is currently known as Waymo). LiDAR typically consists of four parts: the light source, the beam scanning and pattern generation unit, the detector, and the signal processing part. Although being widely studied and even utilised, current LiDAR still has several fundamental limitations, such as the limited spatial and angular resolutions, low scanning\/sensing speed, large size, and high cost, especially for consumer grade applications such as the autonomous driving. This project aims to (A) investigate solid-state LiDAR based on the silicon integration platform, especially the light scanning and pattern generation unit, to realise small-size, integrated, low-cost and advanced LiDAR systems; (B) break the spatial\/angular resolution limitation through dense integration and innovative crosstalk-suppression mechanism; and (C) investigate the application of solid-state silicon integrated LiDAR in the autonomous driving application.\n This project involves silicon integrated photonic devices and circuit analysis, design, simulation, fabrication, implementation, and demonstration. The integrated circuit will be fabricated locally using the state-of-art Micro-Nano Research Facility (MNRF) at RMIT University.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ke Wang","title":"Terahertz Communications \u00e2\u20ac\u201c High-Speed Wireless Communications in 6G and Beyond","description":"With the exponential growth of wireless services, mobile traffic has increased by more than an order-of-magnitude over the past 5 years and is predicted to reach over 300 Zettabyte (EB) per month. To facilitate the rising and pressing demand, exploring new regions of the electromagnetic spectrum is vital since the conventional microwave band is highly congested. This urgent need has been seen in 5G, where the new millimetre-wave (mm-wave) band has enabled >10 times higher system capacity. To meet the continuous explosive growth in the future 6G and beyond, even higher terahertz (THz) band has been considered as the key enabler, which has broad and unlicensed spectra to accommodate 10-100 times larger capacity. Terahertz wireless communications are envisioned to provide high-speed mobile backhaul, leveraging optical fibre to provide wireless mobile fronthaul connections, and to realise wireless data centre networks targeted at traffic bursts.\n \n Whilst significant progress has been achieved recently, the terahertz communication is still facing a number of fundamental challenges to meet future 6G and beyond requirements, which is predicted to be deployed by 2028-2030. Hence, this project will investigate key technologies in terahertz communications, including fundamental waveform design, advanced signal processing (both conventional and machine learning based), spatial domain MIMO principles, key device and transceiver integration, and intelligent resource allocation and network management. Large capacity, low power consumption and high reliability terahertz communication technologies are expected as the outcomes of this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Madhu Bhaskaran","title":"Wearable and nearable devices","description":"MOTIVATION\n Electronics that bend, twist, and stretch and merge with their environment represent the future of technology. With all pervasive devices interconnected through internet-of-things platforms, making devices unobtrusive is critical. Such technology can be applied to electronics, healthcare, and defence. This research project explores the incorporating of ultra-thin oxide films with elastomeric substrates. Combining inherently brittle oxides with stretchable polymers creates new functionality.\n This will be harnessed for a range of sensing technologies to monitor the environment and personal health.\n RESEARCH OUTCOMES\n The research program intends to create wearable sensor technologies. Focus areas include dangerous gas detection, ultra-violet exposure, physiological parameters, and biomarker tracking. Devices would measure such parameters and incorporate wireless technology that is either passive or active.\n CANDIDATE ACTIVITIES\n The research candidate would be expected to produce high quality research publications, actively participate in promoting their outcomes through the media (including social media), and develop strong research communication and commercialisation skills.\n RESEARCH TEAM\n The candidate would undertake their research with the Functional Materials and Microsystems research team and the ARC Industry Hub for Connected Sensors for Health. The team focusses on discoveries in materials science and device engineering at the convergence of electronics, applied physics, and physical chemistry. The Functional Materials and Microsystems research team brings together a diverse group of researchers with expertise in micro\/nanofabrication, thin films synthesis, materials characterisation, condensed matter physics, surface chemistry, and electronic engineering.\n RESEARCH FACILITIES\n The candidate with have access to the University\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s flagship research facilities \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the state-of-the-art $30 million Micro Nano Research Facility for thin film processing and cleanroom-based fabrication and the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility for materials characterisation. This will be complemented with extensive nanoelectronic device characterisation equipment in the Functional Materials and Microsystems Laboratory.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Madhu Bhaskaran","title":"Multi-stimuli thin films for tomorrow\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s electronics and optics","description":"MOTIVATION\n Multi-stimuli materials, as the name suggests, can be tuned using various stimuli including heat, electricity, light, and strain. One such example is a phase change material such as vanadium oxide which transforms from an insulator to conductor with heat or an external electric field. The potential to combine tuning approaches creates immense opportunities for observing never before seen phenomena in inorganic materials and such technology can be applied to electronics, optics, and defence.\n RESEARCH OUTCOMES\n The project will explore tunable thin films \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the deposition conditions of these films will be tailored to maximise performance. Various stimuli will be utilised to trigger the response, whose area dependence will also be studied and the outcomes could be used to tailor materials synthesis, the application of stimuli, and device design for maximum response and long-term stability and repeatability. Applications can be envisioned ranging from optics (smart contact lenses) to defence (UV and infrared-imaging arrays) to futuristic artificial intelligence (memories). \n CANDIDATE ACTIVITIES\n The research candidate would be expected to produce high quality research publications, actively participate in promoting their outcomes through the media (including social media), and develop strong research communication and commercialisation skills.\n RESEARCH TEAM\n The candidate would undertake their research within the Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group and ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS). TMOS aims to develop the next generation of smart and miniaturised optical systems and is committed to develop a multidisciplinary, dynamic, inclusive and collaborative culture fostering future research leaders who thrive in academic excellence and are equipped with strong transferable skills. As a PhD candidate, TMOS will provide you mentoring, networking, outreach career development opportunities as well as exposure to international and industry partners. \n RESEARCH FACILITIES\n The candidate with have access to the University\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s flagship research facilities \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the state-of-the-art Micro Nano Research Facility for thin film processing and cleanroom-based fabrication and the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility for materials characterisation. This will be complemented with access to advanced nanophotonic characterisation and electronic device characterisation equipment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"6G Mobile Cellular Edge Design and Security","description":"The project aims to design the 6G mobile cellular EDGE and to build security into the EDGE. The EDGE is the interface between core networks and the radio access network (RAN) in a mobile cellular network [1]. This is an exciting project that aims to achieve protocols and security for a key part of 6G networks. The research focus includes use cases, system architecture and enabling technologies for 6G EDGE deployment scenarios [2].\n The project will focus on innovative design and an approach that takes into account product and service delivery at the EDGE. The activities involved will include modelling, protocol design and integration of advanced encryption techniques including block-chain where appropriate.\n The 6G EDGE is a major point for aggregation and service injection to the RAN. There are significant challenges for 6G and the EDGE design encompasses intelligence, new routing and service delivery approaches, enhanced reliability, lower latency and overall efficiency [3].\n References:\n [1] Soldani, D., Shore, M., Mitchell, J., & Gregory, M. A. (2018). The 4G to 5G Network Architecture Evolution in Australia. Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, 6(4), 1-30. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18080\/jtde.v6n4.161\n [2] Niu, Z., (2019). Mobility-Enhanced Edge inTelligence (MEET) for 6G. 6G Wireless Summit. 26 March 2019. Online: https:\/\/www.6gsummit.com\/2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Day3_Session6_Niu_Tsinghua_University.pdf\n [3] Letaief, K.B., Chen. W., Shi, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y.A., (2019) The Roadmap to 6G: AI Empowered Wireless Networks, IEEE Communications Magazine. 57. 84-90. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/MCOM.2019.1900271","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"Next Generation Network Design and Capacity Planning","description":"This project will involve the modelling and analysis of wireless, mobile, satellite and fixed networks leading to the design of a next generation network design and capacity planning. The advancing need for high speed low latency traffic flows over carrier networks has highlighted the requirements for new design and capacity planning techniques that reduce the complexity of existing networks. The project will focus on new and innovative approaches to network design and capacity planning utilising an online environment and leading edge techniques. Techniques investigated include a connection oriented transport model that reduces the IP overhead, reduces latency and enhances traffic management and control by shifting to a Software Defined Networking (SDN) paradigm, 6G and wireless networking and connectivity and capacity planning for all fibre networking.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"Smart Telecommunication Networks and Data Aggregation, Arbitration and Security","description":"The project will model, analyse and design a communication network and management systems for smart cities [1]. The advent of the Internet of Things and the introduction of sensors, smart devices and other systems has meant that there is a need for new technologies, networks and systems to support telecommunications in smart cities, buildings and for vehicular networking as a focused research area of the work being carried out on smart cities [2][3].\n A key aspect of the myriad of devices being installed in smart cities and buildings is the management of the installation and operation of the communication network and the aggregation and secure arbitration of data distribution. There is a need to remove privacy related information prior to the data leaving the smart network and being distributed to the key stakeholders and this arbitration system must be able to aggregated traffic and work with multiple equipment vendors and carriers.\n The modelling and analysis will focus on traffic aggregation, arbitration and distribution between the Cloud, key stakeholders and the myriad of devices being connected to the network in smart cities [4]. The modelling and analysis outcomes should provide the basis for a smart city communication network design that utilizes the software defined networking paradigm.\n References:\n [1]. A. Zanella, N. Bui, A. Castellani, L. Vangelista and M. Zorzi, \"Internet of Things for Smart Cities,\" in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 22-32, Feb. 2014. doi: 10.1109\/JIOT.2014.2306328 [2]. J. Pan, R. Jain, S. Paul, T. Vu, A. Saifullah and M. Sha, \"An Internet of Things Framework for Smart Energy in Buildings: Designs, Prototype, and Experiments,\" in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 2, no. 6, pp. 527-537, Dec. 2015. doi: 10.1109\/JIOT.2015.2413397 [3]. Talari, S.; Shafie-khah, M.; Siano, P.; Loia, V.; Tommasetti, A.; Catal\u00c3\u00a3o, J.P.S. A Review of Smart Cities Based on the Internet of Things Concept. Energies 2017, 10, 421. [4]. Petrolo Riccardo, Loscr\u00c3\u00ac Valeria, and Mitton Nathalie (2017), Towards a smart city based on cloud of things, a survey on the smart city vision and paradigms, Trans. Emerging Tel. Tech., 28: e2931. doi:10.1002\/ett.2931","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mark Gregory","title":"Smart Communication Networks","description":"This project will involve the modelling, analysis and design of communication networks for smart cities. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are expected to play a crucial role in the sustainable development of new urban environments [1]. There is a need for smart city communication networks that meet the requirements for technology-intensive cities.\n The project will focus on enhancing the efficient distribution of traffic within smart cities by designing a communication network model that satisfies the low latency, flexible traffic requirements that meet the needs of sensor networks, control systems, energy distribution and smart utility solutions.\n The idea of a smart city has been with us for a couple of decades and now we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re rapidly moving towards the implementation of a technological solution for the digital world in which we live today [1]. The expansion of smart devices into the urban environment is placing existing telecommunication networks under increasing pressure and the solution is the design and implementation of smart city communication networks that are able to provide the low latency and high traffic volumes expected as more discrete devices are connected to the network [3]. The modelling and analysis will focus on traffic aggregation and distribution between the Cloud and the myriad of devices being connected to the network in smart cities [4]. The modelling and analysis outcomes should provide the basis for a smart city communication network design that utilizes the software defined networking paradigm.\n References:\n [1]. Fabrice Theoleyre, Thomas Watteyne, Giuseppe Bianchi, Gurkan Tuna, V. Cagri Gungor, and Ai-Chun Pang. 2015. Networking and communications for smart cities special issue editorial. Comput. Commun. 58, C (March 2015), 1-3. DOI=https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.comcom.2015.02.001 [2]. Anthopoulos, L.G., (2015) Understanding the Smart City Domain: A Literature Review, M. P. Rodr\u00c3\u00adguez-Bol\u00c3\u00advar (ed.), Transforming City Governments for Successful Smart Cities, Public Administration and Information Technology 8, doi:10.1007\/978-3-319-03167-5_2 [3]. Talari, S.; Shafie-khah, M.; Siano, P.; Loia, V.; Tommasetti, A.; Catal\u00c3\u00a3o, J.P.S. A Review of Smart Cities Based on the Internet of Things Concept. Energies 2017, 10, 421. [4]. Petrolo Riccardo, Loscr\u00c3\u00ac Valeria, and Mitton Nathalie (2017), Towards a smart city based on cloud of things, a survey on the smart city vision and paradigms, Trans. Emerging Tel. Tech., 28: e2931. doi:10.1002\/ett.2931","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shuo Li","title":"6G Mobile Cellular Design","description":"Moving to the intelligent digital world in the near future requires reliable data connectivity. Mobile networks, which are called data highways, are needed to connect everything in the intelligent digital world, which includes connecting people to sensors, data, cloud services, vehicles and any other digital devices. The currently deploying fifth-generation wireless networks may be unable to meet the full connectivity and unlimited bandwidth demands of the future digital society [1]. 6G networks, which are said to be emerged around 2030, are expected to provide performance superior to 5G and satisfy the requirements of the intelligent digital world [2]. This project aims to design new architecture and protocols for the 6G cellular network to meet new challenges, e.g. frequencies up to terahertz, unlimited bandwidth, microsecond latency [3] and the high demand for EDGE computing [2].\n \n The research focus includes enabling technologies for 6G EDGE deployment [2], use case and stem architecture design for 6G networks and new performance models for 6G networks. The activities involved will include modelling, protocol design and integration of advanced encryption techniques, including block-chain where appropriate.\n \n \n \n \n References:\n [1] M. Giordani, M. Polese, M. Mezzavilla, S. Rangan and M. Zorzi, \"Toward 6G Networks: Use Cases and Technologies,\" in IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 55-61, March 2020. \n [2] Niu, Z., (2019). Mobility-Enhanced Edge inTelligence (MEET) for 6G. 6G Wireless Summit. 26 March 2019. Online: http:\/\/www.6gsummit.com\/2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Day3_Session6_Niu_Tsinghua_University.pdf\n [3] Letaief, K.B., Chen. W., Shi, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y.A., (2019) The Roadmap to 6G: AI Empowered Wireless Networks, IEEE Communications Magazine. 57. 84-90. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/MCOM.2019.1900271","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wayne Rowe","title":"Meta-atoms and Meta-surfaces, including Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and Frequency-selective surfaces (FSS)","description":"Meta-surfaces are thin planar surfaces comprising array of specifically engineered subwavelength elements (called Meta-atoms). They are commonly utilized to customize the electromagnetic fields and wave propagation response to suit a particular guiding, transmission or reflection scenario. The numerous advantages of employing metasurfaces in microwave engineering have been exploited over the past few years. However, there is still keen interest in the investigation of meta-atoms\/meta-surfaces to enable unique methods of frequency selective beam shaping and scanning for integrated antenna and guiding structures [1, 2]. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) will become a key component deployed in beyond 5G and 6G wireless communication systems. The split-ring resonator (SRR) is a popular building block of metamaterial-based resonant devices in the microwave regime [3, 4].\n Your research will investigate novel advanced meta-atom and meta-surface structures for applications in the microwave, millimeter wave and terahertz regimes. The work will leverage off advanced fabrication facilities at RMIT, namely the MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) and the new Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) capability. Applications in the communications space (for example, beyond 5G and 6G devices and systems), sensors and sensing system, defence and biomedical fields are all possible avenues for exploration.\n \n References:\n [1] Asif Ahmed, Md. Rokunuzzaman Robel, and Wayne S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Reconfigurable Dual-Beam Lensing Utilizing an EBG-Based Anisotropic Impedance Surface\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. 68, Iss. 1, 2020.\n [2] Asif Ahmed, Md. Rokunuzzaman Robel, and Wayne S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dual-Band Two-Sided Beam Generation Utilizing an EBG-Based Periodically Modulated Metasurface\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 68, Iss. 4, 2020.\n [3] R. A. Awang, T. Baum, M. Nasabi, S. Sriram, W. S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mechanically Tolerant Fluidic Split Ring Resonators\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 25, pp. 075023, 2016.\n [4] I. E. Khodasevych, G. Kostovski, W. S. T. Rowe and A. Mitchell, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nonlinear microwave metamaterial resonators using gravitational restoring force realized on a microfabricated perforated substrate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Applied Physics Letters, vol. 105, 181908, 2014.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wayne Rowe","title":"Flexible and Wearable Communications Devices, Antennas and Circuits Utilising Novel Materials","description":"The revenue of flexible electronics has estimated to be USD$30 billion in 2017 and over USD$300 billion by 2028 [1]. Advantages of being lightweight, low-cost and straightforward fabrication, and the availability of inexpensive flexible substrates such as paper, textiles, and polymers make flexible electronic devices and systems an ideal choice for next generation of consumer electronics. \n The efficiency of flexible radio frequency (RF) communication and sensing systems is highly dependent on the characteristics of the integrated antenna and passive RF components. The nature of these flexible\/wearable wireless technologies requires the implementation of light weight, compact, and low profile antennas and RF devices that are tolerant to mechanical manipulation [2-4]. In addition, flexible\/wearable devices may need to exhibit mechanical characteristics such as conformability, stretchability, and reversible deformity, as well as eliminating the need for external electronic wiring and interconnections. \n Your research will investigate novel RF devices and structures for applications in the high frequency telecommunication, biomedical, and defence applications in the wearable and flexible technology fields. The work will leverage off the advanced fabrication facilities of the MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) or the advanced 3D structural fabrication technologies of RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s new Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) capability to create novel RF or microwave devices, circuits and antennas.\n \n References:\n [1] J. Hu, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Overview of Flexible Electronics from ITRI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Viewpoint,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d VLSI Test Symposium (VTS), pp.19-22, 2010.\n [2] Robiatun A Awang, Thomas Baum, Kyle J Berean, Pyshar Yi, Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, Sharath Sriram, Wayne ST Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Elastomeric composites for flexible microwave substrates\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 119, Iss. 12, 124109, 2016.\n [3] R. A. Awang, T. Baum, M. Nasabi, S. Sriram, W. S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mechanically Tolerant Fluidic Split Ring Resonators\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 25, pp. 075023, 2016.\n [4] R. A. Awang, F. J. Tovar-Lopez, T. Baum, S. Sriram, W. S. T. Rowe, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Meta-atom microfluidic sensor for measurement of dielectric properties of liquids\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 121, 094506, 2017.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Wayne Rowe","title":"Wireless Power Transfer for Biomedical applications","description":"Bioelectronic medicine is a novel and emerging approach to treat and diagnose disease and injury. It is believed that therapy of the future will employ heat, light, electricity and agents yet unknown, and toxic drugs shall cede their place to physical agents. Hence, future medical treatment will be based on electroceuticals rather than pharmaceuticals. It is possible that instead of prescriptions for chemical molecules doctors will prescribe specific frequencies, voltages and currents!\n \n Miniature implantable electronic devices will play increasing roles in modern medicine (e.g. [1]). In order to implement these devices successfully with minimal intrusion, Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology is proposed as it provides an alternative to a battery as the energy source. It also can substantially reduce the size of the implant, allowing the implant to be placed in a restricted space within the body, reduce both medical costs and chances of complications, and eliminates repeated surgeries for battery replacements.\n \n References:\n [1] Robert A. Gaunt and Arthur Prochazka, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Transcutaneously Coupled, High-Frequency\n Electrical Stimulation of the Pudendal Nerve Blocks External Urethral Sphincter Contractions\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 23 No. 6, 2009, pp. 615-626.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongxiang Li","title":"Advanced 2D Piezoelectric Materials and Micro-Nano-Devices","description":"The emergence of piezoelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) nanocrystals are now more than just a theoretical curiosity, as very recently mechanical to electric field transformation has been experimentally demonstrated. This project aims to establish a new paradigm for 2D piezoelectric and ferroelectric theory; to discover 2D nanocrystals with the highest piezoelectricity, and multi-functionalize the materials via doping and tailoring of the structures. The project will design, model, and fabricate NanoElectroMechanical Systems (NEMS) based on new ferroelectric\/piezoelectric 2D materials in the Micro Nano Research Facility (MNRF) which supports research and training in micro and nano-scale materials, devices and integrated systems, by providing access to state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure and expert technical and development staff. The MNRF provides capability and capacity for research, fabrication, characterisation, integration and packaging of chips, sensors, functionalised materials and devices. The PhD project is available for students interested in undertaking cutting-edge research into new 2D materials preparations, piezoelectric properties and Micro-Nano-Devices as part of ARC DP project, working in a multidisciplinary team in physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"MR220 MEng (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongxiang Li","title":"3D printed piezoelectric structures and applications for sensors and actuators","description":"Piezoelectricity also called the piezoelectric effect, is the ability of certain materials to generate a voltage when subjected to mechanical stress or vibration, or inversely to vibrate when subjected to an electric field. Piezoelectric materials have become of great interest across many different industries (medical diagnosis, non-destructive testing, sonar underwater communications etc.) due to their capability of ultrasound sensors, actuators, and energy harvesters. Normally, widely used piezoelectric materials are bulk ceramic, crystals, and polymers. \n \n Making custom complex geometries with piezo-materials can be almost impossible to achieve through conventional fabrication methods. The recently emerging approach to this issue is to fabricate complex ceramic\/polymer parts with Additive Manufacturing (AM). A wide array of smart materials and devices has been fabricated in recent years using AM, such as shape memory polymers, polymer-carbon mechanical nanocomposites, ceramic-polymer dielectric composites, and electrically conductive polymer-carbon nanocomposites.\n \n This project is to use ink-jet and aerosol-jet printers to fabricate complex piezoelectric devices. The objectives are 1) Design and simulate 3D structures and the piezoelectric response by software, like COMSOL Multiphysics; 2) Fabricate designed 3D structural devices by the 3D printers; 3) test the mechanical properties, electric properties, and design devices used for sensors and actuators; 4) Conduct microstructure characterisation, and analyse the structures and performances of piezoelectric materials, to clarify the relationship between the 3D structures, deformation and elasticity, piezoelectric coefficient, dielectric constant, acoustic impedance and other parameters of the materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yongxiang Li","title":"2D material based gas sensor arrays and AI-enabled sensing systems","description":"Two-dimensional (2D) materials have enabled significant leaps in gas-sensing applications over the past few decades. They are used to make gas sensors operating at room temperature, to detect several gases in low concentration, such as ethanol, methanol, ammonia, acetone, NO2, H2S, CO, and other volatile organic compounds (VOC). Different synthesis methods have been studied for 2D gas sensing materials. The gas sensor arrays can be fabricated by microfabrication technology, which provides vast opportunities to develop electronic noses and tongues for the applications of environmental monitoring, food and beverage monitoring, medical diagnosis etc. \n \n  This project is to study an electronic nose platform embedded with 2D semiconducting materials sensor arrays, to detect gases in real-time with high sensitivity and gas performance at room temperature; combined with AI (Artificial Intelligent) meta-learning algorithms that can be continually trained to overcome selectivity. The objectives of this project are 1) to use semiconducting and LTCC technology to design and fabricate a gas sensor array with a micro-heater; 2) to compare CNN (convolutional neural networks) deep learning to PCA (Principal component analysis) or KNN (k-nearest neighbour) algorithms; 3) to test gas sensing performances of the devices.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alberto Peruzzo","title":"Photonic quantum computing","description":"We seek an outstanding and enthusiastic PhD candidate to work in photonic quantum computation at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T). CQC2T, the flagship organisation for Australian research in quantum computing, comprises eight Australian Universities and more than 30 international partner organisations. Following our recent success in demonstrating high-fidelity, chip-scale optical quantum information processing, this project will extend the work to multi-qubit devices with novel control capabilities. The candidates will design, develop and measure multi-qubit devices, where they will learn a wide range of techniques from single atom manipulation, device processing and optical measurements at cryogenic temperatures. The candidates will work as part of a dedicated team of researchers in this world-leading group. References:\n [1]. A Peruzzo, J McClean, P Shadbolt, et al, Nature Communications 5:4213 (2014)","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arnan Mitchell","title":"Lab-on-a-Chip devices for early ovarian cancer diagnosis","description":"Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer. Every year, it takes the life of around 1,800 Australian women, and a quarter of a million worldwide. The reality is that, for every woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 70% will discover they are in an advanced state, and only 25% of these women will survive beyond five years. There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer.23 Symptoms of ovarian cancer are very vague and are generally mistakenly attributed to common female complaints, dramatically delaying its diagnosis. The only reliable diagnostic method requires the performance of very invasive biopsies during surgery that, when positive, is followed by intense chemotherapy with no time for recovery. The fact is that this terrible experience does not guarantee their complete recovery. In 90% of the cases, many women will realise that the cancer has come back within the next 18 months, with an inevitable and fatal outcome. This project aims to create new lab-on-a-chip technologies that can diagnose ovarian cancer at the early stages, when it is most curable. We will use specific circulating protein and DNA methylation biomarkers, originated from ovarian cancer cells and\/or immune cells. We are interested in immune biomarkers from blood as a growing body of evidence suggests that immune status determines OC formation, progression and resistance to chemotherapy. We will also determine epigenetic alterations (DNA methylation), in cell-free DNA from blood, given such changes can be detectable even before malignancy occurs. We aim to create accurate, user-friendly, cost-effective and scalable blood sampling lab-on-a-chip devices, for widespread routine ovarian cancer testing at the point of care, to enable practical monitoring, earlier diagnosis and better patient outcomes.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saman Atapattu","title":"Adaptive Wireless Communication Techniques for Energy-Efficient Next-Generation Networks","description":"This project explores radio wave propagation and data transmission in intelligent wireless environments, with a focus on leveraging next-generation 6G technologies. The objective is to enhance energy efficiency and ensure ultra-reliable, high-speed wireless communication in 6G networks through advanced implementations of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. As these technologies evolve, accurate modeling and performance analysis become essential. The project will integrate concepts from electromagnetic wave theory, information theory, and machine learning to develop innovative models that optimise intelligent wireless networks. These advancements aim to provide sustainable and efficient wireless connectivity solutions for mobile, autonomous, and IoT systems. \n\n[1] M. Di Renzo, A. Zappone, M. Debbah, M.-S. Alouini, C. Yuen, J. de Rosny, and S. Tretyakov, \u201cSmart radio environments empowered by reconfigurable intelligent surfaces: How it works, state of research, and the road ahead,\u201d IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 38, no. 11, pp. 2450\u20132525, 2020.\n\n[2] T. Gong, P. Gavriilidis, R. Ji, C. Huang, G. C. Alexandropoulos, L. Wei, Z. Zhang, M. Debbah, H. V. Poor, and C. Yuen, \u201cHolographic MIMO communications: Theoretical foundations, enabling technologies, and future directions,\u201d IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, pp. 1\u20131, 2023.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400608 Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220 PhD (Elec & Electron Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sumeet Walia","title":"Artificial neural networks for versatile applications","description":"Project advertised below:","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aonghus McNabola, Vikram Garaniya","title":"PhD in Advancing the Control of Air Pollution in Cities","description":"Air pollution poses a significant risk to public health worldwide and is known \nto be responsible for the premature death of 6.8 million people per annum. \nExposure to high levels of air pollution can commonly occur in cities, in indoor \nenvironments and in transport settings. This project will employ CFD modelling \nto advance knowledge on the control of air pollution in cities incorporating \ngreen infrastructure, and building and city ventilation concepts. The project \nwill also examine the interaction of urban heat island with these air pollution \ncontrol measures.\n\nThe project will involve modelling of the dispersion of air pollution in cities \nwith a view to reducing exposure to air pollution in indoor and outdoor \nenvironments. \n\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"13 - Climate Action\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401101 Air Pollution Modelling & Control (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Linhua Fan, Jue Hou, Biplob Pramanik, Felicity Roddick","title":"Algal Membrane Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery","description":"Nutrients (e.g., N and P) in wastewater are valuable resources which should be reclaimed. It is also essential to remove them from wastewater to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge, e.g., N <10 mg\/L and P <0.5 mg\/L for Victorian inland water bodies (EPA Victoria 1995). Algae can be used for wastewater treatment and resource recovery by taking up N and P, and removing chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) including pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the wastewater. However, this technology can be limited by the low concentration of algal cells in the system, and the difficulty in separating the tiny sized cells after the treatment. To maintain high cell concentrations and achieve high separation efficiency, algal bioreactors may be integrated with membranes, i.e., a algal membrane bioreactors (AMBRs). This project aims to develop an algal membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment and resource recovery through the assessment of the influence of various process variables and process optimisation. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400410 Wastewater treatment processes (60%)\n400409 Separation\u00a0technologies (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mhammad Aminpour","title":"Enhancing Infrastructure Safety with AI and Geotechnical Engineering","description":"This PhD project is designed for individuals eager to merge artificial intelligence (AI) with geotechnical engineering to bolster the safety of essential infrastructure. The project will focus on developing robust prediction models for slope stability and other geotechnical failures in critical structures such as roads, railways, pipelines, slopes, and tailing dams, which face increasing risks from natural disasters and climate change. \n\nBy harnessing cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies, alongside concepts of soil variability and geotechnical uncertainty, candidates will work on improving soil analysis and geomechanics to forecast and mitigate potential failures.  Join us to contribute to a safer, more sustainable approach to urban development through innovative research at the intersection of AI, climate science, and civil engineering.\n\nCandidate Profile: This opportunity is perfect for candidates with backgrounds in geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, and those interested in programming and machine learning, who are driven to apply these skills to address pressing challenges in infrastructure resilience.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400502 - Civil geotechnical engineering (50%)\n401102        Environmentally sustainable engineering (25%)\n461104        Neural networks (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nick Brown","title":"Creating Engaging Engineering Education at Scale","description":"Commencements in Bachelor of Engineering degrees have been steadily increasing in Australia over   the past few decades. At the same time, the use of asynchronous learning materials has increased most recently driven by the development of significant online learning resources during mandated closure of campuses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in use of video-based learning resources has led to guidance on how to make educational videos engaging. Less well investigated are the mechanisms to identify, capture, and present relevant video resources. Videos and online learning play only a small part in the overall student learning journey and experience. The opportunity exists to examine how engaging learning environments can be created to teach engineering in higher education with specific attention to asynchronous learning and large cohort sizes.  \n\nThis topic is for researchers wanting to push the boundaries of engineering education, investigating the use of simulations and scenario-based learning, service learning, experiential learning and blended learning. The researcher should look at both learner and teacher attitudes towards engineering higher education understanding where there are similarities and where there are differences. Case studies could include looking at the use of software in the classroom and the perceptions of the mindset or the skillset to use it. Researchers would look at verifying any findings in large cohort courses with over 1,000 enrolled students. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"401002 Engineering Education (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Environmental Engineering","programcode":"DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nick Brown","title":"Water, Sanitation and Hygiene solutions for Complex Contexts","description":"The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG\u2019S) provide a framework with which to achieve universal access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH). Whilst huge achievements are being made, current rates of progress need to quadruple for everyone to have safely managed WaSH services by 2030. Not everyone lives in places where conventional WaSH engineering infrastructure and services are appropriate, for example due to high groundwater, flood affected land or households that do not have land tenure. In these \u2018complex contexts\u2019 an even greater increase in rates of progress is required to achieve SDG6. Multiple complexities that intersect and compound often create challenges for these households and communities. Over simplification of the complexity, as well as failure to understand the interconnectedness of complexities, has resulted in WaSH interventions that have been inappropriate. RMIT\u2019s Humanitarian Engineering Lab has established an approach for WASH programs to begin unpacking intersecting complexities, see https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0043135421011039.\nThis project will build on the intersecting complexities approach by evaluating the effectiveness of engineered WaSH solutions in a variety of complex contexts; study sites may include informal settlements, flood plains, peri-urban environments etc. Researchers should come to the project with a context that they are interested in studying or a particular theme (e.g., decentralised waste water treatment). Depending on the context, part of the project will be spent in that context.\nThis project would be suitable to WaSH engineers or development practitioners familiar with WaSH interventions who have relevant experience. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"401006 Humanitarian Engineering"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi, Pier Marzocca, Vincenzo Muscarello","title":"INTELLIGENT POWER AND MISSION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC AIR MOBILITY","description":"The project will be conducted in collaboration with RMIT and Khalifa University. The growing demand for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) services, including both Urban and Regional Air Mobility (UAM\/RAM) modes, offers several opportunities but also entails challenges towards achieving carbon neutrality. Most UAM\/RAM concepts are based on highly automated and autonomous Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, which often exhibit poor energy management, even when implementing the most recent technical solutions and Hybrid-Electric (HE) propulsive configurations. Significant research gaps exist in intelligent power\/propulsion management and associated fault detection and recovery functions, hindering HE-VTOL aircraft's safety, efficiency, and sustainability in UAM and RAM operations. This project addresses these challenges by designing and developing Intelligent Health and Mission Management (IHMM) functionality for the Intelligent Power and Mission Management System (IPMS). The project will also involve the simulation and verification of the system.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"13 - Climate Action\",\"17 - Partnerships for the Goals\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2028-12-30","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350902 Intelligent mobility (40%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400805 Electrical energy transmission, networks, and systems (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"MR216P23\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hua Qian Ang, Wenqian Gan","title":"Reimagining Engineering Education for Industry 5.0: Developing T-Shaped Skills to Meet the Challenges of a Rapidly Evolving Global Landscape","description":"This research seeks to investigate the significant challenges faced by engineering educators worldwide in light of rapid technological advancements, increasing globalisation, evolving work environments, and shifting societal expectations. These factors are reshaping the nature of professional engineering work, requiring a rethinking of educational practices. As we enter the era of Industry 5.0, which prioritises human-centered design and innovation, there is a growing need to adapt engineering education to focus on developing T-shaped skills [1] in students\u2014combining deep technical expertise with broader, interdisciplinary capabilities such as communication, collaboration, and creativity. This study is aimed at researchers looking to push the boundaries of engineering education by critically examining the current flaws and limitations within existing engineering curricula, identifying barriers that hinder the development of these essential graduate attributes, and proposing new, innovative pedagogical approaches. Ultimately, the goal is to create a framework for engineering programs that better prepares students to navigate and excel in the rapidly evolving demands of the global engineering landscape.\nReferences:  Crosthwaite C. Engineering Futures 2035 Engineering Education Programs, Priorities & Pedagogies. Australian Council of Engineering Deans (ACED) report, 2021.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390101: Creative arts, media and communication curriculum and pedagogy\n390102: Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development\n390113: Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy\n390303: Higher education\n390407: Inclusive education\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)\/ DR219 PhD (Environmental Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu, Liuping Wang","title":"HCMC Traffic Simuation for Improved Air Quality: A Novel Approach","description":"Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) faces severe air quality challenges due to rapid urbanisation and a growing vehicle fleet. Vehicle emissions significantly contribute to pollution, posing health risks to the population. While policies aim to improve air quality, the city's complex urban layout complicates traffic management.\n\nThis project will leverage data from over 600 live-feed traffic cameras to develop Al computer vision algorithms that extract insights such as traffic density, vehicle types, and driver behaviour. These insights will parameterise urban traffic simulations (using tools like VISSIM or SUMO), integrated with vehicle emission models, to assess emission reduction strategies.\n\nFocusing on key intersections, the project will simulate road layouts, signage, and vehicle types to facilitate generation of realistic drive cycles. Emission models will evaluate the impact of various changes in infrastructure and vehicle composition, providing actionable insights into mitigation strategies. This research aims to support sustainable urban planning and enhance public health through data-driven policy recommendations\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n373701 Atmospheric Sciences (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (30%)\n464601 Applied Computing (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu, Liuping Wang","title":"Digital twin model development for fleet management of automated guided vehicles in indoor applications","description":"Digital twin technology is recognised as a groundbreaking and indispensable tool for smart manufacturing, which utilises the advanced technology from emerging domains of robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet of Things. In the context of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) used widely used in indoor applications such as manufacturing or farming, a digital twin is a virtual replica that leverages data and simulation to enable real-time prediction, optimization, monitoring, control, and enhanced decision-making processes.\n\nThe aim of this PhD project is to develop and optimise a digital twin to enhance the performance of the fleet of AGVs in operation, which ultimately increases the safety and quality of automation process. The project's core focus is on developing a digital twin\u2014a dynamic and real-time simulation that accurately represents the vehicle's physical characteristics and operational processes of multiple vehicles. This advanced model incorporates real-time data on system performance resulting in helpful insights to facilitate data-drive decisions on AGV management. The impact of the project includes cost efficiency, energy efficiency, safety, and advancement in digital twin technology. This research project has potential applications in smart manufacturing and smart farming, where automated guided vehicle or ground mobile robots are widely\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (30%)\n404007 Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi","title":"Real-time anomaly detection, fault diagnosis and forecasting for railway asset fleet monitoring","description":"The project aims to develop unsupervised ML (Machine Learning) methods for anomaly detection in the fleet time series data to identify unknown and unlabelled train issues. Currently, Downer's fleets output millions of data signals that are either unused or unrelated to the faults that arise. This project will entail: Developing real-time anomaly detection techniques capable of handling streaming data and dataset shifts. Through the development of these techniques, the ability to forecast and prevent future faults from occurring. Furthermore, the methods can incorporate inputs by a fleet\/maintenance engineer into ML-based training and data analytics, which will provide algorithmic transparency, allowing decision-makers to have faith and confidence in the recommendations made by the ML\/AI algorithms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"350902        Intelligent mobility (405)\n461106        Semi- and unsupervised learning (30%)\n460206        Knowledge representation and reasoning  (30%)\n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        \n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Crash Dynamics Simulation: Enhancing Bus Safety and Occupant Survival Strategies","description":"An industry-linked PhD project with very competitive scholarship, open to Australian candidates, with possibility of post-doctoral employment at one of the largest crash test facilities in the southern hemisphere. You will examine world's best practice in Bus Safety, develop recommendations for enhanced safety on Australian roads, and simulation modeling and digital twins of bus and seat structures, seatbelt and safety systems for industry. This is an opportunity\nto directly contribute to saving lives and reducing injury levels.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401706 Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation (70%)\n400204 Automotive safety engineering (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Electronic High-Speed Pre-Tension System for a Seatbelt Retractor","description":"An industry-linked PhD project with very competitive scholarship, open to Australian candidates, with possibility of post-doctoral employment at a globally recognised company for innovation and\npassive safety systems. You will examine the design and development of an advanced seatbelt pre-tensioner with electric motor drive including control and power modules to provide superior levels of passenger safety in motor vehicles, transport, industrial and mining applications. This is an opportunity to directly contribute to saving lives and reducing injury levels.\n\nEnjoy free education plus annual tax-free stipend of $51,535 for your living expenses. Work at a world top-100 ranked engineering school and one of the world\u2019s leading Safety Specialists in Seatbelt and Occupant Restraint design, APV Safety Products, from their Australian manufacturing facilities supporting this exciting R&D project. Receive continuous mentorship from the best in academia and industry.\n\nEnjoy a 12-week training program by an external service provider that will enhance\nyour industry engagement and collaboration skills.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400705 Control engineering (80%)\n400905 Electronic instrumentation (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang, Yingyan Zhang, Henin Zhang, Shaoyu Zhao","title":"Smart and sustainable metaconcrete composite structures","description":"Conventional concrete structures ensure the safety and reliability of infrastructures, but they are inadequate in meeting sustainable requirements. Thus, developing advanced smart and sustainable concrete structures with multi-functionalities and mechanical tunability is a crucial scheme for reimagining traditional civil engineering structures. This project aims to develop origami-enabled multifunctional metamaterial concrete composite structures with energy harvesting, self-sensing, and self-healing functions. Origami structures are used to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete, such as flexibility, strength, and energy absorption. By integrating smart materials or nanomaterials, the composites can respond to external stimuli, achieving smartness and multifunctionality. The design offers innovative solutions for the next-generation green and sustainable engineering structures.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 (40%), 401706 (20%), 400510 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang","title":"Origami engineered carbon nanotube based metamaterials","description":"Carbon nanotubes have attracted extensive research interest due to their outstanding mechanical, thermal, and electric properties. To expand their range of applications and overcome their shortcomings such as brittleness and low-dimensional features, many engineering strategies have been proposed to modify their properties. Origami engineering not only results in interesting architectures, but also enables a design platform for developing advanced metamaterials with novel mechanical properties, such as increased stretchability, negative Poisson\u2019s ratio, and multistability. This project aims to develop novel origami-based carbon nanotube metamaterials that will achieve high energy absorption, buckling control, and increased flexibility. Such novel metamaterials will have many important engineering applications in various industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401706 (50%); 401707 (30%); 401702 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Byron Mason, Minh Tran, Dinh-Son Vu","title":"Electric Motorbike Battery-Swap System Optimisation for Sustainability and the Creation of a Circular Economy","description":"With 8.5 million motorcycles (89% of the vehicle fleet), electrification in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) offers significant potential to improve air quality and public health. However, deploying charging infrastructure presents challenges, particularly given the city's limited space and electrical infrastructure. Battery-swap systems-where users exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones-offer a promising solution. This project focuses on designing and optimising such a system tailored to HCMC's unique needs, ensuring battery longevity and exploring circular economy opportunities for repurposing or recycling used batteries.\n\nThe first phase of the project will use digital-twin simulations and battery-aging models to optimise deployment strategies, balancing battery use across diverse duty cycles to maximise their lifespan. The second phase will explore technologies to enable a circular economy, using synthetic data to predict recycling and redeployment yields specific to HCMC's conditions. A new battery design will be proposed to align with local capabilities and future recycling requirements, fostering sustainable urban electrification.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"404017 Mechanical Engineering (40%)\n464602 Artificial Intelligence (20%)\n464611 Machine Learning (20%)\n404007 Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Rosengarten","title":"Using Biomimetic Microfluidics to Test Novel Anti-Thrombotic Therapy","description":"Myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke remain leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. This PhD project is part of a large NHMRC-funded initiative aiming to develop engineered drugs that specifically inhibit clotting at pathological thrombus formation sites, thus eliminating the risk of major bleeding complications associated with generic anticoagulant therapies.\nProject Objectives:\n1.        Design and Testing of Biomimetic Microfluidic Systems:\no        Utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to design microfluidic layouts that replicate the diverse stenosis geometries observed in vivo.\no        Fabricate the selected microfluidic designs in RMIT\u2019s cleanroom facilities.\no        Test the functional performance of these designs using micro particle image velocimetry (\u03bcPIV).\n2.        Integration of Machine Learning for Experimental Optimization:\no        Employ machine learning and AI to optimize the experimental parameter space, minimizing the need for extensive experimental variations.\n3.        Validation with Real Blood Samples:\no        Conduct testing of microfluidic chips with real blood samples in collaboration with Monash University.\no        Generalize findings across various thrombotic conditions to enhance the applicability of results.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"401202 50%, 401203 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Stuart Bateman","title":"Data-driven design of functional paint surfaces ","description":"The PhD project will focus on the development of functional surfaces, with a specific emphasis on the domain of paint technology on creating a material that bestows omniphobicity to surface, which could possibly be in the form of an additive to a coating or a coating itself. This will be derived using data-driven approaches. The investigation strives to harness the capabilities of machine learning and advanced experimental techniques to systematically optimize the formulation and therefore characteristics of paint surface chemistry and morphology to deliver functional attributes such as omniophobic to control contamination, and enhanced resistance to environmental factors for improved durability. \n\nMost contaminants, a surface is exposed to will be either hydrophilic or lipophilic (hydrophobic) in nature. A surface\u2019s ability to repel these contaminants will be influenced by its chemistry. A surface that is hydrophilic will repel lipophilic materials and vice-versa. Therefore, a surface that can resist both hydrophilic and lipophilic contaminants, i.e. is omniphobic is desired.\n\nCurrently, omniphobicity can be bestowed upon a surface using per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, these substances can be extremely hazardous and are progressively being banned. Therefore, there is need for new types of materials that can bestow surfaces with omniphobic properties without being hazardous.\n\nIn addition to resisting contaminants, omniphobic surfaces may also have the potential to possess dry-film antimicrobial properties. Typically, the mode of action for antimicrobial chemicals (or biocides) is to destroy the relevant microbe, e.g. bacteria and fungi. Whilst these biocides are effective, since they are designed to destroy living organisms, they are usually hazardous to humans as well. An omniphobic coating will not actively destroy microbes however, its surface properties will result in bacteria and fungi not being able to adhere hence they cannot establish colonies. This prevention of adhesion is how omniphobic coatings can derive their antimicrobial behaviour.\n\nThrough this multidisciplinary approach that incorporates principles from materials science, computer-aided design, and machine learning, the project seeks to redefine conventional paradigms governing surface design within the paint industry, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable coating solutions. Ultimately, the outcomes of this research hold the potential to influence other industrial sectors, offering novel perspectives on the intersection of data-driven methodologies and functional surface design. \n\nReferences \n1. Le, Epa, Burden, Winkler, Quantitative structure-property relationship modelling of diverse materials proper\udbc0\udd9fes, Chemical Reviews 112 (5), 2889-2919, 2012 \n2. Le, Winkler, Discovery and optimization of materials using evolutionary approaches, Chemical Reviews 116 (10), 6107-6132, 2016 \n3. Le, Penna, Winkler, Yarovsky, Quantitative design rules for protein-resistant surface coatings using machine learning, Scientific Reports 9 (1), 265, 2019 \n4. Salahinejad, Le, Winkler, Aqueous solubility prediction: do crystal lattice interactions help?, Molecular Pharmaceutics 10 (7), 2757-2766, 2013 \n5. Le, Yin, Chen, Chen, Zhao, Casey, Chen, Winkler, An experimental and computational approach to the development of ZnO nanoparticles that are safe by design, Small 12 (26), 3568-3577, 2016 ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"4016 Materials Engineering (40%)\n3407 Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (40%)\n3403 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Milan Simic","title":"Artificial Intelligence Based Digital Transformation of Railway Systems\n","description":"Purpose of this research is the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in railway systems and development of AI models for this digital transformation. AI powered Intelligent Railway System (IRS) will be used, in the near future, to manage and optimise railway transport. Research in AI applications in railway has increased in recent years. For example, artificial neural networks, computer vision and data mining are the main AI-based technologies seen to be able to solve railway maintenance problems such as track, rolling stock and infrastructure maintenance. In addition to maintenance, AI application in railway scheduling is another important research area. Regular railway schedule can be interrupted due to incidents such as equipment failure, or due to planned railway line occupation. Travellers will need to decide on whether they will continue their trip using an alternative train line, use a different transport option, or cancel their trip all together. Many factors will contribute to this decision, including the availability of the alternative transport option, the criticality of the trip to the traveller, or the cost and time penalty the alternative transport option will come with. Any of those decisions will have a different impact on the railway and on the overall transport system. In summary, predictive maintenance, infrastructure monitoring, traffic monitoring and management, IRS safety, passenger experience, optimal energy management, and finally autonomous trains are subsystems of IRS. Development of a comprehensive IRS model based on AI is the main objective of the proposed research. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"350902        Intelligent mobility (25%)\n350907        Rail transportation and freight services (30%)\n400703        Autonomous vehicle systems (10%)\n460207        Modelling and simulation (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maciej Mazur","title":"Additive manufacture of mechanical springs","description":"Springs are common functional devices used in a broad range of applications requiring the elastic storage of mechanical energy. The traditional manufacture of springs often requires special tooling which may limit the manufacturability of spring geometry (and thereby the mechanical response), the minimum economic order quantity, or the lead time. These constraints impose restrictions which may compromise design optimisation, prototyping agility and cost for low batch quantifies. Additive manufacturing techniques such as Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) are able to manufacture a broad range of complex part geometries in low batch quantities without the need for special tools and may provide an opportunity to address the limitations of traditional spring manufacture. It is foreseen that the L-PBF manufactured spring may fulfill a niche for low-volume, low-cycle springs which may offer unique mechanical properties, short lead time and the ability for direct integration into other components. However, L-PBF provides a range of unique challenges such as: manufacturable limits of overhanging geometry, high residual stress, unique microstructural properties, porosity defects and comparatively rough surface finish. These challenges may impose restrictions on the feasible spring geometry, mechanical properties, and fatigue life. However, to date no comprehensive study has been published which documents the effectiveness of L-PBF spring manufacture and this project aims to address this knowledge gap. This project will investigate: \n- L-PBF Manufacture of conventional coil springs and experimental measurement of the manufacturing fidelity, mechanical properties and fatigue life. The measured results will be compared to theoretically predicted values and to traditionally manufactured springs. \n- Methods of improving the performance of L-PBF springs through geometry or manufacturing parameter modification, heat treatment or surface modifications to reduce surface roughness. \n-  The potential of L-PBF manufacture of unique springs design geometries not feasible with conventional manufacturing ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"1401401 Additive manufacturing (50%)\n401607 Metals and alloy materials (25%)\n401706 Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lucy Lunevich","title":"Decarbonisation Strategy and Business Models","description":"This project is proposed to develop a Greenhouse Emission Model for specific country using economic parameters. In recent years, renewable energy technologies have undergone a vertiginous development. There are also much of confusions what drives investments into the renewable technologies. The prices have dropped significantly, while at the same time the installed capacity of renewable energy technologies has increased strongly. New, interesting questions arise this change, primary focused on the integration and the interaction of the renewable energy technologies in the system. How will the energy as a whole develop? How different technologies be combined in order to optimally cover the need for energy? ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310301 Behavioural ecology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lucy Lunevich","title":"Technology-Economic Assessment of Energy Technologies ","description":"This project is proposed to develop a Greenhouse Emission Model for specific country or industry using economic parameters. In recent years, renewable energy technologies have undergone a vertiginous development. There are also much of confusions what drives investments into the renewable technologies. The prices have dropped significantly, while at the same time the installed capacity of renewable energy technologies has increased strongly. New, interesting questions arise this change, primary focused on the integration and the interaction of the renewable energy technologies in the system. How will the energy as a whole develop? How different technologies be combined in order to optimally cover the need for energy? ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310301 Behavioural ecology(100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lucy Lunevich","title":"Energy economic of energy systems","description":"This project is proposed to develop a Greenhouse Emission Model for specific country using economic parameters. In recent years, renewable energy technologies have undergone a vertiginous development. There are also much of confusions what drives investments into the renewable technologies. The prices have dropped significantly, while at the same time the installed capacity of renewable energy technologies has increased strongly. New, interesting questions arise this change, primary focused on the integration and the interaction of the renewable energy technologies in the system. How will the energy as a whole develop? How different technologies be combined in order to optimally cover the need for energy? ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310301 Behavioural ecology (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Tran, Vi Nguyen","title":"Topology optimization for metal 3D manufacturing technology","description":"Metal 3D printing technology plays an important role in advanced manufacturing technology, especially in the strategy of sustainable manufacturing. In this project, modeling of structure-property characterization and structural design optimization are centered. The utilization of topology optimization is investigated for structural design in metal additive manufacturing. The goal is to answer the question if there is a relationship between topology optimization and metal 3D printing technology in medical, dental, or aerospace. From the expectedly achieved model and structure design, a multiple objective optimization problem will be solved for finding effectiveness of the process parameters on strengthen of mechanical properties and optimal weight of finished parts. Simulation and experimental studies are implemented to validate the proposed research.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 Solid mechanics (40%)\n401401 Additive manufacturing (40%)\n401408 Manufacturing processes and technologies (excl. textiles) (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Xiaobo Chen","title":"Autonomous Discovery of Green Inhibitors -Modelling and AI","description":"The project will develop a system to allow the autonomous discovery on non toxic corrosion inhibitors combining ,  robotic testing , evolutionary algorithm's , molecular modelling and analytical studies of corrosion inhibitor\/metal surface interactions\n\n\nCandidate will spend a period at the Institute for Nano-Engineering and Nano-Science , Barcelona learning cutting edge skills ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400711  70%\n401605  30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Nevena Todorova","title":"Study of the lifetime of corrosion inhibitors by molecular modelling ","description":"Corrosion inhibitors are vital to protect many common and electrochemically active metals (steel, galvanised steel, aluminium copper).  Unfortunately many of the inhibitors that have been used are toxic and are being banned by legislations so there is a world-wide search  to find new non-toxic inhibitors.  Molecular modelling has the potential to assist the discovery of new inhibitors and the combined RMIT\/ICN2 (Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Barcelona, Spain) has developed new approaches to modelling of inhibitors that combine, for the first time in inhibitor studies, large models that include both solvent and potential effects. These models have uncovered new affects around inhibitor surface bonding and the formation of the first self-assembled mono-layer. However, molecular modelling can only access periods of pico-seconds and thus cannot assess changes that occur in the system across hours or days. Experimental studies have discovered that these changes are quite profound and inhibitors layers can both become more effective at restricting corrosion or their performance may deteriorate on exposures from 1- 72 hours in electrochemical tests. New techniques have recently been develop that allow molecular modelling to take snapshots of the system at discrete and widely spaced time intervals. This doctoral study will use the snapshot approach to investigate changes in inhibitor layers over time and in particular the role of inhibitor shape and properties in promoting these changes. This will in turn lead to improvements in design of durable inhibitors. The candidate will have the opportunity to spend some time at the ICN2@ in Barcelona Spain","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 50%\n401607 505"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Michele Spencer","title":"Molecular modelling of second and multiple layers for rapid discovery of green corrosion inhibitors . ","description":"Corrosion inhibitors are vital to protect many common and electrochemically active metals (steel, galvanised steel, aluminium copper).  Unfortunately many of the inhibitors that have been used are toxic and are being banned by legislations so there is a world-wide search  to find new non toxic inhibitors. One of the most promising alternatives are small heterocyclic compounds with attached linkages \u2013 however there are literally tens of thousands of alternatives. Virtual screening is possible but requires an identification of the molecular features and properties of the inhibitors that control inhibitor layer formation.  The combined RMIT\/ ICN2 (Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Barcelona, Spain) team has developed new approaches to modelling of inhibitors that combine, for the first time in inhibitor studies, large models that include both solvent and potential effects. These models have uncovered new effects around inhibitor surface bonding and the formation of the first self-assembled mono-layer. Most notably, they have demonstrated how the charge within the binding molecules re-arranges itself to form a dipole, which will have a profound effect on the second inhibitor layer formation. This doctoral study will investigate the second and multi-layer formation of green inhibitors using the same advanced modelling technique. This will not only provide a fundamental understand of inhibitor layer formation and their effectiveness and stability, but also enhance the identification of critical inhibitor features and properties permitting virtual screening and rapid discovery. The candidate will have the opportunity to spend some time at the ICN2@ in Barcelona, Spain.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 50%\n340701  50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ivan Cole, Paul White, Xiaobo Chen","title":"Autonomous Discovery of New Corrosion Inhibitors ","description":"The project will discover new green corrosion inhibitors by combining robotic electrochemistry and artificial intelligence .  Corrosion inhibitors acting either as a passivating agent of embedded in a paint system (typically in the primer) have protected metals from corrosion for decades . Unfortunately mainly of these are based on toxic compounds and are being banned and phased out around the world . Heteoro- cyclic compounds with active ligands are an attractive replacement but there are literally thousands of choices so rapid methods are required to select or design such inhibitor. An attractive approach is inverse design where the molecular features or attributes defining effective inhibition are identified and then large data bases are searched for candidate molecules with these features .  The candidate molecules are then tested to determine if they are suitable as corrosion inhibitors .While this approach is very attractive it has only been partially successful with diverse approaches being used to define the molecular descriptors and the AI or Ml method to define the relevant descriptors for corrosion inhibitor . This doctoral project will use the electrochemical robot to generate a large data base of inhibitors and then compare various approaches to defining molecular characteristics and AI\/ML methods to evaluate which approaches yield relationships which are most useful in prediction performance of new inhibitors and thus in implementing virtual design. During the PhD there is the possibility of spending time at the University of Science and Technology Beijing","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen, Nevena Todorova","title":"Autonomous Discovery of New Inhibitors-Experimental Development","description":"The candidate will spend a period on time at the Max Planck institute for steel research using state of the art analytical and experimental tools in order to understand the fine scale nature of surface inhibitor interactions in aqueous media","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 70%\n400711  305"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Rosengarten, Boahua Jia, Tianyi Ma\n","title":"Thermal Management of Green Hydrogen Generation System","description":"This  project,  funded by Australia Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and industry, is on solar energy driven green hydrogen production. You will be part of large multi-university and industry team helping to increase the efficiency of photocatalytic green hydrogen production using sea or wastewater as the feedstock. The research will involve optical-thermal design and optimisation to help increase the energy efficiency of the system. The methodology will include a mixture of theory, simulations and experiments.  Some experience\/knowledge in one or more of heat transfer, optics or photonics would be viewed favourably. We are looking for candidates from an Engineering or Physics background.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400404 50%\n401204 25%\n401205 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Fugen Daver","title":"A novel biodegradable bio-composite ","description":"Amidst increasing concern over the negative environmental implications of plastic waste, the most promising solution is to adopt a zero\u2010waste and carbon\u2010neutral circular plastics economy where plastics have an ultimate end-of-life fate. Solving plastic waste is an important task as Australian federal government has contributed to a significant budget of approximately $40 million through the CRC program, offering unparalleled opportunities to increase plastic recycling rates or provide a circular solution for plastics. This is seen as a significant step in the fight against plastic pollution. To provide a viable alternative to conventional plastics and formulate a sustainable solution, new generation of plastics termed \u2018bioplastics\u2019 have been manufactured. Several types of bioplastics (renewable or fossil-based) have been manufactured and available in the market. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a bioplastic manufactured from the polymerization of lactic acid monomers derived from the fermentation of sugar. PLA is a well-known example of 100% renewable polymer. The Food and Drug Administration approved PLA for direct contact with food or medical products. However, PLA does not have a sustainable end-of-life in home compost and cannot be labelled as biodegradable. Indeed, PLA is only compostable under high-temperature industrial facilities which are not accessible in many countries. To solve this problem, several research papers proposed that another biodegradable polymer (e.g., polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate (PBSA), etc) should be compounded in PLA to yield a bio-composite with improved performance and accelerated biodegradation. This project aims to develop a novel biodegradable bio-composite where PLA is major component and evaluate its structural, mechanical, thermal performance for engineering applications. The scope of the project is expanded to understand the biodegradation of PLA-based bio-composite under normal soil\/compost conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401609 Polymers and plastics 50%\n401602 Composite and hybrid materials 30%\n401408 Manufacturing processes and technologies 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yihe (Henin) Zhang, Jie Yang, Yingyan Zhang","title":"Origami-reinforced auxetic metamaterial pipes conveying fluid","description":"In industries such as oil and gas, and water supply, pipes play a crucial role in fluid transportation. Throughout their operational lifespan, pipes are often exposed to complex environmental conditions such as pulsating fluid flow, temperature fluctuations, and earthquakes, which can lead to excessive vibration, buckling, thermal expansion, and fatigue failure. Ensuring dynamic stability in pipe design and material selection is essential to mitigate these effects and extend their service life. Metamaterials are well known for their outstanding properties such as tunable Poisson\u2019s ratio, thermal expansion, and enhanced mechanical performance. This project aims to develop and analyze pipes constructed with origami-enabled metamaterials through mechanics modeling, structural analysis, and numerical simulation. The goal is to achieve a novel pipe design that provides safer and more stable fluid transportation, benefiting applications in mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering.\nThe major tasks of this project:\n1)        Numerical Analysis: Analyze the static and dynamic performance of origami-enhanced metamaterial pipes under various operating conditions using numerical methods.\n2)        Theoretical Framework: Develop a theoretical framework to understand the dynamic performance of the proposed pipes under different operating conditions.\n3)        Design Framework: Create a machine learning-based design framework to efficiently guide the design of metamaterial pipes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401702        Dynamics, vibration and vibration control (40%)\n401602        Composite and hybrid materials (40%)\n401206        Fluid-structure interaction and aeroacoustics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Tian","title":"Hydrodynamic optimization on ocean vehicles","description":"The presence of flow structures such as 3D laminar and turbulent boundary layers, recirculation zones, vortical structures, and wave interactions are frequently encountered in ocean vehicle hydrodynamics, which significantly affect its performance in drag, heat transfer, stability, acoustics and erosion processes. A fundamental understanding of flow physics can improve the design, prediction, and operation of these vehicles. Utilizing the leading-edge computational and experimental tools, the project will investigate critical areas that can improve the understanding. The project apply the findings to accurately analyse, predict, and optimize the design and operation of the ocean vehicles under various settings. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2030-12-21","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401204, 401205"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le","title":"Machine learning for sustainable, functional materials","description":"The development of sustainable, functional materials is critical to addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation. Traditional materials discovery processes are often slow, resource-intensive, and unable to keep pace with the growing demand for eco-friendly and high-performance materials. In this context, machine learning (ML) offers a powerful solution by accelerating the design, discovery, and optimization of sustainable materials. This PhD project aims to leverage advanced ML techniques to predict and design functional materials with minimal environmental impact.\n\nThe project will involve the development of predictive models based on materials databases, incorporating experimental and computational data to predict key material properties. The student will explore supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms, optimizing model performance to identify promising materials that meet specific criteria. The integration of materials informatics with ML tools will enable the rational design of new materials, significantly reducing the time and cost involved in traditional experimentation.\n\nBy combining data science with materials science, this research will contribute to the development of novel materials that support global sustainability goals while expanding the boundaries of machine learning in materials design.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"4016 - Materials Engineering (60%)\n4611 - Machine Learning (20%)\n3704 - Theoretical and computational chemistry (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen\n","title":"Smart Self-Healing Coatings System for Mg alloys","description":"This project aims to develop a new coating technology, where active components will be incorporated into a passive\/barrier matrix to achieve a multifunctional coating system. The key idea behind this approach is to create nano-containers for loading active agents with sells possessing controlled permeability specific to several triggers including pH, heat, light etc., and then to introduce them into the coating matrix. The simplest trigger to release the active agents is pH shift in the local environment. For instance, hydrogels with weak acid or basic functional group in the shell are sensitive to pH. Upon corrosion occurs on Mg surface, pH increases and then anticorrosive agents are released to actively healing the damage in the coating. Ideally, such active coating system provides Mg alloys a super prolonged and robust protection against corrosion. It is also possible to replace the anticorrosive agents with some antibiotics for specific drug delivery [1]. \nVia adjusting the content in the coating matrix, multiple purposes can be fulfilled. Main tasks of this project include design, preparation and characterisation of smart coatings and their responsive release of loaded agents to terminate corrosion on the surface of bulk Mg materials. Ex-situ characterisation includes structural, physical and electrochemical measurements through scanning and transmission electron microscopy of surfaces and interfaces (SEM & TEM), a range of surface science analysis techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning tunelling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM & STS) at RMIT. In addition, the corrosion behavior of Mg specimens with smart coatings will be exmained through potentiodynamic polarisation curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electrochemical electron microscopy [2].\n\nReferences:\n[1].  Shchukin, D.G. and Mohwald, H., Smart nanocontainers as depot media for feedback active coatings. Chem. Commun. 2011, 47 (31), 8730-8739\n[2].  Chen, J.Y. et al., Electrosprayed PLGA smart containers for active anti-corrosion coating on magnesium alloy AMlite, J. Mater. Chem. A 2014, 2, 5738- 5743.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401607 70%\n 401603 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen","title":"Antibacterial Nano-coatings for Biomedical Applications","description":"When artificial bone implants are placed into the patient, they are subjected to the formation of colonies of bacteria and infection [1]. Biofilms are prevalent on the surface of artificial implants, and exhibit distinct features, such as high tolerance to antibiotics [2]. Current managements of device-related infection involving antibiotics often result in significant socioeconomic costs, not to mention the risk of life-long functional impairment for the patient. As a result, feasible implant devices should be endowed satisfactory and sustainable resistance to the formation of biofilms and subsequent growth of bacteria to tackle the acute and chronic infections [3].\nThis project aims to address such challenges through design and manufacturing of feasible coatings with controlled and continuing release of inorganic antibacterial species, such as Ag, Ga, Sr and peptide molecules to inhibit the adherence of stains on implant surface and subsequent formation of biofilms. The implants with promising self-antibacterial surface would advance the knowledge and technique to a great degree in the relevant disciplines and attract immense interest from both academia and industry. \nThis project has a multi-disciplinary nature and thus requires a full-time HDR student who is capable across the multidisciplinary aspects of the project significantly. The HDR student under supervision by Chen, will focus on exploring wet chemical and physical deposition techniques to prepare and characterise the structure and antibacterial properties of coatings. The recruited PhD student (based at City Campus RMIT) will gain significant interdisciplinary training via this project. 3D printer, optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), potentiostat, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) will be employed to characterise the properties of yielded components. In vitro cell culture and bacterial resistance tests will be performed.\n\nReferences:\n[1] T.F. Moriarty, et al., Orthopaedic device-related infection: current and future interventions for improved prevention and treatment, EFORT Open Rev 1(4) (2016) 89-99.\n[2] C.R. Arciola, D. Campoccia, P. Speziale, L. Montanaro, J.W. Costerton, Biofilm formation in Staphylococcus implant infections. A review of molecular mechanisms and implications for biofilm-resistant materials, Biomaterials 33(26) (2012) 5967-82.\n[3] S. Bauer, P. Schmuki, K. von der Mark, J. Park, Engineering biocompatible implant surfaces, Progress in Materials Science 58(3) (2013) 261-326.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401603 60%\n 401607 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen, Prof Ivan Cole","title":"Titanium-based Hybrid Materials Exhibiting Bone-like Structural Hierarchy","description":"A number of natural hybrid materials (e.g. bone, tooth, wood and shell) exhibiting hierarchical architectures spanning near macro- to nano-metre length scales create unique combination of properties (i.e. strength, toughness and low density) that are rarely seen in existing manmade materials [1, 2]. In the quest for the advanced materials containing such promising combination of properties, extensive efforts have been devoted to the design and development of ceramic-polymer based composites mimicking such structural hierarchy [3, 4]. However, it remains a great challenge to achieve metals displaying such periodic arrangements at multiple length scales varying from mill-, micro- to nano-metre, most likely owing to the lack of critical knowledge and technical availability [2]. In comparison to their composite counterparts, lightweight, strong and tough metals are desired for many engineering applications bearing heavy-load, such as frames of car seats, wings of aircrafts, and in particular orthopaedic implants - plates, screws and joints. \nThe main scientific aim of this project is to explore feasible techniques to produce titanium (Ti)-based hybrid materials exhibiting bone-like hierarchical structure at each individual length scale; and develop fundamental science of the role of such structural hierarchy in the controls over mechanical performances, in particular tough crack resistance. The yielded hybrid materials are anticipated to maintain their high strength and inherit the characteristic fracture tolerance (toughness) of natural bone through mimicking its hierarchical features.\nThe proposed study will comprise a hitherto untried coupling of periodic structure covering three orders of length scales with in situ characterisation. The first stage of the proposed project will establish a set of sound process strategies for the development of Ti materials mimicking the hierarchical features of natural bone over the full range of length scales through 3D printing technology, hydrothermal synthesis (RMIT) and magnetron sputtering (Melbourne Centre for Nanotechnology). \n\nReferences:\n[1]. Ritchie, R.O., Nat. Mater. 2011, 10(11), 817\n[2]. Wegst, U.G.; Bai, H.; Saiz, E.; Tomsia, A.P.; Ritchie, R.O., Nat. Mater. 2015, 14(1) 23\n[3]. Li, J.; Baker, B.A.; Mou, X.; Ren, N.; Qiu, J.; Boughton, R.I.; Liu, H., Adv. Healthc. Mater. 2014, 3(4), 469.\n[4]. Hollister, S.J., Nat. Mater. 2005, 4(7), 518.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401603 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xiaobo Chen, Prof Ivan Cole","title":"Elucidating the electrochemical roles of surface conditions upon biodegradable Zn alloys in simulated body fluids","description":"Biodegradable Zn alloys are promising materials candidate for manufacturing future commercial implant devices [1]. However, corrosion behaviour of such new biomaterial category is not well understood in simulated body fluid, where a number of chemical and biological species exist [2]. The surface film of Zn displays a complex nature, which contributes greatly to the corrosion kinetics and dynamics of underlying metal Zn in contact with electrolytes [3]. This project aims to address such challenges through design and manufacturing of feasible techniques for exploring the electrochemical roles of surface films upon Zn alloys in SBFs. \nThis project has a multi-disciplinary nature and thus requires a full-time HDR student who is capable across the multidisciplinary aspects of the project significantly. The HDR student under supervision by Drs. Chen, Cole and Ward, will focus on exploring wet chemical and electrochemical techniques to prepare and characterise the structure and chemical properties of surface films of Zn in a number of SBFs. The recruited PhD student (based at City Campus RMIT) will gain significant interdisciplinary training via this project. Optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), potentiostat, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) will be employed to characterise the properties of yielded components. In vitro cell culture tests may be performed.\n\nReferences:\n[1] H.F. Li, et al., Opportunities and challenges of biodegradable Zn-based alloys, J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 46, 2020, 136-138.\n[2] X. Tong et al., Degradation behavior, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, and antibacterial properties of electro-deposited Zn\u2013Cu metal foams as potential biodegradable bone implants, 105, Acta Biomater., 2020, 481-492.\n[3] J. Sun et al., Adjusting comprehensive properties of biodegradable Zn-Mn alloy through solution heat-treatment, Mater. Today, in press, doi:10.1016\/j.mtcomm.2020.101150","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401603 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Milan Simic","title":"Novel AI methodologies in Gait analysis","description":"The main objective of proposed research is to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) through Deep Learning (DL) in the gait analysis of neuro-muscular disorders.\nGait is defined as the sequence of lower limb\u2019s motion initiated by the brain that results in muscle contractions. Analysis of gait events and parameters, such as Foot Progression Angle (FPA) are important in the assessment, monitoring and treatment of conditions which affect patients\u2019 physical motion functions. \nGait measurement and analysis are used in healthcare by medical practitioners, but also in different areas such as sports, and security. In the medical field, there is extensive research on gait abnormalities due to pathological disorders such as Parkinson\u2019s disease, dementia, and neuro-muscular disorders. Early diagnosis, proper treatment, and after-surgery rehabilitation efforts depend on the accuracy and reliability of kinematic and spatio-temporal measurements conducted using different sensor modalities. There is still no consensus on the relevant parameters to classify and predict neuro-muscular disorders, before and after surgical operations. \nThe utilization of Deep Learning is still open-ended research that can potentially advance gait analysis\u2019s objectivity, accuracy, and real-time monitoring performance in the clinical context. \nThe main contribution of the proposed research is the development of new methodologies based on the use of AI i.e., DL in the medical diagnosis, and therapy, as well as in the security, sports applications and other. \n\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (50%)\n 320602 Medical biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) (20%)\n 420701 Biomechanics (20%)\n 420799 Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Rosengarten, Ahmad Mojiri","title":"High-flux cooling using optimised spray systems","description":"Spray cooling is where a fine mist or spray of coolant is applied either directly to heated surfaces, such as processors or memory modules, or to an internal surface in a standalone heat sink unit. It is an efficient cooling technique that provides a promising solution to address the rising heat challenges associated with high-density computing and power electronics. This project will involve using a commercial droplet generator to investigate heat transfer on structured surfaces. The research will be mainly experimental, and is in partnership with an industrial partner. It is expected that the student will spend about 3 months with the industrial partner to develop the experimental set-up.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"091505 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Fugen Daver, Raju Adhikari","title":"Bio-degradable and Bio-compostable Mulch Films from Agri-Waste","description":"Plastic mulch film is a used in agriculture to retain soil water, regulate soil temperature, and supress weed growth. However, most of the plastic films currently used are non-degradable under natural condition and due to their non-degradable nature, they are converted into microplastics and such residual plastics particles can be easily absorbed by organisms posing a potential threat to soil environment and human health. Legislation is some European countries and USA have already phased out the use of such films. Biodegradable mulch film has been considered as a potential alternative but due to low mechanical strength, moisture barrier and radiometric properties, they are still in the development stage and a large number of such films have been trailed with mixed results (1-3). This project aims to develop a fully biodegradable mulch film with controlled degradation and improved mechanical strength using a combination of agri-wastes sources such as cellulose, gluten with biodegradable polymers. The project will develop specific tailored formulations by combining above agriculture waste with synthetic biodegradable polymers and fabricate agri-mulch film for water saving and weed control. The by-product of the polymer will also value add to soil as nutrients and support crop productivity. It is expected that the newly developed smart agri-mulch film will have not only controlled biodegradation, crop bio-stimulation characteristics but also compostable and degradation products are expected to act as plant growth promoter.\nReferences:\n1. Biodegradable Mulch Based on Cellulose of Cornhusk with Addition Anti UV-Tinuvin - doi:10.1088\/1742-6596\/1491\/1\/012051\n2. Physical properties and soil degradation of PLA\/PBAT blends film reinforced with bamboo cellulose - doi:10.1088\/1755-1315\/596\/1\/012021\n3. Biodegradable plastic mulch films in agriculture: feasibility and challenges - doi.org\/10.1088\/1748-9326\/abd211\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401609 Polymer and plastics (50%)  \n401602 Composite and hybrid materials (25%) \n401408 Manufacturing processes and technologies (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mahyar Khorasani, Martin Leary, David Downing","title":"A Digital Twin-Driven Model for Mapping Part Quality in Multi-Jet Fusion","description":"This project aims to develop a digital simulation model to address the irregular mechanical properties of Multi-Jet Fusion in 3D printing of automotive components. This model expects to solve a significant challenge when using Multi-Jet Fusion which is the dependence of quality on the build position. The expected outcome of this project is the development of a novel tool for quality assessment in mass customisation and production. This project will provide significant benefits by creating an independent digital simulation model for quality mapping in Multi-Jet Fusion that reduces production costs and enhances automotive part quality.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401401 Additive Manufacturing 50%\n400204  Automotive safety engineering 25%\n401403 - Flexible manufacturing systems 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Stuart Bateman","title":"Data-driven design of functional paint surfaces ","description":"The PhD project will focus on the development of functional surfaces, with a specific emphasis on the domain of paint technology on creating a material that bestows omniphobicity to surface, which could possibly be in the form of an additive to a coating or a coating itself. This will be derived using data-driven approaches. The investigation strives to harness the capabilities of machine learning and advanced experimental techniques to systematically optimize the formulation and therefore characteristics of paint surface chemistry and morphology to deliver functional attributes such as omniophobic to control contamination, and enhanced resistance to environmental factors for improved durability. \r\n\r\nMost contaminants, a surface is exposed to will be either hydrophilic or lipophilic (hydrophobic) in nature. A surface\u2019s ability to repel these contaminants will be influenced by its chemistry. A surface that is hydrophilic will repel lipophilic materials and vice-versa. Therefore, a surface that can resist both hydrophilic and lipophilic contaminants, i.e. is omniphobic is desired.\r\n\r\nCurrently, omniphobicity can be bestowed upon a surface using per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, these substances can be extremely hazardous and are progressively being banned. Therefore, there is need for new types of materials that can bestow surfaces with omniphobic properties without being hazardous.\r\n\r\nIn addition to resisting contaminants, omniphobic surfaces may also have the potential to possess dry-film antimicrobial properties. Typically, the mode of action for antimicrobial chemicals (or biocides) is to destroy the relevant microbe, e.g. bacteria and fungi. Whilst these biocides are effective, since they are designed to destroy living organisms, they are usually hazardous to humans as well. An omniphobic coating will not actively destroy microbes however, its surface properties will result in bacteria and fungi not being able to adhere hence they cannot establish colonies. This prevention of adhesion is how omniphobic coatings can derive their antimicrobial behaviour.\r\n\r\nThrough this multidisciplinary approach that incorporates principles from materials science, computer-aided design, and machine learning, the project seeks to redefine conventional paradigms governing surface design within the paint industry, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable coating solutions. Ultimately, the outcomes of this research hold the potential to influence other industrial sectors, offering novel perspectives on the intersection of data-driven methodologies and functional surface design. \r\n\r\nMain objectives: \r\n\r\n1. Data Compilation and Analysis: \r\n\r\nCollect and curate extensive datasets, from existing literature, encompassing diverse material properties, and environmental conditions, relevant to functional surfaces in coating technologies. \r\n\r\n2. Machine Learning Model Development: \r\n\r\nEmploy statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to analyse the compiled data to extract patterns, correlations and insights on the relationship between the chemistry, formulation, and the surface properties. Fine-tuning the models for accurate prediction and optimization of the functional characteristics of the surfaces. \r\n\r\n3. Experimental Characterization: \r\n\r\nConduct in-depth experimental investigations to synthesize and characterize novel additives and coating formulations, providing more data for fine-tuning the models if necessary. \r\n\r\n4. Testing and Performance Validation: \r\n\r\nConduct rigorous testing regimes to assess the performance of the developed formulations under various environmental conditions to ensure the practical viability of the proposed functional surfaces. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"4016 Materials Engineering (40%)\r\n3407 Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (40%)\r\n3403 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stefania Castelletto, Alberto Peruzzo","title":"Silicon carbide photonics devices for temperature quantum sensing","description":"Silicon carbide has recently emerged in the quantum technologies domain as an advantageous material that can be used for quantum computation and sensing applications. In particular in its thin film on insulator it can be used to design and fabricate integrated photonics-electronic devices for temperature quantum sensing. In this project you will design and test an integrated photonics and electronic device in silicon carbide on oxide for quantum sensing of temperature based on infrared laser excitation and collection.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Chi Tsun (Ben) Cheng, Songlin Ding, Maciej Mazur","title":"Development and Optimization of Additive Manufacturing Processes for the Creation of High-Strength Microfluidic Devices and Microelectronic Components from Metal Alloys","description":"This project aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities presented by additive manufacturing, in the creation of complex small-scale components, namely microfluidic devices and microelectronic components. The project is born out of the recognition that despite the disruptive potential of 3D printing across various industries, there are substantial hurdles to overcome when applying these methods to the fabrication of these highly intricate parts.\n\nAdditive manufacturing has revolutionised mass customisation and on-demand production; however, when it comes to micro-components that play key roles in diverse areas such as biochemistry, synthetic biology, drug delivery systems, computation, and telecommunications, the technology encounters barriers. Among these are issues relating to precision and fidelity in crafting intricate geometries, limitations associated with the mechanical strength and thermal endurance of materials, and constraints in speed, cost, and resource utilisation efficiency of the manufacturing process.\n\nIn response to these obstacles, the project aims to develop and optimise additive manufacturing processes for creating robust, high-endurance microfluidic and microelectronic components using metallic alloys. A central focus will be on achieving a balance between the precision, durability, and efficiency of the manufacturing process while seeking innovative solutions to overcome temperature resistance constraints.\n\nThe objective is to push the boundaries of current methodologies, thus deepening our understanding of additive manufacturing dynamics. This research aspires to contribute to the advanced applications of microfluidic devices and microelectronic components, spurring the next wave of technological innovations by overcoming existing barriers in the field of additive manufacturing.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alireza Bab-Hadiashar, Ruwan Tennakoon","title":"Automated Visual Inspection for Industrial Applications: Robustness Through Time","description":"In practical applications of computer vision techniques, an algorithm has only limited amount of time and computational resources to complete a given task. Within those limits, the algorithm is expected to accumulate, understand and respond to external stimuli. This requirement lends itself to a \u201ctime progressive information processing\u201d approach that prioritises discovery of environmental structures based on their importance for the accomplishment of a given task. In this context, a computer vision algorithm can be given the opportunity to exploit its previous experience and knowledge of the environment as part of its formal time progressive approach. This is somewhat akin to enabling a computer experiencing d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu. In the above \u201ctime progressive\u201d paradigm, an algorithm starts from what it can recall and place its focus on the processing (whatever the application requires) of the major visual attractions (e.g. largest objects) and deal with them first (e.g., thwart any potential dangers). As time progresses, the algorithm can successively discover smaller details for a more complete recognition of lesser elements in the environment. The prescribed approach is particularly advantageous for automation of visual surveillance of urban environment and industrial inspection tasks. Visual inspection often involves processing a mixture of static and dynamic entities that may or may not have been seen before. The processing is time critical and different levels of details are sought depending on task in hand and the availability of computational resources. In contrast to the usual approach, which focuses on the static interpretation, the current project is aimed to develop a time progressive framework for automation of visual inspection or surveillance tasks.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefania Castelletto, Lei Bao","title":"3D printing technology for fabricating luminescent solar concentrators","description":"Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are optoelectronic devices that collect sunlight and concentrate it onto a small area of solar cells. 3D printing has emerged as a promising technology for fabricating LSCs. This research aims to investigate the potential of 3D printing for fabricating LSCs and compare the performance of 3D printed LSCs with those fabricated using traditional methods. The research will involve designing and fabricating LSCs using both 3D printing and traditional methods. The performance of the fabricated LSCs will be evaluated by measuring their optical efficiency, spectral response, and power conversion efficiency. The results obtained from this research will provide insights into the potential of 3D printing for fabricating LSCs and assist in developing more efficient and cost-effective solar LSC for building applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Rachel Caruso School of Science","title":"Machine Learning Discovery of Perovskite Materials for Biomedical Applications","description":"Perovskite materials have garnered significant attention in the field of materials science due to their unique properties, such as high photoluminescence, tunable bandgaps, and excellent charge transport properties. These characteristics make perovskites highly promising for biomedical applications, including bioimaging, drug delivery, and biosensing. This research project aims to utilize machine learning techniques to discover novel perovskite materials with enhanced properties for biomedical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Shadi Houshyar","title":"Machine Learning for the Discovery of Antimicrobial Materials","description":"Antimicrobial resistance has become a global health concern, necessitating the development of innovative strategies to combat pathogenic microorganisms. One promising approach is the design and discovery of antimicrobial materials that can inhibit or eliminate microbial growth. Machine learning techniques have demonstrated great potential in accelerating the discovery of novel materials with antimicrobial properties. This research proposal aims to leverage machine learning algorithms to facilitate the identification and optimization of antimicrobial materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tu Le, Jonathan Tran, Mark Easton, Dong Qiu, Duyao Zhang, Yunhui Chen","title":"Machine Learning Techniques for Enhancing 3D Printing Processes and Performance","description":"3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing and prototyping by enabling the creation of complex three-dimensional objects with unprecedented speed and precision. However, challenges still exist in optimizing print quality, reducing print failures, and minimizing resource utilization. This research proposal aims to investigate the application of machine learning techniques to enhance the 3D printing process, improve print quality, and optimize printing parameters for various materials and geometries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Robust Stereo Vision System","description":"Two-view stereo vision is one of the most active research areas in computer vision. Among the existing techniques, stereo matching remains one of the most widely used due to its strong connection to the human binocular system. Traditionally, stereo-based depth estimation has been solved using a pipeline of four building blocks: (1) cost volume generation, (2) cost aggregation, (3) disparity computation, and (4) disparity refinement and postprocessing. With this pipeline, three research problems and corresponding possible methods were introduced.\n Stereo Vision via Transformer\n Stereo depth estimation relies on optimal correspondence matching with a cost volume between pixels on epipolar lines in the left and right images to infer depth. Traditional stereo matching cost volume generation algorithms rely on the distance between the two image pairs. Alternatively, the MC-CNN [6] and GC-Net [1] approaches concatenate the left and right features to learn matching cost estimation using a deep network. Furthermore, most learning-based models apply SPP features to form a cost volume by concatenating left feature maps with corresponding right feature maps across each disparity level, resulting in a 4D volume. To address the above-mentioned limitation, this module aims to utilise Transformer [7] or ViT [2] [3] as alternative architectures with innate global self-attention mechanisms to capture long-range dependencies. Synthetic Dataset\n Collecting and collating large amounts of real data to create a stereo dataset is a challenging task, and with the development of virtual modelling techniques, researchers are trying to build synthetic datasets such as scene flow [6] and Replica[6]. These datasets usually contain a larger number of images pairs compared to real-world datasets such as KITTI. However, limited by the technology available, the datasets always have weak textures and fewer environment variables. This is why most models are pretrained in the scene flow datasets and then fine-tuned in real-world datasets. This module aims to establish almost real synthetic datasets to train our stereo vision models. Occlusion detection and refinement\n Disparity refinement is designed to improve the results in complex regions, such as occluded regions and low texture regions. Occlusion usually occurs in edge areas of the object; based on that, the occlusion can be detected by the segmentation [5] and refine the occlusion by exploring statistical significance. However, for the large occluded regions, current strategies cannot directly refine inner occlusions, and cumulative error may be introduced. In the Middlebury 2014 benchmark, top-rank methods have achieved high accuracy in non-occluded regions. However, the evaluation error containing occluded regions almost doubled for most error metrics. Therefore, accurate estimation near occluded regions is still a challenging problem. This module aims to recover the disparity for the occlusion area and embed it into the current models.\n [1] Yue Cao, Jiarui Xu, Stephen Lin, Fangyun Wei, and Han Hu. Gc- net: Non-local networks meet squeeze-excitation networks and beyond. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF International Conference on Computer Vision Workshops, pages 0-0, 2019. 1\n [2] Alexey Dosovitskiy, Lucas Beyer, Alexander Kolesnikov, Dirk Weissenborn, Xiaohua Zhai, Thomas Unterthiner, Mostafa Dehghani, Matthias Minderer, Georg Heigold, Sylvain Gelly, et al. An image is worth 16x16 words: Transformers for image recogni- tion at scale. arXiv preprint arXiv:2010.11929, 2020. 1\n [3] Ze Liu, Yutong Lin, Yue Cao, Han Hu, Yixuan Wei, Zheng Zhang, Stephen Lin, and Baining Guo. Swin transformer: Hierarchical vision transformer using shifted windows. In Proceedings of the IEEE\/CVF International Conference on Computer Vision, pages 10012-10022, 2021. 1\n [4] Daniel Scharstein and Richard Szeliski. A taxonomy and evaluation of dense two-frame stereo correspondence algorithms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Information Fusion in a Large-Scale Sensor Network","description":"Recent advances in sensor technology have led to tremendous development in wireless sensor networks (WSN). These networks consist of spatially distributed static or dynamic nodes\/agents (e.g. vehicle). Each node is equipped with sensors (camera, LIDAR, RADAR), on-board processing units, and communication capabilities [1]. The objective of a WSN is to provide a complete picture of the spatio-temporal events of a dynamic environment by combining information gathered by each agent. The success of this undertaking depends on formulating an effective and efficient information fusion strategy. Information fusion method combines data measured by sensor nodes to improve the potential values and interpretation performances of the source data, and to produce a high-quality visible representation of the data [2]. Any proposed solution should be scalable with respect to the number of agents, flexible and reliable [1].\n This project aims to:\n develop a principled mathematical framework for multi-source information fusion in a distributed sensor network. This project will formulate a principled sensor fusion strategy through the combination of multi-modal multi-object densities by devising a method to address track management and identity consistency issues.\n develop a metric to evaluate the value-of-information generated by each sensor node. It is often the case that not all sensor nodes provide valuable information for the entire system at all times. Thus these nodes only increase the communication cost for the system. Consequently, it is necessary to restrict information commutation to the sensor nodes with high-value information. This objective aims to address the problem of distribution support diversity and double counting.\n References:\n [1] Special issue on Distributed Signal Processing in Sensor Networks,IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, vol. 23, no. 4, 2006.8\n [2] Jixian Zhang. Multi-source remote sensing data fusion: status and trends.International Journal of Image and Data Fusion,1(1):5-24, 2010.\n [3] J. Shin, L. J. Guibas, and F. Zhao, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A distributed algorithm for managing multi-target identities in wireless ad-hoc sensornetworks,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Information Processing in Sensor Networks.Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2003, pp.223-238.\n [4] P. Chakravarty and R. Jarvis, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Multiple target tracking for surveillance: A particle filter approach,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in2005 International Conference on Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing, dec 2005, pp. 181-186.\n [5] B. Benfold, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stable multi-target tracking in real-time surveillance video,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d inComputer Vision and Pattern Recognition(CVPR), 2011, pp. 3457-3464.\n [6] Y. Bar-Shalom, W. D. Blair, and L. A. U. E. of California,Multitarget-multisensor Tracking: Applications and Advances, ser.Artech House radar library. Artech House, 1990, no. v. 3.\n [7] T. Rathnayake, R. Hoseinnezhad, R. Tennakoon, and A. Bab-Hadiashar, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Labeled multi-Bernoulli tracking for industrialmobile platform safety,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in2017 IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics (ICM). IEEE, 2017, pp. 393\u00e2\u20ac\u201c398.\n [8] T. Rathnayake, R. Tennakoon, A. K. Gostar, A. Bab-Hadiashar, and R. Hoseinnezhad, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Information fusion for industrial mobile platform safety via track-before-detect labeled multi-Bernoulli filter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009dSensors, vol. 19, no. 9, p. 2016, 2019.\n [9] T. Rathnayake, A. K. Gostar, R. Hoseinnezhad, and A. Bab-Hadiashar, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Occlusion handling for online visual tracking using labeled random set filters,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in2017 International Conference on Control, Automation and Information Sciences (ICCAIS),Oct 2017, pp. 151\u00e2\u20ac\u201c156.\n [10] R. Hoseinnezhad, B.-T. B.-N. N. T. Vo, B.-T. B.-N. N. T. Vo, and D. Suter, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Visual tracking of numerous targets via multi-Bernoulli filtering of image data,\u00e2\u20ac\u009dPattern Recognition, vol. 45, no. 10, pp. 3625\u00e2\u20ac\u201c3635, 2012.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Anomaly Detection for in Large Dynamic Networks","description":"Recent progress in the commercialisation of sensor and communications technologies have brought connectivity to the automotive industry. Using the connected features will provide significant advantages to traffic flow control. However, adversarial attacks (zero-day attacks) could make unauthorised access to sensitive data, interrupt the coherency of the information and cause a significant hazard for drivers and pedestrians. In such a network, protection of the vehicle perception and control systems against malicious intrusions requires effective countermeasures. However, conventional countermeasures are often falling short against sophisticated cyber attacks.\n Statistical and machine learning algorithms have been utilised to develop anomaly detection systems to ensure the security of the connected vehicle systems against vulnerabilities in any underlying technologies (such as network systems, edge computation and data centres). However, cyber attackers use different techniques to identify and exploit systems and other vulnerabilities to circumvent detection and deceive existing countermeasures.\n This project aims to formulate and develop an anomaly detection framework to detect cyber attacks against large scale dynamic networks (such as connected vehicles), which is adaptable and robust against zero-day attacks. More specifically, this project aims to achieve the following outcomes: \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Creating a dataset that reflects the modern dynamic and distributed network traffic for connected vehicle scenarios, \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Constructing a robust model of normal system behaviour, \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Designing a measure to efficiently distinguish between normal and malicious behaviours in large, high-speed network environments, \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Ensuring the developed solution is scalable and suitable for high-velocity and high-dimensionality of data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amirali Khodadadian Gostar","title":"Sensor Control Strategies for Multi-Target Tracking Using Levy Processes","description":"The proposed PhD research aims to develop novel sensor control strategies for multi-target tracking using Levy processes to model the statistical properties of the target motion. The traditional sensor control strategies may not be effective in scenarios where the targets exhibit anomalous behaviour, such as sudden changes in velocity or trajectory. Therefore, the research will investigate the effectiveness of Levy-flight-based sensor control algorithms, which are designed to model the heavy-tailed and long-range dependence properties of the target motion.\n \n The proposed research will focus on four objectives. Firstly, developing a framework for sensor control in multi-target tracking that uses Levy processes to model the statistical properties of the target motion. Secondly, investigate the effectiveness of Levy-flight-based sensor control algorithms in improving tracking performance in scenarios where traditional sensor control strategies may not be effective. Thirdly, developing a stochastic control approach for sensor selection that optimizes the sensor selection strategy based on the statistical properties of the target motion modelled using a Levy-flight process. Lastly, investigates the use of Levy processes for sensor placement optimization in multi-target tracking.\n \n The proposed research will employ a mathematical framework for using Levy processes in sensor control and placement optimization in multi-target tracking. The research will involve the implementation and evaluation of Levy-flight-based sensor control algorithms on simulated and real-world data sets. Furthermore, the research will develop and evaluate stochastic control approaches for sensor selection in multi-target tracking. The research will also investigate the use of Levy processes for sensor placement optimization in multi-target tracking.\n \n The expected outcomes of this research include the development of novel sensor control strategies for multi-target tracking, improved tracking performance in scenarios where traditional sensor control strategies may not be effective, identification of optimal sensor selection strategies that optimize the tracking performance and resource utilization, and improved sensor placement strategies for multi-target tracking.\n \n [1] - Essam H. Houssein, Mohammed R. Saad, Fatma A. Hashim, Hassan Shaban, M. Hassaballah,\n L\u00c3\u00a9vy flight distribution: A new metaheuristic algorithm for solving engineering optimization problems, Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, Volume 94, 2020, 103731, ISSN 0952-1976.\n [2] - A. K. Gostar, R. Hoseinnezhad and A. Bab-Hadiashar, \"Robust Multi-Bernoulli Sensor Selection for Multi-Target Tracking in Sensor Networks,\" in IEEE Signal Processing Letters, vol. 20, no. 12, pp. 1167-1170, Dec. 2013, doi: 10.1109\/LSP.2013.2283735.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chi Tsun (Ben) Cheng","title":"Worker-Centric Industry 5.0 Applications for Improving Safety, Productivity, and Inclusivity","description":"This PhD research project aims to develop worker-centric Industry 5.0 applications that improve safety, work conditions, and productivity while promoting inclusivity and sustainability. The project will investigate advanced sensing and monitoring techniques, robust and flexible communication strategies, visualization technologies, and AI technologies for data processing, reasoning, and decision-making. The goal is to create a suite of tools and applications that allow workers with diverse backgrounds and capabilities to stay up to speed faster, extend the working lives of the aged workforce, and address labour shortages in Australia and other similar countries.\n \n The project will address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, including Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Responsible Consumption and Production.\n \n The PhD candidate will work with industry partners (subject to availability) to identify specific use cases and requirements for the development of worker-centric Industry 5.0 applications. The project will involve the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the applications in real-world settings. The PhD candidate will also be expected to conduct research on relevant theories and models related to Industry 5.0, human factors, safety engineering, and AI technologies.\n \n The expected outcome of the project is a suite of worker-centric Industry 5.0 applications that are effective, efficient, and user-friendly, with the potential to improve safety, productivity, and inclusivity in various industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Chi-Tsun (Ben) Cheng","title":"Enhancing Energy Productivity in Industries through IIoT and AI Technologies","description":"This PhD research project aims to help industries improve their energy productivity by adopting Industrial IoT (IIoT) and AI technologies. The goal is to reduce waste and make processes more lean and efficient, making industries more agile and able to withstand market fluctuations. The project will investigate advanced sensing and monitoring techniques, robust and flexible communication strategies, visualization technologies, and AI technologies for data processing, reasoning, and decision-making.\n \n The project will address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, including Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Responsible Consumption and Production.\n \n The PhD candidate will work closely with industry partners (subject to availability) to identify specific use cases and requirements for the development of energy productivity, monitoring and enhancing, solutions. The project will involve the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the solutions in real-world settings. The PhD candidate will also be expected to conduct research on relevant theories and models related to IIoT, energy management, and AI technologies.\n \n The expected outcome of the project is a suite of energy productivity solutions that are effective, efficient, and user-friendly, with the potential to reduce waste and improve efficiency in various industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Development of high-strength antibacterial Ti-Cu alloys enabled by additive manufacturing","description":"Titanium is currently the mainstream biomedical implant material for load bearing applications due to its good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. However, bacterial infection occurs in a chance of as high as 16% for hip surgery and the patients have to suffer from the pain from secondary operation. It is a consensus that addition of copper into titanium could enhance the antibacterial performance significantly as copper has excellent spectrum antimicrobial properties. As a result, Ti-Cu alloys attracted increasing attention as promising antibacterial materials for biomedical applications. The performance of Ti-Cu alloys is closely related to its microstructure. It is revealed by recent studies that finer secondary phase, Ti2Cu, in Ti-Cu alloys improves antibacterial performance and also better mechanical properties. Metal additive manufacturing appears to be the ideal manufacturing technique to produce Ti-Cu alloys with desirable properties because the ultrahigh cooling rates during the building process usually leads to very fine microstructure and compositional homogeneity. This project aims to harness the unrivalled power of additive manufacturing to develop high-strength antibacterial Ti-Cu alloys that can be used as a new generation of biomedical implant material. The effect of copper addition, laser scanning strategy and post treatment on the as-built Ti-Cu alloys on the microstructure, defect configuration and resultant mechanical properties will be comprehensive investigated. The antibacterial properties and in vitro corrosion rate will be tested after optimisation of the composition and processing parameters. The overall performance will be compared with the commercial Ti-6Al-4V and commercially pure Ti respectively.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Improving wear and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys for automotive applications","description":"It is well recognised that magnesium and its alloys have higher specific strength and higher damping capacity, over steels and aluminium alloys. As a result, the development of magnesium alloys as a light-weighting solution for automotive applications has attracted increasing attention and gained enormous investment since 1990\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. However, magnesium alloys usually suffer from poor corrosion resistance and wear resistance, which poses a critical barrier to wider adoption of Mg alloys by automotive manufacturer. Therefore, it is of technological significance to develop a low-cost and reliable process to improve the corrosion and wear resistance of magnesium alloys. This project will address the aforementioned challenge through laser cladding on the surface of magnesium component. Laser cladding can provide strong metallurgical bonding between coating and substrate, a fine and uniform microstructure due to rapid cooling rates and better thermal fatigue properties. In addition, laser cladding is an environmental-friendly, simple, and time-saving process, and hence it offers a promising pathway to solve this long-standing problem. In this project, new cladding materials which are compatible with aluminium at joint in a vehicle will be developed and the associated laser cladding processing parameters will be optimised to minimise the defects and cracks in the laser processed layer. The microstructure evolution from the bottom to the top of the cladded part will be characterised in a comprehensive manner by SEM and TEM. The wear and corrosion resistance after cladding will then be validated compared to the naked magnesium substrate in the freestanding and service conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Developing high-performance high-entropy alloys for demanding applications","description":"High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are an emerging class of alloys in materials family with equal (or near equal) molar fractions of multiple elements in a single solid solution. HEAs have a number of unusual characteristics, such as high thermal stability, excellent corrosion resistance and in particular, superior strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures [1,2], which far exceed the properties of conventional engineering alloys, like steels and titanium alloys. So HEAs are ideal candidate materials for many challenging cryogenic applications, like the carrier for storage and transport of liquefied nature gas from deep in the sea and ship propulsion systems working in cold ocean current, etc. This project aims to further enhance the mechanical properties of near eutectic HEAs enabled by metal additive manufacturing (AM). On one hand, the high cooling rates during the metal AM process can further refine the lamellar microstructure and lead to higher strength and toughness compared to the cast counterpart. On the other hand, solidification in a very small molten pool reduces macro-segregation of solute elements. In this project, laser processing strategy will be optimised for minimising the porosity and cracks in the as-built HEA samples. The as-fabricated and heat treated microstructure will be comprehensively characterised and resultant mechanical properties will be assessed at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dong Qiu","title":"Hetero-deformation induced strengthening in additively manufactured alloys","description":"Heterostructured materials with an alternating pattern of soft zones and hard zones in a micro-scale, have been reported as a new class of materials with superior mechanical properties, over conventional alloys with uniform microstructure. The underpinning mechanism is called Hetero-deformation induced (HDI) strengthening, where back stress is developed in soft zones to offset the applied stress. However, most of the current HDI related research are confined within conventional manufacturing techniques, like rolling, forging and extrusion, etc. In this project, the magnitude of HDI strengthening will be comprehensively evaluated in a metal additively manufactured (AM) component. Due to the ultra-high cooling rate and multiple thermal cycles during the metal AM process, microstructural heterogeneity easily develops in the as-fabricated component, in particular in hypo-eutectic alloys where the ultra-fine eutectics act as the hard zone, surrounding the pro-eutectic phase as the soft zone. A wide range of laser processing parameters will be investigated to tune the configuration (size, volume fraction and distribution) of soft zones and hard zones. The resultant mechanical properties will be tested to optimise the processing parameter. In addition, hierarchical hetero-structure will also be studied by incorporating the periodic macro-bands across layers. It is expected that the research outcomes can be used to guide the design of new high-performance heterostructured materials enabled by metal AM.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Benjamin Noble","title":"Developing Switchable Ligands to Control Gold Nanocluster Interfaces","description":"This project aims to unlock the catalytic activity of protected gold nanoclusters by developing switchable ligands capable of undergoing controlled detachment and exchange. This project expects to provide a detailed understanding of how the gold thiolate interface of nanoclusters influences their physical and chemical properties. Expected outcomes of this project include the design of improved catalysts for chemical synthesis and biological assays using computer aided chemical modelling. These catalysts should be easier to recover after use, which should improve cost-effectiveness. They should also improve the accuracy of biological sensors, which could ultimately be used for the rapid and early detection of diseases.\n \n This project is an excellent opportunity for driven students to learn advanced molecular modelling approaches, while working within a multidisciplinary team (Materials Modelling and Simulation Group) with expertise in Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi","title":"AI and Machine Learning for Robotic Perception and Manipulation","description":"Robots are usually equipped with multiple RGB-D cameras, TOF, and laser sensors and can actively collect a large amount of raw data. However, labelling and training large data sets hinder supervised learning methods in changing environments. Machine learning frameworks have gained increasing attention in many robotic applications, where expensive data collection and labelling for supervised learning is not feasible. Considering the task of robotic manipulation or assembly in a changing and unstructured environment, weekly supervised learning and deep reinforcement learning (DRL) are more compelling solutions compared to supervised learning. The problem of object detection and segmentation can be addressed based on weakly supervised learning methods, while DRL can solve the grasping task of irregular objects and trajectory planning. The doctoral student will work on an exciting project lying at the intersection of robotics and machine learning. Specifically, this project studies the state-of-the-art learning framework and its application to robotic vision and manipulating objects in an unstructured and changing environment. We will investigate core tasks of visual object detection, classification and grasping for robotics manipulation or assembly. We will draw from state-of-art computer vision and learning methods and adapt new algorithms for the considered robotic scenario. We will consider a stationary-base or floating-base robotic arm actively exploring the environment to detect\/classify objects on a tabletop or in a room. Then, at the next stages, we will engage the interactive capabilities of the robot and DRL to perform various grasping, pushing, pulling, assembly or disassembly of objects of interest from different and diverse views.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ehsan Asadi","title":"Advances in Intelligent Robotics and Collaborative Automation","description":"The industry is part of the recent global movement for attaining digital platforms, automation and robotization in various domains (e.g. manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics and transport). Still, the pace of applying intelligent and autonomous robots in real-world applications is slow. Most of the traditional robotic systems in manufacturing, automobile, and so on, are meant to automate predictable tasks, manual repetitive or cognitive repetitive, with no people nearby, and robots rely on precise CAD models (i.e., cars) or vision to manipulate workpieces that are fixed, relative to the robotic systems. Recent research is motivated by the huge need for automation of cognitive nonrepetitive tasks. Future robots need to perform many nonrepetitive tasks that frequently change in small-volume manufacturing or in unstructured and dynamic environments, which are much harder to automate. In this project, students will design a new generation of robotic systems with novel locomotion [3], vision-based perception and path planning for manipulation in 3-D environments [1][2][3], and robot-human collaboration [3] to deal with task variations and uncertainties in the environment. By enabling robots to learn from their own experience and specified goals, it is possible to automate complex processes robustly. Students can work on the following topics: a) machine learning applied to nonrepetitive tasks, teaching by demonstration and human-robot skill transfer: To handle the effects of extreme conditions on perception and localization. b) Robots and mechanisms with novel locomotion, high precision, force sensing and control: To automate challenging tasks that are considered dangerous, dirty and dull (3D) for human workers. c) Automated path planning methods for manipulators operating in complex workspaces: To allow robotic manipulation in unstructured and changing environments. d) Robots that are inherently safe for interaction with human beings, understanding of human intention: To enable close human-robot collaboration. Prospective students should have prior knowledge and a strong background in machine learning, mechanical \/ mechatronics design, and control.\n References:\n [1]- H. Dong, E. Asadi, G. Sun, D.K.Prasad, I-Ming Chen. Real-Time Robotic Manipulation of Cylindrical Objects in Dynamic Scenarios Through Elliptic Shape Primitives. IEEE Transactions on Robotics, Vol. 35:1, 2019. DOI: 10.1109\/TRO.2018.2868804 [2]- Huixu Dong, Ehsan Asadi, Chen Qiu, Jian Dai, I-Ming Chen. Geometric Design Optimization of an Under-Actuated Tendon-Driven Robotic Gripper. Robotics and Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Vol. 50, pp. 80-89, 2018. [3] Ehsan Asadi, Bingbing Li and I-Ming Chen. Pictobot: A Cooperative Painting Robot for Interior Finishing of Industrial developments. IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 82-94, June 2018","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maciej Mazur","title":"Design and additive manufacture of a high-performance hybrid rocket motor","description":"Demand for wider, low-cost space access is increasing rapidly due to the significant expansion of the space economy in recent years. Specifically, economical rocket propulsion engines for small scale launch vehicles are in demand by industry and research institutions to help accelerate the development of new technologies for earth observation. Most current space launch services rely on liquid, regeneratively cooled rocket engines which are complex and incur significant manufacturing cost, thereby limiting their economic feasibility for small scale launch applications. A potential way to reduce complexity and cost is to use hybrid rocket motors which incorporate solid propellants, and which can be manufactured at lower costs. However, such rocket motors exhibit reduced performance, partially due to design compromises imposed by constraints associated with traditional manufacturing methods. However, recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) have significantly increased the range of manufacturable geometries, enabling the economic construction of complex designs previously not feasible. There is potential that through the application of emerging AM techniques, the performance of hybrid rocket engines can be increased thereby expanding their suitability for small scale launch vehicles. This PhD project aims to develop a compact, high-performance hybrid rocket motor suitable for small-scale launch vehicles. The project will address key research challenges in thermo-mechanical and combustion modelling, material selection, design for AM by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) technology, as well as extensive experimental testing and analysis. The project will be undertaken at the world-class RMIT Center for Additive manufacture (RCAM) and facilitated by a multi-disciplinary supervisory team.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nirajan Shiwakoti","title":"New methods for simulating the adoption and deployment of automated vehicles","description":"Emerging automated vehicle technology (AVT) could considerably change road transport and mobility service. AVT, however, faces some barriers to adoption. The adoption rate and market penetration of AVT depend on an interconnected network of influences. For example, AVT must overcome the perceived risks to safety, data-cyber security and ethical issues (e.g., liability, privacy). Undesirable events, such as crashes and data theft, might occur due to malfunctioning control systems and malicious hacking. This project aims to develop new methods and tools to conduct uncertainty analyses on various interventions (i.e. technology and policy scenarios to gain insights into facilitating the adoption and deployment of AVT.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nirajan Shiwakoti","title":"Modelling Adoption and Deployment of Electrical Vehicles","description":"Electric Vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity in recent years mainly due to price reduction, improvement in battery technology and sustainability awareness. However, the adoption and deployment of EVs are still at a slow pace. The project aims to develop a modelling tool to identify the short-term and long-term leverage points for adopting and deploying EVs. The project will consider EV users' perceptions of tangible and intangible incentives that may influence EVs adoption, route planning and charging behaviour. Understanding users\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 behaviour is critical for the successful deployment of EVs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nirajan Shiwakoti","title":"Developing Resilient Transport Systems During Disruptions or Disasters","description":"Different disruptions and threats, such as natural disasters (e.g., bushfires, floods), technological failures, and terrorist attacks, have consistently put large populations at risk worldwide. A robust and resilient transportation system is required to absorb the effects of such disturbances and to safeguard operational continuity. Emergency managers have the big task of planning for such risks by developing strategies to alleviate damage and protect lives. Therefore, this research aims to develop approaches to assess the vulnerability and resiliency of multi-modal transport systems. Diverse transport systems issues under natural and human-made disasters will be explored and examined in this project, including traffic networks and demand management, evacuee behaviour, mode of transport, multiple objectives, and spatial and temporal distribution of evacuees.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Stasinopoulos","title":"Dynamical life cycle assessment","description":"The life cycle assessment (LCA) technique is used to quantify the environmental impacts of a product, process, or decision. The standard LCA method, however, makes some limiting assumptions that exclude changes in parameter values over time. This lack of the temporal dimension and the focus on a single functional unit lead to uncertainty in estimates, especially for new, high-volume, long-life products and processes; and for products and processes that have long-term impacts.\n \n The aim of this project is to explore the value and challenges of an LCA technique that can account for the dynamics (i.e., changes over time) in adoption, consumer behaviour, resource consumptions, emissions, and environmental impacts. The focus is on dynamics that are driven by feedback, accumulation, and delays. Such complex dynamics often occur throughout product fleets and in the wider system, beyond the products themselves.\n \n The main contribution will be to the LCA methodology. Results may include the identification of circumstances in which dynamical LCAs provide worthwhile benefits over static\/steady-state LCAs. Dynamic processes may be modelled using system dynamics modelling, agent-based modelling, analytical approaches, or other methods.\n \n Case studies may address products, processes, and decisions that relate to clean\/renewable energy, other clean technology, critical metals and minerals, emerging high technology (including autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, and distributed ledger technologies), forests and biomass, other natural resources, emerging economies, humanitarian action, and development assistance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"MR216 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Stasinopoulos","title":"Dynamical life cycle assessment","description":"The life cycle assessment (LCA) technique is used to quantify the environmental impacts of a product, process, or decision. The standard LCA method, however, makes some limiting assumptions that exclude changes in parameter values over time. This lack of the temporal dimension and the focus on a single functional unit lead to uncertainty in estimates, especially for new, high-volume, long-life products and processes; and for products and processes that have long-term impacts.\n \n The aim of this project is to explore the value and challenges of an LCA technique that can account for the dynamics (i.e., changes over time) in adoption, consumer behaviour, resource consumptions, emissions, and environmental impacts. The focus is on dynamics that are driven by feedback, accumulation, and delays. Such complex dynamics often occur throughout product fleets and in the wider system, beyond the products themselves.\n \n The main contribution will be to the LCA methodology. Results may include the identification of circumstances in which dynamical LCAs provide worthwhile benefits over static\/steady-state LCAs. Dynamic processes may be modelled using system dynamics modelling, agent-based modelling, analytical approaches, or other methods.\n \n Case studies may address products, processes, and decisions that relate to clean\/renewable energy, other clean technology, critical metals and minerals, emerging high technology (including autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, and distributed ledger technologies), forests and biomass, other natural resources, emerging economies, humanitarian action, and development assistance.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Development of nanodiamond\/selenium based medical textiles","description":"By serving as a physical or chemical barrier, the human skin protects internal organs from microbes, dehydration, and environmental hostility [1]. The functionality of skin and neighbouring cells could be damaged by severe injuries like trauma, disease, burns, or surgical procedures [2]. Bacterial development from the injured skin may lead to infection and hinder recovery [3]. The rise of multi-drug resistance strains of bacteria, in particular, caused serious clinical challenges and lost lives, particularly in developing nations where antimicrobials were widely available without a prescription [4]. Additionally, the environmental issues brought on by the contamination of water resources with antibiotics and related pharmaceutics [5]. Finding a different approach to prevent bacterial infection and the development of the wounded site is however unavoidable [6]. \n The primary goal of the current study is to fabricate Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) loaded membrane or electrospun nanofibrous mat composed of chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), where a variety of concentrations of SeNPs will be used to boost the antibacterial properties of the composite. To examine the possible biosensing and biocompatibility, another membrane or electrospun nanofibrous mat of CS and PVA hybrid doped with different concentrations of Nanodiamonds (NDs) will be generated. Eventually, an electro-spinning process will be used to achieve a fibrous composite of CS\/PVA\/SeNPs\/NDs for possible use in biomedical applications especially wound dressing. Based on the previous studies, there are hardly any narratives about the production, characterization, or impact assessment of a nanocomposite electrospun CS\/PVA\/SeNPs\/NDs nanofibrous membrane or mat for wound dressing. Using this next-generation nanocomposite wound dressing, hopefully, a wound could be protected from bacterial growth and infection as well as the mats could help with wound ventilation and exudate management, which would speed up the healing process. The presence of NDs on this multifunctional wound dressing is highly anticipated to add temperature-sensing features that can be employed to track and detect the status of an infection and recovery phase.\n References\n \n 1. Hoque J, Haldar J. Direct Synthesis of Dextran-Based Antibacterial Hydrogels for Extended Release of Biocides and Eradication of Topical Biofilms. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2017 May 2;9(19):15975\u00e2\u20ac\u201c85.\n 2. Huang X, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Xu L, Chen X, Wei S. Influence of radiation crosslinked carboxymethyl-chitosan\/gelatin hydrogel on cutaneous wound healing. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 2013 Dec;33(8):4816\u00e2\u20ac\u201c24.\n 3. Adeli H, Khorasani MT, Parvazinia M. Wound dressing based on electrospun PVA\/chitosan\/starch nanofibrous mats: Fabrication, antibacterial and cytocompatibility evaluation and in vitro healing assay. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2019 Feb;122(Epub 2018 Oct 18):238\u00e2\u20ac\u201c54.\n 4. Ardekani NT, Khorram M, Zomorodian K, Yazdanpanah S, Veisi H, Veisi H. Evaluation of electrospun poly (vinyl alcohol)-based nanofiber mats incorporated with Zataria multiflora essential oil as potential wound dressing. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2019 Mar;125:743\u00e2\u20ac\u201c50.\n 5. Levy SB, Marshall B. Antibacterial resistance worldwide: causes, challenges and responses. Nature Medicine [Internet]. 2004 Nov 30;10(S12):S122\u00e2\u20ac\u201c9. Available from: https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nm1145\n 6. Ahmed MK, Moydeen AM, Ismail AM, El-Naggar ME, Menazea AA, El-Newehy MH. Wound dressing properties of functionalized environmentally biopolymer loaded with selenium nanoparticles. Journal of Molecular Structure. 2021 Feb;1225:129138.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Tissue- Engineered Vascular Grafts","description":"Coronary artery diseases and peripheral vascular disease are leading causes of death and impaired quality of life. Vascular graft plays an important role in the contemporary management of a wide range of clinical conditions, including coronary artery bypass and distal limb bypass. In most cases, autologous tissue, in the preferred treatment and gold standard for the long-term revascularization especially for small diameter vessels (<6mm). However, these vessels are of limited availability, require invasive harvest which can be associated with significant morbidity and are often unsuitable for use. Synthetic vascular grafts represent an alternative to autologous vessels. Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) have been developed to overcome these issues and withstand the high pressures of the arterial circulation. Most TEVGs seek to replicate the biological and mechanical properties of native blood vessels, if not the protein, materials, and cells themselves present in native vascular architecture. These grafts have shown satisfactory long-term results for replacement of large- and medium-diameter arteries, such as the carotid or common femoral artery, but have poor patency rates when applied to small-diameter vessels(<6mm), such as coronary arteries and arteries below the knee. Considering the limitations of current vascular bypass conduits, a TEVG with the ability to grow, remodel, and repair in vivo presents a potential solution for the future of vascular surgery. \n An ideal TEVG will undergo rapid vascular remodelling process by facilitating cellular infiltration and scaffold degeneration. This project will focus on feasibility of novel small arterial TEVGs created using several biodegradable materials and their combinations to consider the degradation rate, processability, ease of manufacturing, cellular infiltration. Furthermore, fabrication conditions for specific techniques will be optimised for tunable physical and chemical properties that can lead to optimum tissue formation in vitro and regeneration in vivo, and experimental data will be used for modelling the grafts.\n References\n 1. T. Funkunisi, et al, Tissue Engineering small diameter arterial vascular grafts from cell-free nanofiber PCL\/Chitosan scaffold in a sheep Model, PLOS ONE, 2016; DOI:10.1371\/journal.pone.0158555 \n 2. M. Carrabba and P. Madeddu, Current strategies for the manufacture of small size tissue engineering vascular grafts, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2018, doi: 10.3389\/fbioe.2018.00041\n 3. C. S. Ong, et al, Tissue engineering vascular grafts: current state of the field, EXPERT REVIEW OF MEDICAL DEVICES, 2017, VOL. 14, NO. 5, 383\u00e2\u20ac\u201c392, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/17434440.2017.1324293\n 4. S. Pashneh-Tala, et el, The tissue engineered vascular graft- past present and future, TISSUE ENGINEERING: Part B, Volume 22, Number 1, 2016, DOI: 10.1089\/ten.teb.2015.0100\n 5. F. Ahmed, N.R. Choudhury et al Interaction of Platelet with Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) electrospun surfaces, Biomacromolecules 2014, 15: 744\u00e2\u20ac\u201c755 \n 6. F. Ahmed, N.R. Choudhury et al Engineering interaction between bone marrow derived endothelial cells and electrospun surfaces for artificial vascular graft applications, Biomacromolecules 2014 15(4):1276-87 \n 7. F. Ahmed, N. R. Choudhury et al Fabrication and characterisation of an electrospun tubular 3D scaffold platform of poly (vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) for small-diameter blood vessel application, J. of Biomat. Sci., Polym. Ed. 2014, 25, 18, 2023\u00e2\u20ac\u201c2041.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Bioengineered materials with visibility under medical imaging","description":"Imaging techniques are utilised for a variety of applications, including 3D imaging to analyse heat and drought stress on food crops, the microstructure of composites, ceramic, polymer, and modelling organisms, as well as visualising internal interactions of biological components within physiological systems in a non-invasive and rapid way. However, it is challenging to visualise internal soft biological structures or embedded polymeric materials with high clarity under current imaging techniques. Such materials can be used to support or modify (e.g., by releasing compounds) biological structures in complex physiological systems. Since not all soft tissue or polymeric materials absorb X-rays or have similar contrast properties under X-rays, imaging of these components is usually suboptimal due to low resolution and clarity [1,2]. Novel agents are therefore required to better delineate soft tissues and polymeric materials in physiological systems and enhance the contrast between soft tissue and polymeric materials. This project will achieve this by untapping the potential of nanomaterials and nanoscale fabrication to increase the contrast sensitivity of the agents and improve the visualisation or be able to model their structure and interactions. \n Contrast agents are usually taken up by soft biological structures (for example, biological tissues) and increase visibility and definition using a range of imaging techniques, such as Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques. However, most currently available contrast agents undergo rapid clearance, within a few hours, from physiological systems and can cause issues such as reduction in biological functions when remaining in tissue for extended durations (48 hrs). In addition, the polymeric materials used to support damaged tissue generally have poor absorbance properties resulting in difficulties visualising using current imaging techniques such as CT and MRI [2,3]. Therefore, suitable contrast agents are required to understand and study the interaction between the polymeric materials used to support damaged tissue and the biological system, as well as detailed information about their conditions in a non-invasive way [1][4]. \n This project will therefore provide a completely novel non-invasive visualisation technique applicable to define internal biological structures and polymeric structural materials, such as sutures, thread, and gels, in functioning complex physiological systems. The fluorescent properties of carbon dots combined with their chemical sensitivity make them suitable for applications such as the detection of corrosion, manufacturing defects modelling organisms, microstructure analysis and failure behaviour of polymeric composites. \n References\n 1. Jeong, Y., et al., Biocompatible carbonized iodine-doped dots for contrast-enhanced CT imaging. Biomater Res, 2022. 26(1): p. 27.\n 2. Yin, M., et al., Precisely translating computed tomography diagnosis accuracy into therapeutic intervention by a carbon-iodine conjugated polymer. Nat Commun, 2022. 13(1): p. 2625.\n 3. Ballard, D.H., et al., 3D printing of surgical hernia mesh impregnated with contrast agents: in vitro proof of concept with imaging characteristics on computed tomography. 3D Print Med, 2018. 4(1): p. 13.\n 4. Ding, X., et al., Preparation and Biocompatibility Study of Contrast-Enhanced Hernia Mesh Material. Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2022. 19(4): p. 703-715.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Stuart Bateman","title":"Design and manufacture of ultra performance materials for use as thermal protection systems for aerospace applications","description":"Aerospace manufacturers have an interest in developing materials that could be used as thermal protection for space vehicles traveling at hypersonic velocities. The goal of this research is to develop a class of materials and manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing that could one day substantially reduce the manufacturing and assembly costs of space vehicle thermal protection systems (TPS). Knowledge gained in this area would not only underpin this grand challenge but near term support the development of materials with improved thermal stability and flammability for application in transportation and critical civil infrastructure.\n Currently the range of materials available for Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) based additive manufacturing is limited compared to other polymer manufacturing processes. Even less is known about FDM manufacturing of ultra-performance polymeric materials such as those with high inherent stability and which undergo chemical \/ physical transformations to produce stable insulative residues on exposure to extreme thermal events, the focus of this project. Research into thermally responsive polymeric materials and additive manufacturing would be conducted at RMIT, . Investigation of thermal, fire performance and ablative response of specimens via micro-scale combustion calorimetry, oxy-acetylene test bed (OTB) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) would be conducted in collaboration with co-supervisor Prof Joe Koo at the University of Texas (Austin). Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) will be used to analyze the heat transfer between the specimens under various scenarios compared with material response obtained experimentally to develop predictive models to support the research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tingting Song","title":"Hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials by 3D printing and nanofabrication","description":"This project aims to develop a novel approach to the manufacture of hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials with a fine nanoporous tantalum surface through capitalizing on the advantages of metal 3D printing and a unique post nanofabrication process. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the design and manufacture of hierarchical metal lattice materials. Expected outcomes include a new advanced manufacturing method and a new class of highly biocompatible hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials. The former should benefit the Australian Manufacturing Industry for the manufacture of a variety of novel metal lattice materials or products while the latter has the potential for applications as implant materials.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yingyan Zhang","title":"Development of graphene\/epoxy composites membrane","description":"The exceptional properties of graphene have endowed it with enormous potentials in the anti-corrosion applications for most common metals. The challenging issue in the anti-corrosion application of graphene is the fatal galvanic corrosion occurring between graphene and metals. To make the best use of graphene for long-term corrosion protection, it is of paramount importance that its adversely galvanic corrosion is avoided. In this project, we tackle the challenge of galvanic corrosion of graphene via physically uncoupling by developing a novel graphene\/epoxy nanocomposite coating.\n \n This project includes property characterization by molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory, inverse design by machine learning and structural analysis by continuum mechanics modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yongmin Zhong","title":"Dynamic Soft Tissue Characterisation","description":"Soft tissue properties are important to many modern applications of technology to medicine, such as robotic surgery, surgical simulation and training, tissue engineering and biomanufacturing. The behaviors of soft tissue deformation under applied physical force relies on tissue mechanical properties, which are dynamically changing during tool-tissue interaction. Therefore, soft tissues properties must be acquired and studied through a dynamic characterization process for accurate modelling of soft tissue deformation. This project aims to study the fundamental issues associated with dynamic soft tissue characterisation during the process of tool-tissue interaction (such as palpation-based disease diagnosis, and needle insertion for percutaneous interventions). It is expected to establish advanced real-time estimation algorithms based on biomechanical models to dynamically identify tissue mechanical properties.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yunhui Chen","title":"Unraveling the secrets of laser additive manufacturing using synchrotron radiation","description":"Laser Additive Manufacturing of metals is revolutionising the manufacturing sector for the flexibility to create complex geometries directly from a digital design. However, very high cooling rates and many rapid\n thermal cycles pose many challenges in achieving industrial standard components. This project aims to use synchrotron radiation to resolve the challenges in additive manufacturing by looking inside the process with fast Synchrotron X-ray imaging. With a framerate > 40kHz, we will be able to observe the laser-matter interaction in-situ and understand in-depth the defects and phases forming process. The student will be able to visit world-leading synchrotron facilities including The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France and the Advanced Photon Source in the US for experiments and get trained by beamline scientists in advanced X-ray techniques. This project will also provide the student with real industrial experiences with access to industrial applications and a variety of additive manufacturing machines in the RMIT AM center.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Hamid Khayyam","title":"Intelligent Modelling, Control and Optimization of Engineering Complex Systems (Energy, Transportation, and Automation) ","description":"Complex systems pose significant challenges in mechanical, mechatronics, and electrical engineering. These systems involve studying the interrelationships among multiple entities, which contribute to collective behavior and often reveal intricate dynamic phenomena. Modeling such systems necessitates the use of sophisticated mathematical tools. However, it is evident that our current human knowledge and scientific tools fall short in capturing the overall complexity of system dynamics. Therefore, the need for new theoretical advancements and novel challenges in applications drives the development of suitable tools for accurately describing complex systems. One potential solution involves utilizing intelligent systems that incorporate intelligence into machine-handled applications. Intelligent systems are capable of performing search, control, optimization, and learning functions. Intelligent system design can incorporate various types of machine learning, such as supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning, and deep reinforcement learning. This approach can be applied to the design of diagnostics, construction, and operation of autonomous vehicles, autonomous robots, trains, tram, EVs, Bus, batteries, energy systems, as well as mechanical, mechatronics, and electrical engineering systems.\n\nThe objective of this project is to develop an intelligent model for real-time control and optimization of complex mechanical, mechatronics, and electrical systems.\nThe candidate is expected to have good knowledge in data analytics and mathematical modelling.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"400702 Automation engineering ; 400705 Control engineering ; 401703 Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tingting Song","title":"Hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials by 3D printing and nanofabrication","description":"This project aims to develop a novel approach to the manufacture of hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials with a fine nanoporous tantalum surface through capitalizing on the advantages of metal 3D printing and a unique post nanofabrication process. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the design and manufacture of hierarchical metal lattice materials. Expected outcomes include a new advanced manufacturing method and a new class of highly biocompatible hierarchical tantalum-titanium lattice materials. The former should benefit the Australian Manufacturing Industry for the manufacture of a variety of novel metal lattice materials or products while the latter has the potential for applications as implant materials.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Milan Simic","title":"Managing Transition to Electrical Vehicles","description":"We are currently in the state of the transition from the use of internal combustion engines to the electrical vehicles. It is driven by the demands for the environmental sustainability, less greenhouse emissions and less global warming. Transport sector, worldwide, is generating 10 to 20% of the pollution. To reduce that, we need technology developments, because the new technology, from the customers point of view, should match costs and performances of the traditional transport options. This transition is a major disruption affecting the whole economy of the country and globally. We need investment in new EV infrastructure to cover all transport network. Now, we have following major EV technology streams: Battery Electric Vehicle, Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, and Fuel Cell or Fuel Cell Electric. To support the transition, we need governments\u2019 understanding and commitments with clear policies. Pathways are not straightforward. To have green transportation using EVs we need to use green produced electrical energy. This is not the case in many countries, and the energy sector is currently producing more pollution than the transportation itself. In addition to that, battery life is around five years and the pollution caused by the improper handling, as it is mainly now, could be another attack to the environment. Transition management modelling, systems modelling, and Artificial Intelligence, i.e., Neural Network and Fuzzy Logic, will be methodology tools used for the predictions and proposals for the future directions.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Duyao Zhang","title":"Additive manufacturing of ternary Ti alloys with tuneable microstructure","description":"This project aims to design new class Ti-based alloys specifically for metal additive manufacturing (MAM) with fully equiaxed grains. It is well accepted that achievement of a fine grain size generally leads to improved mechanical properties and structural uniformity of most metals and alloys. However, MAM process is a non-equilibrium solidification processing because of much higher cooling rate and thermal gradient than conventional casting process. As a result, it is a big challenge to form equiaxed grains in MAM, especially in Ti-based alloys. In addition, alloys currently employed in industry have been originally designed for conventional manufacturing routes and not optimized for MAM. Hence, this project will tackle these challenges by considering the thermodynamic behaviour of the alloy elements during solidification to override the negative effects of solidification conditions during MAM.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Duyao Zhang","title":"Develop new fine-grained high-performance Ti alloys by metal 3D printing","description":"This project aims to develop a new class of Ti alloys that have very fine equiaxed grains and excellent mechanical properties, enabled by 3D metal printing. The key innovation is enabling grains that are finer and sprout in all directions, strengthening the overall structure and overcome the problems that conventional alloys have undesirably coarse-grained microstructures. The expected outcomes will lead to the widespread adoption of 3D metal printing for the production of high-performance structural parts, for which reliably high-quality microstructures and mechanical properties are of the utmost importance.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"MR216P23 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rory Gover","title":"Accurate acceleration limit determination methods for quasi-steady state vehicle modeling.","description":"Lap time simulation is a useful tool in motorsport for the design and development of a race car. Two common lap time simulation methods are Quasi-Steady-State (QSS) and Transient-Optimization (TO) with the former generally being computationally less intensive however not as accurate as the latter. This research project aims to improve QSS vehicle models\u2019 accuracy relative to TO models whilst remaining computationally efficient through the development of algorithms to accurately determine the acceleration capacity of a QSS vehicle across a wide operational domain. An accurate and computationally efficient lap time simulation method has many useful applications other than racecar development such as autonomous vehicle control or advanced driver assistance systems. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"400203 Automotive mechatronics and autonomous systems  50%\n401706 Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"MR216P23 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yunhui Chen","title":"Synchrotron X-ray understanding of Laser Additive Manufacturing processes","description":"Laser additive manufacturing (LAM; laser 3D printing) is a key underpinning technology for the digital revolution (Industry 4.0), producing complex objects directly from 3D CAD drawings. LAM has incredible potential in rapid prototyping for aerospace, energy, and biomedical applications. Exciting opportunities arise in this research space to create components with exceptional mechanical performance and unique properties using alloy design and process control approach. However, due to the transient nature of the process, the understanding of LAM is limited through traditional post-mortem analysis, necessitating in-situ characterisation. Synchrotron X-ray techniques have only been implemented in LAM research recently but have shown huge advantages over traditional techniques in capturing, both in real and reciprocal space, the LAM processes, evidenced by a series of publications in Science and Nature. \n\nOur research group has pioneered the research field of Synchrotron X-ray investigation of LAM processes. Dr. Chen has developed a series of world-first additive manufacturing machines (both Powder Bed Fusion and blown powder Directed Energy Deposition) that work on synchrotron beamlines at the Diamond Light Source (UK), European Synchrotron Radiation Facilities (France), and Advanced Photon Source (USA) which can do in-situ monitoring and quantification of the LAM process. \n\nThis project aims to design and implement an in-line monitoring system which allows to generate defects free LAM components which process unique mechanical properties. In this project, the Master candidate will be provided with an exciting and unique opportunity to work with alloy design and solidification experts, machine learning experts and synchrotron x-ray material characterisation experts. Using in-situ Synchrotron X-ray results as ground truth, the candidate will develop a new approach will enable fast prediction of defects and microstructure formation on-the-fly during LAM processes. This project has significant industrial and academic potentials to fulfil the candidate\u2019s ambition.\n\nThe candidate will be based at Advanced Manufacturing Precinct, RMIT University, Australia with long placements at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, France. In addition, the PhD candidate will be supported by more than 10 research institutes and industrial partners across the globe with potential placement opportunities.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"404014 Manufacturing engineering (25%) ; 404016 Materials engineering (25%) ; 515110 Synchrotrons and accelerators (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Yarovsky","title":"Computational models of bio \u2013 nano material interfaces for novel biomedical applications","description":"The project will model biomolecule interactions with nanomaterials to develop novel devices for sensing of disease. You will theoretically characterise behaviour of nanomaterials in bio-environment at the time and length scales not achievable experimentally. These theoretical results will guide the experimental development of extremely sensitive diagnostic devices. You will collaborate with world leading experimental teams in the UK and Australia developing new nanomaterials and devices for biomedical exploitation, including point-of-care diagnostics and nanoparticle based treatments of diseases. You will develop atom-resolved models of novel nanomaterials in realistic biological settings using advanced computational chemistry and physics methods and high performance computing. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/03\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials ; 401807 \u2013 Nanomaterials ; 340402 - Biomolecular modelling and design"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Yarovsky","title":"Theoretical modelling of materials interfaces for Australian Steel industry","description":"RMIT is a partner in the Steel Innovation Research Hub funded by the Australian Research Council. The PhD candidate will work within the Steel Innovation Hub collaboratively with industry based technologists, academic Chief Investigators and their teams at RMIT and other partner Universities. The student will be trained to undertake high-quality, cutting-edge theoretical molecular modelling of hybrid materials at multiple time and length scales and contribute fundamental materials design principles to guide the industry in producing high quality environmentally efficient innovative steel products.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"25\/03\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials ;  401807 - Nanomaterials ; 340402 - Biomolecular modelling and design"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Shadi Houshyar","title":"Next-generation of Materials for Transvaginal Mesh (TVM)","description":"Transvaginal mesh (TVM) is a medical device utilized for over 15 years to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) [1,2]. However, approximately 8-15% of TVM implants result in complications: lower back and hip pain; vaginal bleeding; blood in the urine\/bladder\/urethra; poor urinary flow; loss of sexual function; recurrent urinary\/vaginal infection and organ perforation [1,3]. Vaginal exposure (mesh becomes visible through the vagina) is the most common complication requiring revision surgery to remove extruding\/eroded mesh, with complete mesh removal not guaranteed. The occurrence rate of mesh erosions increases from 17% to 42% at one to seven years post-implantation [4-5]. In addition, many adverse effects are related to poor integration of materials at the implantation site, which triggers chronic inflammatory responses and contractile scar tissue development around the implant. In 2017, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. issued bans on TVM due to public concern and reported complications. However, treatment with native tissue or suture techniques resulted in a high recurrence rate of POP [1, 6]. Therefore, the TVM implant still remains the first option for POP\/SUI treatment; as such, reported complications should be addressed and prevented - this warrants the need to develop alternative mesh materials. In this project, a novel electrospun, visible and biocompatible mesh will be developed to address the mismatch between implant properties and the pelvic organ\/bladder to enhance its function (mechanical support) and reduce inflammation. The designed and developed transvaginal mesh will possess: i) protein-repellent properties, ii) visibility, and iii) a special structure to reduce its shrinkage and inflammation.\nReferences\n1. CDRH, F.a., Urogynecologic Surgical Mesh: July 2011.\n2. Shafaat, S., et al., Neurourol Urodyn, 2018. 37(2): p. 716-725.\n3. Bae WJ, K.K., et al., Transl Androl Urol, 2014. 3(S1): AB221).\n4. Ballard, D.H., et al., 3D Print Med, 2018. 4(1): p. 13.\n5. Farthmann, J., et al., Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2016. 294(1): p. 115-21\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/06\/2026","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"090301 - Biomaterials (40%) ; 091205 - Functional Materials (20%) ; 091012 - Textile Technology (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"Thermal management of hybrid fuel cell-battery systems in mobile applications","description":"The proposed study aims to address the thermal management challenges associated with hybrid fuel cell-battery systems used in heavy-duty mobile applications, such as trucks and other mobile machineries (e.g., lift trucks). Thermal management of is a significant limitation in these applications due to i) the low operating temperature of fuel cells; ii) multiple thermal needs within the systems; and iii) limited space for heat exchangers. These challenges are pronounced more in extreme cold climates and in the absence of an optimally design energy management strategy.  This study will adopt a holistic system-level approach to address this challenge by considering critical operating conditions, thermal requirements within the systems, potential heat recovery options, and solutions for optimising energy management. The objectives of this study are to i) develop data-driven and simulation approaches for the simultaneous optimisation of energy management by considering the system's thermal requirements; ii) minimise external thermal interactions by identifying internal thermal bridging opportunities, with a focus on system cold-start as well as battery and hydrogen storage thermal management needs (where applicable); iii) address mismatches between available recovered heat and the various system's heat demands; iv) and v) develop methods for applying the findings of this study to various heavy-duty trucks and non-road mobile machinery.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400205 Hybrid and electric vehicles and powertrains"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216\/DR216P23 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"An Integrated Energy Management System of a Fuel Cell Electrified Heavy Duty Vehicle","description":"Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) comprise various subsystems such as the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), battery, and electric machine, each requiring a dedicated thermal management system in addition to the cabin HVAC module. Understanding the interactions between these subsystems in an integrated thermal management system is crucial for enhancing the overall performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability of the hybrid powertrain. While previous research has focused on standalone subsystems like fuel cells, batteries, or electrical controls, there is a need for an integrated energy management analysis of the entire powertrain, including the cabin, under realistic drive cycles that reflect city, highway, and urban driving conditions. Based on these observations, the objectives of the present investigation are formulated as follows: i) Develop an integrated energy management system that includes a fuel cell, battery, electrical machine, and cabin for a heavy-duty vehicle, and optimize its performance for different drive cycles; ii) Explore the energy efficiency and temperature stability of the proposed thermal management strategy on large-scale battery packs in both hot and cold ambient conditions; iii) Develop a regenerative and dynamic air humidification cycle using pure wastewater from the fuel cell stack to optimize the reaction rate and energy output for driving the powertrain; and iv) Expose the optimally designed electrical powertrain to different conditions, such as overcharging, and overheating to study thermal runaway and the multi-state reliability of the entire subsystem.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400201 hybrid and electric vehicles and powertrains"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Yasuhiro Tachibana, Rachel Caruso and School of Science","title":"Development of Photocatalytic Nanomaterials for Solar Water Splitting","description":"Solar water splitting is one of the most attractive processes to generate clean energy.[1] This process does not emit greenhouse gases, and the generated hydrogen can be stored and used when required. Although finding the optimum material combination is extremely challenging, extensive efforts have been focused on developing nanomaterials for such solar water splitting reactions at low cost. Identification of parameters controlling water splitting efficiency has also been extensively investigated, however research towards nanomaterial development in correlation with the reaction mechanism has rarely been conducted.[1]\r\n\r\nMetal oxide nanomaterials such as TiO2, Fe2O3 and WO3 and their doped materials have been intensively studied to improve efficiency of water oxidation reaction.[2] However, despite this progress, the mechanism of the key reactions has rarely been understood. We are interested in elucidating mechanisms of photocatalytic water splitting reactions, and studied charge carrier dynamics,[3] and identified several key parameters that potentially control water splitting reactions.\r\n\r\nThis project aims at developing novel photocatalytic nanomaterials to be applied for solar water splitting devices. We will employ wet chemistry methods to synthesize metal oxide (MFe2O4 or WOx) nanocrystals and\/or g-C3N4 nanostructures, and employ state-of-the-art transient absorption spectroscopies and a time resolved microwave conductivity system, installed in part with the support from the awarded ARC LIEF funds (LE200100051 and LE170100235), respectively.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Y. Tachibana, L. Vayssieres, J. R. Durrant, Nature Photon., 6(8) 511-518 (2012).\r\n[2] Can Li et al. ACS Catal. 7 (2017) 675-688.\r\n[3] Y. Tachibana et al., Appl. Catal. B-Environ., 296 (2021) 120226.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340607 Reaction kinetics and dynamics (45%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (40%)\r\n340304 Optical properties of materials (15%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"","teamleader":"Hamid Khayyam ","title":"Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Industrial Applications","description":"Sustainability is essential and should drive innovation through the combination of the circular economy and artificial intelligence in industries. Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in modern industrial settings enable initiatives to better observe, monitor, control, and optimize their mechanical and electrical operations. This leads to improvements in planning, decision-making, efficiency, quality, and productivity [1-4]. The implications for industries are significant. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning, coupled with the high levels of automation in modern industrial environments, has created a window of opportunity for forward-looking companies to surge ahead of the competition. \r\nThis project aims to identify current challenges and stimulate new ideas in the quest to realize the potential of Industry 4.0 and IoT.\r\nThe objective of this project is to focus on system and process analysis, modeling, prediction, and optimization to enhance the reduce, reuse, and recycle economy through the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. The project encompasses related topics, such as renewable energy, electricity supply and demand, bioenergy, robotics, sensors, machine learning, data analytics, material passports, life cycle assessments, life cycle costing, decarbonization, vehicles, energy storage, energy conservation, and energy usage in industrial. This occurs within the broader context of automation control and energy efficiency.\r\nThe candidate is expected to possess a strong understanding of data analytics and mathematical modelling.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"400702 Automation and Control Engineering\n400705 Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified\n401703 Energy generation, conversion and storage \n400203 Automotive mechatronics and autonomous systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sherman C.P. Cheung, Abdulghani Mohamed","title":"Multi-objective optimisation for drone propeller designs","description":"RMIT\/BITS will jointly develop a design methodology that comprises numerical techniques to optimise and assess the performance of propellers. Through the variation of geometric twist of the propellers and planform shape, the propeller geometry will be optimised using a multi-objective optimisation platform. The platform will use advanced surrogate methods to capture and replace lengthy computational simulations. This will significantly shorten the design cycle and improve the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of practical drome propellers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Targeted nasal drug delivery to improve patient outcomes","description":"Nasal drug delivery has emerged as a potential for systemic and possibly pulmonary treatment. It offers an interesting alternative for achieving systemic therapeutic effects of drugs that are comparable to the parenteral route, which can be inconvenient at times or oral administration, which can result in unacceptably low drug bioavailability. Targeted and controlled delivery devices will enable opportunities for new drugs to be delivered with targeted sites such as the olfactory region, sinuses, and even pulmonary. Drug delivery efficiency in a realistic human nasal cavity for a variety of aerosol drug administration systems targeting the olfactory region will be investigated. Outcomes of this work will lead to new innovative delivery device designs for effective respiratory treatment This project will involve experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) using PIV and PLIF at CSIRO, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using Ansys-Fluent aimed at providing practical solutions in order to improving drug delivery efficiency of inhalation therapy devices. Experimental measurements will be performed using both light scattering methods, and high speed photography. \nCoughs and sneezes are dramatic respiratory activities implicated as a primary source for airborne","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Aerosol generation and transmission from respiratory activity","description":"Transmission of viral laden droplets. However, viral droplets may also form during less dramatic events such as singing, shouting and breathing. In both types of activities, aerosols are generated from inside the respiratory airway. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs is poorly understood. The respiratory airway environment is moist, humid, and uniquely intricate in geometry optimised for many physiology functions. Aerosols generated within must navigate the narrow airways before exiting through the mouth and become airborne indoors. The indoor room settings become influential after the droplets are emitted into the air. For example, the number of occupants in a given space influences body thermal plumes, while respiration from nearby occupants creates localised flow fields in the breathing region. At larger scales, the room ventilation wields great influence with building standards ensuring sufficient clean, fresh air is replenished, but airborne particles may travel through ventilation ducts that redistribute air to other parts of a building. The recent coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on a better understanding of viral transmission, reflected by the \u2018flood of coronavirus research\u2019 in journals (4). Nevertheless, the significance of this project in understanding airborne transmission extends beyond the current pandemic highlighted by broader applications of inhalation exposure to dangerous pollutants (e.g., asbestos, silica dust, nanoparticles) that can lead to acute and long-term respiratory injury. This project aims to investigate how aerosols are generated during respiratory activity, and their transmission through indoor environments influenced by an interplay between occupant activity, aerosol science, and building ventilation, through computational multi-physics modelling, built upon data obtained from cine 4D magnetic resonance imaging, experimental visualisation, and measurements from laser diagnostics. Importantly, this project addresses both fundamental questions and contributes directly to a full risk assessment platform comprising the droplet emission chain, airborne dispersion modelling, and inhaled dose estimation through droplet deposition in respiratory airway models. We address two key objectives that are critical to inhaled exposure to aerosols.\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Optimal design of green buildings using computational and experimental fluid dynamics","description":"Natural ventilation or self-ventilation is an economical way to improve indoor air quality. Climate factors such as temperature, received radiation, humidity, and wind flow can significantly affect natural ventilation of the buildings. This study aimed to investigate the performance of some commonly known strategies such as building orientation, aperture area, and coating color to promote natural ventilation on the hot and humid climates. Furthermore extensions of buildings in the form of double and triple facdes, roof designs, shading effects, and windcatchers are included as part of the overall building design.\nThese techniques are traditionally used without any specific knowledge on their individual importance and mutual effects. As an advanced modeling tool for energy assessment, CFD and experimental measurements are used to numerically evaluate the results of each change. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Kiao Inthavong","title":"Advanced and Targeted Respiratory Drug Delivery","description":"Pulmonary drug delivery has emerged as a critical method for treating respiratory diseases. Nebulizers, Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) and Pressurized Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs) are common devices that generate fine drug particles through atomization, and are inhaled orally targeting deep lung deposition [1, 2]. Among these devices, the pMDI is the preferred choice by patients for treatment of asthma and COPD [3]. Despite its popularity, drug delivery efficiency on average reaches only 5%-20%. The nasal spray devices also provides respiratory drug delivery where drugs depositing on the mucus walls can provide direct transfer into the blood, bypassing gastric breakdown. Furthermore Nose-to- brain drug administration along the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways offers an alternative route for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The characterization of particle deposition remains difficult to achieve in experiments. Alternative numerical approach is applied to identify suitable aerosol particle size with maximized inhaled doses. This research focused primarily on developing useful and economically viable CFD approaches aimed at providing practical solutions in order to improving drug delivery efficiency of inhalation therapy devices. Drug delivery efficiency in a realistic human nasal cavity for a variety of aerosol drug administration systems targeting the olfactory region will be investigated. Outcomes of this work will lead to new innovative delivery device designs for effective respiratory treatment References: [1]. Dolovich, M.B., et al., Device selection and outcomes of aerosol therapy: Evidence-based guidelines:American College of Chest Physicians\/American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology. Chest,2005. 127(1): p. 335-71. [2]. Inthavong, K., et al., Micron particle deposition in a tracheobronchial airway model under different breathing conditions.Medical Engineering & Physics, 2010. 32(10): p. 1198-1212. [3]. Haughney, J., et al., Choosing inhaler devices for people with asthma: Current knowledge and outstanding research needs.Respiratory Medicine, 2010. 104(9): p. 1237-1245.\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hamid Khayyam ","title":"Intelligent Transportation Systems of Tomorrow","description":"Transition to Connected Vehicles (CAs), Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), and Autonomous Public Transports (APTs) on the roads brings potential opportunities to the society, but it includes many challenges. These vehicles produce large volumes of data, containing valuable information such as time, date, motion detection, navigation, fuel consumption. Such data can be used for many applications, such as voice and image recognition, eye tracking and driver monitoring, vehicle speed with acceleration, deceleration, cumulative mileage, voice search, recommendation engines, sentiment analysis, speech recognition and gesture, and virtual assistance. The size of data is easily in excess of 10 terabyte per year for 100,000 vehicles [1-5]. \r\nAlso, from manufacturing to logistics to passenger transport, robotics has influenced and continues to influence every aspect of transportation. As this technology drives further innovation, it will become inseparable from the industry. In many ways, robots will drive the future of transportation. If current trends continue, all sub-sectors of transport will rely on various types of robotics in the near future.\r\nThe combination of high-speed, resilient, low latency connectivity and technologies of the Artificial Intelligence and IoT will enable transformation towards fully smart vehicles that illustrate the complementary between real world and digital knowledge for industry 4.0. Big data analytics brings enormous opportunities to the research and development in this field. This project aims to create an intelligent model for real-time data fusion optimization of transportation system and IoT technology to (i) increasing vehicle safety, (ii) reduction of accidents, (iii) reduction of fuel consumption, (iv) releasing of driver time and business opportunities, (v) new potential market opportunities, (vi) intelligently Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and (vii) reduced emissions and dust particles. \r\nThe candidate is expected to have good knowledge in data analytics and mathematical modelling.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abhijit Date","title":"Exploring the Use of Osmotic Pressure and Capillary Force in Heat Pipes: Insights from the Water Transport System of Trees","description":"The maximum length or height that a heat pipe can attain is governed by the capillary pumping limit. In situations where the heat source is at the top and the heat sink is at the bottom of the heat pipe, and gravity acts in a normal manner from top to bottom, the height of the heat pipe is further restricted as gravity opposes the capillary lift. This project aims to explore and investigate the use of osmotic pressures for the lifting of the working fluid in heat pipes with the heat source located at the top. This mode of fluid transport is observed in trees in nature. The tallest tree on earth is the 156-m eucalyptus amygdalina in Australia [1], while the California redwoods, which have been growing on earth for thousands of years, can grow over 120m tall. Woodward [2] analyzed the factors that limit tree growth and found that water supply is a key constraint on height, given its significance in other physiological processes. To transport water from the roots to the leaves of tall trees, a driving force of over 2MPa is required to overcome the gravitational forces. It is estimated that all the plants on earth collectively vaporize about 3.2\u00c3\u2014107 million tons of water each year. This project will conduct a comprehensive review of the fundamental principles of the water transport system in trees and the Cohesion-Tension Theory proposed by biologists to explain these principles. In particular, the roles played by capillary forces in leaves and osmotic pressures in roots in the water transport system of trees will be discussed. Drawing inspiration from the water transport system of trees, this project will study the use of osmotic pressure and capillary force in heat pipes. An osmotic heat pipe will be studied through both analytical and experimental means to ascertain its feasibility and investigate its performance and characteristics.\n\n [1] George Koch, Stephen Sillett, Gregg Jennings, and Stephen Davis, How Water Climbs to the Top of a 112 Meter-Tall Tree, Essay 4.3 (2006), 5 pages, in Plant Physiology Online, Fifth Edition. \n [2] Ian Woodward, Tall Storeys. University of Sheffield Nature, Vol 428, 22 April, 2004","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abhijit Date","title":"Sustainable water desalination using waste heat and renewable energy sources","description":"The need for freshwater is considered a critical global problem, consequently the demand for alternative sustainable water sources including ground water, desalinated water, and recycled water has increased over recent years and, as a result, the implementation of desalination plants is growing on a large scale. Desalination processes are applied widely via different technologies. Reverse osmosis (RO) is known as the most widely developed commercial technology. However, RO is an electrically driven process and the electrical energy demand of the RO process is traditionally supplied by combustion of fossil fuels, which causes many adverse environment issues including greenhouse gas emission. There are recent emerging techniques which are aiming to develop more sustainable ways of desalination systems by thermal and\/or membrane-based processes particularly in integration to waste heat or solar energy sources.\n The main research streams, which are under investigation in RMIT Energy Conservation and Renewable (Energy Care) group, to develop more sustainable way of desalination systems are included:\n 1-Investigation of membrane distillation (MD) system performance by coupling with solar pond\n 2-Investigation of simultaneous water desalination and power generation by MD technology\n 3-Sustainable water desalination by Humidification-dehumidification (HDH) technology\n 4-Sustainable water desalination by direct integration of MD system to solar pond and achieving zero liquid discharge desalination (ZLD) process 5-Sustainable water desalination by direct integration of MD system with evacuated tubes solar collectors and solar pond as heat sources and achieving zero liquid discharge desalination (ZLD) process 6-Developing an advanced MD system by optimizing the MD system components These projects, which are conducting in Energy Care group, are aiming to develop sustainable water desalination technologies by using waste heat or renewable energy sources. We seek outstanding and enthusiastic PhD candidates to work in these projects by developing an efficient desalination system experimentally and study the system performance theoretically by developing mathematical model. References:\n [1] Khayet M. Membranes and theoretical modeling of membrane distillation: a review. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2011;164(1\u00e2\u20ac\u201c2):56\u00e2\u20ac\u201c88.\n [2]. Alkhudhiri A, Darwish N, Hilal N. Membrane distillation: a comprehensive review. Desalination 2012;287:2\u00e2\u20ac\u201c18.\n [3]. Winter D. Membrane distillation: a thermodynamic, technological and economic analysis. Ph.D. Thesis University of Kaiserslautern, Germany: Shaker Verlag Publisher; 2015.\n [4] Nakoa K, et al. An experimental review on coupling of solar pond with membrane distillation. Sol Energy 2015;119:319\u00e2\u20ac\u201c31.\n [5] Nakoa K, et al. Sustainable zero liquid discharge desalination (SZLDD). Sol Energy 2016;135:337\u00e2\u20ac\u201c47.\n [6] Nakoa, K, Rahaoui, K, Date, A, & Akbarzadeh, A. (2015). An experimental review on coupling of solar pond with membrane distillation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Abhijit Date","title":"Development of a Low-Maintenance Water Desalination and Heat Pump System for Utilizing Low-Temperature Waste Heat Sources","description":"This research project aims to develop a simple and low maintenance water desalination and heat pump system that operates on low temperature heat sources. Fouling affects all desalination technologies, and dealing with it involves trade-offs in performance. One method is reducing the recovery ratio or operating temperature, but both have trade-offs in energy consumption, complexity, and capital cost. The energy consumption of desalination technologies is important for limiting fossil fuel use and minimizing environmental impacts. Zero liquid discharge systems can produce solid salts that can be sold or safely disposed of, but have increased fouling potential. Low pressure evaporative desalination systems with vapour compression heat recovery have the potential for complete internal heat recovery and reduced energy consumption, but still have fouling issues and trade-offs in production rate and compressing low-density vapour.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"Functionalised multilayer porous bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells","description":"This study focuses on an innovative approach to improve the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The approach involves incorporating foam materials into the flow field structure of PEMFCs on the air side, with specific consideration given to the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and micro-porous layer (MPL). This solution can hypothetically reduce contact resistances between these components, while enhancing thermal and water management within the cell and promoting uniform conditions across the active areas of the cells. It is also understood that the foam's randomly distributed tortuous ligaments serve to divert the flow transversely, which is expected to increase the attraction and transport of oxygen molecules towards the cathode. The study also investigates different options for introducing the catalyst layer (CL) into this new design and assesses their impact on cell performance. Additionally, this design is an attempt to reduce the overall mass of the cells and achieve a more compact design compared to conventional flow field designs. Both theoretical and experimental investigations are conducted to understand the behaviour of transverse mass transport of air gas species through stationary porous media used in PEMFCs. ANSYS Fuel Cell module is employed to create a model for theoretical analysis, while experimental methods are used to validate the findings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR218 PhD (Civil Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"David Law","title":"Concrete incorporating recycled textile waste","description":"\"Increasingly large quantities of post-consumer textile solid waste is being generated through industrialization and technological developments as well as consumer demand. The annual per capita textile usage in Australia is 27 kg with 23 kg discarded to landfills each year. Two-thirds of this is waste is manmade synthetic and plastic fibres which may never breakdown. The 525,000 tonnes of leather and textiles are discarded in Australian landfills each year. Australia is the second-largest consumer of textiles after north America, which annually consumes 37 kg, and ahead of Western Europeans at 22 kg while consumption in Africa, the Middle East and India averages just 5 kg per person. At present, only 15 percent of Australian textile waste is recovered through recycling and remaining 85% will end up in landfills. Hence, managing textile waste has become one of the main environmental concerns\n References:\n Zhu, D., Liu, S., Yao, Y., Li, G., Du, Y., and Shi, C. Effects of short fiber and pre-tension on the tensile behavior of basalt textile reinforced concrete. Cement and Concrete Composites 2019. 96: p. 33-45.\n Yin, S., Jing, L., Yin, M., and Wang, B. Mechanical properties of textile reinforced concrete under chloride wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycle environments. Cement and Concrete Composites 2019. 96: p. 118-127.\n Tsangouri, E., Michels, L., El Kadi, M., Tysmans, T., and Aggelis, D.G. A fundamental investigation of textile reinforced cementitious composites tensile response by Acoustic Emission. Cement and Concrete Research 2019. 123: p. 105776\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Hua Qian Ang","title":"Additive Manufacturing of Light Alloys","description":"This is a broad project on light alloys which can be further broken down into smaller individual projects. The focus of this project is to fabricate light alloy (aluminium and\/or magnesium) components for automotive, aerospace and biomedical applications using additive manufacturing processes such as wire arc additive manufacturing, direct energy deposition, selective laser melting and so on. These additive manufacturing processes can often generate undesirable residual stresses, which can result in failure of components due to easy crack propagation and structural distortion. This project aims to improve the additive manufacturing processes and enhance the mechanical properties of light alloys.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jiyuan Tu","title":"Boiling enhancement using nanoengineered surfaces \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The mechanism and modelling","description":"The advances in microelectronics and energy systems have given rise to the demand of dissipating a large amount of heat in a small area. Modern microelectronic chips and military avionics, for example, require a cooling capacity of up to 1000 W\/cm2 with the maximum chip temperature not exceeding 85 C. Conventional cooling technologies using boiling of liquids, despite being the most efficient cooling approach available yet, are facing serious challenge to remove such high heat fluxes. Emerging experimental studies have revealed that coating the heater surfaces with a thin layer of porous micro\/nanostructures can enhance boiling heat transfer, hopefully offering a promising solution of thermal management. However, the degrees of enhancement reported in different studies differ from each other dramatically, mostly due to the diverse micro\/nanostructure materials and morphologies, leading to severe uncertainties hindering designing optimal micro\/nanostructures. We propose that a thorough understanding and formulation of the mechanisms embedded with the novel phenomena of nucleate boiling on micro\/nanostructures can help break the bottleneck to optimised micro\/nanostructures. In this project the student will use the latest nanofluidics and thermal fluid dynamics knowledge to analyse the micro\/nanoscale heat and mass transfer in porous structures, develop new theoretical models and conduct numerical computations. The ultimate aim is to develop a virtual predictive tool that can help design optimal micro\/nanostructures for thermal management in many industries. This project, which involves collaboration with many prestigious international organisations including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) and Tsinghua University (China), will offer the student an invaluable opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in a prominent environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jiyuan Tu","title":"CFD study on human-induced wake flow and contaminant transport","description":"\"Human motion generates wake regions that exhibit highly complicated airflow characteristics. Consequently, it affects the air quality by inducing contaminant transport in interior environments such as manufacturing, hospital wards, clean rooms and airline cabin etc., where occupants\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 exposure to airborne contaminants are of great concern [1]. However, among various influencing factors of indoor air quality, the human motion was paid inadequate attention due to the difficulty on moving model setups and measurements. Although in recent years CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations had achieved considerable progress on moving models by adopting dynamic mesh, more investigations under diverse scenarios involving human activities and contaminant sources are still necessary for revealing the influence of human activities on indoor pollutant transport and the resultant impact on human exposure.\n We propose to use CFD simulations to develop more sophisticated models involving human motion and particle dispersion, with elaborate post-processing on airflow visualizations and quantification on pollutant intake through human breathing. In this project, the student will conduct numerical simulations based on CFD theory and post-processing steps using programming languages. Spatial and temporal characteristics on the dynamic wake flow development will be analysed to identify the transport of pollutants around moving bodies and predict occupant exposure to contaminants, in order to reveal the relationships between human activities, contaminant transport and contaminant intake. Overall, the aim of this project is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the e\u00ef\u00ac\u20acects of occupant activities on particle transport and indoor air quality.\n References:\n [1] Tao, Inthavong, & Tu. (2017). A numerical investigation of wind environment around a walking human body. Journal of Wind Engineering & Industrial Aerodynamics, 168, 9-19.\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jiyuan Tu","title":"Transport and distribution characteristics of contaminants in commercial airliner cabins","description":"\"Contaminants inside commercial airliner cabins could be released from multiple sources (coughing, sneezing, ozone production, etc.) and would suspend inside the cabin as particulate matters (PM). Investigating the PM transport in densely occupied cabin environment was extremely challenging in the past due to the multi-coupling and multi-scale characteristics of the cabin environment. However, through simplifying the passenger models, our initial works indicated that it is possible to significantly increase the efficiency when investigating the PM transport under such cabin environment using our proposed quantifiable simplification approaches [1]. Therefore, we propose to conduct an in-depth investigation of PM transport and distribution characteristics in the commercial airliner cabins by studying the potential source of contaminants inside the cabin, the major affecting factors that would significant change the pattern of contaminants transport, and the corresponding exposure risks of passengers and crew. The ultimate aim is to develop a comprehensive and systematic platform to holistically assess the air quality and health risks of passengers and crew in commercial airliner cabins.\n References:\n [1]. Yihuan Yan, Xiangdong Li, Lin Yang, Jiyuan Tu, Evaluation of manikin simplification methods for CFD simulations in occupied indoor environments, Energy and Buildings, Volume 127, 2016, Pages 611-626\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"John Andrews","title":"Design and performance optimisation of components in a proton battery","description":"The PhD researcher will conduct research and development into one or more of the following topics: design and performance optimisation of selected components in a proton battery (PB) and proton flow reactor (PFR); design options for stacking PB and PFR cells; and novel carbon-based materials for electrochemical storage of hydrogen in solid-state form. The research will be predominantly experimentally-focussed, but may also involve theoretical analysis and computer simulation modelling. The research will contribute to the the project, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Technology development and prototyping of the Proton Battery and Proton Flow Reactor Systems, funded under a Research Collaboration Agreement with Eldor Corporation for a two-year period.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Tian","title":"Inhalation risk assessment of human respiratory systems in occupational and ambient environment","description":"Exposure to micron\/nanoparticles in workplace and ambient environment where pollutants are present is a significant health concern. An increased risk of developing respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders has been reported in occupational and epidemic studies. Confirmed inhalation hazards include the notorious asbestos, with low dosage, causing severe health consequences. The onset of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153manganism\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, a clinical diagnosed neuro-toxin caused by high level exposure to manganese containing particles, were reported in occupational workers conducting mining, ore grinding and smelting activities. In addition to confirmed cases, there have been discussions on the link between sub-clinical human functional impairment and chronic low dose metal particle exposures. Similar concerns were also reported in the office environment where the increased usage of modern electrophotography machines elevates the health risks of office workers on inhalation exposure to the emitted nanoparticles during xerographic processes. This research aims to investigate the human upper airway dosimetry scenes in a wide range of environmental settings, identify key correlation, and provide effective guidance to regulate and mitigate the potential hazards. Utilizing CFD (computational fluid dynamics) methodology, the study focuses on respiratory airway modelling (nasal and tracheobronchial tree), particle-flow dynamics, particle-respiratory physiology interactions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Tian","title":"A multi-scale risk assessment platform for inhaled carbon nanotubes","description":"Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been extensively utilized in the design and fabrication of new engineering materials as they possess extraordinary properties. CNTs resemble the appearance of asbestos, a known inhalation hazard to human. With continued growth of nanotechnology industry, it is important to understand human inhalation risks to these new engineered nano-materials. \n \n This project aims to develop a risk assessment platform to evaluate human respiratory exposure to carbon nanotubes. The project expects to generate new knowledge on unique role of carbon nanotubes geometry toward risk potential by developing transport models, and create risk assessment infrastructure through cross-discipline integrations. \n \n This project is multidisciplinary requiring knowledge of multi-scale fluid-particle dynamics, non-spherical particle dynamics, human\/animal airway reconstruction, computational programming, visualisation, data analysis and cross team collaborations. The project provides an excellent opportunity for high level multi-disciplinary research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR215 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maciej Mazur","title":"Development of an additively manufactured Rotating Detonation Engine","description":"The development of cost-effective launch systems capable of inserting a small payload into low earth orbit (LEO) are of high global interest. Key drivers include the design of a lightweight and reliable propulsion system that requires little flight preparation and can offer high performance\/efficiency over existing approaches. The rotating detonation engine (RDE) has been identified as a potential key technology for the next generation of access-to-space systems. The ability to operate in either air-breathing or rocket modes increases versatility and design possibilities across the full flight spectrum from the launch pad to space, each with their share of challenges. However, flight-ready RDEs present many design and manufacturing challenges as they are subject to extreme thermo-structural loads and require advanced materials, cooling systems and highly integrated complex parts. These challenges have been difficult to address with conventional manufacturing processes. However, recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) have significantly increased the potential to manufacture flight-ready RDEs by enabling the construction of complex designs previously not feasible. This project will exploit this opportunity by focus on the development and additive manufacture of an RDE engine, building on substantial work already undertaken by the RMIT High-speed flight research group. The work will focus on multi-disciplinary fluid and thermo-structural design, optimisation and design for manufacture of an RDE prototype design. Extensive experimental testing will be used to evaluate design performance and reliability. It is expected the project will make a significant contribution toward the development of the next generation of advanced and efficient rocket propulsion systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Flame speed measurement of net-zero carbon fuels.","description":"There are many zero and low carbon fuels and blends that are proposed as alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels for use in Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). Considerable research is required, however, in order to characterise an alternative fuel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s combustion behaviour, so that engine design and optimisation can be achieved. One important combustion characteristic is the laminar flame speed of fuel-air mixtures at temperatures and pressures that are expected inside reciprocating ICEs. Such measurements of a number of alternative fuels are notably lacking in the literature. Thus, a prime objective of the research project is to fill this critical research void. Furthermore, computer simulated combustion models must also be developed and verified using measured data, allowing for alternative fuel engine behaviour to be accurately predicted. This will in turn enhance the plausibility of commercialising alternative fuel engine technology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Exhaust gas treatment on engines running on alternative fuels","description":"The use of alternative fuels in internal combustion engines is increasing as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease dependence on fossil fuels. However, these fuels can also produce harmful exhaust emissions. Therefore, it is important to develop effective exhaust gas treatment systems that can reduce the environmental impact of these engines.\n \n The aim of this project is to investigate and develop exhaust gas treatment systems for engines running on alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, ethanol, and hydrogen carrier fuels. The project will focus on the development of catalytic converters and particulate filters that can effectively reduce emissions of pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.\n \n The project will involve laboratory experiments to evaluate the performance of different exhaust gas treatment systems. These experiments will include tests of the catalytic activity of different materials.\n \n In addition to laboratory experiments, the project will also involve computer modeling and simulation to optimize the design of the exhaust gas treatment systems. This will include simulations of the flow of exhaust gases through different filter designs, as well as simulations of the chemical reactions that occur within catalytic converters.\n \n The results of this project will be useful for the development of more efficient and effective exhaust gas treatment systems for engines running on alternative fuels. This will help to reduce the environmental impact of these engines and contribute to a more sustainable future.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Study of active Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) to enhance lean combustion in piston engines.","description":"The use of lean combustion in piston engines has gained increasing attention in recent years as a way to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. However, lean combustion can also lead to increased ignition delay times and combustion instability, which can affect engine performance and emissions.\n \n The aim of this project is to study the use of active Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) to enhance lean combustion in piston engines. The active TJI system is a novel approach to ignition that uses a high-energy turbulent jet to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber. This system has been shown to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions, making it a promising technology for lean combustion applications.\n \n The project will involve laboratory experiments to evaluate the performance of the active TJI system with different levels of lean combustion. These experiments will include tests of ignition delay time, combustion stability, and emissions reduction. Additionally, computer modeling and simulation will be used to optimize the design of the active TJI system for different lean combustion conditions.\n \n The results of this project will be useful for the development of more efficient and reliable ignition systems for lean combustion applications in piston engines. By developing a better understanding of the active TJI system and its performance with different levels of lean combustion, this project can help to accelerate the adoption of lean combustion in piston engines.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"Combustion kinetics measurements of alternative fuels using gas dynamic shock waves.","description":"With the growing pressure to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide, green alternative fuels including biodiesel, ethanol, methanol and hydrogen carrier fuels are gaining increasing attention to power engines and heating processes. There is, however, a lack of information available on combustion properties of many of these net zero carbon emission fuels such as branched chemical reaction rates and autoignition delay times. These properties are crucial for understanding and predicting the advent of knock in spark ignition engines as well as diesel knock in compression ignition engines. Knock is an objectionable noise due to abnormal combustion, that if severe, can damage an engine. Shock tubes provide an excellent means of measuring important fuel properties like the autoignition delay time. The successful candidate will use and modify an existing shock tube at RMIT to perform these measurements for a select range of fuels and pressures and temperatures found in real engines. The shock tube can also be used to measure reaction rates using laser spectroscopy. This information is extremely useful for validating computer simulations of combustion occurring not only in many engine types, but also in boilers and furnaces.\n \n References:\n - D.R. Haylett , P.P. Lappas, D.F. Davidson, R.K. Hanson, 2009, Application of an aerosol shock tube to the measurement of diesel ignition delay times, Proceedings of the Combustion Institute 32 (2009) 477\u00e2\u20ac\u201c484 \n - Matthew F. Campbell, 2014, Studies of Biodiesel Surrogates Using Novel Shock Tube Techniques, Stanford University PhD thesis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Time-Varying Direction-of-Arrival Tracking","description":"The tracking of the direction of arrival (DOA) for multiple sources is a significant topic in array signal processing. This project aims to develop innovative solutions for DOA tracking of multiple sources, where the number of sources is variable over time. To achieve this goal, the project will focus on formulating new algorithms in the Random Finite Set (RFS) Framework.\n \n A crucial component of the project will be conducting a comprehensive literature review of RFS filters and their applications to solve DOA tracking problems. Additionally, other solutions developed in various frameworks will be explored. The resulting solutions will be compared to the state of the art in applications with a relatively large number of sources in one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Map-Aided Random Finite Set-Based Tracking of Road Vehicles","description":"This project aims to develop novel tracking algorithms for vehicles on the road using map-based information. The system will utilise data from maps and sensors to track the movement of vehicles and estimate their positions accurately. The project will involve researching and developing algorithms to integrate map-based information with real-time sensor data to improve the tracking accuracy. The main focus of development will be on extending the capabilities of current multi-target filters that are formulated in the random finite set framework. The resulting solutions will be tested and evaluated in real-world scenarios to assess its effectiveness in various conditions. The project's goal is to provide a reliable and accurate vehicle tracking system that can be applied in different contexts, such as traffic monitoring, intelligent transportation systems, and autonomous vehicles.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Random Finite Set-Based Swarm Tracking","description":"This project aims to develop novel solutions for tracking and monitoring the movements of swarms of objects such as drones, using data from multiple sensors. The system will use advanced algorithms based on the Random Finite Set (RFS) theory to process sensor data and estimate the swarm's position, velocity, and shape. The project will involve researching and developing techniques for handling complex swarm behaviors, such as fission, fusion, and formation changes. The system will be tested and evaluated in real-world scenarios to assess its effectiveness in different contexts, such as environmental monitoring, disaster response, and surveillance. The project's goal is to provide a robust and accurate swarm tracking system that can handle complex scenarios with multiple sensors and dynamic swarm behaviors.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Occlusion Handling in Extended Target Tracking Using Random Finite Set Filters","description":"This project aims to develop a system that can track extended targets and handle occlusions using data from multiple sensors. The system will use advanced Random Finite Set (RFS) filters to estimate the positions, velocities, and shapes of extended targets even when they are partially or completely occluded by other objects. The project will involve researching and developing algorithms to handle the complexities of occlusion scenarios, such as occlusion duration, target merging and splitting, and target appearance and disappearance. The system will be tested and evaluated in real-world scenarios to assess its effectiveness in different contexts, such as traffic monitoring, aerial surveillance, and robotics. The project's goal is to provide a robust and accurate extended target tracking system that can handle occlusions and improve tracking accuracy in challenging scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Reza Hoseinnezhad","title":"Environment Modeling Based on Generic Infrastructure Sensor Interfaces Using Random Finite Set Filters","description":"Autonomous vehicles face significant challenges when navigating urban intersections, especially when there are obstructions that limit visibility. To address this issue and help vehicles make decisions in unclear situations, infrastructure-based sensing systems are often used to provide additional information. However, the complexity and high costs associated with such systems have limited their widespread use. This project focuses on developing solutions in the form of a generic interface that can connect a wide variety of sensors. The sensors only need to measure a few features of objects, but with multiple distributed sensors providing different viewing angles. The solutions will be based on using Random Finite Set (RFS) filters that can handle these measurements and even infer missing information about the objects' extents. The resulting methods will be evaluated through simulations and demonstrated on a real-world infrastructure setup. The outcomes will offer a promising solution for using infrastructure-based sensing systems to support autonomous vehicles at intersections, without the need for expensive and complex sensor systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Investigating the Olfactory Region Targeted Drug Delivery Using CFD and PIV","description":"The project aims to investigate the effectiveness of drug delivery systems targeting the olfactory region. The study will use experimental fluid dynamics with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using Ansys-Fluent. The project will analyze the drug delivery efficiency of various aerosol drug administration systems in a realistic human nasal cavity. The outcomes of this study will enable the development of innovative delivery device designs for effective respiratory treatment. The project will contribute to the advancement of the field of respiratory treatment by improving the effectiveness of drug delivery systems targeting the olfactory region.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang","title":"Origami enabled ductile and auxetic metaconcrete composite structures","description":"During their service life, concrete structures may experience different dynamic loads such as vehicle-induced vibrations and vehicle\/ship collisions. Energy absorption is required in designs for structural protection against these loads. Using highly ductile and energy-absorbing metaconcrete materials in construction can achieve an effective protection effect, but most of the existing metaconcrete materials often suffer from low ductility. This project aims to develop an innovative origami-enabled auxetic metaconcrete that is a composite of steel origami and concrete. Compared to conventional metaconcrete, such a novel metaconcrete can not only possess improved ductility but can also keep excellent energy absorption and negative Poisson\u2019s ratio characteristics, leading to the low risk of brittle failure. It is a cost-effective alternative to replacing conventional concrete materials for impact resistance and structural protection.\n\nThe major tasks of this project include:\n(1) Develop a novel class of steel origami-enabled auxetic metaconcretes with significantly improved ductility and energy absorption capacity. \n(2) Build a theoretical framework to understand the structural behaviours of the proposed novel metaconcrete composite structures under dynamic loads in depth. \n(3) Establish a machine learning (ML) based model to accurately and efficiently estimate the structural performances of the metaconcrete composite structures.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 (40%), 400510 (40%), 400509 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jie Yang","title":"Multiscale modelling of high-performance mechanical metamaterial composite structures","description":"Mechanical metamaterials with programming negative stiffness, Poisson\u2019s ratio, and thermal expansion are of crucial significance in various engineering structures. However, most of them are artificially lattice materials via special architecture\/topology design, which are mechanically weak therefore limiting their engineering applications. Thus, developing materials and structures simultaneously exhibiting metamaterial characteristics and excellent mechanical properties still remains a great challenge. This project aims to develop a novel class of high-performance mechanical metamaterials enabled by graphene origami with highly tunable negative stiffness, Poisson\u2019s ratio, and thermal expansion characteristics as well as improved mechanical properties based on atomic-scale simulation design, micro-scale mechanics model, and macro-scale structural analysis. Such novel metamaterial composite structures designed through the proposed multiscale modelling framework should have many important engineering applications, particularly in aerospace, civil, automotive, mechanical, and energy industries. \n\nThe major tasks of this project include:\n(1)        Atomistic design and simulation of high-performance graphene origami-enabled mechanical metamaterials with highly tunable characteristics;\n(2)        Micromechanics model development based on machine learning method to efficiently and accurately predict the material properties of such metamaterials;\n(3)        Continuum mechanical analysis of high-performance metamaterial composite structures.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401707 (50%), 401702 (30%), 401602 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Numerical and experimental investigation on multiphase flows","description":"Multiphase flow systems are prevalent in many industries that involve gas\/particle flow (e.g. for indoor air quality, medicine delivery, etc), and liquid\/bubbly flow (e.g. for heating\/cooling systems, etc). This project aims to conduct fundamental research on the physics associated with such systems and analyze the outcomes through investigations in industrial applications. The methodology involves either\/both numerical or\/and experimental techniques to facilitate revealing the underlying physics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"MR216 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Numerical and experimental investigation of multiphase flows","description":"Multiphase flow systems are prevalent in many industries that involve gas\/particle flow (e.g. for indoor air quality, medicine delivery, etc), and liquid\/bubbly flow (e.g. for heating\/cooling systems, etc). This project aims to conduct fundamental research on the physics associated with such systems and analyze the outcomes through investigations in industrial applications. The methodology involves either\/both numerical and experimental techniques to facilitate revealing the underlying physics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sara Vahaji","title":"Investigation of Heat Pipe Performance for Solar Thermal Energy Applications","description":"The proposed project aims to investigate the thermal performance of heat pipes for solar thermal energy applications. Solar thermal energy systems are an important renewable energy technology that can provide a clean and sustainable source of energy for heating and power generation. The project will involve both experimental and theoretical investigations to optimize the design of heat pipes for solar thermal energy applications.\n \n The experimental investigation will involve designing and testing various heat pipe configurations with different working fluids for solar thermal energy applications. The performance of the heat pipes will be evaluated based on their thermal efficiency, heat transfer coefficient, and maximum heat flux. The effects of different operating parameters, such as orientation, working fluid, wick structure, and heat input, will be studied to optimize the heat pipe design for solar thermal energy applications.\n \n The theoretical investigation will involve developing analytical and numerical models of heat pipe performance for solar thermal energy applications. The models will be used to investigate the heat transfer mechanisms, fluid flow behaviour, and thermodynamic properties of the working fluids. The results from the models will be validated with the experimental data to enhance the accuracy of the model and to provide insight into the underlying physics of the heat pipe operation.\n \n The outcomes of this project will provide a comprehensive understanding of the thermal performance of heat pipes for solar thermal energy applications. The project will contribute to the development of innovative heat pipe designs and improved thermal management systems for solar thermal energy applications. The findings of this project will have practical implications for the design of solar thermal collectors, concentrators, and power generation systems, leading to improved energy conversion efficiency and reduced costs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"Wave energy-powered reverse-osmosis desalination for freshwater production","description":"This project aims to explore a novel method of producing freshwater from seawater through wave energy. The\n project intends to increase the longevity and efficiency of wave energy-powered freshwater production systems by developing a new fouling and chlorine-resistant membrane material. The anticipated outcomes of this project\n include the development of a cost-effective and eco-friendly freshwater production technology and the acquisition of new knowledge regarding the impact of fluid pressure fluctuations on system performance. The expected benefits of this project are manifold, including the mitigation of water scarcity in Australia and beyond, and the enhancement of the global competitiveness of Australian water desalination products.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"A novel direct drive linear tube generator for ocean wave energy conversion","description":"This proposal aims to investigate a direct drive linear electromagnetic generator system for the maximum wave\n energy conversion and frequency bandwidth. A novel translator of a multiple degree of freedom non-linear\n oscillator system built with Halbach magnet ring arrays and ferro-fluid bearings is the key innovation. Wave energy conversion science will be established through investigating the novel machine, its integration with a buoy\n structure under wave loadings and automatic control of power conversion and conditioning. The outcome will\n meet the emerging demands of the nation for wave energy conversion technologies which reduce power generation cost and emissions, thus benefiting the Australia economy and environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"3D printed thermo-electric structure for harvesting industrial waste heat","description":"With about two-thirds of all industrial energy consumption being lost as waste heat, this project aims to develop a\n novel three-dimensional printing technology for a thermoelectric generator to convert waste heat into electrical\n energy. This project expects to develop a modified bottom-up chemical method for sustainable synthesis of large\n throughput copper selenide nanomaterials and nanocomposite ink and generate new knowledge of heat guide\n structures for enhancing thermoelectric conversion efficiency. The outcomes will benefit Australian end-users and industry by reducing energy costs and greenhouse emissions and opening a new market for thermoelectric\n conversion in multidisciplinary fields and emerging industries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Xu Wang","title":"Comfort and Ergonomics: Innovative Seating Solution for Commercial Vehicle","description":"Long-term exposure to vibrations transferred from uneven road surfaces, vibrating tools, and vibrating machinery\n significantly influences driver comfort, fatigue, safety, and can also cause neck and shoulder pain, lower back\n injuries, and spinal injuries. This project aims to develop an innovative 6-degree-of-freedom seating system for\n commercial vehicles, including heavy duty trucks and mobile machinery, to maximise the reduction of unwanted\n multiple directional vibrations to the driver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body. The expected outcome of the project is a comfort and\n ergonomic seating system to be widely used in industry, agriculture, transportation, mining and construction\n vehicles, both in Australia and internationally.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Yasuhiro Tachibana","title":"Development of Semiconductor Quantum Dot Solid Solar Cells","description":"Semiconductor quantum dot (QD) is one of the most attractive nanomaterials employed for solar energy conversion devices. With their relatively large extinction coefficients and a tunable wide light absorption range over visible to near infrared wavelengths, QDs can be effective light absorbers. Recently three dimensional arrangement structure of QDs, QD solid, has attracted considerable interest, since superior semiconductor performance is expected by forming extended states inside a QD solid.[1-2] Their highly conductive opto-electronic property can be employed to fabricate low cost opto-electronic devices such as photovoltaics.[3] \n \n A QD solid solar cell can readily be fabricated with a facile solution processed method, and has reached solar energy conversion efficiency beyond 18 %.[4] However, despite these attractive properties, their function, particularly exciton states, charge separation, transport and recombination dynamics has not been well understood. We have been actively working in this area, and reported a novel method to synthesize high photoluminescence PbS QDs [5], and application of QDs to fabricate novel QD solar cells.[6-7]\n \n This project aims at developing novel QD solid solar cells. We will employ high photoluminescence QDs to prepare QD solid films, and assess their charge transfer and transport performance by state-of-the-art transient absorption and emission spectroscopies (visible to mid-infrared, femtosecond to millisecond time scale) installed in part with the support from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE200100051). We will assess electron and hole mobilities in QD solid films by employing a time resolved microwave conductivity system installed with supports from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE170100235).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Yasuhiro Tachibana","title":"Controlling Metal Oxide Charge Transporting Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells","description":"Metal halide perovskite solar cells have been recognized as a newly emerging solar cell with the potential of achieving high efficiency with a low cost fabrication process. In particular, facile solution processed cell fabrication facilitated rapid development of optimum cell structure and composition. Over the last several years, the cell efficiency has rapidly been improved to >25%.[1]\n \n A typical perovskite solar cell employs a perovskite layer sandwiched by p-type semiconductor (such as spiro-OMeTAD, PEDOT or NiO) and n-type semiconductor (such as TiO2, ZnO or PCBM) layers. Intensive research has been conducted for developing alternative electron and hole transporting layers using different components to improve their performance and to reduce the cost of the solar cells.[2] We have actively been working in this area. For example we reported a role of a TiO2 nanocrystalline film acting as an electron acceptor [3, 4]. We also found that the electron injection rate (~10 ns) is relatively slow compared to QD sensitised films.[3,5]\n \n This project aims at developing novel metal oxide (e.g. n-type Fe2O3, p-type MFe2O4) compact layers to be applied for metal halide perovskite solar cells. State of the art transient absorption spectrometers, installed in part with the support from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE200100051), covering from femtoseconds to milliseconds, clarifies charge separation and recombination processes. We will also assess electron and hole mobilities of the metal oxide layer by employing a time resolved microwave conductivity system installed with supports from the awarded ARC LIEF fund (LE170100235).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":"401605 Functional materials (45%) ; 340607 Reaction kinetics and dynamics (35%) ; 401807 Nanomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yingyan Zhang","title":"Advanced phase-change materials for sustainable construction and building materials","description":"The use of phase change materials (PCM) for sustainable construction and building materials plays an increasing role in tackling global warming. The current PCM materials used in building sections suffer quite a few challenges, including low thermal conductivity, poor thermal stability, and low mechanical strength. These challenges will be tackled by incorporating nanomaterials into PCMs. This project aims to design novel PCMs by using different nanomaterials and explore their thermal and mechanical properties by means of computer simulations and experiments.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yongmin Zhong","title":"Robotic minimally invasive surgery","description":"In the past several decades, robotic minimally invasive surgery has received great attention. Comparing to conventional open surgery, it has the advantages such as small incision, fast recovery and special capabilities in complex surgeries. However, the use of robot to carry out surgical operation presents a great set of research challenges. This project aims to study fundamental issues associated with planning and control of robotic manipulation for minimally invasive surgical operations with force feedback. It will establish advanced methodologies for characterisation and analysis of the contact interaction between robotic manipulators and target biological tissues. Based on this, it will also establish advanced techniques for automatic planning and precise control of robotic manipulation under visual and haptic feedback.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Yongmin Zhong","title":"Modelling of soft tissue deformation for surgical simulation","description":"Virtual reality based surgery simulation is expected to provide benefits in many aspects of surgical procedure training and evaluation. Surgery simulation requires soft tissues react to the applied forces in a realistic fashion and in real time. However, it is difficult to handle both of these conflicting requirements, and thus modelling of soft tissue deformation is a challenging research topic in surgery simulation. This project aims to study the fundamental issues associated with soft tissue deformation for surgery simulation. It will establish physically-based soft tissue models and real-time algorithms for surgery simulation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"MR216 MEng (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Petros Lappas","title":"RMIT CSIRO Masters in Combustion kinetics measurements of hydrogen carrier fuels using gas dynamic shock waves","description":"With the growing pressure to curb greenhouse gas emissions, green alternative fuels including biodiesel, ethanol, methanol and hydrogen carrier fuels like ammonia (Finkel, 2018) are gaining increasing attention to power engines and heating processes. There is, however, a lack of information available on combustion properties of many of these net-zero carbon emission fuels such as autoignition delay times and branched chemical reaction rates. These properties are crucial for understanding and predicting the advent of knock in spark ignition engines as well as diesel knock in compression ignition engines (Heywood, 1988). Shock tubes provide an excellent means of measuring important fuel properties (D.R. Haylett, 2009). Lasers can also be used to collect spectroscopic data to measure chemical reaction rates that occur during combustion. This information is highly prized for validating computer simulations of combustion occurring not only in many engine types, but also in boilers and furnaces. The Masters candidate for this project will build a shock tube to perform these measurements mainly for hydrogen carrier fuels at pressures and temperatures found in real engines. The majority of the components for the shock tube and its instrumentation have already been bought, so construction can begin immediately.\n \n References:\n 1. D.R. Haylett, P. L. (2009). Application of an aerosol shock tube to the measurement of diesel ignition delay times. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 477-484.\n 2. Finkel, A. (2018). Hydrogen for Australia\u2019s future. Commonwealth of Australia.\n 3. Heywood, J. B. (1988). Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals. McGraw-Hill, Inc.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Hua Qian Ang","title":"3D printing of magnesium alloys for biomedical applications","description":"Magnesium alloys are increasingly used as new generation biomaterials due to their ability to dissolve into the body fluids after bone regeneration. However, due to the complex structures of bones, it is difficult to manufacture magnesium implants via conventional manufacturing techniques such as casting. This project will study the feasibility of using additive manufacturing (AM) technique to manufacture magnesium alloys for biomedical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR216 PhD (Mech & Manu Eng)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bahman Shabani","title":"Metal hydride hydrogen storage thermal management optimisation ","description":"Thermal control of metal hydride hydrogen systems is essential during charging and discharging phases to optimise their performance and maximise their capacity utilisation. To achieve this, a range of internal and external thermal management configurations are employed. While the idea of uniformly charging and discharging the metal hydride (MH) body seems ideal, it may not be feasible when dealing with temperature gradients required for efficient heat transfer within the MH body. Therefore, comprehending the dynamics of charging and discharging across the MH body under varying thermal management setups and temperature gradient patterns is crucial for devising an optimal thermal management strategy. This necessitates intricate dynamic modelling and using both analytical and numerical models, to thoroughly investigate the intricacies of heat transfer within MH systems. The objective is to identify and evaluate the influence of different contributing parameters. Subsequently, this model is experimentally verified to ensure its accuracy and dependability. The project provides a unique opportunity to cultivate an in-depth comprehension of the physics governing MH hydrogen storage solutions, encompassing fundamental equations and intricate heat transfer modeling. The insights garnered from this research will be harnessed to formulate innovative and optimal thermal management solutions for metal hydride hydrogen storage systems.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400404 Electrochemical energy storage and conversion\n401204 Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) \n401205 Experimental methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer \n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering","programcode":"DR216P23 PhD (Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yunhui Chen","title":"Synchrotron X-ray inline monitoring of Laser Additive Manufacturing processes using a Machine Learning approach","description":"Laser additive manufacturing (LAM; laser 3D printing) is a key underpinning technology for the digital revolution (Industry 4.0), producing complex objects directly from 3D CAD drawings. LAM has incredible potential in rapid prototyping for aerospace, energy, and biomedical applications. Exciting opportunities arise in this research space to create components with exceptional mechanical performance and unique properties using alloy design and process control approaches. However, due to the transient nature of the process, the understanding of LAM is limited through traditional post-mortem analysis, necessitating in-situ characterization. Synchrotron X-ray techniques have only been implemented in LAM research recently but have shown huge advantages over traditional techniques in capturing, both in real and reciprocal space, the LAM processes, evidenced by a series of publications in Science and Nature.\n\nOur research group has pioneered the research field of Synchrotron X-ray investigation of LAM processes. Dr. Chen has developed a series of world-first additive manufacturing machines (both Powder Bed Fusion and blown powder Directed Energy Deposition) that work on synchrotron beamlines at the Diamond Light Source (UK), European Synchrotron Radiation Facilities (France), and Advanced Photon Source (USA) which can do in-situ monitoring and quantification of the LAM process.\n\nThis project aims to design and implement a machine-learning-based in-line monitoring system that allows the generation of defects-free LAM components that process unique mechanical properties. In this project, the Ph.D. candidate will be provided with an exciting and unique opportunity to work with alloy design and solidification experts, machine learning experts, and synchrotron x-ray material characterization experts. Using in-situ Synchrotron X-ray results as ground truth, the Ph.D. candidate will develop a new approach that will enable fast prediction of defects and microstructure formation on-the-fly during LAM processes. This project has significant industrial and academic potential to fulfill the candidate\u2019s ambition.\n\nThe PhD candidate will be based at Advanced Manufacturing Precinct, RMIT University, Australia with long placements at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, France. In addition, the Ph.D. candidate will be supported by more than 10 research institutes and industrial partners across the globe with potential placement opportunities.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"511002 Synchrotron and accelerators - instruments and techniques (40%) ; 461106 Machine learning - Semi- and unsupervised learning (30%) ; 401607 Materials engineering - Metals and alloy materials (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion & Textiles Design","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Alice Payne, Yassie Samie","title":"Valuing the Handmade for Circular Fashion and Textile Economies","description":"This ARC Discovery project aims to investigate the value of the handmade within fashion and textile ecosystems in two Australian states. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of circular economy by using place-based approaches to foreground experiences of small businesses and craft communities that are typically excluded from the industrial view of a circular economy. Expected outcomes of the project include understanding and defining new forms of value within a fashion and textiles circular economy through surfacing the local economies of making, reuse and remaking. This should provide significant benefits, such as informing new strategies to reduce textile waste and contributing to Australia\u2019s transition to a circular economy. The PhD project will be a practice-led exploration of the handmade within a just and sufficient circular economy, in partnership with craft communities. The PhD candidate will have a background as a creative practitioner in fashion and\/or textile design.","sdg":"12; 13; 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"330315 - Textile and fashion design 60%\n470206 - Cultural studies of nation and region 40%"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion Enterprise","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Alice Payne","title":"Quantifying Circular Economy Impacts in Australian workwear","description":"This Project aims to identify, measure and model circular economy initiatives in workwear. The expected outcome is an evidence-based mathematical decision tool, which enables impact measurement of circular economy initiatives in the workwear sector. The project aims to discover and quantify opportunities for net positive impact in workwear value chains, such as enhanced efficiencies, waste reduction opportunities, cost reduction, productivity increases, and lowered greenhouse gas emissions. Using the high-visibility workwear industry as a case study, a guiding framework for circular economy decision-making in the apparel context can be built. This project is ultimately aimed at advancing the understanding of quantifiable impacts and building a clear business case for circularity in hi-vis workwear and associated textiles.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"Until Filled","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"Division 05 Environmental Sciences > Group 0502 Environmental Science and Management > Field 090703 Environmental Technologies  \n\nDivision 01 Mathematical Sciences > Group 0102 Applied Mathematics > 010206 Operations Research "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation; Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering; Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye, Lijing Wang, Scott Mayson, Jenny Underwood, Stephen Wigley, Rebecca van Amber, Angela Finn, Pia Interlandi, Saniyat Islam, Georgia McCorkill, Kate Sala","title":"Sustainable Fashion and Textile Systems","description":"The fashion and textile industry is currently undergoing a green revolution, driven by a concern for the environmental and social impact of fashion and textile materials, products, processes and systems.\nResearch in this field crosses the disciplines of technology, enterprise and design, and proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nPerformance and properties of sustainable materials including natural fibre biomaterials, natural dye colouration, and\/or the development of alternatives to traditional, polluting materials;\nFibre recycling technologies, textile waste technologies, life-cycle analysis of materials, and\/or environmental management frameworks;\nSustainable fashion and textile business models, including textile manufacturing practices, circular economy development models, and\/or sustainable industry supply chains;\nSustainable fashion retail and consumption models, including the future of retail spaces and\/or the impact of technological innovations;\nThe role of consumer psychology, social movements (e.g. veganism), changing social values and social policy frameworks;\nThe marketing of sustainability in the context of so-called greenwashing;\nSustainable fashion and textile design practice models, from commercial large-scale to independent micro-practices.","sdg":"3; 5; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation; Design and Creative Practice; Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"0910, 0912, 1203, 1503, 1505, 1608"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Robyn Healy, Scott Mayson, Ricarda Bigolin, Jenny Underwood, Stephen Wigley, Sean Ryan, Peter Boyd, Andrea Eckersley, Angela Finn, Laura Gardner, Tarryn Handcock, Georgia McCorkill, Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran, Tarun Panwar, Alex Sherlock, Denise Sprynskyj, Carol Tan","title":"Fashion and Textiles Communication, Enterprise and Pedagogy","description":"Research in this field lies at the intersection of the disciplines of design and enterprise, and proposals are sought that address one of the following topics\nPractice-based and practice-led investigations of diverse forms of fashion and textile practice;\nInnovations in the communication of fashion though image, writing and performance, including its recent adoption of innovative technologies such as VR and AR and\/or its increasingly diverse forms of dissemination through publication;\nContemporary self-critical reflection upon and engagement with fashion by practitioners and writers both within and outside the academy;\nNew models for the teaching and communication of fashion and textile design practice, including the foregrounding of practice-based thinking and\/or the social and environmental responsibility of fashion and textile practices;\nRecent developments in the relationship between local and global systems of fashion, in its cultural, political and economic aspects;\nNew forms of collaborative and cross-disciplinary relationships between practitioners in fashion and textiles and practitioners in fields such as industrial and product design, architecture and urban design, performance, photography, film and the visual arts, and\/or actors and critics working in fields such as public policy or social activism.","sdg":"3; 4; 5; 9; 11; 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice; Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"1203, 1302, 1901, 1904, 1905, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Melbourne City; Brunswick","teamleader":"Lijing Wang, Rajiv Padhye, Scott Mayson, Ricarda Bigolin, Jenny Underwood, Sean Ryan, Angela Finn, Rebecca van Amber, Peter Boyd, Andrea Eckersley, Tarryn Handcock, Pia Interlandi, Georgia McCorkill, Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran, Alex Sherlock, Denise Sprynskyj","title":"Wearable Body Space","description":"Textile materials and fashion garments occupy a liminal space connecting and separating the body to and from its physical, technological, social and cultural environments. The investigation of the role of textiles and fashion in this relationship is multidisciplinary and covers several fields, including textile engineering and technologies, materials sciences, electrical and software engineering, design theory and practice, visual communication, and the sociology and phenomenology of dress.\nResearch in this field crosses the disciplines of technology, enterprise and design, and proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nSmart textiles systems and wearable electronics connecting technologies and textiles, in order to harvest and store energy, embed batteries, sensors and actuators, monitor health, monitor the environment, provide communication, etc, including, for example, the development of fibre-based RFID tags, nanocellulose aerogel for energy generation, and stretchable conducting polymer-coated textile electrodes for supercapacitors;\nGarment technology and smart wearables that monitor health and well-being, provide communication or entertainment, enhance user experience, and connect with the Internet of Things and industry 4.0, without compromising clothing performance and functionality;\nPhysiological and\/or psychological responses to textile materials in the context of health, comfort and well-being;\nThe personal, social and cultural role of fashion and clothing, and of its communicative and performative potential, in the context of an increasingly urbanised and\/or technologized environment;\nThe personal, social and cultural place of fashion in the context of an increasingly fluid political, cultural and gender-diverse world.","sdg":"3; 9; 11; 12","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice; Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication; BHI","forcodes":"0906, 0910, 0912, 1203,1608, 1701, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology; Fashion & Textiles Design","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rebecca Van Amber, Jenny Underwood","title":"Explore strategies to achieve circularity in line with the Fashion & Textile system\u2019s transition to the circular economy","description":"The project envisages examining a mixed methodological and interdisciplinary approach to include\rmaterials selection, design approach, fabrication, user-centric data, disposal\/end-of-life options\/opportunities. Central to the research is to provide an LCA approach to establish normative definitions for the industry partner. In the context of the partner industry's product range, this research will investigate key aspects of materials, design, and governance issues.","sdg":"6; 9; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"STS 1 Circular Economy; AM 4 Materials for sustainable living; GBI 1 Collaborative Design Approaches for Innovation","forcodes":"120306, 091012"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"MR214","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye","title":"Development of Technique for Reduction and Recycling of Textile Waste","description":"Textile waste is ending up in landfill at a catastrophic rate, raising serious environmental issues worldwide. The exponential accumulation of waste, especially non-biodegradable fossil-based textiles, is generating economic, health, and societal concerns for future generations. Australia is ranked second in the world for its rate of textile consumption. The estimated disposal rate of textile-related items is roughly 85% of purchased textiles, with less than 15% currently being recycled. This problem not only impacts the environment; it is also a health issue.\nUtilizing textile waste in the production of polymers for other applications can be a way to recycle textile waste. In this project we aim to develop a new technique to recycle textile waste with a limited preparation before it becomes wastage. The produced materials will be characterised to investigate their potential in various applications, such as geotextiles, concrete, and other textile materials.\nThis Master\u2019s by Research project is based in the Centre for Material Innovation and Future Fashion (CMIFF).","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;6 - Clean Water and Sanitation;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;12 - Responsible Consumption and Production;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication;Advanced Materials;","forcodes":"401106 Waste Management, Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (30%) 401408 Manufacturing Processes and Technologies (30%) 401413 Textile Technologies (40%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye, Lijing Wang, Steve Michielsen, Xin Wang, Scott Mayson, Rebecca van Amber, Pia Interlandi, Saniyat Islam","title":"Materials for Extreme Conditions","description":"Innovations in advanced materials and performance textiles are required to confront a range of extreme environments, from the heat encountered in firefighting, to chemical, biological and other hazardous materials, to the stresses involved in space travel, to protective garments for law enforcement officers.\nResearch proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nThe development of compression garments and gloves for astronauts;\nThe design and evaluation, including through the use of the school\u2019s new flame mannikin, of functional firefighting garments;\nThe development of CBRN protective textiles;\nThe design of body armour for stab and ballistic protection;\nErgonomic performance evaluation of garments;\nThe improvement of UV-blocking and antibacterial properties of protective materials;\nThe coating of textiles with nanomaterials for multiple applications\nThe development of nanodiamond\/textile composites.","sdg":"3; 9; 13","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials","forcodes":"0910, 0912"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Rajiv Padhye, Lijing Wang, Steve Michielsen, Xin Wang","title":"Nanotextiles and Scalability","description":"The use of nanoparticles has been a promising way to develop performance textiles, although durability and comfort remain issues in the potential application of the technology. Similarly, the scaling up of nanofibres continues to present a challenge to their application. This project has a number of aims, including the growing of nanoparticles on textiles and the development of novel methods of synthesis, and the theory and method of electrospinning in the fabrication of nanofibres.\nResearch proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nThe development of carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites;\nThe development of spacer fabric with CNT-reinforced nanofibres for impact protection;\nNovel electrospinning systems for the scalable production of nanofibres;\nNanomaterials\/fibrous nanocomposite systems for multiple applications;\nThe use of nanodiamond\/selenium within fibrous systems for the development of medical textiles;\nThe design, modelling and engineering of compression garments;\nBraided 3D pre-form structures for fibre-reinforced composites;\nModelling of the protection and thermal comfort of semi-permeable PPE.","sdg":"3; 9","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication: BHI","forcodes":"0910, 1007"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Steve Michielsen, Lijing Wang, Rajiv Padhye, Xin Wang, Rebecca van Amber","title":"Textile Identification and Analysis","description":"The identification and analysis of textile composition and behaviour has important applications in a range of areas including defence and forensics and as protection against fraud and counterfeiting.\nResearch proposals are sought that address one of the following topics:\nHyperspectral analysis of fibre material and textile digital signal processing, with applications for the development and detection of camouflage and counterfeit materials;\nBloodstain pattern analysis, with applications in the field of forensic science;\nAnalysis of fabric wetting and the wicking of liquids, in the development of innovative materials for comfort and\/or for forensic fibre identification;\nArtificial intelligence tools and developing technologies to provide forensic evidence and to identify the origin of textiles, including, for example, the identification of Australian wool, the origin of animal furs and skins, the DNA analysis of textile fibres, and\/or the integration of fibre-based RFID technology for individual textile identification, life cycle studies, and supply chain tracking.","sdg":"9; 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials; ISE","forcodes":"0303, 0801, 0906, 0910"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Fashion & Textiles","discipline":"Textiles Technology","programcode":"DR213","campus":"Brunswick","teamleader":"Dr Rebecca Van Amber, Associate Prof. Dr Jenny Underwood","title":"Explore strategies toward achieving circularity in line with the Fashion & Textile system's transition to a circular economy","description":"As a means to address unsustainable resource consumption and waste generation in the fashion and textiles industry, the transition to a Circular Economy (CE) has become pivotal in Australia. Transitioning to a CE will require the growth and support of an industry focussed approach.      \r\nThis project will involve:  a literature review; followed by quantitative and qualitative research (surveys, interviews\/focus groups) with industry, government and research bodies aimed at identifying systematic intervention; followed by an analysis of Product LCA to update, with the final research aim being to identify and reform options and investigate potential mechanisms, processes and organisations through which systematic change can ideally be influenced and achieved.  \r","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 - Climate Action , 14 - Life Below Water, 15 - Life on the Land ,17 - Partnerships for the Goals","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401413 - Textile technology\r\n330315 - Textile and fashion design"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miranda Lai","title":"Virtual Emergency for All - Only When you Speak English","description":"Northern Health has introduced the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) since 2023. This is an online service platform hosted by Northern Health which triages and treats patients with non-life-threatening conditions virtually. VVED is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and free for Victorians. This service is the first of its kind in Australia.\n\nThe uptake of this service by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients is significantly under-represented, comparing to other members of community who speak English. It has also proven challenging for clinicians in utilising interpreting services to communicate with CALD clients via the virtual platform, comparing to conventional telephone interpreting service.\n\nThis project aims to:\n- establish current user profiles to establish a baseline for the proposed study\n- investigate the enabling and preventative factors from the CALD user perspective\n- investigate the enabling and preventative factors from the clinician perspective\n- explore possible change avenues to increase VVED uptake for better CALD emergency service outcomes\n\nThis project comes with a PhD scholarship and a 3-month internship to be undertaken at Northern Health.","sdg":"\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"470321        Translation and interpretation studies (50%)\n420305        Health and community services (50%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kathryn Daley, Juliet Watson","title":"Family violence, homelessness and women's refuges","description":"Family violence is a key driver of women's homelessness. Refuges offer short term accommodation for women and their children escaping violence. However, there are barriers to accessing refuges and pathways out of them into permanent, safe housing. This is exacerbated for some minority groups. A lack of housing limits women's ability to escape family violence. These facts are not new yet the issues persist. This research will be a mixed-methods approach drawing on linked datasets and qualitative interviews seeking to offer new insights in this area.\n\nThe successful applicant will have a role in shaping the project, along with the partner organisation(s). We are seeking someone who is able to undertake mixed methods research, though we will consider candidates who are trained solely in either quantitative or qualitative data (and are open to developing their skills). This project will include a 12-week paid internship with Good Shepherd (a not-for-profit supporting women, girls and families).  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440707 Housing Policy (35%)\n440705 Gender, Policy and Administration (35%)\n440903 Social program evaluation (30%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elizabeth Kath, Victor del Rio","title":"Strengthening Australia-Latin America Relations: Institutional Mapping and Building Collaborative Strategies","description":"This project aims to investigate and map the institutional landscape of Australia\u2019s engagement with Latin America, covering educational, governmental, and business sectors. It seeks to identify and understand key organizations involved in promoting Australia-Latin America relations, assess their current priorities and activities, and develop recommendations for improving collaboration to achieve a more cohesive approach for Australia\u2019s engagement with the Latin American region. \nObjectives include mapping existing institutions, analyzing their current activities, experiences, and priorities, and developing strategic recommendations to improve coordination. The project will explore practical strategies for integrating organizations' agendas, focusing on shared interests to build a unified approach. It will also design short-term collaborative activities and propose policies for medium and long-term impact. The research will use qualitative methods to assess collaboration and identify integration opportunities. The findings will produce actionable recommendations and strategies for fostering stronger regional relationships. This project has the potential to enhance bilateral relations between Australia and Latin America, addressing organizational fragmentation and improving collaborative outcomes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440801 Australian Government and Politics (...)\n440808 International Relations\n440303 Migration"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vandra Harris Agisilaou, Robbie Guevara, Julian Lee, Yaso Nadarajah, Peter Phipps, Kaye Quek, Elizabeth Kath, Tuba Boz, Nerkez Opacin, Bruce Wilson, Emma Shortis, Reina Ichii, Aiden Warren, Charlie Hunt, Gonzalez Garcia","title":"Humanitarianism, Migration & Development","description":"Mass migration as a result of humanitarian crises is a key contemporary global challenge shaped by the impact of global financial institutions and governance structures, environmental threats from climate change, ideological contestations and the changing nature of conflicts, generating new forms of precarity and vulnerability. Innovations in social media are impacting on cultural understandings of migration, identity and belonging, while ongoing digital transformations create challenges and opportunities for intervention approaches in the humanitarian and international development sector.\nWe welcome proposals that address issues in the fields of humanitarianism, migration and development by focusing on new and entrenched vulnerabilities locally or internationally, including the impact on women and children and indigenous groups. Candidates may have the opportunity to work with our partners including Australian Red Cross, Oxfam, International Organisation for Migration, Professional Migrant Women. Supervisors come from a background in anthropology, international development, political science, social work, gender studies, language studies, criminology, and global studies. Priority areas: 1. Indigenous and decolonisation perspectives in development\n2. Digital transformations in the Humanitarian Sector\n3. Gender, sexuality and development\n4. Migrant communities, belonging and social 5. Critical engagements with UN Sustainable Development Goals","sdg":"[\"1 - No Poverty\",\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390101 (25%) 440107 (50%) 440810 (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Criminology and Justice Studies; Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Monica Barratt","title":"Evaluating and improving drug checking services in Australia","description":"The supply of illegal drugs is unregulated due to prohibition. Unregulated supply results in drugs being sold that are of unknown content and strength, leading to overdoses which are sometimes fatal. Drug checking (a.k.a. pill testing) services (DCS) are a health response to this problem: members of the public submit substances of concern for chemical analysis and get the results back alongside a tailored health intervention. They empower people who use drugs to make informed decisions about their health, while also enabling communities and authorities to amplify health messages when toxic adulterations are detected. \n \nWhile relatively new in Australia, DCS have been established for 50+ years in 30+ countries. But there is still much we don\u2019t know. Knowledge gaps include: (1) the medium-to-long-term effectiveness of DCS on reducing drug harms, (2) the effects of the public outputs of DCS on drug harms, (3) how best to leverage community experiences of toxic drug outbreaks, and (4) how best to reach diverse groups. \n \nA PhD candidate is sought to lead a research project to address one or more of these knowledge gaps, supervised by Dr Monica Barratt, who leads a research program focused on emerging drug market trends. Dr Barratt is partnered with The Loop Australia, offering access to service-level data and internship possibilities. The candidate may have an academic background in qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods approaches to research. People with living or lived experience of substance use and\/or who have worked with people who use drugs are encouraged to apply.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420305"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hariz Halilovich, Elizabeth Kath, Tuba Boz, Peter Phipps, Charlie Hunt, Cecily Maller, Nerkez Opacin, James Oliver, School of Design","title":"The Art of Remembrance and Peace: Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Post-conflict Societies ","description":"The project investigates how the arts and creativity can be employed to serve reconciliatory ends and transitional justice, especially in \u201cfrozen conflict\u201d contexts categorized by entrenched social and political divisions running across two or more generations. Moreover, it will explore what ethical considerations of war and peace does a fusion between the arts and culture of remembrance in post-conflict societies necessitate? The geopolitical contexts relevant to the project range from the former Yugoslavia (in particular Bosnia and Kosovo) and Northern Ireland, in Europe, to several post-genocide, post-conflict and post-apartheid societies in Africa (e.g., Rwanda, Southern Sudan, South Africa), Asia (e.g., Cambodia, Myanmar, India-Pakistan), Latin America (eg Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador) and the Middle East (e.g., Israel-Palestine, Iraq, Syria\u2026). Recently, there has been a paradigm shift - both in theory and in practice - with transitional justice increasingly abandoning an exclusively legalistic perspective and opting, instead, for multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches. One of the non-conventional approaches has been the use of arts in reconciliation efforts in post-conflict societies. The arts have the power of creatively expressing both the anguish and the elation - as well as anything in between- of the human condition. Moreover, apart from the intrinsic aesthetic function, the purpose of the art can be, and often is, manifold: art is not merely mimetic or cathartic, it can perform sociocultural, historical, religious and ideological functions transgenerationally, transculturally, and transnationally. The PhD researcher will engage in a qualitative study (incl. ethnography\/fieldwork) of one or more of the post-conflict contexts looking at how reconciliation and the arts intertwine in post-conflict societies. Prospective industry partners: Global Reconciliation (Melbourne); KUMA International (Sarajevo), UNDP (Sarajevo).","sdg":"16, 10, 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390101 (25%) 440107 (50%) 440810 (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rojan Afrouz, Juliet Watson \n","title":"Trauma-Informed and Victim-Centred Practice Responses and Services for Domestic and Family Violence Victims\/Survivors from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds","description":"Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) impacts all women in Australia, but research shows that women from migrant and refugee backgrounds are less likely to access services when experiencing abuse. The traumatic experience of DFV, coupled with other structural inequalities and marginalisation, poses significant challenges for victims\/survivors from these communities to access safe and appropriate services. InTouch reported that a lack of victim-centred and trauma-informed skills by police and law enforcement resulted in significant misidentification of female victims of DFV among migrants and refugees. As of now, there is limited knowledge on how to develop policies, practice responses and recovery paths with a victim-centred and trauma-informed lens. This research proposal aims to address these gaps and contribute to the development of more effective, trauma-informed, and victim-centred services for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds experiencing DFV.\n This PhD will be conducted with publication. The method will be qualitative (probably grounded theory) with a feminist and trauma-informed framework. \nThe first paper will include a systematic literature review to explore the requirements of trauma-informed services with migrant and refugee women experiencing DFV, trauma-informed safety planning, counselling and recovery paths.  \nThe second paper will be based on in-depth interviews with victims\/survivors who used the system and their experiences of accessing services and recovery pathways (up to 10 interviews)\nThe third paper will be based on a co-design of trauma-informed practice in collaboration with relevant services. \nInternship opportunities with partner organisations will be explored. ","sdg":"5, 3, 10","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"230114        Violence and abuse services (50 %)\n440505     Intersectional studies (25%)\n440999        Social work not elsewhere classified (25%) \n\n\n\n\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Criminology and Justice Studies; Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210 & MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michele Ruyters, Crystal MacKinnon, Stuart Thomas, Monica Barratt, Nicola Henry, Georgina Heydon, Aiden Warren, Charlie Hunt, Anastasia Powell, Larissa Sandy, Brianna Chesser, Gemma Hamilton, Lisa Harris, Suzi Hutchings, Binoy Kampmark, Marg Lidell, Marietta Martinovic, Rob Watts, Pete Chambers, Rajesh Sharma, Russell Solomon, Robin Cameron, Greg Stratton, Lucy Maxwell, Peta Malins, Sharon Andrews, James Rowe","title":"Crime, Justice & Security","description":"We invite proposals addressing social, political and inter-personal conflict, including family and gender violence, policing and consequences of transnational crime, borders and national security, the impact of terrorism, crime and digital technology, shifting political conditions and relationships, gender and race inequalities in criminal justice systems and forensic mental health settings.\nProjects can focus on the voices of those who are persecuted and discriminated against for their identity, beliefs or circumstances and\/or legal, policy and practice reforms for institutions and services, as part of a broader global agenda towards peaceful, just and inclusive societies. Supervisors come from disciplines including social work and law, justice and legal studies, psychology and forensic mental health, Indigenous studies, international development and political science, criminology and education.\nThere is the opportunity to work with community groups and industry partners to generate an evidence-based for policy and practice reform at the interface of institutions, services and societal norms. Priority areas: - Digital Criminology\n- Gender and Family Violence\n- Indigenous and critical race perspectives on law and justice\n- Forensic mental health\n- Proposals related to Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative\n- International Peacekeeping and Security","sdg":"5, 10, 16, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1602, 160604"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Digital Design; Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Renata Kokanovic","title":"Borderline Personality as Social Phenomena","description":"PhD scholarship attached to the Australian Research Council Linkage Project \u2013 Borderline Personality as Social Phenomena.\nWe have an exciting and unique opportunity for a highly motivated student to undertake a PhD as part of a large Australian Research Council funded Linkage Project entitled Borderline Personality as Social Phenomena. The team is comprised of an international research group with expertise in critical mental health research, medical humanities, cultural studies, psychiatry and qualitative and arts-based research in mental health. The project is also is guided by collaborators with lived experiences and an Advisory Group. The focus of the PhD project will be to explore experiences of borderline personality among young people. The student will be panel supervised and trained in advanced qualitative and critical methodologies, and the production of digital resources. They will also be mentored to develop their expertise in critical social research on mental health. Value and duration\n$31,000 per annum for three years with a possible extension of six months (full time).\nNumber of scholarships available\nOne\nEligibility\nCandidates with backgrounds in critical mental health and health sociology are encouraged to apply.\nTo be eligible for this scholarship you must:\n\u2022 have first-class honours or equivalent in a relevant discipline;\n\u2022 be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident;\n\u2022 provide evidence of good oral and written communication skills;\n\u2022 demonstrable interest to work as part of a multi-disciplinary research team;\n\u2022 meet RMIT\u2019s entry requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy.\nHow to apply\nTo apply, please submit the following documents:\n\u2022 a cover letter, including a research statement\n\u2022 a copy of electronic academic transcripts\n\u2022 a CV that includes details of any publications\/awards and the contact details of 2 academic referees.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"441011 - Sociology of health (70%) 920410 - Mental Health (30%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elizabeth Kath","title":"Understanding Belonging in Education in the Digital Age","description":"\u2018Belonging\u2019, \u2018social inclusion\u2019 and \u2018social support\u2019 are key areas of sociability that are vital to student and staff wellbeing, resilience, and academic success in educational settings, and are still reported to be sustained by face-to-face interaction. In recent years, academic life has been increasingly mediated through screens, with profound social, cultural, and wellbeing implications. This research project aims to better understand the sense of belonging amongst staff and students in educational settings, considering cultural, social, and technological factors. The project investigates strategies for fostering meaningful belonging, social inclusion, and social support, including the examination of school-based and university-based interventions and programs to evaluate their effectiveness. The expected outcomes of the research include providing actionable insights and recommendations for fostering belonging in educational settings, considering cultural diversity and the pervasive influence of digital technologies. The findings will inform policies and practices that enhance individual well-being and social cohesion in academic settings. This project includes a funded industry internship with Awards Victoria.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"4702 - Cultural studies (50%)\n3902 - Education policy, sociology, & philosophy (50%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210 \/ MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Paul Battersby, Hariz Halilovich, Val Colic-Peisker, Damian Grenfell, Robbie Guevara, Vandra Harris, Julian Lee, Yaso Nadarajah, Ceridwen Spark, Kaye Quek, Elizabeth Kath, Bruce Wilson, Emma Shortis, Reina Ichii, Peter Phipps, Gemma Sou","title":"Humanitarianism, Migration & Development","description":"Mass migration as a result of humanitarian crises is a key contemporary global challenge shaped by the impact of global financial institutions and governance structures, environmental threats from climate change, ideological contestations and the changing nature of conflicts, generating new forms of precarity and vulnerability. Innovations in social media are impacting on cultural understandings of migration, identity and belonging, while ongoing digital transformations create challenges and opportunities for intervention approaches in the humanitarian and international development sector.\nWe welcome proposals that address issues in the fields of humanitarianism, migration and development by focusing on new and entrenched vulnerabilities locally or internationally, including the impact on women and children and indigenous groups. Candidates may have the opportunity to work with our partners including Australian Red Cross and Oxfam. Supervisors come from a background in anthropology, international development, political science, social work, gender studies, criminology, and global studies. Priority areas: 1. Indigenous and decolonisation perspectives in development\n2. Digital transformations in the Humanitarian Sector\n3. Gender, sexuality and development\n4. Migrant communities, belonging and social 5. Critical engagements with UN Sustainable Development Goals","sdg":"1, 5,10, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"160104, 160606, 160607, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Global and Language Studies","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hariz Halilovich, Elizabeth Kath, Tuba Boz, Peter Phipps, Charlie Hunt, Cecily Maller, Nerkez Opacin, James Oliver, School of Design","title":"The Art of Remembrance and Peace: Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Post-conflict Societies ","description":"The project investigates how the arts and creativity can be employed to serve reconciliatory ends and transitional justice, especially in \u201cfrozen conflict\u201d contexts categorized by entrenched social and political divisions running across two or more generations. Moreover, it will explore what ethical considerations of war and peace does a fusion between the arts and culture of remembrance in post-conflict societies necessitate? The geopolitical contexts relevant to the project range from the former Yugoslavia (in particular Bosnia and Kosovo) and Northern Ireland, in Europe, to several post-genocide, post-conflict and post-apartheid societies in Africa (e.g., Rwanda, Southern Sudan, South Africa), Asia (e.g., Cambodia, Myanmar, India-Pakistan), Latin America (eg Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador) and the Middle East (e.g., Israel-Palestine, Iraq, Syria\u2026). Recently, there has been a paradigm shift - both in theory and in practice - with transitional justice increasingly abandoning an exclusively legalistic perspective and opting, instead, for multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches. One of the non-conventional approaches has been the use of arts in reconciliation efforts in post-conflict societies. The arts have the power of creatively expressing both the anguish and the elation - as well as anything in between- of the human condition. Moreover, apart from the intrinsic aesthetic function, the purpose of the art can be, and often is, manifold: art is not merely mimetic or cathartic, it can perform sociocultural, historical, religious and ideological functions transgenerationally, transculturally, and transnationally. The PhD researcher will engage in a qualitative study (incl. ethnography\/fieldwork) of one or more of the post-conflict contexts looking at how reconciliation and the arts intertwine in post-conflict societies. Prospective industry partners: Global Reconciliation (Melbourne); KUMA International (Sarajevo), UNDP (Sarajevo)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390101 (25%)\r\n440107 (50%)\r\n440810 (25%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kathryn Daley, Guy Johnson, Juliet Watson","title":"Gendered experiences of housing insecurity and homelessness","description":"This project will investigate the experiences of women and non binary people who are at the margins of the housing market, as well as those who have experienced homelessness. There is international evidence to suggest that womens' experiences of homelessness differ substantially from that of men, but little work has been undertaken in Australian to understand the nuanced experience of this, and in turn, the implications for both policy and practice. This project will work with partner organisation\/s and include an internship. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"440707 Housing  Policy (50%)\r\n440705 Gender, policy & Adminstration (50%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Social Work and Human Services","programcode":"DR210 & MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Judith Bessant, Katherine Johnson, Robyn Martin, Kat Daley, Bawa Kuyini, Belinda Johnson, Chris Maylea, Christina David, Sharlene Nipperess, Ronnie Egan, Sonia Martin, Paul Ramcharan, Angelika Papadopolous, John Whyte, Guy Johnson, Juliet Watson, Renata Kokanovic, Kate Johnston-Ataata, Jacinthe Flore, Anna Urbanowicz, Crystal MacKinnon, Kim Humphrey, Paul Scriven, Suellen Murray","title":"Citizenship, Care & Health","description":"Giving and receiving support and care is intensely personal yet its provision is entrenched in systemic and structural processes. Through a focus on \u2018voice\u2019, lived experience and end-user participation, researchers in Citizenship, Care & Health aim to influence policy, practice and education that benefits citizens and communities in situations of vulnerability and precarity by reducing social inequalities, promoting health and mental health, and improving participation in society.\nWe welcome proposals that work with gender, sexuality, cultural and generational communities in the contexts of mental and physical health, housing and homelessness, disability and the NDIS, social and community service provision and design, and their intersections. We offer the potential to collaboration with our partners in health, housing and community service organisations and consumer advocacy groups, and a supervisory team from a range of disciplinary areas, including social work, social policy, youth work, medical and health sociology, community psychology and disability studies. We are particularly interested in projects with the potential to address intersectional disadvantage and vulnerability using innovative and participatory research methods. Priority area: - Homelessness and housing\n- Lived experience of health and mental health\n- Disability\n- Youth work\n- Aged Care\n- Critical perspectives on trauma","sdg":"1, 3, 10, 17","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change; Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"160512, 160702, 170103"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melanie Davern, Alan Both, Ori Gudes, Jessica Rivera Villicana","title":"Investigating similarities and differences between resident ratings of liveability with objective spatial measurement of neighbourhood liveability using participatory GIS","description":"This project will draw on the existing liveability indicators included in the Australian Urban Observatory (auo.org.au) to compare and analyse key features of local liveability according to resident perspectives using participatory Geographic Information Systems. It will investigate resident perceptions of liveability and compare this to existing objective spatial measures of liveability according to different demographic groups.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330413"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melanie Davern, Jessica Rivera Villicana, Alan Both, Afshin Jafari, Ori Gudes","title":"Developing novel data visualisation methods to understand and communicate city cycling","description":"Develop new methods and data visualisation tools in the Australian Urban Observatory to understand and interpret safe cycling indicator results in local neighbourhoods","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330499\n460807"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210 & MR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Bekessy, Ascelin Gordon, Georgia Garrard, Matthew Selinske, Holly Kirk, Alex Kusmanoff","title":"Interdisciplinary Conservation Science","description":"Managing biodiversity demands a multidisciplinary approach that reconciles ecological, social and economic dimensions. The ICON Science Research Group examines these diverse drivers of change, particularly in urban and semi-rural environments. We are looking for HDR PhD students for 6 specific projects:\n1) Effective biodiversity behaviour change across supply chains\nWork with project partner Zoos Victoria on a sustainable coffee engagement project, designing interventions, collaborating with coffee industry partners, and evaluating intervention outcomes. 2) Message framing for improved biodiversity conservation\nHow we say things can be as important as what we say when trying to change behaviours that affect biodiversity conservation. We have numerous partners from state and federal government agencies and non-government organisation interested in exploring the topic of communication and message framing in various contexts 3) Onsets not offsets for real biodiversity gains\nWork with us on an ARC Discovery project investigating an alternative approach to biodiversity offsetting that delivers positive on-site benefits to biodiversity and industry. By requiring proponents to demonstrate how they will retain, protect, restore and improve biodiversity on their site, onsetting will drive creative thinking and much-needed innovation within industry. 4) Designing green spaces for biodiversity and human well-being\nInterested in maintaining and encouraging more biodiversity into the cities? We have an established research program looking at social and ecological factors involved with urban greening, that specifically focuses on how people perceive different types of green spaces in cities, unpacking the elements of 'green' in green space design and delving into city floral visitor networks (like native bees!). 5) Understanding the synergies and trade-offs between conservation and ecosystem service supply and demand in rural and urban areas There has been significant progress in understanding how we value and measure ecosystem services. However, much of this work has been focused on the supply of services, with a less research on understanding the dynamics of the demand for services. In addition, more work is needed to properly understand the likely synergies and tradeoffs that may occur between prioritizing ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. 6) Biodiversity sensitive urban design (BSUD)\nWe work with government agencies, certification bodies, non-government organisations and urban developers to improve urban design in cities to enhance biodiversity within the urban fabric. PhD projects could focus on the intersection of architecture and BSUD, the measurement of biodiversity outcomes, urban design that enhances connectivity for target species or techniques for engaging stakeholders in setting compelling biodiversity objectives.","sdg":"6,9,11,12,14,15","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melanie Davern and Gavin Turrell","title":"What is the role of neighbourhood liveability for support healthy ageing?","description":"Liveable neighbourhoods include a range of different local services and amenities that are easily accessed through walking, cycling and public transport. They encourage and support more active lifestyles, are safe and support sustainability, include affordable and diverse housing options, public open space, public transport, local education and employment options, leisure and recreation, shops, and local services. Yet, little is known about how neighbourhoods change across time in relation to ageing.\r\n\r\nThe proposed PhD project is a study of mid to older aged adults and whether their local neighbourhood liveability supports active and healthy behaviours and overall health and wellbeing. Key aims are to identify whether neighbourhood liveability influences health and wellbeing, and healthy ageing; and the extent to which this relationship is modified by individual preferences and socioeconomic disadvantage.  \r\n","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing,  9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 10 - Reduced Inequalities , 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"200502 - Health related to ageing (50%)\r\n280104 - Expanding knowledge in built environment and design (30%)\r\n200401 - Behaviour and health (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR210","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ascelin Gordon","title":"More than a reserve? Measuring the benefits of private protected areas","description":"This is an exciting opportunity to undertake a PhD within an interdisciplinary research project focused conserving biodiversity on private land. It is funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Project titled \u201cMore than a reserve? Measuring the benefits of private protected areas\u201d. Its aim is to improve how we understand, measure and report on the benefits from private protected areas (PPAs) in Australia. \n\nThe project will develop a new theoretical approach and apply this to answer such questions as: (i) What are the contributions PPAs are making to reducing biodiversity loss? (ii) Are there benefits from PPAs beyond biodiversity conservation, such as socio-cultural and economic benefits? (iii) To what extent do these benefits arise within the boundaries of a PPA, and what sort of benefit flows into and out of the PPA occur? \n\nThe project brings together top researchers from academia (RMIT, UNSW, Griffith, and QUT) along with the most important organisations for private protected areas in Australia, including Bush Heritage and BridLife Australia. These organisations have identified PPAs they manage that may be used as case studies in the project. \n\nThe PhD research will involve: (i) collation and synthesis of existing approaches for measuring PPA benefits; (ii) data collection from case study PPAs and analysis of that data to measure specific benefit streams. We are open to students with backgrounds in one or more of ecology\/conservation, social science, and\/or environmental economics. The PhD research may involve travel to case study PPAs around Australia.\n\nSee here for further information: https:\/\/ascelin.github.io\/blog\/new-research-positions-available \n","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 15 - Life on the Land","funded":"Yes","closedate":"05\/05\/2024","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"410401 Conservation and biodiversity (50%) ; 410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring (30%) ; 440704 Environment policy (20%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen","title":"Value-for-Money in social procurement","description":"Social procurement is the practice of purchasing goods and services in a way that generates social, environmental, and economic benefits beyond the primary value of the goods or services themselves. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that instead of generating meaningful impact and value-for-money for different stakeholders, social procurement is often focused on merely reporting dollars spent on contracts with social impact organizations. \n\nTherefore, the purpose of this HDR project is to explore and investigate what is value-for-money in social procurement for different stakeholders, what factors drive or hinder its realization, and how purchasing managers, procurement organizations, and other stakeholders evaluate, influence, and manage it. \n\nThis project will involve qualitative research methods, including case studies and interviews, but they can be supplemented with quantitative methods, if appropriate. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have expertise in qualitative research methods and the ambition to conduct rigorous research that has the potential to deliver significant scholarly, managerial, and societal impact. Prior expertise and experience in social procurement, supply chain management, or organizational buying is an advantage. \n","sdg":"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350603 industrial marketing\n350612 social marketing\n350710 organizational behavior"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen","title":"How social enterprises sell to supply chain partners","description":"Social enterprises pursue a dual mission that combines social and financial goals, and they play an important role in tackling the wider sustainability challenges in business and societal ecosystem. However, since social and commercial business logics are often conflicting, social enterprises tend to struggle to get supply chain partners to buy into their social missions and\npurchase or supply their products and services.\n\nWhile there is a large body of literature that has considered social entrepreneurship and the related business models, logic, and strategies it involves, it has paid much less attention to issues related to successfully selling social missions and social products and services to different supply chain partners. Therefore, the purpose of this HRD project is to explore and investigate how social enterprises can create resonating value propositions and convince their supply chain partners to buy into their social missions and purchase their products and services.\n\nThe project will involve qualitative research methods, including cases studies and interviews within the Australian social enterprise sector and potentially across other countries. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have expertise in qualitative research methods and the ambition to conduct rigorous research that has the potential to deliver significant scholarly, managerial, and societal impact. Prior expertise and experience in social entrepreneurship, selling and\/or sales management, and supply chain partnerships is considered an advantage.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350603 industrial marketing\n350612 social marketing \n350702 corporate social responsibility"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen","title":"How organizations implement and manage Creating Shared Value strategies","description":"Creating Shared Value (CSV) is a business strategy that was coined and popularized by Porter and Kramer (2011) as a way for corporations to align business and social goals, and it has become a popular approach among many corporations and practitioners (Crane et al., 2014). CSV is based on the idea of turning social problems into business opportunities and gaining a sustainable competitive advantage by creating both economic and social value (Porter & Kramer, 2011). \n\nHowever, while there is a growing body of research on CSV (see e.g.,  Pfitzer et al., 2013; Dembek et al., 2016; Mengwar & Daood, 2021), many firms still struggle to implement it in practice, especially in complex value chains and business networks with multiple stakeholders. Therefore, the purpose of this HDR project is to explore and investigate how organizations in different industries and business contexts adopt and implement CSV strategy, what are the major internal and external barriers that hinder this process, and how firms manage CSV partnerships in value chains and business networks.\n\nThis project will involve qualitative research methods, including case studies and interviews. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have expertise in qualitative research methods and the ambition to conduct rigorous research that has the potential to deliver significant scholarly, managerial, and societal impact. Prior expertise and experience in social or sustainable business strategy, corporate social responsibility, or related fields is an advantage\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350702 corporate social responsibility\n350710 organizational behavior\n350718 strategy"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Penelope Weller, Natalya Turkina, Jessica Helmi, Max Theilacker","title":"How Institutions Condition Stakeholders\u2019 Emotions in the Process of Inclusive ICT Innovation?","description":"Many cities nowadays aim to become inclusive in the sense that they strive to include various marginalised communities (e.g., people with disabilities) in the social division of labour and social networks and promote their participation in material (consumption), politico-institutional and cultural activities (Kronauer, 2002). Becoming \u2018smart\u2019 through developing innovations in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be an effective way for cities to promote the inclusion of marginalised communities (Reuter, 2019).\nThe process of inclusive ICT innovation engages multiple stakeholders, including city councils, businesses, NGOs, research organisations and citizens themselves (Borghys, Van der Graaf, Walravens, & Van Compernolle, 2020). Alongside its technological implementation and rationalisation, the process of inclusive ICT innovation is informed by stakeholders\u2019 emotions. This means that emotions help stakeholders to make sense of and then decide to develop a specific innovation (e.g., Friedrich & W\u00fcstenhagen, 2017; Vuori & Huy, 2016). In this context, emotions do, however, not occur in a vacuum but instead are informed by the diverse institutional environments (i.e., values, norms, rules and conventions) that condition these stakeholders (Zietsma & Toubiana, 2018). To date, little is known about the mechanisms of such conditioning (Friedland, 2018) and about how various institutional environments can either hinder or facilitate multiple stakeholder engagement in the process of inclusive ICT innovation. This HDR project, therefore, aims to explore how institutions condition stakeholders\u2019 emotions in the process of inclusive ICT innovation. The underlying project will employ qualitative research methods (i.e., comparative and longitudinal case studies). The HDR student will have an opportunity to collect data in Australia and Indonesia and will be supported by a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers, who have excellent industry connections in these two countries.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"Tra Pham","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joona Ker\u00e4nen, Natalya Turkina","title":"How Social Enterprises Couple Market and Social Welfare Logics to Create Value in the Post-Pandemic World?","description":"The rapid and unprecedented market decline brought in by COVID-19 will inevitably result in dramatic changes (i.e., economic recession, unemployment, inequality) in the economic and social contexts of many countries. These impacts can be addressed by social enterprises \u2013 organisations that generate revenues by creating social value for stakeholders, local communities and society more broadly (Santos, 2012). Since social enterprises are able to selectively couple market and social welfare logics (Pache & Santos, 2013) in complex and demanding economic and social environments (Cherriera, Goswamib, & Ray, 2018), they are in a unique position to create employment and associated community and social benefits for multiple stakeholders and diverse social groups affected by the pandemic. However, to be able to create social value when their own economic existence is under threat, social enterprises will need to find new mechanisms to effectively couple market and social welfare logics in the post-pandemic world. The purpose of this HDR project is to explore how social enterprises can couple market and social welfare logics to create value in the post-pandemic world. The project will involve qualitative research methods, including comparative and longitudinal studies within Australian social enterprise sector, and potentially across other countries. This project is particularly suitable for candidates who have critical thinking, strong interest, prior knowledge and\/or experience in social entrepreneurship. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers from GSBL who have excellent industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb","title":"Unpacking Corporate Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence for Conflict-Affected Areas","description":"A growing body of global governance and corporate sustainability disclosure standards are  placing expectations on companies to act responsibly in conflict-affected regions \u2013 including in compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law, and with sensitivity to conflict-dynamics. Prominent examples of these initiatives include the United Nations\u2019 Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011), the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (2013) and the Global Reporting Initiative\u2019s new sustainability standard for the Mining Sector (2024). Under these initiatives, companies are expected to conduct \u201cheightened human rights due diligence\u201d (hHRDD) to correspond with the heightened risks that arise in conflict-affected areas; this should also incorporate considerations of IHL. However, the initiatives fail to adequately define what that process entails. Companies require more specific guidance and support to understand the relevance of IHL and how to conduct their operations in a conflict-sensitive manner that reflects these international standards. Moreover, there is a lack of clarity as to the practical steps a company should take to conduct hHRDD in a way that genuinely and effectively implements IHL. Subject to negotiation with the successful applicant, this project will explore elements of what constitutes hHRDD in practice grounded in theoretical understandings of conflict-sensitivity and human rights law, identify impediments for greater adoption of hHRDD amongst companies and elaborate on ideas for relevant governance reform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law (40%)\n350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility (30%)\n440810 - Peace Studies (15%) \n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting (15%)\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Business","programcode":"DR205","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb, Dr Kate Grosser - CoBL School of Management\nDr Thuy Nguyen - CoBL School of Account, Information Systems and Supply Chains","title":"Exploring the human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities of business","description":"The RMIT Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRIGHT) is Australia\u2019s first university-based research centre dedicated to examining the nexus between the corporate sector and human rights. The Centre\u2019s mission is to contribute research, education and practical support to ensure that businesses respect the human rights of workers, communities, and customers, where they operate, as well as throughout their national, regional and global supply and value chains.\n\nBHRIGHT researchers conduct research, including theoretical and empirical studies, to build evidence of business\u2019 human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities.\n\nThere is a range of disciplinary expertise within BHRIGHT, including management, supply chain management, accounting, labour law and human rights law, and our work is organised across themes --- for more information please visit our website: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/business-and-human-rights-centre The BHRIGHT Co-Directors will work with successful PhD candidates to clarify suitable research topics within the field of Business and Human Rights, and help the candidate assemble a supervisory team from amongst BHRIGHT researchers relevant to their specific project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility\n480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law\n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting \n350701 \u2013 Corporate governance\n350909 - Supply chains\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Penelope Weller","title":"The business contribution to the right to health and wellbeing ","description":"The role of business in the realisation of the human right to right to health and mental health is often overlooked. The human right to health is an expansive human right encompassing the right to access a full suite of the social, economic and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing, including appropriate health care.  Right to health considerations stretch to many aspects of social life.  In developed nations, the task of ensuring appropriate public health and environmental policy related to the necessary regulation of waste and pollution, clean water and food, adequate housing, transport and welfare and other areas was traditionally thought of as a public concern and a task  the welfare state.  In developed neo-liberal nations the essential components of the human right to health has been increasingly governed by private business or by public-private partnerships.  Little attention has been paid to the way these new entities attend to their human rights obligations as expressed in the Charter for Business and Human Rights. This project will consider whether and what ways key industries relevant  to the substantive components of the right to health are incorporating human rights obligations with respect to the delivery of such services. The PhD candidate(s) may choose from a range of relevant areas consistent with their expertise and background. It is expected that the project will make a novel and substantial contribution to our understanding of how business might contribute to and support the right to health.   ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-11-30","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"480405\n480408\n480412"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Penelope Weller","title":"Business and human rights in health systems-improving the regulation of technology","description":"In developed western nations the regulation of health technology is directly relevant to the realisation of the right to health. Health care services are increasingly reliant on complex diagnostic and treatment technologies many of which are augmented by AI or have adopted new AI based technologies to fulfil specified tasks. In general, therapeutic goods and services are regulated by the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) but not all technologies and devices fall within the ambit of the TGA. Other product and service-related laws are also relevant to the regulation of the health system but are seldom in play.  In other areas where complex technologies have been introduced, there have been significant failures associated with discrimination, equality and privacy breaches. At present little is known about the extent to which new platforms and technologies are being use in health services, how they are developed and what human rights issues are implicated in their use.  This project will examine the regulation of medical technologies, devices and platforms from a Business and Human Rights perspective. It will identify whether and how medical device companies and regulatory bodies are engaging with business and human rights obligations .  The project will create new knowledge about the deployment of AI technologies in health. It will create framework for evaluating the human rights dimensions of technological regulation with a view to identifying new approach to the regulation of AI enhanced technologies.  ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-06-01","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"480405\n480408\n480412"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb, Dr Kate Grosser - CoBL School of Management\nDr Thuy Nguyen - CoBL School of Account, Information Systems and Supply Chains","title":"Exploring the human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities of business","description":"The RMIT Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRIGHT) is Australia\u2019s first university-based research centre dedicated to examining the nexus between the corporate sector and human rights. The Centre\u2019s mission is to contribute research, education and practical support to ensure that businesses respect the human rights of workers, communities, and customers, where they operate, as well as throughout their national, regional and global supply and value chains.\n\nBHRIGHT researchers conduct research, including theoretical and empirical studies, to build evidence of business\u2019 human rights impacts, responsibilities and accountabilities.\n\nThere is a range of disciplinary expertise within BHRIGHT, including management, supply chain management, accounting, labour law and human rights law, and our work is organised across themes --- for more information please visit our website: https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/centres-collaborations\/business-and-human-rights-centre The BHRIGHT Co-Directors will work with successful PhD candidates to clarify suitable research topics within the field of Business and Human Rights, and help the candidate assemble a supervisory team from amongst BHRIGHT researchers relevant to their specific project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility\n480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law\n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting \n350701 \u2013 Corporate governance\n350909 - Supply chains\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne Kallies, Dr Vanessa Johnston","title":"Building Australia\u2019s climate change resilience through land use legal frameworks","description":"As businesses and communities become increasingly impacted by climate change, greater thought is needed to understand and maximise opportunities to build climate resilience within regulatory frameworks that affect land use. Climate resilience is key for adapting to changing climatic conditions, and to plan and prepare for natural disasters and extreme weather events. In Australia, property and planning laws regulate how land may be used for domestic and business purposes, and create mechanisms to protect and conserve natural environments. Changing climatic conditions and extreme weather events challenge whether and how property and planning law frameworks can or should be used to build climate resilience and minimise vulnerability to loss of life and property.  \n\nThis project will review and analyse the legal frameworks affecting land use, and it\u2019s proponents (property developers, businesses, governments) in Australia in the context of climate change to identify regulatory tools and policy recommendations for an improved pre-emptive response to adverse climate impacts and extreme weather events. \n\nThe project will take a comparative law approach, drawing on examples across Australian and international jurisdictions to:\n\ni)        illustrate how existing regulatory framework challenges or prevents the resilience and preparedness of communities and businesses to climate-change risk, and \nii)        identify how property law and planning regulation might better contribute towards reduced risk exposure. This work will include an assessment of managed retreat options.\niii)        assess regulatory opportunities and barriers especially in relation to vulnerable communities. \n\nThe project will be informed by an appropriate theoretical approach (e.g climate justice, human rights). \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480202, 480203, 480604"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb","title":"Unpacking Corporate Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence for Conflict-Affected Areas","description":"A growing body of global governance and corporate sustainability disclosure standards are  placing expectations on companies to act responsibly in conflict-affected regions \u2013 including in compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law, and with sensitivity to conflict-dynamics. Prominent examples of these initiatives include the United Nations\u2019 Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011), the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (2013) and the Global Reporting Initiative\u2019s new sustainability standard for the Mining Sector (2024). Under these initiatives, companies are expected to conduct \u201cheightened human rights due diligence\u201d (hHRDD) to correspond with the heightened risks that arise in conflict-affected areas; this should also incorporate considerations of IHL. However, the initiatives fail to adequately define what that process entails. Companies require more specific guidance and support to understand the relevance of IHL and how to conduct their operations in a conflict-sensitive manner that reflects these international standards. Moreover, there is a lack of clarity as to the practical steps a company should take to conduct hHRDD in a way that genuinely and effectively implements IHL. Subject to negotiation with the successful applicant, this project will explore elements of what constitutes hHRDD in practice grounded in theoretical understandings of conflict-sensitivity and human rights law, identify impediments for greater adoption of hHRDD amongst companies and elaborate on ideas for relevant governance reform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480307 \u2013 International humanitarian and human rights law (40%)\n350702 \u2013 Corporate social responsibility (30%)\n440810 - Peace Studies (15%) \n350107 - Sustainability accounting and reporting (15%)\n"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jonathan Kolieb","title":"Companies and International Humanitarian Law: Relevance, Rights, Responsibilities","description":"Increasingly, companies \u2013 including Australian-domiciled firms \u2013 find themselves caught up in armed conflicts with little understanding of what their legal rights and obligations are under the specialised set of laws that apply to, and regulate behaviour in, armed conflict \u2013 international humanitarian law (IHL). The core of IHL are the Geneva Conventions, which are universally-ratified international treaties signed in 1949 \u2013 75 years ago. Traditionally, this body of international norms of behaviour designed to regulate conduct in situations of armed conflict have been understood to place responsibilities upon states and their militaries, and more recently, to non-state armed groups as well. Similarly, accountability processes (eg. through domestic and international criminal law) have been used, primarily, to hold states and armed groups accountable for involvement in war crimes \u2013 grave violations of IHL. However, there has been little research conducted on if and how IHL is applicable and relevant to corporate actors across the spectrum of industries. This project seeks to explore the relationship between business actors and IHL. It will explore questions surrounding the responsibilities and protections afforded to companies under IHL, how such entities\u2019 adherence to IHL could be strengthened, and how corporate actors can be held accountable when IHL norms are violated through domestic or international legal mechanisms.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"480307 - International humanitarian and human rights law (60%)\n350702 - Corporate social responsibility (15%)\n480306 - International criminal law (15%)\n350701 - Corporate governance (10%)"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Zsuzsanna Csereklyei, Anne Kallies","title":"Energy Transitions in Electricity Markets","description":"Electricity generation landscapes are rapidly changing around the world. Advances and cost reductions in renewable electricity generation and storage technologies have fueled an unprecedented energy transition in the power generation sector. Electricity consumption is predicted to keep increasing worldwide, hand in hand with economic development, and a shift towards higher reliance on electricity in the energy mix, fueled by the electrification of ransport and industrial processes. This ongoing transition poses a major challenge to our electricity systems and markets, which were originally not designed to accommodate high levels of intermittent, low or zero marginal cost generation. Regulators are grappling to design and adjust market frameworks that can support a more sustainable, but also reliable and affordable electricity system of the future. These goals are however challenging, as the long-run economic and system stability implications of different market frameworks are not entirely understood. The proposed research projects either in the field of economics or law, will investigate the impact of different legal frameworks, regulations and incentive policies on electricity market economics and transitions. These may include but are not limited to the problems of market design and investment adequacy, placing economic value on dispatchability, flexibility, and the evaluation of capacity markets, optimal levels of horizontal and vertical integration, and examining the role of prosumers from a legal and economic perspective. The project will enrich RMIT ECPs capabilities on energy transitions and will develop interdisciplinary RMIT collaboration between economics and law. Its innovative offering addresses industry needs and provides the basis for ongoing work in this area. In particular, this research is aligned with the Information and Systems ECP, which is hosting the energy@rmit network, by 1) deepening our understanding of how regulation and market design influences the economic viability of new technologies and transitions ; 2) building collaboration with public and private sector partners (including regulators) to generate research-driven change and impact in value-driven innovation in electricity markets and create opportunities for energy@RMIT. Professor Sanderson, the ECP director is happy to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Informations and Systems","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Marta Poblet, Christopher Berg, Aaron Lane","title":"Distributed Ledger Technologies, Law, and Governance: Opportunities and Challenges","description":"Distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) are a set of digital technologies developing open, peer-to-peer, distributed ledgers to record transactions between multiple parties in a verifiable and tamper resistant way. As a result, DLTs enable systems where people, Artificial Intelligence agents, or Internet of Things objects can interact in a trusted and virtually frictionless network.\nA key component of DLTs are distributed consensus mechanisms that exclusively rely on the nodes of the network to validate any incoming transactions (e.g. currency transfers, votes, smart contracts, etc.). As there is no need of third trusted parties to validate such transactions, DLTs are expected to disrupt a number of industries and domains: finance and capital markets, logistics and supply chains, utilities and consumer products, and government and the public sector, among others.\nThis research program aims at studying the impact of different forms of DLTs (such as the open platforms Blockchain and Ethereum) on law and governance. More specifically, it proposes to investigate three main areas: legal transactions (e.g. property and IP rights), voting, and governance of big data.\nResearch question\/s\nThe three main research questions are:\n\u2022How DLTs can be used to provide users with greater access and control over the data they create?\n\u2022Do DLTs enable more efficient and tamper-proof online voting mechanisms?\n\u2022Can DLTs provide a more secure and trusted system for legal transactions such as electronic land transfers or IP rights?","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"The project will RMIT ECPs capabilities on value-based healthcare and develop interdisciplinary RMIT collaboration to examine all facets of VBPD. Its innovative offering addresses industry needs and provides the basis for ongoing work in this area. In particular, this research is aligned with the GBI ECP and GSBL Incubator (Innovation) by 1) deepening RMIT\u2019s understanding of innovative business practices and approaches when it comes to VBPD; 2) building collaboration with public and private sector partners to generate researchdriven change and impact in value-driven innovation in healthcare internationally and create opportunities for RMIT University in health 4.0.","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Marta Poblet, Aaron Lane, Chris Berg","title":"Digital democracy for political, corporate, and industry sectors: towards new forms of governance","description":"Digital democracy is an umbrella term that refers to digitally-enabled tools supporting different types of participatory processes in politics, such as monitoring policies and political representatives, signing petitions, deliberating, drafting legal texts, voting, etc. Digital democracy also includes technology-enabled forms of democratic corporate and organisational governance of multiple legal entities (non-for-profit organisations, cooperatives, unions, etc.). Other common terms to designate this broad domain are \u201cparticipatory technologies\u201d or \u201ccivic technologies\u201d. The objective of this project is to develop cutting-edge research on how distributed, trustless, privacy-preserving technologies (notably ledger technologies such as the blockchain, but including other decentralised solutions) can enable new forms of digital governance and democracy. The project will adopt an empirical approach based on a combination of methods (data analytics, qualitative case studies, simulations, etc.) to improve both the discoverability and applicability of the best solutions. Ultimately, this project will be proposing innovative and efficient models of governance adapted to different organisational needs and requirements. Those models will also be context-aware, that is, they will take into account the economic and socio-legal environments where they are going to operate. Therefore, this research will require ongoing collaboration with industry partners (corporations, organisations, and governments) interested in testing and improving their current governance systems. To facilitate industry engagement, we will rely on the industry networks of the Graduate School of Business and Law, the Blockchain Innovation Hub, and the Global Business Innovation EPC.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Graduate School of Business and Law","discipline":"Law","programcode":"DR206","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Marshall, Annie Delaney","title":"Modern Slavery and Gender in Australian Supply Chains","description":"The HDR project will address one of the most significant social problems of our time, modern slavery and associated breaches of labour standards entailing forced labour, bonded labour, dangerous conditions and poverty wages. These egregious labour conditions are collectively referred to as Unacceptable Forms of Work (UFW). Contemporary expressions of UFW are linked to new business models that entail production and trafficking through networks. These production networks can be thought to be gendered. Gendered dynamics shape the labour conditions of workers in different tiers of the production network and the distribution of value. This project examines this question in relation to cleaning and meat. The two production networks differ in a number of respects, with varied dynamics driving labour exploitation. Meat processing workers tend to be male and are often on short term visas. Cleaning workers are majority female and have more mixed migration backgrounds. The purpose of this HDR project is to explore the causes of enforcement deficits in complex production networks, with a particular focus on gender.\nThis project is particularly suitable for candidates who have prior knowledge and\/or background in labour relations, labour law, gender studies and supply chains or related fields. Prior knowledge or interest in the study of labour conditions in production networks is an advantage, but not a critical requirement. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers from GSBL who have excellent industry and international connections to support the project. The project will be supported by an Advisory Board constituted of industry and public sector (regulatory) experts. For the candidate, this offers a unique opportunity to gain understanding and expertise in an area that is globally in high demand, both academically and in business.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mike Hazelton, Oliver Higgins, Sinead Barry","title":"Enhancing Mental Health Services for Children (5-12 years) on the Central Coast, NSW","description":"This PhD research programme aims to critically examine the implementation and effectiveness of mental health service delivery for children aged 5-12 years through the Central Coast Head to Health Kids Hub. The primary research question is:\n\"What is the influence of the Head to Health Kids Hub model on mental health outcomes and service coordination for children (5-12 years) and their families on the Central Coast, and what factors affect successful implementation of this integrated service model?\"\nThe research will focus on:\n1.\tEvaluating implementation of the Head to Health Kids Hub model and identifying factors that enable or impede effective service delivery\n2.\tExploring the impact of family-focused interventions and care navigation on service accessibility and outcomes\n3.\tAssessing the cultural safety and appropriateness of mental health services for diverse communities, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families\n4.\tExamining how system coordination and integration mechanisms influence service delivery and outcomes\nThis research focus acknowledges that successful implementation of new service models requires understanding both the outcomes achieved and the factors that influence those outcomes. By studying the Hub as a living laboratory for integrated care, this research will contribute to evidence-based improvements in child mental health service delivery while providing practical insights for similar initiatives nationally.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2029-03-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420504 \n450408\n420302"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rhonda Wilson, Mike Hazelton, Oliver Higgins, Sinead Barry","title":"Enhancing Mental Health Services for Children (5-12 years) on the Central Coast, NSW","description":"This PhD research programme aims to critically examine the implementation and effectiveness of mental health service delivery for children aged 5-12 years through the Central Coast Head to Health Kids Hub. The primary research question is:\n\"What is the influence of the Head to Health Kids Hub model on mental health outcomes and service coordination for children (5-12 years) and their families on the Central Coast, and what factors affect successful implementation of this integrated service model?\"\nThe research will focus on:\n1.\tEvaluating implementation of the Head to Health Kids Hub model and identifying factors that enable or impede effective service delivery\n2.\tExploring the impact of family-focused interventions and care navigation on service accessibility and outcomes\n3.\tAssessing the cultural safety and appropriateness of mental health services for diverse communities, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families\n4.\tExamining how system coordination and integration mechanisms influence service delivery and outcomes\nThis research focus acknowledges that successful implementation of new service models requires understanding both the outcomes achieved and the factors that influence those outcomes. By studying the Hub as a living laboratory for integrated care, this research will contribute to evidence-based improvements in child mental health service delivery while providing practical insights for similar initiatives nationally.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2029-03-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420504 \n450408\n420302"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Enhancing Digital Communication in Aged Care Using A Multidisciplinary Approach","description":"Project 1:\n\nDespite the growing adoption of digital communication technologies in aged care, significant barriers remain, including usability challenges, digital literacy gaps, and cultural and linguistic disparities. This project aims to evaluate and address these barriers through a multidisciplinary lens, leveraging the expertise of software engineers, healthcare professionals, aged care workers, and consumer representatives. \n\nThe specific objectives are:\n\n1. Evaluating Digital Communication Frameworks in Aged Care: A systematic review and expert panel analysis to assess the effectiveness and limitations of current digital communication frameworks.\n\n2. Exploring Communication Barriers Through Thematic Analysis: A qualitative study identifying key challenges faced by aged care residents, families, and healthcare providers in digital engagement.\n\n3. Developing Inclusive Digital Communication Strategies: Co-designing and testing intervention strategies to enhance accessibility, usability, and cultural sensitivity in digital communication tools.\n\n4. Assessing the Impact of Digital Literacy Training on Aged Care Communication: An empirical study evaluating the effectiveness of tailored training programs for aged care residents and caregivers.\n\nProject 2:\n\nThis project aims to develop an evidence-based conceptual framework for digital communication in aged care, ensuring that digital tools enhance rather than hinder communication between residents, families, and healthcare professionals. \n\nThe specific objectives are:\n\n1. Co-Designing a Conceptual Framework for Digital Communication in Aged Care: A participatory research study involving aged care residents, families, and healthcare providers to develop a structured model for digital engagement.\n\n2. Validating the Framework Using the Delphi Technique: A study employing expert consensus methods to refine and validate the proposed digital communication framework.\n\n3. Comparative Study of Digital Communication Strategies in Aged Care Across Australia and International Settings: Evaluating cross-cultural differences and best practices in digital communication in aged care.\n\n4. Measuring the Effectiveness of the Conceptual Framework in Enhancing Shared Decision-Making: A longitudinal study assessing the impact of the framework on resident autonomy, social inclusion, and care planning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-03-06","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"470108 - Organisational, interpersonal and intercultural communication\n460501 - Data engineering and data science\n420301 - Aged health care"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rebecca Millar","title":"Stress, burnout and resilience in Australian forensic mental health nurses","description":"Forensic mental health nursing is a high pressure, high risk working environment, known to experience significant recruitment and retention challenges. Little is known about nurses experiences of stress and resilience factors in this context. Registered and enrolled nurses will be recruited from Australian forensic mental health services to participate in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences and understanding of stress, burnout and resilience. In addition, validated survey tools will be used to provide a descriptive statistics facilitating quantitative analysis of any differences across demographic variables and participant settings. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2032-04-11","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4205 nursing"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Roula Kyriacou","title":"To explore the role of clinical placement amongst diagnostic radiography undergraduate students.","description":"The aim of this study is to explore diagnostic radiography students pre-clinical placement \npreparedness through understanding practices that affect student learning during clinical \nplacement. The significance of this study is that it will inform University curricula regarding \npre-clinical preparation, and thus improve the placement experience for both students and \nclinical radiographers. It will facilitate a link between tertiary education and clinical \neducation and how the two can work cooperatively to create a cohesive and organised \nlearning structure, ensuring optimum student preparedness and ultimately, the deliverance \nof high-quality patient care.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"390305 Professional education and training 50% \n390402 Education assessment and evaluation 30% \n390408 Learning analytics 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Zhen Zheng, Sophia Xenos","title":"Improving support and care needs for women affected by birth trauma\n","description":"A significant number of women describe their childbirth experiences as traumatic, with estimates of prevalence varying from 10% to 50%. A thorough review of the literature on service provision and frameworks designed to support women who have experienced birth-related trauma emphasizes the urgent need for additional research, consensus-building, and coordinated action to address the diverse needs of this population. Specifically, there is a need for a comprehensive, up-to-date exploration of the service framework for delivering care to women and their families affected by birth-related trauma in Australia, ensuring their needs are adequately met. Therefore, it is crucial to gather insights from stakeholders and understand the lived experiences of women and their families using these services to guide the future development of health policies and service infrastructure in Australia. This project will focus on identifying factors that contribute to service development, along with practical strategies for detecting, preventing, and providing care for this group. Additionally, it will examine the feasibility and acceptability of existing services and models of care that prioritise women's rights and needs at the core of birth trauma care.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420403        Psychosocial aspects of childbirth and perinatal mental health 40%.\n420311        Health systems 30%.\n420305        Health and community services 30%.\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Pranata, Doa El-Ansary, Jia Han ","title":"Lumbar extensor force control training and its effect on force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability in people with chronic low back pain","description":"Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, costing Australia over $9 billion annually. It is characterised by neuromuscular impairments, which include lumbar extensor force control (the ability to accurately exert force) and lumbar movement control (the ability to precisely position the lumbar spine). These neuromuscular functions are essential for spinal stability and postural control. Unfortunately, traditional assessments of these functions are conducted in static, seated positions, which may not accurately reflect the dynamic nature of everyday activities, such as bending and lifting. Therefore, it is not surprising that recent research suggests that adding lumbar extensor force control training to standard lumbar strengthening does not improve force control, presumably because these exercises are not functional enough. In addition, it is unknow to what extent lumbar extensor force control training, in a functional task (lifting), may affect force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability in people with low back pain. The answer will deepen the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying neuromuscular impairments associated with low back pain, particularly during functional tasks.\n\nThis PhD project aims to change how lumbar force control is assessed and trained by exploring it in dynamic, functionally relevant positions such as bending and lifting, and to investigate how it affects force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability in people with chronic LBP.  In order to address these research questions, the following studies will be carried out:\n1. Development and validation of force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability assessments during bending and lifting in people with chronic LBP.\n2. Investigation of the relationship between force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability and their association with patient report outcome measures, such as Oswestry disability index (ODI) and fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ), in people with chronic LBP.\n3. Global strengthening vs core specific strengthening vs force control training (bio-feedback) on force- and movement-related proprioceptive ability and patient report outcome measures in people with chronic LBP.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (50%)\n420302 Digital health (25%)\n420109 Rehabilitation (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR236\/DR237\/DR238\/MR236\/MR237\/MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh","title":"Performance analysis and Injury prevention technology in cricket bowling  ","description":"The project proposed herein is related to Cricket. The research is carried out on spin and fast bowlers during their normal training process. The difference to the normal or standard training process is that the participants will be using an in-house developed smart ball, with sensors and electronics incorporated in the ball. Bawler kinematics will also be evaluated for performance and injury risk analysis.\nThe purpose and outcome of this project are fourfold: 1) baseline assessment of\nbowlers from 10 performance parameters provided by the smart balls to understand their current performance, 2) using special training methods based related to their\ncurrent performance, 3) monitoring of the training process to verify the success of the selected training method; and 4) building a cloud database of bowling data. \nThis leads to the following research questions: 1) can the smart ball detect the reason of the actual problem of a (low-performing) bowler, in addition to just providing the 10 performance parameters? 2) can the efficacy of a training method be assessed and evaluated from the smart ball data?\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics, 25%\n400904 Electronic device and system performance evaluation, testing and simulation 25%\n420799 Sport science and exercise not elsewhere classified, 25%\n400906 Electronic sensors, 25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR236\/DR237\/DR238\/MR236\/MR237\/MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh","title":"Technology in reactive postural responses in rehabilitation","description":"Balance control is a fundamental motor task that enables humans to interact safely with their environment. From early childhood, when taking the first steps, to the later years, individuals are consistently exposed to destabilizing unexpected perturbations during daily activities, such as slipping or tripping. These unexpected events trigger rapid reactive postural responses that, if unsuccessful, can lead to falls and injuries. The effectiveness of these responses can be compromised by factors such as neurological impairments, musculoskeletal injuries, and aging. Consequently, it is essential for clinicians to accurately assess reactive postural responses and provide targeted interventions to improve their patients' stability and safety.\nIn clinical practice, assessing the level of impairment and planning interventions requires comparing an individual\u2019s postural response measurements to those of a larger, healthy control group. Additionally, a large dataset is essential for developing predictive algorithms that can classify individuals accurately and guide the most efficient intervention plans. However, a comprehensive data repository of this nature does not currently exist. To address this gap, the project will be a multicenter research study involving several countries across different continents, including Asia, Europe, and the USA. The objective is to build a universal assessment data collection of reactive postural responses following unexpected postural perturbations, such as the Step Threshold Test in standing. This evaluation will be instrumental in understanding patients' abilities and in designing customized rehabilitation programs. \nThe project will utilise perturbation treadmill to assess individuals' ability to stabilise their posture following unexpected external perturbations during both static and dynamic tasks, such as standing and walking. Clinicians can adjust both the intensity and direction of perturbations whilst measuring various biomechanical outcomes, including the 3D acceleration of the center of gravity, the trajectory of the center of pressure, and the magnitude and timing of muscle activation.\nThe project has 2 primary objectives: 1) Reactive Postural Control Assessment to identify and analyse the association between unexpected postural perturbation intensity, direction, and biomechanical factors in healthy controls and individuals with postural impairments., and 2) Development of a Cloud-Based Data Repository: Create a platform to store and share data, providing clinicians with access to a large normative dataset of healthy individuals. This repository will serve as a baseline for evaluation and will support the development of predictive models for personalised rehabilitation programs.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics, 25%\n420302 Digital Health, 30%\n420109 Rehabilitation, 20%\n420703 Motor Control, 25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Understanding and optimizing Medical Radiation undergraduate students' interactions with the Learning Management System (LMS), and study habits","description":"This project aims to understand the study behaviours of Medical Radiations students, for all three cohorts (Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy), and to identify problems encountered and study patterns amongst this group.\nBy conducting a survey \/and or focus group with each cohort, and each year level (years 1-3), the data will be analysed to determine study behaviours, specifically procrastination, and time spent engaging with the learning management system (LMS) Canvas, and if this changes over the time spent as undergraduate students. As well, correlations between student final grades and the optimum time spent engaging with learning materials provided will be examined.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390305        professional education and training\n390399 education systems not elsewhere classified\n390408 learning analytics\n429999        other Health Sciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Assessing Workplace Stresses and Career Progression\/Recognition Limitations Amongst Nuclear Medicine Technologists","description":"This project aims to identify and determine the impact of workplace stressors encountered by Nuclear Medicine technologists (NMT) working in Australia and New Zealand, including the effect on themselves, and their ability to practice, as well as perceived limitations to career progression.\nUsing an online survey, advertised through the professional society that represents NMTs, the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM), responses will be analysed. The survey will be developed, validated, and designed to assess symptoms of stress, empathic functioning, as well as strategies for coping with stresses encountered.\nFrom the results common workplace stressors will be identified, the impact on NMTs (on self and in practice). As well, perceived limitations to career progression will be identified, and the groups most likely to experience this (years qualified, etc.). We plan to utilise this information to determine other areas for investigation, and to better support NMTs in the workplace, and their career development.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420210 Social epidemiology, 15%\n420304 General Practice, 20%\n429999 Other health services not elsewhere classified, 30%\n520304 Health Psychology, 35%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237\/ DR238\/ MR237\/ MR238\/ MR236\/ DR236","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh","title":"Muscle strength and contractile properties in identifying sport performance and risk to injuries","description":"Knowing the state of the lower extremity muscle strength and contractile properties is important to plan training programs, reduce the risk to injuries, assist in surgical planning and rehabilitation, and identify safe time to return to play. For example, the hamstring muscle group is the most frequently injured muscle group in non-contact muscle injuries involving high-speed running sports, and its strength ratio with the quadricep muscle group is important to protect the knee from injuries and identify best graft technique for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.\nIsokinetic dynamometer is the golden standard for muscle strength measurement and has been used within our research group to assist clinician for ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation. Tensiomyography measures muscle contraction time and magnitude and is used as diagnostic and classification tool for sport injuries and the safe time to return to play. Tensiomyography has been adopted by elite sport organisations in USA and Europe, such as, English Institute of Sport, FC Manchester United, FC Barcelona, and University of Iowa Olympic centre. \nThere is a need to obtain, store, share, and manage large reliable data to improve interpretation and decision-making. The proposed project is to measure lower extremity isokinetic muscle strength and muscle contractile properties and to store the data in our developed cloud databank. This will follow with the development of predictive intelligence algorithm model to assist in identifying risk to injury and the safe time to return to play. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics 15%\n420302 Digital Health 15%\n420109 Rehabilitation 30%\n420604 Injury prevention 40%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jack Feehan, Kok-Leong Ong, Shahriar Kaisar, Malka Halgamuge, Akanksha Saini, Abebe Diro, Araz Nasirian\n","title":"Developing digital capacity in the aged care sector","description":"The CSIRO has estimated that there will need to be an additional 161,000 skilled AI workers by 2030, to meet societal in industrial demand. To this end, the Next Generation Graduates program supports the training of industry focused higher degree by research (HDR) students, through generous scholarships, educational support, and project funding. Victoria University (VU), and DIRECTED Electronics, have secured five Ph.D. level positions through the program, to the value of $864,000. The projects are to be co-developed with VU and DIRECTED Electronics, with the overall goal of developing artificially intelligent risk detection and prediction models, which can be deployed in health and aged care settings. This brings together VU\u2019s research training and expertise, and DIRECTED Electronics commercialization experience and product development knowledge, as well as their partnerships in industry. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health\n420301 Aged health care\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Evangelos Pappas","title":"Athletic knee injuries: epidemiological, biomechanical and clinical factors","description":"This research program on athletic knee injuries focuses on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. We will utilise various research tools across basic science, epidemiological, and clinical research. The program will include video analysis of ACL injuries, the effects of injury prevention programs, optimal rehabilitation and treatment stratification, telerehabilitation, and clinical outcome research, including data linkage. Internships with sports teams and clinics will be available. The projects will incorporate the latest technologies in wearable sensors and biomechanical analysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701\n420106\n400308\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim, Barbora de Courten, Julie Stevens","title":"Improving cardiovascular disease and risk factor management in Sierra Leone.","description":"Sierra Leone is a Sub-Saharan African country challenged with a double burden of disease due to rapid demographic change. From 1990-2017, the life expectancy at birth increased from 39 to 54 years, significantly contributing to the growing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD management in Sierra Leone is poor, contributing to the higher mortality rate compared to the Sub-Sahara region. It has been reported that CVD biological risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes, are also increasing. The prevalence of CVD and associated risk factors in the Western area rural district, which has the most diverse population and the highest growth rate of 8.5%, is yet to be studied.\n\nA comprehensive approach including focused health communication on salt reduction and other behavioural lifestyle change, task-shifting and implemented policies has been shown to improve CVD, especially in developing countries like Sierra Leone. However, these interventions are yet to be implemented in the country.\n\nThe project has three aims:\n(i)  To describe the prevalence of CVD risk factors and their social determinants in the Western Area Rural District with comparisons between ethnic groups, settings and occupations, and to describe the clinical presentation of patients with hypertension as the main biological risk factor for CVD. \n(ii)  To develop and implement a focused health education campaign tailored according to the result of the first objective. \n(iii)  To evaluate the effectiveness of the developed health campaign and interventions in improving CVD management in the Western Area Rural District.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320101 Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases) (40%)\n420309 Health management (40%)\n420606 Social determinants of health (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"George Lenon, Zhen Zheng","title":"Acupuncture and related techniques for Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy\n\n","description":"Peripheral neuropathy affects 68% of patients undergoing chemotherapy. For 30% of patients, it is still present 12 months after the end of chemotherapy (1). It typically involves numbness, pain and balance problems. Peripheral neuropathy can be uncomfortable, and painful and reduce everyday function and engagement in life. It often also reduces a person's ability to complete their chemotherapy treatment, affecting survival rates.\n\nFor those with ongoing peripheral neuropathy, current treatment is limited to strong nerve pain medications, antidepressants and anti-seizure medications - all of which can involve unwanted side effects.\nAcupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating and\/or managing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Studies have shown measurable improvements for 40-60% of participants (2). However, further high-quality clinical studies are required.\n\nMore information is also required to determine the factors that influence better outcomes for acupuncture patients. This can include the type and timing of the chemotherapy involved and the conditioning of the patient when they first experienced peripheral neuropathy and when they started receiving acupuncture treatment.\n\nThis study aims to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture in treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy through a pilot clinical trial. It also aims to construct a screening process to understand which factors may lead to more successful outcomes for treating CIPN with acupuncture.\n\n\n(1) Colvin LA. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: where are we now? Pain. 2019 May;160 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S1-S10. doi: 10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000001540. PMID: 31008843; PMCID: PMC6499732.\n(2) Giovanna Franconi, Luigi Manni, Sven Schr\u00f6der, Paolo Marchetti, and Nicola Robinson, \u201cA Systematic Review of Experimental and Clinical Acupuncture in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy,\u201d Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2013, Article ID 516916, 7 pages, 2013. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1155\/2013\/516916.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320218, 420803,420603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Wejdan Shahin","title":"PerceptiCare: Empowering Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities through Digital Health Management","description":"This PhD project aims to develop a website \u201cPerceptiCare\u201d that offers a comprehensive suite of innovative features tailored to empower culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people in managing their health effectively. Through the utilization of digital twin technology, users can create personalized health profiles, encompassing their medical history, current health status, and treatment goals. PerceptiCare will then provide an individualised management plan based on users' responses on their preferred language.\n\nThe specific objectives are:\n\n1. Systematic Literature Review: A comprehensive review of existing healthcare innovations utilizing digital twin technology will be conducted to identify best practices and potential gaps.\n\n2. Prototype Development: An intuitive PerceptiCare prototype will be designed and developed, featuring visual health data representations and self-management support tools.\n\n3. Expert Panel Analysis: Barriers and enablers for PerceptiCare implementation will be identified through a Delphi technique with a panel of healthcare specialists.\n\n4. Pilot Study: A pilot study involving consumer representatives, healthcare professionals, and researchers will assess PerceptiCare's effectiveness within the CALD community.\n\n5. Validation Study: A rigorous validation study will be conducted to evaluate PerceptiCare's impact on user health outcomes.\n\nOutcomes:\nPerceptiCare has the potential to be the first Australian website of its kind, offering CALD individuals the benefits of informed decision-making, real-time monitoring and tailored education packages for people of different literacy skills. By providing culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate tools, PerceptiCare aims to empower CALD communities to take charge of their health and improve overall well-being.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (50%) \n420308 Health informatics and information systems (25%) \n420319 Primary health care (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang","title":"Understanding the associations between Australian potentially inappropriate medications and clinical outcomes in older adults","description":"Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, is common among older adults. However, some medications can be potentially inappropriate for this population, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes. This PhD project investigates the associations between Australian-specific Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) and clinical outcomes in older adults.\r\n\r\n\r\nSpecific Objectives:\r\n\r\nSystematic Review: Conduct a review of existing research to examine the global effect of PIMs on clinical outcomes like hospitalizations and deaths. This will provide a foundational understanding and identify potential knowledge gaps specific to the Australian context.\r\n\r\nPrevalence of Australian PIMs: Analyze medication use patterns in older Australians to determine the most prevalent PIMs based on established Australian criteria. This will highlight the most pressing concerns for medication management in this population.\r\n\r\nPIMs and Hospitalizations: Investigate the specific associations between Australian PIM use and hospitalizations in older adults. This objective aims to identify medications linked to a higher risk of hospital admission.\r\n\r\nPIMs and Falls: Analyze the relationship between Australian PIMs and falls in older adults. Falls are a significant concern for this population, and understanding how medications might contribute can inform better management strategies.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"10102"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Sonja Cleary","title":"Managing Student Incivility","description":"In health professional education, student incivility impacts different stakeholders and is detrimental to the learning environment and uncivil behaviour can be carried on to the workforce after students graduate. Students who are impacted by the uncivil behaviour of their peers often endure heightened levels of stress. Academic staff who are implicated in such behaviours experience emotional distress alongside physical manifestations such as sleep disturbances, diminished job satisfaction, and decreased confidence in their teaching abilities. Uncivil behaviours disrupt not just the learning atmosphere but also have the potential to impact others within clinical placement settings, including patients and healthcare professionals. Establishing clear policies and procedures is crucial for effectively addressing and preventing uncivil behaviour management.  This project focuses on examining factors influencing incivility among health professional students, challenges and needs of academics in managing students\u2019 uncivil behaviours and institutional efforts and approaches to address incivility in health professional education. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"50% 390412      Teacher and student wellbeing\n50% 390303      Higher education"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nikos Thomacos, Rebecca Millar (rebecca.millar@rmit.edu.au), Kris Martin-McDonald kris.martin-mcdonald@rmit.edu.au","title":"International Student Nurses' experiences of education and work in Australia","description":"There is a shortage of nurses worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) (2020) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) (2023) state that 100,000 nurses have left since 2020 with more than 600,000 intending to leave by 2027. By 2030 the shortfall will be 13 million. Health Workforce Australia have indicated that the shortfall increased by 85% in the first five years to 2021, with the number of nurses registered but not practicing increasing to 63% in the same period (2014). There are currently over 80,000 vacant nursing positions. \r\n\r\nNurses have expressed a number of reasons for leaving the workforce including: burnout, exhaustion, mistreatment (from other nurses, patients, and other health care professionals), stress, lack of respect; physicality of the role, trauma fatigue, emotional investment, lack of boundaries and retirement. To address this shortfall, increasing numbers of international students are arriving in Australia to train as nurses; with the hope that many of them will stay. Likewise, Australia is actively recruiting foreign-trained nurses.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to address what can be done to better support international student nurses while they complete their studies, as well as better support foreign-trained nurses. The project also aims to empower these groups of nurses so that they can be seen as role models for other health care disciplines and the community in which they practice. Ultimately increase attractiveness of the profession, decrease the attrition, and increase retention.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420505    Nursing Workforce (50%)\r\n390110\tMedicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Zhen Zheng, Tony Zhang, Gillian Vesty Accounting, Info Sys & Supply Chain","title":"Evaluating Acupuncture Service in an Emergency Department in Australia","description":"Acupuncture is included in the acute pain management guidelines developed by the Australian and New Zealand Colleges of Anaesthetists as an effective, safe intervention for reducing acute pain and opioid medication use (1). We have demonstrated that over 80% of hospital doctors and nurses (2) and nearly 90% patients welcome acupuncture as an add-on service. Our preliminary study has shown that that add-acupuncture service in emergency department (ED) is feasible, safe and effective for reducing pain, nausea and anxiety experienced by patients (3). In Australia currently no acupuncture service is provided in any hospital by registered acupuncturists. RMIT collaborates with Northern Hospital to provide add-on acupuncture service to address this significance evidence-practice-patient needs gap, and to provide patients with a non-pharmacological option for pain management.\r\n\r\nThis PhD project is embedded in the acupuncture service project and aims to 1) assess if acupuncture as an add-on service in ED will facilitate patient flow and enhance patient experience and health outcomes; 2) identify the best care pathway for integrating acupuncture into ED; and 3) evaluate the economic benefit. \r\n\r\nThis project is built upon RMIT\u2019s long-term collaboration with NH, strong evidence supporting the needs for acupuncture, patient demand, support from doctors and nurses, and the global opioid crisis. \r\n\r\n1.\tZheng Z et (2022) In: Acute Pain Management: Scientific Evidence. Australian and New Zealand College and Anaesthetists\r\n2.\tZhang NM, .. Vesty ., Zheng Z. (2022). Pain Management Nursing S1524-9042(22)00159-X.\r\n3.\tZhang, A. L., et al (2014). Acupuncture in Medicine :, 32(3), 250\u2013256.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803\tTraditional Chinese medicine and treatments (40%) \r\n320299 Clinical Science (20%) \r\n320218 Pain (40%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"George Lenon","title":"Acupuncture for the treatment of advanced cancer pain","description":"Cancer currently affects over 1 million Australians, with pain being one of the commonest symptoms. Pain adversely affects a person\u2019s quality of life, relationships, everyday function, and ability to cope with the illness and treatment. \r\n\r\nOpioid pain medication (e.g., morphine) is the main treatment recommended for severe cancer pain. However, 20% of people will continue to experience unsatisfactory pain control even despite using opioid medication, and many experience unwanted side effects. This can lead to some patients declining or limiting opioid use. Many of these people consider using non-medication methods of pain relief, and the availability of an effective option would improve quality of life and daily functioning. \r\n\r\nAcupuncture is a non-medication method known to relieve non-cancer pain and improve cancer pain significantly. It is an attractive option; however, high-quality clinical evidence for people with advanced cancer is lacking. People with advanced cancer deserve a viable non-medication option to manage their pain. Our proposed study is a feasibility trial investigating the practicability of offering acupuncture to manage cancer pain in two settings \u2013 a hospital outpatient clinic and in the community (in patients\u2019 homes). Our goal is to provide a safe, effective, non-medication option for patients with advanced cancer to manage their pain better. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320218, 420803,420603\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"George Lenon, Angela Yang","title":"Acupuncture and mindfulness-based eating in the management of overweight: A randomised clinical trial","description":"We hypothesise that an intervention in which we will combine acupuncture and mindfulness based eating, that will improve eating behaviour, and serving size has the potential of achieving and maintaining weight loss in overweight patients.\r\nIt is expected that the systematic reviews will form the broad knowledge of treatment of AD using Chinese medicine which will help public to make an informed choice of weight management.  The clinical trials will provide evidence-based efficacy and safety weight management using Chinese medicine. Overall, the project will contribute to better understanding of weight reduction from Chinese medicine perspectives in order to provide better treatments and preventative measures as well as improve quality of life of overweight individuals.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321301, 321399, 321300, 321200\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Angela Yang, Andrew Hung, School of Science","title":"Mechanisms of actions of herbal medicines for chronic conditions: computational analyses","description":"Herbal medicines have been used for the management of many chronic conditions for thousands of years. Many researchers have followed the traditional \u201cone target, one drug\u201d approach to examine their mechanisms of action for a specific condition. However, each herb contains multiple active chemical compounds which makes it challenging or impossible for researchers to explore all possible chemical compounds against all the potential target proteins of a condition considering high costs and time consumption in in vitro or in vivo studies. In recent years, some novel approaches have been developed to identify the mechanisms of action of natural products at a molecular level. This sustainable project will involve a novel approach to investigate the interactions between herbs and commonly seen chronic conditions through network pharmacology. PhD candidates will have opportunities to access supercomputing facilities for molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, and apply a series of computer software to deal with big data through computational analyses thus identifying potential chemical compounds for future drug discovery. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803 Traditional Chinese medicine and treatments (60%)\r\n310202 Biological network analysis (40%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Chinese Medicine","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"George Lenon, Angela Yang, Andrew Hung","title":"The effects of Fucoidan and Lingzhi on Lung cancer cells","description":"Cancer is a significant global disease burden, with 14.1 million cases annually and a mortality of approx. 8.2 million each year. Globally, 57% of new cases (8 million) and 65% of mortality (5.3 million) occur in underdeveloped regions, with approximately half of these happening in Asia. Furthermore, the cancer-associated costs to the global economy are estimated at $3.66 trillion annually. In various studies, fucoidan has been found to slow tumour metastasis, and enhance the therapeutic effects of conventional Therapy, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, defend against treatment-related weight loss and muscle loss.  Fucoidan has been shown to directly affect cancer cells in vitro via cellular pathways that involve the activation of NF-\u03ba\u03b2. This activation is mediated by PI3K\/ Akt and ERK signalling pathways. Recent research indicates that fucoidan may also induce programmed cell death (known as apoptosis) in breast and colon cancer cells by modulating the endoplasmic reticulum stress cascades. Fucoidan has been shown to cause cell cycle arrest in the first growth phase (G1) of an HCT116 human colon cancer cell line. By halting the cell cycle process this way, the colon cancer cells could not divide and spread. The direct cytotoxic and anti-angiogenesis mechanisms of Lingzhi have been established by in vitro studies. Lingzhi or its products can be classified as an anticancer agent when current and more direct scientific evidence becomes available. It is proposed that combining these two compounds helps strengthen the immune system to treat and prevent cancer formation as well as metastasis.\r\nThe objective of this project is to use computational analysis to investigate the effects of fucoidan, Lingzhi and combination on cancer cells, especially Lung cancer cells.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim,  Barbora de Courten","title":"AI-Driven Voice Analysis for Type 2 Diabetes Risk Prediction","description":"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global epidemic affecting 496 million people globally. Currently, T2D is diagnosed 5 to 7 years after the onset of the first symptoms. Often, at the time of diagnosis, patients have already developed diabetes complications that negatively impact their vision, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system, and contribute to excess mortality. \n\nWe aim to significantly reduce the time-lag between the onset of diabetes symptoms and diagnosis by developing an artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of analysing a voice \u201csignature\u201d (characteristics of voice) to predict the risk of T2D for Australians. This approach is rooted in emerging evidence suggesting that vocal biomarkers can provide insights into various health conditions, including metabolic (T2D), mental health, heart failure, and neurological disorders. Our project involves using participant voice data and correlating it with several metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors for a comprehensive analysis using AI, thus enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of the predictive model. \nThis project could pave the way for an innovative, non-invasive, and cost-effective risk prediction tool to alert individuals who may potentially have T2D to seek medical advice in a timely manner. \n\nOur project objectives are:\n1.\tDevelop an AI system to analyse voice data for predicting the risk of T2D in an Australian setting through an industry-partnered internship \n2.\tValidate an AI T2D risk prediction model using chronic glycaemic control (HBA1c) and continuous glucose monitoring data \n3.\tCo-design a T2D risk prediction tool that integrates with existing healthcare services to facilitate early detection and management \n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-11-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Endocrinology 320208 (40%), Digital health 420302 (20%), Speech recognition (20%), Medical biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) 320602 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Sciences","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasso Apostolopoulos","title":"Development of vaccine against methamphetamine (ice) addiction","description":"Background: Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is a serious public health concern globally. There are no approved medications for the treatment of METH addiction. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop an effective treatment option. Immunotherapy or immune modulation have shown great promise against nicotine and cocaine addiction, however, application to treat METH abuse is still in its infancy. \n\nAim: The aim of the study is to develop a METH conjugated vaccine using various immunogenic carriers such as mannan, bovine serum albumin, diphtheria toxoid, nanoparticles etc. and assess their efficacy using animal models. \n\nMethods: METH-mannan conjugate vaccine and the other chemical conjugates will be characterised by various analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS, NMR and FTIR. The efficacy of the optimised vaccine will be assessed by measuring the antibody production; effect of vaccine on METH induced animal behaviour and various markers such as concentration of METH and dopamine in brain tissue and brain inflammation markers. \n\nTechniques to be used: chemical conjugations, chemistry, peptide synthesis, NMR, GC-MS, FTIR, HPLC, immunology, antibodies, cytokines, animal studies\n\nOutcome: METH addiction affects the individual life, family life, community, workplace, law enforcement agencies and arguably it is in epidemic stage. The successful development of METH vaccine will be revolutionary.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404\tCellular immunology (50%)\n320899\tMedical physiology not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400302\tBiomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Sciences","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan, Magdalena Plebanski","title":"New improved mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine","description":"Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with millions of women diagnosed annually. Despite improvements in early detection and treatment, challenges persist in developing effective vaccines and therapies to prevent recurrence or treat advanced stages of the disease. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are often accompanied by severe side effects and limited effectiveness. The success of mRNA technology in vaccine development, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, has opened new possibilities for cancer treatment. Although mRNA vaccines for cancer are still in their early stages, an mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine offers significant potential by triggering targeted immune responses against cancer cells.\n\nThe study aims to develop an mRNA-based vaccine for breast cancer and evaluate its efficacy using animal models. The vaccine will be delivered via nanoparticles, with additional delivery methods also explored. Analytical techniques like HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, FTIR, and gel electrophoresis will be used to characterize the vaccine formulations. The vaccine's efficacy will be assessed based on its impact on antibodies, T cells, and tumor growth in animal models.\n\nThis vaccine could revolutionize breast cancer treatment and prevention, improving survival rates and reducing cancer's impact on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. By offering targeted immune responses, it may reduce the reliance on traditional treatments, decreasing side effects and improving patients' quality of life. Its widespread use could lower healthcare costs and provide hope for millions of women worldwide, representing a significant step forward in cancer treatment.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404 Cellular immunology (50%)\n320899 Medical physiology not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321104 Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasso Apostolopoulos","title":"Development of vaccine against methamphetamine (ice) addiction","description":"Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is a serious public health concern globally. There are no approved medications for the treatment of METH addiction. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop an effective treatment option. Immunotherapy or immune modulation have shown great promise against nicotine and cocaine addiction, however, application to treat METH abuse is still in its infancy. \n\nAim: The aim of the study is to develop a METH conjugated vaccine using various immunogenic carriers such as mannan, bovine serum albumin, diphtheria toxoid, nanoparticles etc. and assess their efficacy using animal models. \n\nMethods: METH-mannan conjugate vaccine and the other chemical conjugates will be characterised by various analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS, NMR and FTIR. The efficacy of the optimised vaccine will be assessed by measuring the antibody production; effect of vaccine on METH induced animal behaviour and various markers such as concentration of METH and dopamine in brain tissue and brain inflammation markers. \n\nTechniques to be used: chemical conjugations, chemistry, peptide synthesis, NMR, GC-MS, FTIR, HPLC, immunology, antibodies, cytokines, animal studies\n\nOutcome: METH addiction affects the individual life, family life, community, workplace, law enforcement agencies and arguably it is in epidemic stage. The successful development of METH vaccine will be revolutionary.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404\tCellular immunology (50%)\n320899\tMedical physiology not elsewhere classified (30%)\n400302\tBiomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan, Magdalena Plebanski","title":"New improved mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine","description":"Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with millions of women diagnosed annually. Despite improvements in early detection and treatment, challenges persist in developing effective vaccines and therapies to prevent recurrence or treat advanced stages of the disease. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are often accompanied by severe side effects and limited effectiveness. The success of mRNA technology in vaccine development, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, has opened new possibilities for cancer treatment. Although mRNA vaccines for cancer are still in their early stages, an mRNA-based breast cancer vaccine offers significant potential by triggering targeted immune responses against cancer cells.\n\nThe study aims to develop an mRNA-based vaccine for breast cancer and evaluate its efficacy using animal models. The vaccine will be delivered via nanoparticles, with additional delivery methods also explored. Analytical techniques like HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, FTIR, and gel electrophoresis will be used to characterize the vaccine formulations. The vaccine's efficacy will be assessed based on its impact on antibodies, T cells, and tumor growth in animal models.\n\nThis vaccine could revolutionize breast cancer treatment and prevention, improving survival rates and reducing cancer's impact on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. By offering targeted immune responses, it may reduce the reliance on traditional treatments, decreasing side effects and improving patients' quality of life. Its widespread use could lower healthcare costs and provide hope for millions of women worldwide, representing a significant step forward in cancer treatment.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-03-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320404 Cellular immunology (50%)\n320899 Medical physiology not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321104 Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geso, Ricky O'Brian","title":"Investigation of melanoma treatment using pH and thermo-sensitive polymeric nanoparticles based on protein-conjugated Chitosan-PNIPAAM-PDPA ","description":"The objectives of the proposed research are listed below: \nThe comprehensive objective or the chief aim of this research is to model a nanoparticle compound with low toxicity to the healthy tissues and efficient in drug delivering capability to the tumour as a target. Moreover, to be respondent tot the external stimuli (such as radiations) in such a way it enhances their effects locally. In achieving this main aim the following sub-aims will be addressed;\n\u2022        Determining optimum molecular weight of each copolymer blocks to attain appropriate polymeric, morphological, and determined features \n\u2022        Investigating the drug loading behavior by calculating the amount of Encapsulation Efficiency and Loading Capacity \n\u2022        Delving into drug release behavior by considering some parameters, including gyration radius, diffusion coefficient, calculating the amount of drug molecules at different pHs and temperatures to predict the optimum experimental conditions \n\u2022        Achieving Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of nanoparticles to gain the empirical operating condition \n\u2022        Comparing the efficacy of drug delivery performance of protein-polymer conjugate nanoparticles with their counterpart (non-protein-polymer conjugate) for cancer treatment \n\u2022        Simulating cell culture of nanoparticles with melanoma tumor cells\n\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"35%   100704\n35%   310208\n30%    310299"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dodie Pouniotis,  Roula Kyriacou, Sonja Cleary","title":"Integrating Pathology and Nursing Education to Improve Patient Outcomes ","description":"It is well established in the Australian healthcare system that a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care is linked to significant improvements in patient outcomes across a wide variety of clinical disciplines. Additionally, a multidisciplinary approach has been proven to increase patient safety by limiting adverse events, decreasing patient length of stay, as well as improving patient impression of staff (1).  \n\nWhile a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care is widely proven to be beneficial, the current literature is primarily focused on care at a clinical level. Additionally, research which is not focused on care at a patient bed-side level, is centered around research projects of nursing and medical teams\u2019 treatment and holistic management of specific clinical conditions.  \n\nWhat has not been explored is a multi-disciplinary approach towards education. The aim of this project is to assess the impact of cross disciplinary education, specifically between medical laboratory scientists (pathology) and nursing. It is anticipated that by harnessing the expertise of subject matter experts from the laboratory, protocol compliance and understanding of practices at the bedside level will result in reduced rejection rates of samples, which in turn has a flow on effect to patient care.  \n\nThis project will look to review current levels of multi-disciplinary education as well as understanding of process and practice. Following which, a change to education will be implemented, which is a post implementation assessment to determine uptake of education.  ","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-05-18","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320220\tPathology (excl. oral pathology) (60%)\n390308\tTechnical, further and workplace education (20%)\n420599\tNursing not elsewhere classified (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim, Barbora de Courten, Kimmi Ko","title":"Adaptive Digital Health for Women's Chronic Condition Management","description":"Chronic conditions often manifest differently in women. Due to their longer life expectancy, women are more likely than men to experience disabilities and face unique health issues stemming from their gender-specific roles in society. Currently, most digital interventions for chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and chronic pain, are not specifically designed or co-developed with\/for women. This leads to significant health inequalities, particularly among marginalised and underserved women. \n\nThis project aims to co-design a scalable, evidenced-based, personalised, behaviour change digital health mobile app, \u201cGroW\u201d, with socio-economically-deprived women with long-term health conditions. Our long-term goals are to reduce health inequities, enhance access to care, and support women with chronic conditions by ensuring their health needs are met through GroW. To develop GroW mobile app, a commercially available mobile app used to manage long-term health conditions will be adapted to specifically meet women\u2019s need. \n\nOur project objectives are:\n1.\tTo conduct extensive female-specific co-design activities with women from disadvantaged backgrounds and experiencing financial hardship through co-design workshops, surveys and interviews to uncover user needs and gather feedback on the mobile app design.\n2.\tTo develop a fully functional prototype with co-created features with our industry partner through an industry-partnered internship, with recommendations identified during co-design activities incorporated into the mobile app with continuous feedback from the steering group.\n3.\tTo optimise Gro W through a usability testing. Exit interviews and questionnaires will be used to assess prior experience with similar platforms and measure user satisfaction.","sdg":"[\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-04-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Digital health 420302 (60%), Primary health care (20%), Health equity 420602 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Exploring the Internal and External Factors Influencing Australian Medical Radiation Professionals' Participation in Research ","description":"Medical radiation science plays an essential role in healthcare, with its professionals, including radiographers, radiation therapists, and nuclear medicine technologists, being crucial members of the healthcare team. Their expertise in medical imaging and therapeutic technologies and patient care is extremely important for precise diagnoses and effective treatments. However, as the field of medical radiation science is rapidly evolving, it demands more than just clinical expertise; it requires a culture of continuous learning, evidence-based practice, and active research engagement. Yet, despite their critical expertise, medical radiation practitioners\u2019 limited engagement in research is not only a missed opportunity for innovation, but also a threat to the advancement of the profession and the delivery of evidence-based practices that could enhance patient outcomes.\n\nMedical radiation professionals\u2019 engagement in research is a relatively underexplored area when compared to other healthcare professionals. There is little literature which addresses their innate thoughts and feelings regarding their lack of participation in research, particularly within the Australian context. Previous research has focused on quantitative metrics, such as participation rates and statistical barriers, but lacked a deep understanding of the personal and professional experiences that influence MRPs\u2019 decisions to participate in research. The factors and stimuli influencing Australian MRPs\u2019 participation in research are unknown. This qualitative study aims to address this gap by exploring the internal and external factors that hinder or motivate Australian medical radiation professionals\u2019 engagement in research.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320206, 441006"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Juliana Antonipillai","title":"Role of LIMK in leukemia progression","description":"A common structural feature in cancer cells is the disruption of normal cellular processes, including the expression and activity of LIMK, which plays a role in cell cycle regulation and cytoskeletal organisation. Overexpression of LIMK and reduction in cilium (stabilised microtubules) expression in leukemia patients\u2019 monocytes have been reported previously. Understanding these cellular characteristics is crucial for developing targeted therapies for leukaemia.\n\nThis project will determine the link between the structural\/expression changes in cilia and the activation of LIMK in PBMCs isolated from leukemia patients. It is unknown whether the loss of LIMK activity by negative regulators, as well as LIMK inhibitors, promotes ciliogenesis and suppresses proliferation. \n\nWe aim to investigate whether changes in LIMK levels and activity affect cilium expression in leukemia and alter the cytoskeletal organisation, including microtubules and microfilaments, which may help predict their potential to form tumours.\n\nIn this project, we will determine the relationship between LIMK expression\/activity and cilium expression in monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes isolated from leukemia patients and established cell lines, including THP-1 (monocytes isolated from peripheral blood of an AML patient), KG1 (macrophages isolated from the bone marrow of an AML patient), and K562 (lymphoblasts isolated from bone marrow of a CML patient) and compare the profiles to cells from healthy donors. We will also investigate cytoskeletal changes that occur in monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes, as well as platelets isolated from leukemia patients.\n\nThe student will be trained at the Department of Medicine\/Royal Melbourne Hospital Clinical Science Building-Inflammation and Chronic Diseases Laboratory.  \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences (p)\n3211 Oncology and carcinogenesis\n3101 Biochemistry and cell biology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Daniel Sapkaroski","title":"The use of surface-guidance in paediatric radiation therapy","description":"Paediatric radiation therapy presents unique challenges due to the heightened sensitivity of developing tissues to radiation exposure. Ensuring precise radiation delivery is crucial in minimising long-term side effects while maintaining effective tumour control. Traditional immobilisation techniques, such as thermoplastic masks and general anaesthesia, are frequently used to mitigate patient movement; however, these methods can be distressing for young patients and may introduce additional procedural complexities.\n\nSurface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) is an emerging technology that facilitates real-time, non-ionising motion tracking, thereby reducing reliance on rigid immobilisation whilst improving treatment accuracy. Despite its increasing adoption in adult oncology, the clinical benefits and limitations of SGRT in paediatric patients remain underexplored.\n\nResearch Objectives:\nThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of SGRT in paediatric radiation therapy by:\n        1.        Comparing treatment accuracy between SGRT and conventional immobilisation techniques.\n        2.        Assessing improvements in intra-fraction motion management using SGRT.\n        3.        Investigating patient comfort, compliance, and the potential reduction in anaesthesia use.\n        4.        Identifying workflow challenges and limitations associated with SGRT in paediatrics.\n\nExpected Outcomes & Impact:\nFindings from this research will inform clinical practice by determining whether SGRT enhances paediatric treatment accuracy while reducing patient distress. The study aims to contribute to the optimisation of clinical protocols and provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating SGRT into paediatric radiation therapy workflows.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321301 Adolescent health  (25%)\n321302 Infant and child health (25%)\n321110 Radiation therapy (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thomas Angelovich","title":"Defining the effect of HIV\/SIV reactivation in the brain following interruption of antiretroviral therapy","description":"Despite successful viral suppression with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain a major clinical problem affecting ~40% people with HIV. These syndromes lead to cognitive impairment and are significant health, economic and social problems for those affected. The mechanisms causing neurocognitive disorders in people with HIV are unclear, but are likely caused by both viral persistence in the brain and ongoing immune activation and inflammation which persists despite ART treatment. Furthermore, viral rebound during interruption of therapy may induce reactivation of viral reservoirs contributing to disease pathogenesis. Understanding the role of viral persistence and rebound in the brain will better inform treatment options for people living with HIV and improve brain health.\nIn this project students will utilise a large cohort of human brain and peripheral tissue samples from people who died with HIV to determine the role of persistent inflammation and\/or viral persistence in cellular activation in the brain. Students will also utilise a cohort of brain tissue from non-human primate samples infected with the SIV model of HIV.\n \nHighly innovative and novel techniques such as multicolour immunofluorescence, DNA\/RNAscope, droplet digital PCR and laser capture microdissection will elucidate the cell-specific mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of viral infection\/viral rebound as well as the persistence of HIV\/SIV in the brain. Findings will also be paired with those from peripheral tissue samples to identify the cumulative effect of HIV and associated inflammation throughout the body. Candidates will complete an internship period in the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University, USA for a period during their PhD.\n\nFindings from this study will provide novel insight into the ability of HIV\/SIV to rebound following therapy interruption and may guide appropriate antiretroviral and adjunctive treatment decisions to reduce the risk of adverse neurocognitive health outcomes in this population.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310702 Infectious agents (50%); 310706 Virology (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vincent Chan","title":"Activating diabetes self-management in culturally and linguistically diverse populations","description":"Health disparities in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population groups exist compared with the rest of the population, in particular for chronic conditions such as diabetes. There is evidence that their cultural beliefs, religious\/spiritual beliefs, negative illness perception and low health literacy can all impact on their overall health management leading to poorer health outcomes. In Australia, consumers and patients attend pharmacies on average 18 times per year. This provides a unique opportunity for pharmacists to play an important role as patient educators and promotors of behaviour change in patients with chronic conditions.\n\nThis project has two aims. The first aim is to develop a pharmacist-led diabetes health coaching program for CALD population groups with type 2 diabetes. The second aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of this pharmacist-led diabetes health coaching in eliciting positive behavioural changes and facilitating effective self-management in CALD patients with diabetes.\n\nThe proposed pharmacist-led diabetes health coaching pilot clinical trial will aim to promote self-management in these patients. According to our pilot work, this population is more likely to benefit from personalised, face-to-face support from trusted healthcare professionals compared to solely using currently available online support systems designed for general populations.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice 321403 (60%)\nHealth promotion 420603 (20%)\nEndocrinology 320208 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Julie Stevens","title":"Personal and cultural beliefs, health literacy and digital health interventions in diverse communities","description":"Medication misadventure is an important problem in Australia, with 2 - 4% of all hospital admissions, and up to 30% in patients >75 years, reported to be medication-related. Up to 50% of patients are nonadherent to medications prescribed for chronic diseases. The problem is further amplified in individuals taking multiple medications (\u2018polypharmacy\u2019) and in those with chronic illnesses. \n\nLow health and medication literacy resulting in medication misadventure is an important problem. This may arise from language barriers, cultural or personal beliefs about medications\/conditions, low health literacy and inadequate access to health education or resources, including digital health tools.\n\nThis PhD project aims to investigate the interplay between personal\/cultural beliefs about medications, uptake of digital health resources and medication adherence and health outcomes in diverse communities.\n\nObjective 1: Systematic review investigating the influence of personal beliefs and health literacy on uptake and utilisation of digital health resources and interventions to improve medication adherence and health outcomes.\n\nObjective 2: Evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally-tailored digital health intervention designed to improve medication adherence and literacy. \n\nObjective 3: Evaluate factors influencing adherence to digital health tools including mobile health applications in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.\n\nObjective 4: Investigate how social and individual factors, including personal beliefs about medicines, health literacy and digital health resources influence medication adherence and literacy in CALD communities.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (35%)\n420305 Health and community services (35%)\n321403 Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan","title":"Unravelling novel targets in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) \u2013 A multi-omics study","description":"Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for CRC. CRC remains a significant global health challenge. Despite progress in treatments, some patients do not benefit, hence there is an urgent need for developing new strategies. Inflammasomes are inflammatory signaling complexes, of which NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome plays a significant role in the development and progression of CRC by promoting inflammation, modulating tumor microenvironment and immune responses.\nThis research focuses on studying the colonic alterations (transcriptomic, proteomic) of mouse models of spontaneous chronic colitis (Winnie), spontaneous CRC mouse models (Winnie x NLRP3-\/-), and CRC patient samples by RNA sequencing and bioinformatics techniques. Understanding the role of NLRP3 involvement in CRC and stages of disease\nprogression from inflammation to cancer could lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets for improved outcomes and fewer side effects.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320403 Autoimmunity \n320803 Systems physiology \n321103 Cancer genetics"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien","title":"Deep learning for brain cancer segmentation in radiation oncology","description":"Brain segmentation of MRI images acquired on an MRI linac is time consuming for clinicians this is especially the case when regular segmentation is required as part of an adaptive radiation therapy approach.  Deep learning offers the opportunity to quickly perform tumour segmentation and notify the clinical team if there has been a change (e.g., tumour reduction) that would trigger a replan during the course of the patient's treatment.  This project will be conducted in collaboration with our industry partners in radiation oncology at the Austin Hospital and will work with MRI linac generated patient data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Medical Physics (510502) 50%, Radiation Therapy (321110) 30%, Medical Devices (400308) 30%."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim","title":"Implementing a behaviour change digital health program for diabetes management","description":"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia associated with numerous health comorbidities and enormous socioeconomic costs. General Practitioners (GP) currently lack the tools and resources to adequately respond to the growing tide of chronic conditions including T2D. However, despite the strong growing international evidence base, no research has been conducted in Australia to demonstrate the feasibility or effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention to promote preventative and population health management within the local health system.\n\nTo determine the effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention compared to standard care for improving glycaemic control, reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors, and achieving diabetes remission in patients with T2D in a primary care setting, an open-label cluster randomised stepped-wedge trial of GP clinics will be used. Adults diagnosed with T2D within 10 years will be recruited via GP clinics and selected by GPs to participate using a \u2018real-world\u2019 approach. Participants will attend follow-up clinic visits in accordance with standard clinical practice throughout the intervention to assess health changes and determine medication change requirements.\n\nThis project will advance health care systems, improve diabetes self-management, and reduce related health complications\/costs for people living with T2D.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Digital health 420302 (40%)\nPrimary health care (40%)\nEndocrinology 320208 (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Zahid Hussain","title":"Optimising Antiplatelet Therapy in Obese Patients Post-Ischemic Heart Disease: A Focus on Dosing Strategies","description":"Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It encompasses acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Obesity is associated with an increased risk of various cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes, and IHD. Obesity involves chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and changes in lipid metabolism, all of which contribute to the development of atherosclerotic and thrombotic events.\r\nThe management of IHD frequently entails antiplatelet therapy to prevent clot formation. Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors, play a pivotal role in both short-term and long-term IHD management. It is noteworthy that the efficacy of these standard antiplatelet regimens may vary depending on individual patient characteristics, including body weight. Obesity is often characterised by a heightened tendency for blood clot formation and increased platelet reactivity, which may result in suboptimal responses to standard antiplatelet therapy. This is an especially concerning issue considering the escalating global prevalence of obesity. \r\nThis project seeks to fill a crucial gap in the pharmacotherapy management of IHD in obese patients. Its focus is on investigating the most effective dosing strategies of antiplatelet therapy in obese post-IHD patients.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111502 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (50%)\r\n111503 Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Pradip Deb","title":"Improvements in CT Simulators for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning","description":"Computed Tomography (CT) simulators are integral tools in radiotherapy treatment planning, providing critical anatomical information for accurate dose calculation and treatment delivery. Despite advancements in CT simulator technology, several factors still limiting the effectiveness and treatment outcomes. Addressing these factors is crucial to enhancing the precision, efficiency, and patient-specificity of radiotherapy planning. \n\nThis study aims to (i) Identify and characterize existing limitations and challenges in CT simulator technology, (ii) Develop and evaluate innovative solutions to enhance CT image quality and resolution for radiotherapy planning, (iii) Investigate methods to reduce imaging dose and radiation exposure without compromising diagnostic accuracy, (iv) Enhance integration of functional imaging modalities (e.g., PET-CT, MRI) into CT simulators for comprehensive treatment planning, and (v) Validate and optimize personalized dose calculation algorithms and treatment planning workflows using advanced CT simulator capabilities. \n\nThe significance of this project: Addressing critical gaps in CT simulators for radiotherapy treatment planning, aiming to advance technology, optimize clinical workflows, and improve patient outcomes. The outcomes will contribute to safer and more effective radiotherapy treatments, personalized patient care, and advancements in oncological imaging.\n\nThis project will be carried out in collaboration with the researchers in Petermac Cancer Centre, Melbourne. PhD student will have the opportunity to use the modern CT simulator and other radiotherapy facilities in a world class tertiary hospital setting.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ayman Allahham, Ravi Shukla\/School of Science","title":"MOF based nanoformulations for improving stability of anticancer drugs","description":"Cancer remains a pressing health care challenge in Australia and worldwide. Cancer drug molecules still faces multiple challenges in their design and formulation to improve their targeting, efficacy, delivery and stability. Azacitidine which is indicated for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and Acute Myeloid Leukemia is an example of biopharmaceutical that is used in chemotherapy but is challenged with storing the medication in room temperature. The reconstituting drug into an injectable suspension is only stable for 4 days when stored at 2-8 \u25e6C and only 2 hours at room temperature (1). Therefore, there is a need to develop a formulation with enhanced stability to enable longer storage conditions for the drug. \r\nDifferent challenges in Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising platforms for cellular delivery and have been used for efficient delivery of therapeutic genes and drugs (2). Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), MOF nanocarriers have being developed for gene therapy and drug delivery (3). A recent study has used MOFs to enhance the stability of antibodies (3) can be promising for the use of this delivery system to enhance the targeting and stability of this drug. \r\nThe project will focus on developing a new formulation for azacitidine using MOFs and then assess its stability, characterisation and potency. Student will have ample opportunities to learn state-of-the-art cross disciplinary tools and techniques. In addition, student will be nurtured for research ethics, critical thinking, time & project management, and problem-solving skills.\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tTrambloy Q, Vigneron J, Clarot I, Blaise F, D\u2019Huart E, Demor\u00e9 B. Physicochemical stability of azacitidine suspensions at 25 mg\/mL in polypropylene syringes stored under different conditions of storage. Pharmaceutical technology in hospital pharmacy. 2022;7(1):11-6.\r\n2.\tHe C, Lu K, Liu D, Lin W. Nanoscale metal\u2013organic frameworks for the co-delivery of cisplatin and pooled siRNAs to enhance therapeutic efficacy in drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2014;136(14):5181-4.\r\n3.\tFeng Y, Wang H, Zhang S, Zhao Y, Gao J, Zheng Y, et al. Antibodies@ MOFs: an in vitro protective coating for preparation and storage of biopharmaceuticals. Advanced Materials. 2019;31(2):1805148.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321045 Pharmaceutical sciences (70%) \r\n401699 Materials Engineering (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ayman Allahham, Thilini Thrimawithana, Vivek Nooney","title":"Improving safety of medication administered via gastrotomy feeding tubes in the community","description":"Enteral feeding tubes are used by both adults and children to supply nutrients directly to the gastrointestinal tract. Enteral feeding tubes include orogastric, nasogastric and gastrostomy tube feeding and this may be for short term or long term management of conditions such as impaired swallowing, congenital anomalies and eating disorders. In addition to feeds, these tubes can be used to administer medication via the enteral route.  Solid oral dosage forms are often modified by nurses and caregivers to enable administration via feeding tubes (1). This includes crushing of tablets and emptying of capsule content. However, not all solid oral dosage forms can be modified as these manipulations can reduce efficacy of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, safety and\/or lead to tube clogging and chemical incompatibilities with tubing materials (2). Research also suggest that educational programs can improve the administration of drugs via nasogastric tubes (3). Moreover, anecdotal evidence suggests frequent off label dosage form modifications by caregivers to administer medication via feeding tubes.\r\nTherefore, this study aims to determine the medication\/dosage forms that are most commonly modified by patients dwelling in the community and the clinical issues encountered when these are administered via feeding tubes. This project will involve qualitative research to understand the dosage form modifications performed by patients and their caregivers and survey research to understand the involvement of community pharmacists and their knowledge of medication administered via gastrotomy feeding tubes. In addition, in vitro studies will be undertaken to determine the ease of preparation, accuracy of administration and in-use stability of medicines that are commonly modified by patients\/caregivers. The in-vitro studies will enable the researchers to develop appropriate instructions for optimum use of these medication via feeding tubes.  \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tGrissinger M. Preventing errors when drugs are given via enteral feeding tubes. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 2013 Oct;38(10):575-6. \r\n2.\tKarkossa F, Lehmann N, Klein S. A systematic approach for assessing the suitability of enteral feeding tubes for the administration of controlled-release pellet formulations. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2022;612, 121286\r\n3.\tHossaini Alhashemi, Samira, Raana Ghorbani, and Afsaneh Vazin. \u201cImproving Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Nurses in Medication Administration through Enteral Feeding Tubes by Clinical Pharmacists: A Case-Control Study.\u201d Advances in medical education and practice 10 (2019): 493\u2013500. Web.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"321045 Pharmaceutical sciences (50%)\r\n321001 Clinical nutrition (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Daryl Wilding McBride, Clare Smith, Moshi Geso, Rick Franich (Physics)\r\nComputer Science (Fabio Zambetta on the machine learning components)","title":"New approaches to CT image reconstruction","description":"It is extremely difficult to acquire CT images of objects that move (lungs, heart and joints), because the patient motion during image acquisitions blurs the resulting reconstructed image.  In this project, you will develop new image reconstruction techniques that simultaneously determine the underlying motion and the patient anatomy during the reconstruction process.  This project will suit a student with a strong mathematics, deep learning or algorithm development background and an interest in working on problems that have strong support from our partner hospitals and direct applications to cancer patient treatment.   Our research group at RMIT is well supported by NHMRC grant funding which will provide access to the equipment and clinical data to perform this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4901 (Applied Mathematics) 50%\r\n4902 (Mathematical Physics) 25%\r\n029903 Medical Physics 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geso, Clare Smith, Daryl Wilding McBride, Rick Franich - Physics","title":"New techniques for lung ventilation imaging","description":"Maximising lung function post cancer treatment (radiotherapy, surgery, etc) is of importance to improve the patient\u2019s quality of life after treatment. This project involves developing new algorithms and techniques to evaluate and predict lung function pre and post treatment using the images routinely acquired during treatment. The project can go in one of two directions depending on the interests of the student: (1) hands on with imaging equipment where you will develop new imaging techniques or (2) a machine learning\/algorithm development pathway to maximise the use of the images obtained during treatment. \r\n\r\nThis project provides an opportunity to work with our team on an NHMRC grant funded project with an existing collaboration spanning hospitals in both NSW (RNSH) and Victoria (Peter Mac) as well as an industry partner (4DMedical).\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111208 Radiation Therapy (75%)\r\n029903 Medical Physics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geso, Clare Smith, Daryl Wilding McBride, Pradip Dep, Rick Franich (Physics),\r\nNick Hardcastle (Medical Physics - Peter Mac)","title":"Pioneering emerging techniques to treat cardiac arrhythmia.","description":"Patients with advanced ventricular tachycardia have often exhausted all treatment options, have a short life expectancy and very poor quality of life. In 2022, we received one of only 10 NHMRC Synergy grants to establish a national research program to develop radiation ablation techniques to treat ventricular tachycardia.  This is an exciting opportunity to work on an emerging treatment for a debilitating disease. You will work within a large collaboration including hospitals that are performing patient treatments as well as researchers performing deep learning\/datamining to optimise treatment regimens and researchers developing new imaging techniques.  As such, this project offers the opportunity for students with a range of backgrounds to contribute to an exciting new treatment for cardiac disease (e.g., students are welcome to enquire from engineering, maths, physics, computer science, medical radiations, etc).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111208 Radiation Therapy (50%)\r\n029903 Medical Physics (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Digital Health","programcode":"DR236","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Barbora de Courten, Chiao Xin Lim","title":"Implementing a digital health program in primary care for diabetes","description":"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia associated with numerous health comorbidities and enormous socioeconomic costs. General Practitioners (GP) currently lack the tools and resources to adequately respond to the growing tide of chronic conditions including T2D. However, despite the strong growing international evidence base, no research has been conducted in Australia to demonstrate the feasibility or effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention to promote preventative and population health management within the local health system.\r\n\r\nTo determine the effectiveness of a personalised digital health intervention compared to standard care for improving glycaemic control, reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors, and achieving diabetes remission in patients with T2D in a primary care setting, an open-label cluster randomised stepped-wedge trial of GP clinics will be used. Adults diagnosed with T2D within 10 years will be recruited via GP clinics and selected by GPs to participant using a \u2018real-world\u2019 approach. Participants will attend follow-up clinic visits in accordance with standard clinical practice throughout the intervention to assess health changes and determine medication change requirements.\r\n\r\nA 3-month industry internship with the digital health intervention company\/industry partner will also be included in the first 18 months of this project. It is anticipated that this project will advance health care systems, improve diabetes self-management, and reduce related health complications\/costs for people living with T2D.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Digital health 420302 (40%), Endocrinology 320208 (40%), Primary health care (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith","title":"Evaluation of Undergraduate Medical Radiations students\u2019 empathic responses, and changes during the completion of their programs (Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy) ","description":"This project aims to understand empathic functioning and development of undergraduate Medical Radiation students during their progression within the program. \nA survey will be designed and validated to assess empathic functioning, and a student\u2019s ability to cope with stresses. The survey will be conducted across all year levels (years 1-4) and for all three-streams (Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy).\n\nChanges in empathic functioning during students\u2019 progression within the program will be analysed, as well as the effects of clinical-placement type (rural private public etc), and if there are correlations to a student\u2019s ability to cope with stressors.\nThis will be followed by targeted focus groups, which will seek to gain a deeper understanding of student responses to the survey, and the factors that encourage or inhibit the development of empathy in these students.\n\nBased on this work, we will assess the survey\u2019s relevance, and modify it as indicated, to make it suitable for use as a prospective student selection tool for entry to the program.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390402 Education assessment and evaluation, 20%\n390499 Specialist studies in education not elsewhere classified 20%\n429999 Other Health Sciences not elsewhere classified 30%\n520304 Health Psychology 30%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Continuous physical activity monitoring with smartwatches in patients with post-intensive care unit syndrome from admission to 12 months after discharge: A feasibility prospective cohort study","description":"Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) affects a significant proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, manifesting in physical, cognitive, and mental sequelae that persist long after hospital discharge. Studies have shown the benefits of early physical therapy in the ICU, such as increased mobilization, a shorter hospital stay and improved functional outcomes. However, the evidence on reporting on measuring the dose of physical activity is poor, particularly the intensity and continuous tracking measurement of physical activity is limited. Wearable devices have been shown to be effective in monitoring and promoting physical activity in different pathologies, but their use in the ICU remains limited to research.\n\nThis research project aims to evaluate the feasibility and impact of continuously monitoring physical activity in patients with post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) from their admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) until twelve months after hospital discharge, using smartwatches. The study seeks to identify the potential challenges of continuous monitoring and their impact on long-term physical, cognitive, mental and social recovery. The main hypothesis is that continuous monitoring of physical activity is feasible and is significantly associated with improvements in health outcomes in patients at ICU and hospital discharge, at 6 and 12 months after. Secondarily, the following aspects will also be explored:\n\n1.        Measure patient recruitment, engagement and adherence.\n2.        Describe satisfaction of use.\n3.        Explore the association of Muscular ultrasound whit physical activity and long-term outcomes.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420126 Physiotherapy (40%)\n420199 Allied health and rehabilitation science not elsewhere classified (30%)\n420314 Multimorbidity (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Health Literacy and Personality influences on cancer symptom management and exercise adherence ","description":"Robust evidence supports prehabilitation and postoperative exercise and symptom management in supporting patients following a cancer diagnosis. However, implementing exercise across the continuum of care remains challenging and is not part of routine clinical practice for all cancer groups. \n \nEducation is a key enabler to addressing many well documented barriers to exercise including persistent symptoms and fear of symptom exacerbation such as breathlessness and fatigue. Health literacy refers to the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information to make informed health decisions. Higher health literacy has been correlated with better health outcomes. Personality traits particularly those measured by the Big Five Dimensions (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) may further influence how individuals process health information and act in their care. \n \nThe interplay between health literacy and personality traits in cancer care could provide important insights into how patients navigate their treatment journey and engage with exercise and supportive care services. \n \nTherefore, this project has several aims:\n\u2022        Systematically review the literature regarding the influence of health literacy and personality traits on health-related behaviours in cancer rehabilitation\n\u2022        Explore the relationship between health literacy, personality trait and engagement in symptom management and exercise amongst individuals with a cancer diagnosis \n\u2022        To explore usability and personalisation preferences for cancer education materials (focused on supportive care and exercise) based on health literacy and personality\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (40%)\n420109 Rehabilitation (30%)\n420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Blood flow restricted exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Acute and chronic effects on autonomic cardiac function, functionality, dyspnoea and quality of life","description":"Current international guidelines for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recommend exercise training combined with an optimal pharmacological regimen. However, people with severe COPD often have difficulties performing moderate-to-high load exercise and consequently do not achieve the expected physiological response. Several aspects of COPD contribute to this difficulty in exercising, namely breathlessness, skeletal muscle weakness, frailty, loss of oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle, dynamic hyperinflation and others. Researchers and clinicians have recognised the need to investigate alternative methods of exercise training for this population.\n\nBlood flow restricted exercise (BFRE) training is an emerging novel alternative treatment for populations that cannot perform more intense traditional training protocols. This approach consists of using a cuff placed on the most proximal part of the limb. The cuff is inflated to achieve a venous occlusion and arterial restriction of the blood flow, and is used in association with low intensity exercises, but providing the same benefits in terms of muscle strength, functionality and aerobic capacity as high intensity training. Previous studies have applied this method in athletic populations or healthy individuals. Few studies have explored BFRE training in people with chronic conditions such as COPD. \n\nA previous qualitative descriptive study investigated the views of people living with COPD and clinicians that work with that population towards undergoing a BFRE training program. Whilst majority of participants were willing to undertake or refer someone to a BFRE training program given the potential benefits, concerns were raised on safety, impacts on autonomic cardiac function \u2013 which is usually impaired in that population \u2013 and feasibility of using that exercise modality in people with COPD. \n\nTherefore, the overall aim of this research project is to investigate a BFRE training program for people with COPD regarding aspects of autonomic cardiac function, feasibility and health outcomes. The specific research objectives for this project are:\na) systematically review the available scientific literature analysing whether autonomic cardiac function in adults is altered by BFRE training compared to non-BFRE (Study 1);\nb) investigate acute changes in autonomic cardiac function (heart rate variability parameters) after a single session of cycling with BFR (Study 2);\nc) investigate the effects of an 8-week BFR aerobic exercise program for people with COPD on autonomic cardiac function, muscle health, dyspnoea and quality of life (Study 3).\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (50%)\n420702 Exercise physiology (30%)\n420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisio Pereira","title":"Improving the recovery journey from hospital to home in survivors of critical illness","description":"Each year more than one million people are diagnosed with \u2018Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness\u2019 which refers to a global symmetrical muscle weakness which occurs because of critical illness. Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) refers to the ongoing secondary impairments which can ensue long after an intensive care unit (ICU) admission. These include physical functioning deficits, low mood\/heightened post-traumatic stress and cognitive impairment. Recent research has demonstrated that survivors of critical illness are highly inactive and sedentary in the first year after leaving the acute hospital. More work is required to understand the relationship between physical activity levels and measures related to social isolation and loneliness. \n \nCurrently in Australia there are limited services which exist to support survivors of critical illness after they leave the acute hospital. These primarily are follow-up clinics involving screening and\/or peer support. Health literacy refers to the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information to make informed health decisions. Education and lack of knowledge of Post Intensive Care Syndrome have been identified as critical barriers to empowering patient voice in their care. Higher health literacy has been correlated with better health outcomes in other patient populations.\n \nTherefore, the aims of this project are to:\n\n\u2022        Systematically review the literature regarding patient educational materials and how they have been designed and evaluated in supporting patients and\/or families across the continuum of ICU recovery (Study 1)\n\u2022        Establish a list of the most important consumer oriented key messages about Post Intensive Care Syndrome and recovery needs across the continuum of care expressed in language understandable to consumers (this will involve expert consultation and consumer input) (Study 2)\n\u2022        Explore the relationship between health literacy, personality trait and engagement in symptom management and exercise amongst individuals following critical illness (Study 3)\n\u2022        To co-design and evaluate patient educational materials developed to improve knowledge and confidence in recognising\/managing symptoms of PICS (Study 4)\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"420106 Physiotherapy (30%)\n420314 Multimorbidity (35%)\n420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Wejdan Shahin","title":"Digital Health Interventions for Self-Management of Chronic Illness in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Populations","description":"Background\nChronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, are prevalent worldwide and require continuous self-management to maintain optimal health. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations often face unique challenges in managing chronic illnesses due to barriers such as language differences, cultural beliefs, and limited access to healthcare services. Digital health interventions, including mobile health applications, telehealth, and online education, offer innovative solutions to support self-management including medication adherence, physical activity, and healthy diet. However, the effectiveness of these interventions in CALD populations remains underexplored. This research aims to investigate the impact of digital health interventions on the self-management of chronic illness in CALD populations.\nObjectives\n-To assess the current use and acceptance of digital health tools among CALD individuals with chronic illnesses.\n-Conduct a systematic literature review to understand the existing digital health tools used by CALD populations.\n-To identify the perceptions, barriers and facilitators to using digital health interventions for self-management in CALD populations.\n-Assess the impact of digital health interventions on self-management behaviors and health outcomes.\n-Survey CALD individuals to gather data on their current use and acceptance of digital health tools.\n-The survey will assess the impact of digital health interventions on self-management behaviors, quality of life, and health outcomes for CALDs who already use digital health interventions.\n-Perform mixed methods study to explore CALDs experiences and challenges with digital health tools.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302\tDigital health 40%\r\n321403    Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice 40%\r\n470212\tMulticultural, intercultural and cross-cultural studies 20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jack Feehan ","title":"The effect of carnosine for preventing the sequelae of type 2 diabetes","description":"Carnosine is a naturally occurring dietary anti-oxidant, with a range of bioactive properties including anti-glycating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-chelating. In this study, we are evaluating the use of carnosine as a treatment for the adverse outcomes associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus. These adverse outcomes include cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline and mood disturbance, and immunological changes. This research is translational, including basic science, animal, and eventually clinical studies, depending on the specific project and disease of interest. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320803 Systems physiology \n320903 Central nervous system \n310103 Cell metabolism"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"April Kartikasari, Magdalena Plebanski","title":"Inflammation, immune dysfunction, and molecular changes in cancer","description":"Chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction are significant drivers of cancer development and progression. These factors are also influenced by metabolic and nutritional status, previous infections, and the patient's age. Additionally, molecular changes such as mutations and epigenetic reprogramming of the cancer cells support cancer cell escape from immune surveillance. This project is designed to unravel the complex chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction pathways influenced by such factors, that are significant to cause cancer progression or conversely a positive response to cancer treatment. We will also investigate epigenetic and transcriptomic changes related to cancer and the immune system, to understand the molecular pathways as well as to pinpoint possibilities of using the identified changes as biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic markers or targets of treatment, as well as to optimize treatment. Our projects focus on ovarian cancer, the most lethal gynecological malignancy. PhDs will have opportunities to learn advanced cellular and molecular immunology techniques, including cutting-edge technologies such as multi-parameter flow cytometry, epigenetic profiling, and blood factor multiplex profiling as well as fundamental skills in cell culture, and human clinical trial sample processing and biobanking from diverse tissues, as well as interact across the dynamic CAVA Lab in multiple projects.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/01\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321101 cancer cell biology ; 321104 cancer therapy ; 321102 cancer diagnosis"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Charlie Xue","title":"Systematic Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Evidence for Common Chronic Conditions","description":"Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, has been increasingly used throughout the world. Evidence-based healthcare emphases on the effective use of the best available clinical evidence, incorporating the clinicians\u2019 clinical experience and patients\u2019 preference. This patient-centre care approach reflects the historical nature of Chinese medicine practice in the very rich medical literature accumulated over 2,000 years. However there is an overall lack of systematic evaluation of the evidence connecting those historical descriptions in the classical literature, the contemporary clinical studies, and experimental research to provide the current state of the totality of Chinese medicine evidence for common chronic diseases. PhD opportunities are available at the China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine (https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/research\/research-institutes-centres-and-groups\/multi-partner-collaborations\/cairccm) in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences for a range of research project topics (e.g. diabetes, depression, dysmenorrhea, migraine headache, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis). PhD candidates will have the opportunities to apply Cochrane systematic reviews and meta-analyses methods, data-mining on Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine, evaluating pre-clinical models and their likely mechanisms of action, developing clinical trial protocols, obtaining human ethical approval, conducting multi-centre clinical studies, surveys and focus-group interview studies and, translational research.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/0207","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420803 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Melissa Churchill, Thomas Angelovich","title":"Defining the impact of defective HIV proviruses in the brain on neuropathology","description":"Despite successful viral suppression with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain a major clinical problem affecting ~40% people with HIV. These syndromes lead to cognitive impairment and are significant health, economic and social problems for those affected. The mechanisms causing neurocognitive disorders in people with HIV are unclear, but likely involve both viral persistence in the brain and ongoing immune activation and inflammation which persists despite ART treatment. \r\n\r\nThe HIV viral reservoir consists of both intact replication competent proviral HIV as well as incomplete and defective proviral genomes. We recently demonstrated that the brain of people with HIV who were virally suppressed with antiretroviral therapy harbour a HIV reservoir of both intact and defective proviruses. The contribution of defective HIV proviruses to HIV-associated brain pathogenesis is unclear. Understanding the role of defective proviruses in driving CNS pathology will better inform treatment options for people living with HIV and improve brain health.\r\n\r\nIn this project students will utilise a large cohort of human brain and peripheral tissue samples from people who died with HIV to identify and characterise defective proviral genomes. Using highly innovative and novel imaging techniques the impact of viral genomes on the local cellular environment will be defined.\r\n\r\nFindings from this study will provide novel insight into the ability of defective HIV proviruses to contribute to CNS pathology.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320705 (80%)\r\n320211 (20%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Melissa Churchill, Thomas Angelovich","title":"Defining the effect of HIV\/SIV reactivation in the brain following interruption of antiretroviral therapy","description":"Despite successful viral suppression with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain a major clinical problem affecting ~40% people with HIV. These syndromes lead to cognitive impairment and are significant health, economic and social problems for those affected. The mechanisms causing neurocognitive disorders in people with HIV are unclear, but are likely caused by both viral persistence in the brain and ongoing immune activation and inflammation which persists despite ART treatment. Furthermore, viral rebound during interruption of therapy may induce reactivation of viral reservoirs contributing to disease pathogenesis. Understanding the role of viral persistence and rebound in the brain will better inform treatment options for people living with HIV and improve brain health.\r\n\r\nIn this project students will utilise a large cohort of human brain and peripheral tissue samples from people who died with HIV to determine the role of persistent inflammation and\/or viral persistence in cellular activation in the brain. Students will also utilise a cohort of brain tissue from non-human primate samples infected with the SIV model of HIV. \r\n\r\nHighly innovative and novel techniques such as multicolour immunofluorescence, DNA\/RNAscope, droplet digital PCR and laser capture microdissection will elucidate the cell-specific mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of viral infection\/viral rebound as well as the persistence of HIV\/SIV in the brain. Findings will also be paired with those from peripheral tissue samples to identify the cumulative effect of HIV and associated inflammation throughout the body.\r\n\r\nFindings from this study will provide novel insight into the ability of HIV\/SIV to rebound following therapy interruption and may guide appropriate antiretroviral and adjunctive treatment decisions to reduce the risk of adverse neurocognitive health outcomes in this population.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320705\r\n320211\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Pradip Deb","title":"Advancing dosimetric precision in gamma knife radiosurgery treating brain tumours","description":"Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is a highly effective and precise technique used to treat brain tumours and disorders. However, achieving dosimetric precision is critical both for patient outcomes and for minimising any side effects. This challenge becomes noticeable when dealing with brain tumours, where the complexities of heterogeneous media can impact the dose distribution [1]. Dosimetric precision depends on the ability to accurately model the interactions of radiation amidst a region of interest surrounded by different densities, such as bone and air cavities. Addressing this critical issue is necessary to achieve an accurate delivery of radiation dose to the target volume and to capture the dose spillage outside the prescription isoline.\r\n\r\nGeant4 is a toolkit for Monte Carlo simulations that allows for detailed modelling of how gamma radiation interacts with different types of materials, helping us fully understand the radiation transport pathway. It enables users to model the Gamma Knife Perfexion system and simulate the inhomogeneous media leading to the assessment of any dosimetric uncertainties [1, 2]. \r\n\r\nThis study focuses on modelling the Gamma Knife Perfexion system and conducting a detailed study of the dosimetric uncertainties associated with current dose computation methods, as well as on developing methods to minimise dosimetric uncertainties for tumours in close proximity to the bone and air cavities. This will enable the development of an improved and validated model that is likely to improve the treatment outcomes for brain tumour patients and advance the field of stereotactic radiosurgery.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] Choi, H. J., Chung, H.-T., Sohn, J. W., & Min, C. H. (2018). Independent dose validation system for Gamma Knife radiosurgery, using a DICOM-RT interface and Geant4. Physica Medica, 51, 117-124.\r\n[2] DA\u011eLI, \u00d6., TANIR, A. G., & G\u00f6khan, K. (2021). Analysis of radiation dose distribution Inhomogenity effects in Gamma Knife radiosurgery using Geant4. Politeknik Dergisi, 25(1), 59-64.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Steven Bozinovski, Ross VlahoS, Hao Wang, Stavros Selemidis, Maggie Zhai (SoS)","title":"Developing novel lipid nanoparticles that target pathogenic macrophages in lung diseases","description":"Chronic lung diseases such as COPD, lung fibrosis, severe asthma and lung cancer represent a major global health burden as there is a lack of effective therapies to prevent early morbidity and death. A hallmark feature of many chronic lung diseases is dysregulated immunity and inflammation, where distinct lung macrophage populations become prominent. We are in an era of rapid biotechnological advances, where global and single cell RNA sequencing are revealing an unprecedented insight into disease mechanisms. It is now evident that transcriptionally distinct macrophage populations emergence in chronic lung diseases. For example, a protease called MMP12 is frequently elevated in pathogenic macrophage populations that accumulate in many chronic lung diseases, thus representing a potential therapeutic target. \r\n\r\nThe development of novel therapies for chronic lung disease sufferers has been hampered by lack of cellular specificity and off-target molecular effects. We aim to address this major hurdle by developing lipid nanoparticles that preferentially and efficiently target lung macrophages. Lipid nanoparticles have proven to be excellent nanocarriers for nucleic acids and we will encapsulate interfering RNA molecules directed against MMP12. This is a unique approach to reducing MMP12 levels in pathogenic lung macrophages, with the potential to markedly alter disease outcomes. The successful PhD candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team within the Centre for Respiratory Science & Health and develop high levels skills in pre-clinical mouse models, flow cytometry, nanomedicine, RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103\tRespiratory diseases  100%\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238 PhD (Medical Science)","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien, Daryl Wilding-McBride, Clare Smith, Moshi Geso","title":"Developing 5D Imaging Technologies in Radiation Therapy","description":"With the introduction of cardiac radiation ablation, there is a growing need to account for cardiac motion in addition to respiratory motion during radiation therapy treatments.  This motion management involves being able to image the heart as it beats, and the patient breathes (commonly referred to as 5D imaging) which is currently not possible.\r\n\r\nIn this project, we will develop new techniques to take existing 4D scans and generate 5D scans for use in patient positioning for both cancer treatment and cardiac radiation ablation. The project will involve a combination of image processing, to extract cardiac motion, image reconstruction and the analysis of the clinical impact of the improved treatment accuracy on patient outcomes.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111208 Radiation Therapy (50%) 010303 Optimisation (25%) 029903 Medical Physics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien, Daryl Wilding-McBride, Ruwan Tennakoon and Alireza Bab-Hadiashar (both from Engineering will co-supervise)","title":"Detecting prostate cancer for radiotherapy treatments using deep learning approaches","description":"In radiotherapy there is clinical benefit in boosting the radiation dose to regions of the prostate that are known to have cancer.  Unfortunately, this can be a challenging and time-consuming process.  In this project we aim to use deep learning techniques to identify the location in the prostate with cancer for improved patient treatments. \r\n\r\nThe project will involve working with our clinical partners in Barwon Health to ensure that the project has strong and well-defined clinical endpoints and utility.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Medical Physics (510502) 50%, Radiation Therapy (321110) 30%, Medical Devices (400308) 30%."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith, Moshi Geso","title":"Detailed model of ionization chamber response in radiotherapy applications","description":"Radiation dosimetry in radiotherapy is most commonly performed using ionization chambers such as the Farmer chamber. While these detectors are well characterized in many instances, there are features of their response that remain unexplained, and which become important when the chambers are used in non-standard radiation beams \u2013 for example small beams, high dose-rate beams, beams with unusual energy spectra or angles of incidence, or beams in media other than water. \r\nThe project aims to produce a model of a specific ionization chamber which includes enough detail to reproduce the response with enough fidelity to be able understand the cause of the behaviour. Such behaviours include a shift in the effective centre of the chamber when close to a source, the relative energy response in kilovoltage radiation, and the contribution of the stem and the cable when these are irradiated in addition to the sensitive volume.\r\nThe model will make use of existing Monte Carlo codes (for example, EGSnrc) to simulate radiation transport, and will involve creating the chamber geometry and calculating the chamber response for different radiation beams. The chamber response will be measured and compared to the model. The opportunity exists to design new experiments (such as performing measurements under vacuum or on the Australian synchrotron) to test the model.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 70%\r\n511001 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Clare Smith, Robin Laycock","title":"Using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess long-term neurocognitive effects of concussion in female athletes.","description":"Much work has been done on the impact of contact sports on male athletes, with detailed neuroimaging studies completed, and structural abnormalities consistent with repetitive brain injuries identified. To-date, only a few studies have focused on female athletes involved in contact sports, and this work indicates that there are noted differences in neuro-function, metabolic changes occurring and recovery, which suggests gender may impact brain trauma and recovery.  \r\nGiven the rapid evolution of women\u2019s sport and locally the Australian Football League Women\u2019s division (AFLW), studies examining female athletes involved in contact sports are of importance. Therefore, we aim to examine the neuro-impact of concussion events on female athletes who play contact sports. Using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), and eye tacking technology combined with neurocognitive testing we will examine the effects of trauma on the brain, specifically the long-term neurocognitive effects and one\u2019s recovery. This work will be vital in our ongoing understanding of concussion and head trauma for females and help to provide a point of comparison to male athletes. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320999 25%\r\n520203 75%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Health and Biomedical Sciences","programcode":"MR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andrew Kilgour, Renee French","title":"Management techniques for difficult patient presentations in medical imaging","description":"Research Objectives\n\u2022\tTo explore the challenges that radiographers encounter when imaging difficult patients and to identify strategies that could be implemented to improve overall patient-centred care.\n\u2022\tTo examine the main causes of challenging patient presentations in medical imaging, such as psychological, physiological, and technical obstacles.\n\u2022\tTo assess the efficacy of current techniques and strategies for handling difficult patient presentations.\n\u2022\tTo develop new approaches that put forward creative ideas for boosting medical imaging quality in difficult situations, lowering anxiety, and increasing patient participation.\n\u2022\tTo investigate how patient education and communication could be beneficial to manage challenging imaging situations.\n","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-01-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320206 Diagnostic Radiography (80%)\n390305 Professional education and training (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"MR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Doa El-Ansary","title":"Active engagement in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease: AUSMED Plus trial","description":"Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of disease burden and death in the Australian population and represents a global health care crisis. Chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation is recognized as an underlying pathophysiological cause of coronary heart disease (CHD). The adoption of a Mediterranean Diet has been reported to be cardioprotective and in non-Mediterranean people has been associated with good adherence and a reduction in high sensitivity interlukin-6 (hs-IL-6) involved in inflammation. Moderate intensity resistance exercise is safe and effective in improving risk factor parameters associated with CVD as well as quality of life, physical capacity, sleep, anxiety and cognitive function.\nThe AUSMED Plus Heart Trial is a multisite randomized controlled trial that will evaluate the efficacy of a  Digital Multidisciplinary solution targeting a mediterranean diet, physical activity, psychological wellbeing, sleep, stress management and avoidance of risky substances verses \"standard care\". Importantly this trial provides evidence based equitable health care across the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine for secondary prevention of CVD in the Australian health care setting. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320101 Cardiology (incl. Cardiovascular disease) 40%; 420309 Health Management (30%); 320299 Clinical Science (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"MR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Andrew Kilgour, Clare Smith","title":"Evaluation of Medical Radiation undergraduates\u2019 clinical interactions with difficult patients ","description":"This project aims to look at the current situation in Medical Radiation Undergraduates during their Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements at clinical centres in Australia and understand the likelihood and impact of difficult encounters with patients and their families. Specifically, we are addressing instances of inappropriate comments and touching, dealing with drug and alcohol affected patients, mentally unwell patients, and racial or religious discrimination. \r\nThis study aims to complete a literature review, and produce a qualitative survey, which will be distributed to our current undergraduate medical radiations\u2019 cohort, and anonymously completed. The results are to be coded and analysed, and differences in responses between each stream also evaluated i.e., differences in encounters between nuclear medicine, medical imaging, and radiation therapy students. As well, we aim to use these findings to better equip our students with the necessary tools to navigate these issues if they arise and instil confidence in their responses to various situations.\r\nFinally, we plan to extend this research and examine other potentially difficult relationships that are faced by our students when completing their WIL placements, namely site and supervisor issues, and the impacts on learning.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"61501"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237\/ DR236\/DR238\/ MR236\/ MR237\/ MR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oren Tirosh\/ Shanmuga Sundar Dhanabalan\/ Haytham Fayek","title":"Technology in Concussion management","description":"During play and training players experience repeated head impacts from contact with the ball, other players, the ground or objects. These cause the brain to move rapidly within the skull and can cause concussion, defined as \u201calteration in brain function, caused by an external force\u201d. Identifying the frequency and magnitude of that impact during the game and training is important for concussion management. The use of sensors technology was suggested to detect possible concussions during the game that would not otherwise receive evaluation. Accelerometer embedded in mouthguard was shown to be effective, but more research on other possibilities such as small patch IMU sensor behind the ear may be other option, specifical in sport where players do not use mouthguard.\nFurthermore, knowing when to safely return to sport following concussion is another important pilar in concussion management. Current post-concussion decision making lacks accurate and timely evidence-based diagnosis technology and are sub-optimal in determining a safe duration for \u2018return-to-play\u2019. Clinical decisions on return-to-play eligibility are currently not sensitive at capturing brain changes days and weeks after concussion. We developed targeted technology, a nexus of cloud software bundle with smartphone sensors and App allowing clinicians to remotely and objectively measure balance while sharing and monitoring progression in a linkage cloud databank. Balance dysfunction, which persists long after the initial symptoms have resolved, is a hallmark feature of concussion management to identify readiness to return-to-play.\n\nThis proposed project will: 1) develop and validate sensor to monitor head impact during training and game, 2) explore the use of remote assessment technology to objectively monitor postural balance following concussion to identify safe time to return to play, and 3) develop predication AI models to identify risk to concussion and safe time to return to play.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420701 Biomechanics, 25%\n420302 Digital Health, 25%\n420311 Health systems, 15%\n420109 Rehabilitation, 20%\n400906 Electronic sensors, 15%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Pranata","title":"NeuroUltrasound: Innovative Technology Networks and Application in Neurosurgery for Best Practice","description":"This PhD project aims to revolutionise post-operative brain monitoring by developing AI-enhanced real-time ultrasound (RTUS) imaging for adult neurosurgery. RTUS is a valid and reliable imaging modality that is non-radiative, non-invasive and importantly provides data in real-time pertaining to bone, skeletal muscle and the body systems affording timely medical and health professional management of pathology. This research will explore the correlation between Brain CT scans and RTUS images, with the aim of developing machine learning algorithms to enhance RTUS image acquisition and resolution The focus is to develop a screening system that classifies RTUS findings as normal (green), potentially concerning (yellow), or critical (red), to triage and inform timely medical intervention and follow-up. This project will partner with industry leaders to offer practical experience and the opportunity to translate academic research into real-world clinical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"460299 Artificial Intelligence not elsewhere classified (30%)\n320299 Clinical sciences not elsewhere classified (50%)\n320903 Central nervous system (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stavros Selemidis","title":"How Does Influenza A Viruses Exploit the Host to Enhance Inflammation Disease?","description":"Respiratory viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) cause millions of infections worldwide each year, leading to significant illness and death, especially among vulnerable groups like the young, elderly, immunocompromised, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. The host's inflammatory response plays a crucial role in controlling viral replication and establishing immunity, involving a complex network of various cell types throughout the infection process. However, severe cases of respiratory disease can lead to hyperinflammatory \u201ccytokine storms,\u201d which disrupt the resolution of immune responses and often result in chronic complications.\r\nPattern recognition receptors, particularly toll-like receptors (TLRs), are key to initiating antiviral and proinflammatory signaling in response to viral infections by detecting viral nucleic acids. We hypothesize that dysregulated inflammatory signaling following TLR activation in specific cell types including macrophages contributes to severe disease outcomes. Despite this, the differential processing of TLRs by infected cells and the cell types that drive exacerbated inflammatory responses remain unclear.\r\nThis project aims to elucidate the TLR-mediated molecular and cellular mechanisms by which IAV virus exacerbates inflammation and promotes severe disease. Using cell culture techniques including CRISPR\/Cas9 and in vivo IAV infection models, the PhD candidate will explore these mechanisms through a range of methods, including viral inoculations, flow cytometry, multiplex immunoprofiling, qPCR, RNA sequencing, ELISAs, Western blotting, proteomic analysis, fluorescence microscopy, histology, cell culture, and gene-editing. The insights gained from this research will contribute to the development of novel therapeutics aimed at reducing severe disease caused by IAV.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321401 34%; 320103 33% ; 320211 33%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Sharayah Carter, Rajaraman Eri - Science\r\nBobbi Fleiss - Health and Biomedical Science\r\nGayathri Balasuriya - Health and Biomedical Science","title":"A Prebiotic Intervention for Gut Health in Older Adults","description":"This project addresses the prevalent issue of age-related gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction among older adults, affecting over 50% of Australians aged 65 and above. It aims to investigate the impact of gut health on overall well-being in older adults. Ageing disrupts the delicate balance of gut microbiota, potentially leading to gut dysbiosis (imbalances in gut bacteria composition). Emerging evidence suggests that gut dysbiosis is linked to cognitive decline, social behaviour issues, and stress vulnerability in older adults. By exploring the role of prebiotics, non-digestible fibres that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, this research aims to enhance cognitive function, social behaviour, and overall quality of life in the ageing population.\r\n\r\nAims:\r\n\r\nSystematic Review: Examine existing research on age-related GI dysregulation, gut microbiome alterations, and the effectiveness of prebiotic interventions in improving gut health in older adults.\r\n\r\nAssessment of GI Dysfunction: Assess the prevalence and dietary associations of GI dysfunction in older adults across Australia, India, Sri Lanka, and Japan using a validated GI survey.\r\n\r\nEvaluation of Prebiotic Intervention: Evaluate the effects of a prebiotic intervention on age-related GI issues, cognitive function, social behaviour, stress vulnerability, and dietary outcomes in aged care settings using standardised tests, questionnaires, and biomarkers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321001 - Clinical Nutrition (50%)\r\n320799 - Medical Microbiology not elsewhere classified (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stavros Selemidis, Mark Miles, Steven Bozinovski, Ross Vlahos","title":"Deciphering how respiratory viruses exploit host inflammation to promote disease","description":"Respiratory viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infect millions of people globally each year causing significant morbidity and mortality particularly in high-risk individuals such as the young, elderly, immunocompromised and those with pre-existing respiratory illness. Host inflammatory responses to infection are critical for controlling viral replication and establishing immunity, and these processes are mediated by an intricate network of various cell types at various stages of infection. Unfortunately, individuals that experience severe acute respiratory disease often succumb debilitating hyperinflammatory \u201ccytokine storms\u201d, which impairs the ability to appropriately resolve host immune responses, often giving rise to chronic sequalae. Pattern recognition receptors such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) sense viral nucleic acid and are principal initiators of antiviral and\/or proinflammatory signalling in response to viral infection. We believe that dysregulated inflammatory signalling following viral activation of TLRs can occur in certain cell types and is an underlying factor in driving severe disease. However, it remains unclear how infected cells differentially processes TLRs or which cell types predominantly drive exacerbated inflammatory signalling.\r\nThis project will utilise cell culture techniques and in vivo infection models to unravel the TLR-mediated molecular and cellular mechanisms viruses exploit to promote severe inflammatory disease. The knowledge gained from this project will assist in the advancement of future novel therapeutics aimed at minimising severe disease caused by respiratory viruses. The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to perform viral inoculations in vivo, flow cytometry, multiplex immunoprofiling, qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISAs, Western blots, proteomic analysis, fluorescence microscopy, histology, cell culture and gene-editing.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103\r\n321401"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jennifer Boer","title":"Metagenetic Approach To Analyze Vaccine Immunomodulation in The Elderly","description":"The human gut is a vast reservoir of genetic potential and we are learning more and more how it relates to human health and disease. The new generation of deep metagenomic sequencing, consists in simultaneous sequencing of multiple microbial genomes at once and has provided us with a wealth of information on the composition of complex communities in our gut. As different microbial genomes can result in vastly different phenotypes and functions in our gut, it is critical to understand the genomic variations that characterize the different strains that are present. We are currently working on a large-scale vaccine (DTP and influenza) human trial (n=600) in Tasmania in which we will map, as a world first, how innate immunity and innate training differs in humans based on age and sex, and how this affects responses to vaccines. We will be studying these aspects with a systems biology approach in which we will investigate weather the immunological changes in young and elderly are characterized with changes in the gut microbial composition. Currently big data provided by metagenomics next generation sequening (mNGS) is becoming a key driver for the advancement of precision medicine to personalize patient care. Therefore, to take full advantage of these complex datasets we will use bioinformatics to enable quicker and more comprehensive analysis. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310205"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Giulia McCorkell","title":"Improving Radiation Therapy Services In Ghana","description":"This project aims to develop, validate and pilot a clinical audit tool that evaluates radiotherapy clinical practices in Low-and Middle Income Countries, starting with Ghana. Based on the baseline data collecting using this tool, service improvement strategies will be development and implemented, with the clinical audit tool then used to capture post-implementation data to evaluate post-implementation improvements in service delivery.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4203 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thilini Thrimawithana, Benu Adhikari (School of Science)","title":"Development of herbal medicines for the management of cardiometabolic diseases","description":"Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are major public health challenges because of their increasing prevalence and significant effects on health. Sixty-seven percent of the Australian population over the age of 18 years are overweight or obese which puts them at 3x and 20x greater risk of developing T2DM, respectively. Healthy diet and regular exercise are the first line management for these conditions but are difficult to achieve at the population level, hence the obesity and diabetes epidemic continues unabated. Therefore, it is essential to develop new therapies that can reduce the risk of developing these conditions. Many studies have shown the potential use of plant polyphenols (phenolic acids, coumarins, flavonoids, stilbenes and lignans) for the prevention and management of cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases. However, the clinical use of these natural therapies is limited by the variations in extraction methods, instability against oxidation, lack of high-quality clinical trials, and the lack of suitable formulations that can improve patient acceptance of such therapies. This project will focus on development of suitable formulations to enhance bioavailability of plant bioactives and to evaluate efficacy of such formulations.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321004 Nutritional science \r\n321404 Pharmaceutical delivery technologies \r\n321405 Pharmaceutical sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Radiations","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Pradip Deb","title":"Advancements in EPID Dosimetry for Precise Radiation Therapy Delivery","description":"External beam radiation therapy is a crucial component in cancer treatment, aiming to deliver precise doses of radiation to tumour sites while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID) dosimetry plays a vital role in quality assurance by verifying the accuracy of radiation delivery during treatment. However, there remain challenges in enhancing the accuracy, efficiency, and versatility of EPID dosimetry techniques. \n\nThe major objectives of this project will be to (i) investigate novel EPID dosimetry algorithms for real-time dose verification during treatment sessions, (ii) develop automated EPID image analysis techniques to enhance efficiency and reduce human error, (iii) evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of EPID dosimetry for advanced radiation therapy techniques such as volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy (SABR), (iv) integrate EPID dosimetry with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for adaptive radiation therapy planning and delivery.\n\nThe significance of this project: Advancements in EPID dosimetry hold significant promise for enhancing the safety and effectiveness of radiation therapy treatment. By improving the accuracy, efficiency, and versatility of EPID-based dose verification, this research has the potential to positively impact patient outcomes, reduce treatment-related toxicities, and facilitate the adoption of advanced radiation therapy techniques.\n\nThis project will be carried out in collaboration with the researchers in Petermac Cancer Centre, Melbourne. PhD student will have the opportunity to use the modern linear accelerator and other radiotherapy facilities in a tertiary hospital setting. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Durga Dharmadana, Celine Valery","title":"Exploration of combined efficacy of novel small peptides with chemotherapeutic agents through nanocarriers mediated cutaneous delivery system in skin cancer","description":"Skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell\ncarcinomas) have increased in recent decades with more than 1.5 million\nnew cases estimated in 2022. In 2022, an estimated 330,000 new cases of\nmelanoma were diagnosed worldwide and almost 60,000 people died from\nthe disease. Small peptide-based therapeutics has not been highly explored\nfor cancer treatment, and the development of a novel anti-cancer peptide\ncan open up new avenues for research. Unlike traditional chemotherapeutic\nagents, small peptides offer several advantages, including targeted action,\nhigh specificity, low immunogenicity, potential for combination therapy,\nand versatility in the formulation. These advantages offer a promising\napproach for enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.\nOur proposed approach leverages synergistic effects, delivering agents\ndirectly to skin tumors via nanocarriers to enhance outcomes while\nminimizing systemic effects. The project represents an innovative strategy\nfor skin cancer treatment, with significant potential for clinical impact.\nTopical drug delivery has emerged as a perfect modality for localized self-application with minimal systemic ingress for the management of skin cancers. Advances in topical drug delivery as evidenced by the exploration of nanocarriers and newer technologies like microneedle-mediated\ntherapeutics delivery have revolutionized the paradigms of topical\ntreatment. Nanocarriers can improve drug retention in the skin ensures\ndrug localization in the stratum corneum and protection of drugs against\nchemical or physical changes. Nano-formulations can empower the clinician\nto safely and effectively target multiple therapeutics to resistant cancerous\ntissues. Therefore, we propose the co-delivery of novel small peptides with\nchemotherapeutic agents through nanocarriers mediated cutaneous\ndelivery system in skin cancer.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Bobbi Fleiss, Rosita Zakaria, Alice Johnstone","title":"Is perinatal brain injury and neuroprotection associated with the altered biochemical response of polydendrocytes?\r","description":"Poly-dendro-cytes (many-tree shape-cells) make up 5-10% of adult central nervous system cells. When first discovered, it was assumed that\npolydendrocytes were an immature form of oligodendrocytes, the cells that make your insulative myelin. However, we now know that only a small\nfraction of polydendrocytes develop into oligodendrocytes, but we do not know what the other functions of polydendrocytes are. We know that polydendrocytes make and release many different substances that can influence cell survival, growth, and activity, including factors that modulate brain immune functions. In response to injury or insult, polydendrocytes have been reported to make more of themselves and migrate to the injured region. In this way, polydendrocytes seem to have some similarities to microglia \u2013 a type of brain immune cell that our research group has a lot of tools and approaches to study. Much of the little known about polydendrocytes has been done in adults, and not much at all is known about how\npolydendrocytes respond to injury and insults around the period of birth, the perinatal period. Perinatal brain injuries can arise from many\ncauses, including systemic inflammation (e.g., an intrauterine infection, chorioamnionitis), hypoxic-ischemic events that involve neuronal overactivation\n(i.e., excitotoxic) injury mechanisms (e.g., hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal stroke), and\/or preterm birth (i.e., birth before 37 of a typical 40\nweeks of gestation). Perinatal brain injuries often lead to permanent disability and account for around 2.4% of the total Global Burden of Disease, meaning that the social and economic impact of these injuries is very significant. For the most part, we have no therapies to treat perinatal brain injuries and few ways to prevent them. It has been shown that, like other cell types of the central nervous system, polydendrocytes have age-dependent differences in response to injury, so studying them in the still-developing brain may help understand perinatal brain injuries better.\nThe focus of our proposed project is to improve the current understanding of polydendrocytes (also known as NG2 glia) in healthy and injured\ndeveloping central nervous system, including investigating their role in mediating changes in response to common neurotherapeutics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"3209        Neurosciences 40\n3213        Paediatrics 30\n310101        Analytical biochemistry 30"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ricky O'Brien, Pradip Dep","title":"Dynamic CT Imaging ","description":"Acquiring 3D images of moving anatomy, such as the heart, is challenging due to blurring caused by the motion. The aim of this project is to develop image reconstruction methods to imaging dynamically moving anatomy and then to optimise image acquisition methods.  In addition to reconstructing dynamic CT images, this project will also explore the feasibility of fusing MRI images into the image reconstruction process for improved soft tissue contrast.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Medical Physics (510502) 50%, Radiation Therapy (321110) 25%, Medical Devices (400308) 25%."},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Catherine Itsiopoulos, Denise Jackson","title":"Identifying predictive biomarkers of thrombosis \u2013 the role of the fibrinolytic system","description":"Predicting the risks of thrombosis and bleeding remains a critical challenge in modern medicine. Conventional coagulation tests provide limited information, measuring only the start of clot formation, about 5% of the total process. To address this, global coagulation assays (GCAs) like the Calibrated Automated Thrombogram (CAT) and Overall Haemostatic Potential (OHP) have been proposed as more accurate measures of haemostatic function. CAT assesses thrombin generation, while OHP evaluates fibrin generation and clot lysis.\n\nPreliminary research highlights the potential of GCAs, especially in combination, to predict cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, as well as recurrent venous thrombosis in those with previous venous thromboembolism. It's also crucial to understand how cardiovascular risk factors and changes in these factors influence biomarkers. Evaluating disease and lifestyle biomarkers, such as the intake of anti-inflammatory diets high in omega-3 fatty acids, will be part of this project to identify important relationships.\n\nFibrinolysis has emerged as a key factor in these risk prediction models, warranting further investigation. Establishing reference intervals for these novel biomarkers is essential for clinicians and scientists to accurately diagnose abnormalities. This project aims to:\n\nDevelop normative range data for various GCAs across all age groups.\nEvaluate the relationship between biomarkers, cardiovascular disease, and risk factors, including lifestyle markers.\nRefine risk prediction models for bleeding and thrombosis using existing biobank data.\nImprove and standardize key GCA methods for future clinical use.\nFurther understand the coagulation pathway, particularly fibrinolysis, and its interaction with novel biomarkers like vaspin and extracellular vesicles involved in atherosclerosis and inflammation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"329999        Other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified\n400399        Biomedical engineering not elsewhere classified\n321003        Nutrigenomics and personalised nutrition\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Natalie Borg, Elena Ivanova (School of Science), Denver Linklater (School of Science), Graeme Moad (CSIRO), Ranya Simons (CSIRO)","title":"Developing and Investigating Antiviral Mechanisms of Nanostructured Surfaces against Broad Spectrum of Viral Species.","description":"Due to the recent pandemic, the development of nanostructured antiviral surfaces to combat surface respiratory virus transmission has been of great interest. In this project, we will test a range of mechano-responsive nanostructured nanomaterials that show potential to inactivate viruses. The proposed biomimetic antiviral surfaces are analogous to mechano-bactericidal nanostructured surfaces that have shown robust capability to rupture and kill bacterial cells. We will determine which nanopatterns (in terms of geometry, height, density, and aspect ratio) are the most effective in inactivating viruses viruses that are taxonomically related to SARS-CoV-2 including what known as the chicken\u2019s coronavirus, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and foodborne virus: transmissible gastroenteritis enteric virus (TGEV).","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310702"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Guiying Nie","title":"Study human placental development and pregnancy health","description":"The placenta is a transient yet critical organ that develops during pregnancy to nourish and protect the conceptus. It functions as the gut, lung and kidney of the growing fetus while these crucial organs are still developing, hence optimal development and function of the placenta is critical to fetal growth and well-being. In addition, the placenta produces hormones and other factors to influence the physiology of the mother to sustain pregnancy. \r\n\r\nUnfortunately, if the placenta doesn\u2019t develop or function properly, the fetus will be inevitably affected, and pregnancy complications such as fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia arise. However, we don\u2019t know a lot about human placental development. \r\n\r\nThis project will study placental development in the human. The study will leverage human placental stem cells, trophoblast organoids, and placental explants to investigate key processes of trophoblast cell differentiation and function. This project will also explore early detection\/prediction of preeclampsia. \r\n\r\nThe study will utilize techniques such as mammalian cell culture, unique models, immunofluorescence, ELISA, real-time RT-PCR, and latest molecular biology approaches such as the CRISPR-CAS9 technology. The results will provide important insights into human placental development and pregnancy health.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310199\r\n321599"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Steven Bozinovski, Christian Aloe, Vipul Bansal\r\n\r\n","title":"Developing treatment strategies for silicosis, a deadly fibrotic lung disease. ","description":"Silicosis is an irreversible and fatal occupational fibrotic lung disease. The high demand for domestic kitchen benchtops fabricated from engineered stone\u2014typically with >90% silica content\u2014has seen a wave of accelerated silicosis cases occurring in workers exposed to large amounts of silica dust. Alarmingly, silicosis can emerge asymptomatically; and there are no effective treatments or biomarkers to diagnose patients at an early stage. Consequently, radiographic changes of \u2018simple\u2019 silicosis consisting of small lung nodules (<1 cm) can rapidly transition to a \u2018complicated\u2019 disease characterised by large fibrotic masses termed progressive massive fibrosis. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) that reside within the alveolar space are frontline cellular responders to inhaled respirable crystalline silica (RCS). We have worked closely with our clinical colleagues at Austin health to demonstrate that AMs alter their phenotype under the influence of excessive iron levels in silicosis patients. \r\n\r\nIn this project, the successful candidate will work with a multi-disciplinary team to develop novel blood biomarkers using a recently established silicosis blood biobank. Mass spectrometry and raman spectroscopy techniques will be used to quantify silicate in well-defined patient cohorts. Furthermore, pre-clinical silicosis models will be used to evaluate the efficacy of iron-chelators as a novel treatment for silicosis. A broad range of techniques including histology\/IHC, lung function physiology, RNA sequencing and flow cytometry will be applied to comprehensively understand how iron chelators work. Our ultimate goal is to develop a treatment that is ready for the clinic and capable of having a transformative impact on the lives of silicosis sufferers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103 Respiratory diseases (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Steven Bozinovski,  Jonathan McQualter, Hao Wang","title":"Unravelling the role of the liver-lung axis during secondary bacterial pneumonia","description":"It was estimated that the Spanish influenza pandemic caused over 50 million premature deaths. What is less appreciated is that most deaths were caused by secondary bacterial pneumonia (SBP), which causes excessive lung inflammation and injury that can manifest into fibrosis and respiratory failure. SBP refers to events where respiratory viruses damage the lung mucosa and compromise host immunity, leading to escape of nasal bacteria into the lower airways. There is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms that drive susceptibility to SBP and use this knowledge to develop new therapeutics to reduce lung inflammation and injury.\r\n\r\nThe host response to acute infection is complex where inflammatory cytokines produced in the lungs spill over into the circulation and stimulate liver hepatocytes to produce an array of acute phase reactants. An important acute phase reactant is serum amyloid A (SAA), which normally serves a protective role by acting as a bacterial opsonin and chemoattractant for blood leukocytes. We have preliminary evidence to show that SAA levels are markedly increased in a pre-clinical model of SBP. \r\n\r\nIn this project, you will investigate why SAA is excessively produced and whether this response remains protective or transitions into a pathogenic contributor to fibrosis and respiratory failure. You will investigate innovate strategies that target SAA (antibodies, nanomedicines) as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat SBP. You will work with a multidisciplinary team and develop high levels skills in RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, tissue\/bacterial culture, ELISA, pre-clinical mouse models and Western Blotting.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103\tRespiratory diseases (100%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ross Vlahos, Simone De Luca, Steve Bozinovski","title":"Utilising mouse organotypic brain slices to halt cognitive decline","description":"The global prevalence of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases is on the rise, posing a significant burden for individuals, families, communities, and health systems. The occurrence of premature brain ageing is rising, largely driven by lifestyle factors such as diet, physical inactivity as well as poor air quality, including cigarette smoke and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). Microglia play a vital role in monitoring and regulating the generation of neurons and synapses by balancing immature and mature dendritic spines to maintain normal cognition. As the brain ages, microglia transition from a surveillant state to an activated state, along with dysregulated phagocytosis resulting in the accumulation of neuronal debris and toxic protein aggregates. Such chronic microglial activation promotes neuronal and synaptic loss and eventual cognitive decline.\r\n\r\nDespite Australia having \u201csafe\u201d levels of air pollution; TRAP and cigarette smoke exposure can cause detrimental lung inflammation and can induce cognitive decline. It is thought that the lungs transmit signals from air pollutant-induced chronic pulmonary inflammation to microglia, leading to their hyper-activation in the brain, triggering cognitive decline. Finding the mechanism underlying this axis may suggest a pathway to halt premature ageing and preserve cognitive function in individuals exposed to environmental pollutants.\r\n\r\nThis project will use organotypic mouse brain tissue cultures and human microglial cells to investigate the mechanism by which lung inflammation induced by air pollutants drives hyper-activation of microglial cells. \r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will be trained in several experimental techniques which include cell culture, immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, ELISA and Western blotting.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320902 \r\n320103 "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos, Bobbi Fleiss, Anita Quigley School of Engineering","title":"Cerebral organoids: precision medicine tools for cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders ","description":"The processes occurring in the brain that lead to cerebral palsy (CP) are poorly understood and treatment is ineffective in preventing or repairing the brain injury that can occur. Babies born preterm or growth restricted are at greater risk of sustaining brain injury that can subsequently lead to the development of CP. Animal models of preterm brain injury have been established and the pathology of the brain injury has been well characterised. However, despite this there are no widely available treatments to prevent or correct the brain injury.\r\n \r\nBrain organoids created using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from people with autism, epilepsy, Parkinson, and Alzheimer\u2019s disease are being used to study mechanisms underpinning brain dysfunction, and to screen potential patient-specific therapies. Therefore, we will adopt this approach to study specific mechanisms associated with brain development and injury in CP. \r\n\r\nIn this project, for the first time, we will generate brain organoids using iPSCs derived from the blood of infants at high-risk of CP due to preterm birth (in collaboration with Prof Atul Malhotra, Early Neurodevelopment Clinic, Monash Children\u2019s Hospital). We will also generate brain organoids using commercially available iPSCs derived from individuals with no known brain disorder. Brain organoids will be grown, and we will study their structure and function to identify the neural mechanisms that may contribute to the development of CP, with the intention of establishing a tool for future therapeutic testing. Throughout this project you will learn fundamental molecular research techniques including cell culture, immunofluorescence, and microscopy.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310102 Regenerative Medicine (incl. stem cells) 35%\r\n320903 Central Nervous System 35%\r\n321501 Foetal development and medicine 30% "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stella Liong, Stavros Selemidis (45%), Ross Vlahos (10%)","title":"The viral origins of cardiovascular disease in women","description":"Cardiovascular health during pregnancy governs the future risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. Respiratory viral infections such as influenza A virus (IAV) can cause cardiovascular complications during pregnancy, which have so far been an under recognised contributing factor to CVD. Our research group has shown that a major IAV disease process during pregnancy is the development of a \u201cvascular storm\u201d, characterised by excessive vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. It is thought that the physiological changes in immunity and cardiovascular adaptations that occur during pregnancy drives this increased vulnerability to respiratory viral infections. Although the acute effects of gestational IAV infection on maternal health have been well characterised, the long-term effects, particularly on the cardiovascular system is poorly understood. Furthermore, therapeutic interventions that can control viral-induced cardiovascular events during pregnancy could improve future cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, classical antihypertensive drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy due to foetal toxicity. Thus, new therapeutics which are safe during pregnancy and can reverse maternal cardiovascular complications will represent a new paradigm in therapeutic interventions to prevent future CVD risk. One candidate drug is aspirin, which we have shown to prevent viral dissemination into the peripheral vasculature and reverse viral-induced endothelial dysfunction during the acute stage of the infection. The aim of this project is to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the cardiovascular system during gestational IAV infection and how they contribute to the development of CVD later in life. The PhD candidate will also assess the efficacy of aspirin treatment during gestational IAV infection to prevent CVD risk later in life. The PhD candidate will have opportunities to learn how to perform viral inoculations in vivo, generate hypertensive mouse models, flow cytometry, multiplex profiling, immune cell depletion, adoptive transfer, qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISAs, Western blots, fluorescence microscopy, histology, and wire myography.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103 Respiratory diseases\r\n320101 Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases)\r\n320211 Infectious diseases\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stella Liong, Stavros Selemidis (45%), Ross Vlahos (10%)","title":"Respiratory infections in early life","description":"Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to respiratory infections during early life is associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders including cognitive impairment and schizophrenia in the offspring. Our research has shown that influenza during pregnancy is associated with neurocognitive impairments that resemble schizophrenia in mice, despite no direct viral infection to the offspring. Studies have also shown that prenatal vaccination against influenza virus to protect against atypical offspring behaviour. Recently, the gut microbiota has been shown to impact healthy neurodevelopment in the offspring through immune and neuronal crosstalk with the brain. Studies have shown that respiratory viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can modify the gut microbiota even in the absence of detectable virus in the gut. However, not all children who contract respiratory viral infections go on to develop neurodevelopmental disorders later in life. This suggests that there may be a cohort of susceptible children who are most at-risk of developing neurocognitive impairment following early life viral exposure. This project aims to: 1) elucidate the role of common respiratory viral infections (IAV, RSV, rhinovirus) during early life and how that affects neurodevelopment by assessing behaviour and immunological and neurological parameters in the brain and gut of mice; and 2) determine whether exposure to viral infections in utero (first hit) increases susceptibility to early life virus induced (second hit) cognitive impairment in adulthood. This study will unravel the impact of common respiratory viral infections during early life on healthy neurodevelopment in adulthood. The PhD candidate will have opportunities to learn how to perform viral inoculations, behavioural assessment in mice, flow cytometry, multiplex profiling, immune cell depletion, adoptive transfer, microbiome analysis, qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISAs, Western blots, fluorescence microscopy, and histology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320103 Respiratory diseases\r\n320211 Infectious diseases\r\n320999 Neurosciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Apriliana Kartikasari\nExternal supervisors:\r\nShekhar Kumpta (Northern Health Hospital)\r\nPrahlad Ho (Northern Health Hospital)","title":"Thrombosis and coagulation: an enigma","description":"Thrombosis leading to complications such as cardiovascular disease remains the largest Global cause of mortality and morbidity. A major challenge is the lack of effective personalized biomarkers to predict thrombosis risk. In this project at the Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology (TIN) Theme, well curated patient plasma biobanks with collaborators and co-supervisors at the Northern Experimental Centre for Thrombosis and Research (NECTAR) Centre, at Northern Health Hospital will be explored using the latest molecular technologies, (including but not restricted to epigenetics, molecular spectroscopy, genomics) to help address this gap.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310504 (40%)\n310109 (40%)\n329407 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dr Bobbi Fleiss, A\/Prof Mary Tolcos, Dr Alice Johnstone ","title":"Regeneration of the brain following neonatal stroke","description":"This project will increase our knowledge of how we can use bioengineered hydrogels to repair the brain after neonatal stroke and explore the innate abilities of a species with regenerative abilities to uncover novel avenues for improving on our therapeutic strategies. \n\nStudy 1. Efficacy of a delayed hydrogel therapy for treating neonatal stroke in the rat. Current work shows the efficacy of a hydrogel deposited into the core of the lesion at 24-hours post-injury.  The hydrogel is constructed of a laminin peptide backbone, functionalised with an anti-inflammatory seaweed (Fucoidan) and a cell death inhibitor isolated from the Funnel Web spider (Hi1a). Additional work is needed on the delivery of the hydrogel at 3-days and 7-days post-injury as the delayed time points are clinically relevant. \n \nStudy 2. Develop a model of neonatal stroke in the Spiny Mouse (SpM) to explore the innate regenerative abilities in this species.  Data from our lab in the adult SpM show remarkable abilities of these animals to repair adult brain injury, and other groups have reported similar findings in other organs from this species. \n\nStudy 3. Comparison of the responses of ex vivo glia in the rat and SpM. We know the brains can repair better in the SpM, we wish to explore how. We will use culture microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes from the rat and SpM neonates and adults. Using established paradigms for immune activation and injury ex vivo we will measure markers of immune activation and differentiation, and undertake RNAseq in groups of interest. ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"26\/07\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320606        Regenerative medicine (incl. stem cells) (30%) ; 321302        Infant and child health (40%) ; 490502 Biostatistics (15%) ; 310202 Biological network analysis (15%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sarah J. Spencer, Elisa Hill, Blanca del Rosal Rabes. School of Science","title":"Visualising gut immune cells as a window into gut health","description":"Gastrointestinal (GI) macrophages are known to be essential for combatting GI pathogens, as well as regulating GI motility under healthy conditions. However, it is not clear if these roles differ at different developmental stages of life or under different disease conditions to affect the execution of these roles. Life-stage, diet, and disease-specific changes in GI macrophages may reveal important context-dependent targets for amplifying immune efficiency and optimising GI motility. Additionally, such context-dependent changes could also be used as a unique biomarker for GI health. Published data indicate that macrophages are highly autofluorescent and this natural autofluorescence (AFL) could be used to reveal GI immune changes without the need for additional dyes. We will therefore characterise immune cell profiles and autofluoresence at different life stages and under varying disease conditions.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320407 (50%); 320999 (50%); "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos","title":"A novel antenatal therapy to correct neurological deficits in fetal growth restriction.","description":"Fetal growth restriction (FGR) occurs in 5-10% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. FGR is defined as the failure of the fetus to reach its genetic growth potential and can occur when there is an inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus because of poor placental function. Surviving growth\u2013restricted babies can have abnormal brain development and an increased risk of learning difficulties, intellectual and cognitive deficits, motor deficits, cerebral palsy and autism. \n\nWe have identified a novel thyroid hormone analogue that can potentially repair brain injury and reduce the morbidity associated with FGR. The aim of this project is to determine whether antenatal treatment with a novel thyroid hormone analogue will repair brain injury and improve long-term neurobehavioural dysfunction following FGR.\n \nThis project will use a guinea pig model of FGR where we ligate the uterine artery at mid-pregnancy to restrict blood flow and nutrient supply to fetuses. Controls are generated from pregnancies where the uterine artery is not ligated. We will then treat dams (ligated and non-ligated) with either vehicle or the thyroid hormone analogue. The fetal brains will then be collected and assessed using histological, immunohistochemical and molecular techniques. Separate cohorts of offspring (control, FGR, treated, un-treated) will be grown to adolescence and assessed using a suite of neurobehavioral tests. By the end of their candidature students will have expertise in small animal surgery and handling, neurobehavioural assessment, tissue collection, processing and sectioning, histology, immunohistochemistry, qPCR, image analysis, data analysis, interpretation, statistics and scientific writing.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"329093 Central nervous system (50%) ; 321501 Foetal development and medicine (25%) ; 321301 Adolescent Health (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Paul Wright","title":"Evaluating the dietary safety of Australian native foods","description":"As interest in Australian native products continues to grow world-wide, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are striving to be industry leaders in the production of their traditional foods that are being developed for commercial markets. To successfully gain market approval both within Australia and globally, food regulatory authorities require at least a documented history of safe use to indicate dietary safety. Moreover, many countries also require compositional analysis and safety data to further support their safe human consumption. However, safety data is lacking for many of these traditional food items and the history that surrounds their safe use has rarely been recorded in written form, but rather passed on through cultural practices and language.\n\nFor this project, the PhD candidate will have a strong desire to build and maintain working relationships with appropriate Traditional-Owners (TOs). The project will involve undertaking original laboratory research to develop safety evidence to support the dietary safety for prioritised Australian native foods. This will include the preparation of food extracts, chemical compositional analysis and nutritional profiling, as well as in vitro toxicity and safety screening tests. While working in collaboration with the National Measurement Institute (NMI) and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), the candidate will gain a high level of expertise in chemical analysis, dietary safety assessments and food regulation. This project will further develop the evidence base on the dietary safety of Australian native foods that are currently being developed for commercial markets, whilst also supporting TOs to achieve their commercial endeavours.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/03\/2028","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"111506 Toxicology (incl. Clinical Toxicology) (50%) ; 110403 Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medicine and Treatments (25%) ; 030502 Natural Products Chemistry (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Simone de Luca","title":"Targeting neuroinflammation to treat cigarette smoke- and viral- induced cognitive dysfunction.","description":"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; emphysema) is a debilitating disease characterised by progressive airflow limitation. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD, with an exaggerated airway and systemic inflammatory response 1. This inflammation leads to oxidative stress, small airway fibrosis and mucus hypersecretion. Moreover, individuals with COPD have an increased incidence viral and bacterial infections or environmental stresses (AECOPD). The average person with COPD will experience two exacerbations per year, with 10% of these episodes requiring hospitalisation and an increased in-patient mortality rate 2, 3. It is now recognised that COPD does not only involve inflammation in the lung, but rather a more complex, multi-component disease that extends to the brain, however, the precise mechanism of pathogenesis is largely unknown. We have recently shown that cigarette smoking exerts diverse effects on the central immune system by altering the profile of the brains immune cells, microglia and cognitive function in a cigarette smoke-exposed mouse model compared to unexposed mice 4-6. We propose that the increased inflammation and oxidative stress observed in cigarette smoke-exposed lungs \u2018spill over\u2019 into the brain. We hypothesise that this inflammation and oxidative stress alters microglia, thereby inducing cognitive impairments. The present project aims to investigate whether targeting microglia can improve COPD-induced cognitive outcomes. This project will use validated preclinical models of COPD and AECOPD, and will provide critical pre-clinical data to develop treatment strategies to prevent or slow down cognitive dysfunction caused by cigarette smoking.  This project involves an number of experimental techniques which include immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, ELISA and Western blotting.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320999 Neurosciences not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rosita Zakaria, Ronda Greaves","title":"The link between breast milk vitamin D levels and the risk of acute respiratory infection in the first year of life.","description":"National data shows that a fifth of Indigenous infants born in the Northern Territory is hospitalised with an acute lower respiratory infection during their first year of life. Several international studies have reported an inverse relationship between cord blood vitamin D levels and infant respiratory infection. \nVitamin D's key role in Calcium absorption and bone mineralization is well described. Also, Vitamin D is required for innate and adaptive immune responses. These may be particularly important in the respiratory tract of the developing infant and perhaps relevant to the relationship between breast milk vitamin D levels and the risk of respiratory infection. Neonates and breastfed infants rely almost exclusively on maternal vitamin D. According to national population surveys, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in Australia ranges between 10-80% in different regions and races. Breast milk is an emerging matrix for vitamin D assessment of breastfed infants and their mothers. It is considered a more reliable indicator of infant intake than the assessment of maternal circulating vitamin D. \nThe aims of this proposed study are to investigate the presence of vitamin D metabolites in the breastmilk, quantify vitamin D levels, and determine whether breastmilk vitamin D correlate with the risk of acute respiratory infection in early infancy.\nHere is the list of research questions; \n1. Which vitamin D metabolites are present in breast milk?\n2. What is the optimum analytical procedure for the measurement of vitamin D metabolites in breast milk?\n3. Do vitamin D metabolites in breast milk correlate with infant\/cord blood\/maternal plasma vitamin D levels?\n4. What are the common decision limits for breast milk vitamin D?\n5. Is breast milk vitamin D level clinically significant?\n6. Is breast milk vitamin D correlated with the risk of acute respiratory infection in the first year of life? \nThe clinical samples will be sourced by external collaborators, and laboratory practices & analyses will be mainly supported by RMIT.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"3205, Medical biochemistry and metabolomics (70%) ; 3213, Paediatrics (20%) ; 4202, Epidemiology (& Biostatistics, 10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stanley Chan","title":"Understanding the \u201cobesity paradox\u201d in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)","description":"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is currently the 3rd largest cause of death in the world. COPD costs the Australian community over $8.8 billion per year and causes substantial morbidity and mortality1. Patients with COPD often suffer from cardiometabolic comorbidities, which increases their risk of death and reduces quality of life2. Prevention\/ reversal of cardiometabolic comorbidities not only is a primary goal in COPD treatment, but also would increase quality of life and survival in these patients2. \nDespite the renowned health risk in the general population, the unusual observation that overweight\/obesity may confer survival benefits in populations with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has given rise to the enigmatic term obesity paradox3.\n\nAdipose tissue functions as a lipid storage depot and plays an active role in cardiovascular health. This tissue may become dysfunctional during the development of COPD2,5, regardless of body weight changes6,7, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Meanwhile, emerging evidence from our laboratory suggests that adipose tissue dysfunction may worsen respiratory outcomes. This highlights that adipose tissue dysfunction and the increased risk of CVD may be present in COPD patients with or without weight issues.\n\nCVD is a common comorbidity in COPD and a major cause of death, and requires specific treatment8. However, CVD risk is often not described in studies of the obesity paradox9. Moreover, CVD in COPD is often underdiagnosis, particularly in the normal\/underweight populations2 resulting in patients receiving no treatment or incorrect treatment8. Despite the recognised association between adipose tissue dysfunction and CVD2, the cause of adipose tissue dysfunction in COPD remains poorly understood. Our preliminary data demonstrate increased levels of oxidative stress in dysfunctional adipose tissue of CS-exposed mice.\n\nThe aim of this project is to investigate whether adipose tissue dysfunction may be responsible for the obesity paradox in COPD. The student will learn several skills including in vivo disease models, laboratory analytical techniques including proteomic array, quantitative PCR, microscopy, histology, ELISA and Western blotting.\n ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320803 Systems physiology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos","title":"Unravelling the potential for mammalian brain regeneration ","description":"Humans, like most mammals, have limited capacity to regenerate tissue after injuries and damage, and this is especially evident in the central nervous system. On the other hand, species such as salamanders and axolotls can repair their brains and other organs, even after substantial damage, showing how evolutionarily divergent they are from us. This limitation in the ability of the human, or mammalian, brain to repair itself has severe consequences for individuals with traumatic brain injury, stroke and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease, each of which irreversibly damage the adult brain, without the potential for recovery. \n\nHowever, enhanced tissue repair capabilities have been discovered in a unique species of mouse, and our preliminary evidence suggest these capacities extend to the brain. This game-changing discovery is an unprecedented opportunity to study how this mammal achieves such remarkable neurological recovery while others, like us humans, simply cannot. Such a discovery has the potential to uncover novel targets that can then be exploited to repair damaged brain tissue in humans.  \n\nThis project provides an enthusiastic and highly motivated student with an interest in neuroscience and regeneration the opportunity to contribute to our world first discovery. The outcomes of this project will extend our understanding the basic cellular, genetic and functional responses that allow the brain of this species of mouse to repair itself. The student will join a team of researchers including post-doctoral fellows, research assistants and HDR students, and will therefore be well supported.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320903 Central nervous system (40%) ; 320606 Regenerative Medicine (40%) ; 320905 Neurology and neuromuscular disease (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Srinivasa Reddy Telukutla","title":"Gold-based drugs for the effective treatment of ovarian cancer","description":"Current treatments for ovarian cancer are largely toxic, and ultimately, ineffective for many patients. A current collaboration between Distinguished Professor Plebanski (Health & Biomedical Sciences) and Distinguished Professor Bhargava (Science) seeks to enable clinical progression for their novel class of gold-based drugs that show superior selectivity and activity for otherwise drug-resistant cancer cells, for the treatment of ovarian cancer (Mirzadeh et al., 2021, DOI: 10.1093\/mtomcs\/mfab039). As part of Professor Plebanski\u2019s team, the PhD candidates will contribute to determining the in vitro efficacy in ovarian cancer cell lines, organoids as well as immune cells from mice and humans. The lead drug candidates will be tested in a novel immunocompetent ovarian cancer animal model; a mouse model created by Professor Plebanski and Dr Andrew Stephens (Hudson Institute) whereby fluorescent labelling of cancer cells allow for real-time study of cancer growth and treatment (Wilson et al., 2018, DOI: 10.3390\/cancers11010032). Efficacy of the gold-compounds will be analysed by advanced live in-vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry. Testing in cancer organoids may further involve international collaborators at Bristol University, United Kingdom and\/or the Hudson Institute, who are leaders in the development of innovate organoids for cancer research. We are also interested in investigating the potential of gold-based drugs to modulate immune responses and thereby effectively contribute to cancer treatment. The preferred PhD candidates will have completed an Honours or Masters degree in immunology, pharmacology, biotechnology, molecular biology or related disciplines. Animal handling experience preferable. Two positions available.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340401 Biologically Active Molecules (25%)\r\n111502 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (25%)\r\n320409 Tumor immunology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Medical Science","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mary Tolcos","title":"What shapes our brain? Understanding the processes that drive cortical folding","description":"The outermost layer of the brain, the cerebral cortex, is involved in higher-order functions such as cognition, language, and information processing. Growth and expansion of the cerebral cortex is considered an evolutionary modification of Mammalia and underlies the emergence of intelligence. One fundamental feature accompanying the growth of the cortex is the onset of surface folding, or gyrification - sulci (inward folds) and gyri (outward folds) increase the surface area relative to brain volume and define gross anatomical landmarks on the surface of the brain. The brain of humans and other higher-order mammals is structurally unique, with the cortical folding pattern being unique to the individual, somewhat like a fingerprint. We now have a clear understanding of when and where cortical folds occurs, but we do not fully understand what the basic mechanisms are that drive this process of gyrification. \n The overall aim of this project is to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that drive the complex process of gyrification in the brain. The specific aims are:\n 1. To identify the cellular and molecular drivers of cortical folding during brain development.\n 2. To develop an ex vivo model system for studying cortical folding and brain development.\n 3. To validate key genetic drivers of cortical folding using in vivo and ex vivo model systems\n Students will gain expertise in a range of techniques that may include magnetic resonance imaging and analysis, RNA sequencing, qPCR, organotypic slice culture, gene transfection, in utero electroporation, immunohistochemistry, image analysis, data analysis, statistics and scientific writing.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320903 Central nervous system (70%)\n 310102 Cell development, proliferation and death (20%)\n 310105 Cellular interactions (incl. adhesion, matrix, cell wall) (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nie Guiying","title":"Molecular understanding of endometrial epithelial cells for fertility treatment ","description":"Embryo implantation is a crucial step in initiating pregnancy, yet implantation failure occurs frequently and is a bottleneck in IVF treatment to overcome infertility. The endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) acts as \u201cfertile soil\u201d for the embryo to implant and grow, and during the implantation process the luminal epithelial (LE) and glandular epithelial (GE) cells of the endometrium exert different functions. However, research in the field has largely overlooked the difference between LE and GE, and to date it is not well understood how these two epithelial cell types differ in general and when remodeling for embryo implantation.\r\n\r\nEndometriosis is a chronic and painful condition, affecting ~176 million women worldwide. It is characterized by growth of endometrial-like cells (including endometrial epithelial cells) outside the uterus. On top of incapacitating pain, endometriosis is often associated with implantation failure and infertility, however, the underlying causes are not well understood.\r\n\r\nThis project will investigate the molecular characteristics of endometrial epithelia cells. It will first characterize LE and GE specific endometrial epithelial cells in women without endometriosis using human endometrial organoids and other techniques, and further investigate how they remodel differently in preparation for embryo implantation. The study will then investigate these two endometrial epithelial cell types in women with endometriosis. This project will provide new fundamental knowledge with translation potential for treatment of fertility. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310199 Biochemistry and cell biology not elsewhere classified (50%) \t\r\n321599 Reproductive medicine not elsewhere classified (50%)\t\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dr Natalie Borg, Prof. Stavros Selemidis, Dr Kylie Quinn","title":"The Mental Health Impact of Childhood SARS-CoV-2","description":"SARS-CoV-2 can cause cognitive and mental health damage in adults that lasts at least months after the initial infection. However, the potential for a long-term impact of the virus on children has been largely ignored. Children have proven highly resilient to the cardiorespiratory effects of COVID-19, which may be due to differences in their expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor by which the virus enters the host cell. These same differences in ACE2 distribution may make children highly vulnerable to cognitive and mental health effects of COVID-19 even in the absence of overt sickness. SARS-CoV-2 inhibits ACE2 when it enters the host cell. Our preliminary data show that just a single event of ACE2 inhibition in juvenile (23-day-old) rats leads to lasting anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour that persists into adulthood, and a long-term downregulation of neuronal and glial genes, particularly in the emotion-processing brain region, the amygdala. In this project we will develop this model to assess the effects of ACE2 inhibition across the lifespan, examining postnatal and adolescent-equivalent life stages in rats. We hypothesize that the long-term affective and cognitive damage associated with COVID-19 will be worse the younger it occurs. We will also investigate inhibition of transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), an additional host protein required for SARS-CoV2 entry that is currently being considered as a target to protect against COVID-19. Our study will reveal the potential for COVID-19 to have a critical impact on children, even in the absence of cardiorespiratory symptoms. It will change the conversation on healthcare approaches to children in this pandemic, highlighting the need for preventative and protective measures that consider children as a priority (e.g. vaccines, masking, air filtering). It will also provide crucial guidance on the child-specific risks of using ACE2- and TMPRSS2-inhibitors to treat COVID-19.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310114 = 33%\r\n320903 = 34%\r\n321302 = 33%\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Elisa Hill","title":"\u200bMicrobial metabolites: effects on inflammation pathways and behaviour in autism.","description":"Autism is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by stereotypical repetitive behaviours and deficits in social interaction and communication. In addition, children with ASD often experience gastrointestinal (GI) problems such as chronic constipation, pain, and diarrhoea that are more frequent and more severe than developmentally normal children. Gastrointestinal symptoms have been correlated to the severity of core ASD behavioural traits.\rSeveral gene mutations are associated with ASD. Many of these mutations alter the connections between neurons and subtly change nervous system function. Like the brain, the gut has an intrinsic network of neurons known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS regulates gut function, including motility, permeability and secretion. It is becoming increasingly clear that gut function is also influenced by the microbial community and metabolites produced inside the GI tract and that modify mood and behaviour via the gut-brain-microbiota axis may provide new therapeutic targets for treating neurodevelopmental disorders.\rObjectives: Elucidate the effects of gut microbial metabolites on: i) neuroinflammation pathways, neurodevelopment and behavior, and ii) GI inflammation and function in mouse models of autism.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"1\/1\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation;","forcodes":"110901 Autonomic nervous system\r060603 Animal physiology - systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Moshi Geo","title":"A comprehensive study on radiosensitizer nanoparticles in X-ray brachytherapy and charged particle irradiation of brain cancer using Monte Carlo simulation, coupled with radiobiological validations","description":"This project aims:\n To set up a Monte Carlo simulation unit to investigate at the levels of dose enhancements produced by the presence of nanoparticles in radiation targets. Various nanoparticles will be included in this study such as gold, Iodine, Titanium dioxide  and Iridium. It will also broaden the research into various types and energy levels of radiations (x-rays, electrons, and protons). Further research will be done into the effects of particle size.\n Validation of the simulation results using phantoms and\/or in vitro research.\n Investigations on the influence of different dose rate beams on simulation and experimental results, including FLASH levels where dose rates exceed 40 Gy\/sec.\nThorough investigation, including both simulation and experimental studies, to determine the dose outside the fields and the associated detrimental effects on organs at risk during radiotherapy treatments. \nIntroducing an optimal treatment approach for irradiation of brain cancer using radiosensitizer agents.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5105502"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kristine Martin-McDonald","title":"Addressing adherence to nursing clinical prerequisites: Critical Action Research","description":"Australia, consistent with the global challenge, is facing a serious nursing shortfall of registered nurses. Health Workforce Australia (2014) predicted a shortfall of 85,000 nurses by 2025 and 123,000 by 2030. Given how the pandemic has exacerbated the nursing workforce crisis through high attrition rates, these projections would seem extremely conservative. At the undergraduate education level of nursing, students may not adhere to compulsory Work Integrated Learning (WIL) requirements such as vaccination and documentation deadlines. As a consequent students fail their first placement before they even begin. Progression in the program is delayed for up to a year, potentially causing emotional and financial stress. Alarmingly, this delay may increase the attrition from the course, thereby reducing the number of graduate nurses. Non-adherence also impacts the quality and availability of clinical placements, which are finite and difficult to source and last minute cancellations are damaging to the university's reputation. This PhD project aims to investigate the factors that influence the completion of prerequisite WIL requirements by first year Bachelor of Nursing students using critical action research to design, implement and evaluate interventions to enhance WIL adherence and provide best practice recommendations. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"393901 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Sophia Xenos, Kristine Martin-McDonald","title":"Enablers and barriers to the smooth progression through the BN Program in Australia: An Action Research Project","description":"With a worldwide shortage of nurses, the Australian Government is providing incentives to increase the number of nursing students in the hope of boasting the future workforce. However, many nursing students are not progressing through their Bachelor of Nursing (BN) course due to not meeting Work-integrated Learning Passport deadlines and therefore failing their first placement before they even begin. Failure to meet WIL passport deadlines amongst first-year undergraduate BN nurses is on the increase causing emotional and financial distress to students and staff.\r\nThe result is a delay in the student's progression for between six and twelve months with a high possibility of attrition in the first year of study.  The impact is also felt in hospitals and universities as clinical placements are increasingly difficult to source, with last-minute cancellations affecting the reputation of the university. The aim of this Ph.D. project is to find out the enablers and barriers to pre-placement Passport compliance using Action Research to propose possible interventions and make recommendations for future practice and protocols.  The interventions will be on an individual and systems level. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"20 Health; 2003 Provision of Health and Support Services; 200307 Nursing"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Leanne Sheeran","title":"Improving perinatal care: Towards integration of maternal health,  child development and mental health.","description":"In this project, you will focus on exploring and identifying factors contributing to a community based universal integrated perinatal care system.  Maternal,  Child and Family Health Nurses serve a diverse population in Australia with assessments and interventions provided within a community-based model of care. Unanswered questions about how integrated services can be better delivered in the community and evidence of factors that could contribute to scaling up interventions in special populations and settings in the community still need to addressed. Further, the feasibility and acceptability of interventions for women and their families need investigation to suggest better ways to tackle common early parenting concerns, including perinatal mental health conditions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420504 Mental health nursing 30%\n420505 Nursing workforce 30%\n420599 Nursing not elsewhere classified 40%\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Sonja Cleary","title":"Implementation of OSCE in health professional education.","description":"Incorporating Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) into the curriculum is becoming a valuable and acceptable tool to assess students' clinical competencies. The OSCE was introduced in medical education but has been introduced into many other health disciplines. The purpose of this project is to explore and identify factors contributing to the implementation of OSCE for undergraduate health education. Further, an exploration of the potential of OSCE to assess communication, interpersonal and student development needs will be considered to enhance the partnership between education and practice. \n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"390110 Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy 100%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Nursing","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Lin Zhao, Sonja Cleary, Sophia Xenos","title":"Embedding WIL into health education and pathways for career readiness.","description":"Embedding WIL into health education and pathways for career readiness. \nEmbedding work-integrated learning (WIL) experience in undergraduate education has been increasingly emphasised to advance and enhance undergraduate students' employability.  With the changing demography of universities after covid and the growing popularity of vocational education in Australia, this study will explore and identify factors contributing to successful WIL programs within the undergraduate health program and suggest ways on how this could be enhanced, especially strategies that are needed to connect between High Education and Vocational Education to position pathway and international students well in the competitive employment market. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"420599 Nursing not elsewhere classified 30%\n420505 Nursing workforce 20%\n390110 Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy 50%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang","title":"Relationship between prescribing and clinical, humanistic, and functional outcomes in older hospitalized patients","description":"The aging population presents a significant challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. With an increasing number of older adults requiring hospitalization, there is a growing need to understand the complex interplay between prescription medications and the outcomes experienced by these patients. \r\n\r\nCurrent literature has primarily focused on individual aspects of medication use or specific disease states, often overlooking the intricate relationships between prescribing patterns and the overall well-being of older patients during their hospital stays. To address this research gap, this PhD study seeks to investigate the connections between medication prescribing, clinical outcomes (such as disease management and adverse events), humanistic outcomes (including quality of life and patient satisfaction), and functional outcomes (such as physical and cognitive functioning) in older adults admitted to hospitals.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420301\tAged health care (40%)\r\n420314\tMultimorbidity (30%)\r\n420319\tPrimary health care (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Julie Stevens, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Effects of medicines and falls risk in aged care","description":"Falls and fractures are common in the aged care setting. Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, has been identified as a risk factor for falls in older people. Falls can lead to a cascade of physical, psychological, and socioeconomic consequences, significantly affecting the quality of life for older people. Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older people.\r\n\r\nThis project will involve four specific objectives\r\n1. Systematic Review on the Impact of Medicines on Falls in Aged Care\r\n2. Prospectively analyze the occurrence of postprandial hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, and their association with falls risk\r\n3. Investigate the risk of falls and mortality associated with the use of hypertensive medications \r\n4. Investigate the potential association between Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs), hypotension, and falls risk","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420301\tAged health care (40%)\r\n420314\tMultimorbidity (30%)\r\n420319\tPrimary health care (30%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR236\/MR236","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Evaluating AI-Assisted Feedback in University Education Using ChatGPT","description":"The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has led to the development of tools that support students\u2019 learning processes. One such tool is a customised GPT, a generative AI model designed to assist students in essay writing. Unlike traditional AI-based tools that provide direct answers or complete essays, this version of GPT offers structured, rubric-based feedback. It highlights strengths and areas for improvement, aiming to enhance students' writing skills while maintaining academic integrity.\r\n\r\nDespite the potential benefits of AI-assisted feedback, its effectiveness, perceived fairness, and impact on students\u2019 learning remain underexplored. This project seeks to assess students\u2019 perceptions of AI-generated feedback, focusing on its quality, usefulness, and role in improving writing skills. By evaluating the tool\u2019s performance across disciplines and institutions, the research will contribute to the broader discussion on AI\u2019s role in higher education feedback mechanisms.\r\n\r\nThe specific objectives are:\r\n\r\n1. Conduct a systematic review on existing AI-powered educational tools used for student assessment, writing assistance, and feedback generation.\r\n\r\n2. Design and develop a customized ChatGPT model that provides structured feedback based on grading rubrics. The student will conduct usability testing with students to assess its functionality and user experience. They will also compare the AI-generated feedback with traditional human feedback to evaluate accuracy, clarity, and fairness.\r\n\r\n3. Implement the ChatGPT feedback tool in pharmacy courses where students engage in written assignments. The student will collect survey and interview data to understand pharmacy students\u2019 perceptions of the tool\u2019s effectiveness and impact on their writing skills. They will also assess whether AI-generated feedback meets the specific needs of students in professional and technical disciplines like pharmacy.\r\n\r\n4. Conduct a Delphi study involving key stakeholders, including Students (users of the tool); Educators (those who provide traditional feedback); Assessment specialists (experts in grading and rubric-based feedback) and AI ethics researchers (ensuring fairness, bias mitigation, and transparency). The student will engage experts in multiple Delphi rounds to refine the AI tool\u2019s feedback structure, ensuring its alignment with best practices in education. They will then develop a set of guidelines for implementing AI-generated feedback in university education.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"390110 - Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy (30%)\r\n390402 - Education assessment and evaluation (50%)\r\n420302 - Digital health (20%)\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thilini Thrimawithana, Leila Karimi, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Improving well-being and job satisfaction of pharmacists","description":"Work-related stress among pharmacists has been recognized as a considerable concern with serious implications for both pharmacists\u2019 well-being and their job satisfaction. It has been recognized that healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, suffer from high levels of stress, with almost 60% of all Australian pharmacists' stressors being related to workplace issues.  \r\n\r\nOur previous research highlighted the negative impact of workload on pharmacists' job satisfaction, and well-being (1). Additionally, we found that job satisfaction correlated directly to pharmacists\u2019 well-being. Coping mechanisms used by pharmacists range from adaptive strategies such as seeking social support, engaging in physical exercise, employing stress management techniques, to maladaptive methods like social withdrawal or substance use. Although, various studies have reported on coping mechanisms, limited research explore the role of these coping mechanisms in reducing work-related stress level or enhancing well-being in an interventional study.\r\nThis PhD proposal aims first to implement targeted coping strategies tailored to the unique stressors faced by pharmacists and secondly to evaluate their impact on well-being, and job satisfaction of pharmacists. This area of study aims to create supportive environments within pharmacy settings, empowering pharmacists to manage stress more effectively and fostering a healthier and more resilient workforce.\r\n\r\nReference:\r\nShahin W, Issa S, Jadooe M, Shmoae M, Yelegin M, Selvarajah S, Stupans I, Dunkley K, Thrimawithana T. Coping mechanisms used by pharmacists to deal with stress, what is helpful and what is harmful? Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Mar;9:100205. doi: 10.1016\/j.rcsop.2022.100205. Epub 2022 Dec 5. PMID: 36506648; PMCID: PMC9719933.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350507\r\n321403"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thilini Thrimawithana, Wejdan Shahin","title":"Enhancing safe use of complementary and alternative medicines","description":"Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs) are widely used by the public presenting both opportunities and challenges for consumer safety. Pharmacists, as frontline healthcare professionals, are pivotal in ensuring the safe use of CAMs. Responsibilities of pharmacists in enhancing safe use of CAMs include provision of consumer education, collaboration with other healthcare professionals to optimise care and reporting of adverse events associated with CAMs (1). However, our pilot studies have indicated that despite pharmacies being the primary source of CAMs, consultations with pharmacists regarding CAM safety were infrequent. Many consumers obtain CAM related information from web resources and general practitioners rather than pharmacists.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding the challenges and barriers in pharmacist-consumer interactions concerning CAMs is important. While existing literature has shed light on CAMs' safety and their potential interactions with conventional medications, a significant gap persists in safe use of CAMs.\r\n\r\nTherefore, this project is designed to comprehensively evaluate the role and challenges faced by pharmacists when advising consumers on safe CAMs usage and to develop targeted intervention strategies aimed at enhancing safe use of CAMs. \r\n\r\n1)\tUng COL, Harnett J, Hu H. Community pharmacist's responsibilities with regards to traditional medicine\/complementary medicine products: a systematic literature review. Res Soc Adm Pharm. 2017;13(4):686\u2013716. doi: 10.1016\/j.sapharm.2016.08.001. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420899 - Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine not elsewhere classified\r\n420317 - Patient safety\r\n321403 - Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Ayman Allahham, Barbora de Courten, Thilini Thrimawithana","title":"Developing a novel formulation of carnosine with enhanced permeability","description":"Carnosine is a dipeptide which is available naturally in meat products. Carnosine is gaining popularity due to many studies that associate it with principally with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiglycation, anticarbonylation, calcium-regulatory, immunomodulatory and chelating properties and to the general human health (1) and to improve the control of glucose for diabetic patients (2).\r\nCurrent available products for carnosine are formulated in capsules, tablets or as powder in an L-carnosine or zinc carnosine. Carnosine, as a small peptide, demonstrate short blood half-life due to their susceptibility to enzyme cleavage and rapid renal clearance. Carnosine degrades significantly due to the encounter enzymes in the blood circulation in the blood circulation (3). Therefore, there is a need to formulate carnosine in a matrix that can provide extended protection with enhanced bioavailability (4, 5). A recent review by a group of researchers have reviewed the new formulations of carnosine and its derivative\/modification and their mode of action concluding that these a need to translate these studies to clinical practice (4). One of effective formulation strategies to reduce the renal clearance and to extend the stability of peptides in the circulation is conjugate them with polymers (6).\r\nTherefore, the aim of this project is to develop a new formulation of carnosine-polymer conjugate which can enhance its permeability and possibly can extend the bioavailability of carnosine in the blood circulation. The project aims to compare between the developed formulation and the current commercially available oral formulations in terms of in vitro dissolution, permeability and stability. The project will involve a validated method to analyse carnosine in all formulations as well as in vitro assessment of the dissolution and permeability profile of carnosine from these formulations. \r\n\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tCesak O, Vostalova J, Vidlar A, Bastlova P, Student JV. Carnosine and Beta-Alanine Supplementation in Human Medicine: Narrative Review and Critical Assessment. Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1770.\r\n2.\tCarnosine supplementation improves glucose control in adults with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial. Obesity, fitness, & wellness week. 2023:38.\r\n3.\tLi H, Wang D, Li S, Liu B, Gao L. Sustained Release of BSA from a Novel Drug Delivery Matrix - Bullfrog Skin Collagen Film. Macromolecular bioscience. 2004;4(4):454-7.\r\n4.\tBonaccorso A, Privitera A, Grasso M, Salamone S, Carbone C, Pignatello R, et al. The Therapeutic Potential of Novel Carnosine Formulations: Perspectives for Drug Development. Pharmaceuticals. 2023;16(6):778.\r\n5.\tGrasso M, Caruso G, Godos J, Bonaccorso A, Carbone C, Castellano S, et al. Improving Cognition with Nutraceuticals Targeting TGF-\u03b21 Signaling. Antioxidants. 2021;10(7):1075.\r\n6.\tWijesinghe A, Kumari S, Booth V. Conjugates for use in peptide therapeutics: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one. 2022;17(3):e0255753-e.\r\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"321004\tNutritional science\r\n321404\tPharmaceutical delivery technologies\r\n321405\tPharmaceutical sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Pharmacy","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Chiao Xin Lim, Barbora de Courten, Julie Stevens","title":"Improving post-discharge medication adherence in CALD patients with cardiovascular diseases","description":"Australia is a culturally diverse country with 30% of the population were born overseas. Significant health disparities in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population groups exist compared with the rest of the population, in particular for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. It has been shown that CALD patients with heart failure have an increased risk of rehospitalisation and emergency department (ED) admission. \r\n\r\nPharmacists play a critical role in improving medication adherence and literacy. Pharmacist-led interventions in transitional care have been shown to have a positive impact in reducing inpatient readmissions and ED visits. However, there is a lack of culturally appropriate pharmacist-led intervention to improve medication adherence post discharge for CALD population groups.\r\n\r\nThis project has three aims. The first aim is to investigate the differences in readmission and ED visit 30 days post discharge between CALD and non-CALD patients who received acute hospital care due to stroke, heart failure and myocardial infarctio . The second aim is to co-develop pharmacist-led education tools and post-discharge pharmacy services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients who were discharged following admission after acute cardiovascular events. The third aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of this pharmacist-led education and follow-up service in promoting medication adherence and reducing readmission and ED visits in CALD population groups. This proposed clinical study will benefit the CALD community by empowering the participants to better manage their own health. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321403 Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice (60%)\r\n420603 Health promotion (20%)\r\n420605 Preventative health care (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"PIH - Preventative and Integrative Health","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kate Wang","title":"End-user acceptance of an electronic prescription pilot software for dental practitioners in Australia","description":"Background\nIn Australia, approximately 1.1 million prescriptions were dispensed in 2020. Historically, prescriptions were issued using the paper-based medium. However, electronic prescribing has been introduced to help patients to get medications more conveniently and reducing errors that may occur during the transition between prescribers to pharmacists. Currently, the dental profession has not adopted this initiative. This research will aim to assess the end-user acceptance of an electronic prescription pilot software for dental practitioners in Australia. \n\nThere will be four broad overarching objectives: \n\nObjective 1: To investigate the existing literature on electronic dental prescribing in Australia and Internationally.\n\u2022        Methodology - Utilising the PRISMA checklist, a systematic review\/meta-analysis will be undertaken to assess the current situation in electronic dental prescribing. \n\nObjective 2: To assess the current issues that extend to dental prescribing in Australia. \n\u2022        Methodology - Using the CHERRIES checklist, a web-based survey will be conducted to assess the current issues that extend to dental prescribing amongst dental practitioners and consumers. This will lay a foundation for the extent of the problems that stem from adopting electronic prescribing. \n\nObjective 3: To determine the factors required to develop a novel dental prescription software.\n\u2022        Methodology - Using the COREQ checklist, a focus group will be conducted to create a foundation for the novel software used for dental prescribing.\n\nObjective 4: To develop a novel software for dental prescribing.\n\u2022        Methodology - Using a pre-test and post-test methodology. A developed novel describing software will be utilised amongst the ten dental practitioners (prescribing end) and the ten pharmacists (dispensing end). Training will be provided, and it will be implemented for four weeks for them to adapt. Then, a survey will be conducted to determine their acceptance. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (50%)\r\n420308 Health informatics and information systems (25%)\r\n320399 Dentistry not elsewhere classified (25%)\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"PIH - Preventative and Integrative Health","programcode":"DR238","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Barbora deCourten, Associate Supervisor, 30%; Julie Stevens, Associate Supervisor, 30% ; Senior supervisor: Dr Chiao Xin Lim, 40%","title":"Improving post-discharge medication adherence and safety for culturally and linguistically diverse patients with cardiovascular diseases","description":"Australia is a culturally diverse country with 30% of the population were born overseas. Significant health disparities in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population groups exist compared with the rest of the population, in particular for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. This is further complicated by a documented understanding that their cultural beliefs, religious\/spiritual beliefs, negative illness perception and low health literacy can all impact on their overall health management leading to poorer health outcomes. It has been shown that CALD patients with heart failure have an increased risk of rehospitalisation and emergency department (ED) admission.\r\n\r\nPharmacists play a critical role in improving medication adherence and literacy. Pharmacist-led interventions in transitional care have been shown to have a positive impact in reducing inpatient readmissions and ED visits. However, there is a lack of culturally appropriate pharmacist-led intervention to improve medication adherence post discharge for CALD population groups.\r\n\r\nThis project has three aims. The first aim is to investigate the differences in readmission and ED visit 30 days post discharge between CALD and non-CALD patients who received acute hospital care due to acute cardiovascular events. The second aim is to co-develop pharmacist-led education tools and post-discharge pharmacy services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients who were discharged following admission after acute cardiovascular events. The third aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of this pharmacist-led education and follow-up service in promoting medication adherence and reducing readmission and ED visits in CALD population groups. This proposed clinical study will benefit the CALD community by empowering the participants to better manage their own health.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice 321403 (60%)\r\nHealth promotion 420603 (20%)\r\nPreventative health care 420605 (20%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulosc, Bruno Schivinski, Nalin Aranchchilage ","title":"Understanding and Addressing Behavioral Addictions: The Role of Technology in the Modern Digital Era","description":"Behavioral addiction, traditionally linked to substance abuse, now includes problematic behaviors such as excessive gaming, gambling, and other online activities. However, poor conceptualization has led to debates about theoretical models and a risk of over-pathologizing common behaviors. This research seeks to clarify the symptomatic structure of behavioral addictions, track their development over time, and explore how modern technology influences these addictions. The study will utilize advanced statistical analyses to understand these patterns, offering insights into how technology both exacerbates and potentially mitigates addictive behaviors. The findings will inform future diagnostic criteria, evidence-based interventions, and psychoeducation initiatives, with a focus on the intersection of digital media use and behavioral addiction. A 90-day internship with CatholicCare Victoria will provide practical application of the research, bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world impact. By advancing the conceptualization of behavioral addictions, this research aims to enhance clinical practices and support public health initiatives in managing and preventing addiction in the digital age.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulosc, Bruno Schivinski, Nalin Aranchchilage ","title":"Examining the Impact of Digital Media Use Patterns on Teen Brain Development and Cognitive Functioning ","description":"Background: With the increasing use of digital media among teenagers, varying patterns of use are shaping their brain development and cognitive processes. This project seeks to investigate how different digital media habits influence the psychological and neurological development of teens, drawing on data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.\n\nAims: The primary aim of this study is to understand the psychological effects of digital media use on brain development and cognitive functioning in teenagers. By analyzing data from the ABCD study, the research will identify key psychological and neurological factors that are influenced by digital media use patterns, offering deeper insights into this growing area of concern.\n\nMethods: The study will employ advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to analyze the ABCD data, focusing on how different digital media use patterns are associated with changes in brain structure, cognitive abilities, and psychological development. The research will specifically examine the impact of these use patterns on areas of the brain linked to cognition and behavior.\n\nSignificance: This research will inform the development of psychological interventions and strategies aimed at fostering healthier digital media habits and supporting optimal brain and cognitive development in teenagers. By addressing a critical issue in developmental psychology, this study seeks to contribute valuable knowledge and practical applications. Additionally, a 90-day internship with CatholicCare Victoria will provide an opportunity to apply these findings in a real-world context, ensuring that the research has direct benefits for the community.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226\/MR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling","title":"Exploring Relationships Between Cognitive Impairment and Psychological Health Outcomes \nin Women with Chronic Conditions\n","description":"Chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) are considered somatic functional disorders or central sensitivity syndromes, which disproportionately affect women. These conditions present as not only physical symptoms, such as pain, tenderness and fatigue but also lead to significant cognitive and mental health challenges. Previous research has focused occupational functioning, personal relationships, coping, stress and depression. Additionally, some research has demonstrated cognitive impacts of these illnesses. However, the relationship between cognitive impairment and mental health outcomes within these populations requires further exploration. A mixed methods approach would enable a comprehensive examination of how cognitive difficulties (e.g. brain fog, short-term memory deficits and reduced attention\/concentration) and psychological health issues (e.g. stress, emotional exhaustion, and decreased quality of life) interact and affect women living with these chronic health conditions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520401 Cognition (25%)\n520302 Clinical Psychology (50%)\n520304 Health Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling","title":"Vicarious Trauma in Healthcare Providers Working with Victim-Survivors of Sexual Violence","description":"Vicarious trauma (VT) refers to the unique, negative, and cumulative changes that can occur for healthcare providers who engage in an empathic, caregiving relationship with victim-survivors of trauma. Prior research has conceptualised VT within constructivist self-development theory (CSDT). CSDT frames the provider\u2019s response to trauma as a complex interaction between salient aspects of the traumatic event, and the provider\u2019s own personal characteristics, including cognitive schemas and personal beliefs. In particular, healthcare providers who have a personal history of trauma may be more likely to experience VT when working closely with victim-survivors of trauma. The severity of VT symptoms by healthcare providers may be further compounded when working with victim-survivors of sexual violence, as opposed to other types of trauma. While prior research has demonstrated that quality of care can be negatively impacted by VT, it is still unknown whether having a personal experience of sexual violence impacts the quality of care provided to victim-survivors in healthcare settings. Given the higher risk of experiencing VT when working with victim-survivors of sexual violence, a key aim of this research is to examine whether this risk is further compounded by having a personal experience of sexual violence, and how this ultimately impacts the quality of care provided. A further aim is to investigate how VT can impact the quality of care provided to victim-survivors of sexual violence which is essential for developing more targeted and effective treatment strategies for this population and providing necessary support to healthcare providers. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical Psychology (50%)\n520303 Counselling Psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos","title":"Behavioral Addiction and the Role of Technology in Addictive Behaviors: The Sexual Behaviour Example\n\n","description":"This research project focuses on the intricate relationship between behavioral addiction and technology, with a particular emphasis on sexual behavior. The study aims to explore how digital platforms and technological advancements contribute to the development and perpetuation of addictive behaviors, particularly within the realm of sexual activity. By utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the project will examine the psychological, social, and technological factors that influence these behaviors, seeking to understand the underlying mechanisms that drive individuals towards compulsive use of technology for sexual purposes.\n\nThe research will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather comprehensive data, including surveys, interviews, and digital behavior tracking. The outcomes of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into the patterns of technology-mediated sexual behavior and offer evidence-based recommendations for interventions and preventive measures.\n\nA key aspect of this project is the practical application of its findings. An internship has been secured with CatholicCare Victoria, a leading provider of mental health and social services, where the candidate will have the opportunity to apply research insights in real-world settings. This collaboration with CatholicCare Victoria will not only enrich the research process but also ensure that the study\u2019s findings are directly aligned with the needs of the community, enhancing the overall impact of the project.\n\nThis research is expected to contribute significantly to the field of behavioral addiction, offering new perspectives on the role of technology in shaping addictive behaviors and informing the development of effective interventions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Gordon Ingram, Anh Nguyen, Mary Lam, Yang Yap","title":"Mental health risks and coping strategies in Vietnamese medical students ","description":"Students in high-pressure educational careers, such as medicine, can be at risk of mental health problems that adversely affect their studies and continue causing them problems later in life. They are often lacking in effective institutional support that can help them deal with these problems, especially in under-resourced countries like Vietnam. This research project aims to understand the experiences of medical students in Vietnam who suffer from stress, depression, and anxiety due to academic, financial, and social pressures, and provide concrete solutions for helping them achieve a balanced level of mental and physical health. The first step will include longitudinal mixed-methods research to understand the drivers of these mental health problems in Vietnamese medical students. The outcome variables of stress, depression, anxiety, and wellbeing will be measure using scales such as DASS-21, WHO-5, MHC-SF and CSI [physiological  measures too, e.g. wearables for sleep etc.] A wide range of moderating factors will be examined, including lack of economic resources, family pressure, lack of social support due to dislocation, health problems, alcohol and other lifestyle risk factors, time demands, sleep problems, and media use. We will also investigate the coping strategies that students have developed and develop ways of utilizing advice from members of the cohort who cope better with these problems. The results will feed into the development of a technology-based intervention to improve students' mental health, using positive psychological concepts such as self-compassion, gratitude and patience, and techniques such as mindful concentration, meditation and self-regulation.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"525203 Clinical & Health Psychology\n424206 Public Health \n393904 Specialist Studies in Education"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Russell Conduit","title":"Investigating empathy and ambiguous facial expressions: An eye-tracking study","description":"Empathy encompasses the ability to share and understand others' emotions. Empathetic individuals may exhibit a bias in recognising ambiguous emotions, often perceiving distress such as sadness or fear in ambiguous facial expressions. This bias might facilitate rapid recognition of others' pain and promote prosocial behaviour but could also lead to incorrect emotion attributions and affect interpersonal connections and mental health.\n\nThis PhD study will investigate interpretation bias in empathetic individuals towards ambiguous faces with subtle or contradictory emotional cues. The study aims to understand how empathetic individuals perceive ambiguous faces, using emotion recognition tasks, physiological monitoring and eye tracking technology.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520203 Cognitive neuroscience (50%)\n520207 Social and affective neuroscience (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robin Laycock","title":"Mechanisms of Face Processing during Real-Life Versus Online Social Interactions: An fNIRS and Eye-Tracking Study","description":"Faces provide a rich source of non-verbal social cues but have been studied almost exclusively by utilizing static photographs, offering only a limited understanding of how we perceive real faces, which are typically dynamic. This is important because viewing dynamic faces alters our brain activation and visual fixation patterns.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, real faces typically interact with us. How does the act of being involved in a social interaction, rather than passively viewing it, influence what we attend to?\r\n\r\nDespite the crucial role of vision in social perception, we have very little understanding of how our visual attention and associated brain responses are altered when viewing a face on a computer (e.g., during a Zoom meeting) compared with real-life social interactions.\r\n\r\nDo we process faces differently when they are a real-world person in front of us, compared with a face on a computer monitor? The field has overwhelmingly used computer-based tasks to examine face perception, which has limited inferences about visual attention during real social interactions. For example, knowing that a face can see you is a completely different social experience from watching a pre-recorded video of the same face.\r\n\r\nThis project will utilize neuroimaging (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) and eye-tracking to examine face perception in both virtual and real-life settings.\r\n\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\nJack, R. E., & Schyns, P. G. (2015). The Human Face as a Dynamic Tool for Social Communication. Curr Biol, 25(14), R621-634. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cub.2015.05.052 \r\n\r\nLaycock, R., Crewther, S. G., & Chouinard, P. A. (2020). Blink and You Will Miss It: a Core Role for Fast and Dynamic Visual Processing in Social Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Dev Disorders Rep, 7(4), 237-248. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40474-020-00220-y \r\n\r\nV\u00f5, M. L.-H., Smith, T. J., Mital, P. K., & Henderson, J. M. (2012). Do the eyes really have it? Dynamic allocation of attention when viewing moving faces. J Vis, 12(13), 3-3. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1167\/12.13.3","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320907\r\n520207\r\n520203"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos, Bruno Schivinski","title":"Digital Phenotyping","description":"Background and Aims\nMental health has been associated with individuals' use of internet applications, including gaming and social media. For instance, usage patterns in gaming and social media have been shown to provide reliable information about a user's offline mental health, including their current and prospective mental health risk.\n\nMethods\nTo address the limited knowledge in this area, this study will employ a series of tuned and untuned artificial intelligence (AI) classifiers to analyze longitudinal digital media and mental health data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Data in the US National Data Archive.\n\nFindings and Implications\nThe findings are expected to determine whether, and which, AI models can accurately and automatically identify mental health risk cases. This knowledge could have significant implications for mental health assessment, prevention, and intervention.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Leila Karimi","title":"Optimising Attention: A Rigorous Evaluation of Focus Bear App in ADHD and ASD Populations","description":"Background on disease burden of ADHD and ASD\nAttention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental conditions that significantly impact individuals' executive functioning, including attention regulation, task management, and productivity. These conditions pose substantial challenges in academic, professional, and daily life domains, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Despite the availability of interventions and support services, there remains a need for innovative solutions that effectively enhance attention and cognitive performance for individuals with ADHD and ASD.\nIntroduction to Focus Bear \nFocus Bear is an app designed to augment executive functioning for individuals with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Focus Bear provides AI powered tools to manage distractions and boost productivity. Tailored for those with attention-related challenges, it provides a unique solution to improve cognitive performance and daily productivity.\nResearch Proposal Summary\nThis project aims to develop a digital phenotype of inattention and empirically validate the efficacy of Focus Bear on improving attention. The validation process will use objective, data-driven measures, leveraging methodologies like mouse movement analysis and application usage patterns. This approach will not only substantiate Focus Bear\u2019s effectiveness but also contribute to the broader scientific understanding of digital interventions for ADHD and ASD.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"\u2022        200507 and 60% allocation\n\u2022        200409 and 40% allocation\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick","teamleader":"Christine Grove, Alexandra Marinucci","title":"Youth mental health: Exploring treatment preferences and barriers with young people, caregivers and educators","description":"Untreated mental health issues in youth often persist into adulthood, potentially causing ongoing distress, and challenges. Mental illness is frequently under-diagnosed and undertreated in young people. Effective recognition and treatment knowledge are crucial for facilitating treatment-seeking. Mental health literacy, which includes recognising symptoms, understanding causes and risk factors, and awareness of appropriate treatments, is essential for early identification and increased use of mental health supports. However, the evidence of school-based mental health programs is lacking, often delaying or preventing access to accurate knowledge and support. Caregivers, teachers\/schools, and youth play key roles in supporting help seeking, but youth mental health literacy in these groups is not well understood. This research aims to understand key components of mental health literacy among caregivers, teachers\/educators, and youth, focusing on successes, potential harms and program efficacy. It will seek to understand how youth mental health is supported along the continuum of thriving to struggling. It will also explore perceptions and preferences for treatment seeking and identify perceived challenges of school based mental health programs. The findings will inform mental health policy and service implementation.\n\nThere are numerous potential research avenues within this topic to investigate. This research is part of larger ongoing projects conducted by honours, master\u2019s, and PhD candidates. You will join a team of dedicated researchers engaged in the youth mental health field.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"170103 Educational Psychology (60%) \n170102 Developmental Psychology and Ageing (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos,  Bruno Schivinski, DSC|, School - Media & Communication\r\nhttps:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/contact\/staff-contacts\/academic-staff\/s\/schivinski-dr-bruno ","title":"Social Media Cyber-Phenotyping: A Text Mining Approach","description":"Text analyses of social media posts is a promising source of mental health information. This project will use natural language processing to explore distinct language patterns on X and reddit, related to users' self-reported well-being status.\r\n\r\nA sufficient number of social posts will be collected via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) over a period of six months and will be comparatively analysed, considering user behaviour, Linguistic Inquiry Word Count (LIWC), and sentiment analysis. \r\n\r\nUsers with self-disclosed diagnoses\/condition(s) will be classified to facilitate group comparisons via supervised machine learning models\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5203 Clinical and health psychology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226\/MR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling","title":"The role of social media in the formation of political beliefs in individuals with Schizophrenia","description":"The use of social media by politically motivated groups is widespread. In recent years, successful political campaigns have relied on sites such as Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) to garner support from the public. Likewise, alternative politics such as Marxism and nationalism have found space to thrive online. Algorithms used by social media sites to keep users connected have been accused of encouraging extreme ideas, sometimes due to a failure to restrict misinformation and disinformation. Exposure to such content potentially reforms political beliefs \u2013 an integral part of identity formed from socialisation. In the context of schizophrenia, it is now known that individuals living with the diagnosis interact with the internet differently to individuals without this diagnosis. Many of the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia would suggest that an interaction with politics online would be unique (e.g. those living with high levels of paranoia may interact with more conspiracy-related content). \r\nThe proposed study has the following aims (i) to explore the role of social media in forming the political beliefs of those living with schizophrenia, and (ii) to identify the relationship between symptoms of schizophrenia and political extremes, alternative political views, and vulnerability to misinformation. It is likely that this study will find that individuals living with schizophrenia have a unique experience interacting with political content on social media. However, the varied symptomatology of schizophrenia suggests that those whose disorder manifests with different symptoms may interact with politics on social media differently. This would mean that any proposed intervention for harmful aspects of the social media sphere \u2013 including exposure to misinformation - would need to be tailored to specific symptoms. This project will contribute to the understanding of the way in which individuals with schizophrenia interact with the political world with a view to reducing exposure to and belief in misinformation. In turn, this may reduce levels of marginalisation in this socially isolating disorder.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"520503 Personality and Individual Differences\r\n520401 Cognition\r\n520402 Decision making"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora; Brunswick; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, Chris Powell","title":"Psychometric Assessment of a New Measurement of Belongingness","description":"A review of belongingness as a construct is vital, as even after three decades the concept has been described as \u201cbroad, vague and under-theorised\u201d (Ward, 2022). A precise and shared understanding of belongingness will facilitate the operationalisation of the construct as an entity distinct from the outcomes and antecedents with which it is closely related. This in turn may facilitate the refinement of both belongingness-centred theoretical perspectives and practical interventions. This study, therefore, will develop a new measure of belongingness and will examine the main predictors and outcomes of belongingness in work settings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520104 (50%)\r\n520304 (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Predictors of successful retention of new graduate nurses and transition to practice","description":"To meet the worldwide Sustainable Development Goal, the WHO has estimated that the world needs nine million additional nurses by 2030. In the Australian context, our national nursing shortfall has been recognised and is becoming more imminent. This research supports the strategic national research priority area of health by 'achieving better models of healthcare and services that improve outcomes'. The primary aim of our research is to identify and address systemic facilitators to the recruitment and retention of early-career nurses in order to build and sustain the health workforce of the future.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520104 Org psychology (70%)\n520105 psychological methodology and design (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"","title":"Predictors of judgement updating in response to political information of uncertain veracity","description":"Voting a politician into power requires people to predict the politician\u2019s future actions based on their current claims. Social media platforms are the most common sources of information both about and generated by politicians. Given that information is not verified on social media platforms in the way that it typically is in legacy media, the likelihood that users are exposed to political misinformation or fake news is very high. This undermines the quality of beliefs that voters form about politicians as well as creating a dubious decision-making environment.\nInterestingly, even when voters learn that claims made by their favoured politicians are false, this does not necessarily undermine their evaluation of their evaluation of the politician\u2019s overall truthfulness. Whether beliefs are revised seems to depend on many factors including the nature of the information that becomes available (for instance, political reputation is more resilient to a moral scandal, such as an extra-marital affair than a financial scandal, such as tax evasion; and whether the information is politicised), new consumption routines and, individual differences. However, a comprehensive model of factors (both individual and interactive) factors that predict whether an individual is willing to revise their initial judgements is yet to be developed. This would promote the development of tailored interventions to optimise decision-making. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"170106 Health, clinical and counselling psychology (25%)\n170202 Decision Making (50%)\n170113 Social and Community Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Research into clinical and clinical health psychology","description":"Clinical psychology focuses on using psychology theory to directly improve the lives of people, particularly those struggling with mental health and wellbeing issues. The clinical psychology research team invite PhD student interest and students with a particular project idea on topics related to clinical psychology research including interventions and improving our identification and understanding of issues around mental health and mental ill health in a range of populations. These topic areas may include (but not limited to) issues around mood and anxiety, adjustment, body image, eating and exercise behaviours, health psychology and clinical innovation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520310 (Clinical Psychology)\n520304 (Health Psychology)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Research into improving the mental health and wellbeing of Australian workers (organisational psychology PhD projects)","description":"This research theme aims to develop research that improves the mental health and wellbeing of workers and workforces. The projects in this theme include research on developing new psychometric scales to assist with better understanding workforce issues and mental health outcomes, investigating areas around psychosocial hazards at work and burnout as well as assessing interventions that specifically aim to improve workers mental health and wellbeing. Students will be able to co-design a research topic on their interest area within the scope of organizational psychology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5201 (Psychology)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Who cares for the carers? Validation of a self-managed AI-based burnout monitoring and\n preventing app among healthcare workers","description":"Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an upsurge in mental health issues among healthcare workers, especially frontline healthcare workers. Despite the proliferation of digital health applications in mental health, research on its use for burnout, wellbeing prediction and prevention in healthcare workers is limited. This research aims to propose an innovative, more accessible healthcare and service delivery model that mitigates burnout. An AI-based solution will provide early prediction of those at high risk of chronic mental health problems and\/or working in stressful situations and\/or remote health settings.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520104 Org psychology (70%)\n520105 psychological methodology and design (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"","title":"Gamers and Avatars: Does a video-gamer\u2019s connection with their game figure tell us about how they are in their real -world?","description":"This study aims to explore different profiles of individuals who engage in online gaming. Use of online games has increased substantially in recent years, as seen especially in younger populations. Over-gaming has also risen, which has multiple negative consequences, such as issues in schooling and socialisation. Additionally, online gaming with the use of customisable avatars can lead to issues in the gamer\u2019s sense of self-identity. This research aims to explore this, through investigating different profiles of gamers based on how they connect with their avatars. Furthermore, mental health and physical health of the user outside the game will be assessed. To achieve this, over 500 participants (12-85 years old) will be recruited to the study. Over 7 days, participants will be given online questionnaires to complete, as well as wearing a FitBit watch to collect data on their physical activity. Additionally, an application will be installed on participants\u2019 phones to monitor activity (screen time). After one week, the Fitbit will be returned, and the app will be removed from participants\u2019 phones. These procedures will be repeated every 6 months over 18 months total.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5203 Clinical and health psychology\n5299 Other psychology "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Karen Hallam, Peter Saunders","title":"Supporting women\u2019s mental health during the Artificial Reproductive Technology journey","description":"This PhD build on a body of research investigating the challenges facing women who are undergoing ART (for example IVF) treatments in efforts to conceive. Evidence indicates that this is a particularly challenging time for women in terms of biological, psychological and social impacts. This research will develop a modularized intervention that supports women during this intervention in a range of areas as identified by women themselves as their challenges. This research project will then require the development and testing of this intervention for a pilot group of women involved in this process.  The goals are to improve the mental health and wellbeing of women going through this difficult time and provide the foundation for a built intervention to be more widely rolled out and investigated.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520310 (Clinical Psychology 50%)\n520304 (Health Psychology 25%)\n321503 (reproduction 25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Karen Hallam, Leila Karimi","title":"Understanding the occupational challenges and support needs of Australian psychologists.","description":"Psychologists play an important role in the Australian health care system in both public and private contexts. Over the past ten years (and particularly during and post COVID 19), there have been many changes to the way we practice and its personal impacts, particularly as the mental health and wellbeing of the community worsens. This project has three goals:\n\u2022\tIdentify trends in workforce engagement, intent to leave the profession and reduced clinical loads in existing government databases to highlight potential challenges for the workforce and healthcare sector.\n\u2022\tSurvey the experiences of Australian psychologists to understand the concerns, pressures and constraints as well as motivators and facilitators that impact psychologists career considerations, mental health and wellbeing. \n\u2022\tResearch the impacts of these pressures on therapeutic parameters including therapeutic alliance, workload, burnout and career interruptions. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"350507 (workplace wellbeing 50%)\n520304 (Health psychology 30%)\n520310 (Clinical Psychology 20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling, Natalie Jovanovski","title":"Fake news or just what the doctor ordered? A psychological examination of how people navigate misinformation in \u2018healthy eating\u2019 social media communities","description":"This project aims to explore how people who occupy \u2018healthy\u2019 and \u2018clean\u2019 eating social media spaces navigate health information and misinformation. Misinformation is rapidly disseminated in online spaces, particularly on social media platforms. Since health-related guidance is most commonly sought online, the potential for negative impacts of misinformation is extensive. False and inaccurate information about health and eating  carries potentially serious consequences that can severely impact quality of life and increase mortality rates. Social media platforms are particularly problematic as special credence is assigned to information shared by one\u2019s  friend network, particularly when it is circulated in the context of closed groups. \n\nConflicting information about healthy food and eating practices abounds on the internet, especially in social media communities relating to \u2018healthy eating\u2019 and fitness. These spaces are often rife with contradictory advice about food, and have been seen to normalise \u2018clean eating\u2019 discourses that  some researchers have labelled disordered. Given that the social media landscape is a powerful place to spread health misinformation, this study seeks to explore how people who occupy social media spaces dedicated to \u2018healthy\u2019 and \u2018clean\u2019 eating practices navigate these spaces. How do they discern between conflicting sources of information, and interrogate the voices of authority underlying these messages? And how do they identify misinformation in these discourses, including the potential risks to their health?  Ultimately, this project will add to the bourgeoning literature in health psychology on misinformation and eating attitudes. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"170106 Health, clinical and counselling psychology (50%)\n170202 Decision Making (25%)\n170113 Social and Community Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lauren Saling, Natalie Jovanovski","title":"Predictors of sharing and belief in online eating disorder misinformation.","description":"Misinformation is rapidly disseminated in online spaces, particularly on social media platforms. In the context of eating disorders, information is often sought through online support groups and hence proliferation of misinformation often occurs in these forums.  Exposure to misinformation, even on one occasion, can lead to the formation of false beliefs and once formed, false beliefs are difficult to nudge. False and misleading information about manifestations and management of eating disorders can significantly increase morbidity and mortality. Very worryingly, groups that are purportedly support groups (i.e. exist to promote recovery) may actually promote eating disorder-related behaviours, offering weight loss techniques and perpetuating myths such as extreme thinness as healthy. \n\nThe present study has the following aims: (i) to identify psychological and contextual factors that predispose individuals to develop false beliefs about eating disorders and to share eating disorder-related misinformation, and (ii) to develop and deploy interventions to reduce the spread of misinformation.  One mechanism that has been shown to be successful in reducing misinformation spread is debunking or pre-bunking. However, the optimal presentation of debunked (fact-checked) information is unknown and will be explored here by presenting information in different formats. Furthermore, it is unlikely that interventions conform to a \u2018one size fits all\u2019 approach, therefore a further aim is to develop targeted interventions. This project will significantly contribute to the understanding of the impact of misinformation in the context of significant health issues and to the development of interventions to combat the dissemination of misinformation.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"170106 Health, clinical and counselling psychology (25%)\n170202 Decision Making (50%)\n170113 Social and Community Psychology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, Rapson Gomez","title":"Psychometric assessment of a new ADHD screening tool","description":"There is a disparity between the diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as defined by the DSM-5 and the ICD-11. Though screening tools have been developed and validated based on the DSM-5 criteria, no such measure exists for those of the ICD-11. This project will seek to address this shortfall by developing an adult rating scale of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in accordance with the ICD-11, to identify symptomology that warrants more detailed assessment. Additionally, the project will establish the psychometric properties of this new tool, including validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"529999 other psychology (50%)\n520599 social and personality psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, Rapson Gomez","title":"Cross-validity of a new ADHD screening tool","description":"There is a disparity between the diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as defined by the DSM-5 and the ICD-11. Though screening tools have been developed and validated based on the DSM-5 criteria, no such measure exists for those of the ICD-11. This project will seek to address this shortfall by developing an adult rating scale of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in accordance with the ICD-11, to identify symptomology that warrants more detailed assessment. Additionally, the project will establish the psychometric properties of this new tool, including validity, cross-validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"529999 other psychology (50%)\n520599 social and personality psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nikos Thomacos","title":"Unveiling Hidden Norms: Measuring Sexual Double Standards Amongst Young Adults","description":"This study will investigate (hetero)sexual double standards (SDS; Reiss, 1960), whereby men and women are judged differently for the same sexual behaviour, with greater permissiveness accepted for men. Specifically, these standards posit that women are evaluated more negatively than men for engaging in sexual behaviours and are more restricted in terms of their sexual freedom and ability to express sexual agency (Zaikman & Marks, 2016). Upon exploring young people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s experiences with sexual double standards, this study will aim to develop and validate a new scale for measurement of this phenomenon.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"525201 Applied & developmental psychology (50%)\n525205 Social & personality psychology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Russell Conduit, Marcel Takac","title":"Psychological Drivers Of Gambling-Like Behaviour During Speculative Investment","description":"Online connectivity has made gambling activities more accessible, whilst making new activities aligned with gambling much more accessible. These gambling-like activities include stock trading, cryptocurrency speculation, investment in digital objects such as non-fungible tokens and virtual real estate, speculatory investment in buying and on-selling physical goods (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153scalping\u00e2\u20ac\u009d), and engagement with lottery systems such as loot boxes during online gaming. Within Australia, the growing diversity of gambling modalities has also coincided with greater regulatory freedom for gambling advertising. This has created an environment that can be predicted to increase the prevalence of problem gambling within the community, placing individuals at greater risk of financial disadvantage, strained family relationships, poor mental health outcomes, and diminished wellbeing. Employment loss, criminal behaviour, and victimisation by scam gambling platforms are also potential consequences of the evolving gambling landscape. The proposed project aims to describe post-pandemic patterns of gambling behaviour and to evaluate the extent to which traditional psychological models of gambling remain applicable in the context of wider gambling accessibility and greater diversity of gambling-like behaviours. This will be accomplished using existing psychometric questionnaires and examination of qualitative data. The findings from this project will provide stakeholder organisations with updated data on gambling behaviour within the community, and inform the development of individual psychotherapeutic interventions as well as broader public health initiatives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Karen Hallam","title":"Nostalgia As A Potential Enhancer Of Attachment In Object Hoarding","description":"Hoarding is characterised by difficulties accumulating, storing, and discarding possessions, and results in a significant burden of care. The average age of diagnosis is approximately 50 years of age, so by the time a diagnosis is made, hoarding difficulties are likely to be entrenched. Despite the late age of diagnosis, signs of hoarding are often reported to have been present earlier in life. This provides an opportunity for investigating the personality traits associated with hoarding vulnerability, and for using this knowledge to develop preventative interventions. One personality trait of interest is predisposition to nostalgia, a sentimental attachment to the past. The proposed research aims to investigate the connection between nostalgia and hoarding using approaches drawn from personality psychology and cognitive psychology. This will allow current psychotherapeutic interventions for hoarding disorder to be strengthened and will inform preventative interventions for hoarding.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Simone Mizzi","title":"The Use Of Fashion As An Intervention For Social Anxiety","description":"Many people experience a problematic level of social anxiety that exerts a significant impact on their wellbeing. At a clinical level, social anxiety is able to be diagnosed as social anxiety disorder, and has been studied in connection with traits such as fear of negative evaluation and interpersonal rejection sensitivity, as well as phenomena such as loneliness. It is feasible that fashion may reflect and impact social anxiety, as the manner in which we clothe ourselves constitutes an observable form of self-expression, and may equally be the object of self-consciousness as well as personal empowerment. To date, few studies have investigated the connection between fashion and social anxiety, a fact that the proposed project seeks to address. The association between social anxiety and fashion will be examined through multiple research modalities, including questionnaire measures and experimental paradigms.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Collett, Simone Mizzi","title":"The Negative Impact Of Perfectionism On Workplace Mental Health","description":"Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a low-prevalence diagnosis describing a cluster of symptoms reflecting hyper-conscientiousness and perfectionism. Although OCPD is infrequently diagnosed, data on organisational culture and wellbeing across workplaces suggests that perfectionism is a major driver of burnout and life dissatisfaction when combined with unrealistic employer expectations. The proposed project seeks to examine the degree to which personality traits associated with OCPD pervade modern working life and are associated with workplace burnout, whilst also identifying helpful attitudes and self-care behaviours that protect against the negative impact of perfectionist standards. As few non-clinical means of measuring OCPD traits have been published to date, a secondary aim of the project is to develop a questionnaire measure of OCPD vulnerability suitable for large-scale data collection.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520302 Clinical psychology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Leila Karimi, School collaborator: Nursing","title":"Exploring the Effectiveness of transcendental and mindfulness meditation on Metabolic Syndrome: A randomized controlled trial","description":"Comparative study of effectiveness of transcendental and mindfulness meditation on Metabolic Syndrome: A randomized controlled trial \r\nBackground: Metabolic syndrome is one of the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which is the leading cause of premature death globally [1]. Currently available evidence supports that mental relaxation techniques such as meditations have been shown to improve blood pressure, insulin resistance and blood lipid profiles [2-6] .  \r\nResearch proves that meditation has positive effects on brain, autonomic nervous system and inflammatory cells. It has been found that meditation can increase the gamma-band activities, which is related to various cerebral functions[7]. Meditation increases the cortical thickness, more profound in elderly people [8]. Additionally, practicing meditation for a long time can increase the gray matter density of  the lower brain stem region [9]. This area of the brain stem regulates the cardiorespiratory control. These two findings suggest that meditation has cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects [9] along with cognitive, emotional and immunoreactive impacts on regular practitioners. Another study suggests that meditation reduces sympathoadrenal system activation, altering blood pressure and insulin resistance [4, 10]. Apart from that, meditation and relaxation techniques enhance expression of genes [11] associated with energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, insulin secretion and telomere maintenance, and reduced expression of genes [11] linked to inflammatory response and stress-related pathways-mechanism that trigger the metabolic syndrome [12] . Meditation can reduce the subclinical atherosclerosis. Studies found that meditation can reduce carotid artery atherosclerosis [13] and cause brachial artery vasodilatation [14].  \r\nHowever, there is no comparative study between different kinds of meditations on  metabolic syndrome on wider population [15]. Therefore, we aim to compare the effects of transcendental meditations and mindfulness meditation on various components of metabolic syndrome. \r\nMethod: This will be a randomized controlled trial. We will recruit adults 30-60 years old with moderate to higher risk of CVD, stratified by established WHO\/ISH CVD risk prediction tool. Participants will be randomized to one of the three groups. One group will learn and practice the transcendental meditation, the second group will learn and practice mindfulness meditation and the third group will be of a control group and will obtain a health education session about metabolic syndrome and CVD. \r\nExpected outcomes: The primary outcome of the study is blood pressure, secondary outcomes are fasting blood glucose level, insulin resistance, HbA1c, serum lipid profile, heart rate variability,ankle brachial index, depression and anxiety level (STAI-X3 and QD-R), and quality of life (SF36).  \r\nConclusion: The study aims to generate evidence for the best meditation techniques to be recommended to patients with an increased risk of developing CVD. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"5203"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robin Laycock","title":"Development of face perception and social cognition in preterm infants \u2013 a study using Functional Near Infra-red Spectroscopy","description":"Globally, preterm birth affects around 10% of deliveries and is a leading cause of neurocognitive impairment and educational underperformance. The preterm neurocognitive profile includes global and specific learning difficulties, executive dysfunction, inattentiveness, social difficulties and increased likelihood of autism. \r\n\r\nPreterm children are already vulnerable to difficulties in face perception. Such difficulties can have significant flow-on effects to broader aspects of cognition. Indeed, proficient skills in understanding and interpreting faces are critical for successful language and social development, due to their role in conveying non-verbal social cues. In addition, early face-deprivation (due to mask-wearing) during the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate the face processing difficulties in preterm children, leading to long-term significant effects, not only on brain development relevant to face perception, but also in downstream social and emotional difficulties in later years. \r\n\r\nThis project, a collaboration with Monash Newborn and the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, will address the problem with early and timely studies of these preterm children during infancy and early childhood, using cognitive neuroscience testing including functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and eye-tracking to assess face processing and social cognition, and correlate the results to neurodevelopmental assessment at 2 years of age. Early identification in infancy of atypical neurodevelopment would enable targeting of early interventions to improve outcomes for these children.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"520203\r\n520207\r\n520101"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Robin Laycock, Clare Smith","title":"Using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess the long term neurocognitive effects of concussion","description":"Brain injuries due to traffic accidents and falls are expected to be the 7th and 17th major cause of death, respectively, by 2030. Only severe cases of head injury receive close medical investigation, and many are assessed only by rudimentary behavioural observation or the subject\u2019s self-reporting.\r\nThis is of concern given that there is currently limited understanding of how the brain is affected by head trauma that occurs in contact sports such as AFL football. Hence there is an urgent need to be able to rapidly and accurately assess the effects of head impact on the brain. One promising approach to quickly and non-invasively examine brain function is through assessment of visual processing.This project will utilise behavioural psychophysics, eye-tracking and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) which is a non-invasive brain imaging methodology, in people with and without history of brain injury. Increasingly, neurocognitive testing is being utilised by professional athletes, though refinement of the best measures to accurately identify those with a concussion is needed. In addition, this research can help to uncover the neural and cognitive mechanisms associated with concussion, including the longer term effects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation;","forcodes":"320903\r\n520203\r\n520301"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Psychology","programcode":"DR226","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mervyn Jackson, Patricia Melzer, Mark Lee, Noel Lythgo","title":"Research in cultural clinical psychology","description":"Cultural-Clinical Psychology exists at the intersection of two academic traditions: cultural psychology and clinical psychology. This represents the evolution of a new field whereby by psychologists seek to understand the ways in which culture shapes mental and physical health and well-being. The overall objective of this research program is to develop a university-wide research team to investigate cultural clinical psychology with a view toward providing a meaningful integration of the fields of clinical psychology and cross-cultural psychology in the next five years. There continues to be a pressing concern on the part of various cultural groups for the availability of culturally appropriate services from clinical psychologists. Further, clinical psychologists have the responsibility to advance sound research on the role of culture in psychopathology and to promote culturally appropriate clinical training and ethical practice. The ultimate aims of this research program are the advancement of scientific knowledge, the development of sound professional practice, the amelioration of human suffering, and the promotion of quality of life to a global world","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"5203"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Rehabilitation Sciences","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Dein Vindigni, Danielle Baxter, Noel Lythgo, Azharuddin Fazalbhoy","title":"Force-time characteristics of spinal manipulation by pre-professional and professional manual therapists","description":"Force-time characteristics of spinal manipulation by pre-professional and professional manual therapists\r\nOverview\r\nAim: This study will investigate whether pre-professional students and professional manual therapists employ safe and effective techniques during spinal manipulation. This work will extend work currently being completed in an Honours research project. Methodology: This PhD program will extend the Honours work by significantly increasing the number of participants and including professional therapists. In addition, a force-sensing glove, in combination with the force sensing table will be used. Data will be collected through the use these systems which are currently available. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420109 Rehabilitation\r\n320299 Clinical Sciences not elsewhere covered\r\n42080 Chiropractic"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Rehabilitation Sciences","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Adrian Pranata","title":"Delivering high-value occupational low back pain care using novel technology","description":"This project aims to assess the potential and feasibility of a novel strategy to address an intractable health issue: low back pain, the leading cause of disability worldwide that costs the Australian community $9 billion annually - many of those affect manual workers whose work involve lifting. This research aims to investigate the feasibility of novel machine learning and biomechanical computational modelling to assess lifting techniques and spinal forces during lifting in people with low back pain. This information can assist in daily load monitoring and modulation that could decrease low back pain recurrence at work.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420302 Digital health (50%)\r\n420106 Physiotherapy (25%)\r\n420109 Rehabilitation (25%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"Rehabilitation Sciences","programcode":"DR237","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Amanda Kimpton, Leanne Sheeran","title":"Exploring the lived experiences of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic","description":"Chronically ill individuals' perspectives on the effectiveness\u2014or lack thereof\u2014of healthcare programs during the COVID-19 pandemic will be explored. The study will provide an \r\ninsight into the events lived by people suffering from chronic illness through weeks of lockdowns when accessing uninterrupted care was impacted. Extended experiences of people with chronic illness living in Western Melbourne will be investigated with the purpose of evaluating the current healthcare system from the perspective of the patient. The study will provide an opportunity to discover potential solutions to enhance the efficiency of community services supporting a vulnerable population of individuals with chronic illness at times of limitations.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"420503 and 80% allocation\r\n420505 and 10% allocation\r\n420502 and 10% allocation\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski","title":"\u200bUnderstanding COVID-19 and improving our immune response to the vaccines.","description":"The Cancer, Ageing and Vaccines Laboratory is currently working to better understand the effects and long-term complications of COVID-19 on the immune system. We are also investigating the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in different populations, such as pregnant people and older individuals. We currently have four PhD project topics available, all of which will utilise clinical samples and working with clinical collaborators across Australia. Healthcare workers and Long COVID-19: This project compares the immune systems of healthcare workers that did, or did not, contract COVID-19, and how changes in their immunity may underlie long-term complications such as long COVID-19. Co-supervised by Prof. Katie Flanagan (Launceston General Hospital). COVID-19 and the development of autoimmunity: This project compares acute and mild COVID-19 patients over a time course to understand how the virus may be breaking tolerance and causing new autoimmune pathologies. Co-supervised by Dr. Kirsty Wilson (T cells). Improving vaccine immunity to COVID-19: This project investigates boosting immunity to COVID-19 with different vaccines to promote broad immune responses that recognize viral escape variants. It involves a multi-institutional large scale human trial to address these vital questions. Co-supervised by Prof. Katie Flanagan and Dr. Jennifer Boer (bioinformatics analysis). The impact of PEG on vaccine efficacy and adverse reactivity: This project investigates reactivity to PEG in mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, as well as other medical products and the implications on vaccine efficacy and potential to induce allergic reactions. Co-supervised by Dr. David Yu (antibodies and PEG) and Dr. Jennifer Boer (bioinformatics analysis). [1] Moody R et al., Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 8965; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijms22168965\n[2] Hatmal et al., Cells 2020, 9(12), 2638; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/cells9122638\n[3] Hensen et al., PNAS 2021, 118(41) e2109388118; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.2109388118","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"BHI 1 Chronic disease ; BHI 2 Bioinformatics; BHI 4 Drug discovery","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Clare Scott, Andrew Stephens","title":"\u200bUsing biobanks to study cancer targets and develop cancer vaccines.","description":"The Cancer, Ageing and Vaccines Laboratory seeks to understand cancer biology and immune responses and to translate these findings into real-world clinical benefits. As part of this research, the lab runs several clinical trials, such as SOLACE2, which is testing combination chemotherapies for ovarian cancer treatment [1, 2] and IOCT, which recently identified a key biomarker for diagnosis of ovarian cancer [3]. Most recently, is our collaboration with Professor Scott (WEHI) on the Stafford Fox Rare Cancers trial. This trial seeks to understand why people diagnosed with three or more cancers have a much better survival rate than those diagnosed with one or two cancers. The project will study biobanked samples from these \"super survivor\" individuals to test if they have specific health characteristics, set at just the right level to control or knock out their cancer. One key goal of these trials is to identify the key functional targets for the immune response and leverage this to initiate development of personalised cancer vaccines. As part of this goal, the PhD candidate could choose to become involved in any number of aspects and Is welcome to discuss ideas and options with Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski. Across all projects, the PhD Candidate will use techniques such as germline\/tumour sequencing data, plasma analysis and work with patients\u2019 immune cells work to identify key functional targets. They may perform epigenetic techniques, DNA sequencing (HLA-typing and WES), transcriptomics and immunoassays such as ELISpots. [1] Scott et al., 2019, Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2019; 15 (S9) (104-212). doi.org\/10.1111\/ajco.13263\n[2] Madondo et al., Cancer Treatment Reviews. 2016; 42(3-9). doi: 10.1016\/j.ctrv.2015.11.005\n[3] Kampan et al., Scientific Reports. 2020; 10 (2213). doi: 10.1038\/s41598-020-59009-z","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"3\/1\/2025","ecp":"BHI 2 Bioinformatics;BHI 1 Chronic disease;BHI 3 Biomedical engineering;BHI 4 Drug discovery;","forcodes":"110709 Tumour immunology (50%) 111204 Cancer Therapy (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR234","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski","title":"Age-related immune dysfunction, inflammation, and nutritional status: implications to infections, cancers and vaccine response","description":"Previously, we and others have observed reduced vaccine efficacy in the elderly as well as increased susceptibility to infections and cancers [1]. Age-related immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and inadequate nutritional status may reduce our capacity to resolve infections and cancers, as well as to promote sufficient vaccine response. This project has been designed to pinpoint cellular and molecular epigenetic mechanisms that drive age-related immune-senescence and inflammation, critical to the decline in immune function and ability to respond to vaccines, infections and cancers in the elderly. Additionally, nutritional status measured by the dietary inflammation indexes and\/or plasma nutritional biomarkers will be measured to understand the influence of nutrition on the immune response. Here, we will use various cohorts from human trials, to unravel the role of immune dysfunction, inflammation, and nutritional status on modulation of infections-, cancers- and vaccine-generated immune responses in older individuals, and the epigenetic mechanisms that underlie such modulation. Underpinning the molecular epigenetic changes that drive the age-related immune dysfunction and inflammation, or are formed by the inadequate nutritional status will point towards molecular mechanisms that may be involved in suboptimal responses to vaccination in the elderly, as well as provide leads for novel therapeutic strategies. [1] Flanagan KL, Fink AL, Plebanski M, Klein SL. Sex and Gender Differences in the Outcomes of Vaccination over the Life Course.Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2017 Oct 6;33:577-599. doi: 10.1146\/annurev-cellbio-100616-060718.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321108 Molecular targets (25%) 320404 Cellular immunology (25%) 321099 Nutrition and dietetics not elsewhere classified (25%) 321109 Predictive and prognostic markers (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Ruchika Ojha","title":"Gold-based drugs for the effective treatment of ovarian cancer","description":"Current treatments for ovarian cancer are largely toxic, and ultimately, ineffective for many patients. A current collaboration between Distinguished Professor Plebanski (Health & Biomedical Sciences) and Distinguished Professor Bhargava (Science) seeks to enable clinical progression for their novel class of gold-based drugs that show superior selectivity and activity for otherwise drug-resistant cancer cells, for the treatment of ovarian cancer (Mirzadeh et al., 2021, DOI: 10.1093\/mtomcs\/mfab039).\nAs part of Professor Plebanski\u2019s team, the PhD candidate will contribute to determining the in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety, off-target effects (peripheral and immunity) and biodistribution of lead gold-drug candidate(s) and pharmaceutical formulation development. As part of working towards a Phase I clinical trial, the gold-compounds will need to be tested for efficacy in ovarian cancer cell lines, organoids as well as immune cells from mice and humans. Techniques for this part of the project will include proliferation assays, ELISAs, qPCR, Western blots, ICP-MS, flow-cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The lead drug candidates will be tested in a novel immunocompetent ovarian cancer animal model; a mouse model created by Professor Plebanski and Dr Andrew Stephens (Hudson Institute) whereby fluorescent labelling of cancer cells allows for real-time study of cancer growth and treatment (Wilson et al., 2018, DOI: 10.3390\/cancers11010032). Efficacy of the gold-compounds will be analysed by advanced live in-vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry. Testing in cancer organoids may further involve international collaborators at Bristol University, United Kingdom and\/or the Hudson Institute, who are leaders in the development of innovate organoids for cancer research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation; Advanced Materials;","forcodes":"340407 Proteins and Peptides (40%)\n321002 Food Properties (40%)\n300607 Food Technology (10%)\n320211 Infectious diseases (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Kirsty Wilson","title":"Enhancing the immune response using nanoparticles and assessing their vaccine potential in animal models of cancer and malaria","description":"Vaccines remain one of the most cost-effective medical interventions for the prevention of disease and are readily available for many diseases, however there is a need for vaccines to complex diseases such as malaria and cancer. Vaccines to complex diseases are more difficult to design and manufacture due to the complicated lifecycle of the pathogens that cause the disease, or the multifactor series of events that occur in not only the pathology of the disease but also the resulting immune response. Designing vaccines for complex diseases requires careful consideration of the candidate antigen and generally requires and adjuvant or alternative delivery system to enhance the immune response to the vaccine, particularly regarding inducing a T cell response. Our lab focuses on viral sized nanoparticles as adjuvanting vaccine delivery systems to improve both the antibody mediated and cellular immune response. These nanoparticles can either have the vaccine antigen attached to their surface, or be simply mixed with the antigen with a combination of other adjuvants to increase the vaccine response. We are interested in nanoparticles of different materials and compositions to compare to our standard biocompatible and non-inflammatory polystyrene nanoparticles in animal vaccine models, as well as their mechanism of action and how they interact with different cells of the immune system (i.e. with antigen presenting cells). Aims: This study aims to examine the immune response to vaccines using various nanoparticle formulations and adjuvant combinations and ex, aiming how they interact with cells of the immune system to generate a strong immune response, capable of protecting against severe diseases such as ovarian cancer or malaria. Hypotheses: Nanoparticles in the viral size range will target antigen presenting cells in the local lymph nodes to elicit a strong vaccine induced immune response dependent on the size and composition of the nanoparticle. We will be able to develop vaccines that effectively prevent an treat severe diseases for which currently there are no effective vaccines.\nMethods: Our laboratory uses new and standard cell biology\/immunology techniques to assess the phenotype and function of immune cells from animal models, including; multicolour flowcytometry (up to 20 simultaneous markers on cells), cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis (Luminex), IVIS imaging, as well as ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology\/immunofluorescence, proliferation and functional T cell assays. There is also potential scope to use RNAseq and epigenetic analysis of immune cell populations, and animal models of cancer and malaria..\nThe PhD candidate:\nThe PhD candidate will have Honours or Masters in either immunology, vaccines, microbiology, parasitology, biochemistry, or nanoengineering. Animal handling experience preferable. References: [1]. Wilson KL et al. Front Immunol. 15 (2019):331\n[2]. Wilson KL et al. Front Microbiol. 6 (2015):29\n[4]. Xiang SD et al. Vaccines. 29 (2015):875","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, April Kartikasari","title":"Epigenetics in immunosenescence: implications to cancer and infections","description":"Previously, we and others have observed reduced vaccine efficacy in the elderly as well as increased susceptibility to infections and cancers [1]. While age-related immune dysfunction has been extensively studied, underpinning the molecular changes that drive the age-related functional decline of immune cells has proven difficult. Many studies including ours have shown that epigenetic marks including DNA methylation and histone modifications play a fundamental role in determining cell function and identity. These marks are actively modulated by different conditions including stress, lifestyle, sex and age or vaccination [2-3]. This project will systematically map epigenetic changes that promote age-related immune dysfunction, in the context of human vaccination trials, as well as cancer human clinical trials. Specifically, as part of human clinical trial projects, this study will underpin molecular epigenetic mechanisms of immunosenescence that involved in cancer and suboptimal responses to vaccination in the edlerly, and may provide leads for novel therapeutic strategies. Aims This project is designed to understand cellular and molecular epigenetic mechanisms involved in both innate and adaptive immunosenescence that cause the decline of immune function. Specifically, this study will uncover age-dependent alterations in epigenetic marks that cause increased incidence of cancer and infections as a consequence of age, utilizing in vitro models, animal models and human clinical trials available in the lab. Hypotheses:\n\u2022 Epigenetic mark alterations due to aging promote dysregulation of immune cell function and may contribute to the increased incidence of cancer and infections in old people\n\u2022 Identification of the changes of epigenetic marks that contribute to the decline of immune function will provide new means of disease prevention and treatment.\nMethods:\nThe laboratory uses world-class big-data omics analysis of immune cells, including RNAseq, genome-wide epigenetics, multicolour flowcytometry, cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis, as well as classical immunological techniques, e.g. ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology, proliferation and functional immune-cell assays. The PhD candidate:\nThe preferred PhD candidate will have done an Honours or Masters in immunology, vaccines, microbiology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, molecular biology or a related discipline. References: [1]. Flanagan KL et al. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. (2017) 33:577\n[2]. Noho-Konteh F et al. Clin Infect Dis. 63 (2016):1213\n[3]. Kartikasari et al., EMBO J. 32 (2013): 1393","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Katie Flanagan, Jennifer Boer","title":"Metagenetic Approach To Analyze Vaccine Immunomodulation in The Elderly","description":"The human gut is a vast reservoir of genetic potential and we are learning more and more how it relates to human health and disease. The new generation of deep metagenomic sequencing, consists in simultaneous sequencing of multiple microbial genomes at once and has provided us with a wealth of information on the composition of complex communities in our gut. As different microbial genomes can result in vastly different phenotypes and functions in our gut, it is critical to understand the genomic variations that characterize the different strains that are present. We are currently working on a large-scale vaccine (DTP and influenza) human trial (n=600) in Tasmania in which we will map, as a world first, how innate immunity and innate training differs in humans based on age and sex, and how this affects responses to vaccines. We will be studying these aspects with a systems biology approach in which we will investigate weather the immunological changes in young and elderly are characterized with changes in the gut microbial composition. Currently big data provided by metagenomics next generation sequening (mNGS) is becoming a key driver for the advancement of precision medicine to personalize patient care. Therefore, to take full advantage of these complex datasets we will use bioinformatics to enable quicker and more comprehensive analysis.\nAims: By using a bioinformatics analysis pipeline we will investigate whether vaccination responses are affected by the microbiome profile, and whether it changes according to the vaccination sequence, or the age (young adults or elderly) or sex (male\/female) of the vaccinees.\nHypotheses:\n\u2022 DTaP vaccination modulates the microbiome, such as the influenza vaccine.\n\u2022 Baseline non pathogenic microbiome profile effects will differ between younger adults and the elderly, and females compared to males.\nMethods:\nBioinformatics pipelines to analyse big volumes of metagenetic data. The analysis pipeline will roughly use packages such as trimomatic, FastQ screen, centrifuge\/kraken and many more.\nThe PhD candidate:\nThe preferred PhD candidate will have done an Honours or Masters in either immunology, or vaccines, microbiology, bioinformatics, biostatistics or a related discipline. References: [1]. Chiu CY et al. Nat Rev Gen. 20 (2019):341\n[2]. Noho-Konteh F et al. Clin Infect Dis. 63 (2016):1213\n[3]. Fish E et al., Lancet. 387 (2016):1054","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227 \/ MR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Magdalena Plebanski, Kirsty Wilson, Katie Flanagan, Stephen Robinson","title":"Mood and the Immune System In the Elderly\nBig Data and Systems Biology","description":"Vaccination is an ideal tool to protect against infections in vulnerable populations such as the elderly; however, vaccine efficacy declines with advancing age. Recent studies, including our on [1-3], show \u2018trained innate immunity\u2019, changes the way the immune system as a whole responds to subsequent environmental challenges, but how this changes with age has not been mapped. On the basis of our large-scale vaccine (DTP and influenza) human trial (n=600) in Tasmania we will map, as a world first, how innate immunity and innate training differs in humans based on age and sex, and how does this affect responses to vaccines. Importantly, DTP and influenza vaccine, given to the elderly together or sequentially, may prevent each other form working optimally. This study has thus policy implications for vaccine use in the elderly. Understanding the immune system of the elderly, will also underpin in-house development of more effective new generation synthetic vaccines based on nanoparticles. Aims The innovative human clinical trial in this project will define the innate immunological imprint following DTP vaccination, and its effect on the induction of subsequent innate and adaptive responses to the seasonal human influenza vaccine. It is designed to specifically study innate trained immunity and its modulation in the context of an aging immune system, and the effect sex on vaccination outcomes. Hypotheses:\n\u2022 DTaP vaccination modulates immunity to other stimuli, such as the influenza vaccine.\n\u2022 Baseline immunity and immune imprinting effects will differ between younger adults and the elderly, and females compared to males.\nMethods:\nThe laboratory uses world-class big-data omics analysis of blood immune cells, including RNAseq, epigenetics, multicolour flowcytometry (up to 27 simultaneous markers on cells), cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis (Luminex) as well as classical immunological techniques, e.g. ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology, proliferation and functional T cell assays. The PhD candidate:\nThe preferred PhD candidate will have done an Honours or Masters in either immunology, or vaccines, microbiology, bioinformatics, biostatistics or a related discipline. References: [1]. Flanagan KL et al. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2017 33 (2017):577\n[2]. Noho-Konteh F et al. Clin Infect Dis. 63 (2016):1213\n[3]. Fish E et al., Lancet. 387 (2016):1054","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","discipline":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","programcode":"DR227","campus":"Bundoora West","teamleader":"Sara Baratchi, Elena Pirogova, Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Studying mechanobiology of cells using microfluidics","description":"This project aims to develop bio-microfluidic systems for studying the response of mechano-sensitive cells under customised physiological and pathological conditions [1-2]. The microfluidic system consists of a network of semi-circular channels coated with layers of endothelial cells to mimic the vascular systems. It also utilises self-sufficient pumps, valves and heaters to facilitate the release of chemicals (therapeutic peptides) at desired temperatures without the use of bulky, expensive external equipment [3]. The soft structure of the system allows for stretching of endothelial cells in repeated cycles. The cellular responses under the different external stimuli will be monitored and evaluated in real-time using inverted microscopy [4]. The project will be conducted in collaboration with biomedical and microfluidic experts at RMIT\u2019s School of Engineering. References: [1] Baratchi S et al., Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 21; 7(1):15942. doi: 10.1038\/s41598-017-16276-7\n[2] Baratchi S., et al., Trends Mol Med. 2017 Sep; 23(9):850-868. doi: 10.1016\n[3] Boyd-Moss et al., Lab Chip. 2016 Aug 16; 16(17):3177-92. doi: 10.1039\/c6lc00712k\n[4] Baratchi S et al., Cell Mol Life Sci. 2016 Feb; 73(3):649-66. doi: 10.1007\/s00018-015-2018-8. Epub 2015 Aug 20.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Afreen Huq, Ashenafi Biru, Alemayehu Molla","title":"Gendered Pathways in Digital Entrepreneurship: Exploring the Experiences of Women Founders in STEM Fields","description":"Project Description:\nWhile the gender gap in entrepreneurship remains a global concern (Tonoyan et al., 2020), women continue to be significantly underrepresented in STEM and technology-intensive entrepreneurial sectors (Agarwal et al., 2022). This underrepresentation is not merely numerical; it reflects entrenched institutional, structural, and cultural barriers that limit women's participation and contributions to innovation-driven economies (Brush et al., 2019).\nEnhancing women's participation in STEM entrepreneurship is critical for addressing persistent gender inequalities and fostering inclusive economic growth and innovation (Blackburn, 2023; Sharma, 2022). Women-led ventures in STEM not only challenge established gender norms but also contribute to employment, diversify innovation outcomes, and promote inclusive values within the entrepreneurial ecosystem (Armu\u00f1a et al., 2020).\nThis PhD project explores the experiences of women entrepreneurs in STEM, with a focus on, but not limited to:\n\u2022\tHow gender influences access to STEM innovation ecosystems and how women navigate structural, social, and institutional boundaries in the field. \n\u2022\tThe role of formal institutions and informal norms in constraining or facilitating women\u2019s entrepreneurial success in STEM, identifying pathways for institutional reform.\n\u2022\tThe adaptive and innovative strategies women entrepreneurs in STEM employ to succeed in male-dominated sectors.\nThis project is ideal for HDR candidates passionate about gender and entrepreneurship, STEM entrepreneurship, and innovation, and offers opportunities for qualitative and\/or mixed-methods research in global or local contexts. The supervision team includes specialists in gender and entrepreneurship, strategy and innovation, and information systems. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform\u2019s Innovative Impact Pathways & Championing priority area. ","sdg":"[\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-14","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350704"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Darryn Snell, Victor Gekara, Alemayehu Molla","title":"COVID-19 and the Impact of Automation and Digital Transformation on Workforce Development","description":"This PhD examines the impact of COVID-19 on the uptake of digital and automation technologies and the implications for workforce development. It has been suggested that COVID-19 would accelerate the uptake of automation and AI technologies as companies introduced physical distancing solutions and cost cutting measures (Seric and Winkler, 2020; Farshchi, 2020). These claims were speculative at the time but require closer examination, post event, given the impacts such rapid technological implementations would have for employees and skills demand. Using a range of qualitative social science methodologies, the project will develop an in-depth examination of the COVID-19 event, including the nature and extent of industry and government response in order to understand how specific organisations respond to changing skill and workforce requirements as they embrace digital transformation. The project will be guided by the following overarching research question:\nHow did the COVID-19 crisis influence firm-level technological uptake and what were the responses to changing workforce skills requirements and the overall implications for the workforce development strategies of these organisations?\nSuccessful PhD candidates will be expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of qualitative research methods and reasonable understanding of human resource management principles and practices as well as information systems. The project will be based in the School of Management but supervised by a highly experienced interdisciplinary team within the Skills, Training and Industry Research Network, which is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Platform.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention, Justyna Dabrowska","title":"Digital Transformation across (Open) Innovation Ecosystems","description":"Digital transformation (DT) refers to a process where organisational actors engage in digital innovation and transform their organisations to respond to change in their business and technology environment(Rogers,2016). It was estimated that in 2018 companies world-wide spent $1.2 trillion on their DT with only 1% achieving or slightly exceeding the expectations (WEF,2018). Thus, mastering DT shows to be extremely challenging. Part of the challenge is that DT is not only about the implementation and understanding of the technology per se but about changing strategy, organisational structures and management concepts and exploring new value creation and capture logic with various players. It also requires not only intensive intra-organisational renewal, but also collaboration between heterogeneous partners from different disciplines throughout the value chain(Warner&Wager,2019). This type of collaborative environment is well described and supported by the Open Innovation paradigm (Chesbrough,2003;2019). The purpose of this HDR project is to explore how DT changes business logic in multiple and diverse industries and enables emergence and further development of innovation ecosystems. Through qualitative or potentially mixed method research approach the project will also explore organisational approaches to successfully coordinate digital initiatives as well as embed digital tools and methods to support complex strategic decision-making process and to explore and identify novel approaches of innovation ecosystem orchestration.\nThe project is particularly suitable for candidates with prior knowledge and\/or background in (open)innovation and technology management, strategic management. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers who have industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention, Justyna Dabrowska, Massimo Menichinelli, Olga Kokshagina","title":"Sustainable Innovations through Design and Behavioural Change for Ageing Population","description":"Influenced by technological shifts and industry transformation, challenges of Healthy Ageing are rooted in how humanistic principles (fairness and wellness) are integrated into conceptualisation, development and commercialisation of sustainable innovations for older people. The purpose of this HDR project is to explore the role of sustainable innovations for healthy ageing in the context of HealthTech, Smartcare, Assisted Living Technologies (ALT) and EdTech for the elderly. The project will focus on the elderly at the centre of the humanistic design process, and will aim to integrate behavioural frameworks as well as open innovation principles.\nThe project is particularly suitable for (but not limited to) candidates with prior knowledge and\/or background in (open)innovation and technology management, strategic management, psychology. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers who have industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention, Justyna Dabrowska","title":"Towards new value creation logic from university-industry collaboration","description":"In today\u2019s knowledge economy innovation does not occur in isolation. It is increasingly the result of an open process of collaboration involving multiple actors throughout the value chain. This phenomenon has been captured with the introduction of the Open Innovation paradigm (Chesbrough, 2003). Open innovation is a multi-faceted platform that includes the adoption of complex practices and the establishment of equally complex cooperation networks\u2019 configurations, involving multiple stakeholders and requiring sophisticated orchestration mechanisms. One such practice is represented by University-Industry Cooperation (UIC). Despite being challenging undertakings they are capable of generating strong channels for knowledge sharing including a very high potential to produce innovation outcomes. A high potential that is acknowledged to be still largely untapped (Mention & Torkkeli, 2016).\nThe purpose of this HDR project is to explore university industry collaboration from complex multi-stakeholder value creation logic. Through qualitative or potentially mixed method research approach the project will explore the role of stakeholders across the (non) linear innovation process, e.g. the role of competitors in shaping novelties. The project will also seek to understand the role of individuals and their behaviours (willingness to cooperate; behaviour-intention-action-attitude). The project is particularly suitable for candidates with prior knowledge and\/or background in (open)innovation and technology management, strategic management, IP. The candidate will work with a team of highly experienced and ambitious researchers who have industry connections both within and outside Australia to support the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"MR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tim Bartram","title":"From brain waste to brain gain: Movement of self-initiated expatriate from emerging to advanced economies, an exploratory study","description":"The aim of this research is enhancing knowledge on the movement of self-initiated expatriates (SIE) from emerging to advanced economies, to understand their rationale for leaving their host countries, seeking permanent residency in the host country, or repatriating to their countries of origin. Advanced economies experience insufficiency of high qualified talent and the phenomenon of brain waste persist, still governments and international organisations have limited influence to incentivise drain gain from the evolving diaspora of skilled SIE talent from emerging economies. Drawing on participants from Colombia, Czech Republic and Malaysia who have moved to Australia, this article reports on the differences and similarities between the three countries. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"350503 Human Resources Management (50%)\r\n350702 Corporate Social Responsibility (40%)\r\n350507 Workplace wellbeing and quality of working life (10%)\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kate Grosser","title":"Gender, business and human rights","description":"A unique opportunity to join a vibrant research community developing guidance for states and businesses on how to integrate gender issues in their implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The scholarship aims to bring feminist perspectives to the debate on gender, business and human rights, developing guidance for states and business on integrating gender issues in their implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This scholarship is an opportunity to contribute to an emerging research agenda at the intersection of gender research on organizations, and particularly business organizations, human rights, and feminist scholarship on corporate responsibility and accountability. The latter is a rapidly expanding field, which has yet to take a strong human rights perspective. Meanwhile, the launch of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011) has stimulated a new and expanding stream of research on business and human rights, however, this literature rarely discusses gender issues. Finally a further body of research investigates women\u2019s human rights globally, and related policy initiatives, but the role of business is not a central theme therein. Noting the rising prominence of gender equality as a human rights issue internationally, and growing interest in the role of business with respect to human rights, this scholarship enables you to contribute to the development of a new interdisciplinary research agenda on gender, business and human rights. It also facilitates contributions to women\u2019s human rights in a global context. You will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research team that contributes to policy development and practice with regard to integrating a gender perspective in the implementation of the three pillars of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: (a) The State Duty to Protect Human Rights; (b) The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights; (c) Access to Remedy.\nWe welcome applications from a variety of geographical and cultural contexts, and disciplinary and methodological perspectives.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204 & MR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention","title":"Opening up for Open Innovation: Unveiling the cognitive characteristics of individuals","description":"Open innovation (OI) starts with mental representations of \u2018being open\u2019. The tendency towards being open is rooted in how and why individual processes external information \u2013this information in OI is beset with uncertainties \u2013 be laden with situations characterising emotional and psychological stress. Psychological stress is costly \u2013 economically and socially with implications for individual and organisational well-being.\nCurrent research on coping strategies in OI argues that interactions and exchanges in OI are socially constructed, however limited knowledge exists on how and why the social influences affect individual\u2019s cognitive processes in this context. To this end, research is needed to explore the cognitive characteristics of individuals in OI. Such an understanding can inform recruitment, engagement and environmental conditions conducive to OI objectives.\nMore specifically, research aimed at addressing the following questions remains providential:\nDoes being open to external knowledge hurt? \u2013 a neurocognitive approach could shed light on the effects of openness on brain functions related to psychological stress.\nDoes self-presentation tendency affect external information search and acceptance? \u2013 an experimentation approach could unveil how and why individuals engage in socially motivated cognitive renewal processes.\nHow do false memories affect the \u2018being open\u2019 psychological state of individuals in OI? \u2013 a mixed method approach could investigate the relationship between false memories and subsequent choices in OI.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management","discipline":"Management","programcode":"DR204","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Anne-Laure Mention","title":"Regulatory sandboxes and innovation capabilities: An exploratory study","description":"FinTech as \u201ca new financial industry that applies technology to improve financial activities\u201d (Schueffel, 2016, p.45) is built upon a distributed model in terms of bringing technology closer and allowing the development of new services, encouraging customer value and centricity. FinTech brings an entire different logic that is causing fundamental changes in the structure and purpose of business, changes that the majority of incumbents are not ready to face (Nicoletti, 2017).\nNotably, 83% of financial institutions are expecting to increase partnerships over the next three to five years, 64% are currently engaging in partnerships with FinTech companies while 89% are expecting drastic changes in internal innovation efforts over the next three to five years (PwC, 2017). These developments have already signalled to regulators and policymakers that the current regulatory frameworks are not anymore compatible with this emerging financial technologies entrepreneurial environment (He et al., 2017). Extant literature is beginning to pay attention to the emergence and developments of regulatory sandboxes to provide flexibility and accessibility across the financial services industry (Lee, 2017), along with, providing foundations for sound competition within the financial industry (Noh, 2017). Anchored in this ongoing discussion around the relationship between FinTech and Regulation for Financial Innovation, this proposal by bringing multiple insights from key informants in financial services, aims at exploring how regulatory sandboxes can help in building long-term experimentation capabilities that are essential to innovation?\nThe outcomes from the project have implications for science and practice of innovation management. For science, it extends the state-of-the-art in by integrating governance theories with innovation practice. In doing so, the project will pave new paths for research on regulatory and ethical considerations in financial innovations (i.e. responsible innovation). For practice, the project is expected to deliver understanding of characteristics of FinTech entrepreneurs and start-ups when it comes to embracing openness during experimentation. In turn, it provides insights into the necessary conditions for improving effectiveness of regulatory sandboxes in driving financial innovations.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"Business and Law","school":"Management; Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","discipline":"Business Information Systems; Management","programcode":"DR201","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alemayehu Molla, Ashenafi Biru","title":"Dynamics of FinTech Entrepreneurship Eco-systems","description":"The digital economy provides ample opportunities for organisations to innovate. These opportunities are particularly prevalent in the financial sector, where FinTech entrepreneurs continue to enter the market with innovative, efficient and more customer-oriented financial services and products than incumbents. FinTech entrepreneurs take advantage of the growing digital society, changes in consumer trends, deregulation and the proliferation of digital artifacts, infrastructure and platforms to enter into the financial services market with offerings that can disrupt, improve or enhance financial service types and delivery models. As FinTech entrepreneurship is a relatively recent phenomenon, the theoretical foundations to explain the processes through which entrepreneurial ecosystems emerge, change, and influence and be influenced by the activities of FinTech entrepreneurs remain underdeveloped. This PhD project investigates the formation and dynamics of FinTech entrepreneurial clusters in different regions of the world. The project draws insights from digital entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial eco-system theories to provide a more nuanced and rigorous understanding of FinTech entrepreneurship to strengthen existing and develop successful ecosystems in regions with limited successful FinTech start-ups. The project will apply both qualitative and quantitative methods. Successful candidates will be expected to have management, entrepreneurship and information systems background and a good foundation in mixed methods research. The supervision team includes specialists in entrepreneurship and information systems. The project is aligned with the Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform\u2019s designing innovation ecosystems and platforms focus area.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Bruno Schivinski, Vasileios Stavropoulos, Nalin Arachchilage","title":"Serious games and wellbeing","description":"Serious games are transforming mental health care by offering innovative, engaging ways to enhance well-being. By blending therapeutic techniques into game formats, these games provide accessible, effective mental health interventions. Beyond individual benefits, they build community resilience and reduce mental health stigma. Collaboration between academics, industry experts, and gamers is key to creating scientifically grounded, user-friendly games that drive positive change.\nThis project will delve into the mechanics that make serious games effective, spotlight opportunities for assessment and intervention, and discuss how to measure their impact on mental health. We\u2019ll also highlight the powerful social impact of these games and call for a unified vision between the Victorian game industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"450410 and 60% allocation\n450714 and 30% allocation\n460206 and 10% allocation"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sally Storey, Julian Thomas","title":"Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in ADM: Australia in the Asia Pacific","description":"The PhD research project will be located in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S Centre) at RMIT Australia. The candidate will be part of the research team on \u201cCultural and Linguistic Diversity in ADM: Australia in the Asia Pacific\u201d. The project aims to better understand the landscapes of ADM (automated decision-making) across the region, including the role of NGOs, industry, government and other stakeholders; empower community members to participate in dialogues concerning diversity in ADM; and build capacity for community organisations in collective bargaining with public policymakers for inclusive and equitable ADM policies. \n\nThe PhD scholarship will fund a project that (1) focuses on national, regional, and local communities and actors in Asia Pacific, or culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia; (2) engages with \u201cdiversity\u201d and other key concepts in ADM concerning the impacts, politics and geopolitics of ADM development, such as language-specific models, applications, infrastructure in digital network and services, and their terms of reference in governance.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"470107 media studies (40%)\n470102 Communication technology and digital media studies (60%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alexandra Wake","title":"Listening to trauma: a journalistic exploration via podcast.","description":"This project is part of a larger ARC Discovery \"Australian Journalism, Trauma and Community\" which involves researchers across RMIT and Monash Universities. Working through RMIT's professional research symposium program, this opportunity invites experienced journalists to use their practice as the research to create original knowledge through a PhD. We expect that a podcast produced for this PhD will become a public outcome for the wider research project focussed on investigating the professional and personal costs of reporting on trauma for Australian journalists and the communities they engage with. The groundbreaking historical study of journalists exposure to trauma in Australia will generate new knowledge about the relationship between journalism and trauma.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"430302 Australian history & 470107 Media studies "},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"T.J. Thomson","title":"Evaluating and bolstering the quality of local visual news","description":"Journalism is vital to the public good, but regional and remote communities lack the same access to local news as their urban counterparts. This is especially true for local visual news, which is often an afterthought despite its importance in creating high-quality news content, engaging audiences, and shaping public perceptions.\r\n\r\nThis project observes local journalists at work and evaluates their output against the needs expressed by their communities, thus facilitating a much-needed conversation between local journalists and audiences. In doing so, it defines what quality local visual news is, and through local newsroom briefings and events co-hosted with industry provides guidance on how journalists can best produce it. This project evaluates local visual news in key communities across the country, including several with higher-than-average Indigenous populations.\r\n\r\nAs a PhD researcher on this project, you should have experience in areas such as:\r\n\r\n\u2022 journalism studies and\/or experience as a journalist or media professional; and\/or\r\n\u2022 qualitative research methods (observations, interviews, focus groups; textual analysis); and\/or\r\n\u2022 visual communication\r\n\r\nThose from or with experience in regional\/rural areas of Australia are especially encouraged to apply.","sdg":"10 - Reduced Inequalities, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"470105 Journalism Studies (80%)\r\n470101 - Communication studies (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Professor Anna Hickey-Moody, Professor Katherine Johnson, Global Urban and Social Studies","title":"A study of the experiences of LGBTIQ religious high-school-aged youth","description":"A study of the experiences of LGBTIQ religious high-school-aged youth will be a significant part of an ARC \r\nDiscovery project\u2019s contribution to knowledge and will be carried out by the successful PhD candidate. This PhD exploring LGBTIQ religious youth is part of a larger study into the knowledges and practices about sexuality and religion that form the everyday worlds of young people who are religious. This is significant because of its nationwide, deep yet comparative approach to a key time in the development of a young person\u2019s identity. Expected outcomes include strategic health policy and curriculum development advice that responds to current debates around religious exemptions to anti-discrimination law and creates better education and health care for religious and LGBTIQ youth. Benefits resulting from better health care and education will include increased well being for religious LGBTIQ youth, conservatively religious and newly arrived youth communities in Australia. A fee waiver for international students will ensure the recruitment of the best candidate. The PhD student will focus on data from the state school research sites and will take responsibility for the analysis and dissemination of data relating to LGBTIQ religious youth. The student will be based at RMIT and co-supervised by CIs Johnson and Hickey-Moody.","sdg":"5 - Gender Equality, 4 - Quality Education, 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"200203 - Consumption and Everyday Life"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Larissa Hjorth, Ingrid Richardson (RMIT), Seb Chan (ACMI)","title":"Museum Digital Social Futures: Audience Living Lab as incubator for socially-engaged and situated media innovation","description":"This project is guided by the following question: How can we learn from the pandemic by connecting digital innovation to social practices that extend beyond the physical site of the museum to imagine new forms of socially-engaged situated media practice as part of the user experience journey? Working in collaboration with ACMI, RMIT and AMAGA, this project will explore how the museum can engage in resilient and creative ways that address digital social inclusion. Mapping museum experiences as they move across digital, social and material spaces and places\u2014especially when experience moves outside the physical site of museum into the home\u2014remains under researched. The project will further develop this pilot study to design and facilitate digital innovation in post-COVID museum audience experiences\u2014within both museums and domestic, household spaces. It will explore how the digital is experienced as social encounters across various sites, spaces and contexts. It is in this \u2018social\u2019 space that innovation, inclusion and impact lie.","sdg":"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 2 Playful and Material Encounters; DCP 3 The Social and Sustainable; DCP 4 Design and Creative Practice Industries","forcodes":"470102 - Communication technology and digital media studies (50%)\n470203 - Consumption and everyday life (50%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingrid Richardson, Marsha Berry, Rachel Wilson, Rebecca Young, Daniel Binns, Jay Daniel Thompson, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi, Natalie Hendry, Seth Keen","title":"Creativity, Learning, Digital Arts, and Design","description":"Creativity, Learning, Digital Arts, and Design positions research participants as \u2018creative agents\u2019 and authors of their own experience. This programme takes the question of research translation as a point of departure and creates experiences, artefacts, resources and texts through which participant\u2019s stories, perspectives, desires and subjectivities are presented in affective and accessible ways. Creativity, Learning, Digital Arts, and Design explores the potential of social practice and co-designed arts across a range of disciplinary spaces. Researchers explore issues relating to visibility, agency, voice, care, educational experience, screen and performance-based methods for progressive and transformational ethnographic research. This program places a strong emphasis on accessibility and social inclusion. Methods employed are designed to be inclusive, relevant in inter-cultural and cross-cultural contexts and ensure to facilitate distributed agency in ways that support and encourage participants. Research is both a vehicle for social change and a means of collaborative knowledge production.","sdg":"38445","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingrid Richardson, Haiqing Yu, Annette Markham, Leah Li, Tania Lewis, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Digital Domesticity, Sustainability, and the Everyday","description":"Digital Domesticity, Sustainability, and the Everyday examines the role of everyday life practices and homes as increasingly central hubs of digital engagement and smart infrastructure, and the implications of this for post-human experience and climate change. This research will centre on and in people\u2019s homes, lives and communities, using a range of possible approaches\u2014from digital methods to ethnography and beyond\u2014to foreground the rich and shifting relationships between practices, beliefs, technology and environments. Projects tend to focus on particular domains or interrelations, such as environmental activism online, e-waste and digital sustainability; the politics of smart homes and domestic robotics; the characteristics and complexities of relationships between humans and their digital personal assistants; the digitisation of food, and games, YouTube, post-television cultures and streaming services.","sdg":"44906","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Brunt, Catherine Strong, Patrick Kelly, Alexia Kannas, Steve Gaunson, Tami Gadir, Ramon Lobato, Huck Ying Ch'ng, Glen Donnar, Smiljana Glisovic, Maria Stratford, Shweta Kishore, Stayci Taylor, Adrian Danks, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi","title":"Performance and Identity in Screen, Sound, Music","description":"The theme aims to understand the importance of identity in screen, and\/or sound and\/or music. This includes how identity affects performance, production, dissemination and reception of cultural products. Aspects of identity that could be considered include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, age, dis\/ability and gender. This can incorporate the aspects of identity formation enabled through these cultural forms that are essential to community formation and positive self-reflections, as well as those that are exclusionary or that contribute to the maintenance of inequality in wider society. Projects within this theme aim to generate creative and inventive solutions to real-world problems which have the capacity to change social expectations about identity and increase representations of cultural diversity.","sdg":"44839","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 2001, 2003"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Meese, Haiqing Yu, Lisa Dethridge, Cathy Greenfield, Annette Markham, Ramon Lobato, Ellie Rennie, Jaz Hee-jeong Choi, Lucy Morieson, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca, Tania Lewis","title":"Automation and Social Futures","description":"Automation and Social Futures engages with the ethical, political, social, organisational, cultural and governance implications of machine learning, algorithmic decision-making and digital infrastructures. The research will investigate the intersection of technology and the human experience, using methods ranging from data analytics to close level ethnographic approaches. Possible areas of investigation include the complex interrelations between technology design and technologies in use; social media platforms; ethics and future automation of memory and heritage practices; impact of algorithms on identity; deep fakes and disinformation campaigns; autonomous vehicles; smart city infrastructures; blockchain as infrastructure; supply chain systems. This program places strong focus on building better potential futures for our communities by critically examining the politics and ethics behind both norms and governance around automated decision-making systems, especially important in times of continuous and rapid change.","sdg":"8","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingrid Richardson, Mark Gibson, Emsie Arnoldi, Rob Cover, Bruno Schivinski, Alex Wake, Scott Brook, Catherine Gomes, Michaela Jackson, Haiqing Yu, Lisa Dethridge, Cathy Greenfield, Marianne Sison, Annette Markham, Lukas Parker, Linda Brennan, Ramon Lobato, Michelle Aung Thin, Ella Chorazy, Huck Ying Ch'ng, Daniel Binns, Leah Li, Maria Stratford, Tania Lewis, Jay Daniel Thompson, David Fouvy, Chengju Huang, John Postill, Julie Bilby, Lucy Morieson, Annette Markham","title":"Digital media and the social","description":"This theme focuses on the ways in which digital media is an intrinsic part of the social. From the new forms of articulating and experiencing identity and community through social media and mobile devices, to the role of analytics and big data in the management of organisations and populations, research in this theme focuses on the emergent issues of trust, ethics, publics, planning, technology, and power. It is concerned with the role of digital media and communications technologies in articulating publics and communities, as well as the actions of agencies that would seek to manage, inform, influence, and listen to such groups. It has a further interest in critical methodologies across a range of interdisciplinary fields that have been used to explore the ways in which the social is reproduced and transformed by digital communications, including digital ethnography, sociology of the internet, science and technology studies, governmentality studies, and mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) network analysis.","sdg":"42684","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1505, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Brunt, James Meese, Catherine Strong, Mark Gibson, Kim Munro, Patrick Kelly, Alan Nguyen, Alex Wake, Scott Brook, Steve Gaunson, Tami Gadir, Ramon Lobato, Glen Donnar, Smiljana Glisovic, Djoymi Baker, Daniel Binns, Leah Li, Maria Stratford, Tania Lewis, Adrian Danks, Lucy Morieson, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Transforming Screen and Sound Industries in a Digital Age","description":"This theme investigates social, economic and industrial dynamics of screen, and\/or sound and\/or music culture. Research topics may include audiences, policy, labour, access, digital inclusion, participation, cultural diversity, sustainability and other issues related to the social contexts of cultural production, distribution and consumption. We invite proposals that consider one or more of these issues in relation to a specific media industry (or industries), in contemporary or historical contexts.","sdg":"9, 11","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"1902, 2001, 2004"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Shelley Brunt, Catherine Strong, Lisa French, Kim Munro, Polly Stanton, Marsha Berry, Patrick Kelly, Alexia Kannas, Alan Nguyen, Steve Gaunson, Tami Gadir, Ramon Lobato, Rachel Wilson, Glen Donnar, Smiljana Glisovic, Rebecca Young, Djoymi Baker, Daniel Binns, Maria Stratford, Shweta Kishore, Stayci Taylor, Seth Keen, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Thinking Critically about Screen, Sound and Music as Creative Practices","description":"This theme investigates contexts, epistemologies, theories, methods, and methodologies to enrich understandings of the cultures of screen, and\/or sound and\/or music. This can be approached through a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to screen studies, popular music, filmmaking, screenwriting, history, curatorial practice, sound design, online media and other related fields, including through community, social justice or environmental lenses. Interdisciplinary approaches are also encouraged. These approaches can be applied to a range of genres, modes of engagement with content, theoretical perspectives or formats, including the digital and virtual.","sdg":"44776","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change \/ Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rob Cover, Catherine Gomes, Emsie Arnoldi, Olivia Guntarik, Haiqing Yu, Lisa Dethridge, Marianne Sison, Antonio Castillo, Huck Ying Ch'ng, Leah Li, Tania Lewis, Jay Daniel Thompson","title":"Digital Inclusion, Mobility, and Activism","description":"The research program examines the challenges and potentials of digital participation as this relates to access and inclusion, connectivity, networks and political activism, gig or micro work, and mobility and migration. Possible research methods include analyses of existing data sets, digital ethnography, critical pedagogical experiments, arts-based interventions, and working with communities to understand how digital technologies are mobilised for various political and personal purposes. Research seeks to explain patterns and practices that have built up around digital communities or activist practices, and to explore the outcomes and implications of disconnections and misalignments between technology design, everyday use, policies and norms. Possible areas of investigation include experimenting with groups to adapt or hack common digital tools to preserve cultural memory; building localized rather than universal interpretations of critical data literacy; bringing together policymakers and community members to make so-called smart technology designs more usable and relevant; the politics of tech communities; the outcomes of internet use for different groups; locative technologies and place.","sdg":"3, 5, 10, 16","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rob Cover, Bruno Schivinski, Emsie Arnoldi, Michaela Jackson, Catherine Gomes, Haiqing Yu, Marianne Sison, Lukas Parker, Ella Chorazy, Linda Brennan, Lisa Waller, Leah Li, Jay Daniel Thompson David Fouvy, Seth Keen","title":"Communicating for Health, Sustainable Environments and Community Wellbeing","description":"This theme encompasses research into communication and media applications in the areas of health and sustainability, especially where societal change is creating rapid transformations for communities and environments. The theme includes health and environmental communication campaigns, affective social media, gaming, crisis communications, and community advocacy. This theme includes multiple disciplinary threads from across media and communications, including journalism, social marketing for behaviour change, advertising, corporate responsibility and organisational ethics, strategic communications, and supports research in interdisciplinary teams with industry partners. The theme supports a diverse range of methodologies, including applied design and innovation, especially co-design and user experience research. Research in this theme covers a range of social issues such as equity, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, digital wellbeing, building individual, community and societal wellbeing and social change.","sdg":"40301","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Global Business Innovation, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1505, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Mark Gibson, Lisa French, Emsie Arnoldi, Scott Brook, Rachel Wilson, Ramon Lobato, Cathy Greenfield, Ellie Rennie, Gretchen Coombs, Daniel Binns, Robert Crawford, Chengju Huang, Julie Bilby, Lucy Morieson, Sebastian Diaz-Gasca","title":"Cultural and Creative Industries","description":"This research theme focuses on the industry dynamics of the Cultural and Creative Industries. It defines the CCIs broadly - including the media industries (screen, music recording, journalism, publishing), arts and design, games and advertising - and is distinguished by a focus on industry features; such as policy and regulation: the impact of new technologies and digital platforms on production, distribution and consumption; cultural and creative work, employability and careers: creative hubs and ecosystems: social network markets and fields of creative production; cultural economy and entrepreneurship; and the history of the CCIs as modern industry and policy formations and, more recently, domains of government intervention, regulation, and industry advocacy. CCI researchers in the School have an interest in gender, labour, government policy, education, locative media, and the platform economy.","sdg":"44812","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Global Business Innovation, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 1904, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Communication, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"James Meese, Bruno Schivinski, Alex Wake, Michaela Jackson, Catherine Gomes, Haiqing Yu, Marianne Sison, Lukas Parker, Ella Chorazy, Linda Brennan, Lisa Waller, Leah Li, Robert Crawford David Fouvy, Chengju Huang, Julie Bilby","title":"Social, Public and Marketing Communications","description":"This theme focuses on all forms of social, public and commercial communications; from advertising campaigns through organisational communications to news media and citizen journalism. It focuses on normative and critical accounts of the effects and efficacy of media communications projects and industries subject to processes of digital disruption, including the tensions between public, community and commercial interests and values. Research in this theme is often interdisciplinary and encompasses institutions, industries, stakeholders and individuals with a focus on contributing to the creation of public value, including building citizenship and public participation with mainstream as well as diverse groups. Topics and disciplines include Indigenous media, branding, public relations and strategic communications, social marketing and public value, organisational ethics, fact-checking and misinformation, public and citizen journalism, consumer activism and community advocacy; and media and communications for community development.","sdg":"41191","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change, Global Business Innovation, Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1505, 2001, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Media and Communication","programcode":"DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Scott Brook, Tammy Wong-Hulbert","title":"Vital Arts: Recognising transferrable skills learnt through informal arts education.","description":"This PhD project is embedded in the Australian Research Council Linkage Grant LP200301027 'Creative industries pathways to youth employment in the COVID-19 recession'. Working in collaboration with the chief investigators, the successful candidate will develop a project that recognises informal learning in arts contexts through completing a micro-credential. There is the opportunity for the PhD to be practice based and located in learning design. Our team warmly welcomes applications from candidates with experience in youth arts, learning design and online learning.","sdg":"4 - Quality Education; 5 - Gender Equality; 1 - No Poverty; 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth; 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"DCP 4 Design and Creative Practice Industries","forcodes":"200203 - Consumption and Everyday Life"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Carlin; Francesca Rendle-Short; Michelle Aung Thin; Melody Ellis","title":"Connecting Asia-Pacific Literary Cultures: Grounds for Encounter and Exchange","description":"This project aims to analyse and develop innovative creative practices to connect writers and evolve literary cultures in the Asia-Pacific region. It will elaborate, test, evaluate and communicate an evolving model for best practice in intercultural and transnational exchange, based on principles and processes of ethical encounter and exchange through creative practice. It looks at and builds upon the work of a successful pilot program, Writers\u2019 Immersion and Cultural Exchange (WrICE), which has developed an organic network of 59 writers across 13 countries. The model, premised on situating creative writing as a way of thinking, being and learning collectively, centres on methods of curating and facilitating collaborative residencies. The project asks: how might writers be supported to develop intercultural and international relationships that augment and transform their creative practices, and produce networks of cooperation across the Asia-Pacific? The PhD project is an opportunity for a creative writer with an established or emerging track record to extend their practice through collaborative and intercultural engagement with creative peers from across the Asia-Pacific. The PhD researcher will conduct creative practice-based fieldwork as a writer\/participant in the project, extending and challenging their existing creative practice. This is an opportunity to participate in and co-design a range of innovative exercises in creative and intercultural collaboration, alongside creative peers from across the Asia-Pacific, and to theorise and apply the collaborative and intercultural creative writing methods developed and explored through the project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"190402 - Creative Writing (incl. Playwriting) (80%)\n(360201 Creative and Professional Writing (Creative Writing))\n200209 - Multicultural, Intercultural and Cross-cultural Studies (20%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Josie Vine, Brigid Magner, Ronnie Scott, Kim Munro, Jessica Wilkinson. Marsha Berry, Rebecca Hill, Bonny Cassidy, Antonio Castillo, David Carlin, Gretchen Coombs, Stayci Taylor, Linda Daley, Rose Michael, Peta Murray,  Stefanie Markidis ","title":"Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetics: Creative Ecologies and Imaginative Futures","description":"This theme looks at how writing and publishing can engage with other disciplines and knowledges to create new imaginings of histories, ecologies and futures. It invites a range of approaches, deploying fiction, nonfiction, poetry and\/or performance writing, along with hybrid forms such as the audio essay or poetic biography that complicate generic boundaries. It explores and interrogates how devices of speculation, imagination, poetry and fabulation can generate new perspectives and approaches to critical issues. These include questions of work and care, ecological and ethical futures, and the politics and poetics of fact and fiction as they relate to the way stories are told, policies devised, and worlds imagined.","sdg":"11, 13","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1904, 2002"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Brigid Magner, Ronnie Scott, Jessica Wilkinson, Olivia Guntarik, Rose Michael, Peta Murray, Zoe Dzunko, Antonio Castillo, David Carlin, Gretchen Coombs, Stayci Taylor, Stefanie Markidis","title":"Playful and Experimental Approaches to Creative Writing Methods","description":"How can creative writing methods including play, immersive practice, observation and deep listening reshape creative reinterpretations of the material world? Alternatively, how might formal methodological experimentation in creative writing contribute to new ways of knowing, doing or understanding contemporary realities? This theme encourages engagement with interdisciplinary ways of knowing, including play scholarship from ludology, psychology, literary studies or biology. By foregrounding playful and experimental research practices with poetry, fiction, nonfiction, digital literatures and performance writing, this research will enable innovative investigations of pressing material, social, ecological and cultural issues, as well as offer new insight into innovative methods and applications of creative writing and\/or literary studies.","sdg":"44868","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1904"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Josie Vine, Ronnie Scott, Rebecca Hill, Michelle Aung Thin, Bonny Cassidy, Antonio Castillo, David Carlin, Gretchen Coombs, Leah Li, Linda Daley, Rose Michael, Peta Murray, Stefanie Markidis","title":"Voice, Ethics and Power in Writing and Publishing","description":"This theme looks at how dynamics of power play out across bodies, time, narratives and institutions. Its focus is on ethical relations and how these may form the basis for socially grounded creative practices. Through practice-based and allied creative methods, it asks how stories come to matter: whose stories, what stories, how stories are shaped, framed and circulated. It invites critical engagement with theories of difference and relationality, including Indigenous, feminist, queer, critical race, decolonial theory and posthumanist theory. Equally, it is open to the bending of genres to explore transgressive and performative contours and cartographies. The theme invites and implicates diverse modes of creative practice, including the essayistic, poetic, performative and fictional","sdg":"5, 16","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1904, 2005"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Media & Communication","discipline":"Writing & Publishing, Media","programcode":"MR 211\/ DR211","campus":"Melbourne City; PRS Asia","teamleader":"Brigid Magner, Polly Stanton, Olivia Guntarik, Rebecca Hill, Rachel Wilson, Bonny Cassidy, Leah Li, Adrian Danks, Linda Daley, Rose Michael, Peta Murray","title":"Place, Location, Sovereignties and the Transnational","description":"This theme aims to explore the possibilities of place, belonging, language and the transnational, including Indigenous language revival and maintenance, through literary, screen and other creative works. Questions include: how can creative writing, screen and sound, and allied literary and creative practices, be used explore the complex relationships between place and sovereignty? How do place-stories and mediations contribute to a shared sense of identity, and how might they work to recalibrate settler-Indigenous relations? How do creative works authored by Indigenous writers and media-makers articulate and perform sovereignty? And how can literary\/screen\/sound practice transform how geographic places are experienced and defined?","sdg":"11, 15","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"1902, 1904, 2005"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard, Michelle Turner, Rita Peihua Zhang, Chenjunyan Sun, Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Mental health and wellbeing in construction","description":"There is a well-established and compelling evidence base showing that job-related characteristics in construction impact on the short- and long-term mental health of the workforce. The industry has high levels of burnout and construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than as the result of a work-related accident.\n\nThe RMIT Construction Work Health and Safety @ RMIT team has a strong track record in undertaking research into ways to protect and improve construction workers\u2019 mental health.\n\nThis work involves looking at ways to \n\u2022\tdesign work to reduce psychosocial risk, and well as\n\u2022\tcreate good quality jobs that enable workers to flourish\n\nGiven the implementation of psychological health regulations in many Australian jurisdictions and the growing interest in this topic, we welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area.\n","sdg":"[\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330205\tBuilding organisational studies"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rajagopala, Mary Myla Andamon, Andrew Carre","title":"Urban microclimate","description":"Climate change is significantly impacting cities and those who live and work within them. Hot temperatures are experienced more often and the risk of more frequent heatwaves and longer periods of extreme conditions are predicted to increase significantly over the next few decades. The impacts of heatwaves and extreme hot days are on public health, mortality rates, productivity, energy demand, economy and infrastructure. \n\nResearch topics under this area of focus include: Urban heat island and mitigation studies, outdoor thermal comfort, cooling interventions such as use of urban greenery, cool materials, shading etc. Research methods range from field measurements, surveys, micro-scale and meso-scale climate modelling and simulations, statistical analyses of collected data.\n\nProspective research candidates are expected to have experience and basic or intermediate level of proficiency in one or more of the research methods.\n","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":""},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Mary Myla Andamon, Priya Rajagopalan, Jin Woo, Andrew Carre, Nigel Goodman, Matthew Francis","title":"Building Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)","description":"Buildings are major investments, not only during the design and construction stage but across their service lives with on-going operation and maintenance. Building owners and occupants are increasingly invested in maintaining adequate building indoor environmental quality that is acceptable and appropriate for intended occupants. IEQ issues have particularly risen on the agenda for governments and broadly, civil society due to concerns that changes to building design to adapt to the expected effects of climate change will have adverse implications on indoor environmental conditions. Achieving occupant comfort have consequent benefits to health, wellbeing, and consequently occupant performance and productivity.\n\nIEQ topics for research include thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation, lighting comfort\/visual quality and acoustic comfort across residential, commercial and institutional occupancies. Research methods range from on-site measurements, occupant survey, post-occupancy evaluation (POE), IEQ modelling and simulations, statistical analyses of collected data.\n\nProspective research candidates are expected to have experience and basic or intermediate level of proficiency in one or more of the IEQ research methods.","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330206 Building science, technologies and systems\n330203 Building industry studies\n330299 Building not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Won, Sarah Holdsworth, Ron Wakefield, Eric Too, Bambang Trigunarsyah, David Oswald, Pauline Teo, Sajani Jayasuriya, Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige, Vijay Rangrej, Tayyab Maqsood, Alireza Ahankoob, Behzad Abbasnejad","title":"Construction operational and dispute managements","description":"This area of focus addresses a wide range of challenges towards achieving automation in construction and the associated new wave of procurement and contract management reform. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), Modulation in Construction (MiC), offsite manufacturing, machine learning for automation in different forms of construction projects, contract administration reforms and new approaches for related disputes avoidance and resolution.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201 Automation and technology in building and construction\n330202 Building construction management and project planning\n330203 Building industry studies\n330205 Building organisational studies\n330207 Quantity surveying"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sarah Holdsworth, Michelle Turner, Orana Sandri, Rita Zhang, Mary Myla Andamon","title":"Women in construction","description":"This team helps devise policies that aim to increase training and employment opportunities for women. They established an evidence base informed by the voices of women in trade and semi-skilled roles to inform targeted interventions aimed at improving gender equality in construction. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in enhancing the apprenticeship and traineeship programs for women in construction and building equality through the social procurement framework","sdg":"[\"4 - Quality Education\",\"5 - Gender Equality\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"330203 Building industry studies\n330299 Building not elsewhere classified\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Pauline Te, Sajani Jayasuriya, Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige, Peter SP Wong, Akvan Gajanayake","title":"Life cycle assessment for construction developments","description":"With the global trend of including Life cycle assessment has part of the mandatory requirements for every construction development, we courage students to contribute to this area of focus through developing carbon accounting solutions, supply and value chain management, evaluating the employment impacts and establishing business cases for social housing and infrastructure.","sdg":"[\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330202 Building construction management and project planning\n330203 Building industry studies\n330207 Quantity surveying"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Won, Ron Wakefield, Guillermo Aranda-Mena, Alireza Ahankoob, Behzad Abbasnejad, Tayyab Maqsood","title":"Immersive (AR\/VR\/MR) technology and Building Information Modelling (BIM)","description":"Build on the direction of Industry 4.0, connectivity technologies for real-time decision-making are no longer the vision but mission that must be accomplished. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in virtual\/augmented\/mixed reality and their integration to Building Information Modelling. Studies focused on the use of immersive technology and multi-dimensional applications of BIM for data analysis in construction operations, project management and professional trainings.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201 Automation and technology in building and construction\n330204 Building information modelling and management"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ron Wakefield, Guillermo Aranda-Mena, Sajani Jayasuriya, Matthew Francis,  Gavin Liu, Tom Simko","title":"Solar Energy Enabled Building\/ Community\/Urban Decarbonization","description":"Prospective students are encouraged to apply and propose their PhD research projects in both building scale and urban scale of solar energy studies. Potential research topics include Building integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and its product performance (for e.g. fire safety and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient), Solar application design modelling, simulation and optimization, Technical feasibility and economic viability, virtual power plant, geospatial mapping and deep learning.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201 Automation and technology in building\n330206 Building science, technologies and systems"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Frank Boukamp, Ali Zolghadr, Guinevere Gilbert, Tayyab Maqsood, Salman Shooshtarian, Omid Haass, Tiendung Le","title":"AI applications in Project Management","description":"As the focus on and adoption of AI continues to grow, projects will increasingly depend on AI applications to ensure timely completion, meet accepted quality standards, and stay within budget. Prospective students are encouraged to propose PhD projects investigating the use of AI across various facets of project management, including planning, scheduling, monitoring, quality control, risk management, communication, and procurement. The supervisory team is highly capable and has an excellent reputation for supervising doctoral students to completion.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330202 Building construction management and project planning\n330203 Building industry studies\n330299 Building not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azizur Rahman","title":"Tools and techniques for reducing ergonomic risks through biopsychosocial evaluation","description":"Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary field that integrates knowledge from various disciplines such as biomechanics, psychology, and sociology to optimize human well-being and system performance. In recent years, the focus on reducing ergonomic risks has expanded beyond the physical aspects to include psychological and social factors, giving rise to the biopsychosocial model. This model emphasizes the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in assessing and mitigating ergonomic risks, particularly in the workplace. Effective risk evaluation tools and techniques are crucial for identifying potential hazards and implementing appropriate interventions that contribute to the overall well-being of individuals and the sustainability of work systems.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"330307 Ergonomics (60%) 420701 Biomechanics (40%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Azizur Rahman","title":"Ergonomic Design and Development of Orthoses: A Pathway to Enhancing Mobility","description":"This PhD research project aims to develop orthoses by focusing on the ergonomic design and development. Through the application of cutting-edge technologies in industry 4.0 and 5.0 alongside comprehensive biomechanical assessments, this project seeks to create an orthosis that not only addresses the physical demands of the condition but also prioritizes the comfort and mobility of the users. By emphasizing ergonomics, the project endeavours to produce orthoses that are highly adaptable, allowing for custom adjustments to accommodate various degrees of freedom and ensuring a snug, comfortable fit for purpose. This project's main goal is to make a special kind of orthoses that's more comfortable and works better for the users who have a hard time moving their lower limbs the right way because of a specific condition.\r\n\r\nThe project will address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, including Good Health and Well-being, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequalities.\r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will work with industry partners (subject to availability) to identify specific use cases and requirements for the development of the ergonomic orthosis. The project will involve the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the prototype in real-world settings. The PhD candidate will also be expected to conduct research on relevant theories and models related to Industry 4.0 technologies, ergonomics, and human factors.\r\n\r\nThe expected outcome of the project is orthoses that are effective, efficient, and user-friendly, with the potential to improve safety, and inclusivity of people from different ages.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"330307    Ergonomics design (40%)\n420701        Biomechanics (40%) \n350507        Workplace wellbeing and quality of working life (20%)\n"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Oswald, Helen Lingard, Rita Zhang, Payam Pirzadeh","title":"A Framework for Improving Safety Performance of Construction Projects based on the Interaction of Lean Construction and BIM","description":"The construction industry's safety performance continues to be a problem across the world. There is a need for more innovative ways to reduce accidents and injury. This research explores the integration of Lean construction principles and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve safety performance in construction. While Lean construction and BIM can affect safety performance independently, it is hypothesized that to reach maximum safety potential, the application of Lean construction and BIM should be considered in an integrated way. There is a lack of research evidence on the interaction and integration of Lean construction and BIM for improving construction safety performance. Further research is required to bridge this knowledge gap, which is the focus of this study. This research aims to investigate the feasibility of integrating Lean construction and BIM to improve construction safety in Australia and to develop a framework featuring the interaction of lean construction and BIM from the perspective of improving construction safety. This research uses a mixed methods approach, including systematic literature review, case studies, survey, and framework development and validation. The results of this study can increase the understanding of construction practitioners about the significance of integrating lean construction and BIM for safety improvement. This innovative approach could identify a novel approach for improving construction safety practice and advancing theoretical understanding into reducing accidents in the construction industry.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Wong, Guillermo Aranda Mena, Rebecca Yang, Ron Wakefield","title":"Automation in Construction","description":"The vision of Industry 5.0 has prompted the construction sector to rethink how their practice can better align with the advanced technology to reduce the reliance on labour and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of project delivery. This project aims to devise pragmatic solutions to foster automation in construction designs and operations. It covers the implementation of technologies and concepts including Building Information Modelling (BIM), robotics, immersive technology, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), and digital twins. This involves a review of the current practice, an exploration the new approaches, and the development of the best practice guides to foster a sector-wide reform.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330201"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Pauline Teo, Helen Lingard, Rita Zhang, Peter Wong","title":"Mitigating Safety and Rework Incidents in Construction","description":"For several decades, rework and safety incidents are pervasive and recurring problems in construction projects (e.g., Love et al., 2016). Recent research undertaken revealed a significant positive relationship exists between quality and safety performance (Teo and Love, 2017).\nThe adverse consequences of rework have been widely reported, including damage to reputation, loss of productivity, and reduced profitability. Quality failure costs have been reported ranging from less than 1 to over 20% of a project\u2019s original contract value (e.g., Love et al., 2018).\nThe pursuit of an incident- and injury-free workplace remains an ongoing challenge even though considerable effort has been made to ensure the safety of workers. Several issues consistently contribute to this scenario including an organization\u2019s ineffective safety climate and culture, its poor absorptive capacity and an inability to subsequently learn, and the adverse behaviour of individuals.\nAnecdotally, it has been observed that the underlying conditions that contribute to the occurrence of rework in construction projects have been recognized as the main contributors to safety incidents (Love et al., 2016). However, many contracting organizations treat rework as part of normal operations and not does focus on this symbiotic relationship or are simply ignored. Love and Teo (2017) have found that workplace injuries and accidents are more likely to occur while rectification works are being performed. If rework can be reduced, then significant improvements in safety performance can be achieved.\nThis research will provide construction organizations with the understanding, knowledge and context that is needed to mitigate rework and develop safety performance indicators to ensure projects are delivered in accordance with pre-determined objectives.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;3 - Good Health and Wellbeing;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Oswald, Trivess Moore","title":"The construction cladding crisis","description":"The Australian construction boom in high density residential building has put significant pressure on the industry to deliver high-quality products on time and safely. The acceleration in construction has led to new building techniques, higher resourcing requirements and policy changes to keep up with demand. This has led to a culture of significant building defects estimated to have affected most new residential buildings. Inappropriate cladding is a major defect that can detected in new medium and high-density buildings. In 2017, combustible cladding fueled the Grenfell tower fire in the UK that killed 72 people. The combustible cladding has also led to fires in Australia and overseas; with Australian authorities acting to ban such cladding. Years on from the Grenfell disaster, there is ongoing tension between policymakers, the building industry and owners about how to resolve the problem of combustible cladding. This PhD project would explore the manifestation of how defects have occurred within new residential buildings, with a focus on combustible cladding. It is envisioned a qualitative approach to the problem will be undertaken with use of interviews, observations and relevant documentation as data. The project will provide a contribution to knowledge by providing insights into the construction cladding crisis in Australia. This could help inform future construction policy and practice in order to avoid this issue recurring and to potentially save lives of the general public who are at risk living within unsafe buildings.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Christina Scott-young, Ken Farnes, Guinevere Gilbert, Tayyab Maqsood","title":"Resilient Transformation of Eary Career Project Management professionals","description":"Project management is an exciting and rewarding career, but projects can be demanding. Unexpected challenges and stresses can leave project managers and their teams feeling overburdened, overworked, or even burnt out. Burnout is a state of physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion caused by chronic stress. The COVID pandemic has brought additional stresses, disrupting conventional ways of working, adversely impacting physical and mental health, and causing social disconnection in teams. In this volatile environment, burnout is a real risk for project practitioners. Project managers and their teams need transformative ways to manage their stress. One effective strategy is to focus on building both personal and team resilience that allow them to withstand and bounce back from workplace stresses and to overcome the threat of burnout. This research project will explore i.) the major stressors that project managers and their teams experience individually and collectively, and ii.) identify the effective strategies that leaders, teams and individuals use to build their resilience, transforming them both individually and as a team. This project can be adapted to the research candidate\u2019s particular interests, and can be conducted using mixed methods, or by adopting either a quantitative or a qualitative research approach.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation, Social change","forcodes":"330205"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Omid Haass, Frank Boukamp, Tiendung Le, Tayyab Maqsood","title":"Application of IOTs within Australian Construction Industry","description":"IoT, or The internet of Things, describes a series of interrelated devices with unique identifiers, which can interconnect, interact and exchange data. These devices operate autonomously - without a requirement for human intervention - and therefore project the appearance of being self-aware, and able to make decisions. The Australian Construction Industry may potentially realise significant cost savings and improved safety levels if it were to utilise and leverage some of the benefits which this technology offers. The focus of this project will be primarily to evaluate the existing body of research, with a view to bring together varying approaches and findings. These will in turn inform findings, which will aim to provide quantitative data to make a compelling case for the adoption of these technologies into the Australian Construction Industry. The Project will include analyses of recent findings and data, to ensure applicability to the Australian context. This will be evaluated against any relevant data sets from international sources, to compare and contrast divergent trends to argue the case for, or against, the adoption of this relatively recent technology.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tayyab Maqsood, Tiendung Le, Farshid Rahmani, Salman Shooshtarian","title":"Framework and business case for developing a market place for selling and buying Construction and Demolition waste","description":"Construction and demolition waste is an ever growing problem in Australia. Landfill sites across Australia are at capacity. The Australian Government has been discouraging dumping waste in landfills by increasing levies on waste going to landfill and encouraging reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste.\nHowever, the definitions pertaining to classes of waste and the levies are not consistent across different states in Australia. There are different economic factors pertinent to a certain state that are at play which determines this levy in that state. The type of construction and demolition waste also depends on the nature of the industry. The project would focus on the waste generated by residential, commercial, rail and road infrastructure. With advances in technology, it is now possible to develop a platform that could encourage buying and selling of construction and demolition waste across different industries and across different states.\nThis project seeks to develop a framework and a business case underpinning the development of this trading platform. Using JIT (Just in Time) principles, buyers and sellers would be able engage in on-line transactions and be able to buy or sell the construction and demolition waste at various locations in a timely manner.","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; 12-Responsible consumption and production","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures\/Social Change","forcodes":"330202"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Effective measurement and management of health and safety performance on major construction projects","description":"Measurement of health and safety performance provides necessary information for proactive management of health and safety. Successful performance measurement requires developing and deploying valid and reliable indicators that provide useful information about the effectiveness and efficiency of health and safety management activities. \n\nThis work takes a holistic view on measurement and management of health and safety performance in construction. It will involve understanding and mapping the processes of health and safety performance measurement on multi-organisational major construction projects, identifying what combinations of indicators provide useful information for the management of health and safety performance at different project stages, and how this information is utilised during organisational decision-making","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"4 - Quality Education\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh, Rita Peihua Zhang","title":"Simplifying occupational\/work health and safety management systems","description":"Workplace safety management systems have been described as being overly bureaucratic, paper-based systems in which there is a great deal of duplication and inefficiency. Activities or paperwork that take time and resources but that are perceived to have no benefits in terms of safety risk reduction have been termed 'safety clutter' (Rae et al. 2018). This research will explore the perceptions of key stakeholders in the Australian construction industry about what activities are safety clutter, why and how safety clutter comes about, and whether they think that processes or documents could be eliminated, simplified or modified to reduce safety clutter. \n\nThe work will involve an experimental stage in which activities agreed to be clutter (by all stakeholders) will be simplified.\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"4 - Quality Education\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Robotics and work health and safety in construction","description":"Distinguished Professor Helen Lingard and Dr Payam Pirzadeh are part of a new ARC Research Hub for Human-Robot Teaming for Sustainable and Resilient Construction\u2019. \n\nThis new research hub and will improve resilience and sustainability by providing fundamental science, technology and socio-technical frameworks for intelligent robots and humans to work synergistically and safely toward shared goals in construction.\n\nThe work of the Hub will fall within 4 themes, each with its own research questions to answer: Technology, People, Business and Quality.\n \nRMIT will co-lead the \u2018People\u2019 research theme, which will explore:\n1. how the productivity and performance of the construction industry can be improved while considering the needs of the workforce, such as human preferences, human safety, and wellbeing \n2. how human-robot teaming (HRT) can improve work design for reduced risk of injuries and mental health impacts, and\n3. how HRT can improve diversity in the construction workforce, e.g. increasing the attraction of women and retention of older workers.\n\nWe welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area.\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330201\tAutomation and technology in building and construction \n330203\tBuilding industry studies\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard,  Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Climate change and construction workers\u2019 health and safety","description":"The Lancet Climate Change Countdown estimated that extreme heat exposure led to 295 billion hours of work lost globally, equal to approximately 88 working hours lost per employee per year. In Australia, outdoor workers (including construction workers) are at increased risk of work-related injuries during hot weather. In the context of climate change the health and safety of outdoor workers is an important emerging issue requiring research.\n\nWe welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area\n","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard, Michelle Turner, Rita Peihua Zhang","title":"Work health and safety of women in construction","description":"Government policies in Australian jurisdictions seek to encourage more women into construction industry roles \u2013 and even require construction companies to meet targets for women\u2019s participation as a condition of tendering for government-funded construction work.\n\nHowever, women in construction report experiencing significant work health and safety risks when working in construction-based roles, for example, exposure to gender-based violence (including sexual harassment) and exposure to chemicals and hazardous substances that can affect reproductive health. Women are often impacted by work tools and personal protective equipment that are designed for men and not suitable for women\u2019s biometric characteristics. \n\nIf more women are to be recruited into construction industry jobs it is important workplaces, systems of work and equipment are safe and healthy for women.\n\nWe welcome Higher Degree by Research student enquires in this subject area.\n","sdg":"[\"5 - Gender Equality\",\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"4 - Quality Education\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330203\tBuilding industry studies\n330299\tBuilding not elsewhere classified\n350505\tOccupational and workplace health and safety"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Property","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rebecca Leshinsky and Bambang Trigunarsyah","title":"Restitution for missing property - art, objects and land - consequent of genocide, war, natural disasters","description":"PhD and Masters by thesis opportunities for students interested in examining the socio-legal and economic ramifications for when property goes missing during war, genocide or man-made\/natural disasters. After these events, there may be a misalignment of ownership and possession of art, objects (chattels) or even land. It may be contentious as to whether such property was sold, abandoned, stolen and so on. These are uncomfortable conversations at the national and international levels. There are international treaties to be considered, sometimes local laws, as well as many lessons to be learnt from the horrific experiences from the Shoah (Holocaust), Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as earthquakes, tsunamis and other impactful man-made\/natural disaster events. These terrible experiences have advanced this area of enquiry but there is still much more knowledge to be acquired on the socio-legal and economic issues as they relate to genocide, war, man-made\/natural disasters. ","sdg":"17 - Partnerships for the Goals, 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions, 10 - Reduced Inequalities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"3302"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Construction Management","programcode":"MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard","title":"Exploring the role of AI technology in creating safe systems of work in relation to people and mobile plant in construction projects","description":"Managing the interface between people and moving plant\/machinery is a serious safety issue in the construction industry. Collisions between people and plant can result in fatalities or life-changing injuries. Despite the implementation of a range of control measures, e.g. physical barriers, measures for safe vehicle movement etc, incidents involving people and plant interactions still occur. McConnell Dowell is sponsoring a Masters by Research project to examine the potential for AI technology to be used in the development of safe systems of work in relation to the use of mobile plant in the construction industry. AI collision avoidance systems are being used in some construction workplaces. These systems can prevent incidents in real-time by detecting people close to moving plant and providing warnings, or triggering autonomous braking systems. AI systems also support the collection data regarding people and plant movements that can be mined and used for future planning and prevention actions. The project will involve working with construction companies, including McConnell Dowell, to understand how effective these systems are in preventing people and plant interaction incidents in construction projects.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"330202 (50%) \n350505 (50%)."},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Project management","programcode":"MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Helen Lingard, Payam Pirzadeh","title":"Analysis of multi-level causes of high potential safety incidents in the Australian construction industry","description":"The project will apply complex systems theory-based models to understand the factors contributing to high potential safety incidents in the construction industry to inform effective risk control and prevention. \nHigh potential incidents (such as objects falling from height) are those that, in other circumstances, could have resulted in one or more fatality or someone sustaining life-changing injuries Though infrequent, when these incidents occur, it is critically important to understand what caused them in order to develop more effective risk controls and prevention strategies. The project will analyse data (made available through Multiplex Australasia) and apply systems theory-based models to map the factors contributing to high potential incidents at multiple levels (e.g. immediate incident circumstances, project factors and broader industry factors). The analysis will produce critical evidence to inform prevention of work-related death and serious injury in the construction industry. The student will be supervised by RMIT Distinguished Professor Helen Lingard and Dr Payam Pirzadeh and expert advice will be provided by industry construction health and safety experts, Mr Paul Breslin (OHS&E Manager, Construction & Development, Multiplex Australasia) and Dr Dennis Else (ESG Chair, Multiplex Global).","sdg":"8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2025","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"330203 Building industry studies (50%) ; 420604 Injury prevention (50%)"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Property","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rebecca Leshinski, Judith Callanan, Chris Eves, Kwabena Mintah","title":"Technology innovations and their impact and disruption in the property and Built Environment sectors","description":"This project aims to explore the extent, value, cost and disruptive impact of new and future technological innovations in the various sectors of the property industry. The project will also investigate a range of operational aspects within the property sector that are now or in the future will be influenced by Big Data, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. It is intended that the research project will contribute to the advancement of knowledge to answer the how\u2019s and why\u2019s behind adoption and failure of adoption of technical innovations and digital transformation in the property sector","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies, Informations and systems","forcodes":"330299"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Property","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Karien Dekker, Judith Callanan, Andrea Sharam","title":"Social and Affordable housing in Australia","description":"Melbourne and Sydney are among the least affordable cities in the world when it comes to housing. A large majority of low income households in the private rental sector are experiencing housing stress \u2013meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. This is occurring at a time of historical under-investment in social and affordable housing. Housing price inflation has also contributed to declining home ownership rates, particularly among first home buyers. There is broad agreement that that low-income households require assistance, but no coherent, sustained policy strategy to address this need. Declining housing affordability is of intense public interest, but its causes and the preferred solutions are highly contested. To increase access to, and quality of social and affordable housing, many obstacles are to be overcome. A few examples: \u2022 Land values have been inflated by competition for centrally located sites and permissive planning schemes \u2022 Most public funding goes to existing home owners \u2022 Existing residents protest the development of housing in their neighbourhood \u2022 The taxation system encourages property speculation \u2022 And multi-residential construction costs are high. We invite HDR proposals that investigate one or more of the following topics: \u2022 Underlying causes of the lack of affordable housing (planning processes; financial, economic, policy and political issues) \u2022 Underlying causes of inadequate housing supply for low to middle income households (financial, economic, policy and political issues) \u2022 Effectiveness of measures to improve the quality and cost of housing (design, environmental sustainability, materials, construction processes \u2022 Innovative approaches to solving Australia\u2019s affordable housing problem","sdg":"10- Reduced inequalities; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities ;9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures\/Social Change","forcodes":"330299"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Priya Rajagopalan, Mary Myla Andamon, Jin Woo, Nicola Willand","title":"Strategies for energy efficient housing in Australia under changing climates","description":"This project will explore the impacts of climate change on energy consumption and thermal comfort of residential buildings in Australia under a various climate change scenarios. The candidate will work with leading sustainability scientists at RMIT and CSIRO, using cutting edge numerical simulation tools and experimental data to help deliver the next generation of efficient and healthy residential building designs for Australia. The key objectives of the research project are as follows: \u2022Using simulation tools, determine the impacts of climate change on the energy consumption and potential for summer overheating of typical residential buildings under various Australian climate conditions;\n\u2022Identify the potential measures for reducing overheating of highly energy efficient Australian residential buildings under current and future climates; and\n\u2022Use these findings to develop strategies to help governments and industry deliver the next generation of efficient, healthy new and retro-fitted buildings to improve performance under current and future warming climates.","sdg":"7-Affordable and clean energy; 9-Industry, Innovation and Infratsructure; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies, Informations and systems","forcodes":"330206"},{"college":"Design and Social Context","school":"Property, Construction and Project Management","discipline":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","programcode":"DR212 \/ MR212","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicola Willand, Nigel Goodman, Priya Rajagopalan, Jin Woo","title":"Indoor air quality in apartment buildings","description":"In the context of the trajectory to highly energy efficient dwellings and the trend towards higher density urban living in Australia, this Area of Focus addresses the nexus of lack of understanding of exposure to chemical pollutants in higher density housing.\nExposure to chemical pollution in housing is a function of material qualities of the dwelling, householder practices and the outdoor environment. Chemical air pollutants have indoor and outdoor origins. Indoor exposure may come from building materials, smoking, cooking or cleaning. Outdoor exposure may be linked to traffic fumes, industrial sites or bush fires. Exposure to indoor air pollutants can be minimised by source control, removal at point of release (e.g. exhaust over stove), natural and mechanical ventilation and air purification. Although exposure to indoor pollutants is ubiquitous, there is concern that exposure may be increased in 1. highly energy efficient housing, because of its increased air tightness, and 2. In higher density housing, as apartments tend to have fewer opportunities for natural ventilation, exposure may happen in common areas and there may be involuntary air exchange between dwelling units or across balconies.\nIn the context of National Construction Code moving towards higher energy efficiency and more stringent mechanical ventilation requirements, more knowledge is needed on the following topics to ensure householder health and wellbeing:\n\u2022 Interaction between dwelling quality, householder practices, indoor air quality and health outcomes;\n\u2022 Perspectives and practices of building professionals around building materials, air tightness and ventilation.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing; 7-Affordable and clean energy; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Systems and Technologies","forcodes":"330206"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dorian Notman, Jose Silva, Chrystal Zhang","title":"Investigating the implementation opportunities of Advanced\/Alternative Air Mobility for delivering logistics support to remote and regional communities","description":"Logistics distribution in urban and densely populated areas can be optimised to enhance efficiencies while giving customers high levels of product availability at low overall transportation costs. However, as the distribution network moves away from these areas of high demand, the traditional models start to struggle with the extra operations costs and delivery lead times, issues that are passed on to the consumers in these areas. In areas classed as regional and remote (approximately 90% of Australia), these extra costs and limitations of product availability can lead to food scarcity and to economic disadvantage, factors that can significantly increase social disadvantage. Similarly, such regional and remote areas are particularly vulnerable to the negative impact of extreme weather, bushfires and the effects of global warming on traditional road-based operations. \n\nThis project seeks to identify the role that Advanced\/Alternative Air Mobility could play in increasing the security and resilience of consumer product supply to remote and regional communities. As part of this, the air systems, air operations, and ground infrastructure aspects of these implementations will be modelled to better understand the specific configuration of systems needed to meet the supply needs to these disadvantaged communities.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350901 air transportation and freight services (50%)\n400199 aerospace engineering not elsewhere classified (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","programcode":"DR215\/DR215P23 PhD (Aerospace Eng)","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dorian Notman, Jose Silva, Chrystal Zhang","title":"Investigating operations safety in emerging Advanced Air Mobility ground infrastructure environments","description":"Advanced Air Mobility is a developing field of aerospace engineering research, most of which has focussed on the development of the air systems and air traffic management technologies. However, as these systems mature to the point of certification and introduction, there is a need to evaluate and develop flexible ground infrastructures that support these systems in operation. Traditional airport ground operations safety has been identified as a topic requiring further research and the design and management of ground operations in the AAM field is even less developed and understood. \n\nThis project seeks to identify how these new systems can be safely supported by integrated infrastructure on the ground and whether traditional methods of ground operations safety management can be applied in the distributed AAM Vertiport environment of the near future. Without such research there is the significant risk that AAM ground operations may evolve in a manner that focusses on efficiency at the expense of safety. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2027-12-31","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"350901 Air Transportation and freight services (50%)\n400199 Aerospace engineering not elsewhere classified (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation (Engineering)","programcode":"DR215","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Michael Jones, Simon Barter","title":"Durability of Hybrid Airframe Structures","description":"Modern combat aircraft typically employ composite skins over metallic sub-structures where the mehanical performance of this hybrid structure has not been fully characterised. This project will investigate durability and damage tolerance problems that can develop with the adoption of composite\/metallic hybrid structures for defence applications. Tasks will include the design and manufacture of a test rig capable of testing large hybrid structures as well as develop analytical models that can predict durability short falls in such structures. Correlation of experimental results, analytical methods and fleet findings will enhance the capability of the Royal Australian Air Force and other fleet operators to safely and efficiently ensure continued airworthiness of combat aircraft.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"\"400101 Aerospace materials (50%)\n400102 Aerospace structures (50%)\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation (Engineering)","programcode":"DR215","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Alberto Bernabeo, Lin Tian, Nhan Nguyen, Associate Lecturer\u2022 Undergraduate & Postgraduate, SBM\/ RMIT Vietnam","title":"Air Quality pollution monitoring, including landfills","description":"The ability to remotely detect and map chemical pollution in open air environments is a topic of significant interest to both defence and civilian communities with regard to environment, health and safety aspects of everyday life. \r\nIn this project we propose:\r\nObjective n.1: a multitasking experimental approach based on the integrated use of remote sensing, aerosol sampling and chemical speciation together with the use of drones\/tethered balloons equipped with aerosol sensors aimed at providing all the information which so far have been collected partially. \r\nObjective n.2: The study will also collect information about the 3D distribution of all the aerosol properties described before with the aim of determining and helping the vertical resolution of data from remote sensing.\r\nObjective n.3: The project will include the testing of aerosol probes aimed at producing aerosol size distribution useful firstly for the research purposes and secondly, but not secondarily, in an attempt of devising the potential for an application as a new on-board instrumentation to integrate flight safety equipment on commercial aviation airplanes.\r\nThe consequences of climate change (UNSDG 13. Climate Action) and weather conditions associated with industrial\/fossile fuels emissions for the transport sector have received relatively little attention. Still, it is widely known that transport systems on the whole perform worse under adverse and extreme weather conditions. This is especially true in densely populated regions, such as many coastal areas around the globe such as in Vietnam, where one single event may lead to a chain of reactions that influence large parts of the transport system. In terms of Sustainable Development, SBM will contribute collecting and sharing the data of the 18 Air Visual Air Quality Monitors installed around Ho Chi Minh City.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"330413\tUrban planning and health\r\n379901\tEarth system sciences\r\n410599\tPollution and contamination not elsewhere classified \r\n059999\tEnvironmental Sciences not elsewhere classified\r\n370199\tAtmospheric sciences not elsewhere classified\r\n401101\tAir pollution modelling and control\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ryan Kelly","title":"Designing Digital Technology to Enhance Human Wellbeing","description":"This PhD project explores the intersection of technology and human experience, focusing on innovative approaches to designing digital technologies that promote psychological, social, and physical wellness across different life stages and contexts.\n\nResearch Focus Areas\n- Human-Centred AI for Supporting Relationships and Social Connection\n- Technology Design for and with Older Adults\n- Immersive Technology for Digital Health\n\nMethodology\nProjects will employ methods including:\n- Critical analysis of existing academic literature, potentially including a systematic literature review\n- Interviews, questionnaires and participatory design workshops\n- Design and development of novel technology prototypes\n- Evaluation of prototypes through qualitative and quantitative methods\n\nExpected Outcomes\n- Innovative technological prototypes addressing wellbeing challenges\n- Theoretical frameworks for designing empathetic, human-centred technologies\n- Evidence-based guidelines for developing digital technologies\n\nCandidate Requirements\n- Strong Bachelors \/ Honours degree or Masters in Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Media, Psychology, Design, Computer Science, or a related discipline\n- Demonstrated interest in technology's potential to support human wellbeing\n- Strong human-centred thinking and research skills\n- Excellent communication skills, including in written work\n- Creativity and passion for designing transformative technological solutions\n\nThis project will be based in the School of Computing Technologies, offering opportunities for cutting-edge research and potential industry collaborations.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities \",\"16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Insitutions\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/3\/2028","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460803 Collaborative and social computing (50%) \n460806 Human-computer interaction (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Data Science ","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jenny Zhang","title":"Building an Aussie Information Recommendation System You Can Trust","description":"This project aims to address the escalating public distrust in online media platforms arising from misinformation, compromised user privacy, echo chambers, and community bias. Collaborating with a well-established Australian online media platform, the project expects to build Australia's inaugural trustworthy information recommender system by spearheading the design and development of cutting-edge misinformation filters, user-controlled privacy protection mechanisms, diversity-aware information recall algorithms, and community fairness-enhanced ranking algorithms. These technology advancements will seamlessly integrate into online media platforms to create a more reliable information dissemination environment and foster public trust.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460510 - Recommender systems (40%)\n460501 - Data engineering and data science (30%)\n460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Computing Technologies","discipline":"Interaction, Technology and Information","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ronny Andrade Parra","title":"How do mixed-ability gamers (gamers with and without disabilities) interact?","description":"With an estimate 3.24 billion gamers worldwide, videogames have become a cultural phenomenon. However, barriers to accessing video games still exist for people with disability. With about 15% of Australians aged 15-64 having a disability, it is crucial to understand how they engage with videogames, especially as games have been found to foster social connectedness [2].\n\nWhile existing literature has explored the experience of gamers who are blind, are neurodivergent, or have physical disabilities in isolation, less is known about the social aspects of gaming, especially in relation to mixed-ability gaming [1]. In this project, you will design, implement and study novel interaction approaches to foster social connectedness and encourage mixed ability gaming across gamers with and without disability, with a focus on how technology impacts in-game socialisation.\n\nReferences:\n[1] Gon\u00e7alves, D., Rodrigues, A., Richardson, M. L., De Sousa, A. A., Proulx, M. J., & Guerreiro, T. (2021, May). Exploring asymmetric roles in mixed-ability gaming. In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-14). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3411764.3445494 \n\n[2] Vella, K., Klarkowski, M., Turkay, S., & Johnson, D. (2019). Making friends in online games: gender differences and designing for greater social connectedness. Behaviour & Information Technology, 39(8), 917\u2013934. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/0144929X.2019.1625442 ","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/9\/2025","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460801\tAccessible computing (40%)\n460703\tEntertainment and gaming (30%)\n460708\tVirtual and mixed reality (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vasileios Stavropoulos, Bruno Schivinski","title":"Unravelling the Impact of Privacy Violations and Digital Media Use on Teen Mental Health","description":"Background: The pervasive use of digital media among teenagers has led to a surge in privacy breaches, including online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft, all of which are taking a toll on their mental health. This project aims to delve into how these violations contribute to mental health challenges in teens who are heavily engaged with digital media, drawing on rich data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.\r\nAims: This study seeks to uncover the specific mental health impacts of privacy violations on teenagers immersed in digital media. By tapping into the extensive ABCD dataset, the research will pinpoint the critical factors that intensify these mental health issues, offering a nuanced understanding of this growing concern.\r\nMethods: Utilizing cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, this research will analyze the ABCD data to detect patterns and relationships between privacy breaches in digital media and negative mental health outcomes in adolescents. The focus will be on identifying the influence of online harassment, data exploitation, and identity theft.\r\nSignificance: The insights gained from this study will pave the way for the creation of targeted interventions designed to foster safer digital media practices and enhance mental health support for teenagers. By addressing a pressing issue in today\u2019s digital landscape, this research has the potential to drive significant change. Additionally, a 90-day internship secured through CatholicCare Victoria will allow these findings to be implemented in real-world settings, ensuring that the research translates into tangible community benefits.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"\u2022\t450410 and 60% allocation\r\n\u2022\t450714 and 30% allocation\r\n\u2022\t460206 and 10% allocation\r\n\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Computer Science","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nalin Arachchilage, Vasileios Stavropoulos SHBS,\r\nBruno Schivinski DSC","title":"Research Project Proposal: Online Privacy, Mental Health, and Gaming Addiction Among Australian Teenagers","description":"Objective: This research project aims to investigate the intersection of online privacy risks and the mental health impacts of online gaming disorders or addictions among Australian teenagers. Specifically, it will explore how privacy vulnerabilities in online gaming environments contribute to the development or exacerbation of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors.\r\n\r\nBackground: With the increasing popularity of online gaming among teenagers, concerns have grown regarding the potential risks associated with excessive gaming and the lack of privacy protections on gaming platforms. The interplay between these factors is not well understood, particularly in the context of Australian youth.\r\n\r\nData Sources: The study will utilize data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) and the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC). These datasets provide rich, longitudinal data on the health, development, and social experiences of Australian children and teenagers, offering a valuable resource for examining the long-term effects of online gaming and privacy risks.\r\n\r\nMethodology: The project will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of survey data from LSAC and LSIC with qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights into teenagers' experiences. The study will focus on identifying patterns of gaming behavior, privacy concerns, and mental health outcomes, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations.\r\n\r\nSignificance: Findings from this research will contribute to a better understanding of how online privacy risks intersect with mental health issues in the context of online gaming. The results will inform policy recommendations and the development of interventions aimed at promoting safer online gaming environments for Australian teenagers and the work of CatholicCare Victoria via a 90 days Internhsip.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"\u2022\t450410 and 60% allocation\r\n\u2022\t450714 and 30% allocation\r\n\u2022\t460206 and 10% allocation\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Novel Immersive Approaches to Information Seeking","description":"People search through digital information more than ever before. However, current search systems present information through a 2D search engine results page. In addition, opportunities to interact with the search results to understand underlying relationships in the retrieved data, are limited. The proposed approach will allow users to navigate information naturally and immersively, following users\u2019 interests and curiosity rather than being constrained by a search box and a ranked search results list.\r\n\r\nThis project aims to explore this unique interaction paradigm for effective and efficient interactive information retrieval through virtual or augmented reality, enabling a novel approach to defining user information needs, presenting results, and facilitating search reformulations.\r\n\r\nThe project can answer research questions, including:\r\n-What is the most effective way to visualise 3D information units (in virtual or augmented reality) to facilitate enhanced search interactions?\r\n-How do users formulate information needs, manipulate results, and navigate immersive information spaces?\r\n-How does immersive search versus traditional ranked lists impact users' navigation behaviours within an information space?\r\n-How do users with different levels of familiarity with immersive applications experience information?\r\n-How does the proposed approach compare to current search methods for exploring complex information needs?\r\n\r\nThe project will contribute to the field of interactive information retrieval by providing a novel approach to exploring information needs. Using virtual or augmented reality together with current advances in conversational interactions for information seeking will allow for more intuitive and natural navigation of information, which could lead to unexplored insights into how people interact with information.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460708 Virtual and mixed reality (40%) ; 460806 Human-computer interaction (30%) ; 461003 Human information interaction and retrieval (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Towards Intelligent Data-driven Software Engineering","description":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown outstanding progress with impressive performance over the last decade. AI techniques have been applied to solve numerous problems such as weather forecasting, movie recommending, autonomous driving, health applications, question answering, etc. The main ingredient of an AI algorithm is the data that is mined from problems that are same or similar to the problem to be solved.\nSoftware Engineering (SE) is a highly impact area with many interesting and important challenges. Besides, the amount of data generated by SE is generally large and cheap to collect (e.g., source code, software system logs, software reports). Therefore, SE is an ideal area where AI techniques can be applied.\nIn this project, we thus aim to develop novel AI-based techniques to solve various challenging problems in SE:\n+ configurable software performance prediction with a minimal number of measured data [1]\n+ intelligent incident management for software-intensive system including incident detection, incident identification, incident triage [2]\n+ software defect and vulnerability detection [3]\n+ etc.\nApart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the chosen topic.\nReferences:\n[1] H. Ha, H. Zhang. \u201cDeepPerf: Performance Prediction for Configurable Software with Deep Sparse Neural Network\u201d, in Proceedings of the 41st ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 1095-1106, Montr\u00e9al, Canada, 2019.\n[2] Z. Chen, Y. Kang, L. Li, X. Zhang, H. Zhang, et al., \u201cTowards intelligent incident management: why we need it and how we make it\u201d, in Proceedings of the ACM Joint European Software Engineering Conference and Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (ESEC\/FSE), pages 1487-1497, 2020.\n[3] S. Omri, C. Sinz, \u201cDeep Learning for Software Defect Prediction: A Survey\u201d, in the Workshops of the 42nd ACM\/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), pages 209-214, 2020.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461201 Automated software engineering (60%) ; 461103 Deep learning (20%) ; 461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Artificial Intelligence","programcode":"DR221 ","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Tri Dang","title":"Further Advance Bayesian Optimization","description":"Bayesian Optimization (BO) is a powerful sample-efficient strategy for finding the global optimum of an expensive black-box functions [1]. The main idea is to fit a surrogate model on the previous function evaluations, construct an acquisition function based on the surrogate model, and then use the acquisition function to select the next data point to be evaluated. Its applications include but not limited to automated machine learning, experimental design, environmental monitoring, and robotics. Whilst being effective and efficient in solving many optimization problems, BO is still a relatively new research field and suffers various limitations [1]. For example,\n+ Existing BO algorithms do not work well with high-dimensional optimization problems\n+ Limited BO methods can be applied to solve optimization problems with discrete, categorical, and mixed variables.\n+ Limited BO methods can solve the multi-objective optimization problems.\n+ etc.\nThis project aims to advance the efficacy of BO algorithms by various techniques such as evolutionary methods (e.g., covariance matrix adaptation, particle swarm, multi-objective decomposition) [2], deep surrogate models (e.g., deep kernel, Bayesian deep learning) [3]. Apart from the principal supervisor, the student will be involved with internal and external supervisors who have strong expertise in the topic.\nReferences:\n[1] B. Shahriari, K. Swersky, Z. Wang, R.P. Adams, N. de Freitas (2016). Taking the Human Out of the Loop: A Review of Bayesian Optimization. Proceedings of IEEE 104(1): 148-175.\n[2] A. E. Eiben, James E. Smith (2015). Introduction to Evolutionary Computing. Natural Computing Series, Springer.\n[3] Y. Gal (2016). Uncertainty in Deep Learning. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (60%), 460209 Planning and Decision Making (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Data Science (CT)","programcode":"DR221\/DR220","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Son Dao (son.daovutruong@rmit.edu.vn), Hung Pham (hung.phamviet2@rmit.edu.vn)","title":"Surrogate modeling and Machine Learning for science and engineering applications","description":"The research will focus on data-efficient machine learning (or surrogate modeling) techniques to solve complex problems in science and engineering. Potential research areas including extension and uses of machine learning algorithms such as generative models, neural networks, Gaussian Processes, Bayesian optimization, and more to solve challenging problems in science and engineering. The benefits of the research are as follows: (1) Fast design space exploration: compact scalable regression models for design automation, parametric studies, design space exploration, optimization, yield improvement, visualization, prototyping, and sensitivity analysis; (2) Quickly gain insight: knowledge discovery in sparse data sets, and knowledge extraction from large data sets; (3) Reduced computational time, thus, shorten time to market.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460207\r\n460501\r\n461199\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hiep Tran","title":"Gallium Oxide UV-C Detectors for Early Fire Detection","description":"Early wildfire detection remains a critical global challenge, especially in extreme environments where conventional sensors fail due to high temperatures or intense UV exposure. Gallium Oxide (Ga\u2082O\u2083), with its ultra-wide bandgap and exceptional thermal and chemical stability, offers a promising solution for next-generation sensors capable of detecting fire signatures\u2014such as UV-C emissions \u2014before flames escalate.\nThis project focuses on designing and fabricating highly sensitive Ga\u2082O\u2083-based photodetectors for early fire detection. You will explore Ga\u2082O\u2083 to enhance sensitivity and spectral selectivity, optimizing device architectures for rapid and reliable signal detection. The research will involve advanced material synthesis, precise device engineering, and performance testing under simulated extreme conditions. Leveraging state-of-the-art facilities such as RMIT\u2019s Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility and the Micro Nano Research Facility, you will work alongside internationally recognized experts in semiconductor device fabrication, electronic materials engineering, and advanced characterization techniques. Your contributions will help advance fire detection systems, with direct applications in environmental monitoring, disaster prevention, and climate change mitigation.\n","sdg":"[\"13 - Climate Action\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2027","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400909 Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) (50%)\n401605 Functional materials (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Engineering","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Partridge","title":"Materials and Device Architectures for Neuromorphic Computing Advancements","description":"The rise of data-intensive technologies requires computing solutions that are energy-efficient and highly adaptable. Neuromorphic computing, drawing inspiration from the human brain\u2019s efficiency and parallelism, provides a promising approach to address the shortcomings of traditional systems. This project aims to advance neuromorphic technologies by strategically employing materials and developing device architectures, establishing a foundation for future intelligent systems.\nIn this research, you will concentrate on growing materials suited for neuromorphic applications, designing innovative device structures, and characterizing their properties to enhance performance. You will explore synthesis techniques such as thin-film deposition or nanostructure fabrication, and study how material composition and structural design affect functionality. Based at RMIT, you\u2019ll leverage state-of-the-art resources like the Micro Nano Research Facility and Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility, while collaborating with experts in materials science, device engineering, and computational modelling to drive progress in this field. This work holds potential to influence a wide range of emerging areas, from efficient computing platforms to adaptive technologies, giving you the opportunity to contribute to the next era of brain-inspired innovation.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2027","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400908 Microelectronics (35%)\n401605 Functional materials (35%)\n461104 Neural networks (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","discipline":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","programcode":"DR220","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Stanley Luong","title":"Navigational assisted device for the blind","description":"This project will investigate methods which derived from a multi-discipline input from Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering to formulate solutions in term of hardware, software, algorithm to realise a practical device to assist blind people in daily navigation.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400999 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware not elsewhere classified (50%) ; 460304 Computer vision (25%) ; 460308 Pattern recognition (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora, Melbourne City","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development of novel dry particulate protein\/enzyme complexes (Protein Complex Engineering)","description":"Project Overview:\n The research integrates biochemistry, material science, and nanotechnology to develop particulate complexes that maintain protein\/enzyme functionality under diverse (e.g., heat stress) conditions. The project will investigate novel materials, formulations and procedures to create particles, for outputs aligned with both academic advancement and industry partners. Materials will be evaluated for size, morphology and structure-function (functionality) aspects using RMIT's state-of-the-art facilities. Experiments and analyses will include but not limited to spray drying systems (that use aqueous- and\/or organic solvent-based feeds), protein denaturation measuring systems (e.g., CD, FTIR), surface\/interface measuring systems, microscopy and microanalysis.\n Applicants should have a background in either chemistry, polymer science, materials science\/engineering or food technology (with strength in chemistry and engineering). We seek motivated candidates with a strong academic record and desire to excel in research and innovation ecosystem.\n Funding and Support:\n The studentship includes tuition waiver, a competitive stipend, and access to advanced facilities. Training in research methodologies, industry placement opportunities, and conference participation are provided.\n \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-07-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (34%)\n401609 Polymers and Plastics (33%)\n400406 Powder and Particulate technology (33%)\n\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Extending the shelf life of UHT plant protein beverages","description":"This Project is based at RMIT, Bundoora campus and will make use of world class food processing and research facilities. The project will be conducted with input and regular contact with supervisors from CSIRO and Sanitarium Health co. and  aims to improve understanding and overcome the negative effects of the secondary lipid oxidation products and Maillard reaction in UHT plant protein beverages. The expected outcome is a methodology to impede the negative impact of malodorous\/browning reactions in high protein UHT beverages. This may lead to the extension of shelf life of these products furthering export opportunities. The project also includes a 60 day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner in (Cooranbong, NSW) and a structured professional development and training program to develop your applied research skills.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300601        Beverage chemistry and beverage sensory science (50%)\n300602        Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mahsa Majzoobi, Raj Eri, Benu Adhikari ","title":"Dietary fibre: Enhancing the functional properties and health benefits ","description":"Fibre is the indigestible part of edible carbohydrates and plays a crucial role in maintaining human health. Examples of fibre include cellulose, pectin, beta-glucan, and resistant starch. Health professionals recommend a daily intake of 25-30 grams of fibre to stay healthy. Unfortunately, fibre consumption, particularly in Western diets, falls well below the recommended levels. This shortfall has led to an increase in diet-related health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.\nTo boost fibre intake, many food products, especially staple foods, are now being enriched with fibre. However, adding fibre to foods can be challenging, as it often negatively impacts the quality and sensory properties of the final products. Additionally, food industry is highly interested in cost-effective strategies to produce and utilise fibre such as fibre from food waste streams. \nThis project aims to address the following questions regarding fibres and their application in foods:\n1)        What is the difference between the fibre obtained from natural sources and those obtained from food waste streams? \n2)        How can we improve the functional properties of common fibres to create novel food ingredients?\n3)        What food processing strategies can enhance the health benefits of fibres?\nIn this project you will gain skills relevant to important areas of processing of biological materials into high-value ingredients for use in functional and healthy products, packaging and other applications. It will help you establish a track record relevant to the circular economy, sustainability and waste minimisation.\nThis project would suit people from a wide variety of backgrounds, including food technologists, food scientists, nutrition and chemical and process engineers.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology (20%) 300606 Food Sustainability (20%) 400405 Food Engineering (30%) 300602 Food Chemistry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Peter Torley, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Valorization of Food Processing Waste via 3D Printing Technology for Sustainable Food Systems","description":"Food wastage is a critical global challenge that threatens food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability, leading to resource depletion and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Agri-food processing wastes, which are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, present a valuable opportunity for reintegration into the value chain, aligning with the principles of a zero-waste circular economy. This research aims to explore the application of 3D food-printing (3DFP) technology for the valorization of low-value food processing waste from various streams, transforming them into high-value applications. The study will focus on optimizing ink formulations by incorporating hydrocolloids (e.g., alginate, carrageenan, pectin) and binding agents to enhance printability and stability. Additionally, it will assess the effects of ultrasound treatment and high-pressure homogenization on the physicochemical properties of the ink formulations. The research will also investigate the potential applications of the developed 3D-printed food products, including functional foods, novel food textures, and innovative food packaging solutions. By addressing these aspects, this research aims to contribute to sustainable food production systems, reduce food waste, and create novel, high-value food products through the integration of 3D food printing technology and food waste valorization strategies.\n\nReferences:\n1. Jagadiswaran, B.; Alagarasan, V.; Anandharamakrishnan, C. Valorization of Food Industry Waste and By-Products Using 3D Printing: A Study on the Development of Value-Added Functional Cookies. Future Foods 2021, 4, 100036. \n2. Muthurajan, M.; Veeramani, A.; Rahul, T.; Kumar, R.; Anukiruthika, G.T. Valorization of Food Industry Waste Streams Using 3D Food Printing: A Study on Noodles Prepared from Potato Peel Waste. Food Bioprocess. Technol. 2021, 14, 1817\u20131834. \n3. Feng, C.; Zhang, M.; Bhandari, B.; Ye, Y. Use of Potato Processing By-Product: Effects on the 3D Printing Characteristics of the Yam and the Texture of Air-Fried Yam Snacks. LWT 2020, 125, 109265. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"25% 300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing 50% 300606 Food sustainability 25% 300607 Food technology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Penny Brotja","title":"Extraction and Characterisation of Fiber from Unutilized Stems of Asparagus Grown in Australia and Its Application in Low-Calorie Food Products\n","description":"\"Extraction and Characterisation of Fiber from Unutilized Stems of Asparagus Grown in Australia and Its Application in Low-Calorie Food Products\nSupervisors: Professor Benu Adhikari, Dr Penny Brotja\nIntroduction\/Background\nIn the quest for sustainable food production and waste minimization, the unutilized stems of asparagus present a significant opportunity for valorisation. In Australia, where asparagus cultivation is prevalent, a considerable amount of stem waste is generated, especially the bottom part of the stem that is often discarded due to its fibrous nature. This research focuses on harnessing these discarded stems, aiming to extract valuable dietary fibers and explore their application in creating healthier, low-calorie food products such as candies, biscuits, and soft foods like custard. By focusing on this underutilized by-product, the project aims to contribute to the reduction of agricultural waste, enhance food nutritional value, and promote the development of innovative food solutions.\nResearch Questions\n1.        What is the most effective method for extracting dietary fiber from the unutilized stems of asparagus grown in Australia?\n2.        What are the key physicochemical and functional characteristics of the extracted asparagus stem fibers?\n3.        How can these fibers be incorporated into candies, biscuits, and soft foods like custard to produce low-calorie, high-fiber content products?\n4.        What is the impact of adding asparagus stem fibers on the taste, texture, and consumer acceptance of the developed low-calorie food products?\nObjectives\n1.        To establish an efficient extraction process tailored for the fibrous stems of asparagus, optimizing yield and quality of dietary fiber.\n2.        To thoroughly characterize the extracted fibers, focusing on their dietary value, functional properties, and suitability for food formulation.\n3.        To formulate and evaluate the sensory qualities of low-calorie candies, biscuits, and custards enriched with asparagus stem fibers.\n4.        To assess consumer acceptability and the potential health benefits of consuming these fiber-enriched, low-calorie food products.\nKey Steps\nExtraction\n\u2022        Develop and optimize a sustainable extraction protocol specifically for the fibrous stems of asparagus, possibly incorporating mechanical (e.g. wet milling) and enzymatic methods to maximize fiber yield and quality.\nCharacterisation\n\u2022        Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the extracted fibers to assess their physicochemical properties, including solubility, water-holding capacity, and dietary fiber content.\nFormulation\n\u2022        Create innovative recipes for low-calorie food products, including  hard foods (candies, biscuits) and soft foods, incorporating the extracted asparagus stem fibers.\n\u2022        Optimize formulations to ensure palatability, desirable texture, and nutritional enhancement without compromising taste.\nCharacterisation of Food Products\n\u2022        Analyse the nutritional profile, specifically focusing on dietary fiber content and reduced caloric value of the developed food products.\n\u2022        Perform texture and rheological tests and sensory evaluation and consumer acceptability tests to gauge the consumer preference of the fiber-enriched, low-calorie foods.\n\u2022        Conclusion\nThis proposal outlines a targeted approach to valorise the unutilized stems of asparagus grown in Australia, turning agricultural waste into a valuable resource for the food industry. Through this research, we aim to explore sustainable extraction methods, characterize the nutritional benefits of asparagus fibers, and integrate them into low-calorie food products, thereby contributing to waste reduction, nutritional enhancement, and the development of innovative food solutions that meet the needs of health-conscious consumers.\n\"\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"\"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (34%)\n300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (33%)\n300606 Food sustainability (33%)\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Julia Low","title":"Innovating Natural Food Colours: Exploring Protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexation for colour formation\n","description":"\"Innovating Natural Food Colours: Exploring Protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexation for colour formation\nSupervisors: Professor Benu Adhikari, Dr Julia Low\nBackground\nThere is an increasing demand for natural, safe, and visually appealing food colorants. Food colours of various types can be generated through interactions between food proteins and small molecular weight phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds, polyphenols, and naturally occurring dyes like gennipin and phycocyanin. These compounds offer not only vibrant hues but also potential health benefits, making them prime candidates for food colouring. The complexation of these phytochemicals with food proteins presents an innovative strategy to enhance their solubility, stability, and colour intensity. Furthermore, a novel area of research involves the complexation of proteins with phenolic-metal complexes, potentially opening new avenues for creating stable and unique food colorants. This research aims to explore these two pathways: forming complexes between proteins and small molecular weight phytochemicals to create food safe colours and investigating protein-phenolic-metal complexes for their unique colouring potential.\nResearch Questions:\n1.        How do specific food proteins interact with small molecular phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds, polyphenols, gennipin, phycocyanin to form stable, vibrant colour complexes suitable for food applications?\n2.        How can protein-phenolic-metal complexes be engineered to produce unique and stable colours, and what are the mechanistic foundations of these interactions?\n3.        What is the solubility, concentration-dependant colour intensity of protein-phytochemical complexes and protein-phenolic-metal complexes colourants in water and oil media?\n4.        What is the stability of these colourants during thermal treatment (pasteurisation, sterilisation and boiling)?\nObjectives:\n1.        To characterise the complexation process of above-mentioned small molecular weight phytochemicals with food proteins to identify combinations that yield stable and vibrant colours.\n2.        To develop and characterize protein-phenolic-metal complexes, assessing their potential as innovative natural colorants for food applications.\n3.        To determine the solubility of protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexes in water and oil, contributing to a broader application range in various food products.\n4.        To evaluate the colour intensity of the complexes as a function of phytochemical concentration, optimizing the conditions for maximum colour payoff.\nMethods and Characterisation:\nKey Steps:\n\u2022        Phytochemical and Protein Selection: Choose small molecular weight phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds, polyphenols, and gennipin, along with compatible food proteins based on their coloration potential.\n\u2022        Complexation Experiments: Conduct experiments to complex selected phytochemicals with proteins, optimizing conditions for colour stability and intensity. Additionally, synthesize phenolic-metal complexes before protein complexation.\n\u2022        Phenolic-Metal Complex Formation: Create stable phenolic-metal complexes as precursors for protein complexation, selecting metal ions that enhance colour properties without compromising safety.\n\u2022        Solubility Testing: Assess the solubility of both protein-phytochemical and protein-phenolic-metal complexes in water and oil, determining their applicability across different food matrices.\n\u2022        Colour Intensity Analysis: Measure the colour intensity of the complexes as a function of phytochemical concentration, using spectrophotometry to determine the optimal conditions for vibrant coloration.\nKey Characterisation Properties:\n\u2022        Spectrophotometry: To determine the colour intensity and stability of the complexes.\n\u2022        High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): To analyse the composition and monitor changes in the phytochemicals during the complexation process.\n\u2022        Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): To identify \"\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"\"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science 34 (34%)\n300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (33%)\n300606 Food sustainability (33%)\n\n\n\n\n\"\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Peter Torley, Arianna Dick Zambrano, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Plant-protein-based 3D printing","description":"Three-dimensional (3D) printing processing is an innovative technology that offers the convenience of on-demand and tailor-made food production by adjusting to consumers' sensory, nutritional, and physiological requirements. Among a range of food materials, plant proteins are a promising avenue for developing personalised plant-based meals, with soy protein being extensively studied due to its water absorption, emulsification, and gelling properties facilitating printability [1]. However, other protein sources, such as peas, fava beans and lentils, are gaining attention due to their low allergenicity and high nutritional value [2]. Yet, their printability presents significant challenges regarding ink development to ensure printing fidelity and stability. Hence, this study will explore the 3D printability of plant-protein pastes from varying sources, such as pea, fava beans, and lentils, compared to soybean protein. Plant proteins will be physiochemically characterised to understand their native printability potential. Then, the role of ultrasound on the protein techno-functionality and the addition of hydrocolloids\/crosslinkers on the rheological, mechanical, and microstructural properties of the ink will be assessed to enhance extrusion, deposition, and post-processing feasibility. Furthermore, this study will explore the potential applications of plant-protein pastes for value-added product development, potentially leading to new, innovative food products, such as regular-textured and texture-modified meat and fish analogues.\n\n[1] Yu et al. Effects of preheating-induced denaturation treatments on the printability and instant curing property of soy protein during microwave 3D printing. Food Chem. 2022; 397:133682. doi: 10.1016\/j.foodchem.2022.133682\n[2] Mittal et al. Challenges and Prospects of Plant-Protein-Based 3D Printing. Foods. 12(24):4490. doi: 10.3390\/foods12244490\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"25% 300604        Food packaging, preservation and processing\n50% 300606        Food sustainability\n25% 300607        Food technology\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Harsharn Gill","title":"Blending plant and dairy proteins for sustainable beverages ","description":"Plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs) have experienced significant growth in recent years due to various factors, including health benefits, heightened food security awareness, and the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly food sources. Products such as oat, almond, soy, coconut, pea, and others have gained popularity, with plant-based drink sales in the U.S. increasing by 61% between 2012 and 2018, while dairy milk sales have declined by 15% since 2012. However, despite this growth, plant-based drinks face challenges in replicating the unique flavor and texture of dairy products. Issues such as beany or nutty flavors and bitterness, especially in coffee, tea, or cooking applications, limit their acceptance. Additionally, while plant sources offer good quantity of protein, they lack the functionality and quality of dairy-based milk protein. Therefore, blending plant and dairy proteins to create hybrid products may offer opportunities to develop beverages with desirable textural and functional properties that appeal to consumers. This study aims to develop a hybrid ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage by blending dairy milk with plant-based alternatives such as soy, lupin, chickpea, and pigeon pea milk. The research will explore how varying levels of plant-based milk incorporation alongside cow milk affect probiotic survivability, functionality, and flavor compounds within the hybrid product. Additionally, changes in oral and gut microbiota post-consumption will be analyzed. Ultimately, this research aims to provide valuable insights into developing hybrid beverage formulations that promote sustainability and health in the dairy industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science (50%) 300607 Food Technology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Asgar Farahnaky, Mehran Ghasemlou","title":"Controlled self-assembly of plant proteins for sustainable food applications","description":"In response to the growing demand for sustainable protein sources for humans, this project aims to explore the technological landscape of plant-based alternative proteins as feasible replacement for animal-based proteins. Today, there is an increased interest among consumers in adopting plant-based diets given their additional advantages such as environmental sustainability, and high nutritional values.\nProteins which are well-known for their ability to modify their own macromolecular structures, play a crucial role in developing stabilized emulsions, foams, gels, thickeners, and food packaging. This PhD project particularly focuses on the complex mechanisms underlying the self-assembly of proteins, either alone or in conjunction with other bioactive compounds. Proteins can self-assemble in aqueous solutions into various forms such as films, hydrogels, micelles\/vesicles, and particles. The extraordinary adaptability of protein-based systems can be precisely fine-tuned to facilitate the delivery of a specific food ingredient. However, efforts to generate functional food formulations from plant-based proteins have been hindered by the absence of efficient methodologies to induce and control their micro and\/or nano structures. A deeper understanding of binding capability of plant-based proteins to food ingredients is urgently required to achieve efficient and stable delivery systems with tailorable functionality. This project seeks to comprehensively elucidate the self-assembly behaviour of plant-based proteins and their utilization in food industry for encapsulation, protection, and delivery of food-based bioactive compounds. To achieve this main objective, this project will attempt to engineer a protein-based system loaded with bioactive compounds and understand to what extent its self-assembly can be manipulated to control the release rate of a bioactive compound under different environmental conditions (pH, temperature, etc.). The insights gained from this project not only complement the molecular understanding of protein\u2019s self-assembly but also pave the way for the development of sustainable and functional food solutions with low environmental impacts.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300604 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Ravi Shukla","title":"Development and characterization of protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes for application in delivery systems and active packaging","description":"Introduction\/Background\n\nThe growing demand for sustainable and efficient delivery systems and active packaging requires innovations in materials. Binary complexes, such as phenol-metal and protein-phenol complexes, have been extensively studied intending to use them as bioactive delivery vehicles and components of active packaging. These complexes have shown promising properties including higher stability and bioavailability of encapsulated compounds. These binary complexes are also used to impact active function such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and also indicating compounds. A logical extension of this concept is to develop protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes. Such complexes can potentially offer synergistic advantages, combining the benefits of binary complexes through improved structural integrity, functionality, and interaction specificity. This project aims to develop and characterise ternary complexes, and thus advance the knowledge in the metal-organic framework or network area.\n\nHypothesis\nProtein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes can be synthesized which will possess finetuned structural properties and superior performance as encapsulating and delivery vehicles. They can be used as component of active and intelligent packaging.\n\nResearch Questions\nWhat is the optimum pathway to synthesise protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes of tailored properties?\nWhat are the structural characteristics of these complexes at molecular level?\nHow do these complexes behave when used as delivery vehicles?\nHow do these complexes behave when used as part of active packaging?\n\nObjectives\nTo synthesize protein-polyphenol-metal ternary complexes with targeted molecular and structural properties.\nTo characterize the structure and physicochemical properties of these ternary complexes \nTo evaluate the encapsulation efficiency, stability, and release kinetics of bioactive compounds encapsulated in these complexes.\nTo assess the applicability of these ternary complexes in active packaging to increase shelf-life a targeted produce.\n\nKey steps in methodologies:\nSynthesis of ternary complexes: Use representative and well-characterised proteins, polyphenols (e.g., catechin, quercetin, curcumin, gallic acid) and metals (e.g., cu, Fe, Zn, Ti, Se) as models to create ternary complexed and optimise the process of their creation.\nCharacterization: Use characterisation methods such as spectroscopy (NMR, FTIR), chromatography, and microscopy (SEM, TEM) to elucidate the molecular level structure of the complexes.\nEncapsulation and release studies: Determine the encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics of a selected bioactive compounds encapsulated using the ternary complexes as shell material.\nTesting active packaging function: Evaluating the stability of the complexes to be embedded in representative packaging (to create active packaging) and evaluate the physico-mechanical properties and efficacy of the resulting active packaging to extend shelf life of representative produce.\n\nReferences\nBaranwal, A., Polash, S.A., Aralappanavar, V.K., Bansal, V., Shukla, R.  (2024). Recent Progress and Prospect of Metal\u2013Organic Framework-Based Nanozymes in Biomedical Application. Nanomaterials, 14(3), 244.\nFurukawa, H., Cordova, K.E., O'Keeffe, M.,Yaghi, O.M. (2013).         The chemistry and applications of metal-organic frameworks. Science, 341(6149), 1230444.\nNkhili, E., Loonis, M., Mihai, S., El Hajji, H. (2014). Reactivity of food phenols with iron and copper ions: Binding, dioxygen activation and oxidation mechanisms. Food and Function, 5(6), pp. 1186\u20131202.\nLi, W., Han, S., Huang, H., Liu, X., Liu, F. (2024). Fabrication, characterization, and application of pea protein isolate-polyphenol-iron complexes with antioxidant and antibacterial activity.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (40); \r\n321002 Food properties (incl. characteristics and health benefits) (30)\r\n310699 Industrial biotechnology not elsewhere classified (30)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Benu Adhikari, Mehran Ghasemlou","title":"Advancing Food safety by Leveraging Metallic Nanoparticles for Controlled Delivery of Bioactive Compounds","description":"As the global population continues to grow, and the food resources become increasingly scarce, there is an urgent need for innovative technologies that can protect our limited food supplies without negatively impacting the environment. Nanotechnology offers a viable solution for the food industry by enhancing the safety, quality, and functionality of food products. One promising approach is the nanoencapsulation of bioactive food components, which can regulate the delivery of nutrients and nutraceuticals while helping to reduce the risk of foodborne microbial diseases. Metallic nanoparticles are among the most widely used nanocarriers in the medical field, due to their non-toxicity and biocompatibility. These nanoparticles possess large surface areas, customizable pore sizes, and excellent adsorption capabilities, making them ideal for the controlled and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds. Despite the growing interest in using metallic nanoparticles for encapsulation, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of how to use them to encapsulate, protect, and deliver food-based polyphenolic bioactives. This project seeks to bridge this gap by engineering a nanocapsule loaded with bioactive compounds and investigating their ability to regulate the release of these substances under varying environmental conditions, such as pH and temperature. This helps assess how well the nanoparticles control the release of the bioactive compounds over time. The chosen bioactives will be encapsulated within the porous structure of metallic nanoparticles. Additionally, this project aims to develop innovative packaging solutions designed to inhibit bacterial growth and prolong the shelf life of selected food items. This research has the potential to impact a wide range of fields, including food technology, packaging, and materials science, offering valuable insights and advancements for food technologists, packaging experts, and chemical and material engineers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300604 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Benu Adhikari, Mehran Ghasemlou","title":"Exploring Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Controlled Delivery and Preservation of Bioactive Compounds","description":"With the continuous rise in human population, depletion of food resources and emergence of new bacterial and viral infections, there is a global search for effective technologies to protect the limited food supplies without increased environmental pollution. Nanotechnology has provided unparalleled opportunities to the food industry, boosting the safety, quality, and functionality of food formulations. Nanoencapsulation of food bioactive components can control the delivery of the nutrients and nutraceuticals, helping to mitigate the risks of food-borne microbial diseases. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are one of the commonly used nanocarriers in the medical industry. MSNPs are deemed safe and biocompatible as a drug-delivery platform. Using MSNPs as a nanoplatform could have a great impact in the food industry due to their unique properties, such as large surface areas, adjustable pores, and superior adsorption capacity. These features make them an ideal candidate for developing controlled targeted delivery of bioactive substances. Using MSNPs for encapsulation purposes is a flourishing research area; however, there is a general lack of knowledge regarding their usage to encapsulate, protect, and deliver food-based polyphenolic bioactive compounds. This project aims to address this gap of knowledge by engineering an MSNP-loaded bioactive compound and understanding to what extent they can be tuned to control the release rate of a desired bioactive under different environmental conditions (pH, temperature, etc.). Given the scarcity of data on using MSNP-loaded bioactive compounds to protect highly perishable food products, this project also aims to design a new packaging system that can delay the bacterial growth and extend the shelf life of a selected food product. This project would be interesting for a broad variety of disciplines, including food technologists, packaging technologists, and chemical and material engineers.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation, and processing (%100)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei, Zhiyu Wang","title":"Advanced 2D Nanochannel Membranes for Efficient Energy Harvesting ","description":"The development of renewable, clean, and sustainable energy remains a critical global challenge, driven by the increasing impacts of climate change and the finite nature of fossil fuel reserves.1 New nanomaterials (e.g. two-dimensional nanomaterials (2D): BN nanosheets, MXene, and graphene) have displayed considerable promise in enabling new energy harvesting due to their unique nanochannels and surface charges.2,3 Despite these promising attributes, the practical application of nanomaterials in energy harvesting is hindered by challenges such as poor nanochannel structure, low chemical stability, and high internal resistance. In addition, the dense pore structures of nanomaterial membranes that restrict ion transport and reduce energy conversion efficiency.\nThis project aims to address these challenges by creating advanced nanofiber membranes with 2D nanochannels. These nanochannels will exhibit strong mechanical and chemical stability, low internal resistance, and high selectivity for specific ions, enabling efficient ion transport and energy harvesting. ","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-06-01","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 40% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 30% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Selvakannan, Suresh Bhargava","title":"Development of Efficient Metal Catalysts for Ammonia Synthesis and Decomposition ","description":"Ammonia (NH\u2083) is a promising alternative for energy storage and transport, given its high hydrogen density, ease of liquefaction, and well-established handling infrastructure. While NH\u2083 is primarily synthesized via the Haber\u2013Bosch (HB) process, this energy-intensive method accounts for significant carbon emissions. A more sustainable approach integrates water electrolysis-driven H\u2082 production with an electrolysis-driven Haber\u2013Bosch (eHB) process. However, a major challenge remains\u2014current NH\u2083 synthesis catalysts require high pressures (15\u201330 MPa), which are incompatible with low-pressure (1.0\u20133.2 MPa) hydrogen electrolysis systems.\n\nThis project focuses on designing and developing advanced NH\u2083 synthesis catalysts that operate efficiently under mild conditions, enabling compatibility with renewable-powered electrolysis systems. By optimizing catalyst composition and reaction conditions, the project aims to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while enhancing NH\u2083 production efficiency. The outcome will accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy by facilitating large-scale, sustainable ammonia-based hydrogen storage and distribution.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-10-31","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601-Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)\n401607-Metals and alloy materials(20%)\n340305-Physical properties of materials(30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dawei Su","title":"Room Temperature High Energy Density Sodium-Sulfur Batteries","description":"The project aims to boost room temperature sodium sulfur batteries (RT-NaSBs) with low cost and high energy density based on the insight understanding of \u201cstructure (atomic and electronic levels) - performance\u201d relationship between sodium polysulfides, electrolytes, and electrocatalysts, which is a critical but rarely understood in developing a broader family of sulfur redox reaction electrocatalysts. The mechanisms discovered and electrocatalytic materials rationally designed in this project will advance knowledge in fundamental science and engineering to strengthen national research capacity. The anticipated goal of the project is bringing RT-NaSBs from lab to fab.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2027-03-31","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials (70%)\n401807 - Nanomaterials (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brendan Dyet, Kate Fox","title":"Engineering Lipid Nanoparticle Structures for Intracellular Delivery","description":"Lipid nanoparticles have been used for various biomedical applications, including delivery vehicles for drugs, genes, and contrast agents. A recent development can be seen in COVID-19 vaccines from both Pfizer and Moderna. Both vaccines utilise lipid nanoparticles containing a mixture of lipids and mRNA encoding virus\u2019 spike protein. Various mesophase structures formed by lipid self-assembly have been explored to further improve the performance of these nanoparticles. Several studies have demonstrated that mesoporous structures within the lipid nanoparticles can influence the drug release rate, the mechanical properties, and the interaction with cells. There are two key challenges that, if overcome, will significantly advance the applications of lipid nanoparticles. The first involves the generation of nanoparticles with customised mechanical and surface properties, and the second is related to the interaction between the nanoparticles and the cell membrane under physiologic conditions\noccurring in human vessels. \nThis ARC funded project will involve studying the structural properties of lipid nanoparticles, modifying particle stiffness by changing their composition and the self-assembly process. The relationship between nanoparticle structure and stiffness will be determined both through experimental and modelling approaches. Finally, interaction of nanoparticles with various mammalian cells will be studied to determine the ability to deliver bioactive agents into cells. The interaction between nanoparticles and cells will be studied under various flow conditions.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-04-01","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603\tColloid and surface chemistry (50%)\n510501\tBiological physics (30%)\n320604\tNanomedicine (20%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Liu","title":"Functionalized nanofiltration membranes for organic solvent separation and recovery","description":"The high capital and operating costs of the separation, recovery, and disposal of organic solvents in chemical and pharmaceutical industries account for 40-70% of the total process cost due to reactions and high-value products in organic solvents at the end of the process. (Chem. Rev. 2014, 114, 10735). Therefore, higher separation and energy efficiencies are needed to significantly reduce the cost of processing organic solvents mixtures for purification. Compared to conventional membrane technology, the organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) membrane, has been realized for more efficient solvent operations because of its excellent stability and high separation in organic solvents and good solvent permeance to improve the production process speed (Chemical reviews 2014, 114, 10735). Meanwhile, several reports have highlighted that limited ultrahigh permeance membranes will not improve the separation process (Science 2017, 356). Therefore, OSN membranes with a high solvent permeance and good separation performance have attracted interest from researchers for industrial applications. \n \nThis project will design a novel bio-inspired robust nanocomposite membranes with hierarchical architecture assembly of 1D nanofiber and 2D nanomaterials which display high stiffness and tensile strength sufficient for high efficient organic solvents separation and recycling. In addition, the separation mechanism will be deeply studied and the synthesis of 2D nanomaterials-based membranes will be optimized toward large-scale production for a wide range of industrial applications.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; \n400409 - Separation Technologies and 40% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samantha Grover","title":"Quantifying methane emissions from wastewater treatment to identify mitigation opportunities","description":"This project aims to quantify methane emissions from wastewater treatment plants. The expected outcomes are improved understanding of methane emissions from within the plant, their spatial and temporal variability, and how they contribute to the total emissions. This may reduce emissions of methane. The opportunity\n\u2022Admission to RMIT University PhD program\n\u2022A four-year scholarship valued at $47,000 per annum (2025 rate)\n\u2022A project expense and development package of up to $13,000 per annum\n\u2022Supervision by CSIRO, an industry partner and the host university\n\u2022A 60-day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner\n\u2022A structured professional development and training package\nThe CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a research training program, focusing on applied research that benefits industry by solving real-world challenges. It aims to produce the next generation of innovation leaders with the skills to work at the interface of research and industry in Australia.\n\nEligibility requirements\nThe student must:\n\u2022Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, or a New Zealand citizen.\n\u2022Not have previously completed a PhD.\n\u2022Enrol as a full-time PhD student.\n\u2022Be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that RMIT University has approved and, if required, comply with the host institutions' procedures.\n\nThe Ideal Student Skillset: \n\u2022Completed Honours or Master\u2019s degree in environmental science, applied maths, physics, chemistry, computer science, computational modelling,  earth science or similar.\n\u2022Strong programming skills.\n\u2022Experience in making gas flux measurements\n\u2022Excellent project management skills and attention to detail.\n\u2022Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.\n\u2022Strong communication skills and an ability to write high-quality technical reports and contribute to peer-reviewed academic publications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2026-12-31","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"370203 Greenhouse gas inventories and fluxes 80%\n400410 Wastewater treatment processes 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229\/MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Advanced Materials for Redox Flow Batteries","title":"Advanced Materials for Redox Flow Batteries","description":"As society transitions towards Net Zero, many industries, processes and products will need to be improved to reduce the waste produced and energy consumed. Circular economies, sustainable materials and green technologies are attracting greater interest when investing in renewable technologies. Renewable energy generation and storage will play a significant role globally towards this effort. Photovoltaics and wind provide an intermittent source that will need to be coupled with large scale energy storage to deliver base load energy supply.\n\nAs battery systems are developed and commercialised, there will be a specialisation of where these systems are used, which will be dominated by cost and availability\/sustainability of materials (i.e. critical metals), product lifetime, safety and waste management at end-of -life (i.e. recycling). In addition to the deployment of lithium-ion batteries (1 ), redox flow batteries (2) offer one of the cheapest costs for large scale energy storage which is also extremely safe and environmentally robust. Australia first vanadium redox flow battery was launched in South Australia in 2023.(ref 3 and 4)\n\nRedox mediators, compounds that are capable of accepting or releasing electrons, are desperately needed that are sustainable and easily recycled for commercial RFBs. The project will involve working with a multi-disciplinary team screening, designing, and testing new materials that are of interest progressing the fundamental science and of commercial relevance. We are looking for a student with Chemical Synthesis, Characterisation and Electrochemistry skills to be involved in this growth area working in a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers at the CSIRO\u2019s Clayton site in Melbourne.\n\nReferences:\n\n1. Zhao, Y; Pohl, O; Bhatt, A; Collis, G; Mahon, P; Ruether, T.; Hollenkamp, A. F. A Review on Battery Market Trends, Second-Life Reuse and Recycling. Sustainable Chemistry. 2021; 2(1):167-205.\n\n2. Zachary Deller, Z. Jones, L. A. and Maniam, S. Aqueous redox flow batteries: How \u2018green\u2019 are the redox active materials? Green Chem., 2021, (23), 4955-4979.\n\n3. Australia's first commercial vanadium-flow battery storage completed in South Australia - ABC News (https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2023-06-23\/vandium-flow-battery-south-australia\/102515616)\n\n4. Flow batteries, the forgotten energy storage device, July 31, 2023, C&EN Digital Magazine","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2027-12-30","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340503\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Organic chemical synthesis (20%) \n340103\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electroanalytical chemistry (40%) \n400804\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electrical energy storage (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood, Ravichandar Babarao, Babar Shabir, Muhammad Waqas Khan","title":"Designing Electrocatalyst for Direct Seawater Splitting for Hydrogen Production","description":"6 months working with a partner industry to test the catalysts in prototype electrolysers and may have an industry supervisor.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials 50% \n340305 - Physical properties of materials 30% \n400404 - Electrochemical energy storage and conversion 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam ","title":"Self-assembled, peptide-based new functional materials ","description":"The self-assembly of natural and synthetic peptides at the supramolecular level holds great potential for applications in material science, biology and engineering. Such peptides have become a focal point in molecular self-assembly research, capable of forming a range of nanostructures beyond traditional \u03b1-helixes, \u03b2-sheets, and random coils. These processes are largely governed by the amphiphilic characteristics of peptides and reinforced by non-covalent interactions, giving rise to complex nanoarchitectures that can adapt to changes in their environment.\n\nIn this project, we aim to synthesize beta-peptides, which we, along with others, have shown to self-assemble in unique ways forming remarkably robust, 3-dimensional architectures. By integrating additional small organic or inorganic molecules, we will explore new functionality and potential applications. We are seeking candidates with expertise in organic synthesis.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340503 Organic chemical synthesis (40%)\n340407 Proteins and peptides (30%)\n340308 Supramolecular chemistry (30%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Li Gao","title":"Ammonium-selective membranes to shift water industry into circular economy","description":"The project aims to develop ammonium-selective membranes which are urgently needed in Australian key industries for sustainable ammonia recovery. The project expects to construct the membranes to achieve desirable pore size and surface functionality for fast and selective ammonia transport. The developed membranes should make ammonia recovery from wastewater more effective and sustainable, leading to the healthy waterway and reduced energy for both ammonia production and removal. Recovered ammonia expects to produce valuable products, supporting agriculture industry and hydrogen economy. The developed membranes should enable water industry's shift into circular economy, providing significant economic and environmental benefits to Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials (40%)\n401807 - Nanomaterials (30%)\n400409 - Separation technologies (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haoxin Mai, Rachel Caruso","title":"Data-Driven Design of Perovskites for Photocatalytic Applications","description":"The growing demand for energy and the accompanying environmental pollution are two critical challenges we face in the 21st century. To address the energy crisis while protecting the planet, solar energy offers a compelling solution due to its abundance, renewability, and sustainability. One promising approach to harness solar energy is through photocatalytic reactions, which convert sunlight into chemical energy for various applications, such as producing hydrogen or carbon monoxide as clean fuels, purifying water through photodegradation of pollutants, inactivating bacteria, and enabling green synthesis of critical industrial precursors. Perovskites, with their versatile compositions and structural diversity, have shown great potential in photocatalysis. However, their industrial application is often hindered by low quantum efficiency and instability. To overcome these challenges, the development and optimization of highly efficient and stable perovskite-based photocatalysts tailored for industrial applications are urgently needed.\n\nThis PhD project aims to develop novel perovskite-based photocatalysts by integrating machine learning and experimental techniques. The student will carry out experiments to tune the chemical composition and morphology of perovskite materials to enhance specific photocatalytic activities, assisted by computational chemistry and machine learning models. This approach will deepen our understanding of how structural and elemental modifications influence photocatalytic performance, providing valuable insights for advancing perovskite-based catalysis.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 030308 Theory and Design of Materials (40%) Functional Materials (30%)  340601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei, Milad Laghaei ","title":"Advanced protective coatings for thermal energy management devices","description":"This project aims to develop new nanomaterial coatings and advanced plasma coating technology to address the\nglobal issue of e-waste caused by short lifespan thermal energy management devices (TEMDs) used in energy\n(solar, wind, oil), transport (aerospace, automotive, marine) and industrial (manufacturing, mining) sectors. The\nproject expects to overcome issues of erosion and corrosion of TEMDs and toxic coating methods by developing\nnew nanomaterial coatings and innovative plasma coating technology. This should provide significant benefits\nsuch as improved sustainability of TEMDs with improved corrosion resistance and durability, as well as new\nmanufacturing products and processes that have far reaching economic benefits for Australia.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401807 Nanomaterials (45%)\n401605 Functional materials (35%)\n401805 Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood","title":"Fabrication of advanced catalytic electrodes for direct seawater splitting","description":"This Project will create effective catalyst materials and construct electrodes to generate hydrogen directly from seawater, suitable for industrial use. The expected outcomes include developing methodologies for the suitable ink formulation of active catalyst materials, optimisation of coating technique and implementation in an electrolyser prototype. This may result in a reduced reliance on freshwater for hydrogen production improving sustainability and decreasing resource costs","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials\n340305 - Physical properties of materials\n400404 - Electrochemical energy storage and conversion"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xavier Mulet, Rachel Caruso","title":"PhD Scholarship in Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide with Porous Materials and Systems","description":"Carbon dioxide is one of the key challenges of the coming generation. With emissions annually at more than 25GTons and rising, all options to reduce the concentration of Carbon Dioxide should be considered: this includes direct air capture of carbon dioxide. This PhD project is focussed on the development of carbon dioxide capture systems from the advanced material to the prototype demonstration. \n\nThe candidate is expected to have strong materials or chemistry background and demonstrated skillset as well as an interest in the elements required for scaling up into prototype systems that demonstrate real world performance. \n\nAim\n\nTo develop and validate new porous materials and materials composites that are able to capture carbon dioxide at atmospheric concentrations in real world conditions. The student will be expected to develop new materials and\/or composite systems that can capture carbon dioxide at low concentrations. The project aims to translate these materials into prototype systems and test applicability\n\n\nMethodology\n\nTo create new materials or material composites into functional form factors. Working in collaboration with the supervisory research teams, the student will test structure-property relationships to understand material performance and scale-up to develop laboratory scale prototypes to test the materials. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340207        Metal organic frameworks\n400401        Carbon capture engineering (excl. sequestration)\n340305        Physical properties of materials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Nhiem Tran, Calum Drummond","title":"Ionisable lipid complexation with mRNAs and polyelectrolytes for gene delivery","description":"Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have had a tremendous clinical success compared to all other nanoparticle drug delivery systems. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated LNP research and translation, especially in the delivery of genetic materials such as mRNAs, which hold more biomedical potential for the treatment of various diseases beyond the pandemic control for infectious diseases. However, fundamental understanding of the lipid-mRNA complexation mechanism is lacking, limiting future development of gene therapy. In particular, large size mRNAs are polyelectrolytes and their complexation and encapsulation into the current lipid nanoparticle formulations are complex and challenging. With the huge potential of CRISPR technology in gene editing and disease cure, study focusing on large size mRNAs is very much needed for the delivery of CRISPR Cas mRNA coupled with single guide RNAs.   \n\nThis project aims to investigate the complexation of large size mRNAs and polyelectrolytes as a model candidate with ionisable lipids and obtain mechanistic insights for the development of more stable and effective lipid nanoparticles for future gene therapy. It will include investigation of property \u2013 function relationship by following a work flow of lipid nanoparticle-mRNA formulation, characterisation of physicochemical and structure properties, and investigation of mRNA delivery in vitro. \n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 - Colloid and Surface Chemistry (50%)\n310607 - Nanobiotechnology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dawei Su, Baohua Jia, Tianyi Ma, Hamid Arandiyan, Xiaoming Wen, Rachel Caruso, Gao Li","title":"Solar-Energy-Driven Modular Floatable Device for Scalable Green Hydrogen Production from Wastewater","description":"The project will design and manufacture catalytic membranes that combine photocatalysis and photothermal effects to maximise solar energy utilisation. By using only natural sunlight and without relying on potable water, the project will produce floatable devices based on the designed catalytic membranes for simultaneous cost-effective green hydrogen generation from wastewater (targeted price of $2.5\/kg H2) and organic species degradation to purify the source wastewater (to add additional credit to the process). Expected outcomes are the new knowledge of temperature-dependence and in-built charge generation in promoting photocatalytic reactions, the insight into the synergy between photothermal and photocatalytic processes, as well as the development, scaled-up manufacturing, deployment and commercialisation exploration of composite catalysts and membranes incorporated floatable devices that are suitable for real-world application. The technology will develop new markets associated with efficient stand-alone hydrogen production directly from sunlight and remove the need for extra infrastructure associated with photovoltaics and water source purification. The technology will provide significant benefits to Australia's capability in wastewater treatment, clean energy generation, and hydrogen supply chains.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials\n401807 - Nanomaterials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yichao Wang, Vipul Bansal, Li Gao","title":"Real-time plant health monitoring sensor","description":"Agriculture and forestry experience significant annual economic losses, estimated at about $100 billion, due to the impact of both biotic and abiotic stresses. These challenges are intensified by global phenomena like climate change, global warming, and the greenhouse effect. To mitigate these impacts, it is essential to effectively monitor plant physiological conditions, which can help preserve vital resources such as soil, water, and nutrients while also reducing pesticide usage and boosting crop yields.\n\nThe objective of this project is to create advanced nanobionic sensors that can detect and monitor plant stress in real time. These sensors will offer immediate insights into the health and condition of plants, allowing for timely interventions to prevent damage caused by stress. Plants naturally release signalling molecules, facilitating internal communication that helps them identify and react to various stressors both within and outside their systems. These molecules include chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By embedding nanosensors within plant tissues or applying them externally as tattoo or wearable devices, these sensors will capture plant stress signals and transmit the data to portable devices like handheld thermal imaging cameras or Raman spectrometers.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects)        \n310607 - Nanobiotechnology        \n401605 - Functional Materials\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xavier Mulet, Ravichandar Barbarao, Gary Rosengarten","title":"Thermal Modelling and Testing of Porous Materials and Systems across length scales.","description":"Investigating the Thermal Properties of Porous Materials, including Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), \u2013 Integrating simulation, system modelling and experiments\n\nPorous materials including Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials with a range of applications, including gas storage and catalysis. Their unique structure\u2014comprising metal ions or clusters connected by organic ligands\u2014endows them with remarkable properties, including high surface area and tunable porosity. Understanding their thermal properties is crucial for optimizing their performance in all applications. This project aimed at investigating the thermal properties of MOFs through advanced simulation and system modelling techniques validating with experimental data.\n\nAim \n\nTo develop and validate computational models that accurately predict the thermal behavior of porous materials including MOFs and their composites To analyze the impact of different structural parameters and environmental conditions on the thermal stability and thermal conductivity of MOFs. To provide insights into how these thermal properties influence the performance of MOFs in specific applications.\n\nMethodology \n\nTo construct detailed atomic-scale models of selected MOFs and porous materials and to study thermal behaviour including thermal conductivity and thermal stability at various temperatures using classical molecular dynamics simulations.  Further density functional theory will be employed to calculate vibrational properties and heat capacities. \nThis understanding of the thermal behaviours of porous materials can then be integrated in thermal system models that are represent a real-world application application, with a focus on direct air capture of carbon dioxide and atmospheric water generation. There will be an opportunity to translate the model into a prototype system. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305        Physical properties of materials\n401204        Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) \n401602        Composite and hybrid materials\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nhiem Tran, Ewan Blanch","title":"Study cell-nanoparticle interaction using multiple techniques","description":"Lipid nanoparticles are promising candidates for a wide range of biomedical applications from drug delivery to gene therapies. In order to design more effective lipid nanoparticles, it is important to understand the interaction between the nanoparticles and cells. For example, lipid nanoparticles can be taken into cells via processes such as endocytosis. However, they can also fuse with cellular membranes and deliver a therapeutic cargo directly into the cell. The relationship between nanoparticles' structure and their uptake pathways is not well understood. Furthermore, different cells will likely interact with the nanoparticle through a different mechanism, making the relationship more complex. In this project, techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, and cryogenic electron microscopy and tomography will be used to study the interaction between lipid nanoparticles and various types of mammalian cells. Our goal is to use the obtained information to design more efficient delivery vehicles for nucleic acids such as siRNA and mRNA.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (40%)\n310105 Cellular interactions (incl. adhesion, matrix, cell wall) (20%)\n340101 Analytical spectrometry (20%)\n340605 Molecular imaging (incl. electron microscopy and neutron diffraction) (20%)\n\n\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Liu","title":"Bio-inspired functional nanofibers\/nanosheets membrane for wearable Zn-ion batteries ","description":"Currently, the issue of energy shortages has become a serious global challenge. Commercial lithium-ion batteries have been a promising next generation battery for energy storage. Yet there are several problems to be settled including the limit of lithium reserves in the earth, the safety risks (flammability) of separators piercing resulted from lithium dendrites, and environmental impact. To development of renewable energy with low environmental impact and to meet the increasing demand for flexible and wearable electronics, advanced flexible zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are a promising way to provide an alternative to apply in these aspects owing to their low-cost, high-energy density, inherent safety, and low environmental impact. Nevertheless, several challenges remain that need to be prioritized before realizing the widespread application of ZIBs, such as inevitable zinc dendrites, weak interfacial stability between Zn anode and electrolytes corrosion passivation. Therefore, this project will develop a new strategy to improve the stability of Zn anode for high performance of Zn-ion batteries with low-cost, safety, and low environmental impact to guarantee the sustainable development of human being.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; \n401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 40% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung, Vipul Bansal","title":"Molecular Simulations and Deep-Learning Predictions of Biomolecular Interactions ","description":"Biomolecular interactions in eukaryotic and bacterial membrane environments are vital for cellular function, survival, and pathogenicity. Understanding these interactions provides insights into cellular mechanisms and can inform therapeutic strategies. This project will employ state-of-the-art computational molecular modelling and biophysical simulations techniques to predict and identify specific interactions between biomolecules in the presence of lipid membranes. AI-driven deep learning methods will be used to predict the conformations of biomacromolecules, while complex cellular membrane environments such as bacterial cell walls will be constructed using a combination of mesoscale (coarse-grained) and all-atom models. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations will be used to quantify the binding affinity between molecular species within realistic cellular environments. Data acquired from structural modelling and simulations will be mined to identify optimal predictive descriptors for development of machine learning models, which will enable rapid in silico screening and identification of binding partners in biomolecular systems, with numerous potential applications in biosensing, antibody design, nanomedicine, and other fields. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340401 Biologically active molecules (50%)\n340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (50%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lily van Eeden, Lukas Parker","title":"Changing human behaviour to benefit nature (and people)","description":"This project is funded by a 2024 ARC Industry Fellowship titled \"Behaviour change science for nature conservation\". The two main partners are the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBG).\n\nAustralia has some of the highest rates of species extinction in the world. Human actions are driving much of the biodiversity crisis, and yet human action can also help solve it. This project seeks to harness an understanding of human behaviour to achieve nature conservation objectives.\n\nThe project will employ and build skills in behavioural psychology and systems-thinking, seeking to develop and test theories of change for achieving conservation through behaviour change interventions, working in partnership with government.\n\nThe project is likely to encompass some or all of the themes and approaches below, with some flexibility to accommodate the successful candidate(s) interests and skills:\n\n- Testing how models and theories of pro-environmental behaviour apply to target nature-friendly behaviours\n- Exploring relationships between target behaviours to develop behavioural \"spillover\" mechanisms\n- Identifying relationships between nature-friendly behaviour and human wellbeing\n- Interviews and qualitative data analysis\n- Development of surveys and quantitative analysis of survey data\n- Workshops with partner agencies to identify potential system leverage points\n- Evaluation of behaviour change interventions, delivered through DEECA, RBG, and other partner programs","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"410401 Conservation and biodiversity 60%\n520505 Social psychology 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babar Shabbir, Nasir Mahmood","title":"X-ray Sensing and Imaging Devices","description":"X-rays have revolutionized various fields. Today, they address challenging detection problems, including diagnosing illnesses, detecting high-density metal explosives, and identifying physical food contaminants. The predominant method, Single Energy X-ray technology, operates within the hard X-ray photon region of ~10 to 200 keV. This range is ideal for detecting hard materials such as high-density bones, metals, and stones, which effectively absorb hard X-rays. However, soft materials with low X-ray attenuation coefficients within this spectral region (10 to 200 keV) yield limited information. This limitation hinders the detection of soft materials in heterogeneous substances, such as soft human tissues, low-density metals, or low-density physical contaminants in food.\n\nTo address this challenge, this project aims to develop dual energy X-ray detectors capable of simultaneously detecting soft and hard X-rays with high sensitivity. By incorporating an additional spectral dimension, this approach promises to enhance the detection of both soft and hard materials. These detectors will be based on advanced materials, which will be predicted using deep learning techniques. These new sensors will improve the accuracy and efficacy of X-ray detection in medical diagnostics, security screening, and food safety.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"030702        Radiation and Matter (50%)\n020504        Photonics, Optoelectronics and Optical Communications (25%)\n029904        Synchrotrons; Accelerators; Instruments and Techniques (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Babar Shabbir, Nasir Mahmood","title":"Accelerating Materials Discovery and Optimization Using Machine Learning","description":"The development of advanced materials is critical for numerous industries, including aerospace, automotive, and energy. Traditional material discovery methods are time-consuming and expensive, often involving extensive trial-and-error experimentation. Machine Learning (ML) offers a promising solution to accelerate this process by predicting material properties and suggesting new compositions with desired characteristics. The objective of this project is to create ML models that predict advanced materials with superior performance in areas such as strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"030307        Theory and Design of Materials (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Steven Bozinovski, Calum Drummond","title":"Deciphering lipid-RNA nanocarrier structure upon RNA complexation","description":"This project is an ARC Discovery project aiming to eludicate mRNA-lipid nanoparticle formulation and complexation mechanisms for developing next-generation mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines. \nThis project will systematically investigate the formulation-structure-functional relationship of mRNA-lipid nanoparticles by high-throughput screening of lipid nanoparticle composition and physiochemical properties, formulation optimsation with various model mRNAs, and comprehensive in vitro studies on nanoparticle-cell interactions. \n\nThis project would suit a HDR candidate with an interest in mRNA technology, nanobiotechnology and chemistry. The candidate would have an opportunity to learn skills in nanoparticle design and formulation, as well as a range of biophysical instruments including synchrotron based small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering, microscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and will the opportunity to visit Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO neutron facility, and synchrotron facilities overseas. The candidate will be supported in a multi-disciplinary research group that has a strong track record in the proposed research area and HDR completion. Our laboratory in School of Science at the city campus, together with the renowned RMIT facilities and centres, ensure essential resources required for the project.   \n\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603  Colloid and Surface Chemistry (50%)\n310607 Nanobiotechnology (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Stephen Headey, Natalie Borg SHBS","title":"Developing antagonists of MIF","description":"MIF is a cytokine involved in inflammation, cancer and host responses to viral infection. Inhibiting MIF could lead to novel treatments for these diseases. We are developing novel MIF inhibitors using computational docking and design along with medicinal chemistry. Potential inhibitors are tested in biophysical, enzymatic and cell-based assays that we have established in our labs. During this project you will learn medicinal chemistry synthesis techniques, computation docking and drug design and biophysical techniques such as SPR and protein NMR. The project would suit students with a background in organic chemistry.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"030304 -  Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry    75%\n111101 -  Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics  25%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen, James Tardio","title":"Fundamental characterisation of high-phosphorus iron ores","description":"The main objective of this PhD project is to characterize various Australian and Indian iron ores to reveal the associations between P, Al and Si. The project will provide numerous research and development opportunities including cutting-edge chemical analytical and mineral characterisation techniques, as well as solution chemistry analysis, mineralogy analysis, electron microscopy, and synchrotron technology. The candidate should have experience in one or more of the following research areas: Minerology, Mineral Processing, Hydrometallurgy, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Geochemistry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Low-grade iron ore upgrade","description":"The objective of this PhD project is to understand the various types of matrix gangue minerals present in Australian and Indian iron ores, and to study the transformation mechanisms of their structure, their ionic conductivity, and their ion exchange properties during an upgrade process involving leaching of impurities. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Baohua Jia, Han Lin","title":"Photothermal management with graphene metamaterials","description":"Environmental and industrial thermal management represents major global energy consumption and CO2 emission. This project aims to investigate a game-changing passive thermal management solution to tackle both heating and cooling problems without using any electricity. This is made possible by designing a nanostructured graphene metamaterial to either totally reject or totally absorb electromagnetic waves in certain spectral ranges. Expected outcomes include new design and fabrication strategies for novel photothermal films with high performance and cost-effectiveness. This is expected to lead to the development of novel energy efficient technologies for Australian industries, producing direct economic, social and environmental benefits.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605  Functional materials (50%) , 401809  Nanophotonics (30%), 401703  Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical) (20%), "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rachel Caruso, Tu Le, School of Engineering","title":"Designing electrocatalysts using material informatics","description":"The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to value-added fuels and chemicals requires active catalysts that have good selectivity. When considering long term industrial application of the catalyst it is important that they are stable and not expensive. In this project the synthesis of electrocatalysts will be guided by theoretical computations and modelling methods (e.g. DFT, machine learning), in which structure-property and composition-property relations will be revealed, and new electrocatalysts and optimised synthesis conditions will be identified. The predictions will then be tested through the synthesis and testing of the materials.\r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate should have a strong interest in materials chemistry, good understanding of crystal structure, as well as wet-laboratory skills. Candidates having knowledge about theoretical computations and modelling will be highly preferred. \r\n\r\nThe project sits within the ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 Theory and design of materials (40%)\r\n340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (40%)\r\n340604 Electrochemistry (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam, Andrew Hung ","title":"Developing lead small organic molecules with selective anti-cancer properties","description":"Inhibition of apoptotic proteins involved in cancer is a desirable approach. Small molecules from natural products are developed in addressing this strategy. Applying computational analysis, further derivatisation and optimisation of the small molecules can be achieved. Synthetically, microwave-assisted or traditional organic synthesis can be utilised to synthesise rapidly and in large quantities of the small molecules. In this project, small molecules will be used to screen apoptotic proteins and the potential compounds will be further derivatised and fully characterised using NMR analytical techniques. Thus, this project will result in compounds with promising activities as anti-cancer agents and potentially as therapeutic agents for cancer.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340504 Organic green chemistry (50%)\n340701 Computational chemistry (20%)\n340401 Biologically active molecules (30%)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Tardio, Hamid Arandiyan, Suresh Bhargava","title":"Research and development on waste water treatment processes","description":"The main focus of this project is to develop a novel process for treating industrial wastewater. Different processes will be explored including advanced oxidation based processes (including catalytic processes) and sorption based processes. Processes for upgrading waste that is recovered will also be explored.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400410 Water treatment processes"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Aaron Elbourne,  Paul Ramsland (paul.ramsland@rmit.edu.au) - Biology.","title":"Single-Molecular Sensing of Bacterial \u2013 Antibody Interactions","description":"Motivation\r\n\r\nUnderstanding the intricacies of antibody-bacteria interactions is paramount in deciphering the mechanisms employed by pathogens to be recognized by and evade the immune system. The dynamic interplay between antibodies and bacteria plays a pivotal role in the pathogen's ability to subvert immune responses, making it a critical area for investigation. This PhD project aims to gain new, nanoscale insights into the molecular tactics employed by antibodies to bind bacteria and how these bacteria can evade immune responses at the single-molecule level. Moreover, it will inform the development of targeted interventions, ultimately enhancing our understanding and capacity to combat infectious diseases with precision and efficacy.\r\n\r\nScope\r\n\r\nEmploying cutting-edge single-molecule techniques, including atomic force microscopy, magnetic tweezers, and optical tweezers, we aim to unravel the subtle forces and dynamics governing the interactions of antibodies with bacterial cell surfaces at the nanoscale. By delving into the realm of single-molecule studies, we aim to unveil new insights into the molecular tactics employed by bacteria to evade antibodies, offering a unique perspective that can inform the development of targeted interventions and strategies to bolster the immune system's defense against infectious agents. This research not only addresses fundamental questions in immunology but also opens avenues for the design of innovative therapeutics to counteract pathogen evasion and enhance our ability to combat infectious diseases effectively.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry 50%\r\n310607 Nanobiotechnology 40%\r\n401810 Nanoscale Characterisation 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tianyi Ma","title":"Catalytic Hydrogen Production: From Lab to Real World","description":"With the falling cost of renewable energy and the abundant availability of solar and wind resources, Australia is an ideal place to scale up green hydrogen production. The global hydrogen industry is expected to increase 40% by 2030, with Australia aiming to become a leading exporter of hydrogen, with potential export values of $5.7b by 2040. To accelerate the development of a hydrogen economy and transition to a decarbonised future, we need to produce \u201cclean\u201d hydrogen at under AU$2.00 per kilogram. Nanostructured materials have attracted considerable attention for photocatalytic H2 production due to their unique physical and chemical properties in comparison to their bulk counterparts. These diverse nanostructures such as nanocrystals, nanopores, nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, and other more complex hierarchical architectures with large surface areas, high surface to volume ratios, and numerous accessible catalytic active sites as well as efficient mass transport have been demonstrated to show extraordinary H2 production activity. Therefore, we will be working on the engineering of polarisation, chemical composition and morphology in promoting the specific photocatalytic activity of nanomaterials, which will enrich our knowledge on enhancing the nanophotocatalysis in structural and elemental aspects.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 Functional Materials (40%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (30%)\r\n340601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Christofferson, Aaron Elbourne","title":"Biomolecular Interactions with Nanoparticles \u2013 Investigating the Protein Corona and beyond","description":"Motivation\nNanotechnology, particularly nanoparticles and nanosheets with nanoscale dimensions, has become a powerful tool for manipulating matter at the cellular level. These materials find applications in drug delivery, advanced diagnostics, cellular imaging, and cancer treatment, among other areas. Despite their wide-ranging use, there is still limited understanding of how nanomaterials like particles, sheets, and soft vesicles interact with cellular material, especially regarding protein corona formation\u2014a process where proteins adsorb onto the surface of nanoparticles, influencing their behavior and interactions within biological systems.\n\nScope\nThis research project aims to advance our understanding of protein corona formation and its effect on cellular interactions by developing new experimental and molecular dynamics methodologies. Specifically, we will investigate the intricate interactions between nanoparticles and biomolecules, such as proteins, and focus on how these structures alter interactions with the cell membrane.\n\nExpected Outcomes\nIn this work, we will focus on understanding protein coronas formed on nanoparticles of varying chemistries. To investigate these interactions, we will develop novel multiscale simulation methods and validate theoretical findings with tailored experimental studies. This will involve a variety of computational techniques, including ab initio calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and coarse-grain modelling, as well as advanced microscopic techniques, such as atomic force microscopy, confocal microscopy, and electron microscopy, to thoroughly characterize these systems. This comprehensive analysis will allow us to gain insights into how nanomaterials interact with proteins and other important biomolecules.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340701 Computational chemistry (80%)\r\n340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (10%)\r\n510405 Soft condensed matter (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Xavier Mulet, Peter Sherrell, Joseph Olorunyomi, Gary Rosengarten; School of Engineering","title":"Creation of New Thermoelectric Porous Materials and Systems","description":"Waste Heat is a huge challenge in the global energy transition. We are developing new materials and system to enhance the conversion of heat to electricity. Using Advanced Materials we are developing new composites to address the Waste Heat problem. \r\n\r\nThermoelectric materials can convert waste heat into electricity. Materials and devices that have high efficiency, low cost, and are environmentally friendly are desirable to revolutionise energy generation. Functional composite materials based on porous structures including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), hypercrosslinked polymers, inorganic oxides and conducting materials are promising to deliver thermoelectric performance. Synthetic approaches but not limited to solvothermal approach, in-situ polymerizations, solid state synthesis, biomimetic encapsulation, and thin film fabrication are desirable in developing thermoelectric structures. Experience in materials synthesis and characterisation such as electrical conductivity, thermal characterisation, crystallographic techniques and electron microscopy are desirable.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305\tPhysical properties of materials (33%)\r\n401602\tComposite and hybrid materials (34%)\r\n401703\tEnergy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical) (33%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"Reactive small molecule sensing using 2D nanomaterials","description":"Reactive small molecules such as phosphine are commonly used industrially as fumigants to eliminate pests and microorganisms from bulk commodities and cash crops alike. Many of these fumigants are highly toxic and can only be reliably tested at >1ppm levels. To overcome this limitation, new sensing materials such as 2D materials and their heterostructures will be investigated to enable ppb level sensing, to improve worker\/operator safety. This project will focus on using density functional theory calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The project is a collaboration with Dr Michael Breedon at CSIRO and will involve working on the RMIT city campus and the CSIRO Clayton site. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510403\tCondensed matter modelling and density functional theory (70%)\r\n340108\tSensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (20%)\r\n300804\tHorticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Kathryn Hassell, AQUEST Research Group (BFT)","title":"Ecological indicators for monitoring sewage pollution in streams and estuaries around Melbourne","description":"Untreated sewage inputs, in the form of sewer and septic leaks, and Emergency Relief Structure (ERS) spills may cause water quality impacts in waterways, however the extent to which such spills may cause ecological and human health impacts is less certain.  An evidence-based understanding of sewage discharge characteristics and how these impact ecological and social values will enable a more structured and strategic process for prioritising the investigation and management of sewage inputs. \n\nThis project will use an experimental approach to identify if a causal relationship can be established between sewage spill characteristics (duration\/volume\/frequency) and water quality, with potential ecological impacts.  Considerations such as temporal monitoring of some streams at risk of impacts from untreated sewage spills (hotspots), and assessments of dry weather (chronic) spill sites and wet weather spill sites will be included.  This design will enable differences in the ecological impacts from sewer\/septic leaks (chronic) and ERS (acute) spills to be assessed, and to establish if there is a way to differentiate spills impacts of short temporary and recoverable ecological effect and more permanent risk to the ecological population.  Multiple field sampling trips will be done to capture both wet weather and dry weather conditions at sewer spill sites. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"310304 Freshwater ecology (50%)\n410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring (25%)\n410201 Bioavailability and ecotoxicology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ewan Blanch, Saffron Bryant","title":"Cellulose aerogels as molecular nanosensors","description":"Cellulose is a polysaccharide formed from hundreds or thousands of beta(1\u21924) linked D-glucose subunits. A major component of plant and algal cell walls as well as the biofilms extruded by some bacteria, the physical and mechanical properties of cellulose have made it an important resource for thousands of years. More recently, cellulose has attracted interest as a nanomaterial due to its ability to form both crystalline and amorphous fibrils, cholesteric liquid crystals, hydrogels and aerogels. In this project we will develop cellulose-based nanomaterials and characterise their properties using a wide range of biophysical techniques, with the aim of investigating their potential as a new class of nanosensors. \n\nRequirements: A Bachelors (Honours) or Masters degree in Chemistry, Physics or a related scientific or engineering subject. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340302\r\n340603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Aaron Elbourne, Saffron J. Bryant, Andrew J. Christofferson, Gary Bryant","title":"Nanomaterial Interactions with Model Cell Membranes","description":"Motivation: Nanotechnology, specifically nanoparticles and\/or nanosheets with nanoscale dimensions, has emerged as means of manipulating matter at the cellular level. Specifically, such materials have been used for drug delivery, advanced diagnostics, cellular-imaging, and tumour (cancer) treatment, amongst many other applications. However, the precise mechanism by which nanomaterials such as particles, sheets, and soft vesicles interact with cellular material remains poorly understood.\r\n\r\nScope: This research project will develop a fundamental and molecular understanding of how nanoparticles, and nanomaterials in general, interact with cellular materials, via the cell membrane.\r\nNanomaterials will be synthesised through various chemical and exfoliation techniques and introduced to model cellular membranes (lipid bilayers) in a systematic fashion.\r\n\r\nExpected Outcomes: In this work, model lipid bilayers will be self-assembled to explore surfaces and colloids in solutions. These bilayers act as representations of biological materials, such as cells, viral particles, and extracellular vesicles. The resulting bilayers will then be characterised using a suite of high-resolution microscopic techniques - Atomic Force Microscopy, Confocal, and Electron Microscopy, etc. - and molecular dynamics simulations. This will elucidate and assess the interactions of nanomaterials with lipid bilayers. Importantly, the specific interactions of nanomaterials with lipid bilayers influences a plethora of phenomena at the cellular interface. The experiments performed, and models constructed here will give a more accurate description of the effects of curvature of biological cells, providing fundamental insight into the interactions of nanomaterials with model lipid bilayers.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry 50%\r\n310607 Nanobiotechnology 40%\r\n401810 Nanoscale Characterisation 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood, Ravichandar Babaro, Ravi Shukla, Nicky Eshtiaghi","title":"Biocompatible materials for early disease detection and environmental application","description":"The fast evolution, higher demands, quick progression in science and technology, impacting our lives in several ways, increase the susceptibility of humans for disease, pollute the environment and increased toxic waste to freshwater.\r\nTherefore, protective measure need to be taken like 1) it is imperative to design effective and non-invasive probes that can detect the diseases at an early stage by detecting monomers, oligomers and protofibrils involved in these process, 2) introduced better and efficient targeted treatment methods like targeted drug delivery for the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer disease (AD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), etc. and 3) effective treatment of industrial wastewater to protect freshwater reserves for the survival of life especially.\r\nSeveral macroscopic methods based on conventional medical imaging techniques such as MRI, or NIR, imaging and microscopic systems based on two-photon excited or electron microscopy are developed for early disease detection. But designing a reliable and cost-effective strategy is a big challenge in the current scenario, however, utilizing nanodiagnostic tools and nanocarriers would solve this problem to some extent. Currently, available nanodiagnostic tool can detect amyloids biomarker either in vitro or in vivo depending upon physicochemical interaction with amyloid protein but extraction of information about their propagation is still a challenge. On the other side, nanocarriers have enhanced the targeted drug delivery to specifically improve the AD treatment, however, controlled release and behavior of a carrier in the cells is not explored well. Thus, along with developing new detection biomarkers and drug carriers, their toxicity should also be addressed.\r\nThis project aims to develop biocompatible multimodal probes based on carbon and inorganic materials for timely diagnosis of disease (like AD and T2D) and delivery of drug for their early treatment. Further, it will also assess the level of toxicity and impact of these carriers on cell metabolism proteomic analysis.\r\nThis project will also develop porous materials to examine how they affect the microbial distributions, biofilm compositions, and mutualism (among anammox bacteria, AOB, and denitrifying bacterial communities) for efficient operation of nitritation-anammox process for wastewater treatment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials 40%\r\n030306 Synthesis of Materials 30%\r\n0903 Biomedical Engineering  20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Aaron Elbourne, Applied Chemistry & Environmental Science\r\nBlanca del Rosal Rabes, Physics","title":"Unlocking Electrostatic Energy Harvesters: Towards Distributed, Wearable, and Implantable Electronics","description":"Mechanical-to-electrical energy harvesters are emerging as critical technologies to power small-scale electronic, electrochemical, bionic, and distributed systems. In particular, polymer-based devices have attracted great interest due to their high chemical stability and high efficiency in converting motion to electricity. \r\n\r\nThere are two ways by which polymers harvest energy; 1) piezoelectricity, which converts bulk deformation to electricity,[1] and 2) contact electrification (triboelectricity) [2] which converts interfacial friction to electricity. When these phenomena are combined, nearly 1000 V and uA current can be harvested from simple human movements.\r\n\r\nHowever, the mechanisms by which polymers generate interfacial charge are still the subject of vigorous debate in the literature.[3] \r\n\r\nWe have, for the first time, linked fundamental physical properties of polymers, including cohesive energy [4] and topography [5], to triboelectric charging phenomena.  While the elucidation of these macroscopic charging phenomena are powerful, nanoscale measurements have shown that the local surface charge can be over 1000x higher than the macroscale. \r\n\r\nThis project will explore how to we understand charging phenomena at the nanoscale, and how this can be expanded into the macroscale. The student will gain key skills in materials processing, nanoscale, optical, and vibrational characterisation techniques, polymer processing, electronic devices, and data analysis \u2013 providing key skills highly valued by employers.\r\n\r\nThis project involves team members across Applied Chemistry & Environmental Science and Physics as well as collaboration into the School of Engineering along with National and International Collaborative Partners.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/C9EE03059J\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/admi.202300323\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41570-019-0115-1\r\n[4] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsami.1c13100\r\n[5] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.nanoen.2022.107914 \r\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305\tPhysical properties of materials (25%)\r\n401810\tNanoscale characterisation (25%)\r\n401609\tPolymers and plastics (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Aaron Elbourne","title":"Advanced BioAFM for tissue engineering","description":"Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a highly versatile tool for characterizing biological systems, enabling live cell measurements with no requirement for fixatives or labels. Measuring and observing living stem cells in situ is highly important to understand how cells react and respond to their environment, and the knowledge gained can be used to design and control this environment for targeted outcomes. [1]\r\n\r\nAt RMIT we have a world-class bioAFM which is capable of biomechanical and biomolecular analyses of living cells, including the only FluidFM system installed in Australia. This project will primarily involve applying various bioAFM techniques to study living stem cells (quantitative imaging, functionalized probe scanning, viscoelastic probing), in addition to using the FluidFM for single cell biopsies and injection. Complementary biological techniques such as cell culture, biomolecular analyses (PCR, western blot, targeted assays), and fluorescent microscopy will be required, in addition to basic chemistry skills in preparing substrates or materials as required. \r\n\r\nThe supervisory team has extensive experience in AFM for a variety of applications,[2-4] and the HDR candidate will gain experience in a cross-disciplinary field of research using cutting-edge techniques. \r\n\r\n[1] A. Gelmi, C. Ibsen. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10 (1), 2021\r\n[2] S. Maynard*, A. Gelmi, et al. ACS Nano, 14 (12), , 2020\r\n[3] A. Elbourne et al. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 546, 2019\r\n[4] S. Collett, et al. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 592, 2021\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400302 Biomaterials 30%\r\n320606 Regenerative medicine (incl stem cells) 30%\r\n401810 Nanoscale characterisation 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Mahdokht Shaibani, School of Engineering\r\nXavier Mulet, Research & Innovation Portfolio","title":"FastCharge: Enabling High Rate Capacity Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices","description":"Electrochemical devices will underpin societal shifts away from fossil fuel use. In particular batteries and supercapacitors enable modulation of energy provided by fluxional renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. The key challenge in this area is mitigating energy lost during charging and discharging processes within these electrochemical devices. This project looks to develop new ways to improve the speed at which batteries and supercapacitors can store and release electricity, through the integration of mechanical and thermal energy harvesting systems. \r\n\r\nThe project will focus on integration of ferroelectric and thermoelectric materials into carbon-based electrodes and explore the recently discovered piezoelectric-like response of ionic liquids. \r\n\r\nThe student will gain skills in electrochemistry, energy storage devices, materials engineering, and energy harvesting systems \u2013 with skills of direct interest to a wide range of employers across the electric vehicle, electronics, and energy storage sectors.\r\n\r\nEmbedded in the city campus of RMIT University, students will have access to a range of world leading materials synthesis, characterisation, and testing facilities in a vibrant city environment. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303\tNanochemistry (25%)\r\n401605\tFunctional materials (25%)\r\n340604\tElectrochemistry (50%)\r\n\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"2D Materials for Low Energy Electronics","description":"Current electronic devices, such as laptops and computers, consume considerable amounts of energy, with the amount growing each year. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop low energy electronics that can contribute towards a sustainable future.  \r\n\r\nThe unique properties of nanomaterials and their inherent low dimensions make then suitable for components in electronic devices that operate using less energy. Two dimensional nanomaterials and their van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures are promising platforms for future nano-, opto- and piezo- electronic devices. Being able to combine the properties of individual layers can lead to enhanced features suitable for reducing energy consumption, allowing memory storage and facilitating catalytic reactions. \r\n\r\nThe aim of this project is to discover new 1D and 2D multiferroic materials that are formed either from monolayers or multilayer materials. As the number of possibilities for suitable candidate materials is enormous, a computational approach (based on density functional theory) will be used to accelerate the search for possible materials by theoretical prototyping of potential candidates before starting materials synthesis. The project will use several high-performance supercomputing facilities as well as AWS cloud supercomputing facilities.   \r\n\r\nSome relevant papers include: \r\n1)\tJavaid, Paylor, Tawfik, Spencer, \u201cTuning the Schottky barrier height in a multiferroic In2Se3\/Fe3GeTe2 van der Waals heterojunction\u201d Nanoscale 14 (2022) 4114\r\n2)\tTaylor, Tawfik, Spencer, \u201cFerroelectric van der Waals heterostructures of CuInP2S6 for non-volatile memory device applications\u201d Nanotechnology 34 (2023) 065701\r\n3)\tYaokawa, Ohsuna, Morishita, Hayasaka, Spencer, Nakano, \u201cMonolayer-to-bilayer transformation of silicenes and their structural analysis\u201d Nature Communications 7 (2016) 10657","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340701\tComputational chemistry (40%)\r\n510403\tCondensed matter modelling and density functional theory (40%)\r\n340305\tPhysical properties of materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"A new universal standard to assess the efficacy of sunscreens for human-free testing","description":"Sunscreens play an important role in protecting humans from the harmful effects of solar UV radiation. You would have seen an SPF (sunscreen protection factor) value listed on sunscreen bottles, which indicates its protective efficacy. But do you know that the current sunscreen testing standards require exposing humans to harmful UV radiation to get SPF values? This raises ethical concerns and results in an expensive and time-consuming test. \n\nThe project aims to develop a cost-effective human-free method to reliably test the performance of sunscreens in collaboration with the Australian regulatory bodies. This scientifically validated in vitro method could potentially become a new sunscreen testing standard and may influence government policies around sun safety. This could result in improved consumer products through regulatory surveillance of sunscreen products.\n\nThe research involves interdisciplinary fields of chemistry, nanotechnology, biology, and engineering to (i) develop a nanostructured skin-mimicking surface that can replace human skin, (ii) a robotic sunscreen spreading technique that increases reproducibility of tests, and (iii) a portable UV sensor that can determine the UV blocking effects of sunscreens. If you have an interest in one or more of these areas, this could be the project for you. \n\nThe project offers internship and collaboration opportunities with the Commonwealth Agency responsible for radiation safety (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency \u2013 ARPANSA) and Australia\u2019s leading organisation for skin cancer prevention (Cancer Council Victoria \u2013 CCV). \n\nRefer to our publication (https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.trac.2022.116724) for further information about this project. Publications of Chief Investigator are accessible through https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en\n","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/04\/2030","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"Instrumental methods (excl. immunological and bioassay methods) 340105 (50%) ; Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) 340108 (25%) ; Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) 340301 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Selvakannan Periasamy, Suresh K Bhargava, Maciej Mazur,\r\nPetros Lappas","title":"Methane to hydrogen conversion with compact 3D printed catalytic reactors","description":"Hydrogen powered fuel cells and combustion engines hold the opportunity to decarbonise the energy, transport sectors and advance the hydrogen economy. Producing hydrogen on demand from natural gas alleviates the hazards associated the transportation and storage of hydrogen, two major technical challenges that delays the transition towards clean hydrogen for energy and mobility. The \u201con-demand\u201d hydrogen generation from natural gas using catalytic cracking of methane can be a potential option and the endothermic process can be driven by solar energy or waste\/induction heat.  The major promise of this process lies in the potential for simple process design and production of highly desirable fuel cell grade hydrogen  and valuable carbon nano materials as by-products. However, However, catalytic cracking of methane into hydrogen on-demand requires a stable coke-resistant catalyst, which can extend the lifetime of the catalyst without compromising the activity of methane cracking into hydrogen. \r\nThe aim of this PhD project is to develop a catalyst functionalized 3D printed open framework metal structures as new generation coke-resistant catalysts for the catalytic cracking of methane into hydrogen.  This PhD project will address the key research challenges in functionalizing the 3D printed metal structures using the nanostructured intermetallic catalysts, their characterization, coking behaviour, extensive catalyst screening and analysis. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601        Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (40%)\n340303        Nanochemistry (35%)\n401401        Additive manufacturing (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi","title":"Electrically conductive biomaterials for tissue engineering","description":"In the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering, stem cell fate is often controlled through physical or mechanical cues provided by passive biomaterial properties. Electrical stimulation has been demonstrated to direct stem cell differentiation in the absence of exogenous biochemical triggers down several phenotype pathways (osteogenic, neurogenic, smooth muscle, and chondrogenic).[1] \r\nConductive biomaterials, including organic conductive polymers, carbon allotropes, and hydrogels, have all been used to deliver an electrical signal to interfacing stem cells.[2] However, to date there has been no systematic study into how the electrical properties of conductive biomaterials may influence stem cell response.\r\n\r\nThis project will explore three classes of conductive, non-cytotoxic materials to stimulate stem cells; a metallic conductor, a semi-conductor, and pseudo-capacitive semi-conductor. The electronic properties of these materials and how they interface with biological systems will be explored using both electrochemical and biological techniques. This investigation will help improve the design of biomaterials for bioelectronic applications, and identify effective biomaterial properties.  \r\n\r\nThe HDR candidate will gain experience in a cross-disciplinary field, exploring at the interface of chemistry and stem cell biology. Skills in materials chemistry and electrochemistry will be required, including characterisation techniques such as electronic microscopy, AFM, Raman, impedance, and cyclic voltammetry, in addition to complementary biological techniques such as cell culture, biomolecular analyses, and fluorescent microscopy.\r\n\r\n[1] A. Gelmi, C. Ibsen. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10 (1), 2001125, 2021\r\n[2] Sherrell, P. C. et al. Advanced Functional Materials 2014, 24 (6), 769-776\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400302 Biomaterials (50%)\r\n320606 Regenerative medicine (incl. stem cells) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"Development of components for next generation rechargeable batteries","description":"Storage of clean energy is a key step in providing renewable energy solutions. Rechargeable batteries are vital tools to help this transition, however, the capacity of current Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is not sufficient for high energy density applications. Research is needed to enhance the performance of batteries by modifying their key components. Replacing the anode in LIBs with Li metal provides a theoretical ten-fold increase in capacity, but the electrolytes currently used are not compatible with Li-metal.\r\n\r\nThis project will examine alternative electrolytes for use in Li-metal batteries (LMBs). Quantum mechanical calculations will be used together with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to determine how the electrolyte reacts and decomposes on the electrode surface during the initial stages of formation of the solid electrolyte interphase layer. The relationship between the electrolyte structure and its function will also be determined. The project will use high-performance supercomputing facilities and AWS cloud supercomputing facilities. \r\n\r\nSome relevant publications include:\r\n1)\tDO Osborne, M Breedon, T Ruther, MJS Spencer, \u201cTowards Higher Electrochemical Electrolyte Stability: Lithium Salt Design Through in silico Screening\u201d J. Mater. Chem. A 10 (2022) 13254\r\n2)\tJ Clarke\u2010Hannaford, M Breedon, T R\u00fcther, P Johansson, MJS Spencer, \u201cSpectroscopic and Computational Study of Boronium Ionic Liquids and Electrolytes\u201d Chem. Eur. J. 27 (2021) p12826\r\n3)\tJ Clarke-Hannaford, M Breedon, T R\u00fcther, MJS Spencer \u201cStability of Boronium Cation-Based Ionic Liquid Electrolytes on the Li Metal Anode Surface\u201d, ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 3 (2020) 5497","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340701\tComputational chemistry (50%)\r\n510403\tCondensed matter modelling and density functional theory (30%)\r\n340305\tPhysical properties of materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravichandar Babarao, Nasir Mahmood, Xavier Mulet, Tu Le (School of Engineering)","title":"Metal Organic Frameworks: Highly Porous Materials for Co2 Capture and Hydrogen Storage","description":"The past decade has seen the emergence of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) or porous coordination polymers (PCPs) as potential candidate materials across a plethora of applications [1, 2]. MOFs are crystalline materials built from metal ions or clusters bridged by organic linkers to form one-, two- or three-dimensional structures. MOFs are porous materials that hold the world record for specific surface area and storage of gases. MOF research has become one of the fastest growing fields in materials science. More than 100,000 different MOFs have been reported and studied within the past decade and nearly 130,000 hypothetical MOFs have been designed based on different metal clusters and ligands [2]. However, their uptake by industry is hamstrung by a lack of knowledge of their in situ performance under realistic conditions and the stability of MOFs in different thermal, chemical and mechanical environments [3]. Understanding these issues is critical for MOF manufacturing, processing and performance. This project will focus on fundamental understanding of what makes MOFs stable in realistic conditions using state of the art computational techniques [4] and to exploit this new understanding to guide development of robust porous materials for capturing Co2 from different point sources and for hydrogen storage. \r\n\r\nWe seek chemistry\/physics\/engineering graduates who have some background in any of the following: atomistic modelling, in silico design of materials, programming, high-throughput screening, Monte Carlo methods and first principles calculations. The project involves close collaboration with experimentalist in the field of nanomaterials and device fabrication. Specifically, the project involves: (i) Develop in silico screening tool for pre-screening thousands of materials. (ii) Develop new descriptors based on the structure\u2013property relationship to identify materials that merit experimental characterisation. (iii) Use a combinatorial approach integrating modelling and chemical experiments to speed up the design cycle from laboratory testing to industrial use. (iv) Develop understanding of the stability of MOF materials in realistic conditions to find the best, robust materials for large-scale synthesis.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1]. J. Jiang et al. Chemical Society Reviews 40 (2011) 3599.\r\n[2] M. Rubio-Martinez et al. Chemical Society Reviews 46 (2017) 3453.\r\n[2]. C. E. Wilmer et al. Nature Chemistry 4 (2012) 83.\r\n[3]. A. J. Howarth et al. Nature Reviews, Materials 1 (2016).\r\n[4]. J. D. Evans et al. Chemistry of Materials 29 (2017) 199.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340207 Metal Organic Frameworks (40%)\r\n340703 Statistical Mechanics in Chemistry (40%)\r\n510403 Condensed Matter Modeling and Density Functional Theory (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei","title":"Construction of Two-dimensional porous hybrid Nanostructures","description":"Two-dimensional hybrid nanostructures play a pivotal role in advanced energy generation and storage technologies, offering significant advantages in enhancing the efficiency, capacity, and stability of energy storage devices such as supercapacitors. Their unique properties enable greater charge storage, while the presence of interconnected porous networks facilitates efficient ion transport, thereby reducing internal resistance. Furthermore, the tunable nature of these porous structures allows for the optimization of mechanical properties, making them particularly suitable for flexible and wearable energy storage applications.\nThis project aims to address these challenges by developing advanced porous hybrid nanostructures with precise control over morphology, thickness uniformity, and surface chemistry through an innovative  method. This novel fabrication technique eliminates the need for physical templates, drastically reduces processing times, and offers a simple, rapid, and scalable solution for producing high-performance porous nanostructures. By leveraging this cutting-edge approach, we aim to unlock new possibilities for next-generation energy systems, where improved charge capacity, faster ion transport, and enhanced mechanical flexibility are paramount.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"2025-03-23","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 40% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 30% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Kathryn Hassell, Mariela Soto-Berelov","title":"Detection of microplastics in urban waterways using spectroscopy and remote sensing","description":"Microplastics enter urban waterways through surface runoff, stormwater flows and wastewater spills. The breakdown of litter may also contribute to microplastics generation in aquatic environments. In this project we will characterise microplastics abundance and composition in different waterways throughout Melbourne by field sampling and analysis using spectroscopy methods.  We will also work with researchers from Geospatial Sciences using remote sensing methods for understanding sources of plastic to the environment and aspects of plastic movement, deposition and breakdown in freshwater and marine ecosystems.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Macreadie, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett","title":"Feasibility of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement for Climate Change Mitigation","description":"Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is a process aimed at combating climate change by increasing the ocean's ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO\u2082) from the atmosphere. This is achieved by adding alkaline substances, such as crushed minerals, to seawater. These substances react with CO\u2082, forming bicarbonate and carbonate ions, which are then stored in the ocean for long periods. OAE not only helps reduce atmospheric CO\u2082 levels but also can counteract ocean acidification, benefiting marine ecosystems. OAE is estimated to have potential to remove >1 billion tonnes of CO\u2082 per annum. This PhD will join our team who are studying OAE's feasibility, environmental impact, and the best methods for monitoring and verifying its effectiveness.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410101 Carbon sequestration science (70%)\n370203 Greenhouse gas inventories and fluxes (20%)\n370299 Climate change science not elsewhere classified (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hamid Arandiyan","title":"Silver and Metals Recovery from End-of-life Solar Panel Waste for Energy Applications","description":"This project aims to achieve the near-pure recovery of valuable metals, with a specific emphasis on silver, from rear contacts of solar panel types processed. Research project will employ innovative methods involving caustic\/peroxide (NaOH\/H2O2) or caustic\/formaldehyde (NaOH\/HCOH) to extract metallic silver from the acid leachate. The research will systematically explore different operating conditions, including temperatures and ratios, utilizing AI-integrated experimental design to identify the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective recovery route. \r\n\r\nConducting comprehensive investigations through diverse techniques, both physical and chemical approaches, will provide the candidate with extensive training. This exploration aims to pave the way for future enhancements in environmentally sustainable processes, specifically focusing on obtaining silver and recovering metals from end-of-life solar panel waste for energy applications.\r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy (50%)\r\n340604 Electrochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Enrico Della Gaspera, Amgad Rezk","title":"Piezo-Photonics - Using Sound to Enhance Photocatalyic Water Splitting","description":"Coupling motion and catalysis can enable huge enhancements in catalysis. [1,2] This comes from changes in mass transport, but also alteration in the electronic structure of catalysts. \r\n\r\nIf we can harness these effects, we can produce clean fuels with minimal emissions\/waste to help address the critical challenges as we transition away from fossil fuel energy technologies. \r\n\r\nThis work is enabled by our breakthrough work on piezoelectric polymers [3] and surface acoustic waves [2]. \r\n\r\nThe student will learn skills in electrochemistry, materials science, photonics, catalysis, and device engineering, providing key capabilities for the emerging national and international electrochemical industry.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/adma.202203849\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/aenm.202203164\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-021-23341-3","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"304601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (30%)\r\n401810 Nanoscale characterisation (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Joel van Embden, Daniel Gomez","title":"Metal Oxide Thin Films for Solar Water Splitting","description":"Solar water splitting is the direct conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases at room temperature using sunlight as the driving force for the reaction. Solar radiation is harvested by semiconducting materials acting as catalysts, and converted into chemical energy through the formation of valuable fuels, in this case hydrogen gas.\r\nThe aim of this project is to develop novel oxide nanomaterials in the form of thin coatings and to study their water splitting performances under simulated sunlight illumination. The candidate will explore innovative synthesis conditions for oxide catalysts including iron oxide, tungsten oxide, transition metal ferrites and bismuth vanadate, and study the role of crystallinity, morphology, nanostructure, and doping on the water splitting ability of these materials. \r\nThis multidisciplinary project is part of a broader research initiative partially funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), and involves collaborations with both local (CSIRO) and international institutions (University of Padova, Italy). The candidate will develop a deep understanding in the chemistry and physics of nano-semiconductors and related devices, learn advanced characterisation techniques and gain invaluable skills for their future career.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (50%)\r\n340606 Photochemistry (25%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Daniel Gomez, Joel van Embden","title":"Photo-activity of Atomically Engineered Semiconductor Nanostructures","description":"The interaction between materials and light is at the core of many technological applications such as solar cells, clean fuel generation (water splitting), photocatalysis, and optical gas sensors. In order for a material to successfully absorb and utilize the energy provided by light, its physical, chemical and electronic properties have to be carefully designed and optimised. \r\nThe aim of this project is to fabricate light-absorbing coatings for a variety of applications such as catalysis, energy generation and sensing. The candidate will explore the parameter space of specific techniques including Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD), Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR), and Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP). These techniques will be used to deposit nanomaterials including zinc oxide, bismuth sulfide, and ternary compounds such as vanadates and oxynitrides. These materials are of great technological and industrial interest for use in optoelectronics, catalysis and energy generation, thanks to their selective light absorption properties. Importantly, these techniques are scalable, enabling the translation of small scale devices into proof-of-concept, large area devices, validating the potential use of these materials within a broader industrial\/commercial landscape.\r\nThis highly multidisciplinary project is embedded within a broader research initiative partially funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), and involves collaborations with both local (CSIRO) and international institutions (University of Padova, Italy). The candidate will develop a deep understanding in the chemistry and physics of nanomaterials and related devices, learn advanced characterisation techniques and gain invaluable skills for their future career.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303 Nanochemistry (60%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Daniel Gomez, Joel van Embden","title":"Plasmonic Semiconducting Nanocrystals: Bridging the Gap Between Metals and Semiconductors","description":"Plasmonic semiconductors have recently emerged as attractive materials for several applications including transparent electrodes, chemical probes, infrared light concentrators and smart windows. They have the potential to bridge the optoelectronic gap between traditional semiconductors and metals, combining visible transparency, distinctive absorptions in the near infrared and high electrical conductivity. This project aims to develop recipes for doped metal oxide nanocrystals with enhanced optical and electrical properties which are also highly tunable. This will be achieved by combining cation doping, codoping with halides and hydrogen, promoting the formation of oxygen vacancies and tailoring the distribution of dopants within the nanocrystals. The main challenge is to find balance between the amount of charge carriers provided by doping that triggers the insulator-to-metal transition, and the structural\/electronic defects that are generated. The ability to achieve atomically designed nanoparticles, and to process them into nanocrystalline coatings will enable vital advancements in the fields of optics and electronics. \r\nThis highly multidisciplinary project is partially funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and will involve skills in nanomaterials synthesis, advanced characterisation and device fabrication. The candidate will gain expertise in high resolution TEM and related techniques (EDS, EELS), several spectroscopies (visible, infrared, Raman, and x-ray\/UV photoemission spectroscopies) and various electrical measurements. The skills developed during the PhD will be highly valuable for several career opportunities both within and outside academic research.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (60%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Lathe Jones, James Tardio, Suresh Bhargava and an Industry partner.","title":"Recovery of Nickel and Cobalt from Laterite Ores for Lithium Batteries","description":"Using nitric acid as a leaching agent, the direct nickel process can treat all types of nickel ore and produces a single flow sheet for a number of final saleable products. As an atmospheric hydrometallurgical process, the direct nickel process has an impressive recycle and return statistic meaning 95%+ of the nitric acid is re-used, therefore providing a good environmental incentive.\r\nThere are two types of nickel ore deposits; nickel sulphides and oxidic nickel laterites. Three primary processes are used to extract nickel from laterite ore. This research is an atmospheric hydrometallurgical processing route designed to treat all types of nickel laterite ores in a single flow sheet to produce a number of final saleable products.\r\nFundamental studies using a range of techniques (physical and chemical ) will give broad training to the candidate and allow future improvements to environmentally benign processes to obtain Ni and Co for the lithium battery market.\r\nThis project also allows close collaboration with the industry.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401903 Hydrometallurgy (50%) and 340604 Electrochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Philipp Reineck","title":"Designing Electrostatic Polymers: From Mechanisms to Energy Harvesting","description":"Mechanical-to-electrical energy harvesters are emerging as critical technologies to power small-scale electronic, electrochemical, bionic, and distributed systems. In particular, polymer-based devices have attracted great interest due to their high chemical stability and high efficiency in converting motion to electricity. \r\n\r\nTthe mechanisms by which polymers generate interfacial charge are still the subject of vigorous debate in the literature.[1-3] \r\n\r\nWe have, for the first time, linked fundamental physical properties of polymers, including cohesive energy [4] and topography [5], to triboelectric charging phenomena.  While the elucidation of these macroscopic charging phenomena are powerful, nanoscale measurements have shown that the local surface charge can be over 1000x higher than the macroscale. \r\n\r\nThis project will focus on \r\n1) how we can process and design polymer interfaces at the nanoscale;\r\n2) how to engineer devices from these interfaces; and\r\n3) how we can use generated surface charge for sensing and chemical reactions\r\n\r\nThis project involves team members across Applied Chemistry & Environmental Science and Physics as well as collaboration into the School of Engineering along with National and International Collaborative Partners.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/C9EE03059J\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/admi.202300323\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41570-019-0115-1\r\n[4] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsami.1c13100\r\n[5] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.nanoen.2022.107914 \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340305\tPhysical properties of materials (25%)\r\n401810\tNanoscale characterisation (25%)\r\n401609\tPolymers and plastics (50%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Enrico Della Gaspera, Joel van Embden,  Daniel Gomez, and others.","title":"RMIT CSIRO Masters: Development of robust methodologies for the reliable processing of transition metal XPS data and their application to the study of O defects","description":"Demand for high-end X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis has increased significantly in recent years and will continue to do so into the future. A main driving force is the development of more advanced materials and the optimisation of desirable material properties in many industrial applications and areas (biomedical, photovoltaics, catalysis, MOFs, carbon nanomaterials and fibres, sensors, batteries, corrosion protection, etc). As the complexity of these novel materials increases, so does the need to characterise a wide range of bulk and surface properties. Additionally, high-end instrumentation has become more widely available with more researchers given the opportunity to observe and study materials and features previously beyond their reach.  Consequently, methods of data processing need to be improved and made accessible to the growing, non-expert international community. The need is highlighted by the amount of poor quality XPS data and interpretation making it through the peer review process to publication [1]. Part of our research focus in recent years has been developing tools for non-expert users to avoid such pitfalls [2,3].\r\nXPS relies heavily on the development of sophisticated peak fitting protocols to help analyse complex spectral peak shapes and correctly assign relevant chemical states such as different oxidation states. Peak fitting of XP spectra is not trivial and examining the complex spectra of transition metals throws up a multitude of additional challenges. Attempts have been made in the past to develop methodologies to examine transition metals and account for a variety of processes that influence resultant XP spectra, including multiplet splitting, initial and final state effects. None of the resulting algorithms and protocols are perfect and so further work is necessary. One important application is the emerging interest in engineering and exploiting oxygen defects in metal oxide systems, for example in catalysis. XPS analysis of such systems is poorly understood, and we have identified a strong need for further development of the protocols for these materials. \r\nThis project will employ a Master student to investigate a variety of metal oxide (nano)materials, starting from simple binary compounds and then extending towards more complex compositions (ternary and\/or doped oxides). The project will leverage the extensive expertise in XPS of the CSIRO Surface Science team, as well as the capabilities in synthesis and testing of metal oxides of Enrico Della Gaspera at RMIT, providing a perfect supervisory team for this impactful project.\r\n\r\nReferences \r\n[1] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1116\/6.0000685\r\n[2] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1116\/6.0000873\r\n[3] https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.elspec.2021.147094\r\n\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340301 - Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (60%)\r\n401605 - Functional materials (40%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood","title":"Chemical design and development of functional catalysts for water-splitting","description":"Hydrogen has been referred as fuel of future with water as an oxidation product, no carbon and higher enthalpy of combustion than any other chemical fuel. Where, water-splitting is considered as the green source to produce hydrogen at large scale, which governed by the two main reactions oxygen evolution (OER) and hydrogen evolution (HER) reactions. Both of these reactions have their own limitations which hindered the large scale hydrogen production from water-splitting and required high cost rare earth metals to govern the reaction. Therefore, it is dire need of present time to develop highly efficient and functional catalysts that have the ability to catalyse OER and HER in same electrolyte\/seawater.\nThe composition and electronic structure defined the capability of a catalyst to catalyse the water-splitting, thus a good control over these features can bring higher surface area with more exposed active centres and higher ionic and electronic conductivities for better catalysis. To achieve these parameters several catalysts have been designed and develop through various methods but till today there is very limited catalysts that can perform seawater splitting. \nThus, this project aims to design the right compositions of various metallic and non-metallic components and develop advanced catalyst that can perform full water-splitting with minimum overpotentials in alkaline electrolytes. The catalysts will be developed on flexible and self-healing matrixes by facile chemical methods. Their individual catalytic properties will be explored prior to applying for full device development and quantitative measures will be used to determine the evolution of hydrogen. The candidate working on this project will have the opportunity to work for some time with partner industries to get more applied experience.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401605 - Functional materials 50% ; 340305 - Physical properties of materials 30%  ; 400404 - Electrochemical energy storage and conversion 20%  "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Charlotte Conn,  Nhiem Tran, Calum Drummond","title":"Oral delivery of mRNA","description":"This project will investigate lipid-based formulations for oral delivery of mRNA.  Oral delivery of mRNA has the potential to revolutionise mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines, removing the need for invasive injection-based delivery methods and reducing global inequities in access to lifesaving drugs.  This PhD project aims to investigate and develop innovative lipid-based delivery systems that enhance the stability and bioavailability of mRNA when administered orally. Building on recent advancements in nanotechnology, this research will explore novel formulations to protect mRNA from degradation within the gastrointestinal tract.  Both nanoparticle- and non-nanoparticle-based formulations will be assessed and optimised for mRNA encapsulation.  The stability of these formulations will be assessed and preclinical trials will be conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of oral mRNA formulations.  \nThe successful completion of this project will provide crucial insights into the challenges and strategies for oral mRNA delivery. It will pave the way for developing new therapies that are easier to administer and potentially increase patient compliance. Furthermore, the project will contribute to the growing field of RNA therapeutics, broadening their application in treating a variety of conditions.\nAn internship opportunity with a pharmaceutical partner may be available during this PhD project.","sdg":"[\"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing\",\"10 - Reduced Inequalities \"]","funded":"Yes","closedate":"14\/09\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"100709 - Nanomedicine (50%)\n340603 - Colloid and surface science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan Liu","title":"Novel Hybrid Nanomaterial","description":"Advanced two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials and their nanohybrid are attracting interest for their novel physical, chemical and electrochemical properties. These properties may benefit important areas such as energy storage and thermal management. However, progress with existing 2D nanomaterials has been limited by their simple surface and structural properties, poor thermal conductivity, and fire retardancy, and mechanical instability. Without further advances, the great opportunity for 2D nanomaterials to assist in managing some of the world\u2019s pressing technical challenges, like provision of sustainable water and energy, will be hampered.","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2028","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 50% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 50% allocation; \n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Low Temperature Co-\ufb01red Ceramic (LTCC) based Dissolved Oxygen Sensors","description":"Dissolved oxygen (DO) is an important index to evaluate water quality, and its concentration is of great significance in industrial process, environmental monitoring, and aquaculture. As DO change is a continuous dynamic process, the dissolved oxygen concentration needs to be accurately measured in real time. Low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology enables the fabrication of three-dimensional ceramic structures with embedded circuits, microchannel bends, and cavities This project will design and develop of a LTCC based micro\ufb02uidic electrochemical oxygen sensor for the real-time assessment of localized dissolved oxygen.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/06\/2022","ecp":"AM 2 Materials for Devices;","forcodes":"340103 Electroanalytical Chemistry (40%)\n340108 Sensor Technology (incl. chemical aspects) (40%)\n401605 Functional materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"In situ monitoring of the leaching of low-grade copper sulfide ores","description":"Column leaching experiments have been widely accepted and used to develop optimised heap leaching conditions for plant operations and to develop predictive leaching models. A systematic study of the impact of clays and fine particles on copper sulfide mineral leaching in laboratory and pilot scale columns will be conducted in this project. In situ, real-time and continuous monitoring of the leach process\/parameters, combined with thermodynamic simulation of leaching reactions, will provide a comprehensive approach to fully define the bulk, surface, and solution species involved in the leaching process. This data will enable an improved understanding of the leaching mechanism and kinetics.\rOverall this project will increase the fundamental understanding of the leachability and activity of low grade copper sulfide minerals, enabling (a) the development and optimization of innovative processing protocols for copper sulfide ores, especially those which have previously been considered too difficult to process, and (b) the development of new approaches\/protocols for acid prevention and mine waste management.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/09\/2026","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living;","forcodes":"091403 60%\r050299 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"2Machine Learning-Enabled Processing and Visualization of Dissolved Metal Ion Sensing Data","description":"In situ, real-time and continuous monitoring of leaching parameters, combined with thermodynamic simulation of leaching reactions, provides a comprehensive approach to fully define the bulk, surface, and solution species involved in mineral leaching and extraction processes. This data enables an improved understanding of the leaching mechanisms and kinetics. Electrochemical sensors represent an important subclass of chemical sensors in which an electrode is used as the transduction element. They must be targeted for meeting the size, cost, and power requirements of on-site real-time monitoring. CSIRO Mineral Resources has developed a chronoamperometric method for the determination of Cu2+, Fe3+ and Fe2+ concentrations in leaching\/bioleaching solutions for use with electrochemical sensors. The system needs further development and optimisation. This PhD Project will focus on providing a better understanding of the dissolved metal ion species present during the leaching of low-grade copper ores, and developing a real time data acquisition and self-recalibrating system for a long-life dissolved metal ion sensing technology using Machine Learning\r(ML) or Deep Learning (DL).","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"22\/10\/2022","ecp":"AMF 2 Advanced automation research and sensor and sensor network research;","forcodes":"401903, Hydrometallurgy, 60%\r401102, Environmentally sustainable engineering, 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Simulation of low-grade copper ore heap leaching performance to enable accurate copper recovery forecasting","description":"Heap, dump or dam leaching involves stacking of low-grade metal-bearing ore into a heap on an impermeable pad, irrigating the heap for an extended period of time (from months to years) with a chemical solution suitable for dissolving the valuable metals, and collecting the leachate as it percolates out from the base of the heap for further processing. This technique has been widely applied in processing of low-grade gold, silver, copper, uranium, and nickel laterite ores. However, in many operations the rate of metal extraction is slow - for low-grade copper ores it often takes two years or more to recover 80% of the copper. This PhD Project will focus on better understanding the chemical and hydrological processes of low grade copper ore leaching and developing simulation models to predict the column leaching performance of low grade copper ore.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"26\/10\/2022","ecp":"AMF 3 The development of industry 4.0 in the Australian context;","forcodes":"401903, Hydrometallurgy, 100%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava, Distinguished Professor Magdelina Plebanski","title":"Gold-based drugs for the effective treatment of ovarian cancer","description":"Current treatments for ovarian cancer are largely toxic, and ultimately, ineffective for many patients. The current collaboration between Professor Bhargava (Science) and Professor Plebanski (Health & Biomedical Sciences, SHBS) seeks to enable clinical progression for their novel class of gold-based drugs that show superior selectivity and activity for otherwise drug-resistant cancer cells for the treatment of ovarian cancer (Mirzadeh et al., 2021, DOI: 10.1093\/mtomcs\/mfab039).\rAs part of Distinguished Professor Bhargava\u2019s team, the PhD candidate will contribute to synthesizing organometallic gold and other metal complexes and building structure-activity relationships (SARs) based around targeted modifications of their patented gold-based drug candidate using innovative in vitro protocols to refine lead drug candidate(s). This will involve a novel comprehensive approach, including analyses of cellular fate such as reduction\/oxidation of gold-based drugs in diverse biological fluids, tumour cells, and tissues, the transport into and within cells, the main leaving ligands, and the major site of action. The candidate will be co-supervised by Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski on specific aspects of the project related to interaction with biological materials at the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences (SHBS).","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/01\/2025","ecp":"BHI 4 Drug discovery;BHI 3 Biomedical engineering;DCP 1 Resilience, Health & Care;","forcodes":"30% 111502 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics\r50% 039904 Organometallic Chemistry\r20% 030604 Electrochemistry"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sylvia Urban, Adjunct Colin Rix (RMIT), External collaborator Robert Brkljaca (Monash University)","title":"Chemical and Bioactivity evaluation of natural products derived from Australian\r\nPlants and\/or Marine organisms and an assessment of their suitability as potential\r\nlead therapeutic compounds.\r","description":"Natural products continue to represent an important source for the search of therapeutic drugs with about 50% of all new drugs having been either sourced directly or derived from natural product pharmacophores (1). With Australia being classified as one of seventeen megadiverse countries on Earth and having one of the largest marine exclusion zones in the world, the biodiversity, and the potential for discovering promising unknown pharmacophores is high. \r\n\r\nThe proposed research will involve the extraction of selected marine and\/or terrestrial organisms with the aim of isolating bioactive secondary metabolites. Any natural product isolated will be subjected to a complete structure characterisation as well as to biological activity evaluation. Column chromatography and HPLC will be the primary means of isolation and purification whilst NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry will be the two principle techniques used for structure characterisation and confirmation. All isolated compounds, once characterised, will have their antimicrobial and antiparasitic testing activity assessed through collaborative partners and evaluated for their therapeutic potential.\r\n\r\n(1). Natural Products as Sources of New Drugs over the Nearly Four Decades from 01\/1981 to 09\/2019. Newman D. J. and Cragg G. M. Journal of Natural Products (2020), 83, 770-803.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340502\r\n340109"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung, Sylvia Urban (sylvia.urban@rmit.edu.au), David Adams (djadams@uow.edu.au, University of Wollongong)","title":"Cone Snail Toxins and Marine Natural Products for Pain Treatment","description":"Neuropathic pain is characterized by the chronic sensation of physical pain in the absence of noxious external stimuli, and is a multifaceted disease involving dysfunction of a number of neuronal proteins, including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), voltage-gated sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) ion channels. Peptides derived from marine animals, such as the conotoxins extracted from the venom of cone snails, are useful research tools and promising drug leads for diseases related to these targets. A growing library of natural and synthetic conotoxins have been identified which exhibit selective potency. The main aim of this collaborative project is to use computational molecular modelling and simulation methods to identify the binding modes and specific inter-residue interactions between a range of conotoxin families and their known receptor targets, with especial focus on interactions between \u03b1conotoxins with nAChRs and the \u00b5-conotoxins with Na+ and Ca2+ ion channels. Simulations will also be used to examine the detailed mechanisms of their functional effects on their targets, while binding free energy calculations will be used to aid in the design of novel conotoxin analogues with enhanced selective potency against specific subtypes of target neuronal proteins. This project will ultimately aid in the production of novel conotoxin- based therapeutics with enhanced selectivity, potency, and efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain. Furthermore, the computational methodologies employed will also be used to investigate the potential bioactivity of other marine natural products on membrane protein targets of interest in pathophysiological conditions and infectious diseases.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (50%) \r\n340407 Proteins and peptides (20%)\r\n340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds (20%)\r\n340109 Separation science (10%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sylvia Urban, Donald Wlodkowic ","title":"Discovery of bioactive compounds from Australian marine organisms and plants using high-content in situ biotests","description":"The Indigenous people of Australia are one of the oldest existent societies on the planet and their experience with the native flora of Australia spans tens of thousands of years. So far only a small fraction of the traditional medicinal repertoire has been screened. With Australia being classified as one of seventeen megadiverse countries on Earth, the biodiversity, and the potential for discovering promising unknown pharmacophores is high. Added to this is the fact that Australia has one of the largest marine exclusion zones in the world. The potential for new bioactive compound discovery is significant.\r\nIn this project you will undertake the chemical investigation of either selected Australian plants and\/or southern marine organisms such as marine sponges, algae, or tunicates to discover potential bioactive compounds. The project will involve fundamental chromatographic techniques for compound isolation and spectroscopy such as NMR and mass spectrometry for structure confirmation. Extracts as well as isolated compounds will then be subjected to a battery of biotests using small model organisms such as zebrafish (Danio rerio). Biotests will include among others toxicity screening and high-content neuro-behavioural phenotyping.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340502\r\n340109\r\n310901\r\n310906"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung, Angela Yang (angela.yang@rmit.edu.au, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences)\r\nTom Karagiannis (karat@unimelb.edu.au, University of Melbourne)","title":"Epigenetic control mechanisms of dietary antioxidants and chromatin modifying compounds","description":"The medicinal properties of the leaves and fruit of Olea europaea (olive tree) have been known since antiquity, and consumption of olive oil has been associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Increasingly, there is interest in the biological properties of the molecular constituents of olives. For example, hydroxytyrosol has been shown to be a potent antioxidant and has anti-atherogenic and anti-cancer properties. However, the specific constituents responsible for various beneficial effects of olives, as well as their molecular targets, are not well known. Equilibrium between histone acetylation and deacetylation is essential for normal cell growth, and perturbations from this epigenetic control mechanism have been associated with various diseases. This project will focus on identifying the mechanisms of action of dietary olive on epigenetic control using molecular computational modelling and biophysical simulation methods to identify key molecular targets of specific bioactive components of olives, and to produce molecular-level characterisation of their mechanisms of action. The outcomes of this project will aid development of novel therapies derived from dietary compounds, which may have substantial advantages over synthetic drugs, including lower dosage requirements and reduced risk of adverse side effects. Furthermore, phytochemicals derived from other nutritional and herbal sources will be examined for their potential bioactivity. This project will also involve experimental validation of targets using in vitro binding and enzyme activity assays, identifying potential epigenetic effects in a clinical context. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (70%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (30%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung (Senior Supervisor)\rTom Karagiannis (external, University of Melbourne, karat@unimelb.edu.au)","title":"Investigation into SARS-CoV-2 proteins as targets for antiviral therapy","description":"Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 and since then, various public health measures have been implemented to reduce transmission. Several vaccines have now been made available and although they provide protection against severe illness from COVID-19, emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are of concern. In addition to vaccines, there is a clinical need to identify and develop effective antiviral therapeutics. In this project, computational in silico analysis will be used to investigate the binding characteristics of small molecules to various non-structural and structural proteins that are involved in viral entry and replication. This includes compounds from the EpiMed Coronabank Chemical Collection (~750 compounds), which has been developed by our lab and will be published. Computational molecular docking methods will be employed to screen compounds against target proteins and produce a list of potential lead compounds for further study. Traditional molecular docking is useful for the screening of libraries of compounds and for the identification of lead compounds however, the results reflect a static system. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can be performed to model molecular movements by taking into account temperature, solvent, and other cellular conditions. This allows for more accurate predictions of the binding properties of protein-ligand complexes in a dynamic system. Moreover, the potential inhibitory activity of candidate compounds can be validated in vitro and in vivo.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (70%) \r\n340407 Proteins and peptides (20%) \r\n310706 Virology (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Hung and Tom Karagiannis (karat@unimelb.edu.au, University of Melbourne)","title":"Investigation of DNA-targeted nanoformulations for diagnostic imaging and therapy","description":"The basis of this project revolves around the development and investigation of nanoparticles incorporating DNA minor groove binding bibenzimidazole such as, Hoechst 33258 and 33342. The versatility of DNA minor groove binding bibenzimidazoles extends to applications in oncology and for other diagnostic applications, beyond their typical use as DNA stains. For example, in the context of UVA phototherapy, a series of halogenated analogues designated ortho-, meta-, and para-iodoHoechst have been investigated. Phototoxicity involves dehalogenation of the ligands following exposure to UVA light, resulting in the formation of a carbon-centred radical. Another approach involves applications in nuclear medicine using analogs radiolabelled with I-123, I-124 and I-125, which would allow for therapeutic and diagnostic uses. Targeting to specific cells involves the incorporation of the ligands into nanoparticles decorated with peptides or antibodies, to deliver the halogenated DNA minor groove binding bibenzimidazoles. This project will involve both molecular modelling and wet lab studies. The aims will be to model peptide and receptor pairs for specific targeting via receptor-mediated endocytosis, to model the composition and stability of the nanoparticle formulations and to characterize the layer-by-layer composition of the nanoparticles. Molecular modelling will involve the use of freely and commercially available software such as Autodock Vina (molecular docking), Gromacs\/NAMD (molecular dynamics simulations) and Schroedinger Suite (visualisation, preparation and analyses). Characterization of nanoparticle formulations will be performed by infrared microspectroscopy at the Australian Synchrotron, confocal microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy.","sdg":"3 - Good Health and Wellbeing","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (50%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (25%) \r\n401807 Nanomaterials (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sylvia Urban, Adjunct A\/Prof. Colin Rix\n","title":"Natural Product Studies and an assessment of potential lead therapeutic compounds.\r","description":"The proposed research will involve the extraction of selection of marine and\/or terrestrial organisms with a focus on isolating biologically active compounds.The study will focus on the chemical diversity of marine organisms and the ethnopharmacology of Australian terrestrial organisms. Selected organisms will be targeted for extraction. Crude extracts of these organisms will be further fractionated using organic solvents and then further analysed via analytical HPLC to assess viability for further isolation. Often the fractions will be investigated further using hyphenated spectroscopic techniques such as HPLC-MS to quickly ascertain the nature of the secondary metabolites or natural products present. This is a rapid chemical screening method. Initially crude extracts of all marine and terrestrial samples will be subjected to a variety of chromatographic techniques followed by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for further purification. All isolated compounds are identified via a series of analytical techniques. Initially UV\/Visible spectra obtained via Photo Diode Array (PDA) detection from analytical HPLC will be utilised. This provides valuable information on whether the compound possesses a characteristic UV chromophore and can be an aid to quickly deducing a compound\u2019s structure class. A large array of NMR experiments and mass spectrometry are employed in the structure characterisation process. Through an existing collaboration with The University of Melbourne compounds that provide stable crystal structures can be analysed via X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to obtain a complete structure whilst those that show poor diffraction using XRD can be analysed at the Australian Synchrotron. All compounds isolated with be evaluated for their potential therapeutic activity against a series of assays including an assessment of their antimicrobial activity via existing collaborators.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340502"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen, Kim Dowling ","title":"Biotransformation mechanisms of uranium species and stability in mining site environment","description":"Environmental contamination with uranium has posed a significant problem owing to its radiological and chemical toxicity. Bioremediation is a promising technology in uranium contamination removal, because it is lowers in cost and environmentally friendly.\r\nIn this process, Uranium species are impacted by the bacteria type and the environmental conditions such as redox potential, pH and temperature, which in turn determine the solubility and stability of uranium precipitate\r\nIn this project, the PhD candidate will conduct research into uranium species transformation and modelling and gain intensive knowledge in uranium bioremediation mechanisms in mining site environment and mining site environmental science through spectroscopic and modelling approaches as well as collaborations with RMIT experts.\r\nThe PhD candidate will be provided with numerous research and development opportunities with the support of a panel of expert supervision team:\r\n\r\n1.\tRevealing the mechanisms of uranium species transformation and immobilisation in the mining site environment.\r\n2.\tThe development of new uranium (bio)remediation strategies and protocols to achieve long-term stability of immobilised uranium.\r\n3.\tCutting-edge chemical analytical and characterisation techniques: surface and spectroscopic analysis, electrochemical study, mineralogy analysis, and synchrotron technology. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"340603        Colloid and surface chemistry (25%)\n410303        Bioremediation (50%)\n401903    Hydrometallurgy (25%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Samantha Grover, Karin Reinke, Akane Uesagi, Ewan Blanch, Jeff Shimeta","title":"High Carbon Soils: peatland restoration, organic recycling and regenerative agriculture","description":"Soils and climate change are connected. The Soil-Atmosphere-Anthroposphere Lab explores these connections to solve environmental problems in urban, rural and international settings. Techniques from soil chemistry, physics and biology as well micrometeorological approaches are applied in field and laboratory experiments in Australia and overseas. Peatland restoration in Australia and Indonesia, recycling and upcycling of urban organic waste, urban greenhouse gas fluxes and agricultural practises that enhance soil health and increase carbon storage are current foci of the Lab. Highly motivated and talented students are welcome to apply for postgraduate research positions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410604\r\n410605\r\n410405\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen, Kim Dowling ","title":"Uranium bioremediation in mining site environment towards uranium long-term stability","description":"Environmental contamination with uranium has posed a significant problem owing to its radiological and chemical toxicity. Bioremediation is a promising technology in uranium contamination removal because it is lower in cost and environmentally friendly.\r\nThe efficiency of U bioremediation is impacted by various conditions such as the bacteria type, redox potential, pH and temperature, etc. The traditional way of U bioremediation is to reduce it into UO2, which faces challenges in the mining site environment which is often aerobic and acidic. \r\nIn this project, the PhD candidate will conduct research into uranium bioremediation and process optimization. The PhD candidate will gain intensive knowledge in innovative processing protocols for uranium remediation in mine site conditions, column remediation, and mining site environmental science through hands-on experiments as well as collaborations with RMIT experts.\r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will be provided with numerous research and development opportunities with the support of a panel of expert supervision team:\r\n\r\n1.\tThe establishment of uranium uptake kinetics and stability in bioimmobilisation in response to environmental conditions of the mining site. \r\n2.\tThe development of new uranium (bio)remediation strategies and protocols to achieve long-term stability of immobilized uranium.\r\n3.\tCutting-edge chemical analytical and characterisation techniques: microbiology analysis, solution chemical analysis, mineralogy analysis and synchrotron technology.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (25%)\n410303 Bioremediation (50%)\n401903 Hydrometallurgy (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell","title":"Ambient Energy Harvesting towards Sustainable Chemistry","description":"Catalysis lets us create new chemicals, materials, and fuels. However, most catalysts use external energy to drive a given reaction from reactants to products. This energy is often either direct electrical energy (electro-catalysis) or light (photo-catalysis). However, we need more ways to reduce the energy consumption of catalysis. We\u2019ve started making strides in achieving this using advances in harvesting motion,[1,2] like that from bubble formation or water flow, using cheap, recyclable,[3] polymers, or using multifunctional energy harvesting materials. [4] \nThis project will develop integrated catalytic technologies with reduced energy consumption by capturing ambient energy such as motion and\/or heat. The candidate will work on developing new multifunctional materials and to fundamental understanding in interfacial science, electrochemistry, and materials engineering towards energy harvesting and catalysis.\nReferences\n[1] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. N. Skountzos, E. Goudeli, J. Zhang, V. C. Lussini, B. Imtiaz, K. A. S. Usman, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, J. M. Razal, A. V. Ellis, Nature Communications 2021, 12, 3171.\n[2] A. Linarts, P. C. Sherrell, K. M\u0101lnieks, A. V. Ellis, A. \u0160utka, Small 2023, 2205563\n[3] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. Goudeli, E. N. Skountzos, V. C. Lussini, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, A. V. Ellis, Energy & Environmental Science 2020, 13, 868.\n[4] A. Corletto, A. V. Ellis, N. A. Shepelin, M. Fronzi, D. A. Winkler, J. G. Shapter, P. C. Sherrell, Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2203849.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"304601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%) ; 401605 Functional materials (30%); 510303 Electrostatics and electrodynamics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Miao Chen","title":"Arsenic mobility mechanism in Bangladesh ground water","description":"Arsenic, a notorious bio-accumulating poisonous element, has been adversely affecting the health of millions of people in the Bengal Basin (Bangladesh and the West Bengal State, India) for the last thirty years. Bangladesh is an agricultural country with distinct seasonal variation and a young alluvial basin. The main objective of this PhD project is to understand the arsenic mobility mechanism in Bangladesh ground water and as a result to draw a new baseline of the overall recent arsenic scenario in the Bangel Basin. The key question of this research is: why and how arsenic is mobilized and becomes severe in the Bengal basin? Detailed case studies, hypothetical models and possible recommendation based on the experimental studies will be developed. Ultimately this project targets to find the safe aquifer level for arsenic free drinking water because arsenic-bearing water treatment technology is more expensive than finding the safe arsenic free zones.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":"039901 Environmental Chemistry (25%)\n040202 Inorganic Geochemistry (50%)\n030603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229 \/ MR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nasir Mahmood","title":"Development of two-dimensional heterostructures as electrode materials for metal ion batteries","description":"Electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems are playing major roles in transforming our life style as being integrated in the components of electronics, electric vehicles (EVs) as well helpful in improving the intermittency of renewable energy production systems including fuel cells, solar cells, wind and tide by providing the platform for large scale energy storage. Among various EES systems, batteries and supercapacitors (SCs) are the main systems that can store energy at large scale, however, facing challenges regarding poor power and energy densities, respectively, which are mostly originated from the electrodes. In addition, problems with the long-term stability of electrode materials, degrade storage cells quickly, thus leading to the need of replacement after limited cycles. A restricted insertion of ions in bulk electrode materials due to intrinsically available limited lattice space causes slow charge-discharge, poor power density and failure of electrodes. While the energy density can be increased by maximizing ionic storage, bulk materials only offer finite number of intercalation sites and substantially their surface is not fully available for charge storage. Further, reversible intercalation of these ions results in the expansion and contraction of electrode materials. Such volume changes result in mechanical stresses enforced on electrodes that untimely produce cracks in electrodes or delaminate them from the current collectors. While on other side, some materials need to go through phase transformation that produces the redox inactive phases, and ultimately reduces the capacity. Thus, mechanical stresses and phase changes severely affect the efficiency and life cycle of these EES. So, in order to improve the stability and cycle life of any electrode material, their phase transformation reaction should follow a perfect reversibility as well as there should be enough space to accommodate the resulted stress that is the only case of atomic level reactions on planner surfaces.\n2D materials offer a rich platform to design new electrode materials to overcome the limitations of various energy storage devices, especially SCs and batteries. The current project will develop the heterostructures of these 2D materials with perfect face-to-face heterointerface at individual flacks. Both wet-chemical and physical methods will be used to develop materials to explore their performance for different battery chemistries like sodium, potassium, zinc etc.\nReferences:\n1. Jian, X.; Wang, H.; Rao, G.; Jiang, L.; Wang, H.; Subramaniyam, C-M.; Mahmood, A.; Zhang, W.; Xiang, Y.; Dou, S-X.; Zhou, Z.; Hui, D.; Kalantar-Zadeh, K.; Mahmood, N., Self-tunable Ultrathin Carbon Nanocups as the Electrode Materials of Sodium-ion Batteries with Unprecedented Capacity and Stability, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 364, 578-588. 2. Yousaf, M.; Wang, Y.; Chen, Y.; Wang, Z.; Firdous, A.; Ali, Z.; Mahmood, N.; Zou, R.; Guo, S.; Han, P. S. R., A 3D Trilayered CNT\/MoSe2\/C Heterostructure with an Expanded MoSe2 Interlayer Spacing for an Efficient Sodium Storage, Advanced Energy Materials, 2019, doi:10.1002\/aenm.201900567.\n3. Mahmood, N.; Alves de Castro, I.; Pramoda, K.; Khoshmanesh, Suresh, K.B.; K.; Kalantar-Zadeh, K., Atomically Thin Two-dimensional Metal Oxide Nanosheets for Energy Storage, Energy Storage Materials, 2019, 16, 455-480.\n4. Mahmood, N.; Hou, Y, Nanostructured Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries: Challenges and their Prospective Solutions, Advanced Energy Materials, 2016, 6, 1600374.\n5. Rehman, S.; Gu, X.; Khan, K.; Mahmood, N.; Yang, W.; Huang, X.; Guo, S; Hou, Y., 3D Vertically Aligned and Interconnected Porous Carbon Nanosheets as Sulphur Immobilizers for High Performance Lithium-Sulphur Batteries, Advanced Energy Materials, 2016, 6, 1502518.\n6. Mahmood, N.; Zhang, C.; Liu, F.; Zhu, J.; Hou, Y., Hybrid of Co3Sn2@ Co Nanoparticles and Nitrogen-Doped Graphene as a Lithium Ion Battery Anode, ACS Nano, 2013, 7, 10307-10318.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"","forcodes":""},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Gomez","title":"A photo-rechargeable quantum battery","description":"This project aims to develop the world\u2019s first quantum battery. Quantum batteries use unusual phenomena that arise from the behaviour of light and molecules to achieve superior performance when compared with conventional batteries. This project expects to generate new knowledge in quantum technologies and new patentable device prototypes. Expected outcomes of this project include development and optimisation of quantum batteries that can be charged with light for storing energy and powering small devices, such as LEDs. This should provide significant national benefits, such as creating novel quantum technologies and training the future Australian workforce.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805 - Quantum technologies\r\n401807 - Nanomaterials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Daniel Gomez","title":"Design of Soft 2D Plasmonic Photocatalysts for Artificial Leaves\r","description":"The project aims to fabricate soft 2D plasmonic photocatalysts with leaf-like structures and functions for solar-to-chemical energy conversion. The proposed 2D photocatalysts are expect to change the traditional way of design artificial photocatalysts. Expected outcomes of this project include fabrication of soft 2D plasmonic photocatalyst with large-area, ultrathin thickness, and high flexibility, understanding their plasmonic enhancement mechanisms, and construction of artificial leaves to perform the solar-to-chemical conversion, which can provide significant benefits, such as creating new-generation of soft energy devices and advance Australian expertise in photochemistry, self-assembly, and functional nanomaterials. A successful applicant has a Bachelors Degree in Science (or equivalent) in either  Chemistry or Physics.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401805 - Nanofabrication, growth and self assembly\r\n401807 - Nanomaterials\r\n401605 - Functional materials"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam, Ewan Blanch & Charlotte Conn","title":"Optimisation of small organic molecules for Alzheimer\u2019s disease","description":"Inhibition of amyloid misfolding is a promising strategy in the treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Small molecules and natural products are underdeveloped in addressing this strategy. Using microwave-assisted, one-pot, three-component, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, we have synthesised highly regioselective and stereoselective bis-spirooxindoles. Upon computational analysis, further derivatisation and optimisation of these structures are necessary. In this project, apart from synthesis and full characterisation using common analytical techniques, Raman spectroscopy and TEM imaging will also be included. These studies will lead to compounds which has the potential to be incapsulated in nanoparticles for targeting delivery. Thus, this project will result in compounds which have promising activities as anti-amyloidogenic agents and potentially as therapeutic agents for Alzheimer\u2019s disease","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340503\tOrganic chemical synthesis (50%)\r\n340401\tBiologically active molecules (20%)\r\n340101\tAnalytical spectrometry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Subashani Maniam","title":"Organic molecules for redox flow batteries (RFBs)","description":"\"The recent advancement in charge storage with novel battery systems will finally make renewable energy a more viable alternative in generating power. [1] The concept of \u2018redox flow batteries\u2019 (RFB) was initially proposed by L. H Thaller in 1974. Since then, tremendous progress has been achieved with several types of RFBs such as all vanadium-, zinc\/bromine- and chromium\/iron-based batteries. A typical RFB system has two separate electrolyte tanks,[2] one for the anolyte and another for the catholyte. This configuration offers important advantages over stationary batteries as power and energy outputs are independent variables since power is determined by the reactor size and the amount of energy stored depends on the reactants chosen, their concentration and the size of the reactant tanks. [3] Additionally, RFB systems ensures the potentials at each electrode are close to the reversible potential for each of the half-cell reactions and side reactions or competition from the other half-cells are minimised. The penetration of RFBs into the commercial market is small primarily due to the cost: operation, maintenance, up-front capital and life-cycle costs. In addition to costs, system lifetimes of more than 15 years, high efficiency and cyclic durability are important for grid-level storage. These sorts of systems are dependent on expensive redox-active metals and precious metals electrocatalysts and are operated in caustic conditions.[4,5] A promising alternative is organic-based aqueous RFBs using redox-active organic reactants which are cheaper and can be structurally functionalised to improve voltage, rate capacity and energy density. This research proposal focuses on exploring organic electrode materials in the form of micelles to increase aqueous solubility, energy density, voltage and efficiency for aqueous flow batteries. The specific aims are to: 1. Design and synthesise aromatic conjugated organic compounds as small molecules and polymers that are highly soluble\/micelles in aqueous solvent. 2. Cyclic voltammetry analysis to determine the redox potential of the organic materials. 3. Measure the diffusion and electron transfer properties of the organic materials. 4. Measure the stability and efficiency of the organic compounds with prolonged charging\/discharging cycles using electrochemical methods in a flow battery.\r\nReferences:\r\n[1] J. Wu, Z. Lan, J. Lin, M. Huang, Y. Huang, L. Fan and G. Luo: Electrolytes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Chem. Rev. 115, 2136 (2015).\r\n[2] A. Z Weber, M. M Mench, J. P Meyers, P. N Ross, J. T Gostick, Liu Q. Redox flow batteries: a review. J. App. Electrochem., 41, 1137 (2011).\r\n[3] Q. Zhao, Z.Q. Zhu, and J. Chen, Molecular Engineering with Organic Carbonyl Electrode Materials for Advanced Stationary and Redox Flow Rechargeable Batteries. Adv. Mater. 29, 1607007 (2017).\r\n[4] K. Likit-anurak, K. Uthaichana, K. Punyawudho, Y. Khunatorn. The performance and efficiency of organic electrolyte redox flow battery prototype. Energy Procedia, 118, 54 (2017).\r\n[5] P. Leung, A.A. Shah, L. Sanz, C. Flox, J.R. Morante, Q. Xu, M.R. Mohamed, C.P. de Le\u00f3n, F.C. Walsh Recent developments in organic redox flow batteries: a critical review. J. Power Sources, 360, 243 (2017).\"","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340503\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Organic chemical synthesis (40%)\r\n\r\n340103\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electroanalytical chemistry (30%)\r\n\r\n400804\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Electrical energy storage (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jampaiah Deshetti, Suresh Bhargava (School of Science), Ylias M Sabri (School of Engineering)","title":"Developing advanced materials for mercury capture in natural gas reservoirs","description":"The objective of this project is to develop polymer fluids that can be injected into a natural gas reservoir to capture mercury contaminants and prevent them being produced with the gas. The motivation for this is that trace levels of mercury (Hg) are present in many natural gas reservoirs which is an environmental hazard and it can also damage gas processing infrastructure. Existing methods for dealing with unwanted mercury production occur at topside facilities so the mercury is still produced. Therefore, methods that can retain the mercury in the reservoir offer great value so the aim of this project is to develop polymers that bind mercury in a reservoir environment. The assessment of the materials will be carried out with RMIT who are world leading experts in mercury analysis and CSIRO will provide expertise in material development and reservoir testing.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340601 catalysis and mechanism of reactions (40%)\r\n401609 Polymers and Plastics (30%)\r\n340305 Physical properties of materials (30%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Sherrell, Enrico Della Gaspera, Rachel Caruso, Amgad Rezk (Engineering)","title":"Moving Catalysts: From Pollution Degradation to Hydrogen Production","description":"Catalysis will underpin the societies transition to a sustainable future over the mid-21st and 22nd centuries. From electrolysis of water or CO2, degradation of pollutants and microplastics in waterwaways. As Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Chemistry students \u2013 you\u2019re just as likely to end up working in an electrochemical or catalytic processing plant as a traditional fossil fuel powered plant. This project, is working to develop platform technologies to enable efficient electrochemistry applicable to the whole catalysis industry.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019re looking to integrate high performance catalysts (metals, semiconductors) with precision engineered energy harvesting materials (ceramics, polymers) that enable recycling of energy losses due to motion or heat \u2013 achieving this would lead to an improvement in baseline efficiency on the order of 33% for any catalytic device.\r\n\r\nThis project will focus on;\r\n1) Polymer engineering to create high efficient energy harvesting materials;\r\n2) Catalytic testing of semiconducting (2D and Metal Oxides) nanomaterials;\r\n3) Development of coupled energy harvesting-catalytic materials systems;\r\n4) Device testing in real world applications\r\n\r\nWe\u2019re actively recruiting students with a background in any of catalysis, polymer chemistry, interface science, ferroelectricity, triboelectricity, thermoelectricity, materials science, electrochemistry, and chemical engineering to build a team that works across different aspects of these challenges.\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n[1] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. N. Skountzos, E. Goudeli, J. Zhang, V. C. Lussini, B. Imtiaz, K. A. S. Usman, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, J. M. Razal, A. V. Ellis, Nature Communications 2021, 12, 3171.\r\n[2] A. Linarts, P. C. Sherrell, K. M\u0101lnieks, A. V. Ellis, A. \u0160utka, Small 2023, 2205563\r\n[3] N. A. Shepelin, P. C. Sherrell, E. Goudeli, E. N. Skountzos, V. C. Lussini, G. W. Dicinoski, J. G. Shapter, A. V. Ellis, Energy & Environmental Science 2020, 13, 868.\r\n[4] A. Corletto, A. V. Ellis, N. A. Shepelin, M. Fronzi, D. A. Winkler, J. G. Shapter, P. C. Sherrell, Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2203849.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"304601 Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (50%)\r\n401605 Functional materials (30%)\r\n510303 Electrostatics and electrodynamics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Tardio, Hamid Arandiyan and Suresh Bhargava","title":"Hydrothermal ferric nitrate hydrolysis \u2013 a key process for producing Electric Car Batteries","description":"The main aim of this project is to gain knowledge on the chemistry \/ chemical engineering occurring in a key stage of a relatively new process for producing Ni and Co from laterite ore. The aforementioned new process is of significant interest as it has the potential to be an economically viable process for the recovery of high purity nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate, alumina and iron oxide from laterite ores (ores that have not been commercially viable for the production of nickel or cobalt to date). The new process utilises an atmospheric pressure nitric acid leaching process, contrasting to previously attempted implementation of high-pressure leaching using sulphuric acid, allowing almost complete extraction of Ni and Co from the ore. An enhanced understanding of the underpinning chemistry of one of the key stages of the process \u2013 the separation of the iron containing compounds from the nickel and cobalt containing ore (laterite ore) - will contribute towards the development of a closed loop, environmentally friendly process to supply the Lithium Battery (LiB) market and high-tech markets with locally produced, value-added products.\r\n\r\nThe specific aims of this project will be to study hydrothermal ferric nitrate hydrolysis to hematite. This is a key stage in the process where iron containing compounds are separated from the ore. The main aims of this project are to\r\n\u2022\tDevelop a basic chemical understanding of ferric nitrate hydrolysis to Fe2O3 in nitric acid\r\n\u2022\tUnderstand role and deportment of solution impurities into the product Fe2O3\r\n\r\nResearch tasks\r\nThe main tasks for this project include:\r\nUnderstand the influence of key reaction conditions on the rate and extent of Fe2O3 produced \u2013 conditions to be investigated include temperature, stirring speed and composition solution\r\n\r\nDetermine if formation of insoluble silicate based compounds occurs as a side reaction \r\n\r\nCharacterise Fe2O3 produced \r\n\r\nUnderstand what factors influence type and level of impurities in Fe2O3 produced \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401904 30%\r\n340607 35%\r\n340211 35%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jang Mee Lee, Lathe Jones","title":"Cobalt leaching electrochemistry from Asbolane for secondary batteries","description":"Along with the proliferation of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) in commercial market to pursue net-zero society, huge research interest also has been paid to securing the high-quality Co element, which are critical in maintaining superior longevity of LIB system.  Australia has large Co-bearing nickel laterite deposits in Western Australia and New South Wales. Exploiting the efficient hydrometallurgical process to extract highly pure Co from the ore with minimized loss would create significant Economic Value Added (EVA).  Through this project, direct nickel process (DNi process) will be utilized to extract cobalt metal that uses nitric acid as a leaching agent.  As an atmospheric hydrometallurgical process, the DNi process has an impressive recycle and return statistic meaning 95%+ of the nitric acid is re-used, therefore providing a good environmental incentive. \r\nThis project aims to systemically leaching the cobalt metal from cobalt-rich ores such as Asbolane through sustainable DNi process. Along with this, it is aimed as well to investigate the leaching mechanism of the cobalt metal through in-depth fundamental studies.  These fundamental studies using a range of techniques (physical and chemical) will give broad training to the candidate and allow future improvements to environmentally benign processes to obtain cobalt for the lithium battery market.\r\nThis project also allows close collaboration with the industry.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"340211 Transition metal chemistry 30%\r\n401903 Hydrometallurgy 45%\r\n340604 Electrochemistry 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brendan Dyett, Charlotte Conn, Calum Drummond","title":"Crossing restrictive biobarriers with self-assembled lipid nanocarriers.","description":"The self-assembly of lipids into membranes provides the compartmentalization necessary for life. These layers act as gate keepers for transporting material into and out of cells. Understanding how nanoparticles\/nanocarriers may interact and traverse these layers is the key to unlocking advances in drug delivery technology. It is thought that self-assembled lipid nanocarriers may have potential advantages in their mode of action with biological membranes. Owing to their intrinsic curvature and biomimetic composition, this class of material may uniquely subvert typical cellular uptake mechanisms. These findings have future relevance to applications such as crossing the blood-brain barrier and gram-negative bacterial membranes, where typical uptake mechanisms are heavily restricted. This project will examine multiple aspects around the dynamic behaviour of nanomaterial at cell and cell-mimic surfaces. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nhiem Tran, Khashayar Khoshmanesh","title":"Microfluidic generation of self-assembled lipid nanoparticles and their biological interactions","description":"The project aims to generate lipid nanoparticles using microfluidic technologies. It harnesses various passive and active mixing mechanisms to enable the self-assembly process between lipid molecules and water-soluble surface stabiliser under highly controlled conditions. This approach enables us to modulate the size, stiffness, and internal structure of lipid nanoparticles using microfluidic systems. The generated nanoparticles will be examined using small angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy techniques to quantify their properties. The project will also study the uptake of the generated nanoparticles by endothelial cells under tailored operating conditions. The project is multidisciplinary and links the fields of microfluidics, nanomaterials, and cellular biology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (40%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (20%)\r\n401210 Microfluidics and nanofluidics (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Steven Bozinovski, School of Health and Biomedical Science","title":"Developing organ-targeted lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery","description":"The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are a type of vaccines utilising advanced nanotechnology, i.e. lipid nanoparticles (LNP), for the packaging and delivery of the therapeutic mRNA molecules, which correspond to the spike protein on the virus. Since the launch of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccine products, lipid nanoparticle-mRNA technology has attracted tremendous research and industrial interests for developing new medical products not just for fight infections, but also for the treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer and genetic disorders. However, one of the main challenges for the current product is most of them will go to liver and spleen after intravenous injection. \r\n\r\nRMIT has world-class capabilities and facilities for high throughput and microfluidic lipid nanoparticle formulation, nanoparticle-biology interactions, and drug delivery including mRNA delivery. \r\n\r\nThis project aims to develop new LNP formulations enabling the organ-specific and cell-specific targeting and delivery of mRNA.  The project will systematically investigate the effect of lipid composition, composition ratio, and the physicochemical properties of the LNPs on the biological function and targeting of therapeutic mRNA. \r\n\r\nThe PhD candidate will be trained in cutting-edge nanotechnology and exposed to world-class research facilities and environment. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Charlotte Conn","title":"Enhancing the Delivery of Natural Products to the Brain Using Lipid Nanocarriers","description":"Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects 44 million people globally.  While anti-inflammatory natural products such as resveratrol from red grapes and EGCG from green tea have been shown to be effective in delaying the progress of this disease, the inability of these and other drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a significant obstacle to the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.  The enhancement of drug delivery across the BBB has been explored with the introduction of nanocarriers based on lipids, polymers and metals.  The project will specifically investigate the efficacy of lipid-based nanocarriers to enhance the delivery of natural products across the BBB.  The encapsulation of the selected natural products within lipid nanocarriers such as cubosomes will be assessed, including using synchrotron-based techniques.  Spectroscopic and analytical techniques will be used to analyse the effect of encapsulation on the natural product.  An in vitro BBB PAMPA model will be used to determine the efficacy of these self-assemblies to across the BBB and release the drug content.  \n\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"06\/06\/2025","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"320604 Nanomedicine (50%) ; 340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Charlotte Conn","title":"Lyotropic liquid crystalline nanomaterials for encapsulation and delivery of siRNA","description":"RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics is a fast growing field with the potential to revolutionize current treatments for significant diseases including cancer, autoimmune dysfunction, and various genetic disorders. This technology relies on the repression of disease proteins using small interfering RNAs (siRNA), which can be designed for a specific disease. In the cell cytoplasm, siRNA are incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which identifies and degrades the complementary messenger RNA that is responsible for protein production. However, siRNA are large polyanionic molecules which are easily degraded by nuclease. In order to effect changes to the cell, they must be transported across the cell membrane and released into the cell cytoplasm. Lyotropic lipid nanoparticles consisting of cationic lipids are highly prospective delivery vehicles for siRNA. In excess water, lipid molecules self-assemble into nanoparticles with unique internal nanostructures. These materials have been studied as drug delivery vehicles due to their ability to incorporate both hydrophilic and lipophilic molecules. This project aims to study the influence of physicochemical factors such as surface charge, critical packing parameter of lipid molecules, and membrane curvature on the internal structure of the nanoparticles, and their ability to encapsulate and release siRNA. Extensive nanoparticle characterisation will be performed using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), and dynamic light scattering techniques (DLS). In vitro cytotoxicity and gene knockdown experiments will be carried out. This is a highly interdisciplinary project which would suit a student with an understanding of colloid and surface chemistry and\/or biomaterials.  ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"320604 Nanomedicine (50%) ; 340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rachel Caruso","title":"Machine Learning Discovery of Perovskite Materials for Optoelectronics","description":"Optoelectronic materials, including photoluminescent materials and photovoltaics, have substantial impacts on industry and our daily life. As outstanding optoelectronic materials, perovskites have been extensively studied, and have wide application in the fields of energy storage and conversion, luminescence and catalysis. Despite the development of the perovskites reported, none of these materials can simultaneously fulfil the major requirements for commercial application: 1) high efficiency, 2) low toxicity, and 3) high stability. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore non-toxic and stable perovskites with high performance. Due to the structural diversity, however, the number of the possible perovskites is almost infinite, and thus using the traditional laboratory-based trial-and-error strategy to screen the desired perovskites is inefficient and costly. Machine learning is a powerful tool to tackle these problems. Given a big material dataset with reliable data, machine learning techniques can bypass the sophisticated first principle electronic structure calculations, and predict a myriad of electronic, physical and mechanical properties. This PhD project will focus on exploration, synthesis and optimization of photoluminescent and photovoltaic materials, assisted by machine learning methods. The student will apply the advanced machine learning algorithms to build the model for the perovskites with various structures, and deploy synthesis and characterization including electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and light absorption, and fabrication of simple optoelectronic devices.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/04\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310607 - Nanobiotechnology (40%) ; 340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (30%) ; 310101 - Analytical biochemistry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajesh Ramanathan","title":"Sensors for fingerprinting of mammalian and microbial cells","description":"The collection of proteins and biomolecules at the cell surface, referred to as the surfaceome, plays an important role in identifying different cell types and cell states. This provides us with a unique opportunity to identify unique markers on the cell surface and can serve as critical starting point to identify disease markers. This ability to perform surfaceome analysis will complement our ability to perform genome and proteomic analysis. \n\nThis project will focus on developing a new colour\/fluorescence-based sensor for generating unique fingerprints of different mammalian and microbial cells. The project will employ catalytic nanoparticles that will be functionalised with different molecular recognition elements such as DNA aptamers, carbohydrate binding lectins, and antibodies. A sensor array will then be created to obtain a fingerprint for each type of cell. The sensor response will then be analysed using a suite of machine learning tools to identify markers of diseases such as cancer or the type of pathogenic microbe causing infection. This information will allow early interventions by creating effective treatment strategies. \n\nAn ideal candidate will have interest in nanotechnology, sensors and biomedical technologies. The candidate will work in the NanoBiotechnology Research Lab (NRBL) group and will be exposed to state-of-the-art materials characterisation tools, microbiology, and molecular biology techniques and develop skills for working in biomedical and nanotechnology sector.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/12\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310607 - Nanobiotechnology (50%) ; 401605 - Functional materials (30%) ; 320799 - Medical microbiology not elsewhere classified (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajesh Ramanathan","title":"Stimuli responsive dressings for antimicrobial and antibiofilm applications","description":"Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered a significant threat to the public health systems not just in developing countries but throughout the world. Infection with AMR leads to serious illnesses and prolonged hospital admissions, increases in healthcare costs, higher costs in second-line drugs, and treatment failures. WHO estimated that drug-resistant infections contributed to nearly 5 million deaths in 2019. The forecast for the future if no action is taken seems even worse. It is estimated that by 2050, AMR would claim 10 million lives per year globally and put at risk a cumulative US$100 trillion of economic output. In Australia, the estimated annual impact of AMR on the economy by 2050 will be between A$142 billion and A$283 billion.\n\nThis project will focus on developing stimuli responsive nanomaterials that incorporated into wound dressings. These nanomaterials will offer dual functionality of killing pathogenic organisms and actively enhance wound healing. These abilities would be controlled using external stimuli such as light illumination, magnetic stimulation etc. The project will also focus on understanding the mechanism of bacterial killing and provide fundamental knowledge about how such materials interact with biological systems. The overarching goal of this project will be to develop new strategies to control AMR pathogens. \n\nThe project will have opportunities to work with international collaborators on using such nanomaterials for controlling pathogens in dental implants. \n\nAn ideal candidate will have interest in nanotechnology and biomedical technologies. The candidate will work in the NanoBiotechnology Research Lab (NRBL) group and will be exposed to state-of-the-art materials characterisation tools, microbiology, and molecular biology techniques and develop skills for working in biomedical and nanotechnology sector. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/6\/2024","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340301 Inorganic materials - 40% ; 401807 Nanomaterials - 30% ; 310601 Biocatalysis and enzyme technology - 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajesh Ramanathan","title":"Stimuli responsive nanozymes as a viable alternative to natural enzymes for industrial applications","description":"Natural enzymes promote several catalytic chemical reactions in the body. Enzymes are used in the food, agricultural, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries to control and speed up reactions in order to quickly and accurately obtain a valuable final product. Enzymes are crucial to making cheese, brewing beer, baking bread, production of biofuels, biopolymers, and much more. One critical shortcoming of natural enzymes is their stability, especially in harsh reaction conditions. Additionally, the high cost of production, storage and transportation further exasperates the problem. Nanozymes are nanomaterials that mimic the catalytic activity of natural enzymes. Nanozymes are stable in harsh conditions, have low cost of production, storage and are easier to transport. Therefore, nanozymes hold promise to serve as direct surrogates of traditional enzymes. \n\nThe project will focus on developing new nanoparticles and assess their ability to mimic the catalytic activity of natural enzymes. A key aspect is the ability to control the catalytic activity of these nanoparticles using external stimuli such as light illumination, magnetic stimulation etc, which will allow on-demand tuning of the activity. The use of such stimuli will also enable a degree of selectivity of which product is produced during a catalytic reaction. \n\nAn ideal candidate will have interest in materials chemistry, nanotechnology and catalysis. The candidate will work in the NanoBiotechnology Research Lab (NRBL) group and will be exposed to state-of-the-art materials characterisation tools and catalysis reactions relevant to industrial sector. The project will allow the candidate to develop key skills to work in industrial catalysis and nanotechnology sector.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"30\/12\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340301 Inorganic Materials (incl. Nanomaterials) (40%) ; 340309 Theory and Design of Materials (30%) ; 340305 Physical Properties of Materials (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Dr. Aaron Elbourne, Dr. Saffron Bryant, Dr. Andrew Christofferson, A\/Prof. Paul Ramsland","title":"Developing Biomimetic Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Vehicles","description":"Motivation\nNanomaterials have emerged as an effective means of drug transportation to living cells. Currently, Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field offering a range of applications in the fields of drug delivery, advanced medical diagnostics, cellular imaging, and cancer therapeutics. Lipid based vesicles have recently gained popularity due to their high biodegradability and biocompatibility. Their capacity to safely encapsulate and deliver antimicrobial drugs can be utilized to combat the global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Despite this potential, research concerning cell derived lipid vesicles remains at its infancy. This project can significantly contribute to the development of novel strategies of cellular drug delivery using microbial lipid-coated nanoparticles.\nScope\nThis research project will investigate the selective adhesion or uptake potential of lipid-coated nanoparticles derived from microbial cells. Nanoparticles will be synthesised by introducing chemically extracted microbial lipids to inorganic particles. The similarities in lipid composition allows for the diffusion of the coating against the cell membrane upon exposure, leading to effective drug release. The excellent tunability of the nanoparticles allows for both lipid coating and inner core modifications.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry 50% ; 310607 Nanobiotechnology 40% ; 401810 Nanoscale Characterisation 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"Synthesis, chemistry, and biology of unique 2-Dimensional (2D) nanomaterials","description":"2-Dimensional (or flat) nanomaterials have started to excite nanotechnology researchers as extremely thin flakes of nanoparticles show exotic properties that are absent in other shapes. A commonly known 2D material is graphene. But do you know that while graphene is considered useful due to its high conductivity, it also has many limitations? For example, an electronic device also needs semiconducting and insulating components that graphene cannot offer. Similarly, for different biological and chemical applications, 2D materials of different compositions will be required.\n \n Our team at RMIT is at the forefront of the revolution in 2D materials and seeking motivated candidates who are interested in the chemical synthesis of nanomaterials, accompanied by either their chemical or biological applications. Chemical applications include (i) photo-electrochemical water splitting to produce green energy, (ii) photocatalysis for environmental remediation, and (iii) optical sensors. Biological applications include (i) next-generation antimicrobial technologies, (ii) gene and drug delivery, and (iii) diagnostics of important targets in medicine, agriculture, food, and the environment. \n \n The project will be undertaken under a highly vibrant cross-disciplinary environment offered at the RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility. It is expected to involve local, national, and international collaborations depending upon the project's needs, including measurements at the Australian synchrotron. This project is geared towards making new fundamental discoveries in a topical research area. A suitable candidate should have a high motivation for research and any other relevant prior experience in nanomaterial synthesis and\/or biology will be a bonus.\n \n Refer to our publication to get some idea about our research activities in this area: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340303 Nanochemistry (50%)\n 340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (25%)\n 340603 Colloids and surface chemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"Nanosensors for point-of-care detection of environmental, food, agriculture, and clinical analytes ","description":"The emergence of COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of efficient sensor technologies that can rapidly detect the source of the problem on-site. Unless a problem is timely detected, it cannot be effectively managed. The analytes of high importance include environmental pollutants; food contaminants and toxins; microbes that cause plant, animal, and human diseases; and metabolic, genomic, and proteomic markers of various human diseases. \n \n Our team at RMIT\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility is at the forefront of the development of advanced sensor technologies to detect these analytes using nanosensors. Our sensing platforms range from colorimetric and fluorometric detection systems to electrochemical detection. Depending upon your prior experience, a suitable project can be tailored in this area to match your interest. \n \n You will work with a highly cross-disciplinary team and develop expertise in (i) chemical synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials, (ii) synthesis of DNA aptamers for important target analytes, (iii) understanding nano-bio interactions, (iv) development of an appropriate nanosensor technology, and (v) application of machine learning and AI algorithms for analysis of complex sensory data. This comprehensive training is expected to prepare you for a successful pathway in the field of nanobiotechnology.\n \n The project is likely to involve industry partners, such as the Australian Biosecurity agencies who are interested in this research. A suitable candidate should have a high motivation for research and any other relevant prior experience will be a bonus.\n \n Refer to our publications to get some idea about our research activities in this area: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) 340108 (50%), \n Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) 340301 (25%), \n 340303 Nanochemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ylias Sabri","title":"Colloidal lithography based nanostructures for numerous applications.","description":"To date there is a technological demand for the fabrication of structures where both the feature size and separation can be controlled at the nanoscale. Typically such structures are obtained by direct writing using electron beam lithography, but the method is sequential and thus slow and not cost-effective. An alternative\n \n strategy exploits the deposition of colloidal particles as masks for lithography. Colloidal lithography is a large-area, robust, parallel and cheap method, but conventional approaches have little control on the interparticle separation, typically yielding close-packed particle arrays. For instance, in biosensing applications, large separations compared to the feature size are necessary to avoid cross-talk between neighboring sensing spots. As another example, nanofabricated arrays of silicon nanowires have significant potential as platforms for cell transfection or as materials for optics and energy applications, but their diameter, height and lateral separation need to be finely tuned to achieve the desired final properties. In our group we harness and exploit the self-assembly of colloidal particles at a water\/oil interface to meet these challenges. After self-assembly at the liquid interface, the colloidal particle arrays can be deposited on a solid substrate for lithography. The technique allows in a single step to produce 2D patterns where the size of the features and their separation can be controlled independently and has been used to produce nanopore arrays, biosensing structures, nanopatterned hydrogels, porous polymer membranes and nanowire arrays out of different materials. This is an emerging field and the student will be able to produce a range of novel structures for applications ranging from gas sensing to solar energy harvestation, electrochemistry, catalysis and the like.\n \n References:\n [1] YM Sabri, AE Kandjani, SJ Ippolito, SK Bhargava, Scientific reports 6, 24625\n [2] YM Sabri, AE Kandjani, SJ Ippolito, SK Bhargava ACS applied materials & interfaces 7 (3), 1491-1499","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401807 - Nanomaterials (50%)\n 410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (25%)\n 340601 - Catalysis and mechanisms of reactions (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nhiem Tran, Jiali (Maggie) Zhai and Calum Drummond","title":"Self-assembled lipid nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapeutics","description":"Cancer is a leading cause of the death and a major health problem in Australia. Currently, chemotherapeutics are widely used and still provide the best survival chance for cancer patients. Chemotherapy drugs, however, also damage normal cells in the body, leading to many side effects that have been limiting their effectiveness. To address these problems, nanomedicines, a drug delivery strategy based on nanoparticles encapsulating toxic chemotherapeutics, have emerged and held great promises for the next generation of targeted cancer treatment to reduce systemic side effects. Such drug delivery systems also offer other advantages including: (1) enhanced solubility of newly discovered, poorly soluble drugs, (2) controlled release of the drugs for enhanced bioavailability (3) protection of the drugs from degradation in the body to overcome biological barriers. Among the drug delivery systems that are being developed, self-assembled lipid nanoparticles stand out due to their customizable nanostructures and extensive porous networks. These features allow them to encapsulate and slowly release non-water-soluble chemotherapeutics.[1] We have also successfully attached antibodies to the surfaces of lipid nanoparticles to help them recognise cancer cells for targeted drug delivery.[2] This project aims to formulate multifunctional lipid nanoparticles that can provide sustained release and targeted delivery of anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, including paclitaxel, temozolomide, and dasatinib. Extensive investigation of structure \u2013 function relationship between lipid nanostructures and solubility and release of drugs will be performed in vitro and in vivo. First, advanced biophysical techniques such as small angle X-ray scattering, cryogenic transmission electron miscroscopy, HPLC will be employed. Second, biochemical assays such as bioconjugation, gel electrophoresis, ligand binding assays, in vitro cell viability and cell uptake assays will also be performed to confirm the recognition of cancer cells by nanoparticles. Last but not least, biological functions and therapeutic efficacy of the developed nanoparticles will be evaluated in vivo using ovarian cancer and\/or brain cancer xenograft models.\r\nThis project is a collaborative interdisciplinary project that offers training on lipid nanoparticle formulation, colloid and surface chemistry characterisation, and the evaluation of bio-nanomaterials in vitro and in vivo. References:\r\n[1]. X. Mulet, B. J. Boyd, C. J. Drummond, Journal of colloid and interface science 2013, 393.\r\n[2]. J. Zhai: Nanoscale, 2015, 7, pp. 2905-2913","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry (50%)\n 320604 Nanomedicine (30%)\n 400302 Biomaterials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences; Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Christofferson","title":"Modelling the stability of biomolecules in ionic liquids","description":"Most proteins and biomolecules have limited solubility and stability outside their native environment. This is a critical issue in many fields, exemplified by the Covid-19 vaccine, insulin and antibody needing to be stored at low temperature due to rapid degradation at higher temperatures. For researchers to be able to tackle these problems, we need solvents that increase protein stability and solubility. Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts which melt below 100 \u00b0C, and are thus liquid at room temperature. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are closely related, and formed by a eutectic of an IL and a molecular solvent. Certain IL solutions can be highly beneficial solvents for biomolecules, stabilizing enzymes and peptides, selectively extracting\/separating biomolecules, preventing insulin aggregation, suppressing and solubilising amyloid aggregates, enhancing protein crystal growth and control of crystal shape. However, an atomistic description of the effect of IL and DES constituents on the dynamic behaviour of the protein is required to bridge the gap between these experimental techniques to reach a deep understanding that will allow us to tailor designer solvents to the protein of interest. Molecular dynamics simulations have the potential to provide this information. Recent developments in polarisable and non-polarisable models of ILs and DESs allow for a greater degree of accuracy in the modelling of these solvents, although their compatibility in water mixtures and in combination with protein force fields must be verified. Likewise, protein models have improved dramatically in recent years and now can better account for partial disorder and polarisation.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340701 Computational chemistry (80%) ;  340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (10%) ; 510405 Soft condensed matter (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"MR229","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oliver Jones","title":"CSIRO-RMIT Masters Measuring aerosols and reactive gases in the atmosphere ","description":"The project is in collaboration with the CSIRO. It will include components of designing, constructing, calibrating and maintaining instrumentation for the observations of aerosols and reactive gases in ambient and indoor air.  These instruments will be applied in field measurement studies focused on understanding the impact of air pollution on human health and climate change. \r\n\r\nThe team conduct air quality monitoring to support research and long-term observations. Data are collected using a wide range of instrumentation, some of which are deployed continuously whilst others are utilised to respond to specific research questions or emergency incidents. CSIRO does not conduct regulatory air quality monitoring, instead focusses on novel technology, emerging challenges and new methodologies.\r\n\r\nExamples of the research projects that the student could work on:\r\n\u2022\tEngaging in field work to conduct air quality monitoring for the evaluation of interventions designed to protect the health of vulnerable populations.\r\n\u2022\tAssisting with deployment and data management of low-cost sensors to measure local-scale emissions and fine scale resolution of air pollutants.\r\n\u2022\tConducting laboratory-based calibrations of instrumentation, data management and quality control.\r\n\u2022\tConstructing a sampling inlet for a state-of-the- art on-line time-of-flight mass spectrometer to measure volatile organic compounds in seawater.\r\n\r\nThe project will involve:\r\n-\tLiterature search and familiarization with aerosol and reactive gases measurement systems\r\n-\tLearn how to service and problem solve issues with high grade instruments. \r\n-\tCoding for instrument communication and data acquisitions\r\n-\tApply the findings to real-world samples of ambient air\r\n-\tTraining visit to Kennaook Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Monitoring Station in Tasmania\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340105 - Instrumental methods (excl. immunological and bioassay methods) (50%)\r\n340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"MR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jessica Holien","title":"Protein-protein interactions to find novel therapeutics","description":"There are over 300,000 protein-protein interaction pairs so far identified in the human proteome, and it is unclear how many of these play a role in diseases. This project aims to develop and utilise network-based bioinformatic methods to understand how single protein-protein interactions cooperate in the cell to form complex protein-protein networks. These protein-protein interactions will form novel drug targets for a drug discovery pipeline, in order to find new therapeutics for diseases of unmet need.\r\nInterested candidates will be required have a minimum of basic coding\/computational techniques and some understanding of protein structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (60%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (20%)\r\n310201 Bioinformatic methods development (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231 \/ MR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic","title":"Persistence and Stability of Memories During Massive Brain Remodelling","description":"Project Overview\nMemory enables animals to store experiences crucial for survival, yet how memories persist through dramatic brain restructuring\u2014such as regeneration, metamorphosis, or neurogenesis\u2014is poorly understood. This project offers opportunities to investigate memory stability across major neural transformations in:\n\u2022\tPlanarians (complete brain regeneration after decapitation)\n\u2022\tHolometabolous insects (e.g., beetles, butterflies undergoing metamorphosis)\n\u2022\tCrustaceans (neural remodeling during growth and molting)\nCombining behavioural assays, advanced AI-driven analysis, and neuroactive drug screening, this research explores memory retention and potential storage mechanisms beyond traditional neural models.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop robust learning protocols using ecologically-relevant stimuli.\n\u2022\tExamine memory retention in different anatomical fragments and regions post-regeneration.\n\u2022\tAssess how neuroactive compounds (drugs, pollutants) influence memory stability during brain remodeling.\n\u2022\tImplement AI-powered analytics to classify and quantify decision-making, learned behaviors, and memory persistence.\n\nResearch Impact:\nThis project will challenge conventional neuroscience by exploring if and to what extend memories can survive massive brain remodelling. Findings will significantly advance neurobiology, cognitive science and animal behaviour research, providing new insights into the evolution of cognition.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates have backgrounds in biology, neuroscience or cognitive science interested in exploring memory persistence during extreme neural transformations. If you are passionate about unconventional memory models and interdisciplinary cognitive research, this PhD places you at the forefront of animal behaviour and neuroplasticity.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org ","sdg":"[\"15 - Life on the Land\",\"14 - Life Below Water\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n310906 Animal neurobiology (25%)\n310301 Behavioural ecology (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231 \/ MR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"Plastic pollution and climate feedback: A study through the lens of blue carbon ecosystems","description":"Plastic pollution and climate change are deeply interconnected global challenges. The generation of greenhouse gases at linear plastic production and use remains a critical barrier to achieving sustainable development goals and maintaining global climate targets. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes, are well-known for their capacity as nature-based climate mitigation. At the land-ocean interface, these fragile ecosystems act as burial places for plastics. However, it is yet to understand underpinning enough evidence of the consequence of accumulated plastic and microplastic on the overall climate benefits of these coastal blue carbon ecosystems. This project will assess the climate feedback on blue carbon ecosystems under different plastic pollution exposure scenarios.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"MR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri, Alexis Marshall","title":"Better Understanding of Papaya Phytophthora Rot","description":"Master by Research student opportunity\n\nOur group at RMIT School of Science along with Skybury Farms and other Australian papaya growers are starting R&D project on 'Better understanding of papaya phytophthora rot'\n\nPapaya Phytophthora rot leads to significant economic losses, impacting growers and consumers alike. Traditional management methods, including cultural practices and fungicide use, often fall short in curbing the disease's spread and its subsequent damage.\n\nIn the proposed project, we will build onto the existing partnership between RMIT and Skybury Farms to develop an integrated solution for effective management of phytophthora. To enable development of a sustainable phytophthora management strategy, we will consult with key stakeholders from Australian and global papaya industry including researchers from previous Hort Innovation funded projects. A comprehensive gap analysis of papaya phytophthora management will be followed by development of high-throughput method to quantify soil fungal load and genomic analysis to identify potential targets for effective disease management.\n\nYou will work alongside industry experts and leading papaya growers in Australia to develop solutions that will directly benefit Australian papaya industry.\n\nWe are inviting Expression of Interest from potential Master by Research candidates with experience and interest in molecular plant pathology. Interested candidates please email your detailed CV with relevant research experience and publications to nitin.mantri@rmit.edu.au. Applications will close by 15th November 2024.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300804        Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (75%)\n300803        Horticultural crop improvement (incl. selection and breeding) (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"BITS025F001452: Smart Marine Vessels for AI-Driven Plastic Clean-up","description":"Plastic pollution is a planetary problem. The Smart Surface Ships for AI-Powered Plastic Cleanup project aims to develop and deploy autonomous surface vessels equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) for efficient plastic waste detection and collection in water bodies. This initiative addresses the growing environmental crisis of plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and lakes by leveraging advanced robotics, machine learning, and sensor technologies. The primary objectives of this project are: 1. Autonomous Navigation & Operation: Develop AI-driven surface vessels capable of autonomously navigating through water bodies while avoiding obstacles and adapting to environmental conditions. 2. Plastic Waste Detection: Implement computer vision and deep learning algorithms to detect, classify, and differentiate plastic debris from other floating objects. 3. Efficient Collection Mechanism: Design and integrate a smart retrieval system that captures floating plastics without harming aquatic life. 4. Data Collection & Monitoring: Utilize onboard sensors to collect real-time data on plastic waste distribution, contributing to environmental research and clean-up planning. 5. Scalability & Deployment: Ensure modular and cost-effective designs for large-scale implementation across various water bodies. Methodology The project will follow a structured approach: \u2022 AI & Machine Learning Integration: Train deep learning models using datasets of floating plastics to improve detection accuracy. \u2022 Autonomous Vessel Development: Design and fabricate an energy-efficient, solar-powered surface vehicle with adaptive control algorithms. \u2022 Sensor & Computer Vision Systems: Employ LiDAR, cameras, and hyperspectral imaging for real-time waste identification. \u2022 Mechanical Collection System: Engineer an optimized robotic arm\/manipulator for efficient plastic retrieval. \u2022 Field Testing & Optimization: Conduct trials in controlled and real-world environments to refine AI models and operational efficiency. This innovative approach will significantly enhance plastic cleanup efforts, reducing marine pollution and contributing to global sustainability goals.","sdg":"[\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\",\"12 - Responsible Consumption and Production\",\"17 - Partnerships for the Goals\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"460205\tIntelligent robotics (50%)\n460306\tImage processing (30%)\n400904\tElectronic device and system performance evaluation (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"BITS025F001402: Modulation of soil microbiome by microplastics: implication for food security","description":"Background and aim: The pervasive presence of microplastics (plastic particles with <5mm in size) in soil from anthropogenic practises (such as modern agriculture) is a global sustainability issue. Microplastics and their associated additives can alter\/stress soil microbiome, potentially impacting the beneficial interactions between plants and plant-associated beneficial rhizobacteria, which are crucial for stress tolerance and nutrient uptake by plants\/crops. This research aims to investigate the interplay between microplastics, soil microbiomes, and plants, focusing on the modulation of beneficial plant-rhizobacterial interactions under microplastics-induced stress scenarios. The overall objectives of this PhD are to: 1) analyse the effects of microplastics on the diversity and composition of soil microbiomes; 2) assess how changes in soil microbiomes influence beneficial plant-rhizobacterial interactions; and 3) evaluate the role of these interactions in enhancing plant stress tolerance in the presence of microplastics. Methodology: This study will involve both controlled laboratory experiments and field studies and leverage multi-omics and advance molecular techniques. Soil samples will be collected from various agricultural sites with environmentally realistic microplastics contamination. A set of controlled experiments will be initiated in a greenhouse, where plants will be grown in soils with varying concentrations of microplastics. Soil microbiome composition will be assessed using high-throughput sequencing techniques, such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics. This analysis will provide insights of impact of microplastics on composition and functional potential of soil microbial communities. Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics study will be conducted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of the biological responses of soil microbiomes and plants to microplastics. A known model crop such as rice will be used for the plant-based studies. Inter-relation between microbial community composition and the fingerprint of dissolved organic matter in the rhizosphere will be performed to estimate whether the \u201cbelow-ground changes\u201d have far-stretching consequences on \u201cabove-ground\u201d plant performance, under the exposure of microplastics. Specific attention will be given to rhizobacteria known for their beneficial interactions with plants, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium spp.).","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"13 - Climate Action\",\"15 - Life on the Land\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"300207    Agricultural systems analysis and modelling (40%)\n310803\tPlant cell and molecular biology (30%)\n410501\tEnvironmental biogeochemistry (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"BITS025F001436: Wetland plastisphere as a novel biotope","description":"Ubiquitous plastic pollution is a planetary problem. Wetlands (natural or constructed) can act sink of these problem. However, plastic within wetlands can generate a novel biotope called \"wetland plastisphere\". Wetland plastisphere that refers to the community of organisms that colonise plastic debris, represents a new biotic layer that warrants investigation. This new biotope is creating dynamic habitats that differ significantly from their natural counterparts. Certain microbes may break down plastics, while others may contribute to wetland nutrient cycling. Research into the wetland plastisphere is crucial for understanding the broader implications of plastic pollution on wetland biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling, microbial activity, and overall ecosystem functioning. It also raises important questions about how these biotope function and how they will respond to ongoing environmental changes. As plastic waste continues to accumulate in wetland areas, studying these unique biotopes may offer insights into potential remediation strategies and the resilience of ecosystems in the face of pollution. Overall, the project will investigate the composition and diversity of microbial communities in the wetland plastisphere and their role in nutrient cycling; evaluate how the presence of plastics in wetlands affects biogeochemical processes such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling; and provide recommendations for managing plastic pollution and enhancing biogeochemical functions in wetland ecosystems. Apart from regular protocols of wetland research, this project will leverage a wide range of microbial and molecular techniques\/approaches including multi-omics (i.e. Genomics, Transcriptomics, Metabolomics, etc) to gain insights of wetland plastisphere and their functions.","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"14 - Life Below Water\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (50%)\n410501 - Environmental biogeochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Alexis Marshall, Andy Ball","title":"Innovative sequencing methods for monitoring microbial consortia in engineered environments, such as wastewater treatment facilities.","description":"Significance: Biological wastewater treatment systems comprise a diverse range of naturally occurring microbes, which play a central role for the operation of treatment plants. Understanding these microbial consortia is crucial for improving the management and resource recoveries of biological wastewater treatment systems. \n\nOverview: Biological treatment systems such as the activated sludge process (ASP), anaerobic digestion (AD), granular sludge reactors and biofilters, all rely on complex microbial interactions. These biological systems perform functions, such as organic matter and nutrient removal, production of renewable biogas and pathogen reduction. However, due to the complexity of biological systems and technological limitations, some important microbes remain unidentified, or their roles unclear, despite decades of research. Furthermore, changes of microbial diversity over time are currently not routinely profiled and monitored. This limits our ability to troubleshoot and optimise these economically important processes. \n\nObjective: Together with the industry partner Melbourne Water, this PhD project will develop a new amplicon sequencing workflow for mixed microbial communities using long-read sequencing technologies (e.g. Oxford Nanopore). The candidate will design a novel primer pair targeting the 16S-ITS-23S ribosomal RNA operon region, offering enhanced taxonomic specificity and sensitivity for the detection and monitoring of bacteria and archaea in wastewater sludge. Furthermore, the candidate will develop bioinformatic workflows that enable routine processing of sequencing data and visualise the outputs of thousands of different microbes and their abundances over time. \n\nA top-up scholarship is available to the successful candidate (from WaterRA, https:\/\/www.waterra.com.au\/phd-scholarships). \n\nFurthermore, there are opportunities for internships at Melbourne Water. ","sdg":"[\"7 - Affordable and Clean Energy\",\"9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-06-30","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310201 Bioinformatics methods development\n310203 Computational ecology and phylogenetics\n310606 Industrial biotechnology"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic","title":"Decoding Minimal Minds: Proto-Cognition in Simple Lifeforms","description":"Project Overview:\nProto-cognition describes cognitive-like behaviors observed in organisms with rudimentary or no nervous systems, challenging traditional views that intelligence requires complex brains. Recent research reveals that simple invertebrates and even aneural organisms exhibit surprising abilities in learning, memory, and adaptive decision-making. Yet, these fundamental cognitive mechanisms remain underexplored.\nThis PhD project seeks to redefine cognition by characterizing proto-cognitive processes across diverse aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Using behavioral assays, AI-driven bioanalytics, and neuropharmacological methods, you will investigate how minimally cognitive organisms process information, learn, and adapt to environmental cues.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop innovative behavioral conditioning paradigms (habituation, associative, instrumental learning).\n\u2022\tInvestigate spatial memory, decision-making, and adaptive strategies in simple organisms.\n\u2022\tExamine how neuroactive chemicals, pollutants, and environmental stressors influence learning and memory.\n\u2022\tApply advanced AI analytics (behavioral clustering, unsupervised pattern recognition) to quantify proto-cognition and detect previously undiscovered behavioral motifs.\n\nInnovation & Impact:\nThis research offers groundbreaking insights into the origins of intelligence, informing neurobiology, evolutionary biology, behavioral ecotoxicology and drug discovery. It will establish new models for automated cognitive assessment and contribute significantly to animal behaviour research.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates are from biology, neuroscience, or cognitive science backgrounds, interested in exploring evolutionary principles of cognition and animal behavior. This PhD provides an exciting interdisciplinary opportunity for redefining the boundaries of cognition research.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org","sdg":"[\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"15 - Life on the Land\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n310906 Animal neurobiology (25%)\n310301 Behavioural ecology (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic","title":"Investigating Perturbations of Emerging Pollutants on Animal Behaviour","description":"Project Overview:\nPollution significantly threatens wildlife, yet its impact on animal behavior and cognition remains poorly understood. This PhD project explores how neuro-modulating contaminants disrupt multi-sensory processing, decision-making strategies, and proto-cognitive functions in aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Leveraging advanced AI-powered tracking and deep-learning-based behavioral analytics, you will investigate how pollutants influence sensory integration (e.g., thermotaxis, phototaxis, shelter-seeking), behavioral plasticity, and adaptive cognitive responses.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop behavioral assays using multi-sensory cues to detect early indicators of pollutant exposure.\n\u2022\tExamine individual and population-level behavioral plasticity across short-term, chronic, and multi-generational pollutant exposures.\n\u2022\tAssess how pollutants disrupt basal cognitive functions, affecting learned behaviors and decision-making.\n\u2022\tUse AI-driven analytical tools to detect behavioral anomalies and automatically quantify pollutant impacts.\n\nResearch Impact:\nThis research will provide crucial insights into neurotoxic effects on animal cognition, informing ecotoxicological assessments and conservation strategies. Findings will advance our understanding of pollutant-driven behavioral disruptions and their ecological consequences, benefiting behavioral ecology, cognitive neurobiology, and environmental monitoring.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates have backgrounds in ecotoxicology, animal behavior, ecology, neuroscience, or cognitive science. If you are passionate about exploring the ecological impacts of pollutants on animal cognition and behavior, this PhD project offers an exciting opportunity at the intersection of environmental and behavioral sciences.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org ","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"14 - Life Below Water\",\"15 - Life on the Land\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n060201 Behavioral Ecology (25%)\n410201 Bioavailability and ecotoxicology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Donald Wlodkowic, Jeffrey Chan","title":"Decoding Hidden Intelligence: AI-Driven Insights into Animal Behaviour and Cognition","description":"Project Overview:\nUnderstanding how lifeforms acquire knowledge, adapt, and solve problems is pivotal for advancements in neurobiology, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. Current animal tracking methods in behavioral studies are limited to simplistic approaches that struggle to capture nuanced behaviors like decision-making, spatial exploration, and problem-solving.\nThis project will develop innovative, fully automated AI-powered video-based tracking methods to accurately analyze complex behavioral traits across diverse species and experimental settings. Leveraging deep learning, high-performance computing (e.g., Apple M-series silicon), and integrative bioinformatics (Python and R), you will enable high-throughput, unbiased behavioral analysis using ultra-high definition, infrared machine vision systems.\n\nAims:\n\u2022\tDevelop robust, non-invasive AI-based video tracking to annotate complex behaviors.\n\u2022\tTrain neural networks to classify behaviors (decision-making, learning, problem-solving).\n\u2022\tDeploy advanced models (RNNs, LSTMs, Bayesian inference, HMMs) for predicting behavioral shifts and detecting learning patterns.\n\u2022\tImplement unsupervised clustering for rapid analysis of diverse cognitive behaviours in non-standard animal models.\n\nInnovation & Impact:\nThis project will deliver next-generation capabilities for scalable, unbiased behavioral analysis with broad implications for neurobiology, neuroactive drug discovery, cognitive biology, and environmental studies such as behavioral ecology and ecotoxicology.\n\nCollaboration & Skills Development\nAs a PhD candidate you will work in close collaboration between the Department of Biology and Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. You will gain invaluable, hands-on experience across several cutting-edge domains.\n\nWho Should Apply?\nIdeal candidates possess strong backgrounds in engineering, computer science, or AI, with proficiency in Python and a passion for interdisciplinary research at the interface of computational and biological sciences.\nFor more information please contact: Prof Donald Wlodkowic www.donaldwlodkowiclab.org","sdg":"[\"6 - Clean Water and Sanitation\",\"15 - Life on the Land\",\"14 - Life Below Water\"]","funded":"No","closedate":"2028-12-31","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"060801 Animal Behavior (50%)\n460299 Artificial intelligence not elsewhere classified (25%)\n461103 Deep learning (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel","title":"Fate of coastal wetland carbon under microplastic pollution","description":"Microplastic can release carbon-based substrates and contributes to carbon pools within coastal wetlands or Blue carbon Ecosystems (BCEs), like mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes. It is yet to explore how and to what extend microplastics impact blue carbon in BCEs, ultimately the capacity of BCEs of climate mitigation.  This PhD project will assess the bioavailability of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) in BCE's sediment and its contribution to the soil mineral-associated carbon pool. The release of any greenhouse gases from BCEs under microplastics will be assessed. The change of microbial community and their function along the way will also be checked. \nThis multi-disciplinary project can take advantage of a wide range of tools\/approaches, i.e., molecular fingerprinting of wetland carbon and plastic using FT-ICR-MS, MicroProfiling System, 2D planer optode, metagenomics, etc. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Martino Malerba, Peter Macreadie, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, Paul Carnell, Maria del Mar Palacios","title":"PhD Opportunity in Freshwater Systems and Climate Change Mitigation","description":"Freshwater systems are essential for food production, urban development, global cycles, and natural ecosystems. However, they face significant threats from urbanisation, pollution, and land use changes. There is vast potential to develop low-cost strategies to improve the management of freshwater systems, enhancing their productivity, sustainability, and capacity to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.\n\nIn line with Australia\u2019s commitment to tackling climate change and enhancing natural capital, this PhD project aims to generate new knowledge on Australia\u2019s freshwater systems \u2013 both natural and artificial. We are seeking motivated applicants to collaborate across diverse research fields. \n\nExample projects include:\n\u2022        Developing innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance wetland carbon sequestration.\n\u2022        Improving restoration monitoring outcomes using a range of metrics (e.g., vegetation\/seaweed, soil, greenhouse gas flux, spatial analyses, biodiversity, social impact\/benefits).\n\u2022        Quantifying the improvements in ecosystem services provided by wetland management.\n\u2022        Utilising AI with satellites, drones, and IoT sensors to automatically measure wetland benefits (e.g., carbon, biodiversity, water quality, and farm productivity).\n\u2022        Establishing citizen-science projects to promote sustainable wetland management.\n\u2022        Enhancing restoration methods to scale up wetland restoration efforts.\n\nWe welcome applicants from various backgrounds, including plant\/seaweed or animal ecology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, spatial analysis, engineering, environmental economics, social sciences, and information technology.\n\nJoin us in making a significant impact on the future of Australia\u2019s freshwater systems and their role in combating climate change.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"410405 (40%)\n410101 (30%)\n410303 (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Peter Macreadie, Anirban Akhand, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, Maria Palacios, Gary Rosengarten, Xavier Mulet, Nasir Mahmood, Tianyi Ma","title":"Investigating the Feasibility of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement","description":"This PhD project will investigate the feasibility and implementation potential of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), an innovative strategy aimed at mitigating climate change by enhancing the ocean\u2019s capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide. The research will address one or more of the following five key dimensions:\n\n1) Access to Alkaline Materials: This involves assessing the availability and sustainability of alkaline substances, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, required for OAE at scale, with a focus on environmental and logistical considerations.\n\n2) Environmental Risks and Considerations: The project will explore the ecological implications of OAE on marine ecosystems. This includes understanding the impacts on biodiversity and marine life, and evaluating potential risks and benefits to ocean health.\n\n3) Financial Feasibility: A critical aspect of this research will be an economic analysis of the costs and benefits associated with OAE, including infrastructure, deployment, logistics, and long-term maintenance.\n\n4) Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Feasibility: The project will develop and test methods to accurately monitor the effectiveness of OAE, ensuring robust reporting and verification systems for carbon sequestration.\n\n5) Carbon Rights and Benefit Sharing: This dimension will explore the legal, ethical, and governance frameworks surrounding carbon rights, as well as equitable benefit distribution in the context of OAE initiatives.\n\nThis interdisciplinary project aims to contribute significantly to the global efforts of climate change mitigation through ocean-based carbon capture solutions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410101 Carbon sequestration science (70%); 370203 Greenhouse gas inventories and fluxes (20%); 090703 Environmental Technologies (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Maria Palacios, Paul Carnell, Lily Van Eeden - Applied Chemistry & Enviro Science","title":"Farmers and Freshwater Systems: Exploring Social Attitudes for Climate and Biodiversity Gains","description":"There is an untapped potential to develop low-cost strategies for managing freshwater systems to maximise their carbon and biodiversity benefits. In the future, governments could provide financial incentives (such as carbon or biodiversity credits) to encourage management actions that improve carbon drawdown, minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increase native wildlife. \n\nHowever, Australian landholders\u2019 views on managing freshwater systems remained largely unstudied. With most wetlands in Australia being on private properties, a critical gap exists in understanding what motivates landholders to restore these ecosystems. Understanding these motivations is important for developing effective conservation strategies and helping Australia meet critical climate and biodiversity targets.\n\nThis PhD project will generate new knowledge on Australia\u2019s natural and artificial freshwater systems. The project will engage with farmers to run surveys and citizen-science projects to understand attitudes toward sustainable management of freshwater systems.\nWe are seeking motivated applicants with experience in social sciences and who are willing to collaborate across diverse research fields.\n\nDesired qualifications:\n\u2022        Background in Psychology\/Sociology\/Anthropology\/ Human Geography or cognate discipline\n\u2022        A first-author publication\n\u2022        Proficient in academic writing\n\u2022        Experience in running social surveys\n\u2022        Experience in conducting in-depth interviews \n\u2022        Knowledge of Qualitative data analysis\n\u2022        Honours or Masters\n\u2022        Able to work independently\n\nJoin us in making a significant impact on the future of Australia's freshwater systems and their role in combating climate change.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410405 Enviro rehabilitation(40%)\n410101 Carbon sequestration (30%)\n441002 Enviro sociology (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Sara Long","title":"Using novel analytical tools to understand the fate and effects of emerging contaminants","description":"There is a vast array of emerging contaminants (including pesticides and pharmaceuticals and personal care products) that are discharged into freshwater ecosystems through a variety of ways including run off, accidental release, spills and stormwater. Not all chemicals are routinely measured in water and sediment in analytical laboratories, which limits our understanding of the presence of these chemicals in our waterways. Consequently, there is little information about the risk these chemicals pose to biota present in these systems, which restricts our ability to effectively manage and protect waterways for ecological and human health. \nTo gain a better understanding of the fate and effects of emerging contaminants, this project will first, identify high priority pesticides that are not currently measured in analytical screens; secondly, develop and optimise analytical methods to quantify these contaminants and then investigate the effects of these contaminants to local aquatic biota using traditional and novel ecotoxicological techniques.  Traditional techniques include acute and chronic toxicity tests with endpoints such as survival, growth and reproduction and novel techniques will include using metabolomics to identify small metabolite biomarkers of exposure and effect. Metabolomics endpoints are known to be more sensitive than traditional endpoints with effects being detected at lower chemical concentrations than responses such as survival and growth.  \nUnderstanding the fate and effects of emerging contaminants in waterways and developing suitable biomarkers of effect will enable better management and result in improved waterway health assessments.  ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2024-09-13","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410504 (50%)\n410402 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Thilini Thrimawithana, Health and Biomedical Sciences,\nJonathan Tran, Engineering","title":"Development of novel fungal biomaterials","description":"There are over 5 million fungal species but we have only described 5% and use even less. Fungal composites are emerging as a safer and more sustainable alternative to industrial materials such as polystyrene foam, wood and concrete. Our research group developed fungal composites using  agricultural plant waste for building and construction industries. This project will be focused on developing the fungal composites for novel applications including fire retardancy, sound absorbance, enzymatic degradation and medicine. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2025-12-31","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"400302\tBiomaterials \n401106\tWaste management, reduction, reuse and recycling\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Tanveer Adyel, Peter Macreadie","title":"Microplastics-mediated dissolved organic matter on blue carbon mineralisation ","description":"Coastal wetlands consisting of tidal marshes, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows sequester and store \"blue\" carbon from the atmosphere and oceans and act as nature-based solutions to global climate change. The location of coastal wetlands at the land-water interface makes them an important sink of plastic and microplastics. Microplastics generate dissolved organic matter (DOM) called herein microplastics-mediated DOM (MP-DOM) via leaching and weathering. MP-DOM contain different carbon backbones (e.g., oligomers and\/or monomers) and labile and bioavailable plastic additives. However, the environmental reactivity of MP-DOM in coastal wetland sediment is yet to be assessed, limiting our understanding of how MP-DOM impacts coastal blue carbon cycling. This project will investigate the role of relatively bioavailable and labile MP-DOM in stimulating microbial respiration, mineralising blue carbon and subsequently releasing CO2. This study will consider both conventional fossil fuel-based and biodegradable plastics to seek their relative contribution to releasing MP-DOM on coastal wetland microcosms. The project will use the advance tools and techniques to assess the molecular fingerprint of MP-DOM and temporal behaviour of dissolved O2 heterogeneity caused by microplastics. Microbial network complexity and ecological stochasticity at different MP-DOM and associated CO2 emissions from wetland sediments will be assessed. Overall, understanding how microbial processes respond and adapt to MP-DOM will be necessary to predict the consequences of plastic pollution on carbon cycling within coastal wetlands.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (50%) \n410501 - Environmental biogeochemistry (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stacey Foong Yong, Ravi Shukla, Vipul Bansal","title":"Developing real-time monitoring tools to detect microbial pathogens in seafood","description":"The purpose of this research is to develop an effective and sensitive, real-time monitoring tool for detecting microbial contaminants in seafood, from farming to processing and supply chain process. Male specific coliphages (MSC) has been used as a surrogate viral indicator of fecal contamination that may provide microbial-source information for impacted environmental water. In this project, a real-time monitoring tool using MSCs as an indicator will be developed to monitor the contamination of bacterial pathogens (Vibrio and Listeria) and viral-foodborne pathogens (e.g. noroviruses, hepatitis A) in fish and seafood primary production (farm), processing and in the supply chain system. The importance of real-time monitoring is to provide fast detection of microbial contamination and indicating the source of contamination so that rapid response can be provided to ensure seafood safety. This project will involve establishing and validating the method to cultivate coliphage viral indicators and real-time PCR to study the correlation relationship between coliphages and microbial pathogens. The ultimate objective is to use the data obtained to develop an electrochemical biosensor for viral indicator for real-time monitoring foodborne pathogens and source of contamination to improve food safety management and prevent food recall due to foodborne pathogen contamination.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310604 Industrial Biotechnology Diagnostics (incl. biosensor) 30%\r\n340102 Bioassays 40%\r\n300605 Food safety 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri,  Vipul Bansal ","title":"Early detection of citrus graft-transmissible diseases to improve management","description":"The Australian and global citrus industries are under threat from graft-transmissible diseases of \r\ncitrus that can cause reduced yield, fruit quality or tree death. There are no cures and management strategies rely on prevention. The disease-causing agents may be present in plants without symptoms or symptoms may be delayed, but these plants are a source of future infections. Early detection of exotic diseases soon after they breach our borders is critical because delays in diagnostic results can impact the success of eradication. It is also important to detect diseases in propagation material before its use to ensure the planting of healthy orchards, the basis for a sustainable industry. This project aims to strengthen Australia\u2019s ability to combat graft-transmissible citrus diseases through improved knowledge of citrus pathogens and how to diagnose them. \r\n\r\nDetecting graft-transmissible pathogens can be difficult because field symptoms may be confused with other disorders and the pathogen may be present below detectable levels or unevenly distributed within the tree. It is important that diagnostic tests are specific to the target organism, sensitive, and efficient in terms of time and cost. It is important to ensure government and industry are armed with appropriate tools and knowledge to protect Australian citrus from diseases that threaten industry sustainability.\r\n\r\nThis project will be conducted in collaboration with leading citrus researchers from DPI NSW with the aim of developing deployable technology by end of the PhD. Ideally the PhD candidate would have background in plant biology, chemistry, biotechnology and\/or nanotechnology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300101 Agricultural biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) (50%)\r\n300409 Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Akane Uesugi","title":"Rapid adaptation to local aridity in invasive capeweed","description":"Understanding the mechanisms that allow populations to adapt and persist in the face of rapid environmental change is one of the most pressing topics of our time, as it is critical for the management and control of invasive species experiencing climate change. This project explores ecological and evolutionary hypotheses of local adaptation in invasive capeweed (Arctotheca calendula) in Australia. The invasive Australian capeweed is broadly distributed from wet southern coast to dry inland, and they have genetically diverged in several morphological, phenological, physiological and chemical traits that mediate drought resistance. This capeweed system provides an ideal opportunity to explore a range of questions related to adaptation in novel environments, including: 1) Does aridity drive parallel patterns of clinal divergence between native and invasive populations? 2) Does local adaptation drive niche shifts in the invasive range? The PhD project may involve: 1) field common garden experiments, 3) plant physiology and chemical analyses, and 5) molecular analyses. A strong background in evolutionary biology and ability to work independently in the field setting is desirable. \r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"310403\tBiological adaptation\r\n310406\tEvolutionary impacts of climate change\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Akane Uesugi, Mark Osborn","title":"Fire and weed invasion","description":"Fire plays a significant role in shaping plant communities. In Australian grasslands, fire has been used by Indigenous peoples to manage land for millennia and many native plant species are adapted to frequent fire management. A suppression of fire in the past two centuries has caused severe declines in native plant diversity, but recent efforts to reintroduce controlled fire has faced challenges due to a prevalence of exotic weeds that invade post-fire community. In collaboration with the City of Whittlesea, we have set up a long-term field experiment to understand the effect of frequent burning on native plant restoration. We aim to 1) monitor the impacts of fire on native flora recovery, and 2) investigate the mechanisms of invasive spread, particularly through alteration of soil quality and changes in soil microbial communities. The Ph.D. student involved in this project will conduct field surveys and experiments, and molecular characterization of soil microbial communities in combination with multivariate data analysis. The student should have a strong background in ecology, including fieldwork. \r\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"050103 (0.8), 050101(0.2)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Sampa Sarkar, Charlotte Conn, Sarvesh Soni","title":"Tailoring combinatorial lipid nanoparticles for intracellular delivery","description":"Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based bioactive delivery systems have become the most clinically advanced non-viral therapeutics delivery technology. LNPs can encapsulate and deliver a wide variety of bioactive agents, including the small molecule drugs, proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. However, as the physicochemical properties of small- and macromolecular cargos can vary drastically, every LNPs carrier system needs to be carefully tailored in order to deliver the cargo molecules in a safe and efficient manner. Recent advances in innovative lipid nanotechnologies for drug delivery have demonstrated promising outcomes for chronic infectious diseases. However, LNPs have not yet been tested broadly as potential delivery systems for intracellular infections such as world\u2019s deadliest tuberculosis (TB) infection.\r\nThe overall aim of this project is to advance and translate the fundamental knowledge in lipid nanomaterial science to develop a next generation tailor made \u2018Lipid Nano-Particle\u2019s platform\u2019 for an end-user-driven technology.\r\nThe specific objectives of the project are to:\r\no Design and develop a combinatorial and high throughput approach for the identification of biomimetic lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).\r\no Investigate the structural aspects of LNPs in encapsulating the bioactives and physicochemical interactions.\r\no Characterise the encapsulated bioactives in LNPs to establish structure-activity relationships.\r\no Evaluate the embedment and efficacy of the bioactives in in vitro models.\r\nThe outcomes will help the development of platform technologies enabling lipid nanocarriers to be customised for optimal performance of bioactives in therapeutic products.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"31 Biological sciences"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jessica Holien","title":"Utilizing protein-protein interactions for drug discovery","description":"There are over 300,000 protein-protein interaction pairs so far identified in the human proteome, and it is unclear how many of these play a role in diseases. This project aims to develop and utilise network-based bioinformatic methods to understand how single protein-protein interactions cooperate in the cell to form complex protein-protein networks. These protein-protein interactions will form novel drug targets for a drug discovery pipeline, in order to find new therapeutics for diseases of unmet need.\r\n\r\nInterested candidates will be required have a minimum of basic coding\/computational techniques and some understanding of protein structure.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"340402 Biomolecular modelling and design (60%) \r\n340401 Biologically active molecules (20%)\r\n310201 Bioinformatic methods development (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Graham Dorrington, School of Engineering","title":"Plant resilience and adaptability for extreme environments","description":"This project aims to better elucidate and optimise plant growth for near-term space exploration. During future Moon\/Mars missions, the plants carried, will face extreme conditions that require resilience and adaptability mechanisms that are not well understood. For lunar missions, temperatures can fluctuate from -180 to 80 deg. C., posing biological and engineering challenges that need to be addressed. To grow plants on the Moon's surface, plants will also likely need germinate (or be resurrected) quickly, due to mission constraints. This project will require histological and genomic analysis of optimal adaptive plant mechanisms to support optimal species selection and preparation for a planned lunar mission. The outputs of this research will also help to inform best horticulture practice in severe conditions also encountered on Earth, e.g., in arid desert regions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310403\tBiological adaptation 80%\r\n330206\tBuilding science, technologies and systems 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Thilini Thrimawithana, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences","title":"Development of herbal medicines from Momordica cochinchinensis ","description":"Ethnopharmacology is the scientific study of traditional medicines. There are abundant opportunities to highlight and support efficacy of Asian medicinal plants used by locals including Cucurbits (gourds and cucumbers) which are one of the most economically important plant families for food consumption globally. One representative, Momordica cochinchinensis (gac), has high nutrition and health benefits, as well as bioactivity against diabetes and cancer. The plant is restricted to south-east Asia with vast genetic diversity and currently only the aril of the fruit is used despite all parts of the plant containing nutritional and medicinal benefits. This project will focus on upcycling opportunities of other parts of the plant including the seed, pulp and peel. The aim will be to develop innovations for medical applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320604\tNanomedicine (40%)\r\n401106\tWaste management, reduction, reuse and recycling (40%)\r\n401611\tWearable materials (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravi Shukla, Vipul Bansal, Foong (Stacy) Yong","title":"Developing Molecular Nano-Biosensing Probes for Microbial Detection","description":"This cell and molecular biology centred project will develop new molecular recognition elements (MREs) to tag with Nanozyme biosensors for microbial detection. Project will delve with (1.) developing in house MREs for industrially important microbes, and (2). Evaluating their potential as tags for Nanozyme biosensors probes for generation of colorimetric response.\r\nThe PhD scholar will (i) develop MREs based on phage display libraries against microbes, (ii) combine the Nanomaterials (developed in group) with molecular recognition elements to build NanoZyme sensor probes, (iii) employ NanoZyme sensor probes to evaluate its applicability for microbial detection, and (iv) use advanced statistical tools to identify microbes in complex biological fluids.\r\n\r\nThe project will be carried out at the RMIT city campus in a highly cross disciplinary environment at the Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Facility. The project will involve collaborations with Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and research institutions across EU and India. The PhD scholar will use specialized techniques including molecular biology; spectroscopy (absorbance, fluorescence, FTIR, EDX, XPS); crystallography (XRD); cell biology (confocal, FACS, ELISA) and statistical analysis (cluster tools, discriminant tools, regression analysis). Overall, this project will provide a highly cross-disciplinary training across materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, cell & molecular biology along with high quality publications.\r\nReferences\r\n[1] Weerathunge, P., Ramanathan, R., Shukla, R., Sharma, TK., & Bansal, V. Anal. Chem. 86, 11937-11941 (2014).\r\n[2] Sharma, TK., Ramanathan R., Weerathunge, P., Mohammadtaheri, M., Daima, HK., Shukla, R., & Bansal, V. Chem. Commun. 50, 15856-15859 (2014).\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310607 Nanobiotechnoogy (40%); \r\n321108 Molecular targets; (30%)\r\n340102 Bioassays (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Paul Ramsland","title":"Development and Application of Nanoparticle Sensors for Carbohydrate Recognition by Lectins and Antibodies","description":"This PhD project aims to develop a sensitive and specific technique for detecting protein-carbohydrate interactions to better understand binding mechanisms. The technique is based on surface-enhanced Raman optical activity (SEROA), which uses nanoprobes to enhance the Raman scattering signal of target molecules, allowing for sensitive detection and structural identification.\n\nThe project will focus on two types of protein-nanoparticle (NP) systems: lectin-NP conjugates and antibody-NP conjugates. Lectins and antibodies are carbohydrate-binding proteins that have specificities towards different carbohydrate targets of relevance to health and disease. By linking lectins and antibodies to NPs, the objective is to create glycan probes for SEROA that can detect monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and glycoprotein targets.\n\nAdditionally, the project will involve determining X-ray crystallographic structures of antibody-carbohydrate complexes and computational simulations of these systems, which will facilitate the structure-function analysis of SEROA data obtained in this project.\n\nOverall, the development of a sensitive and specific technique for detecting protein-carbohydrate interactions has important applications in health and disease. By understanding the binding mechanisms of proteins and carbohydrates, we can gain insights into disease processes and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2023","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (50%) ; 310107 - Glycobiology (25%) ; 310112 - Structural biology (incl. macromolecular modelling) (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravi Shukla, Vipul Bansal","title":"Hybrid Metal-Organic-Frameworks for non-viral gene\/ drug delivery and enhanced cellular-uptake in cancer ","description":"Cancer remains a pressing health care challenge in Australia. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising platforms for cellular delivery and have been used for efficient delivery of therapeutic genes and drugs [1, 2]. This project will involve Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), MOF nanocarriers being developed in our group for gene therapy and drug delivery [2]. ZIFs will be used as non-viral vectors to encapsulate and deliver nucleic acids (NAs) and\/or drugs which will target the aberrant expression of the cancer biomarkers and immune check points in cancer cells. The project will focus evaluating their therapeutic potential. Following successful encapsulation, MOF@NA conjugates will be surface modified with cancer targeting probes being developed in group for specific and enhanced cancer cell uptake.\r\nA prospective PhD student with strong background knowledge of Analytical Chemistry and\/or Biology with some credible experience in nanomaterial characterisations and nucleic acid bio- conjugations techniques are encouraged to apply. Student will have ample opportunities to learn state-of-the-art cross disciplinary tools and techniques. In addition, student will be nurtured for research ethics, critical thinking, time & project management, and problem-solving skills.\r\n \r\nReferences\r\n[1]. Poddar et al. 2019, Small 15, 1970193 \r\n[2]. He, C., et al., J Am Chem Soc, 2014. 136(14): p. 5181-4.\r\n[3]. Poddar, et al. 2020, Chemical Communications 56, 15406\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310607 Nanobiotechnology (50%)\r\n310902 Animal cell and Molecular Biology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Oliver Jones","title":"RMIT-CSIRO Masters Development of Pulsed Discharge Detector Gas Chromatography Systems","description":"The aim of the project is to develop a robust method to allow CSIRO to phase out all electron capture detector (ECD) methods, which have inherent HSE risks (radioactive sources). Currently, ECD methods are integral to CSIRO\u2019s globally important trace gas monitoring programs which serve to support Australia\u2019s reporting under the Montreal Protocol and through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The project will also contribute to the upgrade of the analytical instrumentation and capability that is currently underway in CSIRO GASLAB.\r\n\r\nThe ECD is one of the most sensitive and selective detectors available for gas chromatography. It is widely used in the trace gas analysis of halogenated compounds, many of which are ozone depleting substances, banned under the Montreal Protocol. \r\n\r\nA Discharge Helium Ionization Detector (PDHID, or simply PDD), uses a high voltage, low current discharge in helium to achieve ionization. The pulsed discharge excites helium atoms, when they relax to their ground energy level, they emit photons with enough energy (13 eV -17 eV) to directly ionize all molecules from the chromatographic column. A simple electrometer measures the produced current from the ionization process.\r\n\r\nThe project will involve:\r\n-\tLiterature search and familiarization with the PDD operation;\r\n-\tOptimization of the PDD-ECD for best signal to noise of selected halogenated compounds;\r\n-\tDesign and configure of a method for parallel detection of selected species on both detectors: PDDECD and 63Ni ECD;\r\n-\tApplying findings to real-world samples.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340101 Analytical spectrometry (50%)\r\n340109 Separation science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ravi Shukla","title":"A non-coding RNA delivery system to modulate human gut cell transcriptome","description":"Mature microRNAs (miRNAs\/miRs) are 18-22 nucleotide protein-non-coding small RNA molecules that target messenger RNAs, mostly inhibiting protein expression. Several studies have demonstrated the regulatory role of microRNAs in obesity and diabetes. It is well known that microRNAs are packaged in exosomes and there is now sufficient evidence in the literature to demonstrate that obesity-associated exosomal miRNAs can modulate glucose and lipid metabolism when transferred to lean mice.  \r\nThis project, therefore, will employ multidisciplinary nanotechnology-based approaches to characterize, optimize and test a metal-organic-framework (MOF)-based smallRNA delivery system to target gene expression in human gut cells. This study highly leverages on existing data generated by us at RMIT and our collaborators at Western Sydney University. The PhD scholar will be engaged in developing knowledge building within the Sir Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Laboratory (RMIT University) and Diabetes & Islet Biology Group at the Western Sydney University School of Medicine. The PhD scholar will (i) assess different MOFs for smallRNA delivery, (ii) learn several high-end techniques to characterise the properties of MOFs, (iii) assess the delivery of smallRNAs (miRNAs) to human colonic epithelial cells using established in vitro systems, (iv) study the interactions of microRNA with gut gene expression, (v) create and test systems for oral delivery of microRNAs and (vi) test the system in a small animal or trans-intestinal model.\r\nA prospective PhD student with strong background knowledge of Analytical Chemistry and\/or Biology with some credible experience in nanomaterial characterisations and nucleic acid bio-encapsulation techniques are encouraged to apply. Student will have ample opportunities to learn state-of-the-art cross disciplinary tools and techniques available in RMIT and Western Sydney University through this collaborative project. In addition, the prospective student will be nurtured for research ethics, critical thinking, time and project management, and problem-solving skill","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310607 Nanbiotechnology (40%);\r\n321108 Molecular targets (30%);\r\n340102 Bioassays (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri, Rajaraman Eri, Sylvia Urban","title":"Development and characterization of honey-based products for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities","description":"Efforts to develop new antimicrobials have over the past two decades been woefully behind the rapid evolution of resistance genes developing among both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. As the pharmaceutical industry focused on discovering new agents for use against MRSA, hospitals in many parts of the world have seen the emergence of gram-negative pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae that are clinically resistant to almost all available antimicrobials. Although bioactive honeys are becoming significantly important to treat bacterial infections, we still lack knowledge of the entire spectrum of plant bioactive compounds transferred to the honey and there is potential to develop novel honeys with added properties. This project aims to develop and test bioactive honeys with enhanced antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties from selected herbal plants. Concurrently, the bioactive compounds from plants that are transferred to the honey will be comprehensively evaluated by testing leaves, flowers, nectars and honeys. Further, honey-based cosmetic products like creams, gels and foams will be developed. The project will provide Australians natural antibacterial cosmetic products with added antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and benefit farmers, beekeepers and dermatological companies.\r\nReferences\r\n[1]. Nguyen HTL, Kasapis S, Mantri N (2021) Physicochemical Properties and Effects of Honeys on Key Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Cholesterol Homeostasis in HepG2 Cells. Nutrients 13 (1), 151 \r\n[2]. Anand S, Deighton M, Livanos G, Morrison P, Pang E, Mantri N (2019) Antimicrobial activity of Agastache honey and characterization of its bioactive compounds in comparison with important commercial honeys, Frontiers in Microbiology 10, 263. \r\n[3]. Anand S, Deighton M, Livanos G, Pang E, Mantri N (2019) Agastache honey has superior antifungal activity in comparison with important commercial honeys. Scientific Reports 9: 181197. \r\n[4]. Nguyen HTL, Katopo L, Pang E, Mantri N, Kasapis S (2019) Structural variation in gelatin networks from low to high-solid systems effected by honey addition. Food Research International, 121: 319-325.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"320203 Clinical microbiology. 420899 Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine not elsewhere classified. 340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri, Rajaraman Eri, Sylvia Urban","title":"Identification and Characterization of Medical Cannabis strains for cancer treatment","description":"Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Lately, there has been a lot of focus on plant-based medicine for cancer treatment to reduce side effects. Cannabis plant contains active components, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and others, more commonly called as cannabinoids. Recent evidence demonstrates that cannabinoids can powerfully regulate cell growth and differentiation. They have widespread actions and pharmacological activities in the brain as well as in the periphery, and therefore, cannabinoids have gained significant attention during the past few years highlighting their therapeutic potential. They were shown to possess anti-tumoral activity by decreasing viability, proliferation, adhesion, and migration of various cancer cells, thereby suggesting the potential use of cannabinoids in the treatment of gliomas, prostate and breast cancers, and malignancies of immune origin. There are many in vitro studies that provide evidence of anti-cancer properties of cannabinoids, but there are few in vivo studies and clinical trials. We are working with leading pharmaceutical companies to identify and characterise cannabis strains for treatment of various cancers. The project involves cultivation, breeding, comprehensive chemical profiling, and biochemical, histological, and genetic analysis. Students will work on one or more aspects of this project and receive training in using state-of-art technologies to characterise anti-cancer strains. The project has commercial focus with the view of translating the knowledge into a commercial product.\r\nReferences\r\n1.\tSchanknecht, E., Bachari, A., Nassar, N., Piva, T., & Mantri, N. (2023). Phytochemical Constituents and Derivatives of Cannabis sativa; Bridging the Gap in Melanoma Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(1), 859.\r\n2.\tMahmoudinoodezh, H., Telukutla, S. R., Bhangu, S. K., Bachari, A., Cavalieri, F., & Mantri, N. (2022). The transdermal delivery of therapeutic cannabinoids. Pharmaceutics, 14(2), 438.\r\n3.\tSingh, K., Nassar, N., Bachari, A., Schanknecht, E., Telukutla, S., Zomer, R., ... & Mantri, N. (2021). The pathophysiology and the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in prostate cancer. Cancers, 13(16), 4107.\r\n4.\tSingh, K., Jamshidi, N., Zomer, R., Piva, T. J., & Mantri, N. (2020). Cannabinoids and prostate cancer: a systematic review of animal studies. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(17), 6265.\r\n5.\tBachari, A., Piva, T. J., Salami, S. A., Jamshidi, N., & Mantri, N. (2020). Roles of cannabinoids in melanoma: Evidence from in vivo studies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(17), 6040.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321104 Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy). 420899 Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine not elsewhere classified. 340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Samantha J. Richardson, Jessica Holien, Bobbi Fleiss; SHBS\n","title":"Myelin development and repair - elucidating the role of transthyretin","description":"Transthyretin (TTR) is a protein that distributes thyroid hormones (THs) in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of vertebrates. THs regulate the growth and development of vertebrates, particularly in the central nervous system. In humans, insufficient THs during gestation can result in mental retardation, which is why TH levels are tested soon after birth. One process regulated by THs from gestation until adulthood is the myelination of nerve axons in the brain. Myelination is required for protection and for efficient signal transduction. Multiple sclerosis is a disease where myelin is damaged and does not repair properly. We have recently shown that mice lacking TTR have thicker myelin than normal (Alshehri et al., Sci Reps 2020). This project will elucidate the molecular mechanism by which TTR regulates myelination.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310102 30%\r\n320208 15%\r\n320903 55%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jeff Shimeta, Nathan Bott, Martin Leary","title":"Marine biofouling: fouling growth and anti-fouling technology","description":"Marine biofouling is the accumulation of living organisms on artificial surfaces in the ocean that has undesired ecological and\/or economic consequences, such as fouling of ship hulls and underwater infrastructure, and transfer or establishment of invasive species. Biofouling is composed of numerous species of bacteria, protists, invertebrates, and exudates. The nature and development of fouling vary greatly among types of surfaces, locations, and seasons. Studies of the settlement mechanisms and species assemblages are needed to better understand the fundamental ecology of marine epifaunal dynamics and to guide research on antifouling technologies. This project will investigate factor influencing the development of biofouling communities (microbes and invertebrates) and technologies to inhibit fouling. The student for this project should have a strong background in marine ecology and ideally molecular ecology (such as environmental DNA analysis). Students interested in researching antifouling technology should have engineering background in areas such as computing, design, and\/or micro-manufacturing, or at least a strong potential and motivation to learn in those areas.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"STS 4 Water","forcodes":"310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) (50%) 410299 Ecological applications not elsewhere classified (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Andy Ball, Ivan Cole, School of Engineering","title":"Application of nanomaterials for the remediation of environmental contaminants","description":"As the global population expands along with urbanisation, terrestrial and aquatic environments are increasingly being exposed to tens of thousands of chemical contaminants (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals, endocrine disruptors), many of which are deleterious to ecosystem and human health. Currently, detection and quantification of these contaminants is technically challenging involving extensive sample processing as well as trained personnel and expensive laboratory equipment. Consequently, in addition to environmental monitoring often being infrequent, there is usually a significant delay in terms of determining contaminant concentrations and therefore the implementation of any environmental management plan. In the past five years, nanotechnology has been playing an increasingly important role in addressing innovative and effective solutions to a vast range of environmental challenges. Through the application of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI), carbon nanotubes and nanofibers have been applied for the remediation of a variety of contaminants including chlorinated compounds, hydrocarbons, organic compounds and heavy metals. The use and development of nanomaterials (NMs) are understandably heralded as an environmentally beneficial technology.\nThis project will continue our work on developing nanomaterials for application in the environment for the detection and remediation of pollutants. The focus of the project will be on the detection of emerging environmental pollutants such as polyfluorinated and polybrominated compounds. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"310607 (55%)\r\n410303 (45%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Andy Ball, Leadin Khudur","title":"Biotransformation of organic waste","description":"In this project the biotransformation of waste organic materials will be investigated. Among the wastes to be studied are industry wastes (e.g. grapemarc, mushroom waste) contaminated environments (oil polluted soils and waters). The project will develop innovation technologies leading to the utilisation of these waste streams currently going to landfill or polluting the natural environment, converting the waste to either bioenergy (e.g. biohydrogen) or to another value added product (e.g. bioplastics) , ensuring that the environmental contamination is reduced. The technology will be based around increased understanding of the activity and diversity of natural communities. Industry partners will be involved in the project to ensure translation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410402 (60%)\r\n410414 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Andy Ball, Kalpit Shah School of Engineering","title":"Developing tools for risk assessment and remediation of soil contamination","description":"This project will develop innovative tools for the remediation of soils contaminated with a range of traditional (e.g. crude oil, metals) and emerging (e.g. nanomaterials, poly-halogenated compounds). The project will utilise existing contaminated Australian soils and will evolve through the use of laboratory-scale mesocosm studies through to larger scale pilot studies along with the Laboratory of Microbial Life's extensive suite of advanced microbiological, analytical and molecular biology tools. Further the implications of any new remediation technology on the ecotoxicology of the remediated soils will be examined. This applied project will link closely with industry requirements.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410303 (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri","title":"Management of plant pathogens using next generation nano-sensors","description":"Plant pathogens are a major limiting factor for sustainable vegetable production. Early detection of plant pathogens in nurseries and fields is crucial to effectively manage their spread or design strategy to eradicate them. Several molecular methods are currently used of detection of these plant pathogens. Although some of these methods show outstanding specificity and sensitivity, the major limitations of molecular methods are the requirement of specialised equipment, trained personnel, and laborious nature of the test that makes them non-feasible for in-field testing by farmers. In this project, the PhD student will be involved in developing a new specific, sensitive, easy to use, and portable detection platform based on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). For this, the PhD scholar will be involved in (i) glass house assays for pathogen infections, (ii) bioinformatics analysis to design molecular probes, (iii) developing new chemical synthesis strategies to fabricate nanomaterials with a control over their size and shape, (iv) functionalising the nanoparticles with recognition probes developed based on bioinformatics, (v) developing SERS substrates and (vi) optimising sensor performance for detection of pathogens in plants. On a need basis, the PhD scholar will be jointly based at RMIT Bundoora and City campuses to work across The Pangenomics Group and the Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility in a highly cross-disciplinary environment. The PhD scholar will use specialised techniques such as microscopy (SEM, TEM, HRTEM); spectroscopy (absorbance, fluorescence, FTIR, EDX, XPS); crystallography (XRD); statistical analysis (cluster tools, discriminant tools, regression analysis) and Raman spectroscopy. Overall, this project will provide a highly cross-disciplinary training across materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, plant pathology and microbiology, leading to several high-quality publications.\r\nReferences\r\n1. Rani A, Donovan N, Mantri N (2019) The future of plant pathogen diagnostics in a nursery production system. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 145:111631.\r\n2. Nejat N, Rookes J, Mantri N, Cahill D (2016) Plant\u2013pathogen interactions: toward development of next-generation disease-resistant plants. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, DOI: 10.3109\/07388551.2015.1134437.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"300101 Agricultural biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors). 300409 Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Nathan Bott, Paul Ramsland, Cecilia Power","title":"Development of in situ detection methods for myxosporean parasites","description":"Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) can experience loss of flesh quality when cooked due to infection with myxosporean parasites belonging to the genera Kudoa and Unicapsula. Whilst infection alone is generally not associated with fish mortalities, enzymes produced by these parasites can cause accelerated degradation of fish musculature 24-56h post-mortem (commonly referred to as \u2018soft flesh\u2019), negatively impacting product quality and the consumer experience. \r\n\r\nDue to a higher infection risk, commercial fishers receive lower prices for Kingfish and Mahi Mahi caught in northern NSW waters in comparison to those from cooler southern waters \u2013 impacting the economic return for commercial fishers.\r\n\r\nInfected fish show no external signs of disease, so infection cannot be identified visually. Current detection methods involve microscopy or polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which are time consuming, require expensive equipment\/trained personnel, and often result in the destruction of the fish, making them impractical for use by commercial fishers. There is a need for reliable, rapid, and cost-effective methods to identify fish infected with myxosporeans in situ and\/or when harvested.\r\n\r\nThis project will develop specific pathogen detection techniques using an isothermal reaction called recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and a lateral flow device (similar to a COVID-19 rapid test). This approach is transferrable to detection of pathogens in other aquaculture and fishing industries. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300503 Fish pests and diseases (30%)\r\n310407 Host-parasite interactions (30%)\r\n410304 Environmental biotechnology diagnostics (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri, Jessica Danaher, Lisa Dalton, Charles Brennen, Catherine Iposthopoulous","title":"A comprehensive clinical study of effect of dietary fibres in influencing general human wellness including gut health, energy metabolism, satiety and blood parameters","description":"It is well known that gut health governs a great deal of immune health and ultimately the sense of wellness, however treating a symptom with a medication alone may deny the opportunity to influence the root cause. A dysfunctional digestive system can lead to deficiencies of nutrient & mineral uptake or absorption, and the utilisation of complex fibres. Complex prebiotic fibres and insoluble fibres may provide avenues to functional products that contribute to delay a need for medicinal intervention or may provide support of the conventional medicine approaches. \r\nObjective  \r\nTo determine the impacts of a low dose (4 g \/day \u2013 2g twice daily) of virgin sugarcane based complex cell wall fibre supplement on wellness markers and microbiome for a general population.  \r\nApproach \r\n\u2022\tThis pilot study will investigate the effects of 12 weeks supplementation with fibre (2 g\/twice daily). Healthy adults (n = 40) will be recruited through a local medical practice with an attached nutrition clinic.  \r\n\u2022\tAssessment and sample collection to be carried out at T= -6 weeks, T = 0 weeks, T = 6 weeks, T = 12 weeks.\r\nMethods: \r\nParticipants will be assessed for all physiological. microbiome parameters alomg with health and wellbeing questionnaires\r\nTranslational value:\r\nThis study will provide much needed information about the health effects of dietary fibres which can be translated to products in additional to nutritional policy guidelines.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"90803"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Dayanthi Nugegoda, Vincent Pettigrove, Sara Long","title":"Developing novel toxicity tests and biomarkers for environmental pollutants","description":"Most chemicals approved for use in Australia are evaluated for their toxicity in the country of manufacture using Northern Hemisphere species. Many of these pesticides and industrial chemicals run off into local waterways affecting our native species. This project will evaluate the effects of environmental toxicants of concern on selected native freshwater, estuarine, and marine biota. Tests will be developed in the laboratory using OECD guidelines with Australian biota and results will contribute to the further revision of the Australian Water Quality Guideline. In addition, bioassays using biochemical and molecular techniques, including metabolomics and proteomics with native aquatic species will be developed and tested as biomarkers for evaluating the sublethal effects of these pollutants. Research will be conducted within the Aquatic Environmental Stress Research Group (AQUEST) laboratories on the Bundoora West Campus. School of Science at RMIT and\/or at the CSIRO Research Labs in Adelaide by arrangement with research collaborators of Professor Nugegoda. Local applicants should indicate which location is their preference.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"410404\r\n410402\r\n410399"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Tien Huynh, Thilini Thrimawithana, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences","title":"The medicinal potentials of marine algae for health benefits","description":"The proposed research project is on the medicinal potentials of marine algae. Algae are simple chlorophyll-containing organisms that are ubiquitous and abundant in oceanic waters. Algae in general have numerous uses in multiple aspects such as biofuel, animal feed, food supplement, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is a sustainable resource with abundant availability, faster growth than terrestrial plants, require less land and nutrients. In Australia, there is an abundance of macroalgae on marine shores that are underutilised, which are often left to rot by the coastal shores. Marine macroalgae are generally safe and non-toxic to humans with bioactive compounds that promote health, including skin benefits. This project will be a development of previous research projects for critical analysis and upcycling of local macroalgae specifically health benefits including epidermal scarring, wound healing, anti-inflammation and anti-aging applications with value-added cosmeceutical end-products for commercialisation.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300102 Agricultural Marine Biotechnology (50%)\r\n321405 Pharmaceutical Sciences (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Nitin Mantri and Francesca Cavalieri","title":"DNA-free editing of plants: towards generation of stress-resistant plants","description":"Plants are sessile and face multiple biotic and abiotic stresses. These stresses severely affect crop yield and quality, thereby threatening global food security. Genetic improvement of plant stress resistance is essential for sustainable agriculture. Genome editing has been revolutionizing plant biology and biotechnology by enabling precise, targeted genome modifications. In this project CRISPR\/Cas9 mediated genome editing will be utilised to functionally validate and confer stress tolerance to commercially important agricultural crops. The main advantage of CRISPR\/Cas9 technology is its ease of use and low cost. Unlike ZFN and TALEN, which are dependent on protein engineering, synthesis and validation, here only the guide RNA needs to be designed. This single guide RNA (sgRNA) provides target-site specificity in CRISPR\/Cas9 system. Another advantage of CRISPR\/Cas9 system compared to the first-generation genome editing techniques is the ability of multiplex genome editing, i.e., targeting multiple genes using a single construct. Additionally, using the CRISPR\/Cas9 system transgene-free genome edited plants can be obtained in very few generations. Novel methods for delivery of the CRISPR\/Cas9 construct will be developed to enable accelerated generation of stress tolerant plants. The students will receive training in micropropagation, designing and delivery of CRISPR constructs as well as biochemical, molecular and physiological assays to characterise the edited plants.\nReferences\n1.        Nejat N, Rookes J, Mantri N, Cahill D (2016) Plant\u2013pathogen interactions: toward development of next-generation disease-resistant plants. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, DOI: 10.3109\/07388551.2015.1134437.\n2.        Badhan S, Ball AS, Mantri N (2021) First Report of CRISPR\/Cas9 Mediated DNA-Free Editing of 4CL and RVE7 Genes in Chickpea Protoplasts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22 (1), 396\n3.        Karmakar, S., Das, P., Panda, D., Xie, K., Baig, M. J., & Molla, K. A. (2022). A detailed landscape of CRISPR-Cas-mediated plant disease and pest management. Plant Science, 323, 111376.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"300105 Genetically modified field crops and pasture. 300409 Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Vipul Bansal","title":"CRISPR-based field-deployable nano-diagnostics of biosecurity threats to Australia","description":"To retain Australia\u2019s unique biodiversity and geographical advantage, it is critical that our borders are protected from exotic pests and pathogens that may cause enormous losses to our agriculture industry and biodiversity. Accurate identification of such exotic species is an operational challenge due to the lack of highly sensitive and field-deployable methods for the rapid detection of such threats. \n\nOur team at RMIT\u2019s Sir Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility is at the forefront of developing advanced nanosensor technologies to detect important target analytes. In collaboration with the Biosecurity Division of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), we are developing CRISPR-based diagnostics tools to accurately detect multiple plant viruses. Recent developments in nano-diagnostics and CRISPR technologies can enable accurate testing in the field.\nThis project will combine the strengths of CRISPR and nanotechnologies to develop a highly sensitive, field-deployable nano-biosensor diagnostic tool for the rapid, simple, low-cost, and accurate detection of multiple plant pathogens. \n\nThe PhD candidate will work at the interface of chemistry, molecular biology, agricultural sciences, and nanotechnology under the co-supervision of academic and industry partners to assist Australia in strengthening its sovereign capabilities. While most of the research will be performed at RMIT University, there will be internship opportunities to work at DAFF\u2019s Plant Innovation Centre (PIC) at its Quarantine facility.\nA suitable candidate should have a high motivation for research and any other relevant prior experience will be a bonus.\n\nRefer to our publications to get some idea about our research activities in this area: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=MskJvAUAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2030","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (50%) ; 340301 Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials) (25%) ; 340303 Nanochemistry (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van","title":"Development of postbiotics for human health benefits","description":"Postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced by microorganisms during a fermentation process, such as microbial cells, cell constituents and metabolites. They can provide some advantage over probiotics such as avoiding the need of maintaining the microorganisms viable and stable in the products. Postbiotics is a new term in the \u2018-biotics\u2019 field therefore further study is needed to explore their application. In this project, a wide range of bacterial species, including strict anaerobic bacteria, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Bifidobacteria spp, will be isolated. Their fermentation components will be tested for their properties such as short chain fatty acid production, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, and their impact on Alzheimer\u2019s disease using tissue culture and then in a mouse model system. The use of postbiotics together with prebiotics to maximize health benefits will also be investigated. Within this project the candidate will learn various skills, including microbiology, immunology, tissue culture, animal work, next generation sequencing and bioinformatics. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/03\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310701 Bacteriology (50%) ; 420301 Aged heath care (40%) ; 310206 Sequence analysis (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van","title":"The effects of ingestion of eggshell membrane on healthy aging","description":"Eggs are an affordable source of high-quality protein and there is a rapidly growing domestic demand. Data from Australian Eggs shows that more than six billion eggs are produced in Australia every year. In addition to egg white and egg yolk, eggshell and eggshell membrane (ESM) have health benefits, but they are normally discarded as industrial waste, causing burdens on the environment and wasting a potentially valuable food source. ESM is rich in low digestible protein and might induce physiological responses similar to those induced by dietary fiber. However, its benefit has not been fully investigated. This project aims to evaluate the physiological impact of the ingestion of eggshell membrane on human health, especially in healthy aging. In vitro tissue culture assays and an in vivo mouse old age model will be used to assess the effect of ESM on the modulation of microbiota, metabolic health and immunomodulation. Within this project the candidate will learn various skills, including next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, microbiology, immunology, tissue culture, and animal work.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"321002 Food properties (Food properties (incl. characteristics and health benefits)) (50%); 420301 Aged health care (30%); 310701 Bacteriology (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van","title":"Manipulating the gut microbiota for healthy aging","description":"Changes in gut microbiota during aging may result in health problems, but research on interventions to improve the elderly\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gut microbiota is scarce. The project aims to enhance our knowledge of the structure and function of the gut microbiota of long-lived people. The long term goal is to develop next generation probiotics that may promote healthy aging. In this project, the microbiota composition of the elderly will be investigated, and bacterial signatures of longevity will be identified. Bacteria with probiotic potential will then be isolated and their properties of persistence, immunomodulation, short chain fatty acids production, and their impact on Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disease will be assessed in a mouse model system. Within this project the candidate will learn various skills, including next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, microbiology, immunology, tissue culture, and animal work.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310701 Bacteriology (50%); 420301 Aged health care (30%); 310206 Sequence analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Akane Uesugi, Mark Osborn","title":"Bushfire and plant invasion: patters and mechanisms","description":"Bushfire is a major disturbance in Australian landscape, driving significant changes in the community structure of native vegetation and impacting native fauna. Although many native plant species relies on fire for regeneration, extensive bushfire could cause substantial loss of native biodiversity. Recovery of native vegetation may be further hindered by the invasion of alien plant species that outcompete native species. Since climate change is expected to increase fire frequency and intensity, understanding the patterns and mechanisms of post-fire weed invasion is imperative. This project aims to 1) quantify the level of post-fire weed invasions across Victorian woodlands and riparian forests3 that were impacted by 2019 bushfire, 2) identify environmental predictors that promote weed invasions, 3) monitor the impacts of invasion on native flora recovery, and 4) investigate the mechanisms of invasive spread, particularly through alteration of soil quality and changes in soil microbial communities. The Ph.D. student involved in this project will conduct field surveys and experiments, and molecular characterization of soil microbial communities in combination with multivariate data analysis. The student should have a strong background in ecology, including fieldwork.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"310302 Community Ecology (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van, Rob Moore, Anna Walduck","title":"Investigation of the pathogenicity mechanisms of newly discovered Campylobacter pathogens","description":"Spotty Liver Disease (SLD) is a serious condition in poultry that can cause up to 15% mortality and a 20% reduction in egg production. The newly identified species Campylobacter hepaticus and Campylobacter bilis have been confirmed as the causes of SLD. Limited research has been done to understand the basis of virulence in these newly discovered pathogens.  This project will undertake fundamental research to understand the mechanisms of pathogenesis. Knowledge of key virulence factors may provide useful information for vaccine development.\r\n\r\nIn this project, bioinformatic analysis of the genomes of C. hepaticus, C. bilis, and their related species, C. jejuni, will be conducted to identify putative virulence factors. The role of these factors will be investigated by producing a panel of mutant strains and testing their virulence in organoid and tissue culture assays of bacterial invasion, as well as in the disease induction model for SLD in chickens. Site-directed mutagenesis for C. hepaticus and C. bilis will be developed using homologous recombination and\/or CRISPR approaches.\r\n\r\nWithin this project, the candidate will acquire skills in microbiology, bacterial genome editing, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, organoid and tissue culture, and animal work. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300304 - Animal protection (incl. pests and pathogens) (50%)\n310702 - Infectious agents (25%)\n300903 - Veterinary bacteriology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","programcode":"DR231","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Thi Thu Hao Van, Mina Dokouhaki, Mahsa Majzoobi","title":"Valorisation of fermented food waste for sustainable bioproducts","description":"The global food industry generates a substantial amount of waste, which, if managed effectively, could become a rich source of bioactive compounds and valuable materials for sustainable product development. Fermented food waste, in particular, holds great potential for the recovery of bioactive peptides, polyphenols, fermentable sugars, and other high-value compounds. These residuals can be transformed into ingredients for functional foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other bioproducts, supporting both environmental sustainability and economic growth. \nThis project seeks to explore the valorisation of various types of fermented food waste, including vegetables, dairy products, bread. After the fermentation process, bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, will be isolated and characterised using advanced extraction techniques such as enzymatic hydrolysis, membrane filtration, and ultrasonication. In addition to bioactive recovery, the project will evaluate the potential of these food wastes for bioproduct synthesis, such as bioethanol and organic acids, using fermentation and biorefinery processes. The extracted compounds will be integrated into functional food formulations, contributing to the development of new products aimed at improving public health. \nThe project will utilise world-class analytical techniques, including HPLC, NMR, and UV spectrophotometry, to identify and characterise the extracted compounds. The candidate will have the opportunity to work with advanced technologies in both the food and biotechnology fields.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"310603 Fermentation (20%); 310602 Bioprocessing (%20);  300602 Food Chemistry (30%);  300606 Food Sustainability (30%).\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Peter Torley, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Production of novel functional ingredients from low-value food processing waste stream","description":"Food wastage is a critical global challenge that threatens food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability, leading to resource depletion and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Agri-food processing wastes, which are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, present a valuable opportunity for reintegration into the value chain, aligning with the principles of a zero-waste circular economy. This research aims to explore the application of novel technologies for the valorization of low-value food processing waste from various streams, transforming them into high-value applications. The study will focus on optimizing ingredient formulations by incorporating various processing variables such as pH and temperature. Additionally, it will assess the effects of these techniques on the physicochemical, structural and functional properties. The research will also investigate the potential applications of the developed novel functional ingredients that can be utilised in food formulation. By addressing these aspects, this research aims to contribute to sustainable food production systems, reduce food waste, and create novel, high-value food ingredients through the novel energy efficient technologies and food waste valorization strategies.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 - Food Chemistry (30%) 300606 - Food Sustainability (30%) 300607 Food Technology (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mina Dokouhaki, Harsharn Gill","title":"Enhancing Hybrid Yoghurt: Dairy and Plant-Based Blend Impacts on Physicochemical Characteristics, Probiotic Viability and Functionality, and Microbiota Composition","description":"This study aims to investigate the impact of blending dairy milk with plant-based alternatives such as soy, lupin, potato, chickpea, and pigeon pea milk on yoghurt's nutritional and functional properties. Additionally, the potential impact of microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) on the physicochemical, textural, and sensory properties of hybrid yoghurt will be explored. Specifically, the study will examine how varying levels of plant-based milk incorporation alongside cow milk influence probiotic survivability, functionality, and flavor compounds within the hybrid yoghurt. Furthermore, changes in oral and gut microbiota post-consumption will be analyzed. Through comprehensive analysis and experimentation, this research seeks to provide valuable insights into developing hybrid yoghurt formulations that promote sustainability and health in the dairy industry.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science (50%)\r\n300607 Food Technology (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stacey Foong Yong, Peter Torley, Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Developing nutritional and quality shelf-stable ready-to-eat meals using retort pouch system","description":"Sustainable safe food supply and the demand for ready-to-eat meal has been growing strong in Australia and world-wide over the past few years. In Australia, the ready-eat-meal is expected an annual increase 0.1% over the next 5 years from 2024-2029, to $1.6 billion (https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\/au\/industry\/prepared-meals-production\/5478\/). The hectic work schedules and busy lifestyles, people nowadays prefer time efficiency in food preparation and sustainable food preparation. The demand has created research into developing new food technologies, new food ingredients, new food formulations, new agricultural techniques, and coupling with effective food safety quality management system to produce sustainable supply of safe ready-to-eat meals. In this project, the retort pouch technology and efficiency in food ingredients will be studied to produce nutritional, safe and quality ready-to-eat meals for sustainable food supply. The retort system, which is also described as commercial sterility, operates at high temperature and high pressure to inactivate microorganisms inclusive of spore formers that preserve food products for an average of 2 years of stability of shelf-life. Food product is packed in a retort pouch which is thermal stable and forming an excellent protection barrier from exposing food to air, light and moisture that accelerate food spoilage, and hence food waste reduction. Furthermore, retort pouch provides flexibility in portion control also assist in food waste reduction. The convenience of storage at room temperature, transportation and no food preparation requirement have gained its popularity among consumers and food supply chain system. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology\/food processing (40%)\r\n300606 Food sustainability\/Food packaging, Preservation, Safety(30%)\r\n300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science (30%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jayani Chandrapala, Tuyen Truong, Benu Adhikari","title":"Functionality Modification of Milk and Milk Products from Various Mammal Species","description":"Milk from various sources, including cows, camels, goats, sheep, and buffaloes, undergoes processing to mitigate potential risks associated with harmful microbial contaminants and enzymes. This processing is crucial for extending the shelf-life of milk while ensuring its safety and stability. Additionally, milk processing serves to produce secondary dairy products with a pleasing taste.\r\nAmong the prominent techniques used in dairy processing, heat treatment plays a central role. This method involves several unit operations, including the use of flow-through pumps and piping, heat exchange in heat exchangers, and homogenization. The application of these techniques induces various physicochemical alterations in milk. Interestingly, the impact of mechanical forces associated with heat treatment, particularly shear forces, is not extensively understood, even though milk is subjected to such forces during significant unit operations in commercial milk processing, like pumping, stirring, and homogenization. These shear forces exerted on protein molecules can disrupt their native structure, leading to unfolding, denaturation, and subsequent aggregation.\r\nThis research project aims to investigate the behaviour and structural modifications of native milk proteins in raw milk under various temperature and shear conditions that mimic common industrial applications. Shear forces will be generated using methods like Ultra-Turrax, Micro-Fluidization, High-Pressure Homogenization, and Ultrasound. The treated samples will be meticulously analysed through techniques such as Zeta sizer, Master sizer, Reverse Phase HPLC, Rheometer, FTIR, and Native and SDS PAGE.\r\nFurthermore, this study will assess the suitability of these treated samples under varying shear and temperature conditions for the production of secondary dairy products, including yoghurts, cheese, and dairy beverages with\/without the addition of functional ingredients.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"300602 - Food Chemistry (30%)\r\n300606 - Food Sustainability (30%)\r\n300607 Food Technology (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri, Mahsa Mazjoobi, Asgar Farhanaky, Rohan Shah (SHBS)","title":"Dietary Fibres and their role in targeted human health applications","description":"Dietary fibres are complex carbohydrates that are found in plant-based foods and are not digested by enzymes in the human gut. They reach the colon where they are fermented by the gut microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. The fermentation of dietary fibres by the gut microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are important for maintaining the health of the colon in addition to Regulating the immune system, Helping to prevent inflammation and chronic diseases such as colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, Controlling appetite and metabolism, Improving gut barrier function, Supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is important to note that not all fibres have the same effects. For example, soluble fibres are more likely to be fermented by the gut microbiome, while insoluble fibres tend to pass through the gut unchanged. Additionally, different fibres may have different effects on the gut microbiome and its metabolites. In this PhD project, we propose to analyse different types of dietary fibres in terms of their solubility, chemical structures, physiological, enzymological differences, microbiome changes and relate to how each of these characteristics affect human health. This study will employ methods such as human tissue and organoid cultures, animal models, with a potential aim to conduct human clinical trial to investigate the effect of dietary fibres on human health. The proposal will result in exclusive dietary fibres targeted at specific human health conditions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300699: Food sciences not elsewhere classified\r\n321002: Food properties (incl. characteristics and health benefits)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari, Sylvia Urban, Ravi Shukla","title":"Extraction, identification and application of the major phytochemicals from the native Australian Quandong (Santalum acuminatum)","description":"The aim of this PhD research is to investigate the health promoting benefits and applications of the native Australian Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) fruit and seeds. The Quandong fruit and seeds have been traditionally used by Indigenous communities in Australia for various medicinal (Sakulnarmrat et al., 2014) and nutritional (Richmond et al., 2019) purposes. Quandong is a rich source of phenolic antioxidants which boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and protect against a number of diseases. The kernel contains a range of complex oils, which are recognised for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. This PhD study will adopt a multidisciplinary approach to determine the nature of the phytochemicals present within various parts (fruit and kernel) of the Quandong. This will include developing and optimising protocols for their extraction and assessing their health promoting potential. The major compounds will be evaluated for their bioactivity including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anticancer and\/or anti-aging (cytoprotective) assays. The storage stability of the most potent bioactive compounds be assessed and technologies for improving their stability will be developed. \r\n2.\tObjectives\r\nThe research proposal aims to achieve the following objectives:\r\n\u2022 Conduct a comprehensive review of the literature relevant to the topic (including chemistry and uses of the plant components)\r\n\u2022 Determine the phytochemical composition of both the fruit and seeds via application of extraction and fractionation methodologies followed by characterization using HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS and (NMR) spectroscopy to deduce structures.\r\n\u2022 Identify and assess the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, cytoprotective) properties of the (fruit and seeds) extracts through in vitro and in cell-line experiments.\r\n\u2022 Optimise the process of extraction of the most potent compounds and assess the storage activity; undertake stabilization\/microencapsulation if required.\r\n3. Methodology\r\nThe research will employ a combination of experimental and analytical techniques:\r\n\u2022 Collect representative quandong fruit and seed samples.\r\n\u2022 Determine the nature of the phytochemicals and their concentration using various analytical techniques (HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, and NMR).\r\n\u2022 Evaluate antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of the major and most potent phytochemicals identified including in crude extracts and enriched fractions.\r\n\u2022 Elucidate molecular mechanisms of action explaining for above-mentioned activities.\r\n\u2022 Develop\/optimise protocol to extract the identified (major) phytochemicals determine their storage stability and if there is a need to stabilise these. Develop stabilisation (e.g., microencapsulation technologies) if needed.\r\n4.Expected Outcomes\r\nThis research is anticipates generating several outcomes:\r\n\u2022  A comprehensive understanding of the phytochemical composition of the native Australian Quandong including the identification of key bioactive compounds.\r\n\u2022 Gain insights into health-promoting activities of major constituents of the Quandong fruit\/kernel.\r\n\u2022 Gain insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of identified (major) bioactive compounds.\r\n 5. Significance and impact\r\nThe outcomes of this research will contribute to the scientific knowledge surrounding the unique Australian native plant Quandong, including their fruit and seeds. The findings may lead to identification and utilisation of new heath promoting phytochemicals which could be used in functional foods, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.\r\nReferences\r\nSakulnarmrat, K., Srzednicki, G., Konczak, I. (2014). Composition and inhibitory activities towards digestive enzymes of polyphenolic-rich fractions of Davidson's plum and quandong. LWT, 57(1): 366\u201337.\r\nRichmond, R., Bowyer, M., and Vuong, Q. (2019). Australian native fruits: Potential uses as functional food ingredients. Journal of Functional Foods, 62, Article number 103547.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"450602\tAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander biological sciences (30)\r\n300606\tFood sustainability (30%)\r\n310101\tAnalytical biochemistry (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Protein interactions in UHT\/HPP processed plant protein systems","description":"Protein interactions in UHT\/HPP processed plant protein systems in relation to glass\ntransition temperature and effects on functionality the student will treat select high\nprotein grain and legume protein systems with temperature and high pressure to\nunderstand the protein interactions at the molecular level. Fundamental\nphysicochemical properties describing functional consequence of such interactions\n(e.g. glass transition temperatures) will be linked with structural and chemical\nchanges at molecular level and implications at larger time and distance scale will be\npredicted. Outcome: The science based models predicting attainable food quality\nattributes will lead to new plant based foods with desired taste and texture attributes","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication; Biomedical and Health Innovation;Advanced Materials","forcodes":"090801 Food Chemistry and Molecular Gastronomy (excl. Wine) (60%)\n090805 Food Processing (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Aroma development in plant protein based vegetarian foods","description":"Ultra-high temperature (UHT) processed liquid breakfast beverages represent a growth area in the convenience product category, which is an expanding market for plant protein based formulations. Plant proteins contain significant amounts of anti-oxidative vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fats assisting in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. They also have a relatively low environmental impact and cost when compared to more commonly used dairy proteins. However, consumer acceptance has been one of the biggest challenges for plant protein formulations, as they are linked with producing undesirable flavours. \r\nIt is unlikely that the off flavour that is observed in plant based food systems is an issue that is intrinsic to the proteins themselves. But rather, commercially available plant protein isolates  may have polar lipids bound to the proteins that are not removed by traditional solvent defatting. These lipids may then be oxidised during processing and subsequent storage of the foods, leading to the development of malodorous compounds, including; aldehydes, alkenes, and furan derivatives. Volatile development in plant based beverages will be monitored using headspace SPME fibre extraction in combination with GC\/MS and correlated with sensory analysis. The removal of bound polar lipids will be attempted via novel filtration and complexation techniques, with the effectiveness of the treatment evaluated immediately following production as well as over the shelf life of the beverage. Innovation along these lines will provide the Australian food industry valuable tools to extend the acceptable shelf life of their long-life UHT beverages.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%)\r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Binding of non-catalytic dietary fibre substrates to digestive enzymes","description":"This project aims to characterise potential interactions between dietary fibres and digestive enzymes with a view to understanding how interactions of non-catalytic dietary fibre substrates with digestive enzymes can slow down the digestion of energy-dense carbohydrates and other macro-nutrients. The project expects to generate new knowledge to select the type and quality of dietary fibre needed to achieve predetermined digestive characteristics in foods. This would provide significant nutritional benefits to general consumers and technological solutions to the Australian food processing industry.\r\nThe inhibition of enzymes with pharmaceutical drugs is a common approach for retarding the digestion of foods, however, this is not a preventive or holistic approach. It is well known that diet-based strategies to control intestinal enzymes' activity, such as the consumption of adequate levels of dietary fibre are effective at reducing the speed at which digestion occurs. The commonly held view is that the mechanism behind this is the increased viscosity of digestive fluid caused by soluble dietary fibre, which then impedes the kinetics of enzymatic transport and digestion. However, there is also evidence to suggest that interactions between dietary fibres and digestive enzymes also play a role in reducing their catalytic activity. \r\nAs such, dietary fibres dual effect of increasing digestive fluid viscosity and enzymatic inhibition via non-catalytic binding will be deconvoluted to give the Australian food industry enhanced formulation strategies to attenuate the rate of digestion of healthful and nutritious foods.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%)\r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low,  Charles Brennan, Gail Iles, James Collett (Health and Biomedical Sciences) ","title":"GRAVITASTE: Ecologically Valid Microgravity Analog for Food in Space ","description":"The current project seeks to advance sensory science by adopting an interdisciplinary, biopsychosocial approach to explore and address the unique challenges of human food consumption and perception in microgravity environments, such as those experienced during space exploration. By incorporating knowledge from biology, psychology, and social sciences, this project aims to improve astronaut well-being and facilitate the success of long-duration space missions.\r\n\r\nA primary objective is to develop a versatile and ecologically valid microgravity analogue that simulates the sensory experiences and environmental conditions related to eating in space. This analogue will serve as a platform for examining the impact of microgravity on taste, smell, texture perception, and overall food experience, as well as the interplay between these factors and various biometric indicators.\r\n\r\nThe project will utilise cutting-edge technologies, including virtual reality (VR)\/immersive screens and advanced sensory methods, to establish a highly immersive and realistic simulation of microgravity environments. We are seeking students with an interest in sensory science methodologies, perception sciences, and the application of understanding needs in microgravity environments.\r\n\r\nThe research team (up to 3 supervisors) will be assembled based on individual project requirements and discussions. This interdisciplinary team will bring together diverse perspectives and expertise, fostering innovation and contributing to the project's overall success.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"399602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science  50%\n510999 Space sciences not elsewhere classified 25%\n520108 Testing, assessement and psychometrics 25%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232 \/ MR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Mahsa Majzoobi","title":"Microgreens processing for the production of emerging future foods","description":"Due to the shortcomings of animal products as a source of protein and bioactive compounds, there is a growing demand for novel, economical, environmentally-friendly, and easy to grow plant alternatives. Microgreens are exotic genre of edible plants which have gained popularity over the last decade. They are immature plants from herbs, vegetables, grains and flowers which contain substantially higher nutritional value than their mature plants with unique capacity to expand sustainable food production systems, help manage global climate changes and great potential to offer a viable and practical solution to fulfill the requirements of a healthy diet. However, their major technical issues including short shelf-life, low yield, high market price, and lack of large-scale food applications are yet to be solved. The main aim of this project is to reveal the nutritional value, bioactive compounds and food applications of microgreens as a new source of premium quality food to support public health, increase commercialisation and add-value to Australian plant products. Innovative and industrially-friendly food processing techniques such as ultrasonic treatments, high-pressure homogenization, pulsed electric field and their combination will be applied to obtain stabilised forms of bioactive compounds which will further be used in the development of new functional foods via various encapsulation routes. A wide range of world-class laboratory techniques including HPLC, UV spectrophotometry, FTIR, CD and NMR will be used to identify and characterise proteins and bioactive compounds of microgreens. This project will be done in collaboration with famous food and microgreen manufacturers in Victoria.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology (30%)\r\n300606 Food Sustainability (20%) \r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (20%) \r\n340502 Natural products and bioactive compounds (30%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Stefan Kasapis","title":"Stimuli responsive on-off switching in bioactive-compound release from natural polymers","description":"The rate of bioactive compound diffusion, including vitamins, essential fatty acids and pharmacotherapeutics like peptides in glassy biomaterials is of considerable interest in the food and nutraceutical manufacture, and several theoretical models have been employed in relation to a predictive approach. Literature shows that the structure of biopolymer matrices (mainly protein or polysaccharide) is critical in the diffusion of bioactive components. Therefore, this PhD project would aim to characterise the thermomechanical behaviour of polymeric matrices in relation to their glass transition temperature (Tg). Among the predictive models of structural relaxation, the free volume theory of diffusion will be considered to treat transport phenomena within glassy polymers. Natural polymer matrices employed in the sustained release of bioactivity are water swellable in response to the changing physicochemical environment of the human gastrointestinal tract and swelling phenomena will be evaluated in relation to the molecular transport of bioactive compounds. Naturally occurring proteins or polysaccharides are nutritionally advantageous over the laboratory synthesized counterparts and offer avenues of sustained\/targeted release in response to changing acidity or saline environment. Their desirable and extensive swelling index for formulation design is accompanied by biocompatibility and biodegradability due to the ability to hold extremely high levels of water unlike their synthetic analogues. The aim of this PhD project, therefore, is to understand the diffusion mechanism controlling bioactive compound release from natural formulations of industrial interest in stationary and swellable boundaries that simulate gastrointestinal fluids for immediate application to formulations of industrial interest.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%)\r\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development and characterisation of dairy mimetic products using algal protein","description":"This project will first determine the digestibility protein obtained from australian algal biomass implementing DIAAS method. In vitro method will be preferably followed. The project will formulate dairy mimetic products using algal protein as the sole protein source and using other common ingredients that are likely used in future food products.\nThe formulation protocol will consider both physicochemical stability, and sensory appeal.\nThe characterisation of sensory properties will involve standard hedonic sensory test. The descriptive tests will be carried out at Bega\u2019s sensory facility using trained panel. Commercially available plant-protein based dairy mimetic products will be used for comparison.\nThe technofunctional properties such as texture, consistency (viscosity), acid and temperature-induced gelling, water holding capacities will be determined and used to optimise the formulation as mentioned above. These parameters will also be used to optimise the process parameters involved including homogenisation, pasteurisation.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"01\/12\/2022","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (40%) ; 300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (40%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Extraction and characterisation of protein from Australian algal biomass","description":"This PhD project will focus on optimisation of algal protein extraction process followed by characterisation of the extracted protein, specifically for Australian algal biomass. It will involve optimisation of extraction protocol to produce protein mass with protein content of >80%, w\/w target using three protein-rich algal species readily available in Australia. Dried algal biomass will be obtained through the funding company. Achieving >80 % (w\/w) protein content in extracted protein mass is challenging as currently reported protein content extracted from algal biomass, on average, is <70% (w\/w). Low protein content in algal proteins reported in literature is due to covalent conjugation of other non-protein compounds and pigments. Removing algal oil to a lowest possible level will be considred to minimse th fishy flavour. Removal of pigment from algal biomass will also receive important consideration. Once the proteins are extracted, the protein mass will be converted into powder. This dried protein mass will be used to determine the most important functional properties such as solubility in water, dispersibility (ability to rehydrate), gelling, emulsification, foaming and thermal stability. These properties are the most important for using these proteins as ingredients. Commercially available whey protein isolate (WPI) and soy protein isolate (SPI) will be used compare algal protein\u2019s technofuctional properties.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"04\/07\/2022","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (40%) ; 300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (40%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"MR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Jayani Chandrapala","title":"Functional Native Australian Fruit-based Food Ingredients via Fermentation","description":"The global demand for high quality functional natural ingredients opens great opportunities to use Australian native fruits as a rich source of nutrients and functional ingredients. At present, most of the Australian native fruits such as bush tomato,\u202fDavidson's plum, desert lime, finger lime, Kakadu plum, lemon aspen,\u202fmuntries,\u202fquandong, Tasmanian pepper berry, and Illawarra plum are traditionally eaten raw or are commonly processed into jams or preserves. They are a rich source of antioxidants with a mixture of lipophilic and hydrophilic molecules and phenolic compounds such as phenolic secondary metabolites, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and pro-anthocyanidins. At present, there are limited applications of powders obtained from these native fruits within the food and cosmetic products. However, the native food industry is still challenged in delivering native foods to the wider market. Incorporating fruit products into formulations presents significant challenges and may result in undesired rheological or physical effects in the end products. Isolating and extracting the nutritive and bioactive ingredients from native fruits could prevent these undesirable qualities by eliminating unnecessary components. Processing technologies that enable conversion to microbially safe and stable functional food and beverage ingredients whilst enhancing their unique flavours will greatly add value to these produces allowing increased distribution. A promising technology in this regard is fermentation, which enables stabilisation and conversion of horticultural produce into value added products with differentiated functional, nutritional and organoleptic attributes. This project is aimed at developing suitable fermentation processes for the stabilisation and conversion of selected native fruits into functional beverages and beverage ingredients enriched with antioxidant metabolites.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/03\/2022","ecp":"AM 4 Materials for sustainable living;","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry - 60%\r300607 Food Technology - 40%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low, Marcel Takac (Health and Biomedical Sciences) The project will include external collaborators from Deakin University. ","title":"COSMIC-CUISINE: Supporting Astronaut Wellbeing with Multisensory XR in Isolated Environments","description":"This project aims to develop digital solutions that support the wellbeing of astronauts during long-duration space missions and in Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments on Earth. By creating meaningful, heritage-based, multisensory Extended Reality (XR) experiences, the project seeks to enhance quality of life during social isolation. It will focus on understanding sensory perception, emotional responses, and appetite responses in these environments.\r\n\r\nThe interdisciplinary approach, involving museums, heritage, and engineers, forms the core innovation of the project. The project will explore what is meaningful for Australian and different cultural communities as part of the \"Space is for Everyone\" initiative, emphasising the importance of diversity in the space sector. As the space industry grows, it is crucial to develop multifunctional wellbeing solutions to reduce health risks and aid crew members during long-duration missions.\r\n\r\nThe project's potential benefits include a better understanding of how immersive heritage experiences can support astronaut health and wellbeing, with potential applications for Earth-based isolated environments. This research aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 \u2013 Good Health and Well-being, and may benefit hospitals, asylums, retirement villages, prisons, and remote workplaces. By focusing on diverse cultural backgrounds, the project also promotes inclusivity and accessibility in the space industry. The project will include external collaboration and an interdisciplinary team. The research team (up to 3 supervisors) will be formed based on discussion of individual projects based on needs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science 25%\r\n299592 Food Nutritional Balance 20%\r\n520406 Sensory processes, perception and performance 25%\r\n430208 Intangible heritage 10%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri, Prof Charles Brennan, Prof Benu Adhikari, Dr Thi Thu Hao Van, Prof Catherine Ipothopolous","title":"They are what we eat: Dietary Fibres, Gut Health and the Microbiome","description":"Dietary fibres are complex carbohydrates that are found in plant-based foods and are not digested by enzymes in the human gut. They reach the colon where they are fermented by the gut microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. The fermentation of dietary fibres by the gut microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are important for maintaining the health of the colon in addition to Regulating the immune system, Helping to prevent inflammation and chronic diseases such as colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, Controlling appetite and metabolism, Improving gut barrier function, Supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is important to note that not all fibres have the same effects. For example, soluble fibres are more likely to be fermented by the gut microbiome, while insoluble fibres tend to pass through the gut unchanged. Additionally, different fibres may have different effects on the gut microbiome and its metabolites. In this PhD project, we propose to analyse different types of dietary fibres in terms of their solubility, chemical structures, physiological, enzymological differences, microbiome changes and relate to how each of these characteristics affect human health. This study will employ methods such as human tissue and organoid cultures, animal models, with a potential aim to conduct human clinical trial to investigate the effect of dietary fibres on human health. The proposal will result in exclusive dietary fibres targeted at specific human health conditions. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300603\n300607\n320803\n321001\n321002\n321004"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development of responsive food structures through 3D\/4D printing of edible materials","description":"Three-dimensional (3D) printing of food has gained a considerable interest over the last decade. It is an additive manufacturing technique based on layer-by-layer deposition of edible materials to create unique geometry shapes [1]. The main printing techniques applied in food include extrusion-based, inkjet, binder jetting and selective sintering. In fact, 3D food printing is not a substitute for the conventional manufacturing of food in the current state of this technology. Currently, 3D food printing can find broad applications in the area of customised foods such as the production of food for military purpose, customised meals for people suffered from allergies, dysphagia, and nutrition intolerances. Three main aspects, e.g. properties of edible materials, printing process parameters and post-processing techniques, need to be considered when designing a 3D food structure [2]. Four-dimensional (4D) printing is a novel concept in which the 3D printing objects can change either shape, functionality or property if they are induced by external stimuli over time after printing. The main application of 4D can be the production of smart materials and biomaterials [3]. From the food perspective, there are many external stimuli that food undergoes during processing and storage, such as pH, temperature, time, and humidity. Food can also come into contact with ultraviolet light, electric current, magnetic field in the form of non-thermal food processing and preservation methods. Therefore, it is essential to understand the influence of process parameters and external stimuli on the properties of food materials that can be a choice of \u201cedible ink\u201d for 3D food printing. This project aims to develop a formulation of responsive 3D food structure that can be triggered by common stimuli in food such as pH variation and heat. The outcome of this project can lead to a pathway for 4D printing of food, which has great potential in the delivery of nutraceuticals and active drug compounds. References\n[1] Godoi, F.C., Prakash, S. & Bhandari, B. (2016) 3D printing technologies applied for food design: Status and prospects. Journal of Food Engineering, 179, 44-54\n[2] Le-Bail, A., Maniglia, B. C. & Le-Bail, P. (2020) Recent advances and future perspective in additive manufacturing of foods based on 3D printing. Current Opinion in Food Science, 35, 54-54\n[3] Momeni, F., Hassani, M., Liu, X., & Ni, J. (2017) Materials & Design, 122, 42-79","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"400405 Food engineering (50%)\n300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Asgar Farahnaky, Benu Adhikari, Raj Eri ","title":"Reactive extrusion: preparation of nanocellulose using green technologies for food applications","description":"Cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on earth, and its derivatives, are being used in various fields including food formulation for a wide range of functionalities such as suspending, viscosifying, gelling, adhesiveness and film formation.\r\nIn all these applications, the particles size distribution of cellulose is critical aspect that determines its functionality. Hence, preparation of well-defined cellulose particles and powders using resource efficient processes is of prime importance. \r\nDue to consumer trends, food processors are moving towards using foods ingredients manufactured with greener technologies and less hazardous chemicals. This project aims to investigate the use of GRAS (generally recognised as safe) food ingredients for modifying and creating nano cellulose. This project will examine the use of reactive extrusion processing in combination with GRAS materials for preparation of nano cellulose streams. Process condition-structure-function relationships will be studied to develop an experimental model to guide produce nano cellulose of known particle size. Extrusion conditions such as temperature, screw speed, cellulose source, and the reactive materials (type and concentration) will be investigated. \r\nFor structure-function relationships, advanced analytical techniques such FTIR, X-Ray, DSC, Rheometery, NMR relaxation and electron and atomic force microscopy will be used.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%) Food Processing (50%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Rajaraman Eri","title":"Processing of carrot waste into wet functional fibre and nutrient concentrates for addition to foods and beverages","description":"Carrot processing waste problem\r\nAround 25-30%  of carrots or >27,000 tonnes p.a. are wasted as whole vegetable primarily because they do not meet supermarket appearance specifications (Pablo et al 2019).  However, carrot (Daucus carota) is also extensively processed into juice as it is recognised health drink containing a good source of beta carotene (Vitamin A), several Vit B\u2019s, fibre, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants as well as being a source of lutein (eye health), lycophene (heart health).  While drying produces excellent powder it adds cost, it can damage fibre hydration\/water holding capacity, and still has a sedimentation problem limiting its application back into juice. Carrot juice has high export value to Asian countries like Japan. Processing either the whole carrot to a juice, or capturing better value from the pulp fibre fraction, will add to the profitability of the industry and enhance sustainability. \r\nResearch needs\r\nThe unique chemical-free, wet extraction method, developed by Perth-based Whole Green Foods with its proprietary WINXTM  (Whole Ingredient Nutrient Extraction) technology \u2013 can make whole juice products where the insoluble fibre component does not sediment in the juice. \r\nOur Proposal \r\n\u2022\tCharacterise the physical, and food functional changes of carrot pulp fibre as a result of the WINXTM Process and subsequent wet and dry storage. \r\n\u2022\tCharacterise changes in the WINXTM fibre properties from sterilisation process options (e.g. heat v   dimethyl dicarbonate cold sterilisation)  to identify options that avoid the necessity to dry the product to a powder.\r\n\u2022\tMeasure the impact of the WINXTM process on digestibility using in vitro and fermentation\/gut health in a mouse model, leading to later human health studies. \r\n\u2022\tMeasure the sensory impacts of WINXTM product processing and storage. \r\n\u2022\tAssess functional application benefits of WINXTM carrot fibre wet concentrate as a food additive such as in meat or plant based meat products","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"090803\r\n090801"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora ","teamleader":"Asgar Farahnaky, Peter Torley ","title":"Innovative functional\/health promoting food ingredients from plant protein manufacturing and food processing by-products","description":"Over the last few years due to industry and consumer demands, global plant protein production has increased rapidly, and it is projected to grow even further over the next decade. Plant protein production has a strong focus on pulses that contain large quantities of non-protein components such as starch and fibre and only about a third of their mass is pure protein. Therefore, large quantities of non-protein waste containing high value functional compounds is generated during plant protein manufacturing. Due to high global demand for plant proteins, it is expected that Australia will be aiming for transforming most of its locally produced pulses and the generated waste needs to be managed to stop food waste and minimise other negative environmental impacts.\r\nThis industry focus and applied project aims to investigate transformation of waste streams of plant protein production and other food processing by products using innovative approaches\/techniques in particular emerging green and chemical free technologies. It employs advanced processes along with latest analytical techniques to create and investigate novel food ingredients. \r\nThis project will have a strong focus on structure-function relationships of biopolymers and other functional compounds and create high value functional ingredients from by-products of plant manufacturing processes.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food technology (50%) Food Processing (20%) Food Sustainability (30%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low, Jayani Chandrapala, Lisa Newman, Tuyen Truong, Arianna Dick\nand Charles Brennan\n","title":"SPACEBITES: Sensory Nutrition and Food Technology for Space Exploration","description":"As humanity ventures into the realm of space exploration, the importance of sustainable and nutritious food sources that cater to astronauts' sensory preferences becomes paramount. This interdisciplinary PhD project offers the opportunity for candidates to focus on either sensory nutrition or sensory food technology within the broader context of space exploration. \n\nFor sensory nutrition, the project will begin by examining sensory taste sensitivity and nutritional intake in different microgravity analog environments. The PhD will focus on comprehensive research on the human taste\/smell system and sensory dysfunctionality and adaptations in different eating environments. The understanding of nutritional intake such as appetite measures will aim to help develop nutritionally balanced and sensorially satisfying food products. \n\nAlternatively, candidates choosing to focus on sensory food technology will explore innovative methods for food production suitable for space requirements, including but not limited to developing technologies in food 3D\/4D printing. The research will involve understanding the physicochemical properties of different food ingredients, as well as the constraints and opportunities associated with different food technologies. \n\nUpon identifying their chosen focus, candidates will be supported by a research team of up to three supervisors, assembled based on individual project requirements and discussions. The outcomes of this project will contribute significantly to the advancement of food technology for space exploration, enhancing the health and wellbeing of astronauts on extended missions. The outcomes can also be applied for broader implications of other sensory dysfunctionality requirements such as addressing food development needs for smell dysfunctionality, older adults, etc.  \n","sdg":"2 - Zero Hunger, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing , 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300607 Food Technology 35%\n300602 Food Chemistry and Food Sensory Science 35%\n321004 Nutritional Science 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Julia Low, Peter Torley, Tuyen Truong (RMIT Vietnam)\nand Yunis Khatri (RMIT Vietnam) \n","title":"Understanding sensory and consumer preferences for Australian and Vietnamese consumers ","description":"gained popularity in Australia in recent years, creating a demand for understanding Australian consumer preferences. To address this need, this research project aims to investigate and ","sdg":"2 - Zero Hunger, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"300601 Beverage chemistry and beverage sensory science 35%\n300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science 35%\n350601 Consumer behaviour 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Lisa Newman, Julia Low and Jessica Danaher \n","title":"Enhancing Acceptance of Sustainable Foods in Preschoolers Through Sensory Play","description":"This PhD proposal explores the potential of sensory play (nutrition education), sensory science, and elements of food technology, such as 3D food printing, in enhancing the acceptance of novel sustainable foods among preschool-aged children. With the growing global population and the need for sustainable diets to reduce environmental impact, introducing sustainable foods to children is crucial. However, children are often unwilling to try new foods, and their food choices are influenced by their likes\/dislikes, knowledge, and skills, as well as their parents, caregivers, and preschool educators.\n\nThe project aims to develop and implement a multi-level intervention inspired by the socio-ecological model, targeting children, parents, and educators to improve the acceptance of sustainable foods. Sensory play, an approach that stimulates children's senses, will be used to familiarise children with sustainable foods and assess its influence on their willingness to try these foods. Parents and educators will receive education on the importance of sustainable diets and its potential impact on their acceptance of novel sustainable foods.\n\nBy incorporating sensory science and food technology, the project seeks to identify innovative ways to make sustainable foods more appealing and engaging for children, potentially increasing their willingness to accept and consume such foods. Ultimately, this research may contribute to developing scalable interventions that promote healthier and more sustainable eating habits in children, benefiting both individual health and the environment.\n","sdg":"11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , 2 - Zero Hunger, 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 4 - Quality Education","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300602  Food chemistry and food sensory science 35%\n300606  Food sustainability 30%\n321004 Nutritional science 35%\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Comparative study of low temperature spray drying of plant and dairy proteins, and their hybrids ","description":"Milk proteins (caseins, whey proteins) are industrially produced and exported ingredients of Australian dairy industry. They are used in vast array of dairy products such as re-constituted milk, yoghurt, ice creams, biscuits, and other confectionary products.\n\nHowever, consumers are increasingly seeking proteins from plant and even algal sources primarily driven from the sustainability angle. Despite high nutritional value and high digestibility (DIAAS > 100) of diary proteins, their resource hungry nature and high cost associated with their production is increasingly coming into question. Currently, Proteins from a vast array of plants are also extracted and converted into powder form. Currently, high temperature spray drying (inlet temperature of 180-200 Celsius and outlet temperature of 80-90 Celsius) is commonly used to convert both dairy and plant proteins into powder form. Such temperatures are expected to negatively impact the native structure and ultimate function (e.g., solubility, emulsifying and encapsulating) of proteins.\n\nIn principle, freeze drying can be readily used to produce dairy and plant protein powders. However, freeze drying is a batch process, even in industrial scale, and has much higher operational and production time related cost. This is the reason, freeze drying is rarely used in food industry to produce protein powders.\n\nLow temperature spray drying, whereby higher-end temperature is confined to 50-60 Celsius, is emerging as an important alternative of producing high-quality protein powders. This technology can avoid the disadvantages of high temperature spray drying and freeze-drying processes mentioned above. It can be hypothesized that the protein powders produced from this technology will have desirable functional properties.\n\nIn the above context, this project aims to use PolarDryingTM technology that is now commercially available to be applied in to produce high value proteins to test its effectiveness in producing milk, plant and their hybrid proteins. It also aims to use commercially available low temperature spray dryer which combines the capabilities of dehumidifier and an interloop. The idea of drying hybrid proteins stems from the fact that it would be possible to produce hybrid proteins in the future. These hybrid proteins are expected to inherit the nutritionally wholesomeness of milk proteins and sustainability and low cost of plant proteins.\nThis project will have the following specific objectives\n1. Produce milk protein, plant protein and their hybrids using low temperature spray drying. This will also involve optimization of low temperature spray drying parameters\n2. Characterize the proteins obtained from objective 1 in terms of powder characteristics, solubility, emulsifying, foaming, and gelling properties\n3. Characterize the proteins obtained in objective 1 in terms of potential impact on their native structure (denaturation)\n4. Use the proteins obtained from objective 1 to produce either model milk, model yogurt or model ice cream to assess their applicability.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"27\/12\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"400405 Food engineering (40) ; 400406 Powder and particle technology (40) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Developing Biodegradable Packaging Materials using Fibers and lignocellulosic components of hemp ","description":"Synthetic polymers, especially those derived from polyolefins are ubiquitously used as packaging materials. However, their non-biodegradable nature and prevailing low rate of recycling means that development of fully biodegradable packaging alternative is a scientific urgency. Packaging materials derived and developed from renewable, yet inadequately utilised natural resources are true remedies to mitigate problem posed by non-biodegradable plastics. Plant resources can be used to develop biodegradable biopolymers which can then be used to manufacture packaging materials. The processing line used for producing conventional packaging materials (e.g. extrusion compounding, blow molding and injection moulding etc) can be readily used to produce hemp-based packaging. This avoids cost associated with the design of new equipment and entirely new processing line.\n\nIndustrial hemp is cultivated in many parts of the world, and it is also increasingly grown in Australia [1,2]. The fibers from plants such as hemp and jute traditionally are used to produce bags, ropes, clothes etc. There is a substantial body of knowledge in extracting and purifying cellulosic fibers from hemp [1,2,4]. However, flexible packaging such as shopping bags, pouches etc are not developed incorporating these fibers. Most importantly, sensitivity of hemp-derived components with environmental moisture are not adequately addressed. The non-cellulosic components of hemp fiber such as lignin has also immense potential to be used as active packaging material. This aspect is missing in current scientific literature. Most importantly, the mechanical, gas permeation and water repelling properties of flexible packaging containing hemp-based materials are not adequately studied to ascertain their performance.\n\nFor industrial scale production and application, it is essential that the hemp fiber (cellulose and pectin component) should be incorporated in synthetic yet biodegradable packaging materials to improve performance and to address sustainability. Some attempts are made to incorporate hemp nanofibers in polyethylene and polypropylene and the results are encouraging [3]. However, this type of hybrid is neither biodegradable nor recyclable.\nThis project is aimed at using the cellulosic (especially nanofibers) and lignocellulosic materials (lignin or its complex with cellulose from hemp stem) to develop biodegradable packaging materials and comparing their performance. It is hypothesized that the incorporation of cellulosic nanofibers and lignin from hemp with synthetic yet biodegradable polymer such as PBAT will produce flexible packaging materials with improved strength, flexibility and water vapour barrier properties. The outcome will broaden the application of poorly used part of hemp stem and value-add hemp farming business. The specific objectives of this project are as follows.\n\n1. Extract and characterize nanocellulose fibers and lignocellulosic materials (especially lignin) from different hemp cultivars grown using different nutrients (including silica or biostimulants such as complexes containing kelp and fish emulsion) with special focus on using them as packaging materials.\n2. Develop flexible packaging using whole of the hemp stem components (nanofibers and lignocellulosic materials and whole stem) and by hybridizing with synthetic yet biodegradable plastics (e.g. PBAT) and determine their physico-mechanical properties including water vapour and oxygen permeability and water repellence. \n3. Measure and quantify the biodegradability of packaging materials produced under objective 2.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (50%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (50%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Development and characterisation of (dairy-plant) hybrid milks using Australian protein-rich crops","description":"Introduction\/Background Plant-based milk alternatives (mylks) have appeared in the market since the last decade and they are becoming increasingly popular. Their increased popularity can be attributed to plant-like fresh and unique flavour, healthy perception. These milk alternatives are also popularised by increasing vegan and vegetarian population and wider public worried about the perceived environmental impact and higher cost of production of cow\u2019s milk.\nAmong the plant-based alternative milks that are available in the market today, only soymilk has the equivalent protein content to cow\u2019s milk. However, the biological value of soymilk is nowhere close to that of cow\u2019s milk. Also, most soymilks contain added sugar which is not a healthy supplement. The protein, non-sugar solids, and micronutrient (calcium, zinc, iodine, vitamins B2, B12, D, A) contents in hitherto marketed plant-based alternative milks such as coconut, oat, flax, almond, hemp are unacceptably low. The digestibility (DIAAS value) of most of the plant-based protein and their milk is also unacceptably low. They don\u2019t meet the nutritional requirement of infant, elderly and even adult population if they are not judiciously fortified.\nDue to the lack of essential amino acids and low digestability (low DIAAS value) of plant proteins, it is essential that they are fortified with milk proteins and other micronutrients. There is also a need to ensure a suitable balance of polyunsaturated-saturated fatty acids in plant-based milk alternatives.\n\nDue to the above-mentioned reasons, this project proposes to develop hybrid or blended milks in which components of cow\u2019s milk and plant-based alternative milks will be blended by arriving at an optimum ratio. This approach brings in the best of both bovine and plant-based milks in terms of protein, (saturated-unsaturated) fat, micronutrients and would require minimum additional fortification. Such hybrid milk will also combine desirable flavour from bovine and plant proteins. \nThere is no hybrid milk in Australia, and it will be a first such attempt to create one. For this purpose, it is imperative to undertake a fundamental research on (a) thermal processability (b) stability and shelf-life (c) flowability, rheology, and flavour profile of the blended milks\nMaterials: Freshly produced cow\u2019s milk (from local manufacturer), plant-based alternative milk produced at the laboratory (using e.g. soy, peanut, hemp or other Australia-grown suitable protein-rich plants). \n\nObjectives\nIn the above context, this project has 4 main objectives. \n1.        Produce and characterise plant-based alternative milk using Australian grown protein-rich crops\n2.        Optimise the blending of cow\u2019s milk with plant-based alternative milk (objective 1) to produce best blended milk\n3.        Determine the thermal processability (LTLT and UHT pasteurisation) and flowability, stability (uniformity, absence of phase separation and precipitation) flavour, rheological property, sensory appeal of the blended milk. These parameters will be used for optimisation.\n4.        Determine the shelf-life of the blended milk using the shelf-life of cow\u2019s milk and plant-based milk alternatives as benchmark.\n\nCharacterisation\nThis project will use industrially relevant homogenisation system for blending and UHT unit for thermal treatment. It will used advanced rheometer and viscometer for flow characterisation. It will use sensory evaluation for taste, flavour and texture. It will use accelerated shelf-life testing to determine shelf-life.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (40) ; 300604 Food packaging, preservation and processing (40) ; 300606 Food sustainability (20)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Benu Adhikari","title":"Preparation, characterisation and application of functional peptides from Australian oilseeds","description":"Australia is producer and exporter of many oilseeds including canola, cotton seed, sunflower and flaxseed and others. The canola and cotton seed production comprised 90% of all oilseeds produced (2022). The monetary value of canola seeds alone was $6.1 billion in 2022-23. These facts indicate that, oilseeds significantly contribute to Australian economy.\nThese oilseeds are primarily used to extract oil. The remaining non-oil component (meal or cake) is considered as by-products and are primarily used as animal feed. These meals, contain up to 50% of protein (on dry basis) in the case of most of the oilseeds. Proteins from the meal of these oilseeds can be readily extracted to very high purity or an isolate (90% protein) level. Given these meals themselves are considered as by-product, extracting, and utilising the protein component will address the sustainability issue. Given the ever-increasing consumer interest in sustainably sourced alternative proteins, oilseed proteins will be valued and used as an ingredient of diverse range of food products.\n\nOilseed proteins are known to have deficient in a number of essential amino acids. Also, their digestibility is low as indicated by digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS). However, they can be utilised as ingredients, especially as emulsifiers, encapsulating shell materials, part of blended proteins with a degree of modification and removing allergenicity.\nThe applicability and value of the protein of the above-mentioned oilseeds can be greatly increased by systematically and consciously splitting their structure into peptides through enzymatic hydrolysis. The resulting peptides can then be used as ingredients of health foods as they will have increased digestibility, antioxidant and other health-promoting properties. The application of these peptides can be further broadened as emulsifiers, encapsulating shell materials and also part of edible films complexing, as required, with some other functional polysaccharides.\nObjectives\n\nIn the above context, this PhD project aims to undertake a controlled ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins of Australian oilseeds (canola, cotton seed and sunflower) to produce peptides. The structure of these peptides will be such that they will have retained some of the properties of the original protein at the same time avoided the undesirable taste. Comparative evaluation of the performance of these peptides will also form a core part of this study.\n\nApproach\/Methodology\nThe approach\/methodology will be developed as part of this PhD project and will involve accomplishing the following tasks.\n1. Extraction of protein: Proteins from freshly acquired oil seeds (canola, cotton, sunflower) will be extracted in house to achieve at least 70% protein content.\n2. Characterisation of protein: The molecular weight, amino acid profile and sequence of the extracted proteins will be determined to inform (to feed in) the enzymatic hydrolysis process\n3. Enzymatic hydrolysis: Single and\/or combination of proteolytic enzymes will be used to produce peptides of desired molecular characteristics. Nano (membrane) filtration will be used to recover and fractionate the peptides. The membrane size cut off and membrane processing parameters will be optimised\n4. Characterisation of peptides: Digestibility and other functional properties of these peptides will be assessed using standard in vitro method\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/07\/2024","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform\n","forcodes":"300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science (50%) ; 300606 Food sustainability (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Food Technology","programcode":"DR232","campus":"Bundoora","teamleader":"Peter Torley","title":"Designing safe food textures: compliance with the IDDSI protocol requirements","description":"Food and beverage textures are important to the enjoyment of eating and drinking, however some people need foods and beverages specifically designed to have textures that are safe for them to consume. For example, people with problems with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), need foods that have safe textures for their level of dysphagia. People with chewing difficulties may need foods that can be easily formed into a bolus for swallowing.\n This project will have multiple facets, so the student researcher will develop a variety of skills including:\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Solid and liquid food texture analysis using laboratory testing equipment\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Development and validation of a force \/ distance \/ time instrumental testing procedure based on human practices\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Operator interpretation of testing protocols \u00e2\u20ac\u201c interpretation of supplied information and test result reliability\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Inter-relationship between food service operator physical attributes and testing outcome\n Following on from a highly successful research project in this area, this project will suit people from a variety of backgrounds including food technology, nutrition, physiology and psychology.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"300607\n 300605"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou, James Baglin","title":"New criterion for efficient experimental designs","description":"The Design of Experiments (DOE) involves the systematic planning of tasks to explain variations in information, linking experimentation and modelling. Historically, DOE has been instrumental in improving product quality and reliability and is now widely adopted in various industries such as engineering, energy, pharmaceuticals, and architecture. It plays a crucial role in activities like new product development, manufacturing optimization, and process improvement. An effective DOE is essential for accurate data extraction, as it minimizes variance and eliminates bias, allowing for multiple factors and cost reduction, even in limited design spaces. Given the numerous optimality criteria and their distinct advantages, combining several into a new optimality criterion would be beneficial. This project aims to achieve this and compare different designs.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490501        Applied statistics (20%)\n490503        Computational statistics (30%)\n490509        Statistical theory (50%)\n\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gang-Jun Liu, Benno Engels, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies","title":"GIS-based Modelling and Mapping of Terrain-influenced Urban Liveability","description":"Urban liveability can be influenced by many factors, including local residents' spatial accessibility to essential services and facilities. This research project aims at the development of a GIS-based approach for modelling and mapping the terrain-influenced spatial variation in spatial accessibility and urban liveability, especially across undulating urban areas. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"330410 Urban Analysis and Development\r\n401302 Geographical Information System and Geospatial Data Modelling\r\n440601 Urban Geography"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gang-Jun Liu, Benno Engels, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies","title":"Monitoring and Modelling Urban Flooding Risks with Digital Geospatial Technologies","description":"Urbanisation and Climate change have increased urban flooding disasters globally.  Ability to identify key factors of increasing urban flooding risks and capacity for monitoring and predicting the variations of these factors, both spatially and temporally, are crucial for mitigating urban flooding risks, reducing flooding damages to urban infrastructures, and enhencing urban communities' liveability. Hence, this project aims to leverage the power of digital geospatial technologies to minimise the impacts of future flooding events on urban infrastructures and human activities across urban areas.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Urban Futures","forcodes":"370903 Natural Hazards (30%)\r\n401301 Geographical Information System and Geospatial Data Modelling (40%)\r\n440612 Urban Geography (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Suelynn Choy, Tam Dao, Brett Carter","title":"Improved ionospheric modelling for high precision GNSS","description":"Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have revolutionised various industries from agriculture to surveying and autonomous vehicles. Radio signals transmitted by GNSS satellites to receivers on the ground is significantly affected by the Earth\u2019s ionosphere. Within this layer of the atmosphere, charged particles alter the trajectory of the GNSS signals, introducing additional delays. Notably, the ionospheric delay is a major error source in GNSS particularly for high precision GNSS such as the Precise Point Positioning with Real-Time Kinematics (PPP-RTK).\n\nThe aim of this research is to develop an enhanced ionospheric model that can accurately account for the the ionospheric delay in real-time especially during ionospheric disturbed conditions. For high precision GNSS applications, cm-level accurate ionospheric corrections would be required. The Ginan GNSS processing software developed by Geoscience Australia is a potential tool for use in the research project. The project outcomes will contribute towards the improvement of high precision GNSS positioning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"401305\tSatellite-based positioning (75%)\r\n510903\tMesospheric, thermospheric, ionospheric and magnetospheric physics (25%)\r\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Debaditya Acharya, Monica Wachowicz, Chayn Sun, Amy Griffin, Ruwan Tennakoon (Computer Science)","title":"Exploring long-term Visual Positioning Systems using machine learning","description":"The widespread availability of smartphones with high-quality cameras made indoor visual localisation (or positioning) accessible for critical applications, such as pedestrian wayfinding, emergency response, service robotics, and location-based services. One of the key challenges of the designed visual localisation systems is the lack of long-term localisation, where the arrangement of indoor spaces can undergo significant structural changes such as new construction, renovation or demolition. While the existing approaches can handle the changed appearance of a scene due to changes in illumination, objects (e.g. pedestrians) and occlusions, they fail to perform long-term localisation under structural changes. This project aims to utilise 3D models for detecting the structural changes in a building and for simultaneous updates of the 3D models. The 3D models can be derived from Digital Twins or Building Information Modelling (BIM). Subsequently, these updated 3D models will be used for performing uncertainty-based long-term visual localisation with improved precision. The challenges of long-term visual localisation approaches, such as domain adaptation, change detection and the need for extensive labelled data to train machine learning models will be addressed in the project. The experiments will contribute towards the knowledge of domain adaptation in computer vision and deep learning algorithms, in addition to improving the quality of life of the international community.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"460304: Computer Vision (50%)\r\n330201: Automation and technology in building and construction (20%)\r\n370403: Geoscience data visualization (20%)\r\n460205: Intelligent robotics (10%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Simon Jones, Karin Reinke, Mariela Soto-Berelov","title":"Fire detection and attribution using satellite earth observation","description":"Early detection of wildfires is vital for managing the risk and impact of fire upon human lives and infrastructure. The introduction of new geostationary sensors in the mid 2010's has created new opportunities for wildfire surveillance. Addressing this issue, geospatial researchers at RMIT University developed two new wildfire detection algorithms, utilising the \u201cbig data\u201d capabilities of the Himawari-8\/9 (H8\/9) satellites which capture images of the full disk every 10 minutes at key spectral wavelengths and other polar orbiting sensors. This PhD proposal will extend these techniques to investigate fire surveillance using such platforms and explore how these temporally rich data streams may be used to inform our descriptions of fire severity, particularly when coupled with more traditional satellite products such as NBR. Issues of smoke, scale (multi-resolution imaging and comparing in situ to image observations), fire radiative power, remaining fuel, tracking and canopy obscuration make for many and varied potential research questions.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"401304 (50%)\n370402 (25%)\n300706 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Simon Jones, Karin Reinke, Mariela Soto-Berelov","title":"Future forests","description":"Forest resources and the services they provide play a vital role in the economy and across society in general. We live in an unprecedented era of environmental change. Wide reaching land use and land cover (LULC) modification and conversion affects land, water, and air resources on a global scale. Knowledge of LULC change is needed for a range of forest related activities including forest management, biodiversity monitoring, biomass estimation, carbon accounting, and climate change modelling. Change estimates are also used for mandatory and statutory forest reporting requirements at the state, national and international level. Methods used for change detection have evolved from mapping and identifying change between image pairs to sophisticated techniques based on dense time series image datasets. This research aims to map disturbance and recovery across Australian forests using multi-source satellite imagery incl.  spectral time-series, structural (LiDAR and SAR) and in situ information. It will help support state and federal land management agencies with spatial and a- spatial change maps and statistics. Currently, there is no national level forest cover change dataset for Australia. Instead, national estimates are produced by aggregating state level estimates, which are obtained using different sources of imagery and following different methods.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"401304 (50%)\r\n370402 (25%)\r\n300707 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Professor Simon Jones","title":"Using remote sensing to help unearth ancient cultural landscapes","description":"Using aerial photography, LiDAR, RADAR and\/or satellite imagery can aide in identifying archaeological and cultural sites. Traditional methods to find and identify these cultural sites are heavily reliant on excavation (Vilbig et al., 2020). This known as field walking, where archaeologists record visible surface material and analyse evidence of human presence and landscape use (Orengo and Garcia-Molsosa, 2019). This method is slow and risks damaging the site and archaeological data and findings (Vilbig et al., 2020). Due to the fast urbanisation of peri-urban regains in Melbourne, identifying cultural landscapes may not be identified by field walking as the y have the potential to be destroyed before cultural heritage management and archaeologists have a chance to survey the area use (Orengo and Garcia-Molsosa, 2019). This study aims to use data obtained from aerial imagery, LiDAR, RADAR and satellite imagery to help detect the location and size cultural landscape features. By integrating historical aerial and satellite imagery, this has the potential to help detect cultural landscapes that have been destroyed, partially destroyed or concealed due to urbanisation. RS technologies allow hyperspectral or infrared images to be analysed revealing findings that are unable to be seen by the human eye.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2034","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering) ; Urban Futures","forcodes":"090905 50% ; 210102 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"MR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham, Estrid He \/ SCT","title":"CSIRO-Masters: Knowledge discovery of scientific workflows","description":"The reproducibility of scientific workflows is critical in ensuring trust, confidence and transparency of results of experiments and modelling. The capture of provenance information for scientific workflows is foundational in achieving transparency and reproducibility. There has been an increased adoption of tools such as electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling that allow automated capture of these records. However, solutions and approaches which harmonise this provenance information across systems in a scalable and general way are lacking. Knowledge graph technology has proven to enable capture of concepts and relationships through mature tools and implementations. Provenance ontologies are well established in the community. While some prior architectures exist for implementing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows, robust implementations are not yet widespread in scientific practice. Thus, the opportunity is to leverage these technologies and ontologies to implement scalable knowledge graphs for discovery of scientific workflows harmonising provenance information across systems in real-world science projects. Specifically, this project will involve:\r\n-\tConstructing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows\r\n-\tDeveloping adapters and client libraries to allow easy recording of provenance of scientific workflows, e.g. electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling.\r\n-\tDeveloping relevant and effective queries and visualisations for knowledge discovery of scientific workflows \r\n-\tTesting and benchmarking the performance of different knowledge graph implementations, e.g. neo4j, GraphDB\r\nAn exciting prospect will be the application of this implementation to several CSIRO projects in different impact areas including Modelling national bushfire risk and resilience and Modelling interventions on the Great Barrier Reef and Hydrological modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\r\n460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\r\n401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"DR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Griffin","title":"Designing Predictive Bushfire Maps for Dissemination to the Public ","description":"The 2019-2020 bushfire season was the first time that fire spread prediction maps were disseminated to the public by emergency management authorities. These maps, developed from the outputs of bushfire simulation models, may help to inform individuals' protective action decision making. Currently there is a lack of empirical evidence about how these maps should be best designed to encourage appropriate protective action among residents of areas at risk, and to discourage maladaptive actions. This project will assess levels of comprehension of several potential designs and to understand how comprehended information informs intentions to take protective action through empirical user studies with end users.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"401301 Cartography and Digital Mapping (40%)\n 370903 Natural Hazards (40%)\n 330308 Fire Safety Design (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Geospatial Sciences","programcode":"MR223","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Matt Duckham","title":"Knowledge discovery of scientific workflows","description":"The reproducibility of scientific workflows is critical in ensuring trust, confidence and transparency of results of experiments and modelling. The capture of provenance information for scientific workflows is foundational in achieving transparency and reproducibility. There has been an increased adoption of tools such as electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling that allow automated capture of these records. However, solutions and approaches which harmonise this provenance information across systems in a scalable and general way are lacking. Knowledge graph technology has proven to enable capture of concepts and relationships through mature tools and implementations. Provenance ontologies are well established in the community. While some prior architectures exist for implementing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows, robust implementations are not yet widespread in scientific practice. Thus, the opportunity is to leverage these technologies and ontologies to implement scalable knowledge graphs for discovery of scientific workflows harmonising provenance information across systems in real-world science projects. Specifically, this project will involve:\n - Constructing a knowledge graph for scientific workflows\n - Developing adapters and client libraries to allow easy recording of provenance of scientific workflows, e.g. electronic notebooks, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Jupyter notebooks for computational modelling.\n - Developing relevant and effective queries and visualisations for knowledge discovery of scientific workflows \n - Testing and benchmarking the performance of different knowledge graph implementations, e.g. neo4j, GraphDB\n An exciting prospect will be the application of this implementation to several CSIRO projects in different impact areas including Modelling national bushfire risk and resilience and Modelling interventions on the Great Barrier Reef and Hydrological modelling.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460206 Knowledge representation and reasoning (50%)\n 460106 Spatial data and applications (25%)\n 401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Asha Rao,  Amy Corman","title":"Privacy Preserving Technologies for Securing Healthcare Data","description":"Sharing of health data for secondary uses such as research and public policy development has many benefits, but also risks if information about an individual's health record can be inferred. Ensuring healthcare data privacy preservation technology is designed to work as per requirements is essential. The requirements for correct functioning of these techniques includes training of both researchers and the individuals. Data is now gathered and possibly used to train AI models from various sources including clinical trials, participatory health-enabling technologies and other health\/medical-related records. These are in addition linked, for research, population disease surveillance, risk prediction etc. The increasing use of participatory health enabling technologies and integration of person-generated data with formal healthcare provider data, adds another layer of complexity. Thus, the design of healthcare privacy preserving techniques needs to be considered from all perspectives. The aims of this project are: Design of a process for testing of techniques used for privacy preservation of Healthcare systems. Design process for verification of functionality with ML based systems. Design and implement customized ML scenarios which providing protection with bounds on information leakage. The project will explore various mechanisms to evaluate suitability of the existing techniques and their vulnerabilities given a set of constraints. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-04-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"4604 (30%)\n4611 (30%)\n461203 (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Asha Rao,  James Baglin,","title":"Model based Design for ML based Devices for Healthcare","description":"Ensuring healthcare devices are designed to work as per requirements is essential. The requirements for correct functioning include latency bounds, measurement and analysis within constraints, data storage etc. The design of healthcare systems using Machine Learning (ML) based models is now gaining momentum. These ML models can be part of autonomously functioning devices. Even though functionality offered by ML models is desired, it is typically used as a black box. This makes it difficult to incorporate it in healthcare related applications as testing and verification of its functioning is time consuming. The aims of this project are: 1) Design process for testing of ML models within the constraints of Healthcare systems. 2) Design process for verification of functionality within constraints for ML based systems. 3) Design and implement customized ML model testing. Model based development of systems using ML. The project will explore various mechanisms to evaluate suitability of a given ML model given a set of constraints. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-04-30","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"460102 Applications in Health (35%)\n460403 Data Security and Protection (35%)\n460503 Data models, storage and indexing  (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Yan Wang, Pavel Krupskiy","title":"Vine copula modeling of multidimensional ecological niche data","description":"Copulas provides a powerful mathematical framework for modeling complex dependence structures between variables. While widely applied in economics, finance, and neuroscience, their potential in ecology remains largely unexplored. Many ecological datasets exhibit tail dependencies, asymmetries, and non-monotonic relationships, which copula models can effectively capture. This research aims to expand the use of copulas in ecological niche modeling, an essential concept in ecology that describes species distributions in multivariate space.\nPrevious studies have applied elliptical, Archimedean, and simplified vine copulas to niche modeling. Yet, limitations persist, including reliance on simulation-based algorithms that fail to preserve the statistical properties of ecological data. Additionally, emerging factor copula models and structured factor copula models, which have demonstrated superior performance in other fields, have not been explored in ecology. These models offer a more parsimonious and interpretable approach to capturing complex ecological dependencies.\nThis research aims to develop advanced copula models for high-dimensional ecological data, refine copula-based ecological models with fewer assumptions, and extend the niche overlap concept to a multi-species framework. These advancements will improve species distribution modeling and ecological analysis.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2029-12-29","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490501  Applied statistics  (40%)\n490509  Statistical theory  (30%)\n410401 Conservation and biodiversity (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arathi Arakala, Mahshid Sadeghpour","title":"Echo Chamber Investigation and Identification Utilising Sentiment Analysis","description":"This project aims to to develop novel techniques that combine sentiment analysis approaches, network science measures of community and measures of user behaviour over period of time to predict user behaviour with regards to echo chamber engagement. By measuring sentiment analysis against other widely used techniques the hope is to see if sentiment analysis can be an effective tool. We are looking to understand:\n1. To what degree can sentiment analysis alone be a good predictor of the presence of an echo chamber?\n2. Can sentiment analysis be used as a predictor for user engagement in echo chambers? Can this prediction be enhanced by network community metrics?\n3.How does the sentiment of a user in an echo chamber vary over time? What trends are observed before and after engaging in an echo chamber?\n\nProject Outcome and Impact\nThis project will give insights into how users engage on social media to create echo chambers, how their behaviours are influenced on engaging with an echo chamber and if sentiment analysis coupled with traditional network-based metrics could help predict user involvement in an echo chamber. Such analysis will allow regulators and social media companies to design interventions that will promote balanced discourse and social interactions. This work contributes to ensuring that social media users have every opportunity to hear diverse perspectives on polarising socio-political events.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning\n490104 Complex systems\n460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stella Stylianou","title":"Exploring Machine Learning Techniques for Forecasting Trends in the Vietnamese Music Industry","description":"Time series forecasting is vital for predicting music trends, such as song popularity and genre shifts. Time series data, decomposed into trend, seasonality, and residuals, reveals underlying patterns. The Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model, with its autoregressive and moving average components, is a traditional choice. The Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model extends ARIMA to handle multivariate time series data.\nMachine learning techniques offer robust alternatives. Decision trees provide a clear, interpretable path for predictions, while Random Forest aggregates multiple decision trees to enhance accuracy and prevent overfitting. Additionally, newer methods such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM) offer advanced forecasting capabilities. LSTM networks are particularly effective for capturing long-term dependencies in time series data, while GBM models improve prediction accuracy by combining the outputs of several weaker models.\nThe goal of this project is to identify and evaluate the most effective machine learning techniques for predicting trends in the Vietnamese music industry. By exploring traditional models like ARIMA and VAR alongside newer techniques such as LSTM and GBM, the project aims to determine the best approach for accurate and actionable trend forecasting.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 Statistical theory (50%), 490501 Applied statistics (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stella Stylianou","title":"Ensemble framework for anomaly detection in high dimensional data ","description":"Outliers, or anomalies, are identified when their behavior deviates from the rest of the data or normal patterns. Outlier detection is the process of identifying these observations, and it has become a significant issue in data mining, decision-making, clustering, and pattern classification. \nIt becomes particularly challenging in such high-dimensional data. Most existing algorithms and traditional statistical methods fail to adequately address issues arising from a large number of features. The \"curse of dimensionality,\" complicates anomaly detection, as distance-based methods struggle to differentiate between normal and anomalous points when all data points appear similarly spaced.\nTo tackle the challenges of outlier detection in high-dimensional data, numerous researchers have proposed a variety of algorithms such as, neighborhood-based methods, subspace-based methods, and ensemble-based methods.\nThe main objective of this project is to identify the best approach for detecting outliers in high-dimensional datasets. In this study, ensemble methods will be developed for outlier detection, and these methods will be evaluated and compared with current methodologies using publicly available real-world and synthetic datasets. Furthermore, the researchers will refine the developed outlier detection technique and apply it in a case study.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490509 Statistical theory (50%) 490501 Applied statistics (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Parham Moradi","title":"Self-Supervised Anomaly Detection for Tabular Data","description":"Anomaly detection plays a crucial role in various applications, including transportation, healthcare diagnostics, environmental and industrial monitoring. Traditional anomaly detection methods often struggle with high-dimensional tabular data due to the curse of dimensionality, requiring manual feature engineering and predefined rules, which limit scalability and accuracy. In contrast, self-supervised learning (SSL) methods have shown promise by automatically learning complex features from unlabeled data. However, the unique structure and complexity of tabular data, combined with the need for interpretability, present significant challenges for existing SSL methods. This research proposal aims to develop innovative self-supervised models tailored for anomaly detection in tabular data, addressing challenges related to scalability, interpretability, and adaptability to diverse and multimodal datasets. By conducting a comprehensive study of various self-supervised approaches and optimizing them for the specific characteristics of tabular data, this project seeks to create models that not only improve detection accuracy but also offer transparent explanations for anomaly predictions. The outcomes of this research will contribute to more robust, scalable, and interpretable anomaly detection solutions, fostering greater trust and adoption in real-world applications.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490508 Statistical Data science (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Serdar Boztas","title":"Evaluating the Security of Significant Cryptographic Functions","description":"Systems of algebraic equations with randomly chosen variables are at the heart of cryptographic security ranging from hash functions to block ciphers to blockchain. The deterministic and randomized complexity of solving such systems of equations will be evaluated during this project. \n\nOne specific problem for investigation is the k-XORSUM problem:\n\nGiven k lists \n   L_1, . . . , L_k \n\neach containing binary vectors of length d, the goal is to efficiently find \n\none vector x_i from each L_i such that x_1+..+x_k = 0. \n\nEfficient means much faster than brute force while trading off time and memory. \n\nHow large should the lists be as a function of k and d? How small can we make the time complexity of the algorithm we develop?\n\nWagner [1] made the first algorithmic breakthrough in 2002 for k=4 or a larger power of 2. There has been significant additional work but progress has been slow. The notorious case is k=3, the 3-XORSUM problem where no substantial progress has been made over the last 20+ years and any progress would have a large impact. The best known complexity is O(n^2\/log n)\n\na tiny improvement over the obvious n^2 complexity of form all pairs of sums from the first 2 lists and look it up in the (sorted) third list.\n\nNew techniques which show great promise need to be  refined, implemented and tested at realistic cryptographic scales as part of this project. An application to the EQUIHASH proof of stake algorithm will be a direct result of improvements obtained in this project.\n\nThe methods used will be generic and will have applications to k-SUM problems in other groups and fields. In fact the problem is also related to computational geometry, such as finding triangles in graphs with few triangles.\n\n[1] D. Wagner, A Generalized Birthday Problem, Proceedings of CRYPTO 2002.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-06-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461199 machine learning (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haydar Demirhan","title":"Bayesian and Machine Learning Approaches to the Classification Problem","description":"Classification problem involves assigning subjects to two or more classes in a supervised setting. In this project, Bayesian and machine learning approaches will be developed to tackle the challenges of the binary or multi-class classification problem in large datasets. The main challenge is the imbalance in the proportions of true labels in the population.\n\nBayesian approaches have the advantage of interpretability and hypothesis testing, while machine learning methods can be more efficient than Bayesian approaches, depending on the size of the model and the dataset. Bayesian models offer a solution to the imbalance problem in the dependent feature. In this project, Bayesian and machine learning methods will be explored to tackle the classification problem, their advantages, disadvantages and performances will be assessed, and the development of new classification approaches will be considered. The applications will include large datasets with a large number of parameters. Therefore, the efficiency of the developed models will be a crucial consideration.\n\nSince this project requires intense coding to implement the methods considered, the candidate needs to have strong programming skills. Therefore, strong knowledge of R, MATLAB and\/or Python is required. Also, a strong knowledge of Bayesian modelling, statistical methods and machine learning methods is essential.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"2026-12-30","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"460308 - Pattern recognition (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arathi Ara, Sona Taheri ","title":"Supervised learning and network science analysis of bystander behaviour in gender-based online abuse  ","description":"The widespread use of social networks and the internet has made gender-based online abuse a significant threat to society, causing severe psychological, social, and physical impacts, including suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Bystanders, who witness online abuse without being directly involved, can either:\n-- Intensify the abuse through passive observation and engagement;\n-- Reduce the spread by interfering, reporting abuse, and supporting victims.\n\nThus, there is an urgent need for automated algorithms to label and analyse bystander behaviour, enabling early detection of abuse and developing interventions to encourage bystanders to support victims. To address research gaps and highlight the crucial role of bystanders in online gender-based abuse, this project aims to:\n-- Define online behaviour features that characterize a bystander\u2019s motivation for action or inaction;\n-- Develop novel techniques to label bystander roles in gender-abuse datasets automatically.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Social Change","forcodes":"460502 - Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Discrete choice experiments with focus on applications","description":"Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are a research technique used to understand preferences by having individuals select from sets of alternatives, each characterized by different attributes. This method is based on random utility theory, which assumes that people choose options that maximize their satisfaction. DCEs are commonly used in areas such as health economics, marketing, and transportation to gauge consumer preferences, predict demand, and shape policy decisions. In health economics, for example, DCEs reveal patient preferences for various treatments or interventions, informing the development of more patient-focused healthcare models. In marketing, businesses utilize DCEs to pinpoint the most valued features of a product, helping in its development and market positioning. The versatility and strength of DCEs make them effective for understanding complex decision-making processes and converting them into practical insights. This project will not only investigate applications of DCEs across different fields but also contribute to the development of underlying theory, enhancing their utility and application.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509        Statistical theory  (50%)\n490501        Applied statistics  (50%)\n\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Definitive Screening Designs with Added Observation: Constructions, Properties, and Analysis","description":"Definitive Screening Designs (DSDs) are a class of experimental designs that efficiently explore multiple factors with minimal runs. They are widely used in engineering, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing for optimizing processes and identifying key variables. DSDs uniquely estimate main effects without confounding them with two-factor interactions or quadratic effects, making them valuable in early-stage experimentation.\r\nThis research investigates how augmenting DSDs with specific additional observations can enhance their resolution, aliasing structure, and overall efficiency. Rather than addressing missing data, the focus is on systematically modifying DSDs to improve their statistical properties and practical performance.\r\nBy incorporating targeted observations, the study aims to refine parameter estimation, increase robustness, and optimize design efficiency. It will compare standard DSDs with augmented versions to assess improvements in aliasing, estimation accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.\r\nThis research contributes to experimental design by advancing theoretical understanding, offering practical implementation strategies, and guiding practitioners in selecting optimal designs for high-dimensional screening experiments.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 Statistical theory  (80%)\r\n490501 Applied statistics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Sona Taheri","title":"Clusterwise Linear Regression: Prediction Methods and Applications","description":"Clusterwise Linear Regression (CLR) is a widely recognized method for approximating data using multiple linear functions. It combines clustering and multiple linear regression techniques, making it useful for both approximation and prediction tasks across various applications. Utilizing homogeneous clusters in the input space can enhance the efficiency of CLR models, leading to improved prediction performance. Weighted CLR models, in particular, hold promise for developing accurate prediction algorithms. By employing nonsmooth optimization approaches, novel cluster-weighted CLR models can be formulated, potentially advancing the accuracy of CLR-based prediction algorithms.\n\nThis project aims to delve deeper into CLR techniques for prediction and introduce novel CLR models and methodologies. Specifically, the objectives include developing new models and efficient algorithms tailored to solve CLR problems for datasets with large numbers of data points and\/or numerous input variables. Additionally, the project seeks to introduce precise prediction methods based on CLR, generalize CLR models and algorithms by incorporating alternative elementary functions in place of linear functions, and explore new applications of CLR where it can serve as both an approximation and prediction tool.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning 35%\n490108 Operation research 35% \n490304 Optimization 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Melih Ozlen","title":"Modified BFGS Methods for Large-Scale Optimisation Problems","description":"The Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) method is renowned for tackling unconstrained optimisation problems by approximating the inverse Hessian matrix without second-order derivatives. However, its applicability to large-scale optimization remains limited due to memory and computational constraints. This proposed research aims to address these limitations by introducing novel modifications to the BFGS method tailored specifically for large-scale optimisation problems. The proposed methods will utilise techniques such as limited-memory strategies and adaptive updating schemes to enhance scalability while maintaining convergence properties and computational efficiency. The research involves theoretical analysis, algorithm development, and numerical experiments across diverse domains. The outcomes are expected to offer practical and efficient solutions for tackling large-scale optimisation problems, facilitating advancements in various fields.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\n490108 Operations research (20%)\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; Bundoora","teamleader":"Stella Stylianou, Devindri Perera","title":"Multiple Imputation in Multivariate Analysis of Variance","description":"Missing data, also known as missing values, occur when data for specific variables or participants is not stored. Data can go missing for a variety of reasons, including incorrect data entry, equipment malfunctions, lost files, and many others. There is always some missing data in any data set. Researchers are frequently faced with the problem of missing data.\r\nThe reason for the missing data is important to consider because it helps you determine the type of missing data and what you need to do about it. Missing data can be classified into three types: Missing completely at random (MCAR)-Missing data are randomly distributed across the variable and unrelated to other variables, Missing at random (MAR)-Missing data are not randomly distributed but they are accounted for by other observed variables and Missing not at random (MNAR)-Missing data systematically differ from the observed values.\r\nThe methods for handling missing data in this study included listwise deletion, pairwise deletion, and multiple imputation. Listwise deletion was selected because it is the default approach used by most software packages, and absent a better method, is often the only viable technique for researchers using MANOVA with missing data. Multiple imputation is the process of estimating missing data several times in order to construct several complete versions of an incomplete data set. Multiple imputation consists of two stages: 1) generating replacement values, which are called imputations, for missing data and repeating this technique multiple times, resulting in multiple data sets with replaced missing information, and 2) analyzing and combining the many imputed data sets.\r\nMany studies in education and in health involve comparing group means using techniques such as analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).\r\nThe main objective of this project is to find the best approach to impute missing values to MANOVA. Moreover, researchers will study more about multiple imputation technique, apply imputation technique for a case study in the field of biostatistics, investigate a different mechanism for MAR data and develop algorithms to handle missing data.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"FOR Code 1: 490509        Percentage: 40%\n                    FOR Code 2: 490501        Percentage: 40%\n                    FOR Code 3: 490508        Percentage: 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Optimizing Industrial Processes through Advanced Experimental Designs and\r\nMathematical Modeling","description":"Modern manufacturing depends a lot on industrial processes. These processes affect important things like product quality, production efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By using advanced experimental designs and mathematical modeling, we can make these processes better. This project is all about studying and applying advanced experimental designs in industries. We're looking at how they can improve processes, control quality, and make things more efficient. The research will focus on creating effective experimental designs, making mathematical models from the data we get, and checking how well these designs meet different theoretical criteria. The goal is to gain practical insights into using experimental designs in industries and how they can make things more competitive and sustainable.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"FoR code 1: 490509 (75%) \r\nFoR code 2: 490501 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Mahshid Sadeghpour, Arathi Arakala","title":"Self-Supervised Representation Learning for Privacy-Preserving Retinal Biometric Recognition","description":"Retinal image recognition is renowned for its high accuracy within the realm of biometric systems. There is good evidence that retinal biometric recognition is a highly accurate, but these results are based on datasets of the order of hundreds. The comprehensive investigation of retinal recognition systems has been impeded due to the scarcity of available data, in contrast to other biometric modes such as fingerprint, facial or iris recognition.\r\n\r\nTo facilitate the establishment of a resilient retinal recognition system, the imperative lies in the access to high-quality datasets containing retinal images on a large scale. The existing retinal image datasets are primarily gathered for medical applications and typically consist of a maximum of several thousand retinal samples. while these data can be considered a great asset for advancing medical purpose applications, they do not fulfil the biometric application requirements.\r\nThe objective of this project is to exploit the benefits of Self-supervised Learning approaches to train a deep neural network based retinal biometric recognition system using the existing retinal image datasets.\r\n\r\nknowledge extracted using these techniques needs to be evaluated based on ISO\/IEC 24745 standards for biometric template protection schemes to evaluate irreversibility and unlinkability of the extracted retinal biometric templates by the self-supervised feature extractor.\r\n\r\nThe candidate should have a strong mathematics and computing background including competence in linear algebra, calculus, engineering mathematics, and statistics. They should be capable of programming in Python and working with supercomputing platforms. There are no ethical issues associated with this project.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"461106 semi- and unsupervised learning (25%), 461101 adversarial machine learning (25%), 460304 computer vision (25%), 460403 data security and protection (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Huong Ha, School of Computing Technologies ","title":"Some Foundations and Applications of Optimisation and Control Theory","description":"This project delves into the fundamental principles and diverse applications of optimisation and control theory which constitute the cornerstone of modern engineering and research.\r\n\r\nThe foundational aspect of this project revolves around a comprehensive exploration of optimisation theory, encompassing convex and non-convex optimisation, linear and nonlinear programming, as well as the mathematical underpinnings of optimisation algorithms. The study will also delve into control theory, examining its various branches, including classical, robust, and adaptive control, and their applications in system dynamics and stability analysis.\r\n\r\nIn the realm of applications, this project seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice, demonstrating the utility of optimisation and control theory across a diverse array of domains. Key application areas include engineering systems, healthcare, machine learning and data science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n461199 Machine learning not elsewhere classified (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Andrew Eberhard","title":"Interior-Point Methods and Applications","description":"Interior-point methods (IPMs) have emerged as powerful tools for solving optimisation problems, ranging from linear and quadratic programming to semidefinite and nonlinear programming. This research aims to advance the understanding of IPMs by investigating their underlying mathematical foundations, algorithmic intricacies, and computational efficiency.\r\n\r\nThe project comprises two main thrusts: theoretical developments and real-world applications. The theoretical aspect involves a rigorous examination of convergence properties, complexity analysis, and sensitivity analysis of IPMs. By refining the theoretical framework, this research seeks to provide deeper insights into the inner workings of IPMs and contribute to their robustness and versatility.\r\n\r\nIn parallel, the project explores the practical aspect of IPMs across diverse fields such as engineering and data science. Real-world applications include portfolio optimisation, image reconstruction and power system optimisation. By tailoring and adapting IPMs to suit specific problem domains, this research aims to demonstrate their effectiveness and efficiency in solving large-scale optimisation challenges.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Andrew Eberhard","title":"Develop and Analyse Splitting Algorithms for Structured Inclusions and Optimisation Problems","description":"Methods for complex optimisation problems are mostly developed based on gradient descent steps, which are simple for implementation and scalability. Yet they often require a good starting point and correcting issues that appear along the optimisation process. An increasingly popular approach is the class of splitting methods which split complex problems into a series of simpler subproblems in order to exploit both visible and hidden structures. This project aims to develop and analyse splitting algorithms for structured inclusions and optimisation problems with applications to machine learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Minh Dao, Andrew Eberhard","title":"Optimisation methods for machine learning","description":"Since conceptualised, mathematical optimisation has always been an effective tool in problem-solving and decision-making processes. Many real-life problems can be treated as optimisation problems, requiring the best solution among a set of possible ones. In the current era of big data, the explosion in size and complexity of datasets has greatly influenced the focus of optimisation research. However, existing methods and theories for large-scale problems have not yet taken full advantages of specific structures and hence, faced major difficulties in handling increasingly massive and distributed datasets. This work provides a deep understanding of structures of optimisation problems and complexity analysis of numerical algorithms in order to explore the frontier of research in big data optimisation and machine learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (60%)\r\n490108 Operations research (20%)\r\n490302 Numerical analysis (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Stephen Davis, Simon Johnstone-Robertson","title":"Extreme Seasonal Spatio-Temporal Variation and the Ecology of Wildlife Disease","description":"Many human infections are zoonoses and the ecology of infectious disease in wildlife is often poorly understood. This is particularly true for host populations that exhibit extreme spatio-temporal variation triggered by seasonal events connected with breeding or the sudden appearance of attractive food sources. Two important examples of this in Australia are Common Carp potentially carrying Cyprinid herpes virus 3 and Little Red Flying Foxes potentially carrying Hendra virus. In both cases there are dramatic aggregation events that coincide with seasonal events. This project will explore the interaction between pathogen characteristics and extreme variability in the abundance and distribution of the host population with the broad purpose to improve the scientific basis for managing wildlife disease.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490102 Biological Mathematics (50%)\r\n420205 Epidemiological Modelling (30%)\r\n300503 Fish pests and diseases (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Andrew Eberhard, Alex Kruger, Geetika Verma, Thao Nguyen Hieu","title":"Regularity structures for first-order optimization methods and applications in imaging problems in industry 4.0. ","description":"Qualitative and quantitative understanding of complicated physical systems is at the core of every development of modern technology. Mathematical foundations of computational optimization tools play the key role in the analysis. The last few decades have witnessed an explosion of first-order methods for solving nonconvex optimization problems arising from various practical fields. Recent literature has indicated a huge potential of the metric regularity property and its siblings in analysing convergence and complexity of first-order methods. Meticulous investigation of regularity structures with the target of improving understanding of convergence behavior of expansive fixed-point algorithms will be the first research avenue. The expected findings would include sharper analysis tools for extending the convergence theory beyond the traditional framework of convexity and monotonicity. The project also targets more delicate characterizations of regularity notions which will allow researchers to challenge open problems in optimization theory. Further applications and improvement of the convergence analysis will be another research avenue of the project. The prospective outcomes of this research direction would further bridge the gap between what can be explained by the convergence theory and what is often observed in practice. The research is driven by practical problems arising in imaging, including machine learning algorithms for computer vision systems in autonomous production lines. The new research findings in Variational analysis and optimization methods will be applied to a wide range of real-world problems in imaging science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"010303 Optimisation\r\n0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing\r\n010203 Calculus of Variations, Systems Theory and Control Theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Associate Prof. Mali Abdollahian, Dr Sona Taheri, Dr Laleh Tavakoli","title":"Reducing Newborn mortality rate by identifying and modeling its Key Performance Indicators","description":"The World Health Organisation WHO has estimated that 4 million newborns die before reaching 4 weeks old, of which more than 95% of these deaths occur in developing countries. Birth weight is one of the most important indicators of neonatal survival. Birth weight is associated with several maternal and neonatal characteristics. A reliable estimate of fetal weight at different stages of pregnancy and identifying the most significant variables associated with it would facilitate intervention plans for medical practitioners to prevent the risk of low-birth-weight delivery.   The outcome of the proposed research would provide a useful administrative and scientific guideline for the expansion of the health services programs and for the effective distribution of limited government resources in rural areas, including an analysis of where further aid investments should be allocated to reduce the newborn mortality rate. ","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490501 Applied statistics (50%) ; 490503 Computational statistics (25%) ; 460502 Data mining and knowledge discovery (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Minh Dao","title":"Distributed Optimisation with Applications to Federated Learning","description":"The rise of widely available and on-demand cloud computing platforms has provided an easily accessible and cost-effective model for distributed computation. However, most existing distributed optimisation algorithms essentially rely on adapting classical non-distributed algorithms into the realm of distributed optimisation. This project aims to develop, analyse and deploy new algorithms for distributed asynchronous optimisation that do not require a central coordinator to aggregate information from individual devices. The theoretical foundations for these algorithms will be base on an abstract framework provided by monotone operator theory. This approach allows for a unified treatment of algorithms across a wide range of problems including minimisation problems, saddle-point problems and variational inequalities. The newly developed algorithms will be applied to large-scale optimisation problems arising in federated learning.\r\n\r\nThe PhD student will work under the supervision of Dr Minh N. Dao (RMIT) and Dr Matthew K. Tam (UniMelb) within the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project \"Distributed Optimisation without Central Coordination\". The candidate will preferably have experience with at least one of the following areas: continuous optimisation, distributed optimisation, monotone operator splitting, non-smooth and variational analysis, or federated learning.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"490108 Operations Research (60%)\r\n490304 Optimisation (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Hudson, Laleh Takakori, Marie Keatley","title":"Modelling complex time series using machine learning and time series probabilistic models: applications to surveillance and tracking. ","description":"Hybrid machine learning and time series methods will be developed to estimate and forecast the effects of climate change, for example droughts, and likewise for assessment of efficacy of health interventions, whether clinical, or public health such as pandemic surveillance. The methods will be applied to surveillance and large data with respect to (i) phenology (mapping natural species) or (ii) health state systems and time to events of disease etc. Comparison will be made to Bayesian methods for complex time series analysis and aggregation of effects.\r\n \r\nRecently initial work using Hidden Markov models (HMMs) have shown promise in relationship to modelling first flowering day (FFD) with respect to climate for species in Australia (PhenoArc, Climate Watch, Hudson & Keatley (2018, 2010), Keatley, Richards, Hudson (2022) @Phenology 2022). The focus of this project will be initially on developing hybrid Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) and creating and testing a phenological index.\r\n \r\nHMMs have had wide application to date in life sciences, finance, clinical science and in speech recognition.  We intend to align our approach with machine learning and Gaussian processes, to accommodate missing and often irregular time intervals and trajectories. The approach of this work is linking a probabilistic model and hybrid systems for feature selection to identify subgroups of species or individuals particularly at risk for exposure to climate and or infection.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n \r\nGerst KL, Crimmins TM, Posthumus EE, Rosemartin AH, Schwartz MD. How well do the spring indices predict phenological activity across plant species? Int J Biometeorol. 2020 May; 64(5):889-901.\r\n\r\nHudson IL, Keatley MR (eds) (2010) Phenological research: methods for environmental and climate change analysis. Springer, Dordrecht\r\n \r\nSaxena, K.G., Rao, K.S. (2020). Climate Change and Vegetation Phenology. In: Tandon, R., Shivanna, K., Koul, M. (eds) Reproductive Ecology of Flowering Plants: Patterns and Processes. Pp 25-39 Springer, Singapore.\r\n\r\nVotsi I, Limnios N, Tsaklidis G, Papadimitriou E (2014) Hidden semi-Markov modeling for the estimation of earthquake occurrence rates. Commun Stat Theory Methods 43(7):1484\u20131502\r\n \r\nYip CF, Ng WL, Yau CY (2018) A hidden Markov model for earthquake prediction. Stoch Environ Res Risk Assess 32(5):1415\u20131434\r\n \r\nZhang M, Jiang X, Fang Z, Zeng Y, Xu K (2019) High-order Hidden Markov Model for trend prediction in financial time series. Physica A Stat Mech Appl 517:1\u201312 ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 Statistical Theory\r\n490508 Statistical Data  Science\r\n490501  Applied Statistics"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Irene Hudson","title":"Machine Learning (ML) and Deep learning (DL)  Augmented Causal Inference  (CI) - applications to image analysis, disease processes, data  linkage and  electronic health  records","description":"Causal inference (CI) [1] has been an attractive research topic for over 2 decades allowing an effective way to uncover causal relationships in real-world problems. There is a worldwide explosion in the volume and types of data available to support outcomes research, health economics, and epidemiology. Machine learning now brings renewed vitality to CI, also new ideas in CI area promise to promote new advancements in ML. \r\n\r\nML methods have traditionally been used for classification and prediction, not causal inference, even though prediction capabilities of ML are hugely accepted. It is noteworthy that machine learning for causal inference is still evolving [2]. For example, in natural language processing recently, researchers have paid increasing attention to enhance natural language processing tasks with causal inference. De-confounded lexical feature learning [3] aims at learning the lexical features that are predictive to a set of target variables yet uncorrelated to a set of confounding variables.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nPredictive analytics are rapidly being upgraded using machine learning methods to take advantage of this opportunity. But we are still left with the question of drawing causal inference from observational data. Can machine learning help? Minimally ML would be an effective for hypothesis generation, as ML core strength of identifying correlational structures in observational data. Whilst once identified, these structures can be tested with usual causal modelling approaches [4]. The current frontier remaining however is using machine learning (deep learning) to estimate causal models directly [5].\r\n\r\nThis project aims to find novel frameworks by which to strengthen use of DL with CI and vice versa i.e., strengthen use of Dl with CI and vice versa with applications to stochastic processes (COVID-19, diseases) and big data such as  electronic health records (ehRs) [6] and data linkage frameworks.\r\n\r\n\r\n[1] Guido Imbens and Donald Rubin. 2015. Causal Inference for Statistics, Social and Biomedical Sciences: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom\r\n\r\n[2] Pearl J, (2019) The seven tools of causal inference, with reflections on machine learning. Communications of the Association Computing Machinery, 62(30) pp 54\u201360 https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3241036\r\n\r\n[3] Reid Pryzant, Kelly Shen, Dan Jurafsky, and Stefan Wagner. 2018. Deconfounded lexicon induction for interpretable social science. In 2018 Conf of the North American Chapter of the Assocn for Computational Linguistics: Human Language Technologies, Volume 1 (Long Papers). 1615\u20131625.\r\n\r\n[4] M. Petersen, M. van der Laan Causal models and learning from data: integrating causal modeling and statistical estimation Epidemiology, 25 (3) (2014), pp. 418-426\r\n\r\n[5] M. Schuler, S. Rose Targeted maximum likelihood estimation for causal inference in observational studies Am J Epidemiol, 185 (1) (2017), pp. 65-73.\r\n\r\n[6] Sarwar, T, ... Hudson IL... Cavedon L.  (2022) The Secondary Use of Electronic Health Records for Data Mining: Data Characteristics and Challenges. ACM Computing Surveys Volume 55 Issue 2 March 2023 Article No.: 33pp 1\u201340 https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3490234.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning\n490508 Statistical Data science \n490501 Applied  Statistics"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Davis, Nitin Mantri","title":"Analysis of gene co-expression networks using local measures of dissimilarity","description":"Sequencing genetic material is one thing, interpreting it and understanding the role that each gene plays is quite another. A gene co-expression network is a simple, undirected graph, where each node corresponds to a gene and edges between pairs of nodes indicate a significant co-expression relationship [1]. Such networks are constructed from gene expression profiles generated from samples of biological material collected over time or under different experimental conditions. Edges in a gene co-expression network are formed by looking for pairs of genes which show a similar expression pattern across samples, i.e. the transcript levels of two co-expressed genes rise and fall together across samples.\rThis project will explore the use of local graph dissimilarity measures as a technique to identify where in the genome of a plant species two different strains of the plant diverge. Areas of high dissimilarity in the co-expression networks of strains of plant with different properties may provide biological insight because differences in co-expression networks translate into differences in sets of genes controlled by the same transcriptional regulatory program, or that are functionally related, or that are members of the same pathway or protein complex [1].\rThe project will use RNA-sequencing data from the laboratory of Associate Professor Nitin Mantri and will aim to assist in the understanding of (i) drought-resistance in chick-pea plants, and (ii) efficacy of medical marijuana for pain management in cancer patients [2]. In the case of chick-pea plants, the possible impact of the project is that it will allow researchers to compare the genetics of drought-resistant strains of chick-pea with sensitive strains to nail down the genetic differences and eventually improve food security in India. In the case of medical marijuana, the possible impact would be an improved understanding of how cannabis plants help cancer patients manage their pain and hence improve their treatment. References:\r[1] Weirauch, M.T., 2011. Gene coexpression networks for the analysis of DNA microarray data. Applied statistics for network biology: methods in systems biology, 1, pp.215-250.\r[2] Kramer, J.L., 2015. Medical marijuana for cancer. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 65(2), pp.109-122.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"010202 - Biological Mathematics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alice Johnstone, Bobbi Fleiss, HBS","title":"Bioinformatics analyses of tertiary phase glial in preterm brain injury","description":"Permanent brain injury in babies can result from exposure to an inflammatory insult combined with being born preterm (<37 of 40 weeks\u2019 gestation). Over their lifetime, these infants\u202ffrequently\u202fstruggle in academic and social settings due to cognitive and social deficits linked to their brain injuries. It is known that the cellular reactivity, termed the\u202ftertiary phase of injury\u202fpersists into childhood and adolescence after early brain injury and is also\u202fobserved\u202fafter multiple other forms of brain injury. These changes involve dysfunction of astrocytes and microglia and they sensitise the brain to further injury. By\u202fidentifying\u202fthese changes creates opportunities for novel therapeutic development.\u202fThis project will add to this field of research by\u202fidentifying\u202fthe signature of injury in a mouse model of preterm inflammatory brain injury. The student will be involved in isolation of glia from our mouse model of inflammatory preterm brain injury for the bioinformatic analyses of novel RNA-seq data for cell-specific, temporal and spatial transcriptomic changes. The integration of existing data and network exploration for pathway involvement in known pathways of cell function regulation will be key in\u202fidentifying\u202fthe nature of the changes. The identified glial signature will be validated at gene and protein levels in the lab to confirm and\u202fvalidate\u202ffindings.\u202f The preferred PhD candidate will have completed an Honours or\u202fMasters in bioinformatics, biostatistics, molecular biology, computer science, or a related discipline, and have a keen interest in neurobiology and development.\u202fThey will work closely with Dr Alice Johnstone, supported by Dr Fleiss and the laboratory technician.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"310208: Translational & Applied Bioinformatics (60%) ; \r\n111403 Paediatrics (20%) ; \r\n110903 Central Nervous System (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Parham Moradi and Mahdi Jalili","title":"Temporal Attributed Network Clustering","description":"Despite the temporal-attributed nature of many real-world systems\r\nlike social and biological, and thus the applicability of temporal communities,\r\nvery few methods have been suggested for the Temporal Attributed Network\r\nClustering (TANC) problem due to its difficulty in extracting the vital information from temporal heterogeneous information, including structural connectivity,\r\nattribute similarities, evolution, and co-evolution processes. Therefore, in\r\nthis research, our goals are to develop and adapt popular machine learning techniques like Spectral, NMF, and deep learning to overcome the shortcoming of\r\nexisting methods and also open new paths for researchers in the TANC problem\r\nby introducing and solving new concepts and challenges like interdependency\r\nof heterogeneous information, interpretability of temporal communities in different\r\napplications, and space complexity in TANC problem. We will perform several experiments by suggesting appropriate evaluation metrics and gathering data sets from real-world systems to show the superiority of our models.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"490508 Statistical Data science (40%)\r\n461199 machine learning (30%)\r\n400604 Network engineering (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori","title":"Systemic risk analysis in financial sectors using machine learning algorithms and statistical methods","description":"Recommender systems are designed to offer users a personalized set of recommendations or items based on their historical behavior on a given service. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship between the customer and the service, with the service's goal being to maximize user satisfaction and, in turn, revenue and customer retention. To enhance the predictive capabilities of marketing campaigns, we can employ machine learning, deep learning algorithms, and statistical models that are trained using historical customer data. Additionally, we may incorporate credit risk variables and employ more sophisticated product recognition strategies tailored to each customer, enabling us to identify the ideal customers for loan prospecting.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Global Business Innovation","forcodes":"490508 Statistical data science\r\n490501 Applied statistics\r\n490509 Statistical theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alice Johnstone","title":"Classification and Feature Selection for High Dimensional Biological Data","description":"The improvement of technology used in molecular biology creates an increasing amount of data. The purpose of which is to identify biomarkers, or features, related to the tissue, disease, or comparison of interest. However, classical methods were constructed for experiments where the number of observations (n) exceeds the number of features (p) under investigation. In molecular biology either due to the cost of methodology or ethical considerations in animal studies, typical experiments have a small number of n as biological replicates, where p can extend from tens of thousands through to millions of features under investigation. This project aims to explore and contrast different approaches for efficiency and accuracy of both classification and feature selection. Ensemble approaches will be created through a variety of combinations of multivariate statistics, machine learning and optimisation methods. Through the use of publicly available data, these approaches will be compared to current methodologies by evaluating models for accuracy and efficiency to determine appropriate recommendations for classification and feature selection. The preferred PhD candidate will have completed an Honours or Masters in statistics, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related discipline, and have a keen interest in molecular biology.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"310201 Bioinformatics method development (40%); 461199 Machine Learning (not otherwise specified) (30%) ; 490304 Optimisation (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori","title":"Evaluating the impacts of weather extremes on agricultural production","description":"The evaluation of the impacts of weather extremes on agricultural production, particularly with regard to wheat yield, is a significant concern for ensuring food security. However, given the complex multivariate structure within and between rare events, the identification of an accurate model for the risk associated with spatio-temporal structures of extreme atmospheric variables such as heavy rainfall, floods, and bushfires, poses a statistical challenge. One approach to addressing such extremes and dependence in space and time involves the use of multivariate regular variation processes. This project employs advanced statistical models to analyze the dependency structure of systemic weather risk, which can aid agricultural policymakers and financial managers in assessing potential risks. Furthermore, this study utilizes recent copula-based statistical models in the literature to forecast wheat yields for the upcoming years under various climate change scenarios. The findings of this research could be utilized to develop policies aimed at mitigating the impact of extreme weather events on the agricultural industry and to provide agricultural policymakers and financial managers with the information necessary to understand the potential risks.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490508 Statistical data science\r\n490501 Applied statistics\r\n490509 Statistical theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haydar Demirhan","title":"Fuzzy Approaches to the Regression Problem","description":"Regression tasks aim to explain the system that generates a dataset of interest through a dependent and a set of independent features or variables. The outputs of regression models are used for estimation and prediction tasks in a wide range of applied fields. However, the regression models depend on multiple assumptions that need to be satisfied to get reliable predictions. In that sense, they are always open to advancement to deal with the violations of regression assumptions. \r\n\r\nFuzzy approaches are based on transforming crisp numbers into fuzzy numbers, processing the fuzzy numbers using their membership values and defuzzifying the outputs into crisp numbers. Fuzzy regression approaches are based on the fuzzification of inputs, fitting models on fuzzy numbers and then producing crips numbers for predictions. Fuzzy regression models are applied in many fields such as solar and wind energy generation, wildfire event probability prediction, valuation of real estates, etc. \r\n\r\nIn this project, fuzzy regression methods will be explored, their advantages, disadvantages and performances will be assessed, and the development of robust fuzzy regression models will be considered. Opportunities for the development of fuzzy Bayesian regression approaches will be explored. The developed methodologies will be deployed for applications to renewable energy generation and climate change datasets.\r\n\r\nSince this project requires intense coding to implement considered methods, the candidate needs to have strong programming skills. In this sense, strong knowledge of R, MATLAB and\/or Python is required. Also, knowledge of machine learning methods and statistical methods is essential.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490501\tApplied statistics \r\n460204\tFuzzy computation\r\n461199\tMachine learning not elsewhere classified"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Baglin, Minyi Li, School of Computing Technologies","title":"Graphical Perception of a Dynamic Layered Grammar of Graphics","description":"Wickham\u2019s (2010) layered grammar of graphics, which built upon the original grammar of graphics by Wilkinson (2005), helped to reveal the underlying structure and connectedness among common statistical graphs. However, this original work did not extend to the use of interactive graphics, which Wickham identified as an important area of research. Interactive data visualisation allows users to select, explore, reconfigure, encode, abstract\/elaborate, filter and connect statistical graphics (Yi et al., 2007). Satyanarayan et al.\u2019s (2017) development of Vega-Lite was one of the first attempts to deal with extending the grammar to interactive graphs. Nonetheless, this work was \u201cheavily influenced\u201d by but not a true extension of the layered grammar for graphics. This research will aim to develop a \u201cdynamic layered grammar of graphics\u201d and evaluate how well it can explain mainstream interactive data visualisation. Furthermore, empirical research focused on the graphical perception of dynamic graphs has lagged behind the rapid development of technology used to implement it. As Cleveland (1994) reminds, \u201ca graphical method is successful only if the decoding process is effective\u201d (p. 20). Accordingly, this research will also develop and implement an experimental framework for testing graphical perception of dynamic graphics. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490599\tStatistics not elsewhere classified (50%)\r\n490501\tApplied statistics (25%)\r\n460807\tInformation visualisation (25%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri","title":"Optimisation models for home care","description":"Since the wide outbreaks of COVID-19, home care became critical for patients in need of health professionals, for elderly people and people living with disabilities to receive the services and help they need in a timely and safe manner. This project focuses on optimisation approaches to better plan home care arrangements including the routing of carers and scheduling of visits. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. The outcome of this project will enable providers of home care services to help more people with their limited resources and improve the quality of life who depend on these services.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108\tOperations research (80%)\r\n490304\tOptimisation (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri","title":"Optimisation models for the building industry","description":"Globally the building industry is having a challenging time due to the limited availability of resources and talent to build new housing, repair and service existing housing stock. This project focuses on optimisation approaches to better manage repair and service of existing housing stock using the very limited availability of tradespeople. This is a very complex problem including the project management of such activities taking precedence relationships, together with routing of the tradespeople and scheduling of visits. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. As a result of this project, the repair and service providers will be able to help more people in a timely manner with their limited resources and improve the lifetime of housing stock.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108        Operations research (80%)\n490304        Optimisation (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri, Karin Reinke","title":"Optimisation models for wildfire preparation","description":"Wildfires are becoming more frequent with climate change, and we need to be better prepared to minimise their impact on our lives and the environment. This project focuses on using optimisation approaches to prepare the landscape by minimising fuel, and its connectedness to contain or at least slow down the progress of wildfires. While doing so we have to be mindful of the environmental requirements as wildfires are an important part of the natural vegetation cycle. Prescribed burns also impact habitats that are critical for many threatened species, and these has to be planned very carefully taking biodiversity considerations into account. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. The results of this project will allow decision makers to make informed decisions to better utilise their limited resources to prepare for wildfires and achieve better outcomes for us and the environment.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108\tOperations research (80%)\r\n490304\tOptimisation (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Melih Ozlen, Sona Taheri","title":"Optimisation models for wildfire response","description":"Wildfires are becoming more frequent with climate change, and we need to be better prepared to minimise their impact on our lives. This project focuses on optimisation approaches to respond to an out-of-control wildfire to minimise its impact on human lives and infrastructure. An example of this is the Asset Protection Problem (APP), where the assets identified as critical are serviced right before the impact of fire to minimise the potential damage of the fire front going through. This project involves developing new mathematical formulations to address emerging problems in this area, and algorithms to solve them in practical times. As a result of this project, decision makers will be able to respond in a more efficient manner to minimise the impact of wildfires.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490108\tOperations research (80%)\r\n490304\tOptimisation (20%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"MR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Joanne Hall, Kerri Morgan, Matt Skerritt","title":"Radio Mean Labelling of connected graphs for modelling telecommunication interference","description":"Telecommunication networks can be modelled as weighted graphs with nodes representing transmission channels and edges representing signals.  The Radio Mean Labelling of a graph represents the minimum signal strength that is needed in the telecommunication network to enable communication without interference \r\n\r\nThe radio mean labelling has applications in channel assignment for radio transmission and is used as a means of reducing interference between signals of transmitters that are geographically close.  This proposed research investigates the radio mean labelling of families of graphs that model telecommunication networks.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490404, Combinatorics and discrete mathematics (excl. physical combinatorics) 80%\r\n400608 Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave) 20%\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alice Johnstone","title":"Enhancing the biological signal from high dimensional single-cell transcriptomic data","description":"Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as an innovative method, with the potential to investigate biological heterogeneity at the cellular level, enhancing our understanding of immunity and disease. Due to technological limitations and biological variability, scRNA-seq data can be more complicated to identify biological signal from noise. As a result, despite the abundance of bioinformatics tools, robust methods for pre-processing and batch corrections are needed to ensure accuracy and reproducibility. To enable this the development of comprehensive benchmarking procedures to compare and evaluate methodologies and algorithms for data analyses pipelines is essential to make informed recommendations. This project will add to the field of bioinformatics by exploring batch-effect correction through both optimization and statistical approaches. This will include optimization of the objective function for batch effect using weighted K-means clustering with a particular focus on weights modification. Other algorithms including Fuzzy C-means clustering, regression approaches and machine learning will also be evaluated. In addition, this study will develop novel approaches to dimensionality reduction, through modification and adaptation of existing methods such as Principal Component Analyses, UMAP and t-SNE to develop more appropriate clustering mechanisms for scRNA-seq data. Finally, to improve the ability to make accurate comparisons of different methodological approaches, a benchmarking system for scRNA-seq data will also be established. Through the development and enhancement of computational models for scRNA-seq data this project aims to improve the ability to elucidate meaningful biological signals from high-dimensional data to enhance our understanding of disease and provide capability for personalized medicine.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"310201 Bioinformatic methods development (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Griffin","title":"Trustworthy Spatial Information (Multiple candidates)","description":"Spatial data is now mainstream. From public media to public policy, increasing availability of open source data and a plethora of platforms like Google, has made it (too) easy for everyone to\nharness spatial data to communicate and analyse the siting and distribution of almost any phenomena. This PhD topic is broadly interested in the use \u2013 and abuse \u2013 of spatial data, and how we might enable the production and presentation of more trustworthy spatial\ninformation. This topic can be applied in range of domains to enable and enhance science communication, e.g. land and property, environmental data, public health, gender, etc., and is expected to constitute a socio-technical investigation. The focus of the\nresearch can include investigating trustworthiness of the information itself and\/or representations of that information (i.e., visual tools like maps and other information graphics). Potential PhD students are expected to have relevant experience in the domains\nthey intend to work in and have some experience of both qualitative and quantitative research methods and an interest in pursuing research that integrates social and technical epistemologies.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2024","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"401302 Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling (30%) ; 401301 Cartography and digital mapping (30%) ; 460805 Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Composite Designs for Response Surface Methodology and Multiple Responses","description":"Efficient designs for response surface methodology have a broad application area from food science [1] to chromatography [2] and robotics [3]. A lot of these practical applications requires the modelling of processes with multiple inputs and outputs. The traditional design matrices are no longer the best option as their application in such cases would be either infeasible or extremely costly. The aim of this project is to investigate such situations, to develop new statistical methodology and to generate efficient design matrices for experiments qualified to collect useful data in a feasible and inexpensive way. This new approach will consider prior knowledge on the relationships between the input controllable factors and the output response variables. The mathematical and statistical properties on the resulting new designs matrices are to be investigated and their optimality under the given prior information is to be proved. The project also aims to design and develop the needed algorithms and implement them using the R language. All the mathematical and statistical tools that will be established in this project, as well as any new algorithms and any derived software, will be available to the research community. References:\r[1] https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/312317410_Applications_of_Respons_Surface_Methodology_in_the_Food_Industry_Processes\r[2] https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/24083458_A_Bayesian_Approach_for_Multiple_Response_Surface_Optimization_in_the_Presence_of_Noise_Variables\r[3] https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/226123694_Optimal_robot_placement_using_response_surface_method","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"28\/02\/2022","ecp":"ISE 1 Data and Sensors;","forcodes":"490509 Statistical Theory (60%)\r490599 Experimental Designs and Bayesian Statistics (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Arathi Arakala, Amy Corman, Asha Rao","title":"Enhancing Zero-Knowledge Server Functionality","description":"A zero knowledge server is one where data can be stored, operated on and processed without the need for decryption. Algorithms to build efficient zero knowledge servers for all the computational capabilities necessary for stored data, remain an open problem.\rMethods exist for searching both symmetrically [1,3], asymmetrically [2], and fully homomorphically encrypted [4] data without needing to decrypt the data first. Each of these methods has its own limitations in terms of efficiency, types of search query possible and levels of information leakage not consistent with a zero-knowledge server. This project aims to develop novel mathematical techniques to build zero knowledge search, update and computation capabilities for servers. The candidate should have a strong mathematics and computing background including competence in abstract algebra, number theory, cryptography and computational mathematics. They should be capable of programming in R or Python and working with supercomputing platforms. There are no ethical issues associated with this project.\rReferences:\r[1] D. X. Song, et al, \"Practical techniques for searches on encrypted data,\" Proceeding ISSP 2000, pp. 44-55.\r[2] Boneh, D., et al, Public Key Encryption with Keyword Search. EUROCRYPT 2004. LNCS, vol. 3027, pp. 506\u2013522. Springer, Heidelberg (2004)\r[3] Kamara S.,et al Structured Encryption and Leakage Suppression. Advances in Cryptology, LNCS, vol 10991. Springer, Cham. (2018)\r[4] Yousuf H., et al Systematic Review on Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme and Its Application. Recent Advances in Intelligent Systems and Smart Applications. vol 295. Springer, Cham. (2021)","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/12\/2022","ecp":"ISE 4 Cyber Security;SC 3 Transformations in digital society and economy;","forcodes":"460401 Cryptography (60%)\n460403 Data Security and Protection (20%)\n490401 Algebra and Number Theory (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Haydar Demirhan","title":"Fuzzy Approaches to the Classification Problem","description":"Classification is one of the crucial topics in both machine learning and statistical modelling. In this project, the focus will be on unsupervised learning for clustering. Practical application areas of clustering range from health management to detection of spam emails or fraud transactions. Fuzzy approaches are based on transforming crisp numbers into fuzzy numbers, processing the fuzzy numbers using their membership values and defuzzifying the outputs into crisp numbers. In fuzzy clustering, the clustering is being done over fuzzy sets. The most basic fuzzy clustering method is fuzzy c-means clustering, proposed by Bezdek (1984). Other probabilistic and possibilistic clustering methods have also been proposed in the literature. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of implementation and clustering performance. In this project, fuzzy clustering methods will be explored, their advantages, disadvantages and performances will be assessed, and the development of robust fuzzy clustering approaches will be considered. Since this project requires intense coding to implement considered methods, the candidate needs to have strong programming skills. In this sense, strong knowledge of R, MATLAB and Python is required. Also, some knowledge of machine learning methods is required.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information and Systems (Engineering)","forcodes":"490501 Applied Statistics (50%)\n490508 Statistical Data Science (25%)\n490503 Computational Statistics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh Tafakori, Mali Abdollahian","title":"Analysis of extreme precipitation events using machine learning approach and time series techniques","description":"In recent years, extreme precipitation events have increased in frequency, resulting in significant economic and societal costs. Utilizing accurate precipitation data with high spatial-temporal resolution is advantageous for monitoring, analyzing, and identifying extreme precipitation events accurately. The advent of satellite precipitation products has provided researchers with unprecedented opportunities to estimate precipitation globally and with near real-time temporal resolution. However, satellite precipitation estimates may contain considerable systematic and random errors when compared to high-accuracy gauge precipitation observations. Consequently, this study aims to develop novel models of satellite-based estimates using machine learning algorithms to investigate the spatiotemporal changes in the magnitude and frequency of extreme precipitation events. Ultimately, this research will provide valuable insights to decision-makers and researchers in climate and hydrology.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490508 Statistical data science (45%)\r\n380205 Time series analysis (30%)\r\n490501 Applied statistics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Laleh tafakori and Mali Abdollahain","title":"Improving Software Reliability Predictions by Incorporating Learning Effects ","description":"In recent decades, the reliance on computer systems has significantly increased in our daily lives, and their presence has become pervasive. The failure of software systems, whether in routine applications or in critical ones, may result in significant consequences such as financial loss or even loss of human life. To ensure reliable software for real-world applications, the testing process is an essential step to detect and correct errors in the software product, thereby enhancing its reliability. In the case of safety-critical systems, high-reliability requirements are necessary, and specialized approaches have been developed to achieve this objective.\r\nSoftware reliability is a quantitative measure of software quality, and software reliability growth models (SRGMs) are commonly used to assess the reliability of software based on data obtained from the testing phase. These models are widely applied in various fields, including banking, telecommunications, military, embedded systems, and industrial systems. To enhance the accuracy of software reliability models, researchers have proposed several modifications to the assumptions underlying SRGMs. By including realistic assumptions or factors, these models can better describe the software behavior and failure process under different testing conditions.\r\nOne such modification is the incorporation of the learning effect, which arises from the testing staff's experience in identifying prior faults in the software during the testing phase. In this project, we aim to leverage the learning effect perspective to develop a more accurate model of software failure behavior. Specifically, we will use the two-parameter Lindley distribution to better model the learning effect and improve the accuracy of the software reliability model.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"  490501 Applied Statistics\r\n 490509 Statistical theory\r\n 490508 Statistical data science\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Ingeborg Koch, Sona Taheri","title":"Black-box Optimization for Hyperparameter Tuning and Feature Selection ","description":"Hyperparameter optimization is the problem of selecting a set of optimal hyperparameters for a learning algorithm. Hyperparameter optimization poses a substantial challenge in machine learning and finding the right combination of hyperparameter values is a key task in the learning process. Feature selection is the process of selecting a small subset of relevant features while still constructing learning models with sufficient or even optimal performance. Combining hyperparameter optimization and feature selection tasks is beneficial in learning process as optimizing over the combined spaces of hyperparameters and feature subsets allows exploring the joint spaces simultaneously, consequently computationally efficient. In addition, the optimal choice of hyperparameter configuration can depend on the specific features that are included and vice-versa. Thus, joint optimization can maximize the performance of a learning approach in a reasonable amount of time. \nThis project aims to combine the hyperparameter optimization and feature selection tasks. The joint tasks will be considered as a higher-level optimization problem, where tuning the hyperparameters and selection of the features are the decision variables, and the objective is optimizing the performance of the learning approach. Since an explicit analytical model of this problem is not easy to define due to not having enough information about a functional relationship between input and output values, we propose to formulate and solve this as a black-box optimization problem. The evaluation and comparison of the proposed approach with other similar methods will be performed using some real-world data sets. \n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"461199 Machine learning (50%) ; 490304 Optimisation (30%) ; 490108 Operations research (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andy Eberhard, Sona Taheri","title":"Divide and conquer approaches in (mixed) integer programming","description":"There are several places in discrete optimisation where there have been developed heuristics that are motivated by the ideas from feasibility methods such as \"Feasibility Pump\" (FP). The FP splits feasibility and integrality and seek consensus and is used for finding good feasible solutions of a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MIP). This project intends to investigate the problem classes and models formulated in MIP context. Novel MIP algorithms will be introduced by incorporating the divide-and-conquer approach and the heuristics motivated by the feasibility methods. The algorithms will be applied to real-world applications such as vehicle routing problems.\n","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"490304 Optimisation (50%) ; 490108 Operations research (50%) "},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stelios Georgiou","title":"Experimental Designs and Applications","description":"Experimental designs plays an important role in industrial applications, process and quality control. The aim of this project is to generate experimental designs that are efficient and provide solutions to study industrial applications. The mathematical models will be develop based on the constructed design matrices. These experimental designs will be compared and evaluated under a number of theoretical criteria. Such designs may include the classical fractional factorial designs or more advance designs for response surface methodologies, Latin hypercube designs and Definitive alternative designs.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490509 (75%) ; 490508 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Davis","title":"Global Sensitivity Analysis of Stochastic Models","description":"There is an increasing expectation that mathematical models published in the fields of ecology, population biology and epidemiology will be accompanied by global sensitivity analyses that attribute a share of the variation in model outcomes to uncertainty in individual model parameters. Indeed, a suite of modern methods to perform global sensitivity analyses has emerged over the last two decades. Global sensitivity analysis differs from local sensitivity analysis by considering how model outputs vary across a well-defined parameter space where all model parameters are varying at the same time, rather than considering how model outputs depend on variation in a single parameter while all other parameters are fixed. Global sensitivity analysis techniques typically assume that the model is deterministic such that model outputs are wholly determined by the parameter values given to the model, and if the same parameter values are used to run the model again it will give identical results. Many mathematical models though are stochastic in nature such that the model will predict a range of outcomes due to an inherent random process that has been included in the structural design of the model, and considered to be an important feature. This is a different source of variation in model outcomes, distinct from the uncertainty arising from estimating parameter values. The project will first consider using the default Sobols\u2019 indices for stochastic models and then consider other, more efficient, approaches that make use of Fourier series to improve convergence. It is unclear whether the more efficient techniques can incorporate stochasticity. The methods developed will be applied to scenarios where stochastic models are most useful, e.g. minimum viable populations for conservation, incursions of non-native species, the early stages of an epidemic, epidemic elimination (e.g. rabies, polio).","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"01\/01\/2030","ecp":"Sustainable Technologies and Systems Platform","forcodes":"010202 - Biological Mathematics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"MR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Asha Rao,  Sona Taheri","title":"Enabling cybersecurity solutions via optimization-based artificial intelligence and machine learning","description":"Increased use of public cloud services, the growing number of users, the huge uptake of Internet of Things (IoT), etc. all create new threats for cyber security, leading to enormous losses both in terms of monetary as well as manpower and time. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two of the most disruptive technologies with the potential of addressing these problems. However, the majority of traditional network security tools using these technologies, are inefficient and inaccurate as they are unable to deal with the large-scale nature of the rapidly evolving, diverse attacks on cyber security. This is called the curse of high-dimensionality (of the data) \u2013 basically, the number of features that need to be accounted for quickly becomes impossible to address. One way of addressing the high dimensionality is via optimization. Nonsmooth optimization (NSO) formulation of AI and ML problems, leads to a significant reduction of the dimensions, allowing better and more efficient extraction of the essential knowledge from the huge volume of data and information received.  This project aims to use NSO to strengthen AI and ML approaches to cyber defence and cyber security by detecting and predicting the threats and anomalies accurately and efficiently.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/12\/2026","ecp":"Design and Creative Practice","forcodes":"461199 Machine Learning (20%) ; 460299 Artificial intelligence (20%) ; 490304 Optimisation (25%) ; 460499 Cybersecurity and privacy (35%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yan Wang","title":"Dynamics Point Processes in Ecological Modelling","description":"The world is undergoing rapid environmental change, including global warming, shifting climates, eutrophication, habitat loss and fragmentation, and shifting disturbance regimes.\n \n Both the distribution and abundance of organisms, which are fundamental components of ecology, are being severely disrupted by the rapid acceleration of these changes. Understanding variation and change in where individuals of given species occur is crucial for making predictions about future states of species populations and ecological communities.\n \n The project will explore the application of dynamical point process models from probability theory to ecology so as to determine their applicability to problems of explaining and predicting variation and change in distribution and abundance of organisms. In order to achieve this goal, the project will adapt, improve and advance the established theory, and apply the theory to a series of datasets consisting of configurations of individuals in space and time. The project will also develop and disseminate software to fit models and evaluate their performance.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"490510 Stochastic Analysis and Modelling (40%);\n 490509 - Statistical Theory (30%)\n 410401 Conservation and Biodiversity (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Stephen Davis","title":"The economic impact of ehrlichiosis in Australia and related interventions","description":"An emerging infectious disease called Ehrlichiosis has recently been detected in Australia (Commonwealth of Australia n.d.). The disease occurs in dogs after having been bitten by a brown dog tick infected with the bacteria Ehrlichiosis canis. An infected dog may experience a range of symptoms including, but not limited to, fever, weight loss, anaemia, and nosebleeds that require veterinary treatment. If left untreated infection can result in death (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2020). First detected in May 2020, the disease is now known to be established in the north of Western Australia and Northern Territory. It has also been detected in northern South Australia. The national Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases recently concluded that elimination is infeasible and so appropriate strategies for disease management need to be considered. This project will involve constructing mathematical models for the spread of Ehrlichiosis and the economic costs associated with its management. This will contribute to the preparedness of Australia to successfully manage the disease in areas it is already established, and to prevent or estimate the cost of it spreading into new areas.\n References\n Commonwealth of Australia n.d., Ehrlichiosis in dogs, Commonwealth of Australia, viewed 14 September 2021, < https:\/\/www.outbreak.gov.au\/current-responses-to-outbreaks\/ehrlichiosis-dogs>\n Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2020, Ehrlichiosis in dogs (Ehrlichia canis), Government of Western Australia, viewed 14 September 2021, <https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/ehrlichiosis>","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"010202 - Biological Mathematics (50%)\n 111706 - Epidemiology (25%)\n 140208 - Health Economics (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Mathematical Sciences","programcode":"DR222","campus":"Melbourne City; RMIT Vietnam","teamleader":"Andrew Eberhard, Alex Kruger, Geetika Verma, Thao Nguyen Hieu","title":"Regularity structures for first-order optimization methods and applications in imaging problems in industry 4.0. ","description":"Qualitative and quantitative understanding of complicated physical systems is at the core of every development of modern technology. Mathematical foundations of computational optimization tools play the key role in the analysis. The last few decades have witnessed an explosion of first-order methods for solving nonconvex optimization problems arising from various practical fields. Recent literature has indicated a huge potential of the metric regularity property and its siblings in analysing convergence and complexity of first-order methods. Meticulous investigation of regularity structures with the target of improving understanding of convergence behavior of expansive fixed-point algorithms will be the first research avenue. The expected findings would include sharper analysis tools for extending the convergence theory beyond the traditional framework of convexity and monotonicity. The project also targets more delicate characterizations of regularity notions which will allow researchers to challenge open problems in optimization theory. Further applications and improvement of the convergence analysis will be another research avenue of the project. The prospective outcomes of this research direction would further bridge the gap between what can be explained by the convergence theory and what is often observed in practice. The research is driven by practical problems arising in imaging, including machine learning algorithms for computer vision systems in autonomous production lines. The new research findings in Variational analysis and optimization methods will be applied to a wide range of real-world problems in imaging science.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"010303 Optimisation\r\n0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing\r\n010203 Calculus of Variations, Systems Theory and Control Theory"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dawei Su, ","title":"2D materials designed for understanding and developing photocatalytic hydron evolution reaction","description":"Photocatalysis for water splitting is an essential green way of generating pure hydrogen. The photocatalytic processes are pivotal for advancing clean energy solutions due to hydrogen's high energy density, abundance, and zero carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels.\nThis project will explore 2D materials (such as the g-C3N4) as the water photocatalysis fundamentals, focusing on the HER and current technologies. It then investigates 2D materials decorated with transition metal single atoms for their potential tunable photocatalytic performances, aiming to leverage their unique structures to develop efficient and sustainable energy solutions.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"091205 - Functional Materials 70%\n 401807 - Nanomaterials 30%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yichao Wang, Vipul Bansal","title":"Plant sensor for real-time monitoring plant health","description":"Each year, agriculture and forestry suffer significant economic losses of approximately $100 billion due to combined biotic and abiotic stresses. Climate change, global warming and the greenhouse effect exacerbate the adverse effects of these stresses. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately monitor and assess plant physiological status to conserve soil, water and nutrients, reduce the use of pesticides and increase crop yield.\n\nThe project aims to develop nanobionic sensors capable of detecting and monitoring plant stresses in a timely manner. These sensors will provide real-time insights into plant health and conditions, enabling early intervention to prevent stress-induced damage. Plants release signaling molecules for cell-to-cell communication, allowing them to recognize and respond to different stressors both inside and outside the plant body. These signaling molecules include chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The embedded nanosensors, either within plant tissues or on the surface in the form of tattoo sensors or wearable sensors, will detect plant stress by intercepting these signaling molecules and communicating with portable devices such as handheld thermal imaging cameras or Raman spectrometers.\n\nThe project will be conducted within RMIT\u2019s Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Facility, directed by Prof. Vipul Bansal. This facility specializes in functional nanomaterials and point-of-care nano-devices for biomedical and agricultural applications. The devices developed in the facility are inexpensive, simple to use, extremely sensitive and capable of providing accurate and instant diagnoses.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (40%)\n310607 - Nanobiotechnology        (30%)\n401605 - Functional Materials (30%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Yichao Wang, Vipul Bansal","title":"Boosting plant photosynthesis using nano-bio interactions","description":"Plants form the primary biomass on the planet, however, their photosynthetic efficiencies and potential biomass yield are compromised because they utilise only a portion of incident solar radiation and also have relatively low electron transport rates (ETRs). For improving these efficiencies, the discovery of chlorophyll f, a new type of chlorophyll that absorbs light in the far IR range of the light spectrum has been groundbreaking. Inspired by this finding, many researchers have used genetic manipulation to overcome the challenge of light absorption deficiency. Nonetheless, this technique is complex and specific to certain species and not universally applicable to all plants.\n\nThis project will explore a novel plant nanobionics approach to enhance photosynthesis by improving light capture and ETRs using plasmonic intercalation compounds of selected low-dimensional transition metal oxides (TMOs). These TMOs are non-cytotoxic and biocompatible, making them environmentally friendly. The study will develop oxide compounds as artificial antennas to capture extended optical wavelengths unavailable to natural plants. Additionally, the energetic hot electrons excited by plasmonic materials and injected into the plant system will be investigated to achieve unprecedented energy conversion from solar to chemical. The expected outcomes will provide a strong foundation for developing new plant systems with enhanced photosynthetic efficiency.\n\nThe project will be conducted within RMIT\u2019s Ian Potter NanoBiosensing Facility, directed by Prof. Vipul Bansal. This facility specializes in functional nanomaterials and point-of-care nano-devices for biomedical and agricultural applications. The devices developed in the facility are inexpensive, simple to use, extremely sensitive and capable of providing accurate and instant diagnoses.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401605 - Functional Materials (40%)\n310607 - Nanobiotechnology        (30%)\n340108 - Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei, Peter C. Sherrell","title":"Development of Novel Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Novel Batteries and Supercapacitors","description":"Batteries (e.g. Lithium-ion batteries) with high energy and power density have been widely used in portable electric vehicles and electric power storage devices. However, there is a serious concern about the availability of lithium for large-scale applications due to the limit of lithium reserves in the earth. On this occasion, the eco-friendly batteries and supercapacitors such as sodium- or zinc-ion batteries operable at room temperature have become the focus in the field of energy and environment, owing to the low cost and natural abundance of sodium and zinc. Consequently, new nanomaterials for batteries and supercapacitors need to be developed urgently. One of the main issues is to increase the energy density, which can be achieved via tuning the reversible capacity and operating voltages.\n\nThis project will develop novel nanomaterials with the extremely high thermal stability and favourable electrical insulativity to improve the specific capacity and cycling stability as well as other properties of batteries and supercapacitors. The know-how developed for Li-ion homologues will be transferred to new batteries\u2019 systems to optimize the selection of compositions. Different synthesis routes will be used to enhance solid solution domains and master the microstructure. The electrochemical behavior of new materials will be evaluated, and the mechanisms will be investigated through several techniques in the labs and in cooperation with the characterization platforms.\n ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 50% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 20% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Weiwei Lei","title":"Novel Nanomaterials for water purification","description":"Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO), have successfully aroused much research enthusiasm and exhibited extensive prospect in separation fields due to its unique physiochemical properties, such as one-atom-thickness structure and enriched oxygenated functionalities. The laminated structure formed by stacking of GO nanosheets enables to create a lot of nanochannels for efficient mass transport. Meanwhile, the oxygenated functional groups not only endow GO with surface negativity and stable dispersibility, but also supply enriched favourable chemical reactant sites for a variety of further modification. Benefited from these properties, GO can be the preferential candidate in membrane fabrication for water treatment.\n \nHowever, a big challenge still exists to directly apply GO membrane in seawater desalination due to its poor ion rejection of small ions. In addition, it is still a great challenge to achieve high selectivity and low permeance of water desalination through precise d-spacing control of 2D membranes within sub-nanometer. In this project, we will develop functionalised 2D nanomaterial and their membranes with various functional groups to enhance metal ions and molecular sieving for water purification.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 50% allocation; 091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; 401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 20% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dan liu","title":"The structure design and property investigation of 2D nanomaterials","description":"The development of renewable, clean and sustainable energy is becoming a major priority worldwide. Australia urgently needs to develop a sustainable green economy based on renewable energy resources (e.g., solar, wind and ocean energy) that will greatly contribute to national economic growth and environmental sustainability. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional (2D) hybrid nanostructures with new physical and chemical properties to address the critical challenges of controlling the functionalization of these nanostructures. Such control is essential for unlocking the potential of nanomaterials in key energy generation applications. The research will delve deeply into exploring and achieving breakthroughs in the range of properties that can be attained at the atomic level, a process that is complex and multidimensional. Therefore, the focus will be on designing sustainable materials, understanding their fundamental properties, and investigating the synthesis processes at the atomistic level, with the goal of targeting their practical application in energy harvesting.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"100708 - Nanomaterials and 30% allocation; \n091205 - Functional Materials and 30% allocation; \n401703 - Energy generation, conversion and storage and 40% allocation"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Maggie Zhai, Haitao Yu","title":"Investigating physicochemical and toxic properties of lipid nanoparticles as prospective drug carriers","description":"Oral drug delivery is the most preferred administration route for the treatment of many diseases including chronic gut diseases for its ease of use, lower cost of administration, and better patient compliance. However, the challenge faced in oral drug delivery is poor bioavailability of conventional drug formulations due to a series of formidable biological barriers present in the gastrointestinal tract. The effectiveness of traditional drugs as well as emerging biomolecule drugs such as monoclonal antibodies is therefore often compromised. Nanoparticle drug delivery is a promising system for enhanced drug delivery. This project aims to engineer a library of lipid nanoparticles using newly developed ionisable lipids and cholesterol and PEG derivatives and assess the nanoparticle's physicochemical, structural and toxic properties. This project would suit a HDR candidate with an interest in nanotechnology and chemistry. The candidate would have an opportunity to learn skills in nanoparticle formulation, bio-nanomaterial proof of concept studies in vitro and in vivo, and a range of biophysical instruments including small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering, microscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and synchrotron-based techniques. The candidate will be supported in a multi-disciplinary research group that has a strong track record in the proposed research area and HDR completion. Our laboratory in School of Science at the city campus, together with the renowned RMIT facilities and centres, ensure essential resources required for the project.   \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saffron Bryant, Gary Bryant","title":"Cryopreservation of Reproductive Cells","description":"Cryopreservation of cells involves storage at very cold temperatures to minimise biochemical activity and prevent damage to the cells. However, the freezing process is damaging and requires cryoprotectants and tailored freezing protocols to enable cell survival.\nCryopreservation is particularly vital to assisted reproductive technologies for both humans and livestock. Unfortunately, post-cryopreservation success remains low which has time, financial, and emotional costs.\nThis project will involve developing novel cryopreservation protocols for reproductive cells and testing the outcomes of these on embryos, sperm, and oocytes. Techniques will include in-vitro fertilisation, toxicity assays, microscopy and embryonic manipulation and observation.\nThe key aim of this project is to optimise cryopreservation protocols for specific reproductive cells by tailoring a number of variables.\nThis project is ideal for candidates with a background in embryology or reproductive biology but would also suit broader biology graduates.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 Soft Condensed Matter (25%) 321599 Reproductive medicine not elsewhere classified (35%) 310199 Biochemistry and Cell Biology not Elsewhere classified (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Philipp Reineck, Jared Cole, Blanca del Rosal Rabes","title":"Near-infrared quantum emitters in diamond","description":"Fluorescent defects in diamonds \u2013 so called quantum emitters -  are at the heart of many emerging quantum sensing technologies, which are used in applications ranging from biomedicine to defence.\n\nThis project aims to develop near-infrared quantum emitters in diamond as a platform technology that may ultimately enable long-distance quantum networks, integrated photonics, and deep tissue biosensors based on diamond. The project is expected to generate the fundamental science required to discover new emitters and explore the potential of recently discovered emitters as near-infrared single photon sources and quantum sensors. The expected outcome is ultra-stable nanoscale light sources in the telecom range that bridge the gap between emerging diamond-based quantum technologies and mature near-infrared photonics and that may one day enable new biosensors for better health outcomes and quantum-assured communication for improved security.\n\nThe project will involve incorporating various elements into the diamond lattice via ion implantation, high-energy irradiation, and high-temperature processing of diamond samples. The optical and quantum properties of the fabricated samples will be investigated using state-of-the-art research facilities available at RMIT. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510203 - Nonlinear optics and spectroscopy 50%\n510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter 30%\n510805 - Quantum technologies 20%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 \/ MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne, David Broadway, Philipp Reineck","title":"Spin defects in 2D materials for nanoscale quantum sensing","description":"This project aims to study the optical and spin properties of atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride, a layered van der Waals materials made of atomically thin 2D sheets. These properties will then be leveraged to realise nanoscale quantum sensors that can measure magnetic fields with unparalleled sensitivity and spatial resolution. Specific project goals include the characterisation of new defects and their optical and spin properties in a range of samples, the development of methods to create the defects on demand with optimised properties, and the demonstration of sensing applications for chemical detection or for the characterisation of nanomaterials. Skills you will learn include constructing\/conducting optical microscopy experiments, programming a software interface to control an experiment, preparing\/characterising samples using state-of-the-art tools, and modelling of spin-photophysical systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805 Quantum technologies (40%)\n340304 Optical properties of materials (30%)\n401807 Nanomaterials (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Hank Han, Maggie Zhai, Tamar Greaves, Calum Drummond ","title":"Developing bile salt and ionic liquid-lipid nanocomplex for oral delivery of nucleic acid","description":"Oral delivery of nucleic acids is a promising therapeutic strategy due to its higher patient compliance and convenience compared to injections. However, this approach faces significant challenges, including the degradation of nucleic acids in the stomach and their entrapment in the mucus layer and epithelial barriers. Additionally, low transfection efficiency in target cells hinders the effectiveness of this method. Lipid-based drug delivery systems have shown potential to address these issues, as lipids can be digested by gastrointestinal lipases and absorbed through the GI tract. Their efficiency, however, depends on factors such as lipase activity, pH, and bile secretion. To improve oral bioavailability, bile acids, ionic liquids, and their derivatives have been explored as absorption enhancers. They can form micelles, incorporate into liposomes or nanocomplexes, and promote transcytosis via intestinal transporters, enhancing nucleic acid uptake.\n\nWhile peptide-based gene therapies have been explored, poor permeability and low bioavailability highlight the need for better delivery systems. Nucleic acid gene therapy offers advantages like stability during formulation and sustained therapeutic effects through gene expression. This PhD project aims to develop salt-lipid-based nanocomplexes to improve the oral delivery of nucleic acids, enhancing their stability, permeability, and transfection efficiency. Key areas of the project include nanoparticle design and synthesis, stability and characterization, oral permeability testing, toxicity and safety assessment, and transfection studies. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603 Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)\n340699 Physical chemistry not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321404 Pharmaceutical delivery technologies (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Alastair Stacey, Brant Gibson","title":"Scalable Fabrication of Diamond Quantum Microprocessors","description":"The foremost challenge confronting quantum computing at present lies in scalability, or the ability to extend quantum systems to the level needed to tackle the complex problems that are impossible with classical computers. Diamond has served as a leading material platform for quantum sensor, communication, and computer development for nearly two decades, with diamond quantum computers based on the nitrogen vacancy centre (NV) standing out as the sole solid-state devices showcasing non-trivial quantum algorithms and simulations at room temperature (RT).\n \nThe key challenge to realising scalable multi-qubit architecture is the precise fabrication of NV centres. Deterministic placement of NV centres at such high precision cannot be achieved using conventional \u2018top-down\u2019 nitrogen (N) ion-implantation techniques. We have recently shown NVs can be placed in a single atomic layer by (1) terminating the diamond surface with N, and (2) incorporating the N as NV into the diamond via epitaxial overgrowth.\n \nIn this multi-institutional industry-partnered project, the HDR student will work together in close collaboration with partners from LaTrobe University and Quantum Brilliance Pty Ltd (QB), to push the precision of this NV placement technique into the lateral dimensions on the diamond surface. They will develop methods that enable deterministic NV placement by placement of N-species on the single crystal diamond surface, followed by overgrowth. The HDR will characterise the adsorption of N-species to the diamond surface, develop overgrowth techniques using microwave assisted chemical vapour deposition, and characterise nitrogen retention and NV formation resulting from the overgrowth process.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805 Quantum technologies (50%)\n510407 Surface properties of condensed matter (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jared Cole, Jackson Smith","title":"Superconducting quantum circuit design","description":"Superconducting circuits are key to a range of quantum technologies, as they can be controlled electrically while also having low dissipation and long coherence times. A significant limitation of current circuit designs is the stability and movement of quasi-particles generated externally and within the chip, which reduce circuit performance. \nUsing advanced theoretical and computational modelling techniques, this project will study the dynamics of quasi-particles in superconducting circuits. The aim will be to characterise and understand existing designs, and then propose and analyse new designs which will control quasi-particle dynamics. Improved materials and designs will then be tested both at the University of Adelaide and Analog Quantum Circuits to calibrate and validate the theoretical models.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510404 (50%)\n510805 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tamar Greaves, Hank Han","title":"Controlling Protein Aggregation for Nanoparticle Development in Oral Drug Delivery","description":"This PhD project aims to develop innovative methods for using ionic liquids or salts to dissolve and desolvate food-based proteins, producing biocompatible protein nanoparticles. Advanced scattering techniques will be employed to fabricate these nanoparticles and develop formulations with enhanced permeability. The primary focus is on the oral delivery of insulin and bioactive compounds, with the ultimate goal of transforming oral therapeutic delivery systems.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340603        Colloid and surface chemistry (50%)\n340699        Physical chemistry not elsewhere classified (25%)\n321404        Pharmaceutical delivery technologies (25%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Amy Gelmi, Philipp Reineck","title":"Nanodiamonds for intracellular sensing","description":"The project aims to explore the innovative use of nanodiamonds as a versatile platform for intracellular sensing in stem cells. Stem cells possess remarkable regenerative potential, making them invaluable for tissue engineering and regenerating damaged tissues. However, understanding their intracellular processes and responses to external stimuli remains a challenge due to limited tools for precise monitoring.\n\nNanodiamonds offer a unique combination of properties that make them ideal candidates for intracellular sensing. Their small size allows for cellular uptake without causing significant cytotoxicity, and their chemistry can be tailored for specific sensing applications (i.e. magnetic fields, temperature, voltage). Moreover, their stable fluorescent and magnetic properties enable real-time, non-invasive monitoring of cellular processes at the nanoscale level.\n\nThe project will focus on optimizing nanodiamond-based sensing platforms, leveraging nanodiamonds' inherent sensitivity to intracellular changes, such as temperature or redox potential. This will allow for real-time monitoring of stem cell responses to environmental changes and stimulation protocols, thus enhancing our understanding of their regenerative potential and enabling improved control over their fate.\n\nThis is an interdisciplinary project at the intersection of nanotechnology, stem cell biology, and biomedical engineering, aiming to establish nanodiamonds as powerful tools for intracellular sensing. As such this project would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. \n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"401809 Nanophotonics (Nanotechnology) (50%)\n320606 Regenerative medicine (incl stem cells) (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Bryant","title":"Improved sperm motility following cryopreservation: a multi-species study","description":"Sperm motility is vital for reproductive success of many species, and assisted reproduction using cryopreservation of sperm is vital not only for humans, but for livestock production, and preservation of endangered species.\n\nThis project we will use the technique of Differential Dynamic Microscopy (DDM) to assess motility in semen from a range of species. DDM was first used to study motility by the Soft Matter group at Edinburgh University, in collaboration with Bryant at RMIT. That group went on to show the utility of the technique in bacteria and other organisms as well as bull semen, and we have recently reviewed the applications to biological systems.\n\nThis project will focus on applying DDM to the measurement of motility in sperm before and after cryopreservation. There are two key aims to the research:\n1)\tDevelop better cryopreservation methods for sperm from species where recovery rates are low (these include native species, pest species and non-mammalian species).\n2)\tBetter understand changes to motility following cryopreservation: Questions include: how does the degree of circularity of spermatozoa trajectories affect fertility; how does sample dilution affect circularity and speed; Is there a time dependence for motility following cryopreservation?\n\nThis is an experimental project, but for those with strong physics and programming skills, there is the opportunity to develop more refined analysis techniques.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"31\/03\/2025","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 (50%)\n510501 (25%)\n321599 (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne, David Broadway, Brant Gibson, Andrew Greentree","title":"Solid-state radiofrequency-optical quantum transducers","description":"The project is a close collaboration with two companies, Diamond Defence and Phasor Innovation, with internship opportunities available. It aims to develop radiofrequency (RF) receivers and spectrum analysers based on quantum materials acting as RF-optical transducers. These transducers rely on optically active quantum spins housed in a wide bandgap material to convert an input RF signal into an optical signal, thereby electromagnetically decoupling the RF input from the detection electronics. The quantum-based technology developed in this project has thus the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional semiconductor-based RF detection technology which suffers degraded performance and even damage when subjected to high power signals during jamming events. Two specific quantum materials will be explored in the project: diamond containing nitrogen-vacancy spins, and hexagonal boron nitride containing isotropic spins. The project will involve realising lab demonstrators and prototypes of the proposed quantum RF receivers and spectrum analysers, including designing the RF delivery, optical readout, signal processing, and software interface, and evaluating and optimising their performance. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805        Quantum technologies (50%)\n400909        Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (30%)\n400913        Radio frequency engineering (20%)\n"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Greentree, Brant Gibson","title":"Quantum tensor gradiometry for navigation and anomaly detection with diamond","description":"Quantum tensor gradiometric navigation is an emerging technique for advanced navigation.  The core idea is that the use of particular tensor identities from a small network of vector magnetometers can mitigate the effects of platform rotation and vibration noise.  At the same time, advances in quantum diamond magnetometry have made diamond a promising platform to realise tensor gradiometry with the advantages of low SWAP and precise vector alignment due to the crystallographic properties of diamond.  With our partners, Phasor, we seek to create the world\u2019s first diamond-based quantum tensor gradiometer.\nThis project will explore and benchmark diamond-based quantum tensor gradiometers against other magnetic navigation solutions.  This will involve rigorous modelling of measured and expected noise signatures include sensor and platform noise.  Also important will be to develop suitable methods for map matching and sensor fusion with expected classical sensors, such as inertial measurement units.\nWe will also consider the properties of a quantum tensor gradiometer in magnetically dynamic environments.  This is important when considering the effects of realistic noise signatures, such as atmospheric and oceanographic noise, and also the presence of unmapped magnetic anomalies.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510805        Quantum technologies 50%\n401303        Navigation and position fixing 50%"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Philipp Reineck, Brant Gibson","title":"Hybrid quantum sensing materials based on fluorescent nanodiamonds","description":"Fluorescent colour centres in diamonds are at the heart of many emerging quantum sensing technologies, which are used in applications ranging from biomedicine to defence. \nThis project aims to incorporate diamond quantum sensors into other materials like glasses and polymers to add sensing functionality to optical fibres and polymer-based bioscaffolds. The project involves the processing and characterisation of fluorescent diamond particles, their integration into glasses and polymers, the fabrication of hybrid functional materials like glass and polymer fibres, the characterisation of the created hybrid materials, and the development of these materials towards quantum sensing applications. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510203 - Nonlinear optics and spectroscopy (20%)\n510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter (30%)\n510805 - Quantum technologies (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"James Partridge","title":"Reservoir computing at the edge for next generation sensing and diagnostics","description":"Neuromorphic systems mimic behavioral and functional aspects of biological neural systems, such as those found in the brain. They offer greatly increased efficiency and adaptability when compared with our current von Neumann computers. They also present the opportunity to perform computational tasks near or within sensing devices for \u201cedge computing\u201d, with applications as diverse as personal health monitoring and space-based measurement systems.\n\nIn this project you will develop and use experimental and theoretical skills to build, test and optimize neuromorphic systems known as reservoir computers. These will be used to explore high efficiency edge computing with inputs from nearby or integrated mechanical, optical or biological sensors. You will work within, and be supported by, a team of internationally recognized experts in device technology, surface science, chemistry, and theoretical modelling. During the project, you will develop advanced functional materials and neuromorphic devices, making use of the world leading electronic and materials characterization tools available at the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility and the Micro Nano Research Facility.\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"490206 Statistical mechanics, physical combinatorics and mathematical aspects of condensed matter (50%), 461104 Neural networks (25%), 519901 Complex physical systems (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dougal McCulloch","title":"Synthesising novel phases of carbon by shear-induced phase transformations","description":"The record hardness and high refractive index of diamond-like carbons make them critical in a diverse range of applications from automated machining to quantum optoelectronics. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials  (40%), 401605 - Functional materials  (30%), 510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Brant Gibson, Andrew Greentree","title":"Diamond RF spectrum monitoring","description":"An opportunity exists for a PhD student to work on a theory project, relating to the use of diamond for RF spectrum monitoring. Diamond containing the nitrogen-vacancy colour centre has emerged as one of the most important solid-state quantum materials. Working closely with experimental physicists and our industry partners, you will explore the use of nitrogen-vacancy colour centres as material for monitoring weak radio-frequency signals. This work sits at the intersection of quantum science, photonics, materials science, and RF engineering. You will participate in regular team meetings and benefit from the supportive, interdisciplinary environment at RMIT University. You will have a degree including research experience (e.g. Honours, Masters, or equivalent experience) in a discipline related to the project, with preference given to graduates from Physics or Engineering backgrounds. You will be encouraged to present your work at conferences and team meetings, as well as to publish and\/or patent your results.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"020404 - Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Condensed Matter; Superconductivity (40%)\r\n020504 - Photonics, Optoelectronics and Optical Communications (35%)\r\n100505 - Microwave and Millimetrewave Theory and Technology (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova","title":"Laser-synthesized nanomaterials for new biological applications","description":"This project is part of Australia-France Network of Doctoral Excellence (AUFRANDE) aufrande.eu in a PhD program at both Aix-Marseille and RMIT Universities.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401805 Advanced Materials Manufacturing and Fabrication (50%)\r\n400305 Biomedical and Health Innovation (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicolas Menicucci","title":"Theoretical Quantum Information and Quantum Computing","description":"Quantum technology harnesses the surprising features of quantum mechanics for practical applications like advanced computing and secure communication. This challenging PhD experience in theoretical quantum physics will put you at the forefront of an exciting field. As a PhD student with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T), you will have connections with the flagship organisation for Australian research in quantum computing, comprising 8 Australian unis and more than 30 international partner organisations. For more information, please contact Prof Nicolas Menicucci.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"510805 Quantum Technologies (50%)\r\n510803 Quantum information, computation and communication (30%)\r\n510804 Quantum optics and quantum optomechanics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Bryant, Philipp Reineck","title":"Advanced characterisation of complex nanoparticles using scattering techniques","description":"Nanoparticles are of growing importance for a range of applications including drug delivery, Lubricants and Biosensors. While traditional research has focussed on homogeneous spherical nanoparticles there is growing interest in the possible applications for complex nanoparticles, including a range of shapes (rods, disks, plates, prisms etc) and a range of complex morphologies (core-shell particles, multi-layered particles, clusters etc).\n\nWhile imaging methods can be used to characterise some of these particles, generally they rely on sample preparation which can change the shape and\/or size, especially for soft particles. Moreover, many of the applications are for particles suspended in water or other solvents, so the characterisation of their properties in suspension is critical.\n\nWhile characterising of spherical particles is standard, methods for the characterisation of complex particles are much more limited. Recently we have developed techniques for improved characterisation of a range of particle morphologies using scattering techniques (light, X-ray and neutron). However, the experiments and analysis required are very specialised, and not yet suitable for use outside of research settings.\n\nThis project will advance this research by developing improved and simplified experimental and analysis methods for the characterisation of complex nanoparticles in suspension. Experiments will use advanced scattering techniques at RMIT, as well as international X-ray and Neutron scattering facilities. In addition, the project will involve experiments at the National Measurement Institute (NMI) in Sydney to apply complementary techniques. There may also be the opportunity for an extended internship at NMI.\n\nThis project would be suitable for a physicist, physical chemist or engineer with an interest in optics and scattering. The research will require an understanding of scattering theory and solid programming skills.\n\nTo discuss this project further please contact: \nProf Gary Bryant (gary.bryant@rmit.edu.au)\nPhilipp Reineck (philipp.reineck@rmit.edu.au)","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510405 (50%)\r\n340603 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tamar Greaves, Andrew Christofferson & Calum Drummond","title":"Protein solubility and stability in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents","description":"Most proteins have limited solubility and stability outside their native environment. This project will aim to develop new solvents to improve and control the solubility and stability of proteins. These solvents will be aqueous and neat solutions of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents. This project will involve characterisation of protein solubility and stability using a broad range of techniques including spectroscopic and scattering. This will be done in conjunction with designing, developing and characterising new solvents, including their physicochemical and solvation properties.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Blanca del Rosal, Philipp Reineck, Brant Gibson, Sarah Spencer, SHBS","title":"Lifetime imaging for non-invasively tracking brain inflammation and injury","description":"Microglia are immune cells in the central nervous system that respond to changes in brain health when inflammation or injury occurs. Microglia display a bright autofluorescence (AFL) that offers unique potential as a biomarker of changes in brain health, since autofluorescence is extremely susceptible to changes in cell metabolism and function. Microglia are also present in the retina, so they may be visualised non-invasively through a retinal scan. In this project, we use advanced optical microscopy and coherent vibrational spectroscopy techniques to characterise the AFL of microglia in the brain and retina of healthy and diseased animal models. These techniques include advanced time-resolved microscopy, both under single- and multiphoton excitation, nonlinear Raman spectroscopies (Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) and Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy, SRS) and short-wave infrared imaging and photoluminescence spectroscopy. We will develop analytical methods, including two-dimensional phasor plotting of lifetimes, to quantify the effect of disease in microglial AFL and the correlation between changes in the brain and the retina. These will serve to establish a set of imaging parameters that can provide information on brain health through retinal imaging. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"400304\r\n320903\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova, Denver Linklater, Phuc Le","title":"Design and characterisation of surface topography and architecture of advanced biomimetic functional coatings ","description":"It is well known that surface topography can imbue material surfaces with remarkable properties, but the ability to control surface structure on large surface areas remains a challenge and requires new approaches. The overall goal of this project is therefore to provide further understanding of the mechanistic processes that allow assembly of substantially durable films. Key skills in this area are application of surface analytical techniques to probe the nanostructure and architecture of surfaces. The knowledge generated in this project will assist in the development of advanced coating.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401807"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova, Zoltan Vilagosh, Denver Linklater, Elena Pirogova, SoE","title":"Study of the mechanism\/s of biological effects of low-power radiofrequency emissions","description":"This project is part of RMIT University node under the Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR), which is a Centre of Excellence funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia since 2005. ACEBR\u2019s remit is, among other things, to conduct cutting-edge research into potential health effects associated with exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by telecommunications devices, such as 5G. The ACEBR board is comprised of senior Australian academics with expertise ranging from mechanisms (e.g., how does RF-EMF affect the body), to experimental animal research (e.g., does RF-EMF cause pathology in mice) and experimental human research (e.g., does RF-EMF cause symptoms in those who report being \u2018electro-hypersensitive\u2019). Importantly, the ACEBR board has substantial experience addressing this issue in terms of both national and international science evaluation, including roles within the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). \r\nThis project aims to explore the mechanisms by which radiofrequency emissions could affect basic biological structures and processes, through both theoretical modelling and in vitro research and determine whether the effect of low-power radiofrequency emissions on the human electroencephalogram is thermally mediated.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"511003 (50%)\r\n510501 (50%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Elena Ivanova, Zoltan Vilagosh, Denver Linklater, Phuc Le","title":"Design and fabrication of specific nanostructure geometries with enhanced bactericidal performance","description":"Design and fabrication of specific nanostructure geometries with enhanced bactericidal performance","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"401801(40%)\r\n401805 (30%)\r\n401810 (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Philipp Reineck, Amy Gelmi","title":"Nanodiamonds for intracellular sensing","description":"The project aims to explore the innovative use of nanodiamonds as a versatile platform for intracellular sensing in stem cells. Stem cells possess remarkable regenerative potential, making them invaluable for tissue engineering and regenerating damaged tissues. However, understanding their intracellular processes and responses to external stimuli remains a challenge due to limited tools for precise monitoring.\r\n\r\nNanodiamonds offer a unique combination of properties that make them ideal candidates for intracellular sensing. Their small size allows for cellular uptake without causing significant cytotoxicity, and their chemistry can be tailored for specific sensing applications (i.e. magnetic fields, temperature, voltage). Moreover, their stable fluorescent and magnetic properties enable real-time, non-invasive monitoring of cellular processes at the nanoscale level.\r\n\r\nThe project will focus on optimizing nanodiamond-based sensing platforms, leveraging nanodiamonds' inherent sensitivity to factors like pH, temperature, and redox potential. This will allow for real-time monitoring of stem cell responses to environmental changes and stimulation protocols, thus enhancing our understanding of their regenerative potential and enabling improved control over their fate.\r\n\r\nThis is an interdisciplinary project at the intersection of nanotechnology, stem cell biology, and biomedical engineering, aiming to establish nanodiamonds as powerful tools for intracellular sensing. As such this project would suit a student from any STEM background with a drive to learn new techniques and areas of research. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510204 (3-%)\r\n401809 (40%)\r\n310607 (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gail Iles, Brett Carter, Julie Currie","title":"Shielding materials and technologies for the protection of astronauts against space radiation","description":"Since 2020, humanity has maintained a constant human presence in space. This time has been spent in Low Earth Orbit (<450 km altitude) where there is still much protection from space radiation by the Earth\u2019s magnetic field. With humanity\u2019s quest to continue exploring the solar system, the Artemis program [1] will see the next humans land at the South Pole of the Moon as a precursor to permanent bases on the Moon and Mars via the Lunar Orbital Gateway. Without the protection of the Earth\u2019s magnetic field the radiation environment is significantly different in these new locations [2].\r\n\r\nSuitable materials for space transportation vehicles and planetary habitats to shield humans against solar energetic particles and Galactic Cosmic Rays will need to be developed. Shielding can either be passive [3] or active [4], however, any effective solution will need to remain lightweight and therefore affordable for launch. \r\n\r\nThis project will involve modelling the response to radiation by novel materials using GEANT-4 and the OLTARIS database [5] and constructing active shielding prototypes for radiation testing in the laboratory.  There will be opportunities to use space radiation analogues [6] at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Sydney & Melbourne).  Interested students should have a strong interest in experimental physics, space science and instrumentation.\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510906 Space Instrumentation (50%)\r\n510904 Solar system energetic particles (25%)\r\n510404 Electronic and magnetic properties of condensed matter; superconductivity"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Saffron Bryant, Gary Bryant, Tamar Greaves, Aaron Elbourne","title":"Improved cryopreservation of cells and tissues","description":"Cryopreservation of cells involves storage at very cold temperatures to minimise biochemical activity and prevent damage to the cells. However, the freezing process is very risky for cells, and requires cryoprotectants and tailored freezing protocols to enable cells to survive and not dehydrate or burst. There are currently few successful cryoprotectants, and few cells which can be successfully frozen, so there is a strong need for a wider variety of cryoprotectants [1].\r\nThis project will involve developing novel molecules as potential cryoprotectants, including ionic liquids [2], deep eutectic solvents and sugar based synthetic molecules [3] and then testing these on mammalian cells. Techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, toxicity assays and confocal microscopy will be used to optimise cryopreservation procedures.\r\nThe key aim of this project is to optimise the cryopreservation of specific cell types by tailoring numerous variables including cryoprotectant type, concentration, addition method, and cooling and warming rate.\r\nThe project would suit candidates with Biophysics, Physical Chemistry or Biology backgrounds.\r\n[1] Raju et al., BBA \u2013 General Subjects 2021, 1865, 129749. DOI: 10.1016\/j.bbagen.2020.129749\r\n[2] Bryant et al., J. Coll. Interf. Sci. 603 (2021) 491\u2013500. DOI: 10.1016\/j.jcis.2021.06.096\r\n[3] Raju et al., Chem. Phys. Lip. 2020, 231 104949. DOI: 10.1016\/j.chemphyslip.2020.104949\r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 Soft Condensed Matter (25%)\r\n310199 Biochemistry and Cell Biology not Elsewhere classified (75%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"David Broadway","title":"Quantum sensing of 2D magnetic materials","description":"This project aims to develop and apply quantum microscope techniques to image magnetism in 2D materials. Initially, the student will be involved in the experimental realisation of these quantum microscopes, learning or applying knowledge and skills in optics, quantum physics, and condensed matter physics. Secondly, the student will use this platform to interrogate magnetism in novel 2D magnetic materials.  ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510402 - Condensed matter imaging (50%)\r\n510404 - Electronic and magnetic properties of condensed matter; superconductivity (30%)\r\n510401 - Condensed matter characterisation technique development (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Tamar Greaves,  Andrew Martin, Qi(Hank) Han","title":"Rheological properties of ionic liquids gels","description":"Ionic liquids are designer solvents which are also salts. They are showing potential as use as solvents for biological applications, where there is a large need for new solvents to address current limitations. In particular, ionic liquids can be used to modify the stability and solubility of proteins, and provide new options for protein crystallisation, and delivery of protein crystals for serial crystallography.\r\nThis project will focus on the rheological properties of ionic liquids, including their mixtures with water and with additives to form low to high viscosity media.  This will provide fundamental knowledge currently lacking in the literature. This project will also try select solvents for use with stabilising protein crystals for use in injector systems for characterising proteins at the Australian Synchrotron. \r","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510405 Soft Condensed Matter (75%)\r\n510501 Biological Physics (25%)\r"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Valentina Baccetti, Jared Cole","title":"Computational thermodynamics of neuromorphic systems","description":"Neuromorphic systems are computational systems that are designed to mimic the behaviour and functionality of biological neural systems, such as those found in the brain. Differently to traditional platforms, based on the Von Neumann architecture, neuromorphic systems manipulate information (that is perform computations) and store it using artificial neurons. For this reason, neuromorphic systems are designed to be more flexible and more adaptable, and are particularly efficient in performing machine learning tasks such as image recognition, pattern detection, and decision making. While several implementations of neuromorphic already exist, a comprehensive general model has not yet been formulated that would allow for a precise analytical (or semi-analytical) description of their dynamics. In this project you will use computational thermodynamics and field theory tools to models and forecast the dynamics of neuromorphic systems composed of memristive devices. During this project, you will work with a team of experts in classical and quantum thermodynamics, and will learn the ropes of statistical mechanics, stochastic thermodynamics and classical field theory. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"490206\tStatistical mechanics, physical combinatorics and mathematical aspects of condensed matter (50%)\r\n461104\tNeural networks (25%)\r\n519901\tComplex physical systems (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jared Cole, Jackson Smith, Valentina Baccetti, Salvy Russo","title":"The quantum mechanics of computers and electronic devices: designing the technology of the 21st century.","description":"In the 20th century, quantum mechanics was a theory that was hard to understand but seemed to work unreasonably well. In the 21st century we are harnessing quantum physics and nanotechnology to build new types of computers, high efficiency solar cells and electronics with ultra-low power consumption. To do so requires developing new mathematical models and advanced computational approaches. This project will involve working with leading researchers and quantum technology companies to develop these tools, and use them to design cutting edge new technology. You will join a dedicated and talented team of scientists working on a range of problems in this area, and collaborating with many groups nationally and internationally. During your PhD you will develop high level mathematical and coding skills, as well taking your presentation and writing skills to the next level. Former members of this group go on to work in a range of mathematical and computational modelling fields. These include working in research (both academic and government) on topics as diverse as climate modelling or advanced laser development, as well as working in the growing quantum technology industry. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510404, 510805, 400912"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne, Brant Gibson, Andrew Greentree, Philipp Reineck","title":"Spin defects in 2D materials for quantum technologies","description":"This project aims to study the optical and spin properties of atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride, a layered van der Waals materials made of atomically thin 2D sheets, and to realise nanoscale quantum sensors based on these systems. One of these defects is the boron vacancy, which corresponds to a missing boron atom in the boron nitride lattice. The boron vacancy defect has an electronic spin that can be optically initialised and read out, and as such it forms an ideal system for quantum technologies in particular to realise quantum sensors, i.e. sensors that can detect magnetic and electric fields with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. Specific project goals include the creation of boron vacancy defects optimised for sensing applications, the characterisation of new defects and their optical and spin properties, and the demonstration of sensing applications for chemical detection or for the characterisation of nanomaterials. Skills you will learn include constructing\/conducting optical microscopy experiments, programming a software interface to control an experiment, preparing\/characterising samples using state-of-the-art tools.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340304 Optical properties of materials (30%)\r\n401807 Nanomaterials (30%)\r\n510805 Quantum technologies (40%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toby Allen","title":"Computational Biophysics - Ion Channel Mechanisms","description":"This PhD project, to be carried out within the Computational Biophysics Group headed by Prof. Toby Allen, provides an opportunity for a talented student to undertake their Ph.D. on a project funded by the Australian Research Council and the National Institutes of Health (USA). The Computational Biophysics Group employs and develops advanced physical and chemical simulation approaches to explore problems associated with membrane charge transport. Ion channels are proteins that control the movements of ions across cell membranes, enabling electrical activity in the body, such as heartbeat and brain activity. These studies require the development and application of advanced computer simulation methods to explore the mechanisms underlying the activation and ion conduction of ion channels, based on newly-solved protein structures from X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. We are seeking to understand the physical mechanisms explaining the actions of different potassium- and sodium-conducting ion channels in the body. This project has established experimental collaborators in the USA, Denmark and Australia, and uses state of the art supercomputing resources, including NCI, IVEC, Melbourne Bioinformatics and local CPU and GPU clusters. This project will develop methodologies to solve for the fundamental physical mechanisms of these important biological devices using statistical mechanical methods on supercomputers. This project is most suitable for students with:\n\u2022 an Honours degree (or equivalent Masters by Research) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, biology, biomolecular engineering or related discipline.\n\u2022 research experience involving theory and\/or computation in condensed matter\nphysics, physical chemistry, computational biology or related techniques.\n\u2022 a strong desire to study biological problems using physical and chemical\nmethods, and passion for molecular science and modern supercomputing.\nSample references:\n* C. Fan, N. Sukomon, E. Flood, J. Rheinberger, T.W. Allen, C.M. Nimigean. 2020. Calcium gating uncovers ball-and-chain inactivation in a potassium channel. Nature. 580:288-293. * E. Flood, C. Boiteux, B. Lev, I. Vorobyov and T.W. Allen. 2019. Atomistic simulations of membrane ion channel conduction, gating and modulation. Chemical Reviews. 119 (13), 7737-7832 (with journal cover).\n* See also: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=gsyU9coAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"029901, 020405, 030699, 060112"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toby Allen","title":"Computational Biophysics of Membranes, Ion Pumps and Cholesterol","description":"This PhD project, to be carried out within the Computational Biophysics Group headed by Prof. Toby Allen, provides an opportunity for a talented student to undertake their Ph.D. in ARC-funded molecular biophysics research. The Computational Biophysics Group develops advanced physical and chemical simulation approaches to explore problems associated with membrane charge transport. Ion pumps and channels are proteins that drive electrochemical gradients and regulate the movement of ions, enabling electrical activity in the body. Our studies require the development and application of computer simulation methods to explore the mechanisms of ion pump and channel function. This project has established experimental collaborators in Australia and Denmark, and uses state of the art supercomputing resources at NCI, IVEC, Melbourne Bioinformatics and local CPU and GPU clusters. Cholesterol may have evolved in animals to optimise the function of proteins in their cell membranes. A prime candidate is the Na+ ,K+ -ATPase (the sodium pump) that provides the driving force for basic functions such as nerve and muscle activity. Without the sodium pump, multicellular animal life would be viable. Data shows that pump activity is massively enhanced by physiological levels of cholesterol. One aim of the project is to determine how cholesterol and cholesterol-altered membrane properties affect pump activity. We are developing computational methodologies to solve for the mechanisms of pump function using statistical mechanics and supercomputers. This project is most suitable for students with:\n\u2022 an Honours degree (or equivalent Masters by Research) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, biology, biomolecular engineering or related discipline.\n\u2022 research experience involving theory and\/or computation in condensed matter\nphysics, physical chemistry, computational biology or related techniques.\n\u2022 a strong desire to study biological problems using physical and chemical\nmethods, and passion for molecular science and modern supercomputing.\nSample references:\n* L.J Mares et al, TW Allen & R Clarke 2014. Identification of Electric-Field-Dependent Steps in the Na+,K+-Pump Cycle. Biophysical Journal. 107:1352\u201363. With cover and editorial.\n* C. Fan, N. Sukomon, E. Flood, J. Rheinberger, T.W. Allen, C.M. Nimigean. 2020. Calcium gating uncovers ball-and-chain inactivation in a potassium channel. Nature. 580:288-293. * E. Flood, C. Boiteux, B. Lev, I. Vorobyov and T.W. Allen. 2019. Atomistic simulations of membrane ion channel conduction, gating and modulation. Chemical Reviews. 119 (13), 7737-7832 (with journal cover).\n* See also: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=gsyU9coAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"FOR 029901, 020405, 030699, 060112"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR229 \/ DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Toby Allen","title":"Computational Molecular Neuroscience and Pharmacology","description":"This PhD project, to be carried out within the Computational Biophysics Group headed by Prof. Toby Allen, provides an opportunity for a talented student to undertake their Ph.D. on an ARC-funded molecular biophysics project of medical significance. The Computational Biophysics Group employs and develops advanced physical and chemical simulation approaches to explore problems associated with membrane charge transport. Ion channels are proteins that control the movements of ions across cell membranes, enabling critical electrical activity such as heartbeat and brain activity, and are chief targets for drugs and anaesthetics. Our studies require the development and application of computer simulation methods to explore the mechanisms of ion channel function and modulation by drugs for a range of neurological and cardiac diseases. This project has established experimental collaborators in Australia, USA and France, and uses state of the art supercomputing resources at NCI, IVEC, Melbourne Bioinformatics and local CPU and GPU clusters. It includes studies of the effects of different families of compounds on different ion channels, including potassium and sodium channels, as well as ligand-gated ion channels in the brain. e.g. Understanding the actions of general anaesthetics has been the goal of over 150 years of scientific and medical studies. We would like to understand how protein switches (ligand-gated ion channels) are activated by binding molecules to generate electrical signals in the brain and then how anaesthetics block or enhance these switches, leading to loss of sensation and the ability to feel pain. This project will develop computational methodologies to solve for the pathways and energetics underlying ion channel activation and modulation using statistical mechanical methods on supercomputers. This project is most suitable for students with:\n\u2022 an Honours degree (or equivalent Masters by Research) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, biology, biomolecular engineering or related discipline.\n\u2022 research experience involving theory and\/or computation in condensed matter\nphysics, physical chemistry, computational biology or related techniques.\n\u2022 a strong desire to study biological problems using physical and chemical\nmethods, and passion for molecular science and modern supercomputing.\nSample references:\n* B Lev et al & TW Allen. 2017. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). 114:E4158\u201367. (News story: www.rmit.edu.au\/news\/all-news\/2017\/may\/supercomputer-study-unlocks-secrets-of-brain-and-saferanaesthetics ).\n* C Boiteux, et al & TW Allen. 2014. Local anesthetic and antiepileptic drug access and binding to a bacterial voltage-gated sodium channel. PNAS. 111:13057-62. With editorial.\n* C. Fan, N. Sukomon, E. Flood, J. Rheinberger, T.W. Allen, C.M. Nimigean. 2020. Calcium gating uncovers ball-and-chain inactivation in a potassium channel. Nature. 580:288-293. * E. Flood, et al & T.W. Allen. 2019. Atomistic simulations of membrane ion channel conduction, gating and modulation. Chemical Reviews. 119 (13), 7737-7832 (with journal cover).\n* See also: https:\/\/scholar.google.com.au\/citations?user=gsyU9coAAAAJ&hl=en","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"FOR 029901, 020405, 030699, 060112"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Nicolas Menicucci","title":"Gravity and quantum-limited measurements with a fundamental minimum length","description":"Do you have outstanding skills in advanced mathematics? Are you interested in quantum physics, general relativity and fundamental physics? If so, you may be right for this project. RMIT Physics, in conjunction with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T), is looking for an exceptionally high-performing student to perform advanced theoretical work in relativistic quantum information (RQI). This highly challenging PhD experience will offer you the chance to work on world-class research combining quantum information theory with key aspects of quantum field theory and general relativity.\rThis project aims to investigate the effects of a fundamental minimum length on the nature of gravity and on how accurately we can make measurements in our world. The key challenge is to combine our best theories of fundamental physics to model what happens at ultra-short distances. This project will generate new knowledge at this interface by using a novel approach inspired by information theory. The expected outcomes are new connections between fundamental limitations on measurements, the nature of gravitation, and ultra-small-scale quantum physics. The benefit of this work is breaking the logjam in answering the most important open question in all of physics: how to unite quantum theory and gravitation.\rNote: This PhD project is open to candidates who demonstrate an exceptionally high aptitude for advanced mathematics.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"3\/1\/2023","ecp":"No ECP alignment","forcodes":"020603 - Quantum Information, Computation and Communication 40\n010505 - Mathematical Aspects of Quantum and Conformal Field Theory, Quantum Gravity and\nString Theory 30\n020602 - Field Theory and String Theory 30"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Rick Franich","title":"Motion Management in Radiotherapy using Surface Mapping and AI Image Generation","description":"This project will apply machine learning (ML) techniques to the generation of 3-D image models of moving internal anatomy for patients undergoing radiation therapy for tumours with high mobility. The aim is to combine pre-treatment 4-D CT imaging and skin\/surface mapping into a predictive model that can locate the tumour target during radiation treatment delivery, and enable avoidance of nearby organs at risk, using surface imaging alone. This will improve upon current practice that requires repeated radiological imaging during the course of treatment, along with the associated radiation exposure.\n\nPre-treatment planning of radiotherapy to moving tumours affected by respiratory and cardiac motion is informed by 4-D CT imaging of internal anatomy. Contemporary radiation therapy increasingly uses surface imaging to supplement or reduce the use of radiation for imaging, particularly for patient positioning and setup. The goal is to answer the Research Question:\n\n\"Can real-time optical surface imaging be used via machine learning to infer intrafractional motion in therapies where surface motion is a good surrogate for tumour motion without changes to the radiotherapy process?\"\n\nThis project will be conducted in close collaboration with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and co-Supervised by a leading PMCC Medical Physics researcher.\n\nThe project will use a combination of (i) actual clinical data from radiation therapy patient treatments including X-ray projections and Cone Beam CT imaging acquired at each treatment fraction, and (ii) digital twin XCAT 'phantoms' to simulate 4D CT, Surface Guidance mapping and X-ray projection data where the ground-truth anatomy and motion is known, for a variety of patient morphologies and applied breathing patterns.\n\n","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"2025-06-30","ecp":"Biomedical and Health Innovation","forcodes":"510502 Medical Physics (100%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 \/ MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gail Iles","title":"Lightweight Ground Penetrating Radar devices for operation in space","description":"The Artemis program is an international human spaceflight program with the primary goal of returning humans to the Moon at the lunar South pole. Launch vehicles, lunar landers, human habitats and a crewed lunar orbiter spacecraft are all planned for launch and operation during the 2020\u2019s. Australia is a member of the Artemis program after signing the Artemis Accords in 2020.\nEstablishing a permanent human habitat on the Moon will require a number of scientific investigations and technological advances. One option is to utilise old, underground lava tubes as locations for crew to live and work. Although some mapping of the Moon has been undertaken from orbit using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), precise detail and location of lava tubes and their entrances remains unknown. Better maps could be obtained by conducting GPR surveys directly on the lunar surface. GPR equipment which utilises magnetic antennae is perfect for space missions which require lightweight, size-limited components, however, technology is still in the prototype phase. This project will involve development of a lightweight, lunar GPR device capable of operating in the harsh conditions of space and on the lunar surface. A proven ability in electromagnetism, signals processing and device construction is essential. An interest in space hardware is preferred. Students will design, fabricate and test GPR devices, simulate GPR responses and conduct GPR field tests in space analogue locations.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"AM 3 Materials for Extreme Conditions;AMF 2 Advanced automation research and sensor and sensor network research;","forcodes":"510906 Space Sciences; Space instrumentation (50%)\r510905 Space Sciences; Solar system planetary science (30%)\r370602 Geophysics; Electrical and electromagnetic methods in geophysics (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Dougal McCulloch","title":"Synthesising novel phases of carbon by shear-induced phase transformations","description":"The record hardness and high refractive index of diamond-like carbons make them critical in a diverse range of applications from automated machining to quantum optoelectronics. \n\nThis project seeks to develop new super-hard and tough carbon materials leading to more efficient cutting tools for industry and for the extraction and processing of minerals. The new diamond-like carbon materials are expected to have excellent barrier properties that could benefit the Australian medical device industry by extending the service life of implants, leading to better quality of life for Australians.\n\nThe results of our research into phase changes in carbon is also likely to be of interest in extra-terrestrial studies. By exploring carbon solids under the extreme conditions found elsewhere in our solar system, including on the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn and their moons, we aim to promote Australia\u2019s culture as a scientific nation and help prepare humanity for future space exploration.","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"340309 - Theory and design of materials  (40%), 401605 - Functional materials  (30%), 510406 - Structural properties of condensed matter (30%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jim Partridge","title":"Laser ablation of super abrasive grinding wheels","description":"Grinding is utilised in advanced manufacturing when there is a requirement for high material removal rates, tight geometrical and surface finish tolerances and\/or difficult-to-machine materials are involved. High performance gears, bearings and tooling for the automotive industry are all examples of ground components.\rPreparation of the grinding wheel is vital to the performance of the final engineered component and the last step in preparation is known as dressing. Current wheel dressing methods typically fail to produce complex profiles, have long cycle times and are limited to features with radii exceeding 0.200 mm. A further limitation is that only wheels with conductive binders can be processed. For these reasons, laser ablation is increasingly being exploited in the fabrication of advanced grinding wheels. This project aims to develop a laser ablation-based machine tool for the dressing of super-abrasive grinding wheels. These grinding wheels will then be used in various advanced manufacturing settings. Project aims include (i) optimising laser and optic designs (ii) determining process parameters and ablation strategies which enable the preparation of super-abrasive diamond and cubic boron nitride grinding wheels. To achieve these aims, knowledge will be gained in the areas of ultra-short pulse lasers, laser optics, precision control systems, CNC programming, materials science and advanced microscopy and metrology.\rThe MSc student will be involved in achieving these aims. With the lead project investigators, they will acquire skills in advanced manufacturing, modelling and materials science\/engineering. The project is industry-linked and supported by experienced academics with world-class facilities for advanced manufacturing and materials research. The project is likely to lead to the offer of an ongoing position upon completion.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"30\/04\/2022","ecp":"AM 3 Materials for Extreme Conditions;AMF 1 Manufacturing across scales and functions;","forcodes":"401602, 401605, 401699"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Jean-Philippe Tetienne","title":"Quantum microscopy for advanced material characterisation","description":"The project aims to develop and apply new microscopy techniques that exploit quantum sensors based on spin defects in solids. Firstly, the student will be involved in the experimental realisation of these quantum microscopes, learning or applying knowledge and skills in optics, quantum physics, and condensed matter physics. Secondly, the student will apply these instruments to image and characterise the properties of new nanomaterials, in particular two-dimensional magnetic materials, acquiring\/applying skills in nanofabrication and materials science.","sdg":"","funded":"Yes","closedate":"31\/10\/2022","ecp":"Advanced Materials","forcodes":"020401 Condensed Matter Characterisation Technique Development (50%) 020402 Condensed Matter Imaging (25%) 020404 Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Condensed Matter; Superconductivity (25%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 \/ MR230","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Gary Bryant, Tamar Greaves, Saffron Bryant","title":"Interactions between lipid membranes and cryoprotectants","description":"Cryopreservation of cells involves storage at very cold temperatures to minimise biochemical activity and prevent damage to the cells. However, the freezing process is very risky for cells, and requires cryoprotectants and tailored freezing protocols to enable cells to survive and not dehydrate or burst. There are currently few successful cryoprotectants, and few cells which can be successfully frozen, so there is a strong need for a wider variety of cryoprotectants [1].\nThis project will involve developing novel molecules as potential cryoprotectants, including ionic liquids [2], deep eutectic solvents and sugar based synthetic molecules [3]. The interactions between these molecules and synthetic cell membranes will be studied by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray and neutron scattering techniques [4], and related techniques. Experiments will also be conducted with cell cultures. Some of these experiments will be conducted using national or international Synchrotron or Neutron scattering research facilities. The key aim of this project is to develop a fundamental understanding of how cryoprotectants interact with membranes, including their permeability, toxicity, and location within the membrane, and to develop new, novel cryoprotectants.\nThe project could be at either Masters or PhD level and would suit candidates with Physics, Biophysics or Physical Chemistry backgrounds.\n[1] Raju et al., BBA \u2013 General Subjects 2021, 1865, 129749. DOI: 10.1016\/j.bbagen.2020.129749\n[2] Bryant et al., J. Coll. Interf. Sci. 603 (2021) 491\u2013500. DOI: 10.1016\/j.jcis.2021.06.096\n[3] Raju et al., Chem. Phys. Lip. 2020, 231 104949. DOI: 10.1016\/j.chemphyslip.2020.104949\n[4] Kent et al., Langmuir 2015, 31 (33), 9134-9141. DOI: 10.1021\/acs.langmuir.5b02127","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"BHI 4 Drug discovery; AM 3 Materials for Extreme Conditions","forcodes":"510405 (40%)\n340603 (40%)\n319999 (20%)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Physics","programcode":"DR230 ","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Andrew Greentree","title":"Measuring consciousness ","description":"Consciousness is one of the defining characteristics of the human experience. As artificial intelligences become increasingly sophisticated, it may soon become integral to the experience of artificial life also. Yet despite this, we still do not understand consciousness in human and non-human animals and have no way of measuring consciousness without reliance on subjective lived experiences. This thesis will attempt to define a scale for consciousness that can be applied to human and non-human animals, as well as emerging artificial intelligences. We will explore the existing human-based tests for consciousness and extrapolate these to non-human animals. By using this basis, we will devise psycho-physical measurements for consciousness and explore the biological and evolutionary basis for consciousness. While we are attempting to understanding consciousness, we will also ask whether proxy observations for consciousness inform our understanding of consciousness, or if instead they imply that consciousness is an illusion.","sdg":"","funded":"No","closedate":"","ecp":"Information in Society","forcodes":"500311 Philosophical psychology (incl. moral psychology and philosophy of action)"},{"college":"STEM","school":"Science","discipline":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","programcode":"DR229","campus":"Melbourne City","teamleader":"Michelle Spencer","title":"Reactive small molecule sensing using 2D nanomaterials","description":"Reactive small molecules such as phosphine are commonly used industrially as fumigants to eliminate pests and microorganisms from bulk commodities and cash crops alike. Many of these fumigants are highly toxic and can only be reliably tested at >1ppm levels. To overcome this limitation, new sensing materials such as 2D materials and their heterostructures will be investigated to enable ppb level sensing, to improve worker\/operator safety. This project will focus on using density functional theory calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The project is a collaboration with Dr Michael Breedon at CSIRO and will involve working on the RMIT city campus and the CSIRO Clayton site. ","sdg":"","funded":"","closedate":"","ecp":"Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication","forcodes":"510403        Condensed matter modelling and density functional theory (70%)\n340108        Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (20%)\n300804        Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) (10%)"}],"college":{"1":"Business and Law","35":"Design and Social Context","53":"STEM"},"school":{"1":"Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","35":"Architecture & Urban Design","40":"Art","44":"Business and Law","53":"Computing Technologies","168":"Design","181":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","218":"Education","227":"Engineering","689":"Fashion & Textiles","700":"Global, Urban and Social Studies","719":"Graduate School of Business and Law","736":"Health & Biomedical Sciences","903":"Management","912":"Management; Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain","913":"Media & Communication","936":"Property, Construction and Project Management","968":"School of Science, Engineering and Technology (Vietnam)","982":"Science"},"discipline":{"1":"Accounting","3":"Information Systems","4":"Business Information Systems","6":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT)","7":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Information Management","8":"Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Logistics and Supply Chain Management","19":"Supply Chain & Logistics","33":"Supply Chain Management","35":"Architecture; Urban design; Landscape Architecture; Interior design","40":"Art","43":"Photography","44":"Economics, Finance and Marketing","52":"Finance","53":"Computing Technologies","54":"Interaction, Technology and Information","56":"Data Science","58":"Cyber Security and Software Systems","61":"Cloud, Systems & Security (CT)","62":"Software Engineering","65":"Computer Science","67":"Information Technology","78":"Artificial Intelligence","83":"Cloud, Systems & Security","138":"Data Science and Artificial Intelligence","168":"Digital Design","169":"Communication Design","172":"Communication Design; Digital Design; Industrial Design","180":"Digital Design; Industrial Design","182":"Economics","218":"Education","219":"STEM\/STEAM","220":"Sociology of Education","227":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation","258":"Chemical and Environmental Engineering","338":"Civil and Infrastructure Engineering","403":"Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering","418":"Electrical and Biomedical Engineering","552":"Environmental Engineering","557":"Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering","559":"Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","688":"Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering","689":"Fashion & Textiles Design","690":"Fashion Enterprise","691":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation; Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics Engineering; Mechanical and Automotive Engineering","692":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise","693":"Fashion and Textiles Design; Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology","694":"Fashion Enterprise; Textiles Technology; Fashion & Textiles Design","695":"Textiles Technology","700":"Global and Language Studies","701":"Social Work and Human Services","704":"Criminology and Justice Studies; Global and Language Studies","708":"Digital Design; Social Work and Human Services","714":"Sustainability & Urban Planning","719":"Business","726":"Law","736":"Nursing","738":"Health Science","752":"Pharmacy","756":"Chinese Medicine","762":"Medical Sciences","764":"Medical Science","766":"Medical Radiations","782":"CIID - Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases","785":"Digital Health","803":"Health and Biomedical Sciences","838":"NDHD - Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Program","854":"PIH - Preventative and Integrative Health","856":"Psychology","891":"Rehabilitation Sciences","894":"TIN - Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Program","903":"Management","912":"Business Information Systems; Management","913":"Media","916":"Communication","918":"Communication, Media","930":"Media and Communication","931":"Writing & Publishing","935":"Writing & Publishing, Media","936":"Construction Management","951":"Project management","959":"Property","968":"Aerospace Engineering and Aviation (Engineering)","971":"Data Science ","978":"Data Science (CT)","982":"Food Technology","994":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences","1098":"Applied Chemistry & Environmental Sciences; Physics","1099":"Biotechnology & Biological Sciences","1180":"Geospatial Sciences","1191":"Mathematical Sciences","1253":"Physics"}});